It was a tough week. I am not sure why, but my kids decided to test all limits this week. I was tired, frustrated, and heartbroken that my "training" wasn't sinking in. I was so tempted to just tune myself out and hide.
BUT- just when you think that your words are rattling off of empty walls in empty rooms, a glimmer of hope appears. The softening of a heart. Repentance. A total 180 degree about-face. A sacrifice made to meet the need of a sibling rather than focusing on "what I want"
....My heart sings!
Galatians 6:9 "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
I reminded myself of that verse in the morning. I reaped the benefits that afternoon.
God is good.
Motherhood is good. We can't grow weary and tune out. We need to be tuned in with our hearts...to their hearts. Moms know. Maybe today you will join me privately in the quiet of a bathroom or bedroom gently thumping your head against a wall, but if we persevere, we will reap the blessings of our training.
Patience. Seeds don't grow overnight.
There is a season.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Words are Powerful
A thought occurred to me today. My daughter proudly announced that she was not going to go outside on this glorious day and play......because I didn't have to. I asked her what she thought I was doing inside, and she said talking on the phone all day....reading.....doing nothing..... I told her that her sense of injustice has greatly skewed her reality. I then offered to let her fold laundry, do dishes, and mop my kitchen floor. She quickly disappeared.
5 minutes later, I sat down at the computer to browse Facebook, and I saw a petition posted by a friend stating that wicked Republicans want to cut off aid and starve pregnant women and children. I suppressed a comment and moved on to the bedroom to fold laundry, but then a thought occurred to me. When we make statements about people that try to pervert their motives for the sake of our own ideas of injustice, then we are, in fact, acting childish. Not only that, we are breaking the 9th commandment by bearing false witness against our neighbor.
When I first gave in to the world of Facebook, I was still in a learning process of how to "measure" my words. Not that I have graduated that process, but I think I have gotten much better. I usually do not argue politics anymore because I have learned that it gets ugly and heated and in the end, unproductive. The only thing left at the end of the day is hard feelings. But one thing I noticed lately is a lot of name calling. Tea-partiers are fruitcakes. Obama is a baby killer. Republicans hate women and children. I think we really need to ask ourselves if these statements are really productive. Are you going to change a conservative's political views by calling them a fruitcake? Are you going to change Obama's view on abortion by calling him a murderer? Are you going to incite healthy debate by telling someone opposed to abortion that they want to starve women and children?
Can I get a resounding NO?
Please?
All you are doing is provoking anger and hate.
Politics. The grow-up form of school-yard logic. Will we ever be able to develop a healthy dialogue in America without attempting to pervert the motives of our perceived enemies? I do hope so. I love a healthy debate.
Can I get an Amen?
5 minutes later, I sat down at the computer to browse Facebook, and I saw a petition posted by a friend stating that wicked Republicans want to cut off aid and starve pregnant women and children. I suppressed a comment and moved on to the bedroom to fold laundry, but then a thought occurred to me. When we make statements about people that try to pervert their motives for the sake of our own ideas of injustice, then we are, in fact, acting childish. Not only that, we are breaking the 9th commandment by bearing false witness against our neighbor.
When I first gave in to the world of Facebook, I was still in a learning process of how to "measure" my words. Not that I have graduated that process, but I think I have gotten much better. I usually do not argue politics anymore because I have learned that it gets ugly and heated and in the end, unproductive. The only thing left at the end of the day is hard feelings. But one thing I noticed lately is a lot of name calling. Tea-partiers are fruitcakes. Obama is a baby killer. Republicans hate women and children. I think we really need to ask ourselves if these statements are really productive. Are you going to change a conservative's political views by calling them a fruitcake? Are you going to change Obama's view on abortion by calling him a murderer? Are you going to incite healthy debate by telling someone opposed to abortion that they want to starve women and children?
Can I get a resounding NO?
Please?
All you are doing is provoking anger and hate.
Politics. The grow-up form of school-yard logic. Will we ever be able to develop a healthy dialogue in America without attempting to pervert the motives of our perceived enemies? I do hope so. I love a healthy debate.
Can I get an Amen?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Making a Model Solar System!
I love teaching science! I am fortunate that my kids love science too. In our home school co-op, we spent several weeks learning about the solar system. I wanted the kids to have a hands-on project to take home with them. So here it is!
