Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again…
~ Psalm 42:11, NLT
Some of the things that are happening with our horses, how to care for horses, and the Blessings Ranch project. We will also cover topics educational in nature including homeschooling. There are also Christian resources available that will be discussed. And helping people find their place in God's plan. http://atblessingsranch.com
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Daily scripture
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again…
~ Psalm 42:11, NLT
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Daily scripture
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
~ Psalm 27:14, NLT
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Daily scripture
I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
~ John 17:15, NLT
Monday, October 27, 2008
Homeschooling--Where to start? Part 2
Now that you have decided to homeschool your child or children what is next? Well you have to decide on a curriculum and how you are going to go about doing the homschooling part.
There are 3 main ways to approach homeschooling and any of them can be modified....
1-- You can just do school at home just like it is done in the public school.
I would not recommend doing an all day program as a lot of time in the public school is built in so the teacher has time to work with the 30+ kids they have in the classroom. You will only have your child or children. You don't need all day to do the school work.
The option for this that I do recommend is.....you can get the curriculum that the public school uses and do it that way but it will not take all day. It is not meant to take all day. If you need it to be very scheduled and all laid out this is your best option. Buy a full curriculum and execute it.
2--You can take parts from several different curriculums so that it is more tailored to your learner.
This takes a little more work to find the right pieces to put together but it is a good option for children. There are plenty of choices and so sometimes it is just a matter of trial and error to see what works best.
3--You can create your own curriculum and tailor it to the interests of your child or children.
I allow my children to choose subjects they like in addition to the core subjects. It allows them to like learning because it is something they want to know about. I think this fosters a love of learning and it is what works for me.
So those are your basic options. Something I want to point out though is that you can start with one and change to another one if it isn't working. You may even have to do different options for each child. One child may love to be on the computer while another may hate it. Only you know your child and what they like and how they learn. Trust your gut and keep trying till it works for YOU and them. It has to be something you can do and are comfortable with doing.
With homeschooling you can be in a constant state of change if you need to and you have more of that when you are starting. After a few years you begin to settle into your way of doing it....but it takes time. Hang in there and just keep trying to teach your children.
There was a study done examining 3 groups of students. Basically with the first 2 options from above and the third group being students that were left to discover on their own. The last group did the best. So don't worry.....God wired us so that we WANT to learn and we have the DESIRE to learn. We just have to be given the FREEDOM to learn.
There are 3 main ways to approach homeschooling and any of them can be modified....
1-- You can just do school at home just like it is done in the public school.
I would not recommend doing an all day program as a lot of time in the public school is built in so the teacher has time to work with the 30+ kids they have in the classroom. You will only have your child or children. You don't need all day to do the school work.
The option for this that I do recommend is.....you can get the curriculum that the public school uses and do it that way but it will not take all day. It is not meant to take all day. If you need it to be very scheduled and all laid out this is your best option. Buy a full curriculum and execute it.
2--You can take parts from several different curriculums so that it is more tailored to your learner.
This takes a little more work to find the right pieces to put together but it is a good option for children. There are plenty of choices and so sometimes it is just a matter of trial and error to see what works best.
3--You can create your own curriculum and tailor it to the interests of your child or children.
I allow my children to choose subjects they like in addition to the core subjects. It allows them to like learning because it is something they want to know about. I think this fosters a love of learning and it is what works for me.
So those are your basic options. Something I want to point out though is that you can start with one and change to another one if it isn't working. You may even have to do different options for each child. One child may love to be on the computer while another may hate it. Only you know your child and what they like and how they learn. Trust your gut and keep trying till it works for YOU and them. It has to be something you can do and are comfortable with doing.
With homeschooling you can be in a constant state of change if you need to and you have more of that when you are starting. After a few years you begin to settle into your way of doing it....but it takes time. Hang in there and just keep trying to teach your children.
There was a study done examining 3 groups of students. Basically with the first 2 options from above and the third group being students that were left to discover on their own. The last group did the best. So don't worry.....God wired us so that we WANT to learn and we have the DESIRE to learn. We just have to be given the FREEDOM to learn.
Daily scripture
Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
~ Psalm 33:2-3, NLT
Friday, October 24, 2008
Daily scripture
That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:13, NLT
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Homeschooling--Where to start?
I got a call today from a friend needing to know how to go about homeschooling so I thought I would share some insights on that here.
A great resource to check the rules for your state is at the Home School Legal Defense Association . They have them there to check. You can also check with your state's education department. The laws very by state so it is important to check what you have to do in your state. I have lived in 2 states and homeschooled my children....Ohio and Texas.
Texas is one of the easiest states to homeschool in as it has no regulations. Ohio has a few but it is not as hard as some other states.
One thing I like to tell people who are considering homeschooling is that although it seems overwhelming in the beginning to be taking on such a task it really is not as hard since there are some many resources available. Another thing to consider is that you are doing it for the best experience for your child. Trust me is WILL be worth it.
One book I recommend for all those who are going to start homeschooling is the Successful Homeschool Family Handbook at Amazon . This book was a great place to begin.
Now when first deciding to homeschool you have to realize a few things....
*It is work to do it
*You can always change your mind and send you child back to public school
*If your child has been in public school you should allow 1-2 months for the child to adjust to not
being in public school
`--In public school students are told what to do and how to do it. In the homeschool
environment they have more freedom to be decision makers. It takes time for them to
adjust.
*It is worth it!!
I will give you some more guidance in my next posting.......
A great resource to check the rules for your state is at the Home School Legal Defense Association . They have them there to check. You can also check with your state's education department. The laws very by state so it is important to check what you have to do in your state. I have lived in 2 states and homeschooled my children....Ohio and Texas.
Texas is one of the easiest states to homeschool in as it has no regulations. Ohio has a few but it is not as hard as some other states.
One thing I like to tell people who are considering homeschooling is that although it seems overwhelming in the beginning to be taking on such a task it really is not as hard since there are some many resources available. Another thing to consider is that you are doing it for the best experience for your child. Trust me is WILL be worth it.
One book I recommend for all those who are going to start homeschooling is the Successful Homeschool Family Handbook at Amazon . This book was a great place to begin.
Now when first deciding to homeschool you have to realize a few things....
*It is work to do it
*You can always change your mind and send you child back to public school
*If your child has been in public school you should allow 1-2 months for the child to adjust to not
being in public school
`--In public school students are told what to do and how to do it. In the homeschool
environment they have more freedom to be decision makers. It takes time for them to
adjust.
*It is worth it!!
I will give you some more guidance in my next posting.......
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Pumpkin Facts
Pumpkin Facts
Total U.S. pumpkin production in 2006 was valued at $101.3 million.
496 million pounds of pumpkins were produced in Illinois in 2005.
Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing with a small percentage
grown for ornamental sales through you-pick farms, farmers' market
and retail sales.
Around 90 to 95% of the processed pumpkins in the United States are
grown in Illinois.
Pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a snack.
Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.
Pumpkin flowers are edible.
Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and
weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36
pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.
Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.
In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the
crust of pies, not the filling.
Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing
snake bites.
Pumpkins range in size from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.
The name pumpkin orginated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large
melon."
The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.
Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
Pumpkins are fruit.
Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is
available in October.
In colonial times, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin
in an open fire.
Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the
insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and
is the origin of pumpkin pie.
Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made
mats.
Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash."
Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.
Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member
of the gourd family, which also includes squash, cucumbers,
gherkins, and melons
Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years.
They are indigenous to the western hemisphere.
In 1584, after the French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St.
Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding "gros
melons". The name was translated into English as "pompions", which
has since evolved to "pumpkin".
Pumpkins are low in fat, calories, and sodium and high in fiber.
They are good sources of vitamin A, vitamin B, potassium, iron and
protein.
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed a staggering 1,061 lbs. It
was grown by Paula and Nathan Zehr of Lowrville, New York.
Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the
middle of June. They take 90-120 days to grow and are picked in
October when they are bright orange. Their seeds can be saved to
grow new pumpkins the next year.
Total U.S. pumpkin production in 2006 was valued at $101.3 million.
496 million pounds of pumpkins were produced in Illinois in 2005.
Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing with a small percentage
grown for ornamental sales through you-pick farms, farmers' market
and retail sales.
Around 90 to 95% of the processed pumpkins in the United States are
grown in Illinois.
Pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a snack.
Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.
Pumpkin flowers are edible.
Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and
weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36
pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.
Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.
In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the
crust of pies, not the filling.
Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing
snake bites.
Pumpkins range in size from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.
The name pumpkin orginated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large
melon."
The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.
Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
Pumpkins are fruit.
Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is
available in October.
In colonial times, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin
in an open fire.
Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the
insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and
is the origin of pumpkin pie.
Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made
mats.
Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash."
Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.
Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member
of the gourd family, which also includes squash, cucumbers,
gherkins, and melons
Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years.
They are indigenous to the western hemisphere.
In 1584, after the French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St.
Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding "gros
melons". The name was translated into English as "pompions", which
has since evolved to "pumpkin".
Pumpkins are low in fat, calories, and sodium and high in fiber.
They are good sources of vitamin A, vitamin B, potassium, iron and
protein.
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed a staggering 1,061 lbs. It
was grown by Paula and Nathan Zehr of Lowrville, New York.
Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the
middle of June. They take 90-120 days to grow and are picked in
October when they are bright orange. Their seeds can be saved to
grow new pumpkins the next year.
Daily scripture
The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in his Temple.
~ Psalm 27:4, NLT
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Conversation with a 10 year old
It was interesting today I spent an hour talking to my son about the rapture and the second coming of Christ. He asked me about....oh .....a million questions about it and we had an in-depth conversation about all the aspects. The best comment he made......was maybe Christ will come back in the next few hours. We decided and realized that unfortunately that wasn't what had happened.
But as he said......my 10 year old theology child....even if He doesn't come back before we die.....we still get to go to heaven.....YEAH!!!
But as he said......my 10 year old theology child....even if He doesn't come back before we die.....we still get to go to heaven.....YEAH!!!
Daily scripture verse
But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.
~ Psalm 51:6, NLT
~ Psalm 51:6, NLT
Monday, October 20, 2008
Dyslexia info
Dyslexia: A Natural Phenomenon
Abstract
Social institutions and their rules often originated from capricious decisions. For education, western text book design has never been questioned as to its possible bias against some children's perceptual organizational strategies. Text book design with its "Z" encoding often conflicts with the a priori "S" encoding and decoding paradigms found in natural perception. Orthography is another flawed social tool replete with anachronistic distractions. These factors results in social and perceptual rule conflicts inhibiting children's (or adult's) attempts to decode and encode English alphanumeric signs and symbols. These conflicts are often misinterpreted or ridiculed by the educational culture leading to the child's impaired performance (but not learning) sometimes termed dyslexia denoting a class of impaired people without reading and writing skills due to some brain disorder. Experts often refer to the reversal of numbers and letters as indicators of dyslexia. However, reversals are part of natural perception and we deal with them everyday, and ignore them as part of our perceptual background. This paper suggests that persistent reversals are aligned with confusing perceptual, pedagogic and orthographic rules rather than brain impaired reading and writing skills. What is troublesome is that many labeled dyslexics become "cured," often on their own, and end up becoming authors, scholars, scientists, etc. This suggests that environmental forces such as negative reinforcement found within the educational community are factors delaying lexic development.
Dyslexia Redefined
Dyslexia is buzz word with intolerable ambiguity. Among others, dyslexia is generally defined as the reversal of letters and numbers due to some brain disorder. However, in this paper dyslexia is defined as the left-to-right reversal of letters and numbers due to confusing perceptual codifying rules in conflict with arbitrary textbook designs further complicated by English orthography and dysfunctional institutional behaviors. It should become clear that the left-to-right reversal of alphanumeric symbols is a natural, evolutionary, rule-governed form of perception. By dysfunctional institutional behavior, I maintain that the confused left-to-right reversal process is often reinforced by emotional trauma, shame, negative attitudes, unfounded beliefs, low self-esteem, etc., tacitly or overtly given off by the school culture that places the student in a state of perpetual confusion. I will also suggest that the child’s traumatized state of confusion could itself limit the development of his brain's functionality. By orthography, I mean the present state of English spelling that is the very essence of sociodyslexia because of the chaos in phonemic and graphemic rules. The dysfunctional state of English orthography is a deficit transferred to the student. It is indefensible to hold that there is an intuitive connection in such examples as the long i: tie, by, bye, high, and hi to name a few. Only etymologists understand their origins and interconnectedness. Words are tools of communication, and like any tool, they need to be adapted to their user or be discarded. No one in their right mind would use bent hammers or ancient computers and be efficient and effective in today’s world, yet we refuse to change our awkward orthographic tools opting for spell checkers and wasted dictionary time, all the while insisting our children should adapt to these anachronisms rather than making the tool adapt to the user's needs. Texts that indiscriminately mix orthographic variations without proper historical linguistic training produce a stumbling phonetic interpretation in dyslexic (rule confused) children and adults. A child's attention span cannot handle the drudgery and repeated failures and quickly turns her attention to more important things such as daydreaming. An adult can handle it, and this is a possible explanation for sudden recovery of lexic ability. Clearly, such a person is ideal for designing dyslexic's text books. By natural, I mean preexisting organic processes and their rules that are the referents to our observations and their symbolic expressions.
Daily scripture
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
~ 2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT
If you love horses........
