Tag Archives: Faith

Stop and Think

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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. 

Be wise and be blessed!

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What Pleases God?

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Have you ever asked “What Pleases God?”

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 child trusts 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.

Be wise and be blessed!

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Ocean Waves

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I am at a loss for words to describe the power and beauty of these ocean waves…

So I thought I would share a few scriptures about the Creator of the sea, our Father God.

Psalm 93:4  “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.”

Isaiah 51:15 “But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.”

Jeremiah 31:34-35  “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.  Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name.”

Luke 21: 25-26  “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

May you be blessed today with knowing our Father God who is the Creator God.  He created you and me and the ocean waves.

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Creation Illustrated Unit Studies Review

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Have you heard about Creation Illustrated?  They are a magazine and curriculum publisher.  The photography in their publications is amazing and some of the best I have ever seen. Creation Illustrated has been called “the Christian answer to National Geographic” because of the amazing photography in their magazines, their focus on Father God our Creator, and the faith filled stories they publish.  I am sure you will be encouraged and inspired when you read Creation Illustrated.

Creation Illustrated is expanding and creating a new line of digital products and we have been asked to review two of their digital Creation Unit Studies.  Creation Unit Studies are fun hands on learning opportunities that expand on stories that have been published in the Creation Illustrated magazines.

Creation Unit Studies cover a variety of subjects, are filled with fascinating information that points the student a better understanding of Father God our Creator, and they are affordable.  They are easy to do and will help spice up the learning in your homeschool.  They are currently on sale for $6.95.  They have eight unit studies listed for sale at this time, and have plans for several more. The current list includes:

  • Badgers – The World of Badgers
  • Black Bears – Bear Essentials
  • Dragonflies – Dragons of Paradise
  • Fragrance
  • Joshua Tree National Park
  • Mellow Manatees
  • Pine Trees
  • Snow – Intricacies of Snow

We were sent Intricacies of Snow Unit Study and Pine Trees Unit Study from the Creation Unit Studies collection, and they are filled with fascinating information we want to share with you.

Creation Illustrated: Intricacies of Snow Unit Study

Intricacies of Snow

Creation Unit Study

Digital Curriculum

Downloadable PDF

17 Full Color Illustrated Pages

Teacher’s Answer Key

Grades 5-8

Primarily for grades 5-8, but younger grades can use with assistance or modified.

Lessons and Contents:

  • Reading Resources (page 3)
  • Educational Videos (page 3)
  • Writing & Penmanship (page 4)
  • Vocabulary & Spelling (page 4-5)
  • Bible Study (page 6-7)
  • Science (page 8-9)
  • Math (page 10)
  • Geography (page 11)
  • Art (page 12)
  • Puzzle (page 13)
  • Teacher Answer Keys (page 14-17)
  • and Other Fun Facts.

Example of Student Worksheet:

Example of Teacher’s Answer Key:

Creation Illustrated Magazine Winter ’18 Edition:

Winter ’18 Digital Edition of Creation Illustrated contains articles and beautiful photographs that correspond with the Intricacy of Snow Unit Study.

In addition to reading through the unit study and magazine articles, the unit study also contains a lot of suggested reading and research links and suggested videos to watch. When students finish this unit study about snow, they will have a better understanding and appreciation of snow and a better understanding of Father God and his creation.

Creation Illustrated: Pine Trees Unit Study

Pine Trees

Creation Unit Study

Digital Curriculum

Downloadable PDF

16 Full Color Illustrated Pages

Teacher’s Answer Key

Grades 5-8

Primarily for grades 5-8, but younger grades can use with assistance or modified.

Lessons and Contents:

  • Reading Resources (page 3)
  • Educational Videos (page 3)
  • Vocabulary & Spelling (page 4-5)
  • Bible Study (page 6)
  • Geography (page 7)
  • Science (page 8-9)
  • Math (page 10)
  • Writing & Penmanship (page 11)
  • Art (page 12)
  • Puzzle (page 13)
  • Teacher Answer Keys (page 14-16)
  • and Other Fun Facts

Example of Student Worksheet:

Creation Illustrated Magazine Fall ’17 Edition:

Creation Illustrated Fall ’17 Digital Edition contains articles and beautiful photographs that correspond with the Pine Trees Unit Study.

