Dr. Brenda MacMenamin – Teaching His Story

How Faithful is Our God!

Sharing the “Mighty Deeds of God” (Psalm 78) to civic groups, women’s groups, churches and special events bringing enlightenment and activism to patriots, pastors, and parents is a delight to me. I am happy to share the hope I have found in Christ with friends of liberty.

American Government and Economics, Authentic American History and Ancient History are available from your home, online at your convenience.

I am a happy Christian wife and mother of four (now married) homeschooled children. Helping, guiding, advising, and teaching ‘best practices’ to young couples who are planning to undertake the noble cause of teaching their own children is a joy that I want to share with family and friends.

Let me know how we can work together to bless our children and give them the Heritage that “a good man” leaves to the next generation! (Pr 13:22)

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If you would like to partner with me to bring Gospel Reformation to Education, Business and Civics, you may give here to partner in this work of reforming America.

Do you have any questions? Let us hear from you!

Invitation to Renewing the Mind

Click here to watch an invitation to Renewing the Mind course.

It starts October 13th, from 6:30-8 pm and runs for ten weeks. It is FREE! We will study how the Founders used the “Principle Approach” method of teaching and learning.

Fall in Love with Teaching Again! This course is for YOU—the parent teacher or classroom teacher—to equip you with the elements of a dynamic approach to education. During the 10-week Renewing the Mind for Teaching and Learning Course you will find a new paradigm to inspire you and release you from the drudgery of “canned” approaches to educating children, bringing a joy that is limitless, fresh every day and restores a love of learning.

A Biblical philosophy of education begets a fresh approach to both curriculum and method. The Renewing The Mind Course is the first step in the process of restoring true Biblical education, the source of liberty and Christian self-government.

Renewing the Mind for Teaching and Learning Course is a free online study in the Principle Approach, a new way of thinking by today’s standards that views all life and learning through a Biblical lens. The only resource you will need for this course is the Renewing The Mind for Teaching and Learning Study Guide which can be purchased here.

Register for this FREE Course Here. In this course you will learn how to:
~ Teach using a time-tested method of successful education
~ Master the joy and spirit of subject material—vocabulary, principles and leading ideas
~ Establish the purpose of learning—overviews, timelines, maps, goals
~ Construct a solid Biblical and academic curriculum
~ Create an appealing learning environment providing the right tools
~ Consistently uphold the standards of Christian scholarship and character
~ Celebrate learning by incorporating music, art, drama, pageantry, performance and all the arts

Dr. Brenda MacMenamin will be your online instructor for the Renewing The Mind Course. She is a seasoned Principle Approach Master Teacher with over 30 years of experience in learning and teaching American Christian history. Now, she looks forward to introducing the Principle Approach to you through this Renewing the Mind study group.

The Renewing The Mind study is a FREE 10-week course starting October 13 and will be held each Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:00 PM EST through December 15*. All you will need for the course is the Renewing The Mind Study Guide. Just click the link below to register and you will receive more information and the Zoom link to log on and start loving teaching again.
Register for this FREE Course Here.

Why Home School?

***“…they will teach their children to fear me also…”*** ~ Deuteronomy 4:10

Remember in Deuteronomy 4, how the Lord urged Israel to obey Him so that He could fully bless them? He talked to them about how He just destroyed their enemies (His and theirs – the ones that sacrificed their children to idols.) Then He instructs them how He wants them to enter and occupy the Promised Land.

What is your Promised Land? Is it maybe where you are free to worship the Lord, where there is Peace, Joy and Righteousness? This is each of our homes, as we raise our little ones up in the Lord. Look how the Lord warns them as a loving Father does:

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.…” ~ Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT

As we seek Him to do this, surely we will create a place where our children can hear about Him, learn to read and love His Word. As they grow older understanding comes and application.

Application of His Word is quite an adventure that brings success in all we do. As the Lord encourages Joshua in Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

I wonder how we can ever do this if we send our children to a school that does not let our children bring in the Book about Him…

Proverbs 22:6 in the 1599 Geneva Bible promises that if we “Teach a child in the trade of his way, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.”

What does “in the trade of his way” mean? Well, each child is unique and has gifts from the Lord. He has a Way for him to go. This is the joy of parenthood to see each child’s uniqueness and encourage each one of our children to develop his gifts and bless people.

Home is where this happens best. Parents, have fun with it! You are awesome.

