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Trying to Get Around Patience and Testing

February 28, 2015 by natalie

The following quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer is both insightful and challenging. I was especially struck by his assessment that a propensity to doubt and incessantly re-evaluate why we are traversing a particular course is often spurred on by an aversion to the patience and testing being required of us in a time of difficulty. The very patience and testing that we are told to expect and joyfully embrace as followers of Christ. I am all too guilty of this as a homeschool mom.

“I’m not quite sure how, we have largely got into a way of thinking which is positively dangerous. We think that we are acting particularly responsibly if every other week we take another look at the question whether the way on which we have set out is the right one. It is particularly noticeable that such a ‘responsible reappraisal’ always begins the moment serious difficulties appear. We then speak as though we no longer had ‘a proper joy and certainty’ about this way, or, still worse, as though God and his Word were no longer as clearly present with us as they used to be. In all this we are ultimately trying to get round what the New Testament calls ‘patience’ and ‘testing.’ Paul, at any rate, did not begin to reflect whether his way was the right one when opposition and suffering threatened, nor did Luther. They were both quite certain and glad that they should remain disciples and followers of their Lord.

“Dear brethren, our real trouble is no doubt about the way upon which we have set out, but our failure to be patient, to keep quiet. We still cannot imagine that today God really doesn’t want anything new for us, but simply to prove us in the old way. That is too petty, too monotonous, too undemanding for us. And we simply cannot be constant with the fact that God’s cause is not always the successful one, that we really could be ‘unsuccessful’: and yet be on the right road. But this is where we find out whether we have begun in faith or in a burst of enthusiasm.”

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The truth is I don’t like waiting patiently for my children to develop the character I think they should have right now. I don’t like being tested in my resolve by their complaints and resistance to the instruction and assignments I work so hard to plan and impart to them. I don’t like the petty monotony of addressing the same issues day after day after day…

The higher truth, though, is that this is the path of faith that God has called me to walk. Faithfully, patiently training and discipling my children to seek the Lord and love Him with all their hearts. When my patience is tried and difficulties abound, rather than shrinking back and succumbing to doubts and the escapism of reassessing my path, I want to lay aside all of these weights and instead run with endurance the race that is set before me (Hebrews 12:1).

Filed Under: Education Quotes, Especially For Parents, Inspiration for Families, Personal, Thought Provoking

Costless Christianity

January 8, 2015 by natalie

Living for Jesus-
what does that mean?
Can’t I still play
on my basketball team?

Living for Jesus-
how do I know?
Can’t I still watch
my favorite show?

Living for Jesus-
how will it end?
Can’t I still keep
my very best friend?

Living for Jesus-
will it be fair?
Can’t I still dress
with cute clothes and hair?

Living for Jesus-
what will I find?
Can’t I still own
what’s rightfully mine?

Living for Jesus-
how is it done?
Can’t I still have
a life that is fun?

Living for Jesus-
what is the key?
Can’t I be blessed
while living for me?

The Cost of Discipleship According to Jesus
“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46)

How do we convey to our children the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ compared to anything and everything in this world? How do we lead them to the truth that if they will lose their life for the sake of the gospel, then – and only then – they will truly find it?

Filed Under: Personal, Poems, Thought Provoking

The Difference Between Praying and Saying Prayers

January 25, 2013 by natalie

A friend recently let me borrow the book, “The Power in Prayer” by Charles Spurgeon. I was really struck by the distinction he makes in these two paragraphs:

“We can, if we think it right, teach our children to ‘say their prayers,’ but we cannot teach them to pray. You may make a prayer book, but you cannot put a grain of prayer into a book, for it is too spiritual a matter to be put on pages. Some of you, perhaps, may read prayers in the family. I will not denounce the practice, but I will say this much about it: you may read those prayers for seventy years, and yet you may never once pray, for prayer is quite a different thing from mere words.

True prayer is the trading of the heart with God, and the heart never comes into spiritual commerce with the ports of heaven until God the Holy Spirit puts wind into the sails and speeds the ship into its haven. ‘Ye must be born again’ (John 3:7). If there is any real prayer in your heart, though you may not know the secret, God the Holy Spirit is there.”