In addition to reading through the magazine articles, and unit study worksheets, there are also suggested reading and research links, and suggested videos to watch.  There is also an identification worksheet in the study that is great to use for taking a field trip, or a hike into nature to see the trees up close and identify them.  When students complete the Pine Tree Unit Study, they will have a better appreciation for these trees and how they have impacted our lives, and a better understanding about Father God and his creation.

Our Experience

We were sent the digital Intricacies of Snow and Pine Trees unit studies and the corresponding digital magazine editions, Winter ’18 and Fall ’17, of Creation Illustrated.

We have completed the Pine Trees Unit Study, and have started the Intricacies of Snow Unit Study.   We focused on the Pine Trees Unit Study for the purpose of this review.

We have experienced the end of winter and beginning of spring while doing this unit study.  You can see the snow on the pine trees in the two pictures posted above. Though the winter was cold where we live, we got very little snow, and it was usually gone within a day of falling.  In hindsight, I wish I would have focused on the snow study before the pine study as it would have been nice to have had snow actually on the ground that we could experience while studying it.  I will post how our snow study went soon.

Here are some pictures of our nature walk we took to identify pine trees in the forest.  We saw a variety of trees and lots of wildlife too.

We found pine buds full of pollen as well as fully intact pine cones on the same trees.

We harvested some of the young pine buds and pine needles for making recipes and several pine cones for crafts.

My kids enjoyed participating in this study, and the older kids did all of the worksheets, and the younger kids did a few of the worksheets.

We found an insect hiding in this pine tree.  We also found  bird nests, and lots of spiders (not pictured) that like living in pine trees.  We saw several squirrels check for food in the pine trees and jump from tree to tree playing tag with each other and shaking their tails.

We investigated pine cones, pine buds, pine needles, and tree bark up close.

We also found some wild grape vines that had climbed some of the tall pine trees in the forest and were starting to bloom with bright yellow flowers. The winding vines and yellow blooms were beautiful and smelled amazing, and were such a contrast to the tall pine.

Here are some examples of my kids worksheets and activities from this unit study:

Further The Learning:

Though we have finished the Pine Trees Unit Study, I plan to stretch this learning out further over the next several weeks this spring and into the summer.  I plan to add in a couple of building projects for the older three boys using pine lumber from the local lumberyard.

They have been learning woodworking skills using pine over the past year or so and they are getting better and better with their creations.  They helped make a workbench table from pine lumber during this unit study. You can see the frame of the table in this picture.  They have completed it since I took the picture and use it for a workbench for making handcrafts.  They are enjoying it very much.  They have been making lots of woodworking and leather projects on it.

They also helped make loft beds from pine lumber for their rooms last summer.  They love their beds and they had a lot of fun learning to work with wood.

They are also learning bushcrafting skills.  They are familiar with looking for dead pine trees in the forest, and they cut and chop these dead trees into smaller pieces for firewood.  We plan to learn to make “fat wood” with pine for fire starting and make several primitive traps too.  We have several templates and kits ready to make.

All of my kids enjoy whittling.  They usually just work on a stick and whittle away at the bark and usually focus on getting one end to a point.  The younger kids sit with daddy outside, and enjoy passing the time whittling.   The bigger boys have developed their skills and whittle when ever they want and don’t require being supervised like the younger kids.  The younger kids are only allowed to have their pocket knife while being supervised for safety.

One of my older sons has really taken a liking to whittling.  He enjoys sitting outside by himself, whittleing, with the quiet sounds of nature.  Sometimes he sits on the back porch and sometimes he sits on a bench he made in the forest.  He cut several pine branches to size, about 24 inches, and using cordage to attach the cut pieces to a tree that has two trunks with a gap between them, he created a bench seat with a ladder back that goes up the tree.  He can climb up to have a look around if he wants too.  He loves to sit in nature and whittle.  He has progressed into carving with pine, cedar, and birch trees.  He requested some chisels and has made some lovely wooden spoons.  He has made about six different spoons of different sizes and different purposes, and he has made walking sticks, and made a lovely walking cane with a handle.  He has whittled, chiseled, shaped, and sanded several projects by hand with the wood he collected from the forest.