Home Schooling Help

Parent, do you know how “qualified” you are to teach your own children? Many people will make you feel not qualified while they explain away the public schools’ failure to teach children even the basics of education. I love this quote that is attributed to one of the former students of James A. Garfield:

“The ideal college is Mark Hopkins on one end of a log and a student on the other.”

Hopkins was well known and loved for his simplicity in education. The Bible makes it even more simple:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” ~ Deuteronomy 6:5-9 NKJV

Doesn’t this sound like anywhere, anytime? Or better yet: Everywhere. All the time.

Parents, you can do it! Everywhere. All the time! Just fall in love with God again and teach your children to do the same. Every thing will flow from there.

Let’s talk about why next week.

Homeschooling Encouragement from the Bible

Jesus promised that His “yoke is easy” yet many homeschoolers feel heavy burdened. If you are struggling, invest in your education! Join us in this enlightening and delightful three week class.

We’ll learn how the Biblical system of education that our Founding Fathers used produced brilliant thinkers and writers who knew and reasoned from the Bible. How did they do that? It was not by trying to do public school at home!

For only $40 you can join us. I include the FREE booklet for the course with my favorite scriptures concerning raising our children. The class will be LIVE, online, Wednesdays from 12-1:30 PM. The recordings will then be available online for your continued benefit.

Happy Mother’s Day coupon 15% OFF, good until May 15, 2022 CODE: HAPPY-MOTHERS-DAY! Sign up here

5/11 Encouragement from History and the Bible
5/18 What does the Bible say of Education and Child Training?
5/25 Learn how to apply what you have learned for Success!

“I love learning from Ms. Brenda! She is a joy and so full of wisdom. A year later after taking the course I am still utilizing the knowledge and skills I acquired taking the “Homeschooling Encouragement from the Bible” course to teach my kids.

— Heather Oliver, Homeschooling mother of 3

“I took the ‘Encouragement from the Bible’ class with absolutely no expectations. I figured it was easy enough to schedule in, and not such a long commitment that I would fail to complete. After the first class, I was pleasantly surprised by Mrs Brenda’s enthusiasm and passion on the subject, as well as, the information shared during the class. It was interesting hearing from others, and sharing thoughts about the same task all mothers have… discipling our children. This course has really opened my eyes to dissecting the scripture in a new way, and encouraged me all the same. It filled my soul each week, that I couldn’t wait to get back to class for more.
Thanks for taking the time to offer and teach this class. It truly was encouragement from the Bible!” ~ Sooner R.

“This course not only expanded my understanding of a Biblical worldview of education, but is transforming my soul to God’s will so that I may know Him and reveal Him to all with whom I interact.” ~ Carol Hayes, Retired, Speech-Language Pathologist

This is the first step to guide you to develop your own Biblical Philosophy of Education. Sign up here. For Mother’s Day, use the CODE: HAPPY-MOTHERS-DAY! for 15% OFF!

Please join us!

Sign up for the FREE weekly blog. I will be sharing bits each week about Biblical Worldview History, Education and methodology.

Happy Flag Day Special

To honor our American flag on Flag Day, we are offering a great deal for our next LIVE online “Constitutional Conversations in Six Weeks” course.

Join this course that equips “We the People” to be Constitutionally Literate & Articulate. Actively defend and promote Liberty. Be part of the SOLUTION. Learn the Original Intent and help us get back to it or perish.

$75 (optional text, The Making of America) online! $15 Off until 5/31

Pay HERE! Get Constitutionally Literate! Don’t let any other flag fly over America!!! “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!!!”

Date Week Lesson: Time is 1-3 PM on Mondays. LIVE! Online!

6/07 1 Preamble and His Story
6/14 2 Article I Legislative
6/21 3 Article II Executive
7/05 4 Article III Judicial
7/12 5 Article IV & Article V
7/19 6 Article VI & Article VII

No need to wonder about intent of the framers, you’ll know exactly what it is: General Welfare, Commerce Clause, 3/5 Clause, Slavery, Article V, “A More Perfect Union”

I strongly endorse Brenda’s course on the US Constitution. Every American should take this course. Every American Believer needs to grasp the depth of Biblical truth that was built into the foundations of our country – and then learn exactly what needs to happen to move us back toward our Biblical roots. ~ Sam Chess, Senior Pastor Grace Emmanuel Church

I would dare to say that most Americans have no idea of how the Constitution protects the power and authority of the citizens of this country. Due to the lack of education in this area, we have gradually fallen from a Constitutional Republic to an oligarchy. “Constitutional Conversations” not only opened my eyes to this reality, it also inspired me to educate myself more about this matter, while helping others understand the authority of “We the people”. ~Rev. Diego S Barrios, Ethne Missions

“Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done… that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments…” ~ Psalms 78:4,7

Please join us!

