You're such a beautiful young ladyAndrea! Happy Birthday!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Happy Birthday Andrea!!!
We have been waiting for a picture of our daughter Andrea before posting her Happy Birthday! We wanted to honor her in letting her choose the pic but she has not decided on one yet so...'the show must go on!'
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA!!! You are a gracious and beautiful daughter and such a blessing to your family! We see so much of you in the girls, you are never far from our mind! We pray that you are blessed this whole year through! We love you!! We will post the pic of her choice when she....chooses!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA!!! You are a gracious and beautiful daughter and such a blessing to your family! We see so much of you in the girls, you are never far from our mind! We pray that you are blessed this whole year through! We love you!! We will post the pic of her choice when she....chooses!!!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Teaching our children HONOR
Honor as defined by the Websters 1828 dictionary (the only one we use) is; The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation.
Memorial Day is a perfect time to teach our children about HONOR. Teaching them to give esteem (view as important) those in the military who have given their lives and life for the freedoms we hold dear in our country. It is a perfect time to teach them to 'pay worth' and have a 'high estimation' of those men (and women) whose driving force was and is duty to their families, and homeland.
We are in somewhat turbulent times in our country. For most folks, life and liberty are 'not as they should be'. I think our children hear much grumbling over how things 'should' be. This is a good time to remind them of what we DO have, as imperfect as it may be. In doing so, we will encourage them to have a grateful spirit.
As well, we can use the negative aspects of what they are aware of in our times, to teach them to be problem solvers. "What can we do?" "What can you do now or as an adult to make things different, better?" It is a perfect time to teach children about the dominion principle.
And above all, may this weekend be a reminder to us as parents to pray, and teach our children to pray~ for our country and leaders...the good, the bad....and yes even the ugly.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Memorial Day is a perfect time to teach our children about HONOR. Teaching them to give esteem (view as important) those in the military who have given their lives and life for the freedoms we hold dear in our country. It is a perfect time to teach them to 'pay worth' and have a 'high estimation' of those men (and women) whose driving force was and is duty to their families, and homeland.
We are in somewhat turbulent times in our country. For most folks, life and liberty are 'not as they should be'. I think our children hear much grumbling over how things 'should' be. This is a good time to remind them of what we DO have, as imperfect as it may be. In doing so, we will encourage them to have a grateful spirit.
As well, we can use the negative aspects of what they are aware of in our times, to teach them to be problem solvers. "What can we do?" "What can you do now or as an adult to make things different, better?" It is a perfect time to teach children about the dominion principle.
And above all, may this weekend be a reminder to us as parents to pray, and teach our children to pray~ for our country and leaders...the good, the bad....and yes even the ugly.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
FYI
For your information; Habitat For Humanity in Springfield Mo is working with a local Christian Church to gather donations and materials to help the folks in Joplin. If you have no other connection to Joplin and want to help, this is a good avenue to go. As well, for all of the disasters..Alabama tornadoes, Virginia flooding, Sedalia Mo tornadoes, Ark. tornadoes....there are HFH chapters everywhere and they host Habitat Restore Stores. Thanks for your help and prayers!
Gods Word for all of life~and home discipling!
Romans 10-11 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
Since Gods Word is sufficient for all of life, it amply applies to home discipling (ie homeschooling).
We use this verse "...giving preference to one another..." to teach our children to take turns, not to interrupt, to share...many of these virtues which are important for children to have when you are teaching them.
Aside from teaching our children what 'not' to do in order to have a teachable attitude, the verse continues in what we/they 'should' do! Diligently do work assigned, be fervent in memorizing your catechism, fervent in accomplishing your chores and in doing so you are pleasing the Lord! As a bonus, dad and mom are well pleased too!
When we raise our children in view of eternity and not just 'getting thru the day', Gods Word is sufficient for showing them the bigger picture.
We find that this verse is a good encouragement to us as well! Let us not be lagging in discipling our children today, but may we be fervent in spirit as we do what He has given us today; as we serve the Lord! God bless, Brett & Dana
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Cute as a button~smart as a whip
Time for 'grandma braggin rights'! Actually I am 'noni' to my grandboys! Noni is the Italian rendering of grandma by the way.