All of the kids really enjoy working with their hands, learning life skills, practicing those skills, and learning to make different projects they find interesting.

To further the learning even more, I am planning to do several additional art, cooking, and science projects with all of the kids, lap booking pages about pine trees, and a “Pp” letter of the week project for my youngest son to reinforce what he has learned about pine trees and pine cones too.

I also plan to use the knowledge we gained in this unit study about pine trees and apply it to an American History unit study we are also working on about a fronteir man named Davy Crocket.  Learning about pine trees and their special place in history, and use as a food and medicine and building materials, as well as the impact on economics of the pine tree lumber industry on the people, will go well with the American History study we are doing.

Final Thoughts:

My kids have enjoyed this unit study.  I appreciate the biblical worldview of the curriculum and the beautiful photography and stories in the magazine.

I definitely recommend Creation Illustrated magazines and Creation Unit Studies for homeschool families. It is easy to download the digital PDF files and put them in a binder, read the magazine articles online and click through the related links and watch a few videos, grab your bible, and complete the worksheets. Older students can do these studies independently and younger students can do the studies with help from parents and older siblings.

We have had subscriptions to Creation Illustrated in the past, and had it for several years.  It was a regular part of our homeschool learning.  We have also reviewed their magazine for our readers several years ago, way back in 2012.   I regret that I let our subscription expire when we moved a couple of years ago.  I have been so inspired again by the magazine while doing this review that I plan to purchase a new subscription, and purchase more of these unit studies, and I would like to order several back copies of the magazine too.  These make wonderful reading for my family, and inspire us in our faith.  These make lovely gifts for extended family and friends and church libraries too.  These would be wonderful to benefit communities and leave as reading material in offices around town too.

I would recommend Creation Unit Studies and the Creation Illustrated magazines to everyone!

Latest Eddition:

The latest edition Creation Illustrated Spring ’18 has just been published.

Current Spring 2018 Edition

NEW Ad-Free Keepsake Edition

Features include:

  • ​Creation Up Close: Nature’s First Responders –by Evelyn Sayler
  • Creatures Near and Dear to Us: Butterfly Birth –by Rosanne Pallini-Veriezza
  • Re-Creation Outdoor Adventure: Trekking Through Myanmar –by Janae Bowman
  • Creation Day 4 of the Creation Story: Sun, Moon, and Stars –by Nikolas Grosfield
  • Creation Highlights and Creation Stewardship news briefs
  • My Walk with God: Redeeming the Desert –by Shirley Conley
  • Gardens from Eden: A Season of New Beginnings –by Joanne Taylor
  • Genesis Cuisine: Korean Treats Recipes –Korean 3-Radish Noodle Salad, Korean Mung Bean Vegie Pancakes, Korean Sweet Rice Cakes.
  • Children’s Story: Bumblebee Rescue –by Tatiana Claudy
  • Creation Character Building Lesson: Service and Ministry –by Terry & Jean McComb
  • New Coloring & Photo Contests for all ages
  • Photo and Coloring Contest winners
  • Study Guide, Spring Family Fun Activities
  • Poetry: All Creation Sings –by Bret Suarez
  • And more!

Video:

I found this 2015 video interview of Tom and Jennifer Ish. They are homeschool parents who began publishing Creation Illustrated in 1993.  That is over 25 years!  What an accomplishment for the kingdom of God!  Only God knows how many people, perhaps millions, have been inspired to draw near to him because of this ministry.  This interview is filled with fantastic information about the mission of Creation Illustrated and it’s worldwide outreach.

Try before you buy:

If you would like to try it out before you buy, Creation Illustrated offers a FREE digital edition of their magazine, and a FREE unit study on Fragrance which includes the corresponding digital magazine too.  Be sure to check those out.

Social Media

Keep in touch and up to date on all the latest news and products through the Creation Illustrated social media links.

Facebook
Twitter

Homeschool Review Crew

Be sure to check out what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew had to say about using products from Creation Illustrated.

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Recipe for Fuitfulness

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Would you like to bear fruit?  Would you like your children to bear fruit?

I came across a recipe in the bible.

It is a recipe for fruitfulness in our walk with God.

