Recommending: The Word Became Flesh with RC Sproul

Listening this evening to this beautiful interpretation of the carnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It begins with the words, "In the beginning was the Word." It tells the plan of salvation as RC Sproul continues the narrative from the book of Genesis through Revelation, with familiar carols, hymns and newer choral pieces throughout.

I find it to be a thrilling narrative to listen to as I ponder the fact that God Himself became flesh and dwelt among. It gives me goose bumps!

We're listening on Spotify, but if you click the image above, you can listen on Amazon or buy the CD.

Independent Study to Scholarly Research

As I mention in the sidebar, we joyfully taught our daughters at home through high school. Those were years filled with learning on both sides of the desk--for them and for us. We knew the girls were doing well in many ways during those years, and our family reaped many benefits as we went along. It was when they went to college that we found out what an advantage they had gained. There have been many studies over the years showing the value of home education, and we like to encourage those who are on their own journey.

An article I read today speaks of many of the same advantages. Written by a university faculty member, titled "Homeschooled students bring own skill set to university campuses." 

Parent-educated students that I’ve met exhibit a strong intellectual vitality and passion for exploring difficult concepts. On the average, they have a penchant for open-ended problem-solving. It is plausible that in their homeschool environments, they’ve already been given a vast number of opportunities to grow their capacities for self-direction. Consequently, their inclination for independent study seamlessly transfers to the scholarly research environment.

If you're a home-educating family or considering it, I'm sure you'll find encouragement in reading the entire article, found here at floridapolitics.com. If you'd like more information on educating your children at home, or just want to learn a bit more about it, you can click on the image above that will take you to HSLDA, advocates for homeschooling.

We began our journey in the 1980s when the road was less traveled. We were some of the pioneers, and much could be said about the joy in all of that--as I've touched on here and there in some posts. Our daughters married home-educated fellas. All graduated from universities, two at the top of their classes (our daughter being one, another daughter with honors), three with master's degrees, and all are doing well with what they've chosen in life. AND our grandchildren are being taught at home as well. The proof is in the pudding.

If you're on your own journey, I do wish you well. Keep on keeping on!

Image from the Home School Legal Defense Association

Coming Alongside

Thinking today of the affirming relationship between Jesus' mother Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, how each encouraged the other in their miraculous calling as mothers. Mothers who would nurture two boys, who themselves would one day change the world. Each woman needed the other, each understood the other. Although Mary and Elizabeth were experiencing something others of us could hardly imagine, we all need affirming relationships with other women who can empathize and encourage.

Scripture speaks of being a Titus 2 woman, one who nurtures younger women in their journey through life. Life can be a struggle. I remember thinking how complicated it was as I tried to figure out this thing of being a wife and mother. In His wisdom, God gives older women instruction to teach the younger women the ways of womanhood. Too often we get our instruction from current culture, from the media, from the celebrities. More often than not, it's hollow and empty. 

I've had women through the years who have filled this need in my own life. Like Mary, some have been family. Others have been dear friends. Some have simply taken me under their wings for a season and nurtured me through it. For all, I am forever grateful.

I hope I'm that kind of woman to other women. I know I've had many opportunities and am thankful for the privilege to come alongside. With our move last year, most of my spiritual daughters were left behind. That saddens me, but I sense that God is opening doors once again. I'm eager to walk along a few new paths to empathize and encourage in the coming year.

Painting ~ The Day's Catch, Daniel Ridgeway Knight 1839-1924

A Weekend Visit

Carl Sandburg's Home in Flat Rock, NC

We had a very pleasant visit with our daughter and son-in-law over the weekend, filled with Christmas spirit and wonderful hospitality. One of the highlights was a trip to Carl Sandburg's home in Flat Rock, NC. Although the furnishings and book collections had been removed for preservation work on the house, it was still an interesting visit. I can't recall having read any of Sandburg's works, (although I probably did as a class assignment somewhere in time), but I was totally impressed with the myriad of bookcases he and his wife had added in renovation throughout the house--for his collection of more than 15,000 books. My Beloved recently added bookcases to his office/study, so seeing Sandburg's home in that respect was an inspiration. I'd like to go back in a few years after the preservation work is done to see the actual books and the furnishings of the home. If you click on the picture, it will take you to more information.

Another highlight was the Sunday morning worship service at our daughter's church--totally magnificent! The orchestra, choir, and congregation filled the sanctuary with such heavenly music, that as I closed my eyes, I could imagine God in Heaven receiving it as a sweet, sweet sound in His ear. The pastor reminded us to keep our eyes on the Gift of Jesus, and not  merely on the wrappings and trappings of our cultural Christmas. Truly a blessed time of corporate worship.

The Richest and Best Things

God has so constituted us that in loving and caring for our own children the richest and best things in our natures are drawn out. Many of the deepest and most valuable lessons ever learned are read from the pages of unfolding child-life. We best understand the feelings and affections of God toward us when we bend over our own child and see in our human parenthood a faint image of the divine Fatherhood.

~ J.R. Miller, in Homemaking

Painting ~ Hush, John Henry Lorimer 1856-1936

Welcome, December

Welcome, December

Wasn't autumn just last week?

And have we been here almost a year already? 

Why Do They Rage?

Because they are infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,

and blown here and there by every wind of teaching

and by the cunning craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God

because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality

so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

~ Ephesians, Chapter 4 (NIV)

Painting ~ A Storm at Sea, Hermanus Koekkoek 1815-1882

They Could Have A Crystal Stream, Instead ...

 If they but understood...

All the delights in the sensual life, all the pleasure that ever your lusts gave you, 

are but as the putrid stinking waters of a corrupt pond, 

where toads lie croaking and spawning, 

compared to the crystal streams of the most pure and pleasant fountain.

~ John Flavel in None But Jesus

Image ~ Freepik 4045

Thankful Thursday ~ A New Day Dawning

So thankful today for God's mercy in giving us new governing officials. Oh, how I have prayed for His mercy to grant us a reprieve from the moral degradation our present leadership has spiraled us into. Yaweh has heard the prayers of the faithful in the land, and I believe He is giving America an opportunity to aright ourselves and to abolish the wrongs so many have perpetuated and forced upon us.

It's the dawning of a new day.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

Photo ~ White Chair,  Lori L. Stalter, Flickr CC by 2.0

A Thought on Providence

If providence had alike prospered every man's designs, and set them upon a level, there had been no occasion to exercise the rich man's charity, or the poor man's patience.

~ John Flavel, in None But Jesus

Painting ~ The Gleaners, 1854, Jules Breton 1827-1906