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The
Rapture -- awesome ... continually look up!
The
Phone Call
God's
Baseball Team
The
Center of the Bible
A
Modern Psalm ... Television's
Influences
LAUS
DEO!
The
Dollar Bill
To My Child:
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh
when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile
and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and
take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me
how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off,
and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you
scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you
grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand
over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a
"Happy Meal" so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how
you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and
count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite
TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will
simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing
children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves
instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms
watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't
handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little
longer. It is then, that I will thank Lord for you, and ask Him for nothing,
except one more day........
If you were busy being kind,
Before you knew it you would find
You'd soon forget to think `twas true
That someone was unkind to you.
If you were busy being glad
And cheering people who seem sad,
Although your heart might ache a bit,
You'd soon forget to notice it.
If you were busy being good,
And doing just the best you could,
You'd not have time to blame some man
Who's doing just the best he can.
If you were busy being true
To what you know you ought to do,
You'd be so busy you'd forget
The blunders of the folks you've met.
If you were busy being right,
You'd find yourself too busy quite
To criticize your brother long,
Because he's busy being wrong.
One Solitary Life
Here is a man who was born in an
obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in an obscure village.
He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he
was an itinerant teacher.
He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned
a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never traveled,
except in his infancy, more than two hundred miles from the place where he was
born. He never did one of the things that usually accompanies greatness. He had
no credentials but himself.
While he was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion
turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned
over to his enemies. He went through a mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a
cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of
property he had on earth, his seamless robe. When he was dead, he was taken down
from the cross and laid in a borrowed grave through the courtesy of a friend.
Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today he is
the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of all human progress. I am
well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the
navies that ever were built, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the
kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon
this earth as powerfully as has this one solitary personality.
- Unknown
Teacher's Prayer
I want to teach my
students how
To live this life on Earth.
To face it's struggles and it's strife
And to improve their worth.
Not just the lesson in a book
Or how the rivers flow,
But how to choose the proper path
Wherever they may go.
To understand Eternal Truth
And know the right from wrong,
And gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song.
For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom and in grace,
Then I shall feel that I have won
And I have filled my place.
And so I ask your guidance, God,
That I may do my part.
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart.
-James J. Metcalf
Bible Brain Teaser
I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It
was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts, and for others it was a
revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books are not
capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others,
it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes,
there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help
them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of the 17,
and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she
brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete.
Relax now, for there really are the names of 17 books of the Bible in these
sentences. (One preacher found 16 books in 20 minutes. It took him three weeks
to find the seventeenth one.)
Submitted by Scott Quinn
If I Knew ...
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
Making Pancakes
Six
-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents
pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter,
opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on
the floor.
He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most
of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the
floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.
Brandon
was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to
be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.
He
didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on
the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked!. Suddenly he saw his
kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking
the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this
monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and
sticky.
And
just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled
up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd
made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a
spanking. But his father just watched him.
Then,
walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and
loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process. That's
how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns
into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we
can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.
Sometimes
we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything
else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even
though some of our mess gets all over Him.
But
just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes"
for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then
they'll be glad we tried...
Please
pass some of this love on to others....suppose one morning you were
called to God; do all your friends know you love them?
I
was thinking... and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed,
friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said,
sometimes, "I love you" can heal & bless! Remind every one of your
friends
that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be
amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this
can do.
"Work
like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching..."
"A
job worth doing is worth doing well".
Most Americans are unaware of the
true meanings when the Flag is folded in the true military manner. A very
interesting, moving and little-known part of our military tradition.
Do you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute stands for the sum
of the numbers in the year 1776?
Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly
folding the American flag 13 times? You might think it is to symbolize the
original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!
The 1st fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our
ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain
peace throughout the world.
The 4th fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in
God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for
His divine guidance.
The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur,
"Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but
it is still our country, right or wrong."
The 6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that We pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and the Republic for
which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for
all.
The 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed
Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether
they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow
of death, that we might see the light of day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through
their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and
women who have made this country great has been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and
daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King
Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews' eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians'
eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost
reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust."
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of
a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George
Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul
Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of
the
United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy
today.
