Today is a guest post from Joy, from Joy in this Journey.

Sarah Mae recently tweeted the link to an article delving into the weaknesses of home-schooling as an educational method (http://www.familyministries.com/HS_Crisis.htm ). The blind spots listed are: self-centered dreams, family as an idol, emphasis on outward form, tendency to judge, over-dependence on authority and control, over-reliance on sheltering, and formulaic parenting.

As a home-school grad, I found myself nodding as I read. I’ve seen them all, to varying degrees, among homeschooling families and homeschool grads I’ve known.  What struck me most is that all Christian families are prone to these, regardless of their method of schooling. These blind spots are not exclusive to home-schoolers.

My husband and I are raising three children (our fourth passed away in 2008), and we, like most parents, have spent much time praying about and studying parenting. We strive to be proactive in identifying blind spots and addressing them.

The Christian family’s tendency to hide from the outside world has always been a concern of ours. We share the desire to avoid the world’s corruption and danger and protect our children from it. But we began asking ourselves if hiding from the world is godly.

Our conclusion is a resounding NO. Why?

Because:

God’s family is our example.

God chose us, and Jesus died for us, while we were still filthy with sin and haters of Him. He adopted us into His family. His family is open to all who will believe, no matter their past, no matter their heritage. We believe our families are to be like His. We must not become insular or closed to outsiders.

Over-emphasizing family time makes your family a clique. It fosters arrogance and judgmental attitudes in your children. It draws everyone’s eyes inward in fear and pride instead of outward in love and compassion. And arrogance, judgment, fear, and pride will weaken, not strengthen, your children for the time when they must go into the world as God’s ambassadors.

We are commanded to interact with the people in our community.

God has given us a mission: to share the good news of how we may be reconciled to Him. In Acts 1:8, Jesus instructs the disciples to tell everyone about him, starting where they lived. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

I have seen how families in our neighborhood who refuse to interact with their neighbors come off. Some interpret their behavior as suspicious and fear illegal activity (drugs, perversion, child abuse). Others read it as arrogance. Either way, it creates unnecessary antagonism, destroys any chance of being able to share the gospel, and represents an unbiblical and un-Christ-like image of God’s people.

In my next post, I will finish sharing why and how to engage the world for Christ in the context of our families.

Joy blogs at Joy In This Journey. She credits her oldest daughter Elli (now in heaven) with forcing her out into her community. Elli’s special needs required public education, in-home help, and the expertise of hundreds of people they would never have met otherwise. You can also find her on Twitter.

I’ve got something to say

But as the words want to shout, they won’t come out

So inside bottled up they’ll stay.

For now.

Until they trickle

And spill

And you’ll have to swallow them like a “jagged little pill.”

You’ll notice my spirit bursting into free

And it will snuggle up close to the one who made me

Because even during the dark and through the weak

He doesn’t let go or turn his cheek

He waits

And invites

Will you accept?

I’m just waiting for Him to make the next move.

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Currently reading to my babes: The Boy Who Changed the World

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

I took an evolution class in college and loved it.

Mind you, I was the only one in the class that did not believe in macroevolution (species evolving into other species). I did not grow up being taught to believe one way or the other, but I couldn’t believe that my God, in whose image I was created, started me out as goo…or some form of ape.  Plus, it seems pretty clear in the creation account how we were created.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”  Genesis 1:27

I remember one guy from my class would walk home with me, frustrated as could be, trying to convince me that the evolution from common decent was “true” and “proven” and blah blah blah.  He made me laugh, he was so persistent.  He couldn’t understand how, 1.), even if he was right, I didn’t really care because I believed in God either way, and 2.) I didn’t believe it.  Ahhh…I digress…

Where was I…

Oh yes, a literal six day creation. And nautiloids (marine mollusks).

Nautiloids fascinate me.  There are billions of nautiloid fossils found in the Grand Canyon (supposedly formed over millions of years), in the layer within the Redwall Limestone. The nautiloids were trapped in a layer that is from seven to forty or fifty feet thick and at least 180 miles long*. Do you know what that means? It means there had to have been a mass kill…a very rapid sedimentary flow that caught these creatures and fossilized them immediately (large flood ringing any bells? Noah…ark…ding ding!).

So why am I bringing this up?

Because I really really really like the work that the Creation Museum (which I’ve been to twice and highly recommend) and Answers in Genesis is doing to bring light to the “other side” of the evolutionary debate. I think it’s important and reasonable and worthwhile to discuss these issues in light of who we are and how we came to be. One of the ways I’m trying to teach my children about God and His stunning creation is by reading to them books that encourage them to go against the grain of culture…to be willing to question “the way it is.”