I have signed the ILPH Make A Noise petition because I want the unneccessary suffering of 100,000 horses to end. I know you care about the welfare of horses too, so please sign the petition.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Daily scripture
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead ...
~ Philippians 3:13, NLT
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Fabulous Homeschool site
Hey all--
Found a great site today for kids to learn and parent helps as well.
http://www.brainpop.com/
Found a great site today for kids to learn and parent helps as well.
http://www.brainpop.com/
Daily scripture
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
~ Isaiah 40:28, NLT
Friday, October 17, 2008
Final part to the Dreams series
So how important is obedience? Have you realized that God doesn’t care if we want to be obedient as long as we are? It is certainly easier when we go with a joyful heart but He’ll take it even if we go kicking and screaming……just as long as we go.
God rewards those who are obedient. He wants to be able to refine us and make us closer to the example Christ gave us but he can only do this if we are obedient. If we aren’t then he cannot teach us anything new. He cannot facilitate growth. God values our obedience and knows how powerful it can be. He never discounts it even if our hearts aren’t all for it. But with obedience comes trials to improve and refine us.
Psalm 66:10
For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Deuteronomy 13:3
you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Sometimes though we aren’t sure we like the trial. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you are having to endure trial after trial without any hope of them ending? After months or years of enduring them were you able to look back on all you endured and see how it had refined you for something better….for something more important that was needed by God from you?
As you go through those trials its not fun. And if you are like me after a while you realize that they are for you to learn something….for you to be stronger….and you begin to wonder what you need to be so strong for….and if you will be ready for it. Let’s look at some examples of this……
A woman served in ministry with her husband she found herself having to endure trials here and there that seemed to be pushing her toward something but she had no idea what it was. As she chose to follow God’s leading in her new church she found they were not for change. Does that sound like any church you’ve been in? If it had been for her glory she never would have endured the trials she did but because God was calling her to complete it she would do as He asked. He wanted her to start a preschool to serve the children in their community. This small country church didn’t want a preschool or the demands it would make on them and their congregation…..and heaven forbid it require that something in the church might have to be changed. After two years of battling the preschool doors finally opened and 18 students were served that first year. She cried tears of joy often knowing she had told some of those children about Christ for the very first time and that He would ALWAYS love them. That was her main goal…..for them to leave knowing Christ and that He would never forsake them. She felt so humbled by God allowing her to have such a huge impact on these children. But opening the doors was not what the trials were needed for…..she was to endure another more personal battle.
You might think that the second year it got better……well unfortunately it did not. In her second year she was personally attacked by some of the other staff. Her gifts and talents were brought into question…..they wanted her off the staff….but God interceded on her behalf. And although normally she would have gladly defended herself in the church meeting….God told her to be still and quiet and not to say anything. She was obedient. And she remained at the school.
She had become strong enough to allow God to fight her battle instead of doing it on her own. She had learned to trust him completely. She had been refined by the fire.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
God’s plan is to reveal His glory through us. Not for us just to see it. We are to be an instrument in demonstrating that. So we have to work hard at seeing the purpose of the trials. And what better God is pushing us forward to through the trials.
It is through perseverance that character is built. It is through perseverance that we are refined. It is God’s plan to refine those who follow him so that they can become closer to Christ. It is a constant journey as we work toward being like Christ to fully attain it once we reach heaven.
Romans 5:3-5
3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
2 Peter 1:5-7
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
God rewards those who are obedient. He wants to be able to refine us and make us closer to the example Christ gave us but he can only do this if we are obedient. If we aren’t then he cannot teach us anything new. He cannot facilitate growth. God values our obedience and knows how powerful it can be. He never discounts it even if our hearts aren’t all for it. But with obedience comes trials to improve and refine us.
Psalm 66:10
For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Deuteronomy 13:3
you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Sometimes though we aren’t sure we like the trial. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you are having to endure trial after trial without any hope of them ending? After months or years of enduring them were you able to look back on all you endured and see how it had refined you for something better….for something more important that was needed by God from you?
As you go through those trials its not fun. And if you are like me after a while you realize that they are for you to learn something….for you to be stronger….and you begin to wonder what you need to be so strong for….and if you will be ready for it. Let’s look at some examples of this……
A woman served in ministry with her husband she found herself having to endure trials here and there that seemed to be pushing her toward something but she had no idea what it was. As she chose to follow God’s leading in her new church she found they were not for change. Does that sound like any church you’ve been in? If it had been for her glory she never would have endured the trials she did but because God was calling her to complete it she would do as He asked. He wanted her to start a preschool to serve the children in their community. This small country church didn’t want a preschool or the demands it would make on them and their congregation…..and heaven forbid it require that something in the church might have to be changed. After two years of battling the preschool doors finally opened and 18 students were served that first year. She cried tears of joy often knowing she had told some of those children about Christ for the very first time and that He would ALWAYS love them. That was her main goal…..for them to leave knowing Christ and that He would never forsake them. She felt so humbled by God allowing her to have such a huge impact on these children. But opening the doors was not what the trials were needed for…..she was to endure another more personal battle.
You might think that the second year it got better……well unfortunately it did not. In her second year she was personally attacked by some of the other staff. Her gifts and talents were brought into question…..they wanted her off the staff….but God interceded on her behalf. And although normally she would have gladly defended herself in the church meeting….God told her to be still and quiet and not to say anything. She was obedient. And she remained at the school.
She had become strong enough to allow God to fight her battle instead of doing it on her own. She had learned to trust him completely. She had been refined by the fire.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
God’s plan is to reveal His glory through us. Not for us just to see it. We are to be an instrument in demonstrating that. So we have to work hard at seeing the purpose of the trials. And what better God is pushing us forward to through the trials.
It is through perseverance that character is built. It is through perseverance that we are refined. It is God’s plan to refine those who follow him so that they can become closer to Christ. It is a constant journey as we work toward being like Christ to fully attain it once we reach heaven.
Romans 5:3-5
3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
2 Peter 1:5-7
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Daily scripture
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
~ Philippians 4:6, NLT
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Daily scripture
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
~ Philippians 1:11, NLT
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Daily scripture
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
James 1:12 NIV
Part 6 of Dreams series
Let’s look at some examples of people who were and weren’t obedient in the Bible.
Jonah 1-3 (excerpts)
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD…
4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up…… the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
It is then that Jonah had a change of heart inside the fish. Once God knew he had had a change of heart…..and God responded by having the fish get rid of Jonah. And once again God spoke to him….. Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. And because of Jonah’s obedience Nineveh was saved from destruction.
Genesis 37-47
Joseph was shown early in his life dreams of what God had planned for his life. Throughout his life he was tested to his obedience to God even when things did not look good for him. He was sold into slavery by his brothers….and because of that he would end up being put in charge of Egypt. It was a long journey and took a large portion of his life to get there but it was his obedience to God and his ways that made it all possible.
