In this podcast. Season 1, Episode #2, we talk about Worship. We are a mother/daughter duo. Brenda homeschooled 4 (Now grown) children K-12. Juli currently homeschools three children 11-17 years old. This podcast is recorded while we go on our weekly walk. Our goal is to encourage you as you raise your children. Please let us know if you have topics that you would like us to cover related to Christian faith, motherhood, and homeschooling. Thanks for listening!
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. ~ AMENDMENT IV
Benjamin Franklin tells a story in his autobiography of his great-great- grandfather. Bloody Mary would send her apparitor to homes to see if they were reading the Bible. In the Franklin home, they sewed the Bible underneath a joint stool and turned it upside down to read it, then turned it right side up to hide it. This is one of the reasons that the fourth amendment was established- to defend our liberty to be secure in our homes, papers and effects. The 16th amendment greatly reduced this right as it imposes income tax on us that goes to the federal level, sometimes before we even know how much we’ve made. OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration can invade private plants and businesses without any warrants to see if any safety or health regulations are “violated”. And of course, the IRS can invade our privacy to make sure we each pay our “fair share” of taxes. Yes we should pay taxes, but it should go back to the original intent of our Constitution, before the 16th amendment was passed.
There are cases where a search is not unreasonable, such as the police checking an offenders’s car or pursuing a criminal across private property, or a person checking the neighbor’s property if they suspect their friend’s home is being broken into.
Warrants are to be issued by the courts based only on probable cause and supported by an authorization, and should describe specifically the place to be searched and the person or things to be seized. A search should never be a fishing expedition to try to find evidence.
Father, our rights come from You. We ask that we be protected in our homes, papers, and effects, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
In this podcast episode #1 we talk about Bible reading. LISTEN HERE. Brenda homeschooled her 4 (now grown) K-12. Juli currently homeschools three children 11-17 years old. This podcast is recorded while we go on our weekly walk. Our goal is to encourage you as you raise your children. Please let us know if you have topics that you would like us to cover related to Christian faith, parenting, and homeschooling. Thanks for listening!
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 3A
The reason the framers added this amendment to our Constitution is that they had experienced King George III putting soldiers in their homes before and during the American Revolution! Can you imagine having big burly soldiers in your home who hated you and your country and you being commanded to feed and provide for them? Even if they abused you and your family, you could not kick them out. This is why they explained what they had gone through in this paragraph of the Declaration of Independence:
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”
Then they appealed to the king with these two grievance:
“He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.” and “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us”
Thank you, Lord, that it is illegal for Americans to be forced to house armies in our homes. We thank You for this Freedom and give You all the glory, In Jesus, name. Amen.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bare Arms, shall not be in fringed. 2A
George Mason asked, “Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.”(1)
Corbin asked, “Who are the militia? Are we not militia?(2)
Edmund Randolph stressed that, “They are the bulwarks of our liberties.”(3) He further explained, “Should Congress neglect to arm or discipline the militia, the states are fully possessed of the power of doing it; for they are restrained from it by no part in the Constitution.”(4)
Lee explained, “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”(5)
Samuel Adams agreed, “The said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to… prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.”(6)
Patrick Henry clarified, “The great object is that every man be armed… Everyone who is able may have a gun.”(7) and “a well regulated militia, composed of gentlemen and freeman, is the natural strength and only security of a free government.”(8)
From early English law, the best of England’s kings required that men, from age 7, “anyone else who can afford them shall keep bows and arrows,” to be well trained and practiced.
In the early 1600’s, colonists were warned to not travel unless they were well armed. Some colonies required the men “to engage in target practice on Sunday and to bring their peeces to church.” Later in the 1600’s, laws provided that a citizen who claimed he was too poor to purchase a firearm would have one purchased for him by the government.(9)
Father, help our men be ready at all times to protect their families, homes and country for Your glory, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
(1) Elliot, 2:425.
(2) Elliot, 3:113.
(3) Elliot, 2:400.
(4) Elliot, 2:206.
(5) The Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Report of the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution (Washington: US Government Printing Office, February 1982), p. 5.
Do you know the five rights protected in the first amendment? These are: freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and grievance. These rights are not given to us by the Constitution or by our government. They are given to us by God and are simply protected by our Constitution.
