A vision-driven homeschool…. March 30, 2009
Posted by homeschoolencourager in Homeschool.Tags: burnout, encouragement, family, help for homeschoolers, Homeschool, homeschool parents, vision
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A vision-driven Homeschool….
”He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:2 AMP)
Jesus lived a life of vision. His knowledge of the future and why He was on earth gave Him strength, purpose, and determination. Consider today’s verse. Vision is much more than a list of objectives and goals. In a nutshell, it’s what you “see” for the future. It’s what comes into your brain when you allow yourself to think about the years ahead. Having a clear vision is a powerful thing in any pursuit for it carries with it the power necessary to finish the job.
Once we have defined what our vision for homeschooling is, we must determine to become vision-minded. This means we must align our thoughts, words, and actions in the direction of your vision. We’ve all heard the phrase, looking through “rose-colored” glassed; well, we need to look through vision-colored glasses.
What we see in the natural on a day-to-day basis, can be stressful at times. We think we aren’t making any progress, that things will never change, or that our children will never mature. However, if we step back and look through our vision-colored glasses, we will see our children as healthy, happy, productive adults, as men and women who know their passions and how to pursue them. We will see strong family relationships developed over years of working, learning, and just spending time together. We will see the fruit of our labor…
Remembering this, however, involves disciplining our minds (or perhaps training our minds) not to dwell on the challenges of today. It requires us to be serious about controlling our thoughts and our words. It leads us to practice discernment that we might recognize the voice of the enemy telling us “You will never succeed. What you see today is all there will ever be. Who do you think you are?…blah…blah…blah!” A strong sense of vision will protect our minds by empowering us to ignore what our senses or other sources try to tell us.
When God births a vision you can believe it. You can trust that He will bring it to pass. One of my favorite scriptures when my kids were younger was Psalms 138:8: “The LORD will accomplish what concerns me…” (NASB). I stood on that promise during the hard times, when they turned away from the Lord…or struggled with health problems…when medication made him crazy…when strife was infecting our home…when I was tired and discouraged. I held on to this verse believing that the vision God had given me about homeschooling and the results we would some day reap would come true. And that’s what happened…
Prayer: Lord, we thank You that Your thoughts are higher than ours, and that Your vision for our family is not some elusive mystery. Reveal to us Your plan and purpose for our children and help us to get a real picture and a strong vision of what homeschooling can and will mean to our family today and in the future, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Weekly Word: What is VISION? March 26, 2009
Posted by homeschoolencourager in Uncategorized.Tags: children, encouragement, faith, homeschool burnout, homeschooling, parenting, vision
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“…That you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things…” (Colossians 1:9 AMP)
Today, let’s look at an often over-used word in homeschooling circles: vision. Sometimes we approach this word like it is a magical, mystical thing that only the “truly committed” ever achieve. Yet, we nod and smile like characters in the Emperor’s New Clothes claiming we “see it!” However, when the rubber meets the road, and the lesson plan book lies open in front of us, we wonder why in the world we are doing this. That moment is what I’m writing this for; and for every moment when fatigue, frustration, and disillusionment settle in and you need a reason to keep it together one more day.
Now I realize, these days may be few and far between and I certainly don’t mean to over-dramatize the issue. But the truth of the matter is, vision is not some illusive aura out there that you have or you don’t. It is, simply stated, what you see for your future…and for your children’s future. It takes imagination to think about the future and imagine what it will be like. It takes effort to clearly define what we are hoping to accomplish from homeschooling. Vision is the expectation you carry…and what we believe for even when we can’t see it.
Second Corinthians 4:18 describes it here:
“…We consider and look not to the things which are seen but to the things that are unseen….”
My Pastor gave a great definition of vision; he said vision is the anointed imagination. Anointing is simply putting God’s Spirit on or in something. Think about that. We can ask God to fill our imaginations, our ideas, our vision with His Spirit. This should be the first thing we encourage new homeschoolers to do.
My “assignment” to you today is this: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you develop your vision for homeschooling. Write down any impressions you have. Start by writing down the three most important things you hope to accomplish through homeschooling. Ephesians 3:20 says “God can do exceedingly above and beyond all we could ask, think, or imagine.” This means that on our own we can’t see what lies in store for our children. Thankfully, God can. And He has chosen home education to prepare them for what lies ahead. That is why we do what we do…
Prayer: Lord, we thank You that Your thoughts are higher than ours, and that Your vision for our family is not some elusive mystery. Reveal to us Your plan and purpose for our children and help us to get a real picture and a strong vision of what homeschooling can and will mean to our family today and in the future, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Great Discussion on media’s influence in our families March 24, 2009
Posted by homeschoolencourager in Uncategorized.Tags: children, family, homeschooling, pornography, sex, tv, video games, violence
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I was impressed with this balanced and practical discussion on media and it’s influence in our families. Thanks to Joyce Meyer & Phil Cooke! This is such a challenge for parents today…to help our kids make right choices when dealing with TV, computers, video games, etc….
