Encouragement for homeschool parents
Hear from our executive director Kirk as he shares reflections on faith, character, and discipling children at home
Welcome to a World Without Order
When Nietzsche penned his famous Madman essay, he was asking Western Civilization if it was really ready for the philosophical ramifications of “killing God.” What many people did not anticipate was that if God was dead, so was the orderliness that He created; thus, leaving the world to bob up and down in a sea of unforgiving chaos. The one…
Grinding it Out
A couple of years ago, my sons’ golf coach explained to them the needed mindset for golf. He related, “50% of golf shots you hit will be average, while 25% will be great, and the remaining 25% will be poor. The key to successful golfing is not your great 25% but what you do with the 25% of bad shots.”…
Fortitudine Vincimus (By Endurance We Conquer)
A must-read for every homeschooling family, especially those with sons, is The Endurance by Alfred Lansing. The title was taken from the name of the ship that bore Ernest Shackleton to the Antarctic in hopes of being the first to traverse the Antarctica via dogsleds at the turn of last century (1914). What looked to be a total failure ended…
The Difference Three More Feet Can Make
R. U. Darby, one of the most successful insurance salesmen of the last century, learned the value of endurance the hard way. As a young man he went west to hit it big during Colorado’s gold rush. He bought a claim and started preliminary digging. In a short amount of time, he hit gold. The local smelter soon confirmed his…
The Perspective from the Mount of Years
I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.—Gen. 32:10 (ESV) Jacob had been gone from his homeland for over twenty years. When he fled from the wrath…
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An Unlikely Barnabas for Shaquille O’Neal
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, –Acts 4:36 It may surprise some to know that there was a modern day Barnabas in the NBA, especially when they find out it was none other than trash talkin’ legend Larry Bird. Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal shared…
The Gift of Encouragement
“he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”–Romans 12:8 (NKJV) The word “exhort” means to “strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.” The overtones of this word are so great that God actually ascribes it to one of His spiritual gifts, the gift of exhortation. Let’s…
Free Resources for Beginners
Illinois Christian Home Educators is a not-for-profit Christian organization composed of families dedicated to the success of home education in Illinois. ICHE was started in December of 1983 by four Christian families seeking the support and fellowship of like-minded home educators. If you are new to homeschooling, we would like to assist you! On this page you will find links to…
The ABC’s of Homeschooling
The temptation for many new home educators is to run out and buy as much curriculum as they can afford and immediately start their eight-hour homeschool day in a dedicated room filled with desks, bulletin boards, and fresh paint. Before you fall prey to the old public school mentality, take a few moments to sit down with a cup of…
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Jumping in Mid-Stream
If you have removed your children from a public or private school to begin homeschooling them, or are considering doing so, this article is for you. We hope it will help you as you embark on your exciting adventure…. Nearly every home-school parent has been where you are right now. We have felt your curiosity, your apprehension, your nervousness, your…