Recently, my friend Jennifer (you should visit her blog – she’s wonderful!) from New Leaf Press sent me a copy of a new book for children by Ken Ham (Answers in Genesis) about a journey through the Grand Canyon…and a journey through faith. It is a great book that will help me introduce them to a tiny piece of that evolutionary debate. That book is Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure.

The minute it arrived in my home, my boy grabbed it, sat down, and proceded to show me all the cool pictures, including a dinosaur and a snake! (Yea!).

Here’s what I like about the book:

• It starts conversations about creation
• It includes facts, apart from the story, that parents can read ahead of time so we can teach our children about the Grand Canyon in more depth (these facts are set aside in little flaps).  Older readers can just read the facts for themselves.
• It ties in a parable about how we can trust God and the bible

What your babes will like about the book:

• It’s simple and fun
• It has flaps to open and papers to pull out…

• It’s a really cute story with characters that your children will enjoy getting to know (especially the skeptical monkey!)

My encouragement for parents with this book is to read it and familiarize yourself with it first because of its layout and flaps.  Get to know it yourself so that when you explore the Grand Canyon through this book with your babes so you can really make the most out of the questions and conversation that will take place while reading it (and they will take place!).

Today, I’m giving FOUR of these books away…for free…to you.

If you would like the opportunity to win a copy of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure, leave a comment.  There will be four winners.  I am also giving away one copy of the DVD The History and Impact of The Genesis Flood.

For extra entires, you may tweet about this giveaway, Facebook it, post about it, and/or email it to friends.  Please leave a seperate comment for each thing you do.

Giveaway is open until tomorrow (Thursday) at 11:59pmEST.

Good “luck!”  :)

*Billions of Dead Nautiloids in the Grand Canyon

Related Resources:

Geologic Evidences for the Genesis Flood

I love you.

In all seriousness, I love you.  Whether you homeschool or public school, work or stay home, have 20 babes or none, send your kiddos to youth group or not, I love you.

I love you because God first loved me, and He tells me to love and He’s showing me how to love.  He teaches me daily what love is, and He certainly knows I don’t have it all figured out (but I’m trying, trying to love well).

So,

If you’ve ever felt judged by the words on this blog, or felt condemned by me, or felt like I wouldn’t like you or accept you because we believe differently on things, know that,

I love you.

And know that I’m learning and growing and morphing and seeking…

just like you.

Love Spoken Here art print, found here.

(Please excuse the background – we’re in the middle of painting our walls!)

Interesting, eh?

Kneading like a champ!

So, how did it turn out…

Standard Homemade Bread Recipe (from the Homestead Blessings DVD)

Ingredients (makes two loaves):

2 1/2 cups warm water

4-5 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp salt

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup honey

1 Tbs of yeast

Directions:

Add water, flour, salt, oil, and honey – mix together. Mix in the yeast. Mix in the rest of the flour one cup at a time, until you have a nice dough (not too sticky, not too “floury”). Knead (punch and roll around that bread for about 5-10 minutes) and let rise for 1 1/2 hours in a warm place (ideal temp is 80 degrees). Punch down, separate into two sections, and put into greased loaf pans. Use a fork to poke several holes into the dough. Let rise again for about an hour and then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

If you have completed your first “thing,” link-up and tell us about it!  We link up on the LAST Thursday of every month! :)

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Did you know that Red Letter Words makes custom art prints? Oh yes, yes they do! What is your family verse? Have it put into art! How about your life verse? How about an encouraging word? Have it custom made!

“To have significant energy for the task, we must make the choice to embrace motherhood wholeheartedly.”

I am desperate for my children’s hearts.

There is nothing I want more for my children then for them to know Jesus and walk in the truth…nothing. So if I have to give my life – my time, desires, energy – to get a hold of their hearts, I’m going to do it. It is a battle because I am selfish and crawling with flesh, but I’m not giving up.

Chapter four of The Mission of Motherhood was so significant for me…so convicting…such perfect timing as God has been laying on my heart the truth of eternity and time.  Here are some passages that spoke directly to my spirit (I found myself underlining like crazy in this chapter!):

“But it’s the way I respond to my children in everyday moments that gives me the best chance of winning their hearts.”

“Not only had he [Jesus] told them [His disciples] that whoever wanted to be first must be a servant to all, but he had also shown them personally what servant leadership was all about.”

*A note on obedience that really struck me – Sally talked about how Jesus modeled obedience and right behavior and good character and how that is the most effective way to reach our children.  I don’t model these things very well when it comes to obeying my husband.  I argue to much, smile too little, throw out eye rolls and sarcasm way too often.  Somehow my husband gets tossed aside as though he can deal with himself while I focus on the babes.  How sad and so far from the truth!  My husband needs me; I complete him.  I need to love him, be kind to him, and give him my firsts. I know, this is a “duh” thing, but something I still struggle with.