I have had such a WONDERFUL time with my grandboys since the kids moved closer! I took a 11/2 hour nap with the baby JAX, and I have to tell you a 'funny' that Owen, the 3 year old said.
His mom was teaching him the ABC's, and as he was singing he stopped and said, "Mom, that sounds awful familiar to twinkle little star". Is that adorable or what? It may just be me but I thought is was sure cute!
I have had such a WONDERFUL time with my grandboys since the kids moved closer! I took a 11/2 hour nap with the baby JAX, and I have to tell you a 'funny' that Owen, the 3 year old said.
His mom was teaching him the ABC's, and as he was singing he stopped and said, "Mom, that sounds awful familiar to twinkle little star". Is that adorable or what? It may just be me but I thought is was sure cute!
Gods Word for all of life~and home discipling!
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Eph 4:32
There is a lifetime of teaching/learning in that one sentance. We quote it often. With 8 children at home that need to learn to get along together, it is a very important verse of scripture to us!
We deliberately teach the children to be kind and tenderhearted to one another by encouraging kind behaviour, disciplining mean spirited behaviour and teaching them to actually perform deliberate acts of kindness. It is such a blessing to see your child take joy in being kind and loving to someone else!
I can't help being reminded though of the old adage which says 'more is caught than taught'. It is important for us as a parents to live the verse ourselves. Does the family hear me speak kindly on the phone? Do they see a loving attitude from me when I email others? When they or others act offensively am I quick to forgive? How do I speak to my husband when he needs my attention and I am in the middle of something? (Emailing perhaps??)
To be able to truly "Forgive " one another we need to understand how much we need forgiveness ourselves ...daily! We need the Lords forgiveness and often...perhaps too often, the forgiveness of those around us.
It is our goal in the Adams household to teach our children to be "kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another" and to do the same ourselves, by the grace of God. I find that it is alot easier to do when we meditate on the many ways in which God in Christ forgave us. The many, many ways:)
There is a lifetime of teaching/learning in that one sentance. We quote it often. With 8 children at home that need to learn to get along together, it is a very important verse of scripture to us!
We deliberately teach the children to be kind and tenderhearted to one another by encouraging kind behaviour, disciplining mean spirited behaviour and teaching them to actually perform deliberate acts of kindness. It is such a blessing to see your child take joy in being kind and loving to someone else!
I can't help being reminded though of the old adage which says 'more is caught than taught'. It is important for us as a parents to live the verse ourselves. Does the family hear me speak kindly on the phone? Do they see a loving attitude from me when I email others? When they or others act offensively am I quick to forgive? How do I speak to my husband when he needs my attention and I am in the middle of something? (Emailing perhaps??)
To be able to truly "Forgive " one another we need to understand how much we need forgiveness ourselves ...daily! We need the Lords forgiveness and often...perhaps too often, the forgiveness of those around us.
It is our goal in the Adams household to teach our children to be "kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another" and to do the same ourselves, by the grace of God. I find that it is alot easier to do when we meditate on the many ways in which God in Christ forgave us. The many, many ways:)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thoughts for our day ~ by gracegems
The great object of our lives!
(James Smith, "Christ Exalted, Saints Comforted, and Sinners Directed" 1855)
To exalt the Lord Jesus,
to comfort His beloved people,
and to benefit our fellow-men--
should be the great object of our lives.
For this purpose we were . . .
chosen by the Father,
redeemed by the blood of the Son,
and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
To accomplish this end . . .
grace is given us,
gifts are conferred upon us,
and life is continued to us.
We only live consistently--as we live for the benefit of others. No Christian should make SELF his main end; therefore the Apostle says, "No one should seek his own good, but the good of others."
If we are influenced by the grace of God,
if we study to commend ourselves to God,
if we are ruled by the Word of God--
our principal object will be, to "do good unto all men, especially unto the household of faith."
Upon this, we shall keep the eye steadily fixed,
toward this, we shall bend all our energies, and
upon this, we shall habitually set our hearts.
(James Smith, "Christ Exalted, Saints Comforted, and Sinners Directed" 1855)
To exalt the Lord Jesus,
to comfort His beloved people,
and to benefit our fellow-men--
should be the great object of our lives.