The Phone Call
Isn't it amazing how God works in our lives! On a Saturday night several
weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife
before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the
phone. The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd
that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a
few minutes.
When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't
answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They
brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which
was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke
with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the
man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered
the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to
call his wife.
The man said, "That's, OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was
planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God
if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At
that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said,
'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!"
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from
"Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called
Almighty God Tabernacle!!
God's Baseball Team
Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was
Playing Satan's team.
The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the
bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter
stepped up to the plate whose name was Love.
Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.
The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works
with Love.
The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw
the
first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one.
Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never
swings at what Satan throws.
The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He
was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace.
Freddy said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"
Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the
game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone,
Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not
worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it
went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the
ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run!
The Lord's team won!
The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could
get on base but could not win the game. Freddy answered that he did not know
why.
The Lord explained, "If your love, faith, and wisdom had won the game
you
would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you
on base but only My Grace can get you Home.
Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give
grace
and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
The
Center of The Bible
What
is the shortest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 117
What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 119
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188
What is the center verse in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118:8
Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our
lives? The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for
their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will! , just send them
to the center of His Word!
Psalms 118:8 (NKJV) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put
confidence in man."
Faith
doesn't get you around trouble, it gets you through it!
A
Modern Psalm taken from “The New International Unchristian Perversion”
The TV is my shepherd, I shall not want anything else. It maketh me to lie
down on the sofa. It leadeth me away from the Scripture. It destroys my soul. It
leadeth in the paths of sex and violence for the sponsors sake. Yea, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will enjoy the evil, for blood
and sex they excite me. It’s cable and remote, they comfort me. It prepares a
commercial before me in the presence of my children. It anoints my head with
humanism. My coveting runneth over. Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow
my family all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the house watching TV
forever.
But don’t worry parents, as you know, the T.V. doesn’t
have any influence on the children of parents who don’t want it to influence
them. That’s why the sponsors only advertise products you have already decided
to buy.
From No Greater Joy Volume One copyright 1997 by
Michael & Debi Pearl, Reprinted with permission.
This book & others by the Pearls can be purchased at www.nogreaterjoy.org
or from the publisher The Church At Cane Creek, 1000 Pearl Rd., Pleasantville,
Tn 37033
LAUS DEO!
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington DC, are
displayed two words: Laus Deo. [Lah-us Dee-o] No one can see these words. In
fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and
for that matter, probably don't care. Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will
want to share this with everyone you know.
These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches
high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation,
overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital
of the United States of America: Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant,
unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very
meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in
the most successful nation in the world. So, what do those two words, in Latin,
comprised of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very
simply, they say "Praise be to God!" [Laus is Praise be and Deo means
God]
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was
President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was
inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap
the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, "Laus Deo....Praise
be to God!" From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure,
visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with it's division
into four major segments. From that vantage point. one can also easily see the
original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed
upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is
to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes,
a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.
So, read on . How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound
meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument
itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the
landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer
offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some
Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children
from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs
22:6. Praise be to God! When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid
on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible
presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the
moral direction, the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of
our unique democracy .."One Nation, Under God." I am awed by
Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well now is your unique
opportunity, so read on!
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United
States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens
to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and
entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow
citizens of the United States at large." And finally that Thou wilt most
graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to
demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which
were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and
without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to
be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen." Laus Deo! As you probably guessed, over 92 percent of
Americans like the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase
"under God." It is clear when one studies the history of our great
nation, that Washington's America was one of the few countries in all the world
established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom
was given all praise, honor and worship by the great men who formed and
fashioned her pivotal foundations.
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over
our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is
unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look.
Though many try to disprove and reason, their arguments are weak and easily
proven without basis. Their efforts will forever be in vain; God assures us of
that. Have you noticed as of late, how many more people are coming together,
affirming the fact that this nation was, from the beginning, built on God? Any
nation that is not built upon God will fail. Do you wonder why, when other
nations fall into an abyss, does the United States continually prosper? Now you
know but do not let the arrogance of some instill doubt within you. The truth
is.
We have always been one nation under God! Laus Deo! Praise be to God!
You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", it's location,
or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget it's meaning,
or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in
vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in
vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister,
brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have
given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With
that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see.