On judgement day, we will be examined.  Two specific things will arise and be examined.  First, are we a believer in Jesus Christ the Messiah and son of Father God and therefor have our name written in the Lamb’s book of life?  If our name is found in his book of life we will be sorted out from the unbelievers.  Those who believe will be placed on the right side as sheep, and those who didn’t believe will be placed on the left side as goats.   Next our life will be examined for fruitfulness in the Kingdom of God.  When he examines our life,  he will either say “well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of the Lord” or he will say “depart you wicked servant”.

According to Jesus in Matthew 24, he will examine us by our fruit.  We are expected to produce good fruit for the kingdom of God.  Some produce 30, some 60, and some 100 times increase from the kingdom of God seed they were entrusted with.

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

Matthew 24:14-46

When he examines our life,  and he will evaluate if we were loving and loved our neighbor.  He will either say “well done” you gave me food when I was hungry, drink when I was thirsty, you cast out demons, set me free from bondage, you visited me when I was lonely, and cared for my needs”, or he will say “depart from me I never knew you”, because you did not have love, “you did not care for my needs, you did not give me food, nor drink, nor shelter, nor healing, nor compassion, etc”.

There is a process of maturing in our faith.  Father God did not leave us without a method for it.  He gave us the recipe for this maturing process.  It is like a young tree who after receiving water, nutrients, and sunshine it matures into an productive tree and it produces blossoms and then it is pollinated and then it’s fruit develops and ripens for harvest.  Our faith is also like this.  Our faith needs nurtured and matured so we can produce a harvest for the kingdom of God.

Father God gave us the recipe for producing good fruit. We are to first of all love and obey Father God with all our heart.  He gave us only 10 commands to live by and gave us the gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help us.  We are to believe in Jesus his only son who gave his life as a ransom for yours.  Confess your sins to Father God and ask for forgiveness.  Tell him he is Father God of your life and you serve no other gods.  Next, Love your neighbor as yourself.

Then we are to add one ingredient at a time, and then add the next ingredient, and the next and so on.  When we have added all of the ingredients, our recipe will be complete and our life will produce good fruit for the kingdom of God.

Recipe for Kingdom Fruit

  • Give all diligence
  • Faith in Jesus Christ the Son of Father God
  • Virtue
  • Knowledge
  • Temperance
  • Patience
  • Godliness
  • Brotherly Kindness
  • Charity
  • Produces FRUIT!

 

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:5-8

May we know him, love him, and serve him with our life, and produce good fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Be wise and be blessed!

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What Every Child Should Know Along the Way Book Review

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Do you set yearly goals with your children?  What do you hope your child will know at different ages and stages of their development and growth?  Would you like to raise up children for the glory of God?

Parenting Made Practical has a helpful resource to help you set and reach family development goals called What Every Child Should Know Along the Way ~ Teaching practical life skills in every stage of life.

What Every Child Should Know Along The Way

Paperback Book

151 pages

Parenting Resource

Retail $11.95  (Sale $9.95)

What Every Child Should Know Along The Way is written by Gail Martin.  Gail is an experienced homeschooling mom.  Gail is a college graduate in Home Economics and Nutrition.  She is a bible study leader and conference speaker.  She is the wife of church elder and leader Jim Martin and together they are leaders in Christian ministry for Jesus Christ helping to train and impact families, marriages, and future generations for the Kingdom of God.

Spiritual and Practical aspects of child training:

The main preface of the book is to focus on both the spiritual and practical aspects of Christian child training.  The book is divided into seven chapter categories:

  • Dynamic Devotional Living
  • Cultivating Family Unity
  • Gifts and Talents
  • Biblical Character Traits
  • Manners
  • Practical Living Skills
  • Personal Safety

Chapters:

Chapter 1: Dynamic Devotional Living

Dynamic Devotional Living explains why and how to have family devotions.  Practical steps are given to set up a family prayer journal where you can list prayer requests and answers to prayer and put the date in.   There is also a lot of discussion and encouragement to establish time and opportunities for structured and unstructured family devotions.

Chapter 2: Cultivating Family Unity

This chapter explains why it is important to get along and create unity in the family.  It encourages family activities and spending time together and use these opportunities to build relationships.