For this purpose we were . . .
chosen by the Father,
redeemed by the blood of the Son,
and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
To accomplish this end . . .
grace is given us,
gifts are conferred upon us,
and life is continued to us.
We only live consistently--as we live for the benefit of others. No Christian should make SELF his main end; therefore the Apostle says, "No one should seek his own good, but the good of others."
If we are influenced by the grace of God,
if we study to commend ourselves to God,
if we are ruled by the Word of God--
our principal object will be, to "do good unto all men, especially unto the household of faith."
Upon this, we shall keep the eye steadily fixed,
toward this, we shall bend all our energies, and
upon this, we shall habitually set our hearts.
Quote for the day.....
We are soo busy with projects this week and weekend that we don't have a moment to post much! So we resort to a quote for the day!
"I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth." - Martin Luther.
"I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth." - Martin Luther.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof....
There is soo much going on with the earth is there not? Tsunami in Japan, tornadoes in Alabama and now here in Missouri! And if it isn't enough that the very earth itself is groaning~there are lots of people running around with interesting ideas...sigh! It can become discouraging if we let it. As usual, for me, my comfort comes from God's Word and being reminded that He is Sovereign! He is in control and He reigns. Even the heart of the king is in His hands turning it whatever direction He chooses! This earth truly is the Lords and the fullness there of.
As with the Alabama tornadoes, if you all who are reading know of someone affected by the Missouri tornadoes of yesterday~please give us their name so we can pray for them. We are waiting to hear from some folks near the area to see what other ways we may be able to help. Communication is slow at the moment. Communication with the Lord is not though. So in the meantime we pray!
As with the Alabama tornadoes, if you all who are reading know of someone affected by the Missouri tornadoes of yesterday~please give us their name so we can pray for them. We are waiting to hear from some folks near the area to see what other ways we may be able to help. Communication is slow at the moment. Communication with the Lord is not though. So in the meantime we pray!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Getty music on youtube...be blessed!
http://youtu.be/AwaZFpGrdSo If you copy and paste this link I am sure you will love what you hear!
Gods word for all of Faith and life & Home discipling!
Micah 6:8 He has shown you oh man what is good and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.
Isn't it a blessing to your soul when you are treated with justice? Our souls just sigh when we have been understood and judged rightly in a situation, and when we have been dealt justice! May we deal justly with our families today, and thus teach them to deal justly with others.
Love mercy; it is easy to love mercy when we are on the receiving end of it! May we do unto others as we would have them do unto us today, and in showing mercy to our children we will be teaching (Matt.7:12) them to show mercy to their siblings!
Walk humbly with thy God; Humility is the antithesis of pride. Pride is like a serpent~it slithers in unawares and makes nary a sound but it's 'bite' is deadly indeed! May we walk in humility today in our families and thus teach them by our example to be humble people. The Lord hates pride. As a matter of biblical fact he even abhors a proud look! (Prov. 6 16-19)
If I am going to teach my children to be just, merciful and humble then I have much on my plate today! May the Lord grant us grace to teach these things diligently to our children today!
Isn't it a blessing to your soul when you are treated with justice? Our souls just sigh when we have been understood and judged rightly in a situation, and when we have been dealt justice! May we deal justly with our families today, and thus teach them to deal justly with others.
Love mercy; it is easy to love mercy when we are on the receiving end of it! May we do unto others as we would have them do unto us today, and in showing mercy to our children we will be teaching (Matt.7:12) them to show mercy to their siblings!
Walk humbly with thy God; Humility is the antithesis of pride. Pride is like a serpent~it slithers in unawares and makes nary a sound but it's 'bite' is deadly indeed! May we walk in humility today in our families and thus teach them by our example to be humble people. The Lord hates pride. As a matter of biblical fact he even abhors a proud look! (Prov. 6 16-19)
If I am going to teach my children to be just, merciful and humble then I have much on my plate today! May the Lord grant us grace to teach these things diligently to our children today!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Homeschool Channel
See Brett today on THC!
We would hope that you would visit and join the Homeschool Channel because of all of the great resources you can find there. HOWEVER, I am especially excited about the webcast at 2:30 today because it will feature my one and only hubby! Join him as he discusses the topic "The Fathers role in homeschooling". I hope it's great! Thank you Paul for the opportunity!