The
Perfect Homeschooler
by Rhonda Barfield
Imagine: It's
Monday morning, 7:00 A.M. , and your children are up, dressed, washed,
breakfasted, and sitting at the kitchen table, math books and sharpened pencils
waiting. There you are in your embroidered apron, finishing the last of the
early-morning dishes, with a beef roast and peeled potatoes already simmering in
the slow cooker on a spotless countertop. "I can sit here and help you all
the rest of the morning," you say, smiling, to your little angels.
"Let's start with that math test." Cheers erupt all around as your
family begins yet another day of perfect homeschooling.
Have you ever
fantasized about a homeschool situation like this? If so, you know that it only
takes a few moments of daydreaming before reality sets in. Then you're back to
unswept floors, scattered toys and clutter, a ten-foot-high pile of laundry,
grumpy toddlers, hormonal teens . . . and the list goes on. But surely,
somewhere, you think, even if it seems all wrong for you, there must be
homeschoolers who are doing this right , homeschoolers who are perfect.
Aren't there?
The answer is no.
Last year, when I
researched and wrote a book called Real-Life Homeschooling: The Stories of
21 Families Who Teach Their Children at Home , I never found a perfect
homeschooler. True, some are better organized or more experienced than others.
Some have children with easygoing temperaments. A few are blessed with floors
that don't show dirt. But nobody, not a single family, had reached perfection.
Sounds silly
doesn't it? This idea that other people are perfect. Yet homeschoolers, in
particular, seem to share a tendency to believe that if they just work hard
enough, they can produce the perfect homeschool. We compare ourselves to others,
and we often note how much better another family "has it together,"
rather than understanding that they, like us, also struggle.
I believe we need
to remember four important points.
(1) There
is no perfect curriculum.
A friend of mine
who sells books at homeschool curriculum fairs reports that desperate mothers
often come to her for advice on buying the "right" curriculum. It's
hard for these women to believe that there is no right curriculum. I
thought it amusing that some of the families in my book recommended one
particular math curriculum as one of their favorite resources, while other
families found it tedious. Is that curriculum, then, a good or bad curriculum?
It all depends on your particular family's goals, methods, learning styles, and
a dozen other considerations.
And how does one
know whether a curriculum will work or not? Most homeschoolers I interviewed
said they simply chose something, jumped in and began using it, then made
adjustments as they saw the need arise. One family, for example, started with
one and abandoned it when they discovered their children learned better through
using a more hands-on approach. Another family tried a different one, but found
their daughter was distracted by the colorful pictures on the pages; they
returned to their former program and have been perfectly satisfied with it.
One interviewee,
now a college student, told me he wished his well-meaning mother had chosen one
curriculum, however imperfect, and stayed with it, rather than jumping from
program to program. In response, his mother explained that she always believed
she could solve all her problems by finding the perfect curriculum . . . and
finally had to admit that there was no such thing.
(2) There
is no perfect method of teaching.
I interviewed
families who use a variety of teaching methods, such as traditional textbooks,
unit studies, the Charlotte Mason method, and the classical approach. One woman
utilizes a video school. Other families "unschool," encouraging their
children to lead and structure their own learning goals, with parents acting
primarily as resources rather than teachers.
Interestingly,
many of the families I profiled started out "rigid" and
"school-like," as they described themselves and then relaxed
considerably through the years. Those using textbooks, for example, often
supplemented with other books and activities and sometimes made a break with the
program to discover other areas of interest.
Others found they
needed more structure as their children grew. Susie, one of the parents I
interviewed who formerly used an eclectic, casual approach to homeschooling,
wrote, "We completely switched gears and started using (a program that was
organized for us), a big change but a major relief. I couldn't keep up with
schooling and was getting very concerned about it." Susie says the family
had "no trouble at all switching from a very loose approach to a complete
curriculum."
(3) There
is no perfectly clean house, especially when homeschoolers live there.
One of my
interviewees, Janice, observed that our houses are naturally messy because so
many of us live and interact there all day as well as all night. Families who
work, school, and play away from home should find it much easier to keep their
places clean and tidy.
