I am a sinner, saved by grace. I am on a journey and offer to share my story with the hope that it will bless you. My one desire is to bring glory to my creator. I am a wife and the mother of 6 children, plus two in heaven. I enjoy homeschooling, research, teaching, homesteading, natural gardening, grass based farming, cooking, fresh raw milk, herbs, children, midwifery, and music. I am a writer, biblical mentor, and also work part time in the healthy foods and vitamin business www.weisernaturalfoods.com I have a BSW degree from Kansas State University, and trained professionally as a medical social worker, biblical counselor, tutor, and vocal performer. Thank you for stopping by to read about our homeschool and family life adventures. Be blessed!
During my bible study today, I was challenged to take a closer look at life. I came across a passage that challenged me to closely examine my choices, my agreements, and who I fellowship with and how these choices impact my daily walk with Father God. I hope it challenges you to take a closer look and brings blessings into your life too.
A word of instruction and encouragement:
2 Corinthians 6:11-17 and 7:1
“Dear friends in Corinth! We have spoken frankly to you, we have opened our hearts wide. Any constraint you feel has not been imposed by us, but by your own inner selves. So, just to be “fair” (I am using the language of children), open wide your hearts too.
Do not yoke yourselves together in a team with unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners? What fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony can there be between the Messiah and B’liya‘al? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
What agreement can there be between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God — as God said,
“I will house myself in them, . . .
and I will walk among you.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”
Therefore Adonai says,
Go out from their midst; separate yourselves;
don’t even touch what is unclean.
Then I myself will receive you.
In fact, I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters.’ says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God.”
If you are looking for a science class for this school year, I encourage you to check out the classes at Northwest Treasures.
Northwest Treasures offered the Homeschool Review Crew the opportunity to try out two of three online classes:
Taking the Mystery Out of Geology
Geology and Apologetics
Dinosaurs and the Bible
We chose to review Geology and Apologetics course and the introductory video called Taking the Mystery Out of Geology.
Taking the Mystery Out of Geology
Run time: 20 minutes
Grades: 5 – Adult
Taking the Mystery Out of Geology is a 20-minute class taught by Patrick Nurre. This class is an introduction to the wealth of information Patrick shares with students about how to understand geology from a Biblical perspective.
In this class, students learn new vocabulary and terms that describe in detail what the science of geology is, and what it is not, and the philosophy of it. Some of these terms include: orogeny, vitrophyere, cirque, science, history, philosophy, uniformitarianism, evolutionism, creationism, geology, fossilization, and more.
Students will also learn the “Biblical Framework” for understanding history and geology together, such as how the Flood and the Ice Age fit together in the geological puzzle. Students will start with the bible as the foundation.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”.
This is a short 20 minute study, but it is packed with valuable information. It is a great place to grow your faith in the truth of the scriptures and to start your learning journey with geology.
Geology and Apologetics
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Grades: 8 – Adult
Geology and Apologetics online course is a series of 6 videos ranging in length from 10 to 20+/- minutes each for a total run time of 1 hour and 36 minutes and is designed for students in eighth grade and higher.
The lessons in this course will help your students become more confident in defending their faith and the truths found in the scriptures. Each lesson includes discussion questions.
Lessons include:
Lesson One: Knowing the Scriptures in the Secular Geological Age
Lesson Two: Clarifying the Conflict Between Science and the Bible
Lesson Three:The Genealogies and Chronologies of Genesis. Are They Accurate and Reliable?
Lesson Four: Evolutionary Gaps in the Fossil Record, How Serious Are They?
Lesson Five: Dinosaur-to-Bird Evolution, the Story That Never Seems to Die
Lesson Six: Time and Chronology in the Secular Geological Age
The Geology and Apologetics course is taught by Patrick Nurre of Northwest Treasures. He designed this course to dissect several of the science verses faith conflicts, and to study them from both a Biblical and geological point of view.
Geology as explained by secular science has attacked the Christian faith for far too long, and this battle has left many Christians feeling confused and defeated. Modern science continues to undermine the biblical worldview of understanding geology and the Christian faith.
One way that modern science undermines our faith, is by assulting the truth that our Father God is the Creator of all things, and created all things just a few thousand years ago. Modern science disregards the literal reading of Genesis, and disregards the authority and reliability of the Biblical Scriptures. Instead, it treats the majority of the bible as just myths, including the global flood as described in the book of Genesis.
Our experience:
We were sent a 3 month subscription to Taking the Mystery Out of Geology online course, and a six month subscription to the Geology and Apologetics online course for the purpose of this review.
I watched these videos with my older three sons. We learned a lot of great information we can apply to understanding the physical world around us from a biblical perspective.
In addition to learning with the videos, our family has had opportunities to apply this biblical outlook when we take family field trips to explore the world that Father God has created.
Our family loves to travel, to take nature walks, hunt for rocks and gems, study the landscape, geography, rivers, mountains, valleys, forests, desert, ocean beaches, natural lakes, fossils, and rock formations all around us.
We have been to some pretty cool places Father God created. We are blessed to live about half way between the mountains and the ocean. This has been such a blessing to us because we love exploring!
We started this habit of exploring our surroundings while we dated, and it became something we really enjoyed regularly, and now we have developed and encouraged this passion in our kids too.
We have seen a wide range of landscapes everywhere we have lived, and in every direction we travel.
Spending time together as a family exploring landscapes, rock formations, fossils, nature, and observing what there is to see with our own eyes and ears has helped draw us close together and helped us see the truth of Father God our Creator.
Final Thoughts
Patrick Nurre from Northwest Treasures has spent a lifetime learning and teaching and he has packed his knowledge and passion for truth into these courses. I like these science courses because Patrick Nurre gives Father God the glory in everything, and He points people back to Him.