Dana
We would hope that you would visit and join the Homeschool Channel because of all of the great resources you can find there. HOWEVER, I am especially excited about the webcast at 2:30 today because it will feature my one and only hubby! Join him as he discusses the topic "The Fathers role in homeschooling". I hope it's great! Thank you Paul for the opportunity!
Dana
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Please pray for Alegria
There is a sweet little girl who needs prayer. Her name is Alegria. The doctors are giving no hope of her recovery. She has an enlarged heart and pnemonia. Please take a minute of your busy day to lift this sweet baby up in prayer.
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Homeschool Channel~Support and Encouragement
The Homeschool Channel is a project of American Family Association. If you go to their link and read the 'about us' section I think you will like what you see! If our local folk recall a couple of years ago it was AFA that made us aware and got us all to go up to Jefferson city in a minutes notice to speak out against some potentially adverse legislation.
The Homeschool Channel is full of members from all of the United States and beyond (we conversed with someone from the outer Hebrides in Scotland, cool!!) and many of them are 'super-bloggers'! You can find great lesson ideas and see fantastic videos. Yesterday we watched Voddie Baucham, and regularly, you will see videos downloaded of your favorite and mine....Kevin Swanson! So go visit there if you are interested in some extra support or encouragement! God bless, The Adams
(You will find their link off to the right :)
The Homeschool Channel is full of members from all of the United States and beyond (we conversed with someone from the outer Hebrides in Scotland, cool!!) and many of them are 'super-bloggers'! You can find great lesson ideas and see fantastic videos. Yesterday we watched Voddie Baucham, and regularly, you will see videos downloaded of your favorite and mine....Kevin Swanson! So go visit there if you are interested in some extra support or encouragement! God bless, The Adams
(You will find their link off to the right :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Scottish Country Dancing
We are gearing up for our next SCD demo this weekend! The 4 balmoral hats are finished, the sporrans are repaired, shirts ironed and kilt pins in place! At the last minute we realized we 'lost' Ella's Scottish dress and shift so mom whipped one out last night with Charity's help! Thanks Charity!
So where could the dress have gone??? Machaira thinks we accidentally packed it up with the Civil War Reenacting things...quite possible! We are gearing up for that as well!
The CHEF Conference, as well as many reenactments are coming up. So we will no sooner hang up our ghillies (Scottish leather dance shoes) and fall in with the troops there! My Singer will certainly be singing this month!
So where could the dress have gone??? Machaira thinks we accidentally packed it up with the Civil War Reenacting things...quite possible! We are gearing up for that as well!
The CHEF Conference, as well as many reenactments are coming up. So we will no sooner hang up our ghillies (Scottish leather dance shoes) and fall in with the troops there! My Singer will certainly be singing this month!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Happy Birthday Abigail
Happy birthday dear Abby, you are a wonderful, Godly and sensitive seeker of the Lord Jesus, you have many qualities and talents, remember to always give the Glory and credit due to God, and walk always in His blessings, Love Dad
family focus from a friend in the faith
If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
~ Chinese Proverb ~
Many people do not know that the Chinese from antiquity say that Fohi or Yao (the Noah of the Bible) is the founder of the Chinese nation (ethnos) and that the ancient Chinese alphabet has some very interesting characters, relating to creation, redemtion etc... just some thoughts I had when I read this old proverb, we often do not look back very far in history when we make evaluations about knowledge, Truth etc.. God bless, BrettThursday, May 5, 2011
Today is...
THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!
2 Chronicles 7:14~ If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Brethren I admonish you this day to look unto Jesus and; "not at the interests of our cause, of our party, of our church-still less at our personal interests. The single object of our life is the glory of God; if we do not make it the supreme goal of our efforts, we must deprive ourselves of His help, for His grace is only at the service of His glory. If, on the contrary, it is His glory that we seek above all, we can always count on His grace. Theodore Monod (1836-1912) "Looking Unto Jesus".
2 Chronicles 7:14~ If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Brethren I admonish you this day to look unto Jesus and; "not at the interests of our cause, of our party, of our church-still less at our personal interests. The single object of our life is the glory of God; if we do not make it the supreme goal of our efforts, we must deprive ourselves of His help, for His grace is only at the service of His glory. If, on the contrary, it is His glory that we seek above all, we can always count on His grace. Theodore Monod (1836-1912) "Looking Unto Jesus".