“When we choose to graciously overlook our children’s messes and accidents we are teaching them to be patient and forgiving with the mistakes of others.”

“I have already made a decision to make myself available in the routine tasks and myriad interruptions of daily life because I believe it is God’s will for me to serve my family through them.  Making this choice ahead of time means I will expect problems and needs to arise and be ready to deal with them in peace instead of impatience and resentment.”

“…the future is not where real life began.  Each day was God’s perfect will for me.”

“Children, by definition, take up our time.  They’re supposed to do that; it’s the way God made them.”

“I was called to give up my rights simply out of my love for Jesus.”

The Challenge I’m Taking

Make a list of some things your children like you to do with them but aren’t necessarily fun for you…Commit to saying yes to their requests instead of no, knowing that if you invest in what is important to them, they will be open to believing in what is important to you.

How are you reaching your children’s hearts?

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Tonight I am hosting a Red Letter Words Twitter party from 9-10pm EST.  No RSVP needed, just come and have fun and win some art! Hashtag: #redletterwords

Follow @sarahmaeblogs and @redletterart for all the goodness!

“Your little ones are growing even faster than your blog.”

-Robin, Resolved to Be

My daughter will be five years old next month.

All my life of dreamed of being a mother and all the wonderful adventures I’d have with my children.  I dreamed of caring for a home of my own, drenching it in love, hospitality, and joy.  When I worked at Barnes & Noble during college I would linger around the children’s section unpacking my future days with all the books and crafts and learning we would do together.  I imagined pig tails bouncing up and down while picking pumpkins.  Picnics with blankets and baskets, hours of reading books from the library, family outings…all these things occupied my mind while hope for the future swelled in my heart.

It is nearly five years since my first little one was laid in my arms; a sweet baby girl who had no idea about the plans I held deep within.

It has gone by so fast…

So fast in fact, that with other babies and cleaning and life I lost some of my dream and got caught up in another one. It started slowly, this budding drive in me to create.  Instead, however, of creating the dreams I held for my family, I started creating something that seemed to fill the long and lonely toddler days.

I started to blog.

A little bit at first, with just a personal family blog.  Then came Like a Warm Cup of Coffee.  Then came affirmation.  Then came money.  Then came pseudo popularity. Then came addiction. Then came more and more and more….

Then came obligation.

And now…

Now I’m a little sad, and a little lost…and I miss my original dream.

This recipe comes from my mother-in-law and it is so simple and so good!

Ingredients:

8 Potatoes

6 Hard boiled eggs (set one aside for topper)

2 Stalks of celery chopped

2-3 Big spoonfuls of mayo

Squirt of mustard

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Paprika

Directions:

Peel and chop potatoes into 1 inch pieces…

Boil the potatoes 15-20 minutes – you want them soft, but not too soft (keep checking on them!)

Once the potatoes are done, rinse with cold water and set aside.

Cut up one hard boiled egg for a topper (don’t mix in with other ingredients).

Mix mayo and mustard together, then mix in potatoes, eggs, and celery.  Put in the salt and pepper and then the sliced eggs on top. Sprinkle with paprika.

Enjoy with hamburgers and hot dogs!

Today’s post linked up with Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, and Tuesdays at the Table.

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Don’t forget to “Like” RedLetterWords on Facebook – discounts and prizes to come!

If you are new here but want to journey along, won’t you subscribe to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee so we can walk alongside one another as we learn 12 new things? (It’s free!)

My 12 New Things

A Journey in Mastering New Skills!

(Read (in)courage today if you want to know the “why” behind 12 New Things)

August – Homemade bread, sans bread machine. Completed. (I’ll post results on the last Thursday of this month)

September – Learn how to change a tire

October - Make homemade candles

November – Read Stepping Heavenward

December – Make two Christmas dresses for my girls (I’ve only ever made one at a time, never two dresses at once)

January – Learn how to quilt (something simple)

February – Learn how to cross stitch

March – Style my hair for 30 days straight and learn new ways of styling it (yes, this is a new skill. Ahem)

April – Write the kids book that has been lurking in my mind…

May - Learn canning  (not the dance, the art of preserving food :)

June – Learn how to French braid my daughters hair…and make it look nice!

July – Learn how to play piano (hey babe, can we get a piano? How about a keyboard? ;)

Each month I’ll be posting my results of learning the above things – if you join in each month you can post your own results and link it up here. We’ll link up on the last Thursday of each month.

Wanna join in? Grab the button (save image as and link to this post) and link-up your 12 Things list post! (link it back here so others can participate!) We can do this friends – let’s learn new skills together! (If you’re on Twitter, I’m using #12newthings for all things…12 Things!)

Recommended Resource:

Homestead Blessings

I have all the DVD’s and they are WONDERFUL!

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When you’re thinking about what 12 things to learn, keep in mind this verse…