Throughout scripture God tells of the importance of obedience.
Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
2 Corinthians 2:9
The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
1 Peter 1:13-15
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
Leviticus 26:1-13
'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God. 'Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD. 'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 'I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. 'I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. 11 I will put my dwelling place [a] among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Deuteronomy 28:1
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth
Romans 5:19
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Jonah 1-3 (excerpts)
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD…
4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up…… the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
It is then that Jonah had a change of heart inside the fish. Once God knew he had had a change of heart…..and God responded by having the fish get rid of Jonah. And once again God spoke to him….. Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. And because of Jonah’s obedience Nineveh was saved from destruction.
Genesis 37-47
Joseph was shown early in his life dreams of what God had planned for his life. Throughout his life he was tested to his obedience to God even when things did not look good for him. He was sold into slavery by his brothers….and because of that he would end up being put in charge of Egypt. It was a long journey and took a large portion of his life to get there but it was his obedience to God and his ways that made it all possible.
Throughout scripture God tells of the importance of obedience.
Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
2 Corinthians 2:9
The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
1 Peter 1:13-15
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
Leviticus 26:1-13
'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God. 'Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD. 'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 'I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. 'I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. 11 I will put my dwelling place [a] among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Deuteronomy 28:1
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth
Romans 5:19
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Part 5 of Dreams series
Let’s look at some examples of where God has used everything for good……
She was a normal girl growing up in a small town. She was taken to church most Sundays and dropped off by her mom who would return when Sunday School and church were over and pick her and her brother up.
Now in this small missionary church she was raised up to be a leader. She learned from the mentors God provided for her and she grew strong in the faith. Her strength was first shown when she served on the Admin Board as the first youth representative.
In this church she had been baptized, confirmed, and married. This was her home church and her lifeline. When her parents got divorced in junior high they were there to support her and help her through. She learned early on that God would not abandon her and that He would even send people to love her and care for her……people who would serve as His hands and feet.
Later she went to Emmaus and experienced the 4 day spiritual retreat and through that experience she felt called to serve in the prison ministry called Kairos. It was only in men’s facilities in their state but she didn’t care. She felt a real call to serve there. She cooked the meals and supported it with her prayers and her presence. Eventually she was called to serve on the state board. Still with no women’s facility she felt at least she could serve at a greater level.
Through diligence and sacrifice to the ministry….she would come to serve on the first women’s team in the state. She would give one of the talks on that first weekend. She would be able to reach others in that prison because of her life story…..her story of a father who was an alcoholic. Of a father who had abandoned her mentally, emotionally, and physically. Those women knew the truth of her story. God knew how her pain would be able to reach those women…..some of them had been where she was. Some would see the path to deliverance because of her.
She had never known how such tragedy in her life would be able to be used by God to help others. She had not seen that….she had not sought it…..she had only wanted to do what God called her to. She had only sought to be obedient.
Let’s look at another situation where God has used it for good to refine us or to help point us in the right direction.
A woman had been actively searching to find what God wanted for her life. She felt she had followed what he had called her to do only to not have it work out successfully to completion. This made her begin to question if she had really followed God’s leading to begin with. She doubted whether or not she could hear from God and that she could distinguish his voice from all others…..including her own and Satan’s.
After careful examination of the situation she did find the answers she was looking for. She found that indeed God had called her to the endeavor but that he had not called her to make it a success. He wanted her to learn the lessons she needed from that position so that she could progress forward in the plans He had for her. Without the experience, even though it had not been what she had envisioned, she would not have learned what she needed to learn. She would not have been able to go forward toward attaining her place in God’s will. She would not have been able to grow past the place she was currently at.
And yet another example of how God works things…..there was a woman who prayerfully considered the job options she had available to her. She knew what she loved doing and so she felt God saying ‘yes’ you should pursue that job. It is what you like doing. So she took the job in the field where her passions were thinking she would be thrilled there. As the weeks became months she found that she was not as happy as she had once thought she would be. The meetings she was being made to attend where draining the very life out of her. She wanted to be in the ministry she had been called to. She wanted to interact with people…..not be in meetings and politics all day.
She once again prayed to see if she had been mistaken about taking the job but she was at peace about that original decision. Now she wanted to be able to leave this job though. She wanted to be able to find something in her field of calling that would actually be what she liked. God shut all the doors that would have allowed her to leave. She remained in the job 2 years before finally leaving to pursue another job in her field. Was that two years a waste of her time? No because what God did was to use it to show her what things she didn’t like. She had learned a lot about herself in that job and was able to see it had been a learning ground for when she finally started looking into other opportunities. She was able to narrow her choices by knowing what exactly she did and did not like. God used that two years to refine her passions…..to pinpoint her dreams. He wanted to give her a clearer path to follow.
So what did these 3 women have in common? Obedience.
She was a normal girl growing up in a small town. She was taken to church most Sundays and dropped off by her mom who would return when Sunday School and church were over and pick her and her brother up.
Now in this small missionary church she was raised up to be a leader. She learned from the mentors God provided for her and she grew strong in the faith. Her strength was first shown when she served on the Admin Board as the first youth representative.
In this church she had been baptized, confirmed, and married. This was her home church and her lifeline. When her parents got divorced in junior high they were there to support her and help her through. She learned early on that God would not abandon her and that He would even send people to love her and care for her……people who would serve as His hands and feet.
Later she went to Emmaus and experienced the 4 day spiritual retreat and through that experience she felt called to serve in the prison ministry called Kairos. It was only in men’s facilities in their state but she didn’t care. She felt a real call to serve there. She cooked the meals and supported it with her prayers and her presence. Eventually she was called to serve on the state board. Still with no women’s facility she felt at least she could serve at a greater level.
Through diligence and sacrifice to the ministry….she would come to serve on the first women’s team in the state. She would give one of the talks on that first weekend. She would be able to reach others in that prison because of her life story…..her story of a father who was an alcoholic. Of a father who had abandoned her mentally, emotionally, and physically. Those women knew the truth of her story. God knew how her pain would be able to reach those women…..some of them had been where she was. Some would see the path to deliverance because of her.
She had never known how such tragedy in her life would be able to be used by God to help others. She had not seen that….she had not sought it…..she had only wanted to do what God called her to. She had only sought to be obedient.
Let’s look at another situation where God has used it for good to refine us or to help point us in the right direction.
A woman had been actively searching to find what God wanted for her life. She felt she had followed what he had called her to do only to not have it work out successfully to completion. This made her begin to question if she had really followed God’s leading to begin with. She doubted whether or not she could hear from God and that she could distinguish his voice from all others…..including her own and Satan’s.