Material List:
1 36" dowel rod
1 used up CD disc that you don't want anymore
Paint-- red, orange, blue, white, brown, black, green,
10 paper clips
yarn or string
9 styrofoam balls of varying sizes:
Mercury--1"
Venus---1"
Earth----1"
Mars----1"
Jupiter----3"
Saturn----3"
Neptune---2"
Uranus----2"
Pluto----optional---we used a ping-pong ball!
Newspaper
1 balloon
glue and water
metallic gold or silver glitter
2 thumb tacks
You can skip the paper mache sun if you want to spend the extra money to buy a very large styrofoam ball for the sun. I did this project with 7 kids, and it was way too cost-prohibited, as one large ball costs $5! So we started by making a large sun out of paper mache. Blow the balloon up. Tear strips of newspaper and dip in a mixture of 50% water and 50% Elmer's Glue. Wrap the balloon with the paper strip, smooth down, and allow to dry.
Next, talk about each planet as you paint.
Mercury is rocky and fairly barren. It's appearance is much like the color of our moon. Mix some black and white paint to make gray, and paint Mercury gray.
Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. It has an atmosphere of swirling clouds heated by the sun. It appears very bright in the night sky. Paint Venus Orange/gold/brown swirled.
Earth is a beautiful green and blue. You know what to do!
Mars appears red because of the rusty colored rock found there. Paint Mars red.
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It has a large red spot that is a hurricane-like storm that has been swirling for at least 300 years! Jupiter has lots of swirled colors. Paint it gold/brown/reddish pink--and don't forget the great red spot.
Saturn is known for it's beautiful rings. Cut one of the 3" balls in half, making sure the surface where you cut is as smooth as possible. Paint Saturn similar to Jupiter in color. Paint the CD a brown or orange color. Allow to dry. When it is dry, spray with spray adhesive (or you could use Elmer's glue and smear it) and sprinkle with gold or silver metallic glitter. When it is dry, spray glue (or use a stronger glue) onto the flat sides of the ball. Place the bottom of Saturn face-up, stick a tooth-pick into the center, place the CD over the center, and press the top on, holding the planet together firmly until the glue is somewhat set.
Uranus appears to be a light blue. Mix some blue paint with white to make a lighter blue and paint Uranus blue.
Neptune is a brilliant blue. This is thought to be partly because of the methane in the atmosphere, but Uranus has close to the same amount of methane as Neptune but isn't as deep a blue. Scientist are not really sure why. Maybe another element or compound exists here that we don't know about? Neptune is the stormiest planet in the solar system. It has a large storm similar to Jupiter's that appears as a white swirl instead of red.
Pluto is optional. I still love Pluto even though it has been de-classified as an actual planet. We used a ping-pong ball (because it is cheaper!)
Now come back to your sun and paint it yellow and orange. You might want to add some dark sun-spots for good measure!
When your planets are dry, take paper clips and twist them in half. Push the "U" that you now have down into the styrofoam, tie string to it, then push it in as far as it will go. For the ping-pong ball, poke a hole with the end of a full un-broken paper clip. Stick the tip down into the ball, then wrap the paper clip around the ball and push it into the ball until you only have a "u" left. tie a string to the "U" and then twist it like a twist-tie so that the string won't slip off.
For the sun, You might be tempted to tie the string to the end of the balloon sticking out----don't do it! I made that mistake...the balloon popped and shrank, and the sun slipped off and cracked. Instead, poke 2 holes into the sun a couple of inches apart and thread a long piece of string through it, and tie it in a knot.
When you are finished, tie all of the planets on the dowel rod in order, starting with the sun. When you have finished, tie yarn to either end of the rod. Tie a knot in the top of the string and push a thumbtack through the knot and into the ceiling. Repeat with the other side.
 |
| You will notice that we didn't use the same size balls I suggested. Simply a cost thing... |
Material List:
1 36" dowel rod
1 used up CD disc that you don't want anymore
Paint-- red, orange, blue, white, brown, black, green,
10 paper clips
yarn or string
9 styrofoam balls of varying sizes:
Mercury--1"
Venus---1"
Earth----1"
Mars----1"
Jupiter----3"
Saturn----3"
Neptune---2"
Uranus----2"
Pluto----optional---we used a ping-pong ball!