Chapter 3: Gifts and Talents

In this chapter, we learned about what gifts and talents are, such as physical talents can be skills like singing, art, strength, athletics, etc and spiritual gifts can be things like wisdom, discernment, faith, prayer, healing, prophesy, love, etc.  These gifts and talents are ordained by God in our life when he created each of us, and it matters that we learn how to use our spiritual gifts and talents with humility, determination, and dedication for the Kingdom of God.

Chapter 4: Biblical Character Traits

This chapter focuses on how to become Godly men and women and what character traits it takes to get there.  It takes a closer look at specific people in the bible as our  example to strive for.

Chapter 5: Manners

This chapter discusses specific manners to develop in your children and how to use them in different settings.  It also teaches you how to resolve conflicts and help them maintain God’s word in their attitude and actions in many different settings and circumstances in life.

Chapter 6: Practical Living Skills

This chapter focuses on Practical Living Skills for ages 2 through Adult.

It includes a huge checklist of skills for different ages and stages of life, little posters and ideas you can put up on the wall or fridge, chore charts, and more.

Chapter 7: Personal Safety

This chapter discusses various types of personal safety everyone should know.  Some of the information is general and applies to everyone and some of the information is specific to situations.  Some general info for example is safety on stairs, or public bathrooms.  Some specific safety info examples are: using and caring for a bike, swim safety, vehicle safety, stranger safety, internet safety, fire safety, etc.

There is a lot of safety information in this chapter.  I especially liked the suggestion for creating a family emergency preparedness kit.  A few years ago, we looked into how to be better prepared in our home and improve our skills to survive natural disasters such as power outages that affect access to heat, water, food, and medical aid and this book contains lots of wise and practical suggestions everyone can implement.

My favorite aspect of this chapter on personal safety is the inclusion of scriptures that point the way to Father God for our safety and security.  It is honestly my favorite thing about this entire book, but especially in this chapter, to point the way to put our trust in God, as most advice in our modern world seems to trust in, and rely on, everything else but God.

Final Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading What Every Child Should Know Along The Way.  This book is a wonderful resource jam packed with information to help families raise up responsible well mannered children who honor and serve Father God with their life.

This book would be wonderful to put into the hands of every teenager, everyone getting married, everyone who is pregnant, parents, and grandparents too.   In the back of the book is a Resource Guide with suggestions for books for a family library, bible study helps, and lots more books and resources on parenting and home management.  I will continue to use this book as a resource in my home.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”  Matthew 18:6-7

Raising Christian kids for the glory of God is a big challenge in the modern culture and world we live in.  There are many offences in this world that can lead people, and especially children, astray.  Today it seems easier to let the government, schools, TV shows, internet and computers, and pop culture raise our kids.  But what is this doing to the next generation?  It is easy for folks to call on police, doctors, schools, organizations, church, pastors, leaders, teachers, science, pharma, diet plans, exercise protocols, courses on self development, or government to guide them and save them in all sorts of situations, but most folks either forget or intentionally choose not to call on Father God and trust and rely on him.   The result is a that most of the upcoming and maturing generations are turning away from true faith in God.

“Who is your God?” or “Who are your gods?” is the very question that encompasses a snapshot of each of our lives.  We will live life according to how we answer this question.  This question can be answered by another simple and profound question: “Who do you place your trust in?”  Truly trusting in and relying on Father God as the ultimate one in charge of the outcome of every situation one might find one’s self in life is foundational in our Christian faith.

“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.”  Matthew 12:1b-9

Father God protects us and provides for us and He expects us to teach these truths to our children.  If we don’t, we are guilty of denying him before men.  Father God and His Son says in his word that we can trust Him because not one sparrow falls from a branch and not one hair falls from your head that He doesn’t know about.  He sent his Son Jesus Christ the Messiah to redeem us, forgive us, to fill us with a spirit of love, power, and sound mind, and to heal our health and well being, and to save our eternal soul so we can daily walk in relationship with God.  The Hebrew word for Father God is Yah or Yahuah and the Hebrew word Jesus Christ his Son is Yahusha or Yahusha HaMashiac.  The Son said he came in his Father’s name to do his Father’s business. He also said if you have seen him, you have also seen the Father.  Yahusha means Yahuah Saves.   Father God and Jesus share the same name, Yah.  See Father God always provides and He knows the end from the beginning.  Father God has the ultimate control in every situation in life.  He asks us to submit our life to Him and completely trust Him, because He knows what we need and has provided the way, the truth, and the life.