Several mothers I
interviewed have elaborate chore systems and charts in place. Others (usually
those with smaller families) simply "pick the kid who happens to be in the
room at the time," as Lynda said, "and he's the one who gets to do the
job." In Bobby and Nina's family of eleven children, a child who complains
that he doesn't like a job has the "opportunity" to learn to like it
by doing extra duty until he stops complaining.
Still, as Angie
lamented, "My house is always messy, even though the children do have
chores." One interviewee's husband often reminds his wife that "the
house will be clean some day . . . after the kids have all left home."
(4) There
is no perfect family.
Some families do
get up earlier than yours. Some may actually have dinner in the slow cooker by
9:00 A.M. And there really are some days when a few homeschool moms have time to
sit down with their kids all morning, helping with assignments. This doesn't
mean the families are perfect or even better than yours.
As I wrote about
twenty-one families' lives, I found it difficult to convey that each had
struggles. Describing the good stuff was easy; in fact, when these
homeschoolers' accomplishments were listed on paper, the lists were truly
impressive. It was much harder to convey the frustrations, irritations, and
occasional deep disappointments of daily living.
How does one
fully describe, for example, the effects of sleep deprivation caused by a
colicky newborn? The tiresomeness of dealing with a child with ADHD? The
feelings of vulnerability that come in the midst of a financial crisis? When the
inevitable pressures of life are added to two full-time commitments parenting
and homeschooling it's no wonder that we sometimes "lose it."
I had to laugh
when Susie described a time when she was pregnant with her fourth child: "I
was so tired and sick and grouchy, I found I was overreacting to
everything," she says. "A child would spell a word wrong and I'd cry,
feeling that he'd never learn." I can remember going through times like
that, and worse.
Last year I got a
Christmas letter from a friend, a homeschool mother of five, who now lives in
another state. It was quite an impressive letter. Fran's children are active in
Scouts, substitute teaching, babysitting, camping, backpacking, family trips,
canoeing, summer camps, and of course, homeschooling. As I finished reading the
letter, I couldn't help but compare my own homeschool with that of this
supermom's. I wondered how she did it all. I also questioned, a little, whether
I was doing enough.
Then I received a
letter from Fran in response to our family's Christmas letter. "I get dizzy
reading all you've done," she said. Ironically, that had been my reaction,
exactly, to her letter. How tempting to compare ourselves to other
homeschoolers, the ones who have perfect curricula, teaching methods, families,
and clean houses!
But again,
perfect people don't exist. God has a way of reminding us that we are, after
all, fallen creatures. Not perfect, but real.
Rhonda Barfield is the author of Real-Life
Homeschooling: The Stories of 21 Families Who Teach Their Children at Home (Fireside/Simon
& Schuster, 2002), Feed Your Family for $12 a Day (Kensington
Publishing, 2002), and 15-Minute Cooking (Lilac Publishing, 1996).
barfield@aol.com
Take out a one dollar bill.
The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its
present design.
This
so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue
minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all
washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents
we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to
make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.
If
you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal.
On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have
a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the
United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the
back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.
If
you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together,
comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental
Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a
Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to
get it approved.
If
you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is
lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning.
We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western
Civilization. The Pyramid is un-capped, again signifying that we were not even
close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an
ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man
couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do
anything.
"IN
GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT
COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking."
The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has
begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn
that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on
the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is
the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the
seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he
speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.
The
Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is
not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.
Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of
England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now
stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar
signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation.
In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", meaning,
"one nation from many people".
Above
the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies,
and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together
as one.
Notice
what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This
country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The
Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns
toward the arrows.
They
say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief.
You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a
13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the
Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13
letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars
above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13
fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th
Amendment.
Another unbelievable thing our nation's military does that most people would
never dream of.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the
Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute,
which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk
and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his
grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why
not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the
tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the
rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four
hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he
must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot
exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of
life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink
any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in
public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting}
or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that
is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are
only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their
lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to
keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that
extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to
a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for
duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to
anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable
people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who
they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft,
Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most
decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his
uniforms ready for guard duty.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND
LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US
Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening
news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the
military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the
offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain
of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an
assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.
The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter
where they serve.
God Bless and keep them.
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