Newspaper
1 balloon
glue and water
metallic gold or silver glitter
2 thumb tacks
You can skip the paper mache sun if you want to spend the extra money to buy a very large styrofoam ball for the sun. I did this project with 7 kids, and it was way too cost-prohibited, as one large ball costs $5! So we started by making a large sun out of paper mache. Blow the balloon up. Tear strips of newspaper and dip in a mixture of 50% water and 50% Elmer's Glue. Wrap the balloon with the paper strip, smooth down, and allow to dry.
Next, talk about each planet as you paint.
Mercury is rocky and fairly barren. It's appearance is much like the color of our moon. Mix some black and white paint to make gray, and paint Mercury gray.
Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. It has an atmosphere of swirling clouds heated by the sun. It appears very bright in the night sky. Paint Venus Orange/gold/brown swirled.
Earth is a beautiful green and blue. You know what to do!
Mars appears red because of the rusty colored rock found there. Paint Mars red.
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It has a large red spot that is a hurricane-like storm that has been swirling for at least 300 years! Jupiter has lots of swirled colors. Paint it gold/brown/reddish pink--and don't forget the great red spot.
Saturn is known for it's beautiful rings. Cut one of the 3" balls in half, making sure the surface where you cut is as smooth as possible. Paint Saturn similar to Jupiter in color. Paint the CD a brown or orange color. Allow to dry. When it is dry, spray with spray adhesive (or you could use Elmer's glue and smear it) and sprinkle with gold or silver metallic glitter. When it is dry, spray glue (or use a stronger glue) onto the flat sides of the ball. Place the bottom of Saturn face-up, stick a tooth-pick into the center, place the CD over the center, and press the top on, holding the planet together firmly until the glue is somewhat set.
Uranus appears to be a light blue. Mix some blue paint with white to make a lighter blue and paint Uranus blue.
Neptune is a brilliant blue. This is thought to be partly because of the methane in the atmosphere, but Uranus has close to the same amount of methane as Neptune but isn't as deep a blue. Scientist are not really sure why. Maybe another element or compound exists here that we don't know about? Neptune is the stormiest planet in the solar system. It has a large storm similar to Jupiter's that appears as a white swirl instead of red.
Pluto is optional. I still love Pluto even though it has been de-classified as an actual planet. We used a ping-pong ball (because it is cheaper!)
Now come back to your sun and paint it yellow and orange. You might want to add some dark sun-spots for good measure!
When your planets are dry, take paper clips and twist them in half. Push the "U" that you now have down into the styrofoam, tie string to it, then push it in as far as it will go. For the ping-pong ball, poke a hole with the end of a full un-broken paper clip. Stick the tip down into the ball, then wrap the paper clip around the ball and push it into the ball until you only have a "u" left. tie a string to the "U" and then twist it like a twist-tie so that the string won't slip off.
For the sun, You might be tempted to tie the string to the end of the balloon sticking out----don't do it! I made that mistake...the balloon popped and shrank, and the sun slipped off and cracked. Instead, poke 2 holes into the sun a couple of inches apart and thread a long piece of string through it, and tie it in a knot.
When you are finished, tie all of the planets on the dowel rod in order, starting with the sun. When you have finished, tie yarn to either end of the rod. Tie a knot in the top of the string and push a thumbtack through the knot and into the ceiling. Repeat with the other side.
The Problem with "Soft" Doctrine
I made a confession of faith when I was 10. I believed I was saved. I can now honestly say, that I didn't know the truth until I was 19 and I was introduced to the concept of grace. You see, no one ever told me that I was a desperately wicked sinner that could not "earn" salvation on my own. I spent 9 years of agony trying to be good enough for God. Believe me, it is the worst way to live! What began the change in my heart was understanding that I am a sinner-deserving of death- but the Jesus took my place on the cross. Confessing that I couldn't do it on my own....what a relief!
Now, let me define what I mean by soft doctrine. Soft doctrine is teaching that refuses to acknowledge Jesus as the only way. Soft doctrine takes hard concepts in the Bible- like hell- and tries to eliminate them through human reasoning. In the pursuit of love, soft doctrine misses the forest for the trees. It says: "we can explain God in human terms that makes more sense to us than God's Word." Essentially, it makes an idol out of God.
Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts,"
Love is the most important thing. But love does not just tell you what you want to hear. Love tells it like it is. When a pastor refuses to take a stand, or "tell it like it is" for the fear of offending someone, or making them feel unloved, he has done them a great disservice. I am glad someone told me. My eternity depended on it.
It is wise to be discerning of truth. It is wise to raise an eyebrow when someone hesitates to proclaim it. Especially one who's career is to teach it. I believe that it is the responsibility of those who teach God's Word to be extremely clear about what they believe, rather than throwing out a bunch of questions that they never mean to answer fully.
Matthew 7:22-23 "Many will say to Me in that say, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then, I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
That verse is referring to people who claimed to be believers, not unbelievers. That could have been me, had I not heard the truth. The danger of soft doctrine is that there are people out there (like me) who won't get it. They will spend their lives calling themselves Christians, but being deceived the whole time! People who never experience true spiritual fruit in their lives. People who never yield their pride to the molding Spirit of God. People who long for the grace that Jesus offers, but never desire the Lordship that He commands.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
Although salvation is about grace, the Bible teaches that some will claim that salvation and not really have it. See Matthew 7:22-23 above. It is important that we know for sure.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Matthew 7:17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them."
Yes, love is of utmost importance. And speaking the truth in love is an art to be mastered. (I have not yet...) But love does not have to accept all theologies. True love does not have to make everyone agree with it.
True love speaks truth.....
Now, let me define what I mean by soft doctrine. Soft doctrine is teaching that refuses to acknowledge Jesus as the only way. Soft doctrine takes hard concepts in the Bible- like hell- and tries to eliminate them through human reasoning. In the pursuit of love, soft doctrine misses the forest for the trees. It says: "we can explain God in human terms that makes more sense to us than God's Word." Essentially, it makes an idol out of God.
Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts,"
Love is the most important thing. But love does not just tell you what you want to hear. Love tells it like it is. When a pastor refuses to take a stand, or "tell it like it is" for the fear of offending someone, or making them feel unloved, he has done them a great disservice. I am glad someone told me. My eternity depended on it.
It is wise to be discerning of truth. It is wise to raise an eyebrow when someone hesitates to proclaim it. Especially one who's career is to teach it. I believe that it is the responsibility of those who teach God's Word to be extremely clear about what they believe, rather than throwing out a bunch of questions that they never mean to answer fully.
Matthew 7:22-23 "Many will say to Me in that say, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then, I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
That verse is referring to people who claimed to be believers, not unbelievers. That could have been me, had I not heard the truth. The danger of soft doctrine is that there are people out there (like me) who won't get it. They will spend their lives calling themselves Christians, but being deceived the whole time! People who never experience true spiritual fruit in their lives. People who never yield their pride to the molding Spirit of God. People who long for the grace that Jesus offers, but never desire the Lordship that He commands.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
Although salvation is about grace, the Bible teaches that some will claim that salvation and not really have it. See Matthew 7:22-23 above. It is important that we know for sure.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Matthew 7:17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them."
Yes, love is of utmost importance. And speaking the truth in love is an art to be mastered. (I have not yet...) But love does not have to accept all theologies. True love does not have to make everyone agree with it.
True love speaks truth.....
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Book Review: unPLANNED
Abby Johnson loves women. As a former clinic director for Planned Parenthood, she spent several years of her life devoted to providing low-income women in the Houston area medical care. She loved what she did. Abby was well versed in the "talking points" established by planned Parenthood: "Our mission is to decrease the number of abortions needed through education" "Planned Parenthood saves lives of women who can't afford to pay for health care." Abby had counseled thousands of women in their options for dealing with unplanned pregnancies. She had counseled several women that abortion was a safe medical procedure to remove unwanted fetal tissue that felt no pain.