Calling ALL Pro-life Floridians!

Let’s Save all Persons, no matter how small! PersonhoodFL.com

This initiative to protect life in Florida is not “legislative” but is a Florida Constitutional Amendment proposal through “We the People” – pastors, Christian leaders and the Body of Christ. The operative language on the petition reads:

“The God-given right to life of every human being at any stage of development shall be recognized and protected.”

This is why I LOVE this language so much!

1. Our rights come from God (87% of people polled do not know this.)

Preamble of FL Constitution: “We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty…”

2. Glorifies and honors Almighty God (We must end this bloodshed!)

3. All lives are “recognized and protected”- Babies and older generation are protected, from the womb to the tomb!

4. Plan – simple, easy! Ask your pastor to petition at your church. Watch this short video with your congregation. This is the Director of Personhood FL, Christopher Bradley, Sr who is also a pastor!

Ask all Florida registered voters to sign the petition, take 5 extra, have friends sign them and bring them back to church the next week.

75 churches X 200 petitions X 67 counties > 1 Million Floridians for Life!

5. Volunteer at PersonhoodFL.com. Share with other pastors, churches and friends. Petition at events. Hold outreaches. Gather them and mail them to the address on the petition. YOU can do this! Save the babies!!!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” ~ Jeremiah 1:5

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” ~ Proverbs 31:8 NLT

Resources: https://www.personhoodfl.com/resource-kits/ (cut in half before signing).

2021.03.12 Recording our Learning

We’ve been discussing the way that the colonists learned and how they taught their children. Instead of the 3 R’s, they used the 4 R’s:

Research
Reason
Relate
Record

Today we are talking about recording. (See previous posts for the first three.) This would usually mean having the students write essays, instead of giving them short answer tests such as T/F, fill-in-the-blanks or matching. These types of tests are certainly easier for the teacher to grade, but they do not require the students to think through what they have been taught and what they have learned.

After teaching students how to research using original and first source documents, how to reason through what they are researching and how to relate this information to the subject/project at hand, we then teach our students how to record this information. You can read references to “blank books” or notebooks from George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Nathaniel Bowditch among so many others.

But it does not always have to be in essay form, and this is where learning can be a LOT of fun! “Recording” can be debates, spelling bees, History or Science Fairs, on-the-job training or apprenticing, plays or skits. You can see that the variety is limited only by the teachers’ and classes’ imagination.

Think of all the inspiring autobiographies or biographies that you have read. Can you imagine if no one took the time to record that for you!

I was enjoying a letter from John Quincy Adams in the “Education of John Quincy Adams” this week:

“When our fathers abjured the name of Britons, and ‘assumed among the nations of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitled them,’ they tacitly contracted the engagement for themselves, and above all for their posterity, to contribute, in their corporate and national capacity, their full share, ay, and more than their full share, of the virtues that elevate and of the graces that adorn the character of civilized man. They announced themselves as reformers of the institution of civil society. They spoke of the laws of nature, and in the name of nature’s God; and by that sacred adjuration they pledged us, their children, to labor with united and concerted energy, from the cradle to the grave, to purge the earth of all slavery; to restore the race of man to the full enjoyment of those rights which the God of nature had bestowed upon him at his birth; to disenthrall his limbs from chains, to break the fetters from his feet and the manacles from his hands, and set him free for the use of all his physical powers for the improvement of his own condition. The God in whose name they spoke had taught them, in the revelation of the Gospel, that the only way in which man can discharge his duty to Him is by loving his neighbor as himself, and doing with him as he would be done by; respecting his rights while enjoying his own, and applying all his emancipated powers of body and of mind to self-improvement and the improvement of his race.”

Doesn’t this refute the accusation that our Founders were racist? And what a treasure to share with our children to encourage them to “labor with united and concerted energy, from the cradle to the grave, to purge the earth of all slavery.” (or abortion!)

In Joshua 4 we read that the Lord had the leaders of Israel leave stones from the bottom of the Jordan in a heap so that their children would ask what they mean. Isn’t this what we are doing, when we record what God has done in our lives? Then, we can too can say,

“He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” ( Joshua 4:24)

And that, my friend is what we want to instill into our children, above all. As it says in Psalm 78: 4-7:

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders. For He issued His laws to Jacob; He gave His instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them
— even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.
Psalm 78:4-7

Renewing our minds is a transforming process which begins right at our commitment to Christ’s salvation and Lordship of our lives. We receive His Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We then begin this wonderful journey to know Him and the power of His resurrection. We grow as we read His Word, begin to understand, know and practice it. What an adventure!

