Here's what we've been up to lately. We've had some busy and fun days here at home. Tomorrow we're venturing out to explore Savannah. Hopefully we'll have some nice photos of that to share with you next week.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Foto Friday (school days)
Here's what we've been up to lately. We've had some busy and fun days here at home. Tomorrow we're venturing out to explore Savannah. Hopefully we'll have some nice photos of that to share with you next week.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Answers continued
What about dinosaurs? Don't archaeologists dig up all those old fossils? Did Noah's flood really happen? I thought it's been proven that the earth is like millions and millions of years old?
These are just some of the very important questions that my children were interested in asking. They came away from the talks with some great answers. Yes, dinosaurs are actually mentioned in the Bible. I recommend that you go on an exhibition in Job. Again it's important to remember that science has limits, so with that in mind- what do fossils really tell us? Many people assume that it means the objects or organisms lived and/or died together. Really all they tell us though is that the objects were at some point buried together. This is a key difference. There is also lots of geological evidence of the flood, for instance fossilized shellfish found as high as the Himilayas. Carbon dating is not reliable, although many scientists pretend it is. It is reliant on a perfectly constant rate of decay and it has been absolutely proven that many conditions have dramatically accelerated the rate of decay in the observable past alone. It also affected by atmospheric levels of carbon which are not constant either.
Evolution as a belief system is problematic. I won't even begin to go there, but would encourage anyone interested to do some reading, it's readily available. In short, there just really isn't an scientific evidence to support it. Where are all those transistional species anyway?!? Macro evolution (the kind which transforms say an ameoba into a frog over time) simply does not exist. It is true that though that micro evolution, species adapation, does occur. We can clearly see that at work in around us today, take for instance dog or horse breeding.
Finally, questions of race and family origin can sometimes be confusing for children and adults alike. Why do we have 'races' at all if we're all descended from Adam and Eve? Quite simply we are all different shades of the same color- brown. As we spread outward after the flood our skin color changed as a result of climate. It's also confusing for children to realize that we are all descended from a brother/sister pair. This did not create genetic havoc simply because the very first people were absolutely genetically perfect. God made them that way! In fact the further we are from the fall the more genetic flaws we have, making it highly dangerous genetically to marry a close relative today as this would greatly magnify our genetic imperfections.
Like with most every issue I consider this all chiefly from the mother point of view. I believe that equipping my children with these answers is so very important. It's both unkind and unwise to send them out into the world unprepared to refute the false information that will surround them. Even more importantly they came home last weekend not just excited about dinosaurs, rocks, and floods but truly on fire for God! In my opinion this area is a powerful and often overlooked evangelism tool.
Okay, enough said. I had planned to post a reading list, but won't get a chance to do so today. If your interested, drop me a line and I'll share my personal faves and do check out the answers website I linked to yesterday, they'll certainly point you in the right direction as well.
These are just some of the very important questions that my children were interested in asking. They came away from the talks with some great answers. Yes, dinosaurs are actually mentioned in the Bible. I recommend that you go on an exhibition in Job. Again it's important to remember that science has limits, so with that in mind- what do fossils really tell us? Many people assume that it means the objects or organisms lived and/or died together. Really all they tell us though is that the objects were at some point buried together. This is a key difference. There is also lots of geological evidence of the flood, for instance fossilized shellfish found as high as the Himilayas. Carbon dating is not reliable, although many scientists pretend it is. It is reliant on a perfectly constant rate of decay and it has been absolutely proven that many conditions have dramatically accelerated the rate of decay in the observable past alone. It also affected by atmospheric levels of carbon which are not constant either.
Evolution as a belief system is problematic. I won't even begin to go there, but would encourage anyone interested to do some reading, it's readily available. In short, there just really isn't an scientific evidence to support it. Where are all those transistional species anyway?!? Macro evolution (the kind which transforms say an ameoba into a frog over time) simply does not exist. It is true that though that micro evolution, species adapation, does occur. We can clearly see that at work in around us today, take for instance dog or horse breeding.
Finally, questions of race and family origin can sometimes be confusing for children and adults alike. Why do we have 'races' at all if we're all descended from Adam and Eve? Quite simply we are all different shades of the same color- brown. As we spread outward after the flood our skin color changed as a result of climate. It's also confusing for children to realize that we are all descended from a brother/sister pair. This did not create genetic havoc simply because the very first people were absolutely genetically perfect. God made them that way! In fact the further we are from the fall the more genetic flaws we have, making it highly dangerous genetically to marry a close relative today as this would greatly magnify our genetic imperfections.