After careful examination of the situation she did find the answers she was looking for. She found that indeed God had called her to the endeavor but that he had not called her to make it a success. He wanted her to learn the lessons she needed from that position so that she could progress forward in the plans He had for her. Without the experience, even though it had not been what she had envisioned, she would not have learned what she needed to learn. She would not have been able to go forward toward attaining her place in God’s will. She would not have been able to grow past the place she was currently at.
And yet another example of how God works things…..there was a woman who prayerfully considered the job options she had available to her. She knew what she loved doing and so she felt God saying ‘yes’ you should pursue that job. It is what you like doing. So she took the job in the field where her passions were thinking she would be thrilled there. As the weeks became months she found that she was not as happy as she had once thought she would be. The meetings she was being made to attend where draining the very life out of her. She wanted to be in the ministry she had been called to. She wanted to interact with people…..not be in meetings and politics all day.
She once again prayed to see if she had been mistaken about taking the job but she was at peace about that original decision. Now she wanted to be able to leave this job though. She wanted to be able to find something in her field of calling that would actually be what she liked. God shut all the doors that would have allowed her to leave. She remained in the job 2 years before finally leaving to pursue another job in her field. Was that two years a waste of her time? No because what God did was to use it to show her what things she didn’t like. She had learned a lot about herself in that job and was able to see it had been a learning ground for when she finally started looking into other opportunities. She was able to narrow her choices by knowing what exactly she did and did not like. God used that two years to refine her passions…..to pinpoint her dreams. He wanted to give her a clearer path to follow.
So what did these 3 women have in common? Obedience.
O'Reilly Speechless
just watched an unbelievable interview with O'Reilly where he was speechless....that doesn't happen too often........http://www.jillstanek.com/
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Daily scripture
... he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
~ Titus 3:5, NLT
Daily scripture
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God's holy people.
~ 1 Corinthians 14:33, NLT
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Part 4 of Dreams series
Now if God prepared IN ADVANCE for us to do good works don’t you think it reasonable that he would have laid those plans in us as children, even before we may have known him fully? God pursues us hoping that we will choose him. God knows the past, the present, and the future of our lives. He laid forth our desires so that we could do what he planned for us to do. What a better way to fulfill the plans he has laid forth than by making our heart’s desire our call?
Now some of you may be saying…..if that’s the case then what about free will? Well just because we have desires in our hearts does not mean we have to pursue them or even acknowledge them. God is not one to force us down any path. Granted there is a path he would like us to follow…..but the choice is ALWAYS ours to make. How many here know people who choose to be miserable. They enjoy being a martyr because it is what they know and it is certainly easier that doing the work God has called us to do. God wants us to choose him and his plan…..but it is a choice. Do you think that maybe those people we have in our lives that are choosing not to follow God or his plan might be who we are supposed to be guiding and helping? If we can show our friends and acquaintances that we are happy because we are living in the will of God….don’t you think God will use that to touch their hearts and soften their hearts so that he can touch them?
Since we have free will that might being up another concern for you as well. What if we want to follow but aren’t sure how to. What about those times in our lives when we really want to do what God has planned for us and we aren’t sure what the choices are that we should be making. We aren’t sure if we’ve heard correctly from the Holy Spirit about what we should be doing….we have sought his advice but we just aren’t sure. What then? Can we mess up all God has planned for us if we don’t do it the right way? Luckily……we can’t.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
1 Chronicles 28:9
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Jeremiah 17:10
"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
Romans 8:27-29
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Now some of you may be saying…..if that’s the case then what about free will? Well just because we have desires in our hearts does not mean we have to pursue them or even acknowledge them. God is not one to force us down any path. Granted there is a path he would like us to follow…..but the choice is ALWAYS ours to make. How many here know people who choose to be miserable. They enjoy being a martyr because it is what they know and it is certainly easier that doing the work God has called us to do. God wants us to choose him and his plan…..but it is a choice. Do you think that maybe those people we have in our lives that are choosing not to follow God or his plan might be who we are supposed to be guiding and helping? If we can show our friends and acquaintances that we are happy because we are living in the will of God….don’t you think God will use that to touch their hearts and soften their hearts so that he can touch them?
Since we have free will that might being up another concern for you as well. What if we want to follow but aren’t sure how to. What about those times in our lives when we really want to do what God has planned for us and we aren’t sure what the choices are that we should be making. We aren’t sure if we’ve heard correctly from the Holy Spirit about what we should be doing….we have sought his advice but we just aren’t sure. What then? Can we mess up all God has planned for us if we don’t do it the right way? Luckily……we can’t.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
1 Chronicles 28:9
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Jeremiah 17:10
"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
Romans 8:27-29
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Daily scripture
... His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.
~ Habakkuk 3:3, NLT
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Daily scripture
The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
~ John 6:33, NLT
Friday, October 10, 2008
Part 3 of Dreams series
Have you ever been afraid that God is going to call you to something that you would hate and dread? Say you hate camping and roughing it….and you fear someday God will call you to the mission fields of the deepest parts of Africa and you will not be strong enough to say yes and you will miss your calling? Anyone? Afraid to find out what your call is for fear of what it will require? If you haven’t figured it out already. I have some good news for you……that isn’t going to happen. That isn’t God’s plan.
Psalm 103:5
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Philippians 1:4-6
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Romans 11:29
for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable.
God wants what is best for us. And if we are truly seeking to do His will for our lives…..and not our own……then He will honor that. God knows our heart. He knows where are motives are…he knows what is really important to him. If he knows you are seeking to glorify him and follow his lead He will continue to make everything that happens work towards good in our lives. And even if we are slow to coming to our gifts and talents He still wants to use us. He still will allow us to fulfill our destiny if we will only trust and follow Him. God is a very patient God. He will wait on you as you walk the path closer to him. He wants the relationship. He wants to be intimate with you.
Psalm 103:5
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Philippians 1:4-6
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Romans 11:29
for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable.
God wants what is best for us. And if we are truly seeking to do His will for our lives…..and not our own……then He will honor that. God knows our heart. He knows where are motives are…he knows what is really important to him. If he knows you are seeking to glorify him and follow his lead He will continue to make everything that happens work towards good in our lives. And even if we are slow to coming to our gifts and talents He still wants to use us. He still will allow us to fulfill our destiny if we will only trust and follow Him. God is a very patient God. He will wait on you as you walk the path closer to him. He wants the relationship. He wants to be intimate with you.
About Blessings Ranch......
Blessings Ranch
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and
they that dwell therein. -- Psalms 24:1
Blessings Ranch a place to interact with God’s creation; a place
where youth will be provided opportunities to take on the responsibility
for caring for animals and plants. And participating in other activities
that will help them build and restore their self-esteem
The most crucial time in a child’s life are those teenage years.