William Blackstone explained in 1758, “every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public… But if he publishes what is improper, mischievous, or illegal, he must take the consequence of his temerity.”(1)
This is why the Declaration of Independence explains “When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security.”(2)
They then listed the 27 grievances sent to King George III, that he simply ignored. “In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”(3)
When we declared our independence from England, we virtuously appealed “to the Supreme Judge of the world” and pledged “to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”(4)
There are five ways to petition our government: through petitions, personal letters, personal visits, through a paid lobbyist, and or by public demonstration. Refusing to petition our government when we have a grievance allows evil, wicked people to make decisions that oppose God’s will and His kingdom. Refusing to defend those unjustly sentenced to death, care for widows and orphans, refusing to obey what God commands us in our self, family and civil governmental duties allows ungodly people to make ungodly decisions in these theological areas.
May the Church of Jesus Christ return to “No other king, but King Jesus.” May His Kingdom be honored in Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
Norton, Undermining the Constitution: A History of Lawless Government, p. 199.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. ~ A3S3C1
The word “Treason” has been used by kings to strike fear in the heart of their people. King John Lackland was one of the worst. If the common people hunted in “his forest”, by his Forest law, they would suffer dismemberment or death. “Treason” was vaguely defined by kings to be anything that perturbed them and was punishable by hanging, disemboweling, beheading &/or quartering.
James Wilson said, “If we have recourse to the history of the different governments that have hitherto subsisted, we shall find that a very great part of their tyranny over the people has arisen from the extension of the definition of treason… I speak only of free governments; for, in despotic ones, treason depends entirely upon the will of the prince. Let this subject be attended to, and it will be discovered where the dangerous power of the government operates on the oppression of the people. Sensible of this, the Convention has guarded the people against it, by a particular and accurate definition of treason…” (1)
“History informs us that more wrong may be done on this subject than on any other whatsoever. But, under this Constitution, there can be no treason against the United States, except such as is defined in this Constitution. The manner of trial is clearly pointed out; the positive testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or confession in open court, is required to convict any person of treason…” (2)
Father God Almighty, we thank You for this Biblical and God-fearing definition of treason that protects us from horrible tyranny. Help us to teach the next generation that our rights and duties come from You, not from those in government. We decree as our forefathers did, “No other king, but King Jesus!” Amen.
Elliot, 2:487-88.
Elliot, 2:469.
You may listen to the above article here:
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From today’s Constitutional Conversation, we see that the definition of Treason is very important to uphold to resist tyranny from leaders who do not fear God nor obey Him. The Bible teaches us how important it is to understand God’s heart concerning treason, so that we do not alienate Him in trying to comply with man’s government.
We remember how unjustly King Saul treated the to-be-crowned-king David and yet David never took the opportunity to avenge himself on his king:
“See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.” ~ 1 Samuel 24:11 ESV
But we see that Absalom did not hesitate to conspire against his own father: “Also Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he offered sacrifices: and the treason was great: for the people increased still with Absalom.” ~ 2 Samuel 15:12 1599 Geneva Bible.
Even when the people of Israel were back-slidden, they had wisdom in this scripture to refuse one who had committed treason:
“When they heard that Zimri had committed treason and had assassinated the king, that very day they chose Omri, commander of the army, as the new king of Israel.”~ 1 Kings 16:16 NLT
“Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?” 1 Kings 16:20 KJV
Now what is amazing is that kings want to rebel against God, yet claim “Divine Authority”, and accuse anyone raised up by God Almighty of treason when he acts to remove them:
“and King Joram demanded, ‘Do you come as a friend, Jehu?’
Jehu replied, ‘How can there be friendship as long as the evils of your mother Jezebel are all around us?’
Then King Joram reined the chariot horses around and fled, shouting to King Ahaziah, ‘There is treachery, Ahaziah! Treason!’” ~ 2 Kings 9:22-23 Living Bible
“When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The commanders and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, ‘Treason! Treason!’” ~ 2 Kings 11:14 NLT
“When Queen Athaliah heard all the noise and commotion and the shouts of praise to the king, she rushed over to the Temple to see what was going on—and there stood the king by his pillar at the entrance, with the army officers and the trumpeters surrounding him, and people from all over the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers singing, accompanied by an orchestra leading the people in a great psalm of praise. Athaliah ripped her clothes and screamed, ‘Treason! Treason!’” ~ 2 Chronicles 23:12 Living Bible
This scripture is very sobering because we see that God will not be mocked. As we find ourselves in a situation where previous leaders have mocked God and His ways in our nation, we can be guilty ourselves of Treason to God:
“I will spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and try him there for the treason which he committed against Me.” ~ Ezekiel 17:20 NKJV
Here we have a most important scripture to help us understand how to steward our liberty in our present culture, that Loyalty to Jesus is treason to a nation that does not honor God:
“And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.” ~ Acts 17:7 NLT
If we profess allegiance to King Jesus, our King of all kings, Lord of all lords, the author and completer, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith, we may find ourselves at odds with some of those in our government. So how do we navigate the waters ahead? Here are some ideas. Please join the Teaching His Story Community, so you can tell me what you think and we can discuss it.