The most practical life skill we can teach our children is to teach them to believe and trust in Father God with their life and believe and accept the gift of salvation through His Son.  Father God is the one and only true God and is who we should educate our children about, place our complete trust in, call on for every need in every situation, and give thanks to for everything.

Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Parenting Made Practical

Parenting Made Practical (PMP) was started by parent educators who have been ministering to families for over twenty years.  Parenting Made Practical has many simple practical resources to encourage parents, equip parents with tools and biblical resources and empower them to raise respectful and responsible kids for the glory of God our Father in heaven.

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The Lord Is My Shepherd

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When I was a young girl, I learned this passage of scripture.  But it wasn’t until I was older, and went through life experiences where this verse became real to me and I truly understood what it meant.

I am thankful to have learned this verse when I was young, and tucked into my heart and memory, so when I was in the midst of living life, I knew the truth.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.“

Psalm 23

This verse is comforting.  It is especially comforting when you find yourself going through a difficult time.  Having this verse memorized in your heart and mind helps you let go of fear and trust that Father God has everything in control and you don’t have to worry about anything.

Truly believe as a child of God that no matter what circumstance you go through, Father God will meet all your needs.  He will even meet your needs when you are in the midst of your enemies, Father God has made a way ahead of time and will take care of you even creating a banquet table prepared for you.

A few examples of when this verse became so real to me a few times in my life that I know truly who my Father God is and that he will always take care of me. These are only a few examples of the many that I could share.

During my Mother-in-laws battle with cancer and subsequent death, I saw first hand how Father God’s comfort and compassion in my life.  She was my best friend since I was 19 years old.  We talked daily by phone until her illness and then she moved in with me.  I took care of her 24/7 for the last year of her life until she died.  After a long and painful illness, she took her last breath surrounded by family in my home.   This was a very difficult time for me.  I was witnessing my best friend and the mother of my husband slowly slip away in this life.  My own father had died suddenly, on my birthday, the year before.  I was only 25 and these were the two people in my life who knew me the most, who I could call on to talk and lean on and they were my biggest supporters.  Now they were dead.  I could never hear their voices or call them for prayer and share something exiting that had happened.

Father God taught me to rest in him.  He helped me to put my trust in Him for guidance and trust Him for reassurance.   Father God taught me to be at peace and just trust him no matter what the circumstance I was going through.

Years later during pregnancy and childbirth (several times), I truly felt Father God was there leading me, and protecting me, even in moments that seemed like I was at death’s door.  I knew without a doubt that God was going to bring me through it, I didn’t need to fear death, and it would turn out exactly as he allowed it to.

Another part of this verse became real to me a few years ago.  At a time when things should have been great, and we had so much to look forward to, a man we thought was a friend and had gone into business with, stole nearly everything we had and stole the business and left us financially crippled.  It was a very hard time for our family.  It took a long time, several years, to recover from the financial loss we suffered by him, and we still have never been able to replace most of what he stole.   Father God wanted us to forgive that man for the evil he had done.  It was hard, but daily we prayed and asked God to help us forgive and prayed for that man to be blessed.

A few months after it happened, a local church knew we were going through a difficult time and gave our name to a local restaurant that each year gives a family a free dinner for the Thanksgiving Holiday.    We accepted their offer and went and enjoyed a wonderful meal.   We were blessed with so much kindness and food that it was overwhelming.  This was a very nice restaurant.   They had several staff wait on us, sometimes three and four staff at the same time as we have a large family.  The owner checked on us several times too, and we were treated so nice.  There were several courses of food, salad, bread, soups, entrees, etc.  They even brought a variety of deserts at the end of the meal.  The table was filled to overflowing, and we were treated as if we were some kind of royalty or something.  After the meal, they offered to show our kids around the restaurant.  They put aprons and hair nets on them and took them for a full tour of the kitchen where food is cooked for the guests and they were allowed to go into the refrigerated coolers where food is stored and to meet the chefs and shake their hands. They were also invited to come again anytime.   About a month later that restaurant blessed our family again and gave us several gifts of new clothes and toys for the kids.