They are not children anymore, nor are they ready for adulthood. It’s
during this time that the choices they make may have a profound effect
on them for the remainder of their lives. Ultimately, it is up to the
parent to help guide that child in the right direction … Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart
from it. – Proverbs 22:6
Parents are to help them make responsible choices and build their
character, so when the teenager moves out of the house they are well on the
road to being a responsible adult and they’ll be equipped to succeed in
life.
The concept behind Blessings Ranch is to provide a place where teens
and children, from all walks of life, can interact with animals and
plants. More than just a park or zoo, Blessings Ranch is a place where
these youth will be provided opportunities to take on the responsibility
for caring for these handiworks of God. Some of the activities they will
be able to participate in that will build their self-esteem is a martial
arts program and a mentoring/tutoring program.
The big picture is for Blessings Ranch to become a residential
facility. The room and board costs are covered as long as the youth
complete chores which will include caring for the animals and/or plants
on the ranch and participating in at least one other activity provided
on-site if their grades are not suffering.
Let’s face it – in today’s world, just knowing what your teen is
doing is a challenge yet doesn’t make it any less imperative.
Teenage years are a trying time; one filled with melodrama, high
intrigue, and many unhealthy habits ... like alcohol, drugs, tattoos and
piercing, “bad” friends, gangs, “cutting”, and even sexual identity
issues.
As a parent, sometimes you feel helpless in the face of these issues.
In addition to that, on a deep level, your teen is probably ashamed to
ask for help. That’s where Blessings Ranch comes in.
Within this setting all these children would be exposed to the
unconditional love of God but at the same time being taught responsibility.
The staff and volunteers at Blessings Ranch would be available to help
the youth but also do those little things that sometimes can either be
forgotten or perceived as being forgotten.
• Being there when they need you
• Treating them like individuals
• Being part of their life
• Showing interest in their interests
• Simple conversations
• Paying attention
• Encouraging your Teen
We will also be having an equine therapy program available with a
certified NAHRA instructor on hand. A trained martial arts instructor
and a preschool/daycare facility with certified teaching staff will also
be on site to help the youth/children. We will also have access to an
ordained clergy-person to provide additional spiritual support to the
staff and youth.
This facility and program would be available to the surrounding
communities and for schools of all types to come for field trips to interact
with the animals and plants on site. This would be a rescue site for
various animals and would serve to teach about conservation and recycling
as well as responsible stewardship of the environment.
Special programs could be arranged to target specific groups for short
term goals. We would like to offer our services to the Soldiers and
the families of Soldiers as a way to escape the everyday challenges of
being away from loved ones and enjoy and commune with nature without
having to go very far.
Another goal for Blessings Ranch is to provide a preschool/daycare
program so the children can be exposed to the wonders of nature and grow to
have a love and appreciation for it.
Blessings Ranch is a non-profit organization seeking to serve the
surrounding communities in the various ways mentioned above. We want to
encourage everyone to love the world around them and the animals within
it … understanding that God created it all and that His love is
unconditional.
Drug use, Suicide, Teen pregnancy, Homelessness, Prostitution,
Alcoholism, Depression, Eating disorders, Peer pressure, Cigarettes … the
greatest weapon against all these tricks of the enemy is the Love of God.
Blessings Ranch – blessed to be a blessing.
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and
they that dwell therein. -- Psalms 24:1
Blessings Ranch a place to interact with God’s creation; a place
where youth will be provided opportunities to take on the responsibility
for caring for animals and plants. And participating in other activities
that will help them build and restore their self-esteem
The most crucial time in a child’s life are those teenage years.
They are not children anymore, nor are they ready for adulthood. It’s
during this time that the choices they make may have a profound effect
on them for the remainder of their lives. Ultimately, it is up to the
parent to help guide that child in the right direction … Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart
from it. – Proverbs 22:6
Parents are to help them make responsible choices and build their
character, so when the teenager moves out of the house they are well on the
road to being a responsible adult and they’ll be equipped to succeed in
life.
The concept behind Blessings Ranch is to provide a place where teens
and children, from all walks of life, can interact with animals and
plants. More than just a park or zoo, Blessings Ranch is a place where
these youth will be provided opportunities to take on the responsibility
for caring for these handiworks of God. Some of the activities they will
be able to participate in that will build their self-esteem is a martial
arts program and a mentoring/tutoring program.
The big picture is for Blessings Ranch to become a residential
facility. The room and board costs are covered as long as the youth
complete chores which will include caring for the animals and/or plants
on the ranch and participating in at least one other activity provided
on-site if their grades are not suffering.
Let’s face it – in today’s world, just knowing what your teen is
doing is a challenge yet doesn’t make it any less imperative.
Teenage years are a trying time; one filled with melodrama, high
intrigue, and many unhealthy habits ... like alcohol, drugs, tattoos and
piercing, “bad” friends, gangs, “cutting”, and even sexual identity
issues.
As a parent, sometimes you feel helpless in the face of these issues.
In addition to that, on a deep level, your teen is probably ashamed to
ask for help. That’s where Blessings Ranch comes in.
Within this setting all these children would be exposed to the
unconditional love of God but at the same time being taught responsibility.
The staff and volunteers at Blessings Ranch would be available to help
the youth but also do those little things that sometimes can either be
forgotten or perceived as being forgotten.
• Being there when they need you
• Treating them like individuals
• Being part of their life
• Showing interest in their interests
• Simple conversations
• Paying attention
• Encouraging your Teen
We will also be having an equine therapy program available with a
certified NAHRA instructor on hand. A trained martial arts instructor
and a preschool/daycare facility with certified teaching staff will also
be on site to help the youth/children. We will also have access to an
ordained clergy-person to provide additional spiritual support to the
staff and youth.
This facility and program would be available to the surrounding
communities and for schools of all types to come for field trips to interact
with the animals and plants on site. This would be a rescue site for
various animals and would serve to teach about conservation and recycling
as well as responsible stewardship of the environment.
Special programs could be arranged to target specific groups for short
term goals. We would like to offer our services to the Soldiers and
the families of Soldiers as a way to escape the everyday challenges of
being away from loved ones and enjoy and commune with nature without
having to go very far.
Another goal for Blessings Ranch is to provide a preschool/daycare
program so the children can be exposed to the wonders of nature and grow to
have a love and appreciation for it.
Blessings Ranch is a non-profit organization seeking to serve the
surrounding communities in the various ways mentioned above. We want to
encourage everyone to love the world around them and the animals within
it … understanding that God created it all and that His love is
unconditional.
Drug use, Suicide, Teen pregnancy, Homelessness, Prostitution,
Alcoholism, Depression, Eating disorders, Peer pressure, Cigarettes … the
greatest weapon against all these tricks of the enemy is the Love of God.
