"We're being educated - not schooled. Taught how to think - not what to think. Given critical thinking skills so that we can go and find the answers and support our opinions on our own; not spoon-fed our convictions and told to spell them out on a multiple choice test with an optional essay for extra credit. By God's grace, that's the kind of educational environment I want to provide for my children: a safe haven where they can be taught about Jesus Christ as they walk beside me through day-to-day life, as I sit down and teach them subjects from science to philosophy from a biblical worldview, and as I send them out to interact with the world on our terms: to be shining lights for the gospel, effective ambassadors for Jesus Christ."
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Wise Words from Ms. Baucham
Jasmine Baucham (Daughter of Voddie Baucham, on the "Indoctrination" of Homeschooled Children)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Path of Wisdom
Rereading The Fellowship of the Ring, the first of the three books which make up The Lord of the Rings, I came upon Gandalf's rebuke of Saruman over his desire to understand the evil of the One Ring and that which gives it power. Gandalf says:
Consider this: I may have a basic understanding of the way electricity works and I may even have the knowledge necessary to replace a light switch or a fixture. I know what can be done... but not necessarily what should be done. That's one of the subtle differences between knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom is that which manages knowledge. And the more you know - the more knowledge you have - the more important wisdom becomes. Without wisdom, knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge can have disastrous ends.
The fact that this is almost a universal truth is the reason the theme is so prevalent in literature. Dr. Frankenstein, Oedipus, Faust, and a host of others serve as poignant illustrations. It seems from the very beginning, the quest for knowledge without the constraint of wisdom has been one of our greatest plagues. One fateful day long ago in a Garden of Eden, a man and a woman fell victim to the thirst for knowledge and the world hasn't been the same since.
So... knowledge, unchecked by wisdom, is a bad thing. So what? Where does that leave us? Consider the words of Sir Francis Bacon:
“He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.”Saruman's quest for knowledge became an obsession and eventually ended up corrupting him to the core. His search for knowledge without regard for wisdom, was his undoing. There is a temptation to think knowledge and wisdom are one and the same and the terms are often used interchangeably. But they are, in fact, very different things.
Consider this: I may have a basic understanding of the way electricity works and I may even have the knowledge necessary to replace a light switch or a fixture. I know what can be done... but not necessarily what should be done. That's one of the subtle differences between knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom is that which manages knowledge. And the more you know - the more knowledge you have - the more important wisdom becomes. Without wisdom, knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge can have disastrous ends.
The fact that this is almost a universal truth is the reason the theme is so prevalent in literature. Dr. Frankenstein, Oedipus, Faust, and a host of others serve as poignant illustrations. It seems from the very beginning, the quest for knowledge without the constraint of wisdom has been one of our greatest plagues. One fateful day long ago in a Garden of Eden, a man and a woman fell victim to the thirst for knowledge and the world hasn't been the same since.
So... knowledge, unchecked by wisdom, is a bad thing. So what? Where does that leave us? Consider the words of Sir Francis Bacon:
"A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion."and the words of King Soloman:
"Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold. She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her." (Proverbs 3:13-15, HCSB)Where does it leave us? I think it should leave us on our knees. On our knees in reverent fear of our mighty God. It should leave us in supplication, asking God not for knowledge, but for wisdom. And I think that, as fathers - for the sake of our children - we need to be in fervent prayer asking the same for them.
~~~~
"In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
If you find it, you will have a bright future,
and your hopes will not be cut short."
(Proverbs 24:14, NLT)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Book Review - Average Joe
Meeder's book does a fine job of encouraging average sons, fathers, and husbands to embrace the roles in which God has placed them. He assures us that God can and will use the average man, if he keeps an open heart and mind and seeks the guidance and will of God.
While these are all very true, Meeder, at times, seems to lose sight of what an Average Joe really is.
Clint (the cowboy), Jim (the gardener), and the Twelve chosen by Jesus would definitely qualify as average. Finn (the marine), David (the king), and Paul (the apostle) certainly would not.
In spite of his obvious desire to have Average Joe be an encouragement to average men as a whole, there were times I sensed that Meeder was trying to make himself feel good about the life he has lived. While that's not a bad thing, it definitely colored a few chapters of the book.
If you're looking for rich Biblical meat to chew on, you'll be left feeling a bit underwhelmed. If you're looking for a quick and easy read that leaves the average man feeling good about his place in the world and about God's ability to use him for mighty things, Average Joe will certainly make for a couple days' good reading.
A complimentary review copy of this book was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
If Only I Were Half a Man
We all go through them: those times when we wish we could do more... be more. And all of us have gone through those times when all we want is for things to go a little smoother... be a little easier. And in those times it seems that everyone has an answer - a way to fix it all. And then there's the stories of countless people who have it much worse and have managed to pull through.
This is another one of those stories.
His name is Peng Shuilin. He lives in the Hunan Province in China. He is a 38 year old business man who enjoys morning walks and evenings surrounded by friends and family. What makes him unique is his amazing cheerfulness and positive outlook on life. He never has an unkind word to say about anyone. Always pushes himself to do better. Always looks for solutions. And never lets his infirmity be a reason not to try.
Once standing about 5'8", Peng now measures only 2'6". You see, in 1995 a freight truck ran over him and completely destroyed his body from the waist down. Somehow, doctors were able to spare his life. They spent two years working to contain all of his organs, reroute the major systems and use skin from his face to graft the wounds.
