Godliness with contentment is great gain... I fully believe this. Is
there a difference between contentment and complacency? There is no
doubt, there is.
I believe we indoctrinate our children children to be complacent.
Schools teach children to never think too far outside of the box, never
color outside of the lines. In fact, never paint pink what is "supposed
to be" blue. We have become such a standardized society, it is either
go along with it or be left behind, cast aside. So we go along, telling
ourselves, "This is the way it has to be."
How does this translate to our churches? We Protestants often laud
Martin Luther as a hero of the faith for having the courage to buck
complacency and give rise to the Protestant Reformation. But would we
have the courage to pound the nail? Do we even have the guts to
disagree with our denomination's doctrinal stance when we cannot agree
in our heart of hearts? Or are we content to go along, to follow the
crowd, believing "it doesn't really hurt anything"?
I had to smile when I heard a conversation between Taliesin, my ten-year
old son, and his church music teacher a few days ago. Taliesin was
showing her some of his recent ocean creature drawings. When he came to
the lobster, she asked him if he likes to eat lobster. He explained to
her that he is vegetarian. She seemed a bit surprised and asked,
"Don't you like hotdogs?" He made a disgusted face and, again, said he
is vegetarian. She told him some of the seafood she likes to eat. He
listened politely, but he did not give up his stance. It was a
perfectly respectful conversation on both sides. But I was so proud
that he did not give in for the sake of not standing out - not even when
an adult, a teacher-figure, had questions. I feel confident that
Taliesin will not give into complacency. The meaning of his name -
"having a firm brow" - is so appropriate for him. I believe we could
take a few lessons from his determination.
Godliness with contentment in all circumstances, when we have little or
when we have much, is great gain. Complacency for the sake of going
along, is great loss - not only for us, but for the Kingdom of God. For
God has given us our interests, our talents, our passions for a
reason. I believe He expects us to use them.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Just some thoughts today about differences, unschooling, and God...
In I Corinthians 6, Paul discusses the issue of lawsuits among believers. How often we read this and think, "This really does not apply to my church today." I used to think this as well. But now I wonder how many times we truly live out this concept.
Example #1: When a family needs help financially or even needs assistance with the basic needs of life - food, clothing, shelter - does the church send them to someone else? How often do Christians condemn a welfare recipient as lazy, and then expect that individual to "ask the church" for help.
I have heard more than one example of families who were turned into child protective services by a member of their church. The church "family" member was concerned that the children did not have enough to eat or did not have their basic needs met. If this fellow Christian truly felt this concern, was taking it to the government the proper course of action? Was it really the Christian thing to do, based upon I Corinthians 6?
Example #2: Why do we often make it our business to judge someone else's lifestyle?
I encounter this a lot with my son, Taliesin. I have had more than one Sunday school teacher question how he learns. I have received many comments (or condemnations) from well-meaning Christians about the way my husband and I choose to educate our sons. They believe in a different philosophy of education than I do. That is fine. Differences of opinion are fine. Differences in education are fine. Not recognizing that differences of opinion are okay is not fine.
What many Christians so often fail to recognize is today's American education system is based upon the Greek model of learning - not upon the Bible or the early church or Jesus or ancient Hebrew. Not that the Greek model is wrong for everyone. But it's also not right for everyone. And to hail the Greek education model as the only Christian way is not only wrong; but, in my mind at least, it violates the very premise of I Corinthians 6. We are handling private matters through the government or the government's way.
Just some further thought:
In the first example, are we not rendering to Caesar that which is God's? Scripture is clear in both Old and New Testaments that we are to care for the needs of one another. Jesus' teachings on the division of His true servants from those who only claim to be, Paul's teachings on bearing one another's burdens - these are just a couple of examples.
In our second example, are we not doing the opposite? - rendering to God that which is Caesar's? We are placing man's ideas and philosophies on the same level, if you will, as God's. We are saying, "This is the only correct way" when the Bible does not say that at all. We are placing societal "rules" in a position of authority. Is this not contrary to what Jesus taught against in His "Render to Caesar" teaching? Is this not what the nation of Israel did prior to her fall in the Old Testament? God calls this type of devotion to society above devotion to Him by name - idolatry, unfaithfulness, spiritual adultery.
What a dangerous territory...
In I Corinthians 6, Paul discusses the issue of lawsuits among believers. How often we read this and think, "This really does not apply to my church today." I used to think this as well. But now I wonder how many times we truly live out this concept.
Example #1: When a family needs help financially or even needs assistance with the basic needs of life - food, clothing, shelter - does the church send them to someone else? How often do Christians condemn a welfare recipient as lazy, and then expect that individual to "ask the church" for help.