It is rare to find a scientist who truly follows God and gives him glory as our Creator. Mainstream science and the public education system denies the existence of God and his authority in creation. Those who deny Him will face judgement someday. There are several verses in the bible that talk about having “No “Excuse” for denying Him. Here is one of those verses:
Romans 1:18-25 “What is revealed is God’s anger from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who in their wickedness keep suppressing the truth; because what is known about God is plain to them, since God has made it plain to them. For ever since the creation of the universe his invisible qualities — both his eternal power and his divine nature — have been clearly seen, because they can be understood from what he has made. Therefore, they have no excuse; because, although they know who God is, they do not glorify him as God or thank him. On the contrary, they have become futile in their thinking; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened. Claiming to be wise, they have become fools! In fact, they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere images, like a mortal human being, or like birds, animals or reptiles! This is why God has given them up to the vileness of their hearts’ lusts, to the shameful misuse of each other’s bodies. They have exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, by worshipping and serving created things, rather than the Creator — praised be he for ever. Amen.”
If you are interested in a bible based science course or simply interested in the Geology of where you live, I would encourage you to take these classes. Patrick Nurre is easy to understand and these courses are a good introduction to help you understand geological concepts. I would also encourage you to get outside and start exploring and observing, and put together an exploration kit or backpack like the one Patrick Nurre shares here:
More Courses
There are lots of course options available from Northwest Treasures your family might be interested in learning more about. The Dinosaurs and the Bible course looks very interesting and I think this will be the next course my kids would enjoy doing.
My kids have had a big interest in dinosaurs over the years, and we have made special trips to Dinosaur Land, Big Bone Lick State Park and Museum, Grays Fossil Site Excavation and Museum, Dinosaur Exhibitions at both Indianapolis and Greenville Children’s Museums, and also to the bible based Dinosaur Exhibits at the Creation Museum in Kentucky.
Though we have been to many dinosaur exhibits several times (yes kids like to go back and see them again and again), and I have tons of pictures, I only made a video of one of our visits a few years ago. I need to make a new video, but making videos isn’t one of my strong points. But I wanted to share it here to peak your interest in learning about dinosaurs from a biblical perspective. If you are interested in seeing it, you can check out our “Back in Time” dinosaur exhibit video below.
In addition to the online classes, Northwest Treasures also offers physical courses, conferences, and camps that might meet your needs too. Be sure to check out the high school level Northwest Treasures Curriculum Project, and for younger students the Geology for “Little Eyes” series.
Both online and physical course options from Northwest Treasures are great biblical science resources for homeschool families, bible classes, coops and more.
Social Media
Be sure to check out Northwest Treasures on their social media links for all the latest news and product updates.
Gaining or Regaining a Biblical Attitude Toward Sexuality
Softcover Paperback Book
96 Pages
Teens through Adults
Biblical sexuality,
Christian Marriage Education
Purity
Retails: $9.75 book (other versions available)
About the book:
Moral purity is more difficult today than ever before because of the advancement of technology and the backsliding of our culture. Today’s generations face a difficult battle in the fight for moral purity.
Even though temptation has been here from the beginning of time, the generations alive today are being hunted, lured, and trapped by satan to sin against God. Men and boys today are being exposed and ensnared by technology (smart phones, computers, TV’s, DVD’s, movies, etc) in their pocket, technology on their desk, technology in their living rooms and bedrooms, in music, on billboards as they drive, and sex stores and in sexual marketing of products that didn’t exist in previous generations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
To The Young Men on the Battlefield
Sex Was God’s Idea
It’s All Connected
The Enemy Perverts God’s Design
How Can A Young Man Keep His Way Pure?
Recovering From A Fall
Guys and Girls
The Road Ahead
This book is very direct. It talks about some hard subjects for some people to talk about including pornography, sex, masturbation and others. It is written for teens (and their parents) and men. There is a need to have conversations as early as possible with the younger generation to get them prepared for the battle ahead. This book gives a Biblical world view to the problems in this battle:
Understand God’s design, from biology to morality.
Navigate the cultural minefield.
Build a foundation for Christ-honoring relationships.
Find hope for recovery if they’ve stumbled.
What we thought about this book:
We were sent an autographed copy of Love, Honor, and Virtue for the purpose of this review. This book is well written and speaks directly to young men and the problems they face in their journey to manhood. Christian parents will gain a lot of insight to help their sons avoid the traps that satan has set in their path.
We are the parents of five boys and one girl. We have been open with them about moral dilemmas and problems people face with purity and honoring Father God with a pure heart and sexual purity until marriage. When ever things in our culture are contrary to what Father God has told us, we point this out and discuss it with our kids. They are aware of their surroundings, aware of the internet, and aware of the tricks satan uses to lure their flesh and hearts desires and how he traps people in their sin and idol worship.
Recently we took a trip to the beach and a battle for sexual purity played out right in front of us. Our kids already know what to expect at the beach, there are sometimes teen girls, women and men at the beach who intentionally show their body, flirt, and want attention and usally someone at the beach is drinking of alcohol. There are many women and girls (and boys and men) that don’t do these things, but there are also many there that do.
Sometimes we intentionally go later in the day and we try to avoid spring break and college breaks as much as possible when there are less of these folks there and more grandparents and families at the beach. It is usually a much more wholesome situation and you can just relax and have fun.
But on this recent trip, part way into our time at the beach, there appeared a young woman in a peach colored bikini and she began posing for pictures and sending them on social media. She intentionally chose to be next to us, most likely because of our teen boys. There was plenty of other beach she could have chosen. She commenced to posing in perverted poses for over an hour. Our family tried to ignore her, to stay further in the water and face out to sea as much as possible. We had been having fun for a good hour or more before she showed up. But it was impossible to ignore her if we turned toward the beach or had to get out of the water to retrieve a drink of water from our bag.