Blessings Ranch – blessed to be a blessing.
Daily scripture
They will declare, "The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!"
~ Psalm 92:15, NLT
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Part 2 of Dreams series
Today I want to focus on one of those specifics as I call it. Kind of a means to an end for expanding the kingdom. We will look in Romans.
Romans 8:30
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
Now this verse is also a little confusing so let’s start by looking at the four things He has done and what each of them means separately……
Predestined—to be determined or settled beforehand
Called—to be summoned to a particular activity, employment, or office
Justified—to be judged, regarded, or treated as righteous and worthy of salvation
Glorified—to be made glorious by bestowing honor, praise, or admiration; to be elevated to celestial glory
God is calling us to the things he has already planned for us (Psalm 40:5)…..so that He can be glorified through us. Our call is our glory. When we receive glory and turn it back to God we are doing what he has always planned for us to do. It is why we are here. It is how God will use us to expand the kingdom. When we can reflect that glory back to him people will be drawn to him because they want to have what we have.
How powerful is that? That God designed us down to our very souls to do what he has called us to do. He made every fiber in us love doing what it was he wanted to call us to….even if we don’t see how he is going to work it out in the beginning.
Romans 8:30
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
Now this verse is also a little confusing so let’s start by looking at the four things He has done and what each of them means separately……
Predestined—to be determined or settled beforehand
Called—to be summoned to a particular activity, employment, or office
Justified—to be judged, regarded, or treated as righteous and worthy of salvation
Glorified—to be made glorious by bestowing honor, praise, or admiration; to be elevated to celestial glory
God is calling us to the things he has already planned for us (Psalm 40:5)…..so that He can be glorified through us. Our call is our glory. When we receive glory and turn it back to God we are doing what he has always planned for us to do. It is why we are here. It is how God will use us to expand the kingdom. When we can reflect that glory back to him people will be drawn to him because they want to have what we have.
How powerful is that? That God designed us down to our very souls to do what he has called us to do. He made every fiber in us love doing what it was he wanted to call us to….even if we don’t see how he is going to work it out in the beginning.
Daily scripture
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"
~ John 7:37-38, NLT
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Part 1 of Dreams series
Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
Today we begin with this verse. What in the world does this mean?? How many here have no idea what Jesus is trying to tell us in this verse? It took me a very long time and the work of the Holy Spirit before I was able to see the importance of this verse for my life….and for yours as well.
God is wanting us to realize that sometimes we need to be careful who we share our inner most dreams with. If we feel God is calling us to something you need to be careful who you choose to tell. Some people will try to take that from you and cast many a doubt on you about whether or not you can accomplish it. They will try to steal the dream away from you with their own negativity and Satan will use that for his purposes. Satan will try to make sure you do not fulfill your destiny. If he can do that then in some small way he has won the battle. He wants to make sure you do not fulfill your role in God’s plan.
The dreams and aspirations we have are sacred. They are a gift from God to us to show us where our purpose lies. We have to treat them as such and not just allow anyone to try to steal them from us. It is today that we will try to discover what our purpose is in God’s plan…..and why fulfilling it is so important. Why it is without us that God’s plan cannot be completely fulfilled.
Does anyone know why it is we are here? Why were we put on Earth? What should our goal be?
Well there are actually a couple of specific reasons that we can point to from the Bible. But ultimately I believe they all fall under the great commission: We are to make disciples. We are to expand the kingdom. Everyone’s gifts and talents prepare them to fill this role somehow. Now not everyone can be a missionary in Africa or China…..but how about in Copperas Cove or Killeen? What about at your job or dare I say it….in your church? God can and will use us everywhere we go if we will only allow him to. We have to be willing to follow him. He takes no one hostage…..doing his will is always a choice we make.
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
Today we begin with this verse. What in the world does this mean?? How many here have no idea what Jesus is trying to tell us in this verse? It took me a very long time and the work of the Holy Spirit before I was able to see the importance of this verse for my life….and for yours as well.
God is wanting us to realize that sometimes we need to be careful who we share our inner most dreams with. If we feel God is calling us to something you need to be careful who you choose to tell. Some people will try to take that from you and cast many a doubt on you about whether or not you can accomplish it. They will try to steal the dream away from you with their own negativity and Satan will use that for his purposes. Satan will try to make sure you do not fulfill your destiny. If he can do that then in some small way he has won the battle. He wants to make sure you do not fulfill your role in God’s plan.
The dreams and aspirations we have are sacred. They are a gift from God to us to show us where our purpose lies. We have to treat them as such and not just allow anyone to try to steal them from us. It is today that we will try to discover what our purpose is in God’s plan…..and why fulfilling it is so important. Why it is without us that God’s plan cannot be completely fulfilled.
Does anyone know why it is we are here? Why were we put on Earth? What should our goal be?
Well there are actually a couple of specific reasons that we can point to from the Bible. But ultimately I believe they all fall under the great commission: We are to make disciples. We are to expand the kingdom. Everyone’s gifts and talents prepare them to fill this role somehow. Now not everyone can be a missionary in Africa or China…..but how about in Copperas Cove or Killeen? What about at your job or dare I say it….in your church? God can and will use us everywhere we go if we will only allow him to. We have to be willing to follow him. He takes no one hostage…..doing his will is always a choice we make.
Daily scripture
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
~ 2 Peter 1:3, NLT
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Homeschool resources
I was using Stumble today and found two very cool sites for homeschoolers......
This site you can get FREE curriculum supplements for health/science
http://science-education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/WebPages/CSHome
This site is cool for younger kids. It is an interactive alphabet.
http://www.bemboszoo.com/Bembo.swf
Both great places to at least take a look at. I am all about FREE curriculum and aids.
This site you can get FREE curriculum supplements for health/science
http://science-education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/WebPages/CSHome
This site is cool for younger kids. It is an interactive alphabet.
http://www.bemboszoo.com/Bembo.swf
Both great places to at least take a look at. I am all about FREE curriculum and aids.
Daily scripture
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
~ Psalm 4:8, NLT
Monday, October 6, 2008
Homeschooling? Why or why not.--Part 2
Why doesn't everyone homeschool?
Well there are several reasons why people choose to send their kids to public school or private school. Sometimes that is the best option for the family.
People don't homeschool because they can't afford it.
Some families cannot homeschool because one parent cannot stay home to do the homeschooling. Or if it is a single-parent home they cannot afford to stay home and not work outside of the home.
I recently have come to understand this on a more personal level. After divorcing my finances have become very difficult but I have chosen to still homeschool my children. I have been fortunate to be able to work from home and so can continue to do that.
But sometimes families don't have that as an option and so sending their child to public school is what works for them.
People feel they can't homeschool.