How have you handled this in your family?
what to do with a morning March 14, 2009
Posted by homeschoolencourager in Uncategorized.Tags: children, coffee, empty nest, family, home, kids, marriage, mid-life, moms, mornings, peace
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Since my kids left home, my mornings are very strange things. When you have kids at home you don’t “choose” your morning routine. It just happens–and it usually changes every day based on who lost their shoes, who’s throwing up, or who woke up on the wrong side of the bed. But when your kids have left home, there is a strange stillness in the mornings, an invitation to make the morning whatever I want it to be…but I find it a little unsettling. Yes, my cat meows to be fed, I make coffee, my routine is set. But the reality is, it’s too quiet. It’s too stress-free sometimes.
Having no kids in the house can be exciting. After being a mom for 25 years, beginning when I was 19…I finally have all the time in the world to do what I want, to take care of myself, to exercise, be creative…but the mornings are still tough. It’s like I don’t quite know what to do with myself. Most mornings of course, I am getting ready for my day and heading off to work. But many times these weekend mornings are a struggle, they are strange!
No great insight this morning…just an observation. I guess we forget how much things really change when our kids are gone and we have to learn new ways of living life. It’s exciting and challenging–but not always easy.
Are you an empty nest mom? What’s hard for you?
Our Weekly Word is Perseverance September 3, 2008
Posted by homeschoolencourager in Weekly Word.Tags: bible, children, christian home, encouragement, endure, finish strong, homeschooling, parenting, scriptures
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“For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.”
Hebrews 10:36 AMP
Many of us have resumed school, schedules, and routines we’ve let up on for the summer months. September brings with it a sense of a “new” season and at the same time the familiar routines that can be comforting and even energizing. Maybe you are facing another year of pretty much “same old…same old.” Or maybe you took your first child off to college. Perhaps you have a new baby that has interrupted how school was once run in your home—in a good way, of course! Whatever the situation, I know for sure there is one thing you will need this year: perseverance.
Perseverance is the quality that keeps going despite any difficulties; that is stubborn and resolute regardless of circumstances or challenges. According to today’s verse, perseverance is “steadfast patience and endurance.” At the beginning of the school year—or a new season—you may not think you will need perseverance. You may “feel” excited and focused. I certainly don’t want to rain on your parade. But I have to be honest. Before the year is over, you will need perseverance. There will be a day, or a week, or a month…when you need the will to press on when you want to throw in the towel. I suspect there are some of you who need perseverance right now as you are STARTING the year. There may be no “first day of school” enthusiasm left in you. You’ve been homeschooling a long time, or parenting a long time, or at the same job for a long time. The honeymoon may be long over and you are left trying to muster up the energy and excitement to finish the race.
It’s easy to start things well; it’s the finishing strong that can be a challenge. We rely on our emotions, our circumstances, or our friends to keep us going. And those all play a part. But when those are taken away and it’s just us and our task—that’s when we need the strength to persevere.
Where do we get it? How do we stay engaged when our emotions have “left the building,” so to speak? If you’ve been reading me for any length of time, you know Hebrews 10:35-36 are some of my favorite verses. I felt God “gave” me these verses early on in our homeschool journey. They kept me steady and grounded for many years! This is the first way to develop perseverance. Stand on God’s Word. Remember the promises He’s given you personally, or find some that you can hold on to! Read them out loud when you are feeling discouraged. Write them in the front of your Bible. Post them on the fridge, your mirror, or in your schoolroom. This isn’t just some positive attitude exercise! Psalm 119 describes the impact that God’s Word can have on us. There is real power available to us when we call on God’s Word. This is the first step to developing the perseverance we need. Stay tuned next week, for the second…
Are you being stretched? August 30, 2008
Posted by homeschoolencourager in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10 AMP
Stretching means you will…
- Be uncomfortable
- Give up your rights (to be offended, to have your way…)
- Discipline your flesh
- Do now what you can live with tomorrow
- Turn your back on the ordinary
What’s cool about being stretched is that you will now be able to embrace things you wouldn’t have before…to imagine and believe for things you wouldn’t have had the capacity for before. So as PAINFUL as it is…stretching allows you to inhale more of God and His purposes for you. Just like that good pair of jeans, that once broken in allow you to breathe and provide ease and range of motion!! When our faith is stretched, our comfort zones pushed past their limit, then God can really make things happen.