Usually one adult stays near our bag, towels, shoes, and near the edge of the water to keep an eye on everything, while the other adult goes deeper into the water with the kids who want to swim and we trade off as needed. Sometimes one or more of this kids is more interested in digging in the sand or building a sand castle than in swimming or just needs to take a break. So it helps to have a parent near by to watch the one (s) out of the water as well as have a parent in the water with the others.
There are no life guards at the beach. So having one parent stay a little farther back to see the big picture is helpful. On this particular day, three men on three separate stretches of beach drowned between 10 am and 2 pm, right in the middle of the day. We were there later in the day and didn’t learn of drownings until the following day. It is a sad reality and there is risk involved when you swim in the ocean. So it helps to have one parent stand back and see everyone’s head pop back up if a big wave crashes over one or more of the family.
This young woman intentionally chose to be right there in front of us doing repulsive poses. She never went swimming. She was clearly there for a provocative photo shoot at the edge of the water. For some poses she opened her legs, other poses she pushed up her breasts and leaned back while arching her back and pointing her breasts to the sky, other poses she leaned forward for her butt and crotch in the air to be exposed in provocative poses. There were two adults (looked like they could be around age 55 to 60) with her and they encouraged her to pose and helped take her pictures and critique them, and with their support she posted them on social media on her phone. Instead of discouraging provocative behavior, they encouraged it. This entire scenario seemed straight out of a low budget movie and had she not had that small string covering the very little that it did, it would have been porn with the beach by no stretch of the imagination.
At first I was upset. Why God? Why expose my family to this? Why allow this on the day we came to the beach, when we try so hard to teach the kids right and wrong and honor you? Why this young woman who needs you more than fame or modeling or sleazy attention from gross men who are just going to get their 10 minutes of fun and leave her used, broken, and neglected? I wanted to go and speak to her and to the adults with her and tell her God loves her and she shouldn’t be showing her body like this. But my husband wouldn’t let me go say anything this time.
Why now? Well I felt Father God remind me of the book I was reading about Love, Honor, and Virtue. He reminded me of the fight for righteousness that I am in as I walk through this life and he is with me, I am not alone. I cannot protect anyone from these tricks of satan. Only He can protect them and provide the way of escape. But I can prepare the kids for the battle for their eyes, hearts, minds, and body. Being prepared is huge! Don’t be caught off guard. The kids can see the truth and it is the truth that sets them free! It really drove home the message that you don’t have to be remain naive to satan’s schemes and become a victim in this life. You can be a well prepared equipped warrior in this life.
Satan will use anyone who is willing to do his dirty work and he will trap anyone caught unaware. He will leave victims on both sides. We fight not against flesh and blood, but we fight against the rulers of darkness and evil spirits in high places.
I felt sorry for that young woman and the adults with her. They need God! They need prayer! They need set free from the grip of satan! But I also felt rejuvenated. We are talking about it, praying, learning scripture and applying it. We can fight temptation with weapons Father God has provided, even in the moment temptation rears it’s weapons, and with Father’s help we can win the sexual purity battle!
About the Authors:
Hal and Melanie Young are the homeschool parents of six boys and two girls and live in North Carolina. They have written several books including Raising Real Men. They are authors, publishers, writers, church and conference speakers. They have become well loved in the Christian Homeschool Community.
Here is a short interview video with the authors about opportunities to teach purity to your kids:
More about the Raising Ream Men ministry resources:
Final Thoughts
Every family needs the information in this book and to put it into action.
I would encourage homeschool families with kids of all ages and especially teens to get this book and talk about it with your family. This book would also make a great course for churches, college groups, and bible study groups.
Dear Christian, stop and think before you move forward.
I have wondered why followers of Jesus of Nazareth will cross over sunset to sunset, day in and day out, making decisions, but forget to stop, think, pray, and test the spirit in a situation.
“My loved ones, I warn you: do not trust (believe, agree with) every spirit (everyone, every person, everyone who claims to have something good for you, everyone who claims to follow God).
Instead, examine them carefully (pray, test them, weigh and examine what they tell you) to determine if they come from God (or come from something else, not everyone who talks about God actually comes from God),
because the world is (corrupt and) filled with the voices of many false prophets (people who lie, people who give false statements, false testimony, false teachers, lying preachers).” 1 John 4:1
Why are people more afraid of what other people think of them (at work, church, clubs, community, family) than they are concerned with what Father God thinks about a situation?
The devil is deceitful.
The devil will try every which way to deceive people into following him.
He lures them into opening a door or window in their life for his demons (and people filled with his demons), to enter.
The devil wants you to trust him (or trust someone or something he has set up) for something you need.
He is Santa (s a t a n) with a big red bag of tricks and lots of elves (demons, ‘hel’pers) at his beck and call. He knows all about you. He roams the universe. He roams back and forth through the heights of heaven to the earth looking for the people he can deceive.
“Keep your mind clear, and be alert (be watchful, be sober, be vigilant, self disciplined, temperate, on guard, spiritually awake). Your opponent (enemy) the devil (the accuser) is prowling around (walking about) like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour (trick, attack, surprise, deceive, defeat, catch, swallow, eat, trap).”1 Peter 5:8
Be careful what you wish (hope) for dear brothers and sisters.
It looks good. It looks innocent. It might smell and taste good. It might push you closer to achieving your goals. It might bring in money. It might result in people looking up to you. It might fill your every dream.
But understand this, everything the devil gives you has a price. Like credit, you get it now and he collects on it later.
The devil makes wishes come true for the price of tormenting and trapping your soul.
So what can you do?
One step you can take that will make a big difference is praying to Father God and asking him about a situation and whether or not you should participate.
Another step you can take is research. Look closer. Ask these questions:
Who is making the offer?
What is their character?
Who is their god?
What are the possible outcomes of agreeing to the task or working with them?
Is this a distraction or could it become a distraction?