Over time, Abby began to doubt that Planned Parenthood's goal were what they said they were. After being chided by her boss to increase revenue by decreasing the low-cost medical care and increasing the lucrative abortions, she began to doubt the bottom line. Her world was rocked one day in September of 2009 when she was asked to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion. The opening chapter of the book describes in painful detail the horror she experienced as she watched the tiny child struggle to flee the pain of the cannula that was about to suck it into the the suction canister. That moment was a breaking point for Abby, and now, she tells her story. Here is an excerpt from the hearbreaking chapter:
"What was in this woman's womb just a moment ago was alive. It wasn't just tissue, just cells. That was a human baby-fighting for life! A battle that was lost in the blink of an eye. What I have told people for years, what I believed and taught and defended, is a lie."
unPLANNED gives a look into the world of the abortion industry from both sides of the fence. Abby gives insightful looks at skewed thinking in both the pro-life and pro-choice camps. Her amazing story begins with her decision volunteer and takes you through an unforgettable journey of friendship, heartbreak, betrayal, law suits, and healing. It also does a great job a showing the true colors of a company that claims to be in the business of saving lives. I recommend this book to anyone who really wants to understand the truth in the Planned Parenthood issue. I recommend it to those not wanting truth, but I doubt they will take the risk of reading it.
http://www.amazon.com/Abby-Johnson/e/B004APM036/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Over time, Abby began to doubt that Planned Parenthood's goal were what they said they were. After being chided by her boss to increase revenue by decreasing the low-cost medical care and increasing the lucrative abortions, she began to doubt the bottom line. Her world was rocked one day in September of 2009 when she was asked to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion. The opening chapter of the book describes in painful detail the horror she experienced as she watched the tiny child struggle to flee the pain of the cannula that was about to suck it into the the suction canister. That moment was a breaking point for Abby, and now, she tells her story. Here is an excerpt from the hearbreaking chapter:
"What was in this woman's womb just a moment ago was alive. It wasn't just tissue, just cells. That was a human baby-fighting for life! A battle that was lost in the blink of an eye. What I have told people for years, what I believed and taught and defended, is a lie."
unPLANNED gives a look into the world of the abortion industry from both sides of the fence. Abby gives insightful looks at skewed thinking in both the pro-life and pro-choice camps. Her amazing story begins with her decision volunteer and takes you through an unforgettable journey of friendship, heartbreak, betrayal, law suits, and healing. It also does a great job a showing the true colors of a company that claims to be in the business of saving lives. I recommend this book to anyone who really wants to understand the truth in the Planned Parenthood issue. I recommend it to those not wanting truth, but I doubt they will take the risk of reading it.
http://www.amazon.com/Abby-Johnson/e/B004APM036/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Friday, March 11, 2011
Keeping Your Computer and your Personal Information Safe
I had quite an experience yesterday when I was searching for images to download for my kid's co-op science class. When I clicked on an image of the layers of the atmosphere, (which showed up in the image results of a Yahoo search...) , my internet shut down and a box popped up saying that I had several infected documents, shared documents, and so on. It listed each "virus" separately and the threat level of the virus. Then it proceeded to tell me to "click here" to remove these trouble spots. I clicked the first button and a download started. I was immediately worried. It downloaded onto my computer faster than I could stop the download. Fortunately, I never opened the actual download, so as far as I know, my computer is safe.
In the midst of all of this, I shut my internet down, immediately started a Malware Bytes scan, and attempted to contact a friend who specializes in computer problems. I want you to know that this attempt to gain access to my information was VERY convincing. Even to the point of warning me that my computer was at risk for crashing if I didn't do what they said. BUT, I remembered a blog post that I had read by a friend that talked about "click-jacking" and scareware. I wanted to share it with all of you. Maybe you know about it already, but this was a first for me.
http://kesartech.blogspot.com/2010/10/it-must-be-halloween.html
There is a lot of good information on this blog about safegaurding your computer. You can get updated from Keith (the writer) when you like him on Facebook. Hop on over there and show Keith some love!
In the midst of all of this, I shut my internet down, immediately started a Malware Bytes scan, and attempted to contact a friend who specializes in computer problems. I want you to know that this attempt to gain access to my information was VERY convincing. Even to the point of warning me that my computer was at risk for crashing if I didn't do what they said. BUT, I remembered a blog post that I had read by a friend that talked about "click-jacking" and scareware. I wanted to share it with all of you. Maybe you know about it already, but this was a first for me.
http://kesartech.blogspot.com/2010/10/it-must-be-halloween.html
There is a lot of good information on this blog about safegaurding your computer. You can get updated from Keith (the writer) when you like him on Facebook. Hop on over there and show Keith some love!
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