I don’t know when during the meal that I started thinking of this verse, but my heart was filled with gratitude and this verse came to me.  I told my husband that even when we go through the most difficult times, our God is with us, leading us, filling our stomach, giving us drink, and protecting us.  At that very moment of gratitude, I saw a look on my husband’s face as he noticed something in the distance.  I turned and looked behind me over my shoulder.  There at another table, several rows away, was the very man who stole from us and had made our life so difficult.  I honestly nearly fainted.  It was so sureal to be in the whole situation.   I knew this verse had come true “He leadeth me” and “he prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies” right before my eyes.

What are the odds that the very man who caused us so much harm would be at the same restaurant at the very same moment in time?  Father God had prepared this a head of time.  How was this even possible?  Only God could do this.

I know this truth.  God is with us!  God will take care of us when we follow him and allow him to lead us in the way we should go.  He will protect us and provide for us.  He is our shepherd.   This is comforting.

The choice is ours to make.  How will we proceed in life?  Who will we follow?  Who will we place our trust in?

We can TRUST Him.

I would encourage you to memorize this passage of scripture and teach it to your children.

Be wise and be blessed!

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Keep The Sabbath Holy

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Father God established His calendar in the beginning.  Specific events are listed during the first week of creation that show He set his calendar in motion.  On the first day, He established that “evening” and “morning” equal a “day”.  On the fourth day, He established the method of keeping track of days.  On the 7th day of creation, He established the Sabbath day.

Genesis 1:1-5  “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”

Genesis 1:14-19  “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”

Genesis 2:1-3  “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

Later, when he had chosen a people for himself to be set apart from the world, he gave them 10 rules to follow called “commandments”, and He told them to remember the special Sabbath day and to keep it holy.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

He wrote these rules into stone with his own finger, and He signed them with his name “Yahuah” as a covenant between them.  There are 8 “Do Not” rules and 2 “Do” rules.  He said if they chose to obey them, it would bring life and blessings.  If they chose to disobey them it would bring curses and death.  He encouraged them to teach their children these commandments and pass them on to each generation.

The 4th commandment is to remember to obey His Sabbath day and keep it holy.  This is His Sabbath Calendar.

#4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

When is Sabbath and how do we keep it holy?

Exodus 31:13  “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.”

There are 4 Sabbaths each month.  A month is about 29 evenings mornings (days) long on Father God’s Calendar.

The sighting of the moon by two witnesses begins the month, next work 6 days, then rest 1 evening and morning (Sabbath day) and repeat this cycle 3 more times to complete the month.

The next month begins with sighting of moon by two witnesses, next work 6 days, then rest 1 evening and morning (Sabbath day), repeat cycle 3 more times to complete the month.

These are the cycles of the Sabbath Calendar!

We are instructed to keep the Sabbath day holy!

Exodus 20:11  “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

The scriptures tell us the New Year begins when the barley is ripe for harvest and the next sighting of the moon takes place (this usually takes place during mid March-April time of year on the Gregorian man-made calendar).  The first appointed feasts of the year begin during the first biblical month according to the barley harvest and the sighting of the moon.  The following  months of the year continue the cycle of the Sabbath calendar by sighting the moon each month to establish the days for work, Sabbath rests, and any appointed feasts for that month.

There are 7 appointed feasts that are to be celebrated on specific dates during the year according to the scriptures.  These are “appointed” dates Father God has scheduled and are not man’s calendars and man’s traditions for holidays.  One must understand and obey the Sabbath days to understand when to keep the appointed feasts.  We will go over these in the next story about Father God’s Calendar.

Faith in Father God’s only begotten son, Jesus, Yahusha (Yahuah saves) brings us into a right relationship with Father God, and because we are forgiven and have been adopted as his children, we can walk in a right relationship with Father God.   We walk with Father God as we love him, think about him, and obey his commands.