The bible says that because of the pure sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth who full-filled the law, all things are permissible (except blaspheming the holy spirit), but not all things are beneficial.
Jesus of Nazareth, Yahusha HaMeshiac, pointed out many things that are not beneficial:
trusting in other gods
having other loves or idols
money
following traditions of men
disobedience of the 10 commandments (He came to full-fill the law, but He did not do away with the law)
divorce
self preservation
self determination
lack of charity
and more
Test the spirit and ask the hard questions.
How will this situation benefit the kingdom of God?
How will this situation benefit your relationship with God?
If after taking time to pray and research a situation (a task or relationship), and you don’t see how it will be beneficial in your relationship with Father God, then it would be better to walk away than to proceed.
Take time to stop and think.
Pray and seek the Father, from sunset to sunset. Trust Him and allow Him to lead the way each and everyday.
This study guide is 34 pages and is designed for kids in 1st through 3rd grades. The study guide goes along with the book called The Josefina Story Quilt. The study guide is available for $11.99 as a PDF download, or as a CD on the Progeny Press website. The reader book is also available for $3.99 on the Progeny Press website, bookstores, and may be available to borrow in your local library.
Table of Contents
Note to Instructor
Synopsis (summary of the story)
About the Author
Background Information
Before-you-read Activities
Vocabulary
Looking at the Story: Part One
Looking at the Story: Part Two
Dig Deeper
Crossword Puzzle Review
Activities, Arts, and Crafts
Suggestions For Further Reading
Answer Key
Examples of Study Guide Pages:
Our Experience:
We received the downloadable PDF version of the study guide (e-study guide) for the purpose of this review. I printed it and put it into a three ring binder. We were expected to acquire the reader book on our own. I purchased the book The Josefina Story Quilt from the Progeny Press website for $3.99 plus shipping.
This story is about a young girl named Faith and her pet chicken named Josefina. Her family is moving to California by covered wagon in 1850. Her father wants her to leave her pet chicken behind, but she convinces the family to let her bring the chicken with them. The main characters are Faith, Josefina, Pa, Ma, and brother Adam.
The story follows Faith’s family’s journey on the wagon train. While on the journey, Josefina stayed in a cage at the back of the wagon, but on the times Faith let her out, usually big trouble ensued and Faith’s father is ready to get rid of the chicken. But he eventually becomes fond of the chicken after she begins laying eggs and acted as a watchdog to scare away robbers on the trail in the middle of the night. The family goes through a lot of hardships on the trail including running out of food and water and faced many dangers.
While on the journey, Faith is tasked with making quilt squares that will later become a quilt that keeps the family warm, and the quilt also retells a story with fond memories. Faith decides to make the quilt squares about the journey with her pet chicken. She makes a quilt square wagon wheel patch, and another for an egg patch. On the journey she makes over 15+ quilt squares and then she made one for a pine tree to remember where she had to bury her pet chicken after she died. Though it took a long time, maybe six months or more, eventually the family makes it to their new destination. When Faith has finished her patches and has enough to make a quilt, her family pitches in and helps her make a blanket quilt for her bed to remember the story of their journey. From that night forward, every night she sleeps under her Josefina Story Quilt.
Though the story book does not have a Christian focus, the study guide questions use a Christian perspective in evaluating the story. Kids are encouraged to read bible scriptures and relate them to the events and characters in the story and there is a lot of room to write out their answers as they ponder these ideas. They are also encouraged to use a dictionary and look up new words. Before you begin there is a map activity and questions about what you might take with you if you were on the wagon train, and a short encyclopedia look-up activity. There is vocabulary multiple choice questions and a word scramble and crossword puzzle.
In addition to reading the book and answering the study guide questions and cross word puzzle, my daughter enjoyed the few suggested activities in the study guide. She enjoyed homemade bread (we purchased locally made homemade bread as it was too hot to bake our own), and she made an art project creating paper quilt squares.
On her own, she also role played and retold the story to me with her Legos. She had a wagon (her brother later dismantled), a bird (for Josefina), a girl (for Faith), boy, mom, dad, and two robbers.
Final Thoughts
For the purpose of this review, I had my daughter review this study guide with me. She enjoyed this experience. She enjoyed the bible study and crossword puzzle, but said she wished there were some more hands on activities in the study guide. Also the suggestions to further the learning are additional books you can read about the time period. Though we appreciated the book list, it was not super exciting for her as she would also prefered more hands on activities related to the book and time period. She would have liked more opportunities to learn further and I plan to put more activities together for her.
There is a lot of writing practice scattered through out the study guide and many of the writing activities seemed more relevant for an older student rather than a 1st – 3rd grader. However the story book itself was right for the listed age range. I would say, given that this study guide was produced in 1995, and costs $12 plus buying the book $4 (so at least a $16+ or more investment), that updating the material and activity suggestions would be a good idea.
We plan to revisit this again with our American History studies in the fall. My plan is to use the book and study guide along with my daughter to teach this story to her younger brothers. She is practicing some teaching and helping skills and this will be a great book and guide to practice her skills with.
When we revisit this study guide in the fall with all three of the younger kids, we plan to turn it into a unit study. We will take more time to learn about the history of the Wagon Trains that went Westward, do a lot more arts and crafts, and do science activities about breeds of chickens, learn more about eggs, learn about feathers, mix up some homemade bird food perhaps looking in the yard or a field for grass seeds and things birds can eat, caring for horses, oxen (caring for cows), practice hand sewing projects, and take a field trip to visit a hands on historical farm and a museum. We will also do some campfire activities outdoors in the back yard when it cools off this fall, and some baking of historical recipes, but it has been too hot this summer to do those. We may also study the night sky and study the moon and stars. I found some free resources online to go along with the book and study guide to create a lap book. I will print those out and get some folders to make the lap books. My kids love making lap books so this will be a great way to further the learning. I think my daughter might want to make her own story quilt to use for her bed in the future.