Filed Under: A Lifetime of Learning, Thought Provoking

Disappointment and Resignation

January 3, 2013 by natalie

As a pre-Christmas present to myself :-), I ordered a variety of books that piqued my interest. One of them was a small volume by William Penn titled, Some Fruits of Solitude: Proverbs, Wisdom and Principles for Better Living. I’ve been digesting it in small bits, and I especially love Penn’s insights on Disappointment and Resignation:

32. For Disappointments, that come not by our own Folly, they are the Tryals or Corrections of Heaven: And it is our own Fault, if they prove not our Advantage.

33. To repine at them does not mend the Matter: It is only to grumble at our Creator. But to see the Hand of God in them, with an humble Submission to his Will, is the Way to turn our Water into Wine, and engage the greatest Love and Mercy on our side.

34. We must needs disorder our selves, if we only look at our Losses. But if we consider how little we deserve what is left, our Passion will cool, and our Murmurs will turn into Thankfulness.

35. If our Hairs fall not to the Ground, less do we or our Substance without God’s Providence.

36. Nor can we fall below the Arms of God, how low soever it be we fall.

37. For though our Saviour’s Passion is over, his Compassion is not. that never fails his humble, sincere Disciples: In him, they find more than all that they lose in the World.

What beautiful, meaningful, and challenging thoughts to consider as we each face various situations that could easily lead to disappointment or resignation in our lives.

Filed Under: A Lifetime of Learning, Inspiration for Families, Thought Provoking

The Key to Enduring Suffering

April 17, 2012 by natalie

It’s been over a week now since Easter, but I still find myself thinking about the resurrection of Jesus and its significance. At the end of March my friend, Tyler Hiebert, organized a debate in which he and an atheist addressed the question, “Did Jesus rise from the dead?” It was fascinating to watch and listen to each of their arguments. But more than anything, I realized how much the Christian faith hinges on the question of whether or not Jesus did or did not rise from the dead.

In the following days as I pondered the resurrection and what it means, one verse in particular kept coming to mind:

“…looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
~Hebrews 12:2

Jesus knew that He was going to rise from the dead. He told His disciples as much several times during their three years of ministry together. This may not be all that the “joy that was set before him” encompasses, but knowing that you would rise from the dead to eternal life would sure bring an incredible amount of joy! Enough to make it possible, I think to endure whatever suffering and humiliation was inflicted upon you during your present temporary life.

This, in turn, gives a whole new perspective to everyone who has Jesus Christ dwelling in them. We have been promised eternal life in Him, and when He comes again, our earthly body will be exchanged for a heavenly one that will live eternally:

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'”
~1 Corinthians 15:51-54

It is this knowledge of a future resurrection to eternal life that serves as the same “joy that is set before us” to enable us to endure any suffering, any shame in our temporary bodies on this earth. What a difference it makes in the trials of every day – however big or small they may be – to remind myself of this simple, but profound truth!

Truly, the resurrection of Jesus Christ means everything. It affirms the power of God over death and guarantees us an eternal joy for which we can endure any pain, suffering, and rejection in this life. In light of this rich reality, let’s embrace Paul’s subsequent exhortation:

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
~1 Corinthians 15:58

Filed Under: A Lifetime of Learning, Personal, Thought Provoking

Jesus as Our Model of Success

January 17, 2012 by natalie

“Behold, my servant shall act wisely, he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.”
Isaiah 52:13

The footnote for the word, “wisely” gives the alternate translation, “shall prosper.” The ESV Study Bible gives a further definition as “succeed at his task.” And the King James Version translates the phrase as, “deal prudently.”

The latter half of the verse reminds me of Jesus’ words in John 12:32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Jesus was referring to His forthcoming death by crucifixion. In light of that and the above definitions, one could re-phrase the verse in Isaiah to read, “Behold, my servant, Jesus, shall prosper and succeed at his task – he shall be crucified.”

The irony is inescapable. The most torturous, painful, humiliating experience one could endure was also God’s means of lifting up and exalting His Son. And by surrendering to His Father’s design and will in this, Jesus achieved success.

How vastly different this model is from everything that seems right and true to our human way of thinking! How often do we avoid, rather than follow after, the very things that would truly make us prosperous and successful – not by the world’s standards, but by the fixed truth of God?

The message is clear in Scripture – God wants His people to be prosperous and successful. And so in Jesus He gave us the definition and model of it. Then Jesus even put it into words for us,

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24

Perhaps we should see pain not as a crushing blow from God, but as His means to lift us up; rejection not to shame us, but to exalt us; suffering not to sabotage our work, but to make us truly successful. And all of this to fix our eyes on Jesus who through the greatest suffering achieved the greatest success.