Would you like to join me in a study to do this? This is the first baby step that we guide you into to develop your own Biblical Philosophy of Education.

I hope you join us!

2021.03.05 Relating the Word of God to Life and Living…

Can we relate the Bible to real life and living? Where do you get direction for your marriage, parenting, finances, etc.? Does the Bible have anything to say about these most critical topics?

My husband and I were saved about the same time. We had a pastor who spent a lot of time and money to teach us Biblical principles concerning our marriage. He would have special speakers in to teach and train us. Then there was a season where we focused on our finances. They actually taught us how to set up a budget. They had other people come in to teach us about child training from a Biblical perspective. What a difference it made to our young family to have this foundation in the Word of God. No wonder my husband and I have been so blessed. We were taught how to relate Biblical principles to life and living.

Could we do the same with everything that we want to embark on? If we can research and reason from the Word, can we then relate what we learn to the task at hand?

From the 1828 Dictionary: RELA’TE, v.i. To have reference or respect; to regard.

Do we even have respect for the Word of God, if we do not relate it to our lives?

What is beautiful is that God Almighty has so many promises and blessings for us as we seek His Word, His Will and His Way. As it says in Jeremiah 6:16,

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.’

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

I say, “Father! Help us walk in Your Way! We want to know Your Word and apply it to our lives. We want to find these ‘old paths, where the good way is…’”

From The “Eliot Tracts” – John Elliot was known as the “Apostle to the Indians.” (From Teaching and Learning available at face.net.)

Here we see this desire in the first Americans, in their dedication of their first college, Harvard. Their second rule and precept to be observed in the college was:

Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3).

And there in the wilderness of a new land God forged a covenant people who sought His Word for Truth, for how to start teaching their little ones. They dedicated this nation to the Lord and forged governmental documents upon His Word that gave us Liberty for hundreds of years.

Return us, O God, to the covenant that our Fathers made with You when they dedicated themselves and their little ones to You. Help us to dedicate ourselves and our little ones to You once again!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would you like to join me in a study to do this? This is the first baby step that we guide you into to develop your own Biblical Philosophy of Education.

I hope you join us!

2021.02.26 Giving a Reason for the Hope that is in you…

Last week we talked about the “4R’s” of education that the Founders used to Learn and to Teach that produced brilliant thinker and writers. They are:

Research
Reason
Relate
Record

We covered how important it is to start every project and learning endeavor in the Word of God and how the Bible is up to the task to give wisdom and to make us prosper.

The second R is Reason. I actually thought that reasoning was opposed to faith when I first got saved and so I was under the impression that we were NOT supposed to reason. But the Bible says:

Isaiah 1:18, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’”

Acts 17:2, “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,”

Acts 24:25, “Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’”

I Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

When we search the Word for the Lord’s Will and Way and then reason with Him how to walk this out in our lives, a wonderful blessing comes upon us. As the Lord promises Joshua in Joshua 1:8&9,

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

What a wonderful blessing! Do our children deserve less? Is it worth taking time to renew our minds so that we can pass such a wonderful heritage to our children!

Look at Psalm 78:4, 6, 7 GNV:

“We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done… That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments…”

If there were any time that we needed to reason with our children to know the character of God and to urge them to trust Him in our current circumstances, isn’t it now? If we cannot reason from scripture, why read it? Conversely, maybe people aren’t reading the Bible because they are not hearing Christians that do reason from His precious Word.

Let’s be the people who do. Let’s ask God Almighty to help us so that we can help others, much like Jesus asked His Father to glorify Him so that He could glorify the Father! (John 17:1)

May we be like the nation of Israel when they found the Law after not following it for years. This is Nehemiah 8:8-10

“So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.’ For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”

Father, will You open the Heavens for us? Will You give us revelation? Will You help us to read Your Word afresh and anew. Help us to receive fresh manna from You. We need You so desperately, so we ask in faith, believing that You hear our prayer and will not give us a stone, but the Holy Spirit.

Thank You, Abba Father!

Would you like to join me in a study to do this? This is the first baby step that we guide you into to develop your own Biblical Philosophy of Education.

I hope you join us!