I was looking forward to doing this review because we enjoyed reviewing Sam The Minute Man study guide from Progeny Press a few years ago. I am cautious about what books we choose to review, so many have pagan and heretic ideals, and there are many to choose from that don’t meet our requirements. I don’t think you can view wizards, sorcery, reanimating the dead, magic, trans-humanism, gods and goddesses, pagan rituals, and aliens (that are really demons and fallen angels as they are noted in the bible) with a positive Christian spin, that would be delusional and hypocritical no matter how many bible verses you dump on it. However, there are many historical books and study guides to choose from where applying the bible does give a deeper understanding, and enrich our lives and spiritual outlook. Overall, we have enjoyed learning literature with historically focused books, and gaining a deeper understanding of Progeny Press study guides.
Code for Teens: The Awesome Beginner’s Guide To Programing Volume 1: JavaScript is a softcover illustrated 221 page book designed for highschool students and those reading at a sixth grade reading level and above. This course has 10 chapters including vocabulary, follow along projects, quizzes, drills, DIY exercises, reivews, and key concept summaries.
This book is a text book, lab book, and teacher answer key all in one. Students will need the book, a computer and keyboard, internet access, Google Chrome browser, and access to Google Documents online, or an installed software program such as Microsoft Word. With the Chrome browser, students will be able to access Chrome’s console to complete the step by step exercises in the book. As a final project in chapter 10, students create their own web game called Hangman.
Students keep track of their progress by creating a “Workbook” within “Google Documents” or on Microsoft Word or similar software program that they can access and use again and again, saving their progress. Students can check their own work, or have a parent check their work. This book is designed so that students can work through this course independently.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Hello World!
Write your first lines of code and make mistakes.
Chapter 2: Time to Operate
Code with numbers and math operators.
Chapter 3: Comment on the String Section
Concatenate strings and make snide comments.
Chapter 4: Have Some Functions
Declare and invoke functions.
Chapter 5: Shall I Compare?
Use booleans, if blocks, conditionals, and comparison operators.
Chapter 6: Logically Operational
Work with null, undefined, and logical operators.
Chapter 7: Projects Galore
Practice methods in lots of short projects.
Chapter 8: Hip Hip Array!
Introduce arrays and do stuff with ’em.
Chapter 9: Loop a Round
Put your code on repeat with loops.
Chapter 10: Make a Hangman Game
Combine concepts from every chapter to build a cool game.
Conclusion
Answers
Glossary of Terms
During this course, students will develop skills for computer programming, problem solving, and learn to think like a computer engineer. After mastering this course, students are encouraged to continue learning HTML and CSS with Code for Teens (Volume 2) where they will learn learn even more coding skills and learn to build web pages, games, and more.
Author:
This is a brand new curriculum for teens published in 2018 by Jeremy Moritz and illustrated by his wife Christine Moritz. Together they are raising and homeschool educating six children in Kansas City, Kansas.
In addition to writing curriculum, Jeremy is also a Director of Music Theater, a Choreographer, and a Performer, and he has been involved in over 100+ productions with children and adults. Christine is a busy mom, a creative artist, and the book mentions she enjoys cooking, power tools, and playing piano.
I am head over heals to so to speak over this couple and their family. I spent some time watching Jeremy’s Youtube channels where he shares videos of his family and some of the productions he has been involved in. The videos are not about the curriculum, but about his family and more. I was so impressed with his family. They are a beautiful homeschool family, and the photos show real life events, a lived in house, bouncing and playing in the yard, their church, chess tournaments, and really funny kids full of lots of energy. The videos really capture the life of a large homeschool family. It is so nice to review curriculum written by homeschool parents and see they are in the midst of life, loving it, living it, breathing it, doing it, for the glory of God.
One of the videos that really impressed me was a video he shared of his engagement to his wife on their wedding slideshow. WOW! About half way through that video they both share they are in love with God and it was their love for God that drew them to each other. To hear them talk about what inspired them in each other and what drew them together left me and my kids awe struck!
Another inspiring video is of him and his wife and a skit called Where Do We Start? It was really interesting to see the author and illustrator as husband and wife and their creativity working together. It is something you just don’t get to see most of the time.
I hope Jeremy and Christine will make more videos that inspire people to learn about Father God, his Word, his Son and salvation, and loving each other and raising a homeschool family.
Our Experience
We were sent Code for Teens: The Awesome Beginner’s Guide To Programming Volume 1: JavaScript in exchange for writing an honest review. I am using this book with my 13 and 15 year old sons for a highschool computer science elective.
I also had my 18 year old son who has previously taken a beginner’s Java language coding course (and several graphic design courses) look over the book with me, because he is more experienced with computers than I am. He read through the first couple of pages and then went online and learned more about Java and JavaScript as two different coding languages and read up more on both. Then came back to the book and after reading through the first two chapters in the Code for Teens book, he informed me that he wants to take the course too and will use it when his brothers are finished. He has asked me to acquire the Volume 2 HTML and CSS courses as soon as we can. He loves every opportunity to learn.
This book is written very simply and step by step. Chapters include short lessons that include new vocabulary and concepts, a Follow Along projects you implement as you learn, then a short Quiz, Drills to practice what you learned, Aggregate Review building on what you have learned, DIY activities so you can learn to think for yourself, and a chapter summary called Key Concepts.
A few key points, about why you might consider teaching a computer coding class to your kids:
*Computer coding is a useful and relevant skill in the modern age we live in.
*Computer coders are highly desired in the job market and well paid.
*Learning computer coding is like learning a new language. Some of the computer languages are: Java, JavaScript, Python, C#, PHP, Go, C++, and more.
*JavaScript is the most used computer coding language in websites and mobile apps.
I read through the book myself and it peaked my interest to join the kids and learn right along with them. There is a lot of vocabulary and concepts that are new to me too.