Like with most every issue I consider this all chiefly from the mother point of view. I believe that equipping my children with these answers is so very important. It's both unkind and unwise to send them out into the world unprepared to refute the false information that will surround them. Even more importantly they came home last weekend not just excited about dinosaurs, rocks, and floods but truly on fire for God! In my opinion this area is a powerful and often overlooked evangelism tool.
Okay, enough said. I had planned to post a reading list, but won't get a chance to do so today. If your interested, drop me a line and I'll share my personal faves and do check out the answers website I linked to yesterday, they'll certainly point you in the right direction as well.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Got answers?
My girls and their Dad went to hear Ken Ham from the Answers ministry speak locally last Friday. I think their ministry really is an important one. I do believe that Christianity truly is under assault and the creation vs. evolution issue is a key battle in this larger war. I also think it's important to realize that the debate is not about science versus religion either. The reality of the situation is that evolution is an atheist religion and is not based on science at all. True science involves making observations about the world and being able to replicate those results. This simply isn't possible in the case of evolution. Science has limits and I think that if students and all people understood this it would eliminate much of the confusion around this issue. Evolution is a belief system based on suppositions and personal opinions about the past, and is simply incorrect.
In my humble opinion it's also important to remember that once we begin to place our faith in the words of men, rather than the word of God (the only one who was there, by the way) we begin speeding down a dangerous road. Once you question Genesis' literal account of creation you can easily make the leap to doubting other parts of scripture including the Gospel itself.
Yes, I realize that creationism can be divisive, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't discuss it. In some cases true neutrality just isn't possible! I hope we've learned by watching society degrade over the past several decades that we do not live in a vacumn. We cannot remove God and religion from our lives without letting something else seep in. That something else has been secular humanism at best and atheism at worst. We are just now beginning to see the 'fruit' of that.
My girls got some great information and received answers to a lot of very important questions. I think it's important to be able to discuss such specifics with your children and I 'll touch on those briefly tomorrow. I'm also going to list a few reading materials we've found helpful. So feel free to tune-out if you're not interested, I promise to be off my 'soapbox' and on to other subjects after that. In the meantime I'd invite you to check out Answers in Genesis, they say it way better than I ever could.
In my humble opinion it's also important to remember that once we begin to place our faith in the words of men, rather than the word of God (the only one who was there, by the way) we begin speeding down a dangerous road. Once you question Genesis' literal account of creation you can easily make the leap to doubting other parts of scripture including the Gospel itself.
Yes, I realize that creationism can be divisive, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't discuss it. In some cases true neutrality just isn't possible! I hope we've learned by watching society degrade over the past several decades that we do not live in a vacumn. We cannot remove God and religion from our lives without letting something else seep in. That something else has been secular humanism at best and atheism at worst. We are just now beginning to see the 'fruit' of that.
My girls got some great information and received answers to a lot of very important questions. I think it's important to be able to discuss such specifics with your children and I 'll touch on those briefly tomorrow. I'm also going to list a few reading materials we've found helpful. So feel free to tune-out if you're not interested, I promise to be off my 'soapbox' and on to other subjects after that. In the meantime I'd invite you to check out Answers in Genesis, they say it way better than I ever could.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Houston, we have lift off!
I know, there have been way too many 'Foto-less Fridays' lately. We've had a few camera glitches around here. Littlest has been pulling up and cruising around for weeks, but is has recently progressed to standing on her own and attempting to take some steps. Hopefully they'll be more photo updates soon.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The gift of time
I came across this short video today and it blessed me. Feel free to check out the rest of their site as well, great stuff.
http://www.tacmovie.com/
http://www.tacmovie.com/
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hide your woks!
Some days I need a bit of humor and my girls always seem to step up and provide it.
This morning we were working on P.'s picture journal where each day she draws a picture and then writes a description of it. It's been helping her learn to put words and sentences together. Anyway, she draws this really sweet scene, all of us outside together in a flower filled field and adds the following caption...
"Paige and her family like to take woks."
I know, she certainly meant "walks" and it all makes sense phonetically as well. We're surely making progress on that front. But, just in case, I'd hide my wok if I were you. With 6 wok takers on the lose it just might not be safe :-).
This morning we were working on P.'s picture journal where each day she draws a picture and then writes a description of it. It's been helping her learn to put words and sentences together. Anyway, she draws this really sweet scene, all of us outside together in a flower filled field and adds the following caption...
"Paige and her family like to take woks."
I know, she certainly meant "walks" and it all makes sense phonetically as well. We're surely making progress on that front. But, just in case, I'd hide my wok if I were you. With 6 wok takers on the lose it just might not be safe :-).
Monday, February 18, 2008
Cooperation
Ever wonder what would happen if we sincerely started cooperating with God?