He established the calendar schedule for blessings and life.  We are to Work, Sabbath Rest, and Celebrate appointed Feast Seasons with Father God at the days and times he established.  We do not need a blood sacrifice, ritual, building, or man-made tradition to meet with him, because of the perfect gift of Jesus Yahusha.  He is Lord of the Sabbath.  He said the Sabbath was created to bring blessings into the life of those who keep it.  Obeying Father God’s commandments and calendar is where blessings and power flow into the lives of those who will believe and obey.

Jesus said that if you accept and obey him, the same spirit that dwelled in him will also dwell in you.   The Holy Spirit of God worked through him to do all of the miracles he did during his time on earth, and raised him from the dead on the third day.   This spirit is able to work through you and empower you to do even more miracles than he did.

However, I believe the reason the followers of Yahuah Father God today have very little blessing and essentially no power in their daily life to help others is because they don’t follow His calendar and obey the true Sabbath and appointed time for Feasts.  Instead they have put a different calendar created by men in it’s place.  They choose to worship on Sunday, or Friday, or Saturday instead of the true Sabbath.

Jesus told us to continue with the way he showed us freely giving in love because it had been freely given to us.

Are we doing the “great commission” Jesus gave us by healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, setting the captives free, and meeting the needs of those around us, and sharing the good news with all those we meet?

Or are we unable to fulfill his instructions?  Are we too far in debt, financially lacking, too physically feeble and weak in our own lives to meet this command of Jesus?

Why?  Jesus said “Man’s traditions nullify the power of God in people’s lives.”

We need to understand the importance of keeping the true Sabbath in honoring Father God.   We need to implement keeping the Sabbath day holy.   What does Father God want from a Sabbath?  The same instructions Jesus Yahusha gave us.

Read Isaiah 56-58.

Read Matthew 25:31-46

The sighting of the moon begins each month’s Sabbaths and the barley harvest begins each year’s cycle of Sabbaths and Feasts with Father God.  Check out the next post about the Calendar of Father God.

Be wise and be blessed!

Maranatha!

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Come, Ye Blessed Of My Father

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If Jesus Christ showed up in your life today, at your church, job, or neighborhood, would you recognize him?

Would he stand out?

When he came the first time, he was of no reputation.  He didn’t stand out.

He didn’t hand out business cards.

He didn’t dress like a wealthy man.

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:7-8

Would you notice him?

Would he look like the perfect gift to you?

Would you see the treasure that is in him?

Or would you ignore him?

If he asked for a drink of water from your water bottle, would you freely offer it to him?

If he asked you for money, would you walk on by or would you reach into your pocket and give him some dollar bills?

If he had no where to go, would you buy him a hotel room for the night? Or would you invite him to stay at your home on your couch for a night or a week or indefinately?

If he didn’t look dressed for church, or the office, or presentable to go to dinner, would you sit next to him?

Would you avoid him or try to prevent him from sitting in the most desired seat, where the wealthy in your community, or church, or the most esteemed in your job or neighborhood sit?  Would you willingly give him your seat?

Would you stop him from walking to the front of the church and taking the microphone to read the scriptures out loud?  Would you stop him from speaking from the pulpit, or leading the church in singing?

If he tried to share his gifts and talents would you let him?  Would you have eyes to see the perfect gift of God?

Would you have room in YOUR ministry for him?

Would you pass over his gifts, would your mind be clouded by his appearance and lack of degrees and fame?  Would you prevent him from handling the offering plate, or greeting others at the door, or even sitting up front in a noticable seat?

If he tried to speak up and tell you that he must share his gifts anyway possible, would you let him?  Or would you let him know he is not a good fit for your church, let him know you will pray for him, and wish him luck to move on and find a church he is a “better fit” for?

Do you even know the voice of the master?

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Would you recognize him?

Would you recognize someone he sent in his place?

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to visit you?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”   Matthew 25:34-40

 

I pray that each of us can recognize each and every opportunity to be a blessing to those in need, and that we can see Jesus Christ in each person.  I pray we are found worthy and faithful servants, and we will hear those precious eternal words, “Come ye blessed of my Father.”

Be wise and be blessed!

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Reborn

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Would you like to have eternal life?

From John 3:2-21

“The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

 

This birth day is worth eternity!

Choose this day to believe in the Son of God, to be forgiven of your sins and be reborn in the spirit, and be saved!

Be wise and be blessed!

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