Some people would like to homeschool but don't feel they are 'smart' enough to be able to do it. With the variety of curriculum available today for parents this is becoming less of a viable excuse why not to homeschool. Everyone is smart enough to homeschool if they want to do so.
People feel their child can get a better education at a private school.
Some people who can afford to do it pay to send their children to private school because they feel that is a better alternative to public school. In most cases it is as you get smaller classes and a better curriculum at times. They also feel it is better than homeschooling. I would have to disagree there. Yes the classes are smaller but they aren't 1 or 2 to one.
Don't get me wrong.......
I am certainly not saying everyone should be homeschooling. Do I think it has it's benefits.....Yes. Do I think it's for everyone......No. Each family has to make their own decision. All I am saying is don't let fear keep you from homeschooling if you want to do it and you think your child will benefit from it.
Well there are several reasons why people choose to send their kids to public school or private school. Sometimes that is the best option for the family.
People don't homeschool because they can't afford it.
Some families cannot homeschool because one parent cannot stay home to do the homeschooling. Or if it is a single-parent home they cannot afford to stay home and not work outside of the home.
I recently have come to understand this on a more personal level. After divorcing my finances have become very difficult but I have chosen to still homeschool my children. I have been fortunate to be able to work from home and so can continue to do that.
But sometimes families don't have that as an option and so sending their child to public school is what works for them.
People feel they can't homeschool.
Some people would like to homeschool but don't feel they are 'smart' enough to be able to do it. With the variety of curriculum available today for parents this is becoming less of a viable excuse why not to homeschool. Everyone is smart enough to homeschool if they want to do so.
People feel their child can get a better education at a private school.
Some people who can afford to do it pay to send their children to private school because they feel that is a better alternative to public school. In most cases it is as you get smaller classes and a better curriculum at times. They also feel it is better than homeschooling. I would have to disagree there. Yes the classes are smaller but they aren't 1 or 2 to one.
Don't get me wrong.......
I am certainly not saying everyone should be homeschooling. Do I think it has it's benefits.....Yes. Do I think it's for everyone......No. Each family has to make their own decision. All I am saying is don't let fear keep you from homeschooling if you want to do it and you think your child will benefit from it.
daily scripture
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
~ Matthew 6:30, NLT
Homeschooling? Why or why not.--Part 1
Why do some people choose to homeschool while others do not?
That has a very diverse answer. And I am going to cover a few of the reasons here. I am a licensed public school teacher with a Master's in Education but yet I homeschool my two children. Some would question why? Some would say of course you would.
The reason I chose to homeschool was for the benefit of one of my children. He left kindergarten in the public school system believing he could not be successful at anything in school.
Was homeschooling my first choice for a solution? No.
I first went to the school and asked them to change the class they had assigned my son in for first grade knowing that although the teacher they put him with was competent he would not do well with her style. The school refused.
The second choice was to open enroll him in a nearby district where they had a very high reputation for their first grade. I had missed the deadline and so they did not take him because they already had too many first graders. So that left homeschooling.
People homeschool for the benefit of a struggling child.
This is probably one of the largest reasons people choose to homeschool. They want their child to be successful and the public school is not meeting the needs of their child.
People homeschool because the public school environment is unacceptable.
Another reason people choose to homeschool is because the public schools are exposing their children to things that are against their moral code. They remove them for their protection.
This also includes religious objections.
People homeschool to give their child a better education than can be obtained in their local public school.
Some people feel the schools their children would be required to attend do not meet the educational standard they want for their children. So instead of paying to put them into a private school they choose to do it themselves.
Those are some of the reasons why people choose to homeschool although they vary a great deal and it is a decision that needs to be made by each individual family.
Why doesn't everyone homeschool?.....to be addressed in my next blog
That has a very diverse answer. And I am going to cover a few of the reasons here. I am a licensed public school teacher with a Master's in Education but yet I homeschool my two children. Some would question why? Some would say of course you would.
The reason I chose to homeschool was for the benefit of one of my children. He left kindergarten in the public school system believing he could not be successful at anything in school.
Was homeschooling my first choice for a solution? No.
I first went to the school and asked them to change the class they had assigned my son in for first grade knowing that although the teacher they put him with was competent he would not do well with her style. The school refused.
The second choice was to open enroll him in a nearby district where they had a very high reputation for their first grade. I had missed the deadline and so they did not take him because they already had too many first graders. So that left homeschooling.
People homeschool for the benefit of a struggling child.
This is probably one of the largest reasons people choose to homeschool. They want their child to be successful and the public school is not meeting the needs of their child.
People homeschool because the public school environment is unacceptable.
Another reason people choose to homeschool is because the public schools are exposing their children to things that are against their moral code. They remove them for their protection.
This also includes religious objections.
People homeschool to give their child a better education than can be obtained in their local public school.
Some people feel the schools their children would be required to attend do not meet the educational standard they want for their children. So instead of paying to put them into a private school they choose to do it themselves.
Those are some of the reasons why people choose to homeschool although they vary a great deal and it is a decision that needs to be made by each individual family.
Why doesn't everyone homeschool?.....to be addressed in my next blog
Sunday, October 5, 2008
daily scripture
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
~ Colossians 2:7, NLT
Saturday, October 4, 2008
daily scripture verse
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
~ John 3:17, NLT
~ John 3:17, NLT
Friday, October 3, 2008
Inspiration
Wanted to share this inspirational little blurb I read today.......
When God tests the heart it is not to shame or manipulate, but to liberate and empower. God wants to coach us into becoming the generous, teachable, honest, and joyful people He designed us to be.
This is based on the scripture 1 Chronicles 29:17
If you like this check my website for more inspirations......
When God tests the heart it is not to shame or manipulate, but to liberate and empower. God wants to coach us into becoming the generous, teachable, honest, and joyful people He designed us to be.
This is based on the scripture 1 Chronicles 29:17
If you like this check my website for more inspirations......
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
If they can....they will.
Well as you may or may not know....horses are always curious and into things they shouldn't be. Today I had to fix some fencing where my horses decided to get out. They found that the grass on the other side of the fence was much better than what they could easily get to.
I just want to remind everyone how important it is to be proactive and constantly checking your horse's area. If they can get into it .....they will. If you think they might then you may as well fix it before they do. A good book to resource if you need some pointers for a small acre place, like I have then check out my website under horse resources....there is a wonderful book there and I have even linked it so you can buy it very easily.
www.atblessingsranch.com
I just want to remind everyone how important it is to be proactive and constantly checking your horse's area. If they can get into it .....they will. If you think they might then you may as well fix it before they do. A good book to resource if you need some pointers for a small acre place, like I have then check out my website under horse resources....there is a wonderful book there and I have even linked it so you can buy it very easily.
www.atblessingsranch.com