God says not to murder the innocent. We have allowed the murder of millions of pre-born babies.
God says, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:16 NKJV) Yet the most influential of our “Pro-life” ministries insist on disobeying this crucial scripture, postponing and preventing ending this holocaust.
Pastors are generally silent and do not train and equip their saints to defend the innocent, placing the innocent blood of millions of babies on the head of the Church.
Are we not then, as a nation, guilty of treason against God Almighty? Why are we now silent? Are we called to disciple our own nation and make sure that we are a sheep nation?
As the Supreme Court of the United States has recently stayed the mailing of the abortion pill thereby allowing pro-abortion, anti-life, anti-American enemies to murder Americans by the millions, have they not committed treason against God and America?
What is our response? What are our options? Let’s talk about this more in the Teaching His Story Community.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV
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!
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!
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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!
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!
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!
Rosalie Slater, author of “Teaching and Learning America’s Christian History” studied the way that the Founders learned and taught and sums up their method with 4R’s: Research, Reason, Relate and Record. This is supported and taught by face.net as the Principle Approach where every subject begins in the Bible and is recorded in notebooks instead of taking short answer tests.
This “new” system is actually a renewing of our minds to use the Bible as the foundation of all learning and is a fascinating concept. For those of us who believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, it opens the door for us to know Him deeper and welcomes us into His world. Are you ready?
1887 Family Bible
Let’s study a few scriptures that encourage us that the Bible is actually up to the task to enlighten us in all aspects of life and living! We can start our research in the Word of God.
Research–
2 Tim 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Tim. 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
If there were ever a time when parents needed a place to be equipped for “every good work” it is now. Here is our guide, the very Word of God Almighty.
With all the misinformation swirling about us, it is time, especially for those of us who love Christ, to come to Him afresh, let go of our old thinking and learn how to rightly divide this word of truth.
Research would also include original sources documents such as history written before the 1900’s when our history was re-written by progressives. This true history from biographies, autobiographies and documents contemporary with events studied brings His Story alive and is a fascinating way to teach and learn! America is a rich treasure of heroes and patriots who stood for Truth and believed God Almighty to bless them through courageous stands for Convictions, Conscience, and Virtue- words that need to be revived today to help our young adults navigate successfully through the swamp as it is being drained.
So take courage my friends. I will talk about the second R next week. Stay tuned and sign up for the email to make sure that you do not miss the second part in this series.
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!
Teaching Techniques of Jesus by Herman Harrell Horne is a life changing book for me. I never thought of reading the Bible in terms of studying how Jesus taught. This book makes me want to start in the New Testament and leisurely read from Matthew to Revelation with this idea in mind!
The chapter on “His Attitude Toward Children” should be required reading for every parent and educator, especially those in the Kingdom of God. I agree with his statement, “… the attitude of Jesus toward children is the best we know in education today.” He brought out these scriptures in this chapter:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” ~ Matthew 23:37
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” ~ Luke 13:34
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” ~ Mark 9:42
“Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” ~ Mark 9:37
“Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” ~ Mat 18:14
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” ~ Mat 18:10
I’ve always loved how Jesus treats children, in direct opposition to his disciples who remind me of how easy it is to be “Type A” in the Lord’s work and ignore His very heart.
Indeed we see that nurturing and training the next generation is the very essence of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Yet our culture has convinced parents across our nation that they are not “qualified” or anointed for this work. They believe that it takes experts and a Village instead the heart and blessing of Almighty God.
He says in the chapter, “Jesus in Educational History” that “the place of Jesus in educational history is central and greatest, on the basis not of personal loyalty, but objective fact because… He taught the highest moral and spiritual truths: God is father, man is brother, the will is free, the soul is immortal, the ideal social order is to come on earth, women and children are to be honored, the life of sacrificial love is supreme.”
Herman Harrell Horne asks us, in closing one chapter, “In what respects do we commonly fail to exemplify love, truth and freedom in our attitude toward our children?”
I would offer that the way that we would fail the most is to send them to a place where they are separated from His love, truth and freedom, that is, in the public/government schools.
May God Almighty continue to anoint us to rescue parents and children from indoctrination away from Him. Then we can seek Him as to how to restore America’s Biblical heritage. Parents and children can sit at His feet together and say, as His followers of old did, “We know that Thou art a teacher come from God” and “Thou hast the words of eternal life!”
Learning, in Him,
Bren
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!