Filed Under: A Lifetime of Learning, Thought Provoking

Let’s Be Disagreeable

December 8, 2011 by natalie

As I finished reading the book of Acts this morning, something suddenly dawned on me. In particular, the following verse where the Jews in Rome are speaking to Paul brought a very important realization to light:

“But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
Acts 28:22

Most, if not all, of Paul’s opportunities to share his testimony and the gospel of Jesus Christ came from those who opposed and/or disagreed with him.

It occurs to me that our American culture makes a god of peace by promoting agreement and tolerance, the effect of which is to silence those who would speak the truth of Jesus Christ – the only One in whom real and lasting peace with God may be found. Most Christians, including myself, cow to this pressure and go to great pains to procure acceptance and agreement from others.

How many opportunities have been lost because I have shied away from the very opposition and disagreement that could serve as a platform from which to openly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Filed Under: A Lifetime of Learning, Personal, Thought Provoking

Of Autographs and Brain Floss

November 2, 2011 by natalie

I remember the whole scenario with vivid clarity. Embarrassing moments are like that. They have a way of lodging themselves in the mind with the same inescapability as a piece of corn chewed from the cob makes its home neatly between two teeth. If only there was such a thing as brain floss to extricate an unpleasant memory from the mental archives…

An e-mail from the local music store announced an upcoming workshop to be given by the gifted pianist and composer, Joseph Martin. I transferred the date and time to my calendar and made plans to attend. As the day of the workshop approached, I excitedly told my sister about it and asked if I could take the compilation of hymn arrangements she had been working on so that I could get it autographed. She agreed.

On the day of the workshop, my sister handed me the book and I made the short drive to our music store. The head of the print music department welcomed us and Mr. Martin, giving an impressive introduction of the accomplished musician. I sat through the two hour presentation, soaking up the music and stories he shared with the audience. When his part was finished, I joined a string of others waiting to talk to him and secure an autograph. I finally reached the front of the line and presented him with the large volume, telling him how much my sister and I had enjoyed playing his arrangements for years. He granted my request for an autograph and conversed graciously for a moment before turning to the next person in line. Mission accomplished.

I gathered my things and headed toward the door. A friend of mine who was working at the music store stopped to talk and asked if I had gotten an autograph. I proudly opened the book and pointed to the newly inscribed signature. My friend took one look, then turned his eyes toward mine and uttered the exclamation I will never forget…

>>Read the rest of the article in this month’s issue of Generation Impact>>

Filed Under: A Lifetime of Learning, Personal, Thought Provoking

Today

April 14, 2011 by natalie

Today I am healthy in body and mind.
Today I live in a free country full of opportunity.
Today I have the conveniences of modern technology.
Today I have finances and resources at my disposal.
Today I am surrounded by loving family and friends.
Today is the day God has given me to serve Him.
Today must not be wasted.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”
~Deuteronomy 6:5-6

Filed Under: Personal, Thought Provoking

Redeeming the Time with Creativity

January 31, 2011 by natalie

[Note: Following is a short article that I wrote for the Homeschooling Teen Magazine last fall.]

A crowd of teachers eagerly took their places as the session got underway. I waited expectantly as one of the organizers of the event introduced me to the group. They had asked me to present a workshop on marketing and running a successful music studio. I was excited to share some of the things I’ve learned over the years. But I wasn’t prepared for the specific remarks of my colleague and how they would give me a whole new appreciation for the decision my parents made many years ago to home educate their children. His words still echo in my mind, “Natalie comes from a somewhat untraditional background…” (I’d heard that before!) “…and I think that’s what contributes largely to her fresh and creative approach.” (Wow, I’d never really thought of that!)

Pondering that statement over the last several months has led me to realize what a tremendous gift my parents gave me when they pulled me out of school to start our homeschool journey. Not that I always felt that way, mind you! Our first year of transition, in particular, was wrought with lots of frustration and tears. But as we learned to replace society’s educational model with a more biblical understanding of true education, a whole new world began to open up before us. Instead of being constrained to a classroom for hours at a time, life became our learning ground. I was free to explore areas of interest and pursue skills I wanted to develop.