I'll confess that I'm a complainer sometimes, even in my prayers *blushes*. I'll sometimes pray things like, "Oh God, things would have been easier if you had just let it happen this way... (read my way)." Or even better, "God are you sure that I have to do this?" My favorite of all goes, "God, why does this have to be so hard?"
During a talk with a friend the other day they pointed out the wise, but obvious answer to the whole issue of cooperation versus complaining. It was a truth I needed to hear. Here it is in a nutshell:
If you work and cooperate with God, you can then pray that he'll do something through you, rather than simply for you.
Point taken.
I'll confess that I'm a complainer sometimes, even in my prayers *blushes*. I'll sometimes pray things like, "Oh God, things would have been easier if you had just let it happen this way... (read my way)." Or even better, "God are you sure that I have to do this?" My favorite of all goes, "God, why does this have to be so hard?"
During a talk with a friend the other day they pointed out the wise, but obvious answer to the whole issue of cooperation versus complaining. It was a truth I needed to hear. Here it is in a nutshell:
If you work and cooperate with God, you can then pray that he'll do something through you, rather than simply for you.
Point taken.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Post Script!
Okay, I think this is a first as I don't post more than once a day here.
But I had to let you know that I did get a very sweet, and VERY unexpected gift from dh this evening! And a beautifully touching, hand drawn card to boot! Yep, I'm a lucky lady for sure.
But I had to let you know that I did get a very sweet, and VERY unexpected gift from dh this evening! And a beautifully touching, hand drawn card to boot! Yep, I'm a lucky lady for sure.
My valentine...
did not bring me flowers, candy, or a card. He did run out, barefooted and in his p.j's, at 4:45 AM this morning to start my car for me as I was getting ready to head to the gym. A warm car on this 23 degree morning surprised me and made me appreciate the simple acts of love that he shows me 365 days a year.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Arithmetic of Worry
Thought I'd pass this along today...
The arithmetic of worry
After years of studying the tough stuff of anxiety (and yielding to it more times than I want to remember), I've distilled what I've learned about its destructive power into four practical principles. I'll make them easy to remember by giving them to you in simple math—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
1. We worry when we add unnecessary pressure to an already full plate. Trying to meet everyone's expectations adds unnecessary pressure.
2. We worry when we subtract God's presence from our crises. Adversity minus God's presence equals doubt and fear.
3. We worry when we multiply our problems by inserting our solutions prematurely. Anxiety grips us when we insist on finding our own way out of the tough stretches in life instead of walking with God through them.
4. We worry when we divide life into the secular and the sacred. God doesn't want to compartmentalize our lives. He wants every aspect to be under His control.
Quoted from Chuck Swindoll Getting through the tough stuff:It's always something
Have a blessed day!
The arithmetic of worry
After years of studying the tough stuff of anxiety (and yielding to it more times than I want to remember), I've distilled what I've learned about its destructive power into four practical principles. I'll make them easy to remember by giving them to you in simple math—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
1. We worry when we add unnecessary pressure to an already full plate. Trying to meet everyone's expectations adds unnecessary pressure.
2. We worry when we subtract God's presence from our crises. Adversity minus God's presence equals doubt and fear.
3. We worry when we multiply our problems by inserting our solutions prematurely. Anxiety grips us when we insist on finding our own way out of the tough stretches in life instead of walking with God through them.
4. We worry when we divide life into the secular and the sacred. God doesn't want to compartmentalize our lives. He wants every aspect to be under His control.
Quoted from Chuck Swindoll Getting through the tough stuff:It's always something
Have a blessed day!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I can't remember...
Now I know what's wrong with me, hee hee. Science has finally confirmed what many women already knew...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/02/05/pregnancy.memory/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/02/05/pregnancy.memory/index.html
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Six tomorrow!
It's hard for me to believe that P. will have another birthday tomorrow! I sat with her yesterday listening as she started reading slowly, her confidence and proficiency building page after page. I smile as I see her interact with the our littlest. She hides her softer side sometimes, but all her love and patience shows through in quiet moments with her sister. Her wish list this year was a small one: a new pair of jeans, another Barbie, and a necklace (something pretty with a butterfly on it). She's also looking forward to getting her ears pierced soon. It's become a tradition around here at each sixth birthday and she's pretty excited. For the first time she's been able to write her own thank you notes for some of the gifts she's already received. She worked slowly, but diligently on them yesterday.
P. is a leader and has taught me lots over these last few years. She's not one to blindly follow. While this is at times frustrating for me as a parent, I think it will serve her well as she grows. She's quick witted and a great negotiator (sometimes a bit too good). She certainly keeps me on my toes! She, like all of my girls, is so unique. I've been blessed to watch her grow and I can't wait to see what God has in store for her next!
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