I have heard more than one example of families who were turned into child protective services by a member of their church. The church "family" member was concerned that the children did not have enough to eat or did not have their basic needs met. If this fellow Christian truly felt this concern, was taking it to the government the proper course of action? Was it really the Christian thing to do, based upon I Corinthians 6?
Example #2: Why do we often make it our business to judge someone else's lifestyle?
I encounter this a lot with my son, Taliesin. I have had more than one Sunday school teacher question how he learns. I have received many comments (or condemnations) from well-meaning Christians about the way my husband and I choose to educate our sons. They believe in a different philosophy of education than I do. That is fine. Differences of opinion are fine. Differences in education are fine. Not recognizing that differences of opinion are okay is not fine.
What many Christians so often fail to recognize is today's American education system is based upon the Greek model of learning - not upon the Bible or the early church or Jesus or ancient Hebrew. Not that the Greek model is wrong for everyone. But it's also not right for everyone. And to hail the Greek education model as the only Christian way is not only wrong; but, in my mind at least, it violates the very premise of I Corinthians 6. We are handling private matters through the government or the government's way.
Just some further thought:
In the first example, are we not rendering to Caesar that which is God's? Scripture is clear in both Old and New Testaments that we are to care for the needs of one another. Jesus' teachings on the division of His true servants from those who only claim to be, Paul's teachings on bearing one another's burdens - these are just a couple of examples.
In our second example, are we not doing the opposite? - rendering to God that which is Caesar's? We are placing man's ideas and philosophies on the same level, if you will, as God's. We are saying, "This is the only correct way" when the Bible does not say that at all. We are placing societal "rules" in a position of authority. Is this not contrary to what Jesus taught against in His "Render to Caesar" teaching? Is this not what the nation of Israel did prior to her fall in the Old Testament? God calls this type of devotion to society above devotion to Him by name - idolatry, unfaithfulness, spiritual adultery.
What a dangerous territory...
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Summer Activities
So far this summer, Taliesin and Nathanael have been delving into sewing, cavemen, the Vikings, and lots of outdoor fun. For those that are not friends with me on Facebook, I have posted many updates and photos. I seriously need to get better about blogging. Oh, for more time in each day.
Kandy
Kandy
Friday, February 17, 2012
More on Ancient China
Taliesin and Nathanael have been doing so well on their ancient China study. Their lapbook is now four file-folders big. LOL We began our study with Ping. Then we moved into the importance of obedience. We've also been studying the culture of ancient China. Today, we specifically got into dynasties. Nathanael had a blast studying place values as we wrote the years of each dynasty. He's my little mathematician and scientist. Taliesin, of course, loved studying the history and culture. He is my thinker.
Lapbooks help Taliesin so much with his reading. He has an awesome comprehension, but he does struggle with the mechanics of reading. But reading what he has written and thought-out helps him so much.
We are supposed to be getting our tax refund next week, so we will be picking out new lapbooking kits. Taliesin is excited! And I am going to be investing in a new digital camera as well to take some pictures of all their hard work!
Kandy
Lapbooks help Taliesin so much with his reading. He has an awesome comprehension, but he does struggle with the mechanics of reading. But reading what he has written and thought-out helps him so much.
We are supposed to be getting our tax refund next week, so we will be picking out new lapbooking kits. Taliesin is excited! And I am going to be investing in a new digital camera as well to take some pictures of all their hard work!
Kandy
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
A long time
I realize it has been a long time since I have updated this blog. This past year has been one of ups and downs and struggles. We have done a lot of natural learning combined with the art activities, lapbooks, and other things that Taliesin and Nathanael love.
Starting again today, I am wanting to update this blog more with Taliesin's and Nathanael's activities. For the past week or so, they have been studying ancient China - thanks to an interest in the Disney movie Mulan. We've been going back through our Ping study as well as throwing in information from the History Channel's website and other historical websites (and even information from the Voice of the Martyrs) for information about China itself.
Looking forward to blogging more!
God bless.
Kandy
Starting again today, I am wanting to update this blog more with Taliesin's and Nathanael's activities. For the past week or so, they have been studying ancient China - thanks to an interest in the Disney movie Mulan. We've been going back through our Ping study as well as throwing in information from the History Channel's website and other historical websites (and even information from the Voice of the Martyrs) for information about China itself.
Looking forward to blogging more!
God bless.
Kandy
Monday, August 16, 2010
First Day of Not Back to School
The school kids all went back to school today; so we decided to make today our first day of NOt BaCK tO sCHOol! We've been having fun. We have made Chinese dragon puppets and studied Chinese dynasties. Taliesin has been sewing up a storm today. We have read books. This evening, we are going to bake a cake to celebrate our not back to school freedom! Oh, and Taliesin wants to get started on learning more about ancient Greece (thanks to Percy Jackson). It's so much fun to not go back to school!
Kandy
Kandy
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