Encouragement for homeschool parents
Hear from our executive director Kirk as he shares reflections on faith, character, and discipling children at home
Defining Humility
He who defines the terms wins the argument is an all-important phrase for us to consider. We see it manifest most clearly in the politically correct movement with the hijacking of such words as tolerance. It has been redefined and misapplied to an extent that people do not even recognize the meaning. The same is true with humility. The scriptures…
The Reason for Humility
As Christians, it can be a real temptation to obey God, not simply because of His commands, but because we derive some type of pragmatic benefit from that obedience. For instance, we may choose to water others because we ourselves want to be watered (Proverbs 11:25). When we do unto others, it is our expectation to have them to do…
Two Extremes in Responsibility
To experience one of the widest gaps between being responsible and irresponsible, one has to only turn to the book of 1 Samuel. The prophet Samuel gave clear instructions to King Saul to annihilate everything of the Amalekites, including man, women, children, and beast. As Samuel approached the victory celebration, he heard the animals in the background, belying the stated…
Don’t Make Your Child a Victim
Ever since Adam blamed Eve—and God—for taking a bite of the forbidden fruit, avoiding responsibility has been a part of the human DNA, especially for men. This character trait has ebbed and flowed in its magnitude of manifestations over the centuries, sometimes rising to great heights of inspiration and at other times falling to embarrassing depths of degradation. Where are…
Response-Able
Success in life depends so much on our perceptions about life. Homeschooling is uniquely qualified to realize and address these perceptions biblically on a daily basis as we do life together with our children. When parents share their concerns with me that they are not doing a very good job teaching their children at home, I remind them of the…
A Culture of Yes
I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.–Galatians 5:16 Some may wonder why people who want to lose weight pay so much money to join a weight loss group of some kind; after all, weight loss is simply a matter of using more calories than you take in. While it may…
The Freedom of Self-Control
There is a parable of a fish that lived in a beautiful lake. There were plenty of bugs and worms to eat and there were plenty of places to hide from the dreaded fishermen. Additionally, he had complete freedom to swim anywhere in the entire lake that he desired, from the depths to the shallows. It was his domain. One…
The First Cause of Self-Control
As Christians, the first cause of all things is the person of Jesus Christ. He initiated salvation by laying down His life at Calvary. He then causes us to be born again spiritually by realizing we are sinners in need of the salvation that He has already secured. When it comes to growing in self-control, the scriptures make it clear…
Verbal Jewelers
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. –Proverbs 25:11 (ESV) Throughout the scriptures we are reminded about the power of the tongue as it has the potential to bring healing and life or pain and death. A word “fitly” spoken involves two aspects: 1) the right word 2) at the right time. When…
Stewardship
And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?–Luke 12:42 (NKJV) In Luke 12:42, God not only shares the term of “steward” but also provides its definition as one who gives the proper amount of food at the…