The bottom line is, stretching expands us enough to receive more of God. Like Paul says, “less of me…more of you.” So, I guess I’m willing to relinquish my comfort, my control, my selfish desires, my ideas of how the world should be (and of course, how it should treat me…) to allow God to take me and fill me and make me what He planned from the beginning. That’s the point of being stretched.
Has God been stretching you lately? Can you see a purpose in the stretching??
Auntie Kid’s Sloppy Joes August 12, 2008
Posted by homeschoolencourager in family.Tags: brages, moving, recipes, sloppy joes
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These are the sloppy joes I made on moving day. I’ve had one request for the recipe, so I figured this would be easiest!! Thanks again to Nate & Aaron, Josh M, Elissa B, Josh K, and of course the Brage boys (Josh, Sean) –we appreciate your help VERY MUCH!! Soon we’ll have you all over for a bbq…or perhaps a pot of chili and a football game…
Auntie Kid’s Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 5 lb. ground beef
- 3/4 C chopped onions
- 20 oz. Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 lb. Brown Sugar
- 11/2 T Mustard
- 1T Vinegar
- 4 C Ketchup
- salt & pepper to taste
Brown meat and onion; Drain grease. Add remaining ingredients and simmer till warm. Of course, serve with potato chips anr/or Fritoes.
Every parent needs to read… July 23, 2008
Posted by homeschoolencourager in Homeschool.Tags: drugs, faith, family, god, homeschooling, kids, parenting, runaways, teens
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Thank you Jon, at “The Prodigal Jon” for How To Love a Prodigal.
As a mom who went through this, I think his words can bring not only comfort, but also strength to the paretn who is going through this. Sometimes as homeschoolers we think this will never happen to us. All I can say is, don’t be so sure. My son’s rebellion was birthed in the halls of a Christian school during the one year we didn’t homeschool. The next few years were spent rebuilding him and the relationships in our family. We have a happy ending, and his “prodigal” years didn’t involve him running away or getting involved with drugs or anything like that. However, the pain and stress of that time was no less traumatic for our family.
Take Jon’s words to heart, I think he is absolutely right in how to relate to your kids during this time and how to love them back into relationship with God and with you.
What I know about the Wilderness… July 1, 2008
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God’s power flows through faithful people, those who are faithful in the wilderness as well as in the Promised Land. (Joyce Meyer)
We’ve all been in a wilderness of one sort or another. In fact, I’d say I probably find myself there at least once a year! Sometimes they are brief periods of dissatisfaction or disappointment; other times they knock the wind out of my sails and make me question who I am, Who God is, and what I really believe. I’m sure you can relate.
I was thinking about what I know about those desert moments:
- It can be preparation for a new season of service, lifestyle, or ministry.
- It may be a breaking away from old habits or addictions.
- You are caught between what was and what will soon be.
- Crutches will be removed or destroyed and God will be your only support.
- The past will look inviting; at least going back would be some movement.
- You can only live one day at a time–as you won’t know what tomorrow will bring.
- You may feel a loss of control, like you are facing the impossible, and like nothing is ever going to change.
- You may even be tempted to give up or think you missed God somewhere along the way.
- To survive the wilderness, you must get your eyes off the circumstances and onto God.
Which of these speaks most to you in YOUR Wilderness?
Such Hope June 28, 2008
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“…Character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope… Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us…” Romans 5:4-5
There is a need and a place for hope in our lives. We must have something to fix our sights on, something we are moving toward. It’s our nature. Hope is a powerful rudder moving us out of the waters of apathy, self-defeat, and doubt into the waters into the river of belief. It only takes a little push in the right direction and faith can become an anchor for our souls keeping us grounded in Christ.
According to Romans 5, there is a kind of hope that never disappoints. Such hope is habitual, joy-filled, and confident. It is not a weak airy, “I hope so” kind of thing. It’s a hope built on years of trusting God and seeing His faithfulness; it’s filled with joy because it knows God can be counted on and even if the things we are hoping for fall through–God has something better in mind.
Real hope is confident that God’s hands are on our lives and that He is tenderly and carefully watching over our hopes and dreams. We are confident that we have what we ask for, that He hears us, and that it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.
This hope is habitual, constant, joy-full, not tentative, but confident. It is strong enough to step out on. This hope quickly grows into faith…in fact, it is the breeding ground for real, powerful, faith!