In a recent interview with Kevin Swanson (another homeschool grad!) on Generations Radio, he shared a vivid analogy: those who are raised in our modern schooling system tend to approach education and life as a paint-by-number piece of art, whereas those who are raised outside the system are likened to a sculptor. In a paint-by-number, as you know, someone has already determined the final design and you – the artist – are just coloring in the spaces. There’s some room for artistic expression, but only insomuch as it falls within the parameters of the original designer’s intent. A sculptor, on the other hand, employs a host of tools and materials to create a unique work of art – limited only by his imagination and ability. Obviously these are generalizations, but I love the thought that a homeschool education can be the catalyst for ideas, discoveries, and approaches that might otherwise lie dormant in a tightly-structured, conformity-based classroom environment.

My favorite definition for creativity comes from CharacterFirst: “approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective.” In a homeschool environment, the opportunities to develop creativity are endless! Consider these needs: lunchtime meals, clean clothes, money for school curriculum. Or what about some daily tasks: practicing an instrument, doing a math lesson, cleaning the bathroom. And we could never exhaust a list of ideas: hosting a Bible study, organizing a field trip, creating a short film. One of the biggest advantages we have toward developing creativity in these areas is time. The average graduating high school senior will have spent almost 30,000 hours at school, plus even more on homework! When you consider that the recognized number of hours it takes to become an expert in a given field is approximately 10,000 you begin to realize the incredible potential that exists for homeschoolers…if we use our time wisely.

Ephesians 5:16 says that we should be, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” The idea behind the word “redeeming” is that we spend our time on that which is profitable. In other words, we are trading in our time to get back something more valuable. You could contrast this with the opposite – squandering time, which is frivolously spending time on things that have no lasting value. With that in mind, I’d like to outline three ways that you can redeem the time by developing creativity in your life:

1. Spend time with the Creator. Proverbs 2:6 is one of my favorite verses, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Whatever your questions, whatever your needs, whatever your problems, the answer is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. The more time you spend with the Lord, reading and studying His Word, the more you will be able to draw on His wisdom and creativity as situations arise in your life. We are promised “good success” if we meditate on the law of the Lord day and night and do all that is written in it (Joshua 1:8). Likewise, the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night is said to prosper in all he does (Psalm 1:2-3). Talk about a return on your investment! Filling your heart and mind with the wisdom and knowledge and understanding of the Lord is the source from which the fountain of creativity springs forth!

2. Take time to think. Victor Hugo once said, “A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor.” Isn’t that great?! Whether due to busy schedules or hours wasted on mindless entertainment, there is precious little time given to just thinking. One of my favorite things to do is to make my way onto our deck late at night, gaze up at the stars, and just…think. Sometimes memorized Scriptures come to mind; sometimes I present questions to God; sometimes I ponder a difficult situation with a student and how I should address it; sometimes I reflect on attitudes or behaviors in my life of which I need to repent; sometimes I contemplate upcoming events or special occasions and what I can do to make them more meaningful and memorable; and so on. Another essential for me is my “idea book.” It’s just a plain spiral-bound notebook, but I use it to jot down thoughts and brainstorm about everything from goals for the year, to lesson plans for students, to book marketing strategies, to articles, and more. Society today undervalues just sitting and thinking because it is perceived as being unproductive. Quite the contrary! It is an essential underlying element that produces an even greater level of productivity.

3. Make creative plans and put them into action. There’s a certain amount of risk in being creative because you have to be willing to try something that you haven’t done before. I like to think of scenarios in terms of a “means justifies the end” philosophy. “Will the benefit derived from the planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation of this project be worth it even if the endeavor itself is deemed unsuccessful?” Not only does this serve to bolster enthusiasm and diligence for the project, but it also offsets the discouragement that accompanies a failed venture. So put on your creative “thinking caps” and just give it a try: treat your family to a fancy lunchtime tea and scones, make your own set of flashcards and work with a sibling on math facts, invite a mature Christian to share their testimony and host a group of friends for fellowship and encouragement in their walk with the Lord. As you develop creativity, you will discover all sorts of ways to be a blessing to the people around you. Not to mention that you’ll always keep them guessing as to what you’ll come up with next!

Creativity is an amazing gift from the Lord, and homeschooling affords us the time and environment to develop it in our own lives. I’ve had to throw away my fair share of “paint-by-number” coloring sheets as the Lord has led me to re-think the customary way of doing things in society. It’s a little scary, but what an adventure! So, grab your block of marble (i.e. whatever needs, tasks, or ideas are facing you today) and start sculpting away. Let’s become everyday artists who fill people’s lives with creativity and cause them to marvel at the ingenuity of our Creator!

Filed Under: A Lifetime of Learning, Inspiration for Families, Thought Provoking

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