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
ATTN: MO Homeschoolers
The CHEF conference this year; June 21/22 is now open for registration! The lineup of speakers is fantastic! Please help spread the word about this! http://www.chef-missouri.com/
Monday, May 2, 2011
Reality Homeschool Living
Since winter is supposed to be over here in Missouri, and our woodpile is exhausted, and my is wife feeling the need for a fire to warm her bones, she has starting burning the chilrens' blocks, "shocked you say!!!!" I wasn't since, I have known her much longer than you, but none the less, she is smiling as she puts another load into the yawning mouth of our voracious two door woodstove, granted they are homemade blocks, which our 11 year old son made for them last Christmas, out of some cutouts from a stairway built last year. Her excuse is that we will be building another stairway soon, and so they can be replenished with a little more effort from our sons and make it a learning and homeschooling project as well. I think that might be a convenient rationalization of her socialistic tendencies, in order to gratify her flesh, or perhaps it is my inability to provide her with satisfactory firewood at this time of year,
rationalistically,
Brett
rationalistically,
Brett
Consistently and Conveniently Covenanting
Consistent;
1. Fixed; firm; not fluid; as the consistent parts of a body,
2. Standing together or in agreement; compatible; congruous; uniform; not contradictory or opposed; as, two opinions or schemes are consistent; let a man be consistent with himself;
Convenient;
1. Fit; suitable; proper; adapted to use or to wants;
Covenant; Literally, a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.
1. A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. A covenant is created by deed in writing, sealed and executed; or it may be implied in the contract.
2. A writing containing the terms of agreement or contract between parties; or the clause of agreement in a deed containing the covenant.
3. In theology, the covenant of works, is that implied in the commands, prohibitions, and promises of God, the promise of God to man, that mans's perfect obedience should entitle him to happiness. This do, and live; that do, and die.
The covenant of redemption, is the mutual agreement between the Father and Son, respecting the redemption of sinners by Christ.
The covenant of grace, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel.
4. In church affairs, a solemn agreement between the memebers of a church, that they will walk together according to the precepts of the gospel, in brotherly affection.
I will follow these definitions with some explanations in my next post, in the meantime perhaps you can come up with some creative applications for living, using them, sort of a thinking mans "purposely living life" the title of my upcoming book.
God Bless, Brett
1. Fixed; firm; not fluid; as the consistent parts of a body,
2. Standing together or in agreement; compatible; congruous; uniform; not contradictory or opposed; as, two opinions or schemes are consistent; let a man be consistent with himself;
Convenient;
1. Fit; suitable; proper; adapted to use or to wants;
Covenant; Literally, a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.
1. A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. A covenant is created by deed in writing, sealed and executed; or it may be implied in the contract.
2. A writing containing the terms of agreement or contract between parties; or the clause of agreement in a deed containing the covenant.
3. In theology, the covenant of works, is that implied in the commands, prohibitions, and promises of God, the promise of God to man, that mans's perfect obedience should entitle him to happiness. This do, and live; that do, and die.
The covenant of redemption, is the mutual agreement between the Father and Son, respecting the redemption of sinners by Christ.
The covenant of grace, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel.
4. In church affairs, a solemn agreement between the memebers of a church, that they will walk together according to the precepts of the gospel, in brotherly affection.
I will follow these definitions with some explanations in my next post, in the meantime perhaps you can come up with some creative applications for living, using them, sort of a thinking mans "purposely living life" the title of my upcoming book.
God Bless, Brett
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Blessings this Lords' Day
Praise be to Him, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with EVERY spirtual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, and Thank you Lord Jesus for going to the cross and dying, not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world. Thank you also for not leaving us to ourselves, but for working providentially in our lives, in space and time and history.
As we pass through the few brief moments allotted to us by our Heavenly Father, are we honoring God with our lives, liberty, and sacred honour? I pray this post finds you walking with Him, living in Him, with all diligence adding to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control, to self control, perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Brett
As we pass through the few brief moments allotted to us by our Heavenly Father, are we honoring God with our lives, liberty, and sacred honour? I pray this post finds you walking with Him, living in Him, with all diligence adding to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control, to self control, perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Brett
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