Homeschooling In Tough Times

By Sandra

I’ve been talking to my children lately about the economy and why we need to prioritize, cut back, or consolidate car trips around town to make good use of our gasoline.  The country’s economic plight has provided a framework for regular discussions at our home--practical lessons in conserving, planning instead of doing things impulsively, and seeking wise counsel before making big decisions.

Friends of ours, fellow homeschoolers, have been struggling with finances over the past six months, and now find themselves grappling for a “Plan B,” due to the now-likely scenario of job loss.  What happens to homeschooling families in these times?  How does a financial earthquake rattle the foundation of a family, even a tightly-knit one, during unstable times?  Is my family prepared for this kind of curve ball?

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YOB: #28. Have A Progressive Dinner

By Lara

I think I went on a progressive dinner when I was in middle school with the youth group I was attending at the time. I don't remember it being terribly painful. I don't remember much about it, actually. I suspect that my being a picky eater played a large part in my remembering the experience positively.

Progressive dinner sounded like something that would be fun to do as an adult, so Beth and I added it to the Year of the Birthday list.

When the day finally arrived, we decided on a four course dinner over several hours.

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Leaving A Legacy

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Yesterday at Fork Christian Church we launched a new building campaign . We are starting an eight-week study in conjunction with this on the book of Nehemiah. Joe, our pastor, started the sermon by speaking of what we hope to leave as a legacy when we leave this world. All of us have a desire within us to be something or to do something for which we will be remembered. This is part of what God has placed in us. Rick Warren wrote a book about this called The Purpose Driven Life. All of us have a special calling and unless we tap into this we will really never feel complete. Joe mentioned that all great "calls" have birthed from a Holy Discontent. As Christians we often see something that ignites the fire within us.

Compassion International was started by Reverend Everett Swanson in 1952 as a result of one of these moments. Broken by the sight of Korean war orphans he knew that there was something more that he could do. He returned to the states and encouraged others to help fund orphanages and to make a difference. From that moment  on  Compassion was born. Now an international organization operating in 26 countries the fire has been fanned and grown.

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God's Answers

By Pat

I often hear the term "God answered my prayer," or thanks being given to God for answering their prayer. I've done it myself, as a matter of fact, and you probably have, too. When you pray for someone who is sick to get well, or a friend who is traveling to have a safe journey, you naturally give thanks when the sick person gets well and your traveling friend arrives to their destination safe and sound. That's easy, isn't it?

But what if the sick person you've been praying for dies? What if your traveling friend has an accident? Did God not answer your prayers? That's a hard one, a perplexing and problematic situation that has plagued many Christians through the ages. I've struggled with that issue many times, and I probably will again. But as I try to grow and mature in my walk with God, I have to remember that even if a prayer does not get answered the way I want it to, it's still answered, because God answers ALL of our prayers. Sometimes the answer is "no", but it's still an answer. God's answer.

No matter how difficult, I am trying to remember that God is in charge and He knows what He's doing and what his plans are. I have to adjust my prayers accordingly and instead of praying for what I want, pray for what God knows is best, completely trusting that God will answer, and that the answer will be the right one.

Educating The Whole Child, For The Whole Of Life, For The Glory Of God

By Jason, M.Ed., M.A.R., Headmaster

“The truth in its wholeness—for the whole child, for the whole of life, for the glory of God—this is what the curriculum is all about.”  (Norman E. Harper, Making Disciples)

Our lives are filled with different responsibilities and we take on different roles in fulfilling them.  I am a husband, a father, a deacon, a principal, a boss, an employee, a church member, a Sunday School teacher, a student, an American, a Marylander, a University of Maryland alumnus and fan, a friend, a neighbor, a son, a brother, an uncle, etc.  I could go on and on ad infinitum, ad nauseum.  Sometimes I am called to clean dishes, while at other times I run staff meetings.  Within the course of a day, I may go from changing a dirty diaper to writing an article for MAD21, church, or school to counseling an employee to playing with my son and so on.  The question: For which of these roles and responsibilities do I need to be educated in God’s truth?  The answer: ALL of them.

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