However, I had a couple of issues with a few sentences in this book. The author encouraged kids to learn code so they can gain “super powers”.
In the Introduction at the beginning, the author compares acquiring coding skills to super powers, and encourages kids to learn to code so they can have powers such as Harry Potter. I was shocked, on the one hand, the author is telling parents they didn’t need to teach this course to their kids, just turn them loose with the book and they could learn it on their own, yet to the kids it is referencing the wizard Harry Potter and harnessing their brain to gain power. There are also a few references in the book to magic wands, magic keys, etc. He also draws a comparison to knowing code as being mortal/immortal, having magical ideas in your head, having power to control others, and having power to make machines obey your coding commands. These statements are off the cuff, and seem to be intended as funny jokes to kids, and do not seem intentional to cause harm. However, it has spiritual significance.
The author has a sense of humor and I get it that he is trying to be funny and keep kids interested in learning. Had it not been for these few comments about Harry Potter, power, magic, and imagining yourself at Halloween, etc. I would have considered this book near perfect. But for our family, these are things we don’t participate in and referencing them in curriculum makes us pause and consider if we want to continue learning with the material. We are a faith based homeschool family and are involved hands on with our kids education. We believe that sorcery is wrong, Father God has forbidden it in the scriptures, and we do not encourage our children to seek out books, movies, or ideas that promote magic and sorcery.
I talked over these points with my kids, and because the majority of the the curriculum is without these kinds of references, and it seems the author was only trying to be funny and is most likely unaware of the spiritual implications of what he is saying, we decided to proceed with using it. As I said earlier, if it hadn’t been for those few statements, I would have seen the book as a perfect curriculum and would not have had any doubts about using it. I think using this beginning code book can be a benefit to my kids and myself to learn about coding and how to understand and use JavaScript. We just have to keep in mind, the spiritual significance of all of this. The kids and I are working our way through the book and I will have them continue using it with their fall curriculum.
My personal thoughts about coding computers, smart devices, and Ai:
I believe a “PROCEED with CAUTION” sign is advised for Christian families when learning about computers, and we need to understand how they are changing, and how we use them in our every day lives. I hope more people who love Father God will wake up to the truth that is happening right before their eyes and proceed with caution when it comes to computers, coding, smart phones and smart devices, the internet, and Ai.
The bible tells us that the final kingdom is “trans” human, as it blends clay and iron (man and metal, man and machine), brings about a “one world” religion and government, and is cashless needing only the mark of the beast to buy or sell. It tells us that the Beast, False Prophet, the Antichrist, and Abbadon (also known as Helios and Apolyon) will soon release a terrible time in history upon mankind. The increase in computers and Ai machines that people place their trust in will fulfill bible prophesy. For example, many have already accepted the rfid computer chip to buy and sell and access their personal medical records and passwords. The rfid computer chip can get them into their offices, air planes, trains, expedite hospital admissions, access their bank account to pay for their coffee and purchases, and more. Another example is of the co-creators of Google, they have opened a church called “The Way” and worship “Ai” as a “god”. People are putting their faith in Ai to answer their life questions, to run their schedules, to guide their cars, to make purchases, to do facial recognition, to predict risk, to find a mate, to know when you ovulate and when to procreate, to create solutions to social dilemmas, to mix chemical formulations for pharmacy to treat diseases, to predict diseases and life span, to choose life or death for the unborn and the aged, to secure their homes, etc. There is a lot more examples I could share, but hopefully this is enough to raise your eyebrows and sound an alarm bell in your head.
Did you know that in Hebrew, “Ai” was the place other gods were worshiped, they set up temples to these other gods, especially the transgender god Ishtar (Iana, Diana, Easter, Venus, Morning Star, Summer, Sumeria, Liberty, Queen of Heaven, Lucifer) and participated in festivals to various gods, and it made Father God very angry and Israel was judged for it? Did you know that in Hebrew, “Ai” means “ruin”? The bible says there is nothing new, these deceptions have all been done before and continue to be done in society and even in the church. Ai will once again become a heap of ruins, and all those who put their trust in it will be ruined for eternity.
We are living in the end times, and we are warned in the scriptures of a day when folks will be forced to take the “mark” or starve, and forced to worship the “beast” or be killed, and worship the image of the antichrist, the one who replaces Jesus of Nazareth, Yahusha Ha Mashiac, our healer and savior. This evil one will use technology to create an image that speaks. He will be trusted for everything and people will believe he will make the world a better place. He has also been given the “power” to work sorcery, signs, miracles, cause storms and earth quakes, and he will create a false peace and trust. But he will eventually break that trust and bring terrible events, disease, and war upon the people of the earth.
I encourage you when you and your kids are learning about computers and smart devices, computer languages and design, to understand its place in bible prophesy and proceed with caution and use discernment to test the spirit, pray, and understand the big spiritual picture.
Final Thoughts
I would encourage Homeschool parents who are interested in teaching their kids about coding computers to check out this curriculum and perhaps learn how to code right along with their kids. I know this book is designed so parents don’t have to teach it and kids can teach it to themselves, but perhaps one of the best relationship building things you can do with your kids is to work through the curriculum together and talk about what you are learning, talk about how it lines up with history, with current events and the bible, and grow in your relationship and your spiritual walk.
You can read the Introduction and First Chapter for FREE at Code For Teens.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there.
Also I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s home is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!”
Also he said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!’”
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End.
To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life.
He who wins the victory will receive these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.
But as for the cowardly, the untrustworthy, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those involved with the occult and with drugs, idol-worshipers, and all liars — their destiny is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, the second death.”
Are you considering a bible study curriculum for your kids? How about a bible study that everyone can do together, no matter how young or old they are? Then you might check into the Bible Study Guide for All Ages.