All the while Peng, insisted on taking care of himself. He started by brushing his own teeth and washing his own face. Eventually he was amazing doctors by suspending what was left of his body in the air and doing "push-ups"
For over ten years he never complained. Hoping that he might walk again one day. Though he never admitted to it, doctors insist that Peng endured excruciating pain as he explored ways to make his dream of walking again... a reality.
In 2007, Peng was fitted with an egg-shaped bucket which allowed him to take his first steps in almost 12 years. Those who witnessed his first efforts likened Peng to R2D2 from Star Wars. Many thought that his dream was fulfilled. Not so.
In spite of his total lack of a "proper" center of gravity. Peng thought of this success as practice. He wanted to walk... for real.
Peng continued to work with doctors and practice everyday, preparing himself for the day he was able to "walk." And sometime in late 2010 or early 2011, Peng did just that. With the help of an RGO (or a recipicating gait orthosis) which is operated by twisting his body inside the bucket, causing a cable to pull one prosthetic leg forward while pulling the other one back, he walks... a lot. And he smiles all the while.
Like I said before, there are countless stories of those whose lives are less than what we would desire, yet have somehow made their lives more than we could imagine. And most of them make an impression for a day... or a week. And while I suspect that this is just the way we are and there is not much that we could do to change it, let Peng be your inspiration today. Let his passion for life and his determination be a motivator for you today.
Thank God for the things you do have, for the things you can do. Pray for wisdom to use the gifts you have in ways that will bring Him maximum glory and honor... everyday. If this is truly your heart's desire, He will certainly grant it.
Oh yeah... in the midst of Peng's incredible journey, he opened a store called the "Half Man-Half Price Store." Peng's bargain supermarket, where everything is "half price," was such a success that it has now become a chain and Peng is listed among China's newest multimillionaires.
If only I were half a man.
This is another one of those stories.
His name is Peng Shuilin. He lives in the Hunan Province in China. He is a 38 year old business man who enjoys morning walks and evenings surrounded by friends and family. What makes him unique is his amazing cheerfulness and positive outlook on life. He never has an unkind word to say about anyone. Always pushes himself to do better. Always looks for solutions. And never lets his infirmity be a reason not to try.
Once standing about 5'8", Peng now measures only 2'6". You see, in 1995 a freight truck ran over him and completely destroyed his body from the waist down. Somehow, doctors were able to spare his life. They spent two years working to contain all of his organs, reroute the major systems and use skin from his face to graft the wounds.
For over ten years he never complained. Hoping that he might walk again one day. Though he never admitted to it, doctors insist that Peng endured excruciating pain as he explored ways to make his dream of walking again... a reality.
In 2007, Peng was fitted with an egg-shaped bucket which allowed him to take his first steps in almost 12 years. Those who witnessed his first efforts likened Peng to R2D2 from Star Wars. Many thought that his dream was fulfilled. Not so.
In spite of his total lack of a "proper" center of gravity. Peng thought of this success as practice. He wanted to walk... for real.Peng continued to work with doctors and practice everyday, preparing himself for the day he was able to "walk." And sometime in late 2010 or early 2011, Peng did just that. With the help of an RGO (or a recipicating gait orthosis) which is operated by twisting his body inside the bucket, causing a cable to pull one prosthetic leg forward while pulling the other one back, he walks... a lot. And he smiles all the while.
Like I said before, there are countless stories of those whose lives are less than what we would desire, yet have somehow made their lives more than we could imagine. And most of them make an impression for a day... or a week. And while I suspect that this is just the way we are and there is not much that we could do to change it, let Peng be your inspiration today. Let his passion for life and his determination be a motivator for you today.
Thank God for the things you do have, for the things you can do. Pray for wisdom to use the gifts you have in ways that will bring Him maximum glory and honor... everyday. If this is truly your heart's desire, He will certainly grant it.Oh yeah... in the midst of Peng's incredible journey, he opened a store called the "Half Man-Half Price Store." Peng's bargain supermarket, where everything is "half price," was such a success that it has now become a chain and Peng is listed among China's newest multimillionaires.
If only I were half a man.
NOTE: Consider it wise not to do a Google search for Peng's story.
When I first heard the story, I just had to look it up.
I learned the hard way that the visuals from the accident are everywhere.
They are beyond gruesome and certainly not safe for home or work.
When I first heard the story, I just had to look it up.
I learned the hard way that the visuals from the accident are everywhere.
They are beyond gruesome and certainly not safe for home or work.
Monday, September 19, 2011
How Much is Enough?
In his 9/11/11 message entitled How Much is Enough, Intentional Man, Mike Halpin exhorts us not to overreach, but to take an honest inventory of our works, our gifts, and our sphere of influence.
He encourages us to strive for more responsibility without falling victim to greed.
He encourages us to strive for more responsibility without falling victim to greed.
2 Corinthians 10:7-18
Download the Study Sheet
LISTEN NOW
***** Supporting Resources *****
How Much Land Does a Man Need?
by Leo Tolstoy
No Little People
by Francis A. Schaeffer
Download the Study Sheet
LISTEN NOW
***** Supporting Resources *****
How Much Land Does a Man Need?
by Leo Tolstoy
No Little People
by Francis A. Schaeffer
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