You know that homeschool is working when your 12- and 13-year old daughters utilize their critical thinking skills and don't fall for what is being fed to the masses. Yesterday, my 12-year-old questioned the validity of a pressure cooker being inside of a backpack that was casually slung over one shoulder and didn't appear bulky or heavy. She brought this up before I even had a chance to think about that. It totally threw me off guard and took me by pleasant surprise.  I'm sure she questioned it because we just got her grandmother a pressure cooker for Christmas so she knows how big and heavy it is.  THIS is what our purpose of homeschooling is about...to think for yourself and not be influenced by what the majority is being influenced by. Mainly, to question everything. This is our first year of homeschooling and we are still winging it and trying to find a comfortable groove. Her statement proved that you don't need a fancy curriculum or a set routine to homeschool. It was the result of everyday living and basic common sense. Something that is basically stifled in the public school setting.

Always Forgive

Out Of The Darkness

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ~ Ephesians 5:11 

See Ephesians 5:1-16

Works of darkness are those which please the powers of darkness. The Christian must have nothing whatever to do with these. We must not encourage or approve any sinful device, but rather reprove it. This would prevent the support of many things which the world encourages.

If anyone is upset at my posts, then they're upset at God and are feeling convicted. Sometimes, the truth hurts. A dear pastor that I know sums it up like this: "If you profess, they'll guess, but if you show it, they'll know it." We are all accountable for our choices and decisions. God did give us free will. Ignorance is no excuse. The choice is up to you. My purpose is not to judge but to inform. Really my opinion doesn't matter. What matters is what God says in the Holy Bible. I am not trying to "convict" or "change" you or your ideas. I will let the Holy Spirit do that.

When There's Conflict

Sometimes, there's a need to stick up for yourself, when there is conflict.  However, please remember: 

1) Try not to get fired up unless someone is hurting you or any member of your family. 

2) Even when you're fired up,  try to act respectful and matter-of-factly...NO NAME-CALLING! 

3) Speak to the person like how you think Jesus would speak to the person, we represent Him and we are supposed to be witnesses to Him. 

4) Think about, and pray about what you want to say to that person. 

5) Once you've had your say with the person, just let it go. Forgive. No holding grudges! 

6) If the person chooses to never speak to you again, so be it. He or she is the one with the problem and needs to deal with it. Sometimes, the truth hurts and some people don't like hearing the truth.

7) Do not get involved in retaliation.

Most importantly...pray for the person that you're having the conflict with. More often than not, he or she isn't a believer and only knows the ways of the world.