We were recently sent several of their products to review in our home:
The Bible Study Guide for All Ages has products for all ages and they can be used with any version of the bible. There are several levels to choose from and each level covers the same lesson at a deeper (higher skill) level depending on age and skill level of the learner. There are levels for Teens and Parents/Adults, and a Primary (1st and 2nd grade) level too. However, I am only sharing today about the three levels (Lessons 1-26 of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) and the cards, maps, and timelines that we looked over for the purpose of this review.
Beginner Student Pages (3-K)
The Beginner Level includes several activities for young learners.
Coloring
Listening
Memory Work
Review
Introductory Learning Activities
The Beginner Student Pages set includes a workbook with 26 one-page lessons (front and back). You can easily tear off each page as needed or leave them in the book to be completed. This is a large book with legal size 8.5” x 14” pages. These books are consumables and so each student needs their own book.
Beginner Timeline:
Time Line helps students understand the chronology of the Bible. The Beginner Time Line (for ages 3-K) is 34 full-color, 8.5″ x 11″ pictures on sturdy card stock with one question about each picture. The visual aid teaches young students one simple fact about major people and events in the Bible. It also teaches them the order in which those people and events appear in the Bible.
Intermediate Student Pages (3rd & 4th grade)
The Intermediate Level contains lots of skills and activities including:
Memory work
Review
Bible story/text
Time line
Map drills
Application activities
The Student Pages of interactive activities follows the same format for each lesson. The kids will see the same headings that reinforce the learning pattern as they work through each lesson:
Remember It? (review of previous lesson)
Memory Workout
Guess What
Timeline
Get Active
Apply It
The Intermediate Student Pages set is constructed the same as the Beginner Level. This workbook includes 26 one-page lessons (front and back) and you can complete them in the book or remove them one lesson at a time as needed. The pages are 8.5” x 14” (legal size). These are consumable workbooks and each student needs their own book.
Advanced Student Pages (5th & 6th grade)
The Advanced Level contains lots of activities like the Intermediate Level, but just at a more in-depth understanding.
The Student Pages format for the Advanced Level is:
Remember It? (quick review of previous lesson)
Memory Workout
Guess What
Timeline
Apply It
Get Active
The Advanced Student Pages sets is a workbook of lessons and activities that includes 26 one-page lessons (front and back). The pages are lightly glue-bound in the binding and you can complete them in the book or easily tear off each page if desired. The size of each page is 8.5” x 14” (legal size). These are consumable workbooks and each student will need their own book.
Teacher Key (Contains Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner Level Guide and Answer Keys):
The Advanced Teacher Key has all the answers to each of the lessons for the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, instructions and tips for using the Unlabeled Wall Maps and Time Line and additional background information.
It is not required to purchase the Teacher Key for using the Student Pages sets, but it is very helpful to the parent, and it is recommended when using with groups.
Bible Book Summary Cards
This video explains more about how to use the Bible Book Summary Cards along with the bible study lessons.
Wall Maps and Timeline Set (Unlabeled)
The Wall Maps and Timeline set includes a timeline, three maps, and a book that contains the labels and figures for you and your students to cut out and apply to the timeline and the maps during specific lessons.
The size of the time line is 76″ x 25″.
The sizes of the maps are 38″ x 25″, 19″ x 25″ and 19″ x 25″.
VIDEOS:
Check out this video “Teaching Our Kids” by the Bible Study Guide for All Ages:
Check out this video Introduction called “Intro To The Bible Study Guide” by the Bible Study Guide For All Ages:
Scripture Lessons
4 Years of Bible study lessons covered in Bible Study Guide For All Ages:
UNIT 1 (lessons 1 to 104)
1-14 Joseph (Genesis 37-50) 15-20 Daniel 21-36 Jesus’ early life & 1st year of ministry (Mt 1:4-11, Mk 1:3-19, Lk 1:5-11, Jn 1-5)
37-41 Adam (Genesis 1-5)
42-45 Noah (Genesis 6-10)
46-48 Job
50-68 Moses (Exodus 1-20)
69-84 Joshua
86-104 Jesus’ last week (Mt 21:28-26:16, 57-75; Mk 11; 12:41-44; 14:12-52; Lk 22:24-30; Jn 11:55-17:26; 18:12-14)
UNIT 2 (lessons 105 to 208)
105-111 Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, resurrection, & ascension
112-119 Peter, Stephen, Philip (Acts 1-8)
121-130 Abraham (Genesis 11-24)
134-139 Jacob (Genesis 28-36)
141-162 David (2 Samuel 1-24; 1 Chronicles 22-29; Psalm 139, 23, 51)
163-174 Solomon (1 Kings 1-11, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs)
175-178 Ahijah (1 Kings 12-16)
179-186 Elijah (1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2)
188-192 James
193-199 1 & 2 Peter
200-205 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude
206-208 Revelation
UNIT 3 (lessons 209 to 312)
210-231 Moses (Exodus 21 –> Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
232-238 Hebrews
240-254 Jesus’ 2nd year of ministry (Mt 5-7; 8:18-22; 9:10-34; 12:22-50; 13:24-53; Mk 4:1-29; 6; Lk 7:1-8:3; 8:22-39; 11:37-13:9;
Jn 6:22-71)
256-260 Peter (Acts 9-12)
261-269 Paul (Acts 13-18:22, 1 & 2 Thessalonians)
271-288 Judges
289-292 Ruth
293-297 Samuel (1 Samuel 1-9)
298-312 Saul (1 Samuel 10-31)
Check out this video of the Intermediate Level in action.
Our Experience Using the Bible Study Guide for all Ages
We were sent the first 26 lessons (of 416 lessons) for the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, Advanced Teachers Key, plus the Beginners Timeline, Bible Book Summary Cards, and the unlabeled Wall Maps and Timeline sets.
The Beginner’s level was just the right level for my youngest son. In the pictures below are examples of his progress on lessons 1 and lesson 2 as we studied about the life of Joseph in the bible. Fourteen of the twenty six lessons focus on the life of Joseph. One of our boy’s name is also Joseph and he has several brothers (and one sister) so they could identify with having lots of siblings. All of the kids enjoyed learning with this bible study.
In the Beginner’s level, there is a page to color on the front of the lesson while he listens to the bible scripture and answers a few questions, and also a CD with songs is also recommended to help memorize the scripture, but it was not sent to us for review. The back side of this page has a few steps to complete at this level to help reinforce the learning.
Each step and task is numbered.
My 9 year old really enjoyed using the Intermediate level too. There are bible verses to look up, and instructions to follow including a few small things to color and lots of fun tasks to complete. Each of the tasks are numbered and for the most part he was able to complete them independently while I helped his younger brother.
For the Advanced level, there is more writing and tasks to be completed than at the Intermediate level. Below you can see the work my kids completed in all three levels from Lesson 1 side by side. You can see how each student workbook covers the same information, but at different skill levels.
Hanging the Timelines and Wall Maps:
Best to take some measurements, as these resources take up a lot of wall space. They suggest if you don’t have the wall space, to place them on sheets of cardboard that can be easily set up and taken down and stored as needed. There are smaller timelines included in the student pages too.
Label Book:
The Maps and Timelines are constantly a work in progress depending on what you are learning about in the lessons. You will move things around and add more lables on as you go.
Final Thoughts
We have enjoyed using these bible study materials in our home. They are cartoon like, so they appealed to our younger kids, especially my six and nine year old sons. However using cartoon characters with bible study may or may not appeal to everyone. Also the size of the pages is a little awkward for storage on a book shelf or binder because they are 14 inches long. So far, I have just been storing them flat in a box with all the bible study materials we need at the same time, but I do hope to find a better system for storing them. I do like the addition of the interactive wall maps and timeline activities and feel these have enhanced our bible learning.
If you are looking for an interactive bible study for your whole family (or coops or church groups), then stop over at Bible Study Guide For All Ages and see if they have what you are looking for and the resources to meet your needs.
Social Media
Be sure to check out Bible Study Guide For All Ages social media links for all the latest news, tips, and product updates.
Creamy “Power” Crunch Bowl is my new favorite low carb desert.
My family went to Dairy Queen for Blizzards last week, and I mustered up every ounce of will power I could find to not eat one. It has been at least a year since we had visited this DQ and their icecream used to be one of my favorite “foods”. I ordered a coffee latte instead, and took one sip and it was too sweet so I gave it to my teenage son. He willingly accepted. I will admit I was disappointed.
But when we got home, I got the idea to make my own creamy desert with some Greek yogurt I saw in the fridge. My husband had bought the yogurt for one of the boys who likes it as a substitute for sour cream. It was a big tub and he uses very little. I will admit that I hadn’t eaten any yogurt in a long time at this point. We usually buy the individual size sweetened yogurt (vanilla and fruit blends) each week for the younger children’s snacks, and I just skip using them partly because they are sweet, they are expensive so we get just enough for their snacks, and partly because I would rather drink a creamy coffee.
However, I made a commitment to myself last week to lower my daily carbohydrate intake. I am still trying to put together a routine that incorporates a low carb life style and avoid foods that would sabotage my goal. Power Crunch bars are a delicious treat I have used for the past six months or so as a desert when my family is enjoying a normal desert (like cookies, cakes, or pie). I really enjoy having a Power Crunch bar and a cup of coffee as a desert. So finding that big tub of Greek yogurt sitting in the refrigerator was just what I needed to create my own low carb DQ blizzard substitute.
Creamy Crunch Bowl
Ingredients:
1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1 Power Crunch bar (flavor of choice).
(optional: sweeten with stevia or truvia to your liking)
This recipe makes 2 snack servings. But if there is no one near by to share it with, I am sure you will want to eat the whole bowl!
Directions:
Break a Power Crunch bar into pieces and stir into Greek yogurt.
Creamy Crunch Bowl
Nutritional Data:
Calories: 190
Carbohydrates: 9 grams
Net Carbs: 8 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Fat: 10 grams
Protein: 16 grams
Recipe Variations:
Almost DQ Creamy Power Crunch:
Freeze for a delicious ice cream substitute, like a homemade DQ blizzard.
Pecan Creamy Crunch Bowl
Just stir in – 1/4 cup Pecans, chopped (use nuts, or nutbutter of your choice). Again, this makes two servings, so you can have one now and refrigerate one for later, or eat both servings if you wish!
We spend our lives pleasing ourselves and others. But what about our Creator? Do we stop to think about how we can please Him?
Looking into the scriptures, here is what I found…
Hebrews 11:6
“without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches him must trust that he does exist and that he is a Rewarder to those who seek him out.”
TRUST is Faith. It is impossible to please Father God, Yahuah, Adonai, without complete trust in Him.
Trust him for everything.
Salvation.
Healing.
Guard and Protect.
Provision.
Food.
Covering, Shelter, and Clothes.
Restoration.
Nurture and mature.
Companionship.
Family.
Fertility.
Comfort.
Joy.
Understanding.
Discernment.
Tomorrow
Future.
and more.
TRUST Him to meet every need you have. He wants you to come to him for your needs. Trust Him just as a little childtrusts their parent to meet their needs. They don’t worry. They have simple faith. They simply seek Him and trust Him and move forward knowing with confidence He will meet their every need.
John 15:16
“You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you.”
When you get time, check out the full chapters of John 15 and Hebrews 11. John 15 is about staying connected to the source (you stay connected to the Son and he is connected to the Father), trusting Father God, and bearing fruit. Hebrews 11 is about people who pleased God because they trusted in Him and He helped them do amazing, and some would say impossible things, bearing much fruit for the Kingdom of God. We know with God all things are possible to those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.
