I loved this book the first time I read it YEARS ago. But I held off getting it because of the spanking section   Then I knew that the Clarkson’s had studied out the Rod verses and determined that, in fact, the Bible does NOT teach spanking young children *woohoo* and I read that they had gone back and changed this particular book (among others) to reflect this new understanding.  Sadly, having ordered it and begun pouring through it at a time when I need some encouragement for homeschooling while struggling with my health issues, I’m disappointed to report that they still include “physical discipline” as a “necessary” thing–while holding that the Bible does not teach spanking young children, they (lacking Hebraic thinking on the issue) argue that it teaches corporal punishment of adolescents and *therefore what we do in America today is not nearly as harsh* and a *better option* SIGH

That aside, and it’s one small section of the book, this is a wonderful wonderful lovely and encouraging resource.  I wish I could offer an edited for the GBD mindset version *giggle*  I often feel like *I* didn’t do enough during the day with my children–and then I think about how much THEY did and I realize they have a rich learning environment.  I often struggle with them not reading *as early* as I did/their peers/others/etc and I realize . . . I read obscenely early and no one “taught” me–I was just ready. And most children don’t truly show reading comprehension until at least 8–which is when they have both really started growing in their reading skills   Three others haven’t reached that age yet

My children are not only brilliant (If I do say so myself ) but they are able to conduct themselves in a wide variety of environments (the staff in the ER was totally smitten with Aidan the other day ), they are active in ministry work, are just whole hearted children *swoon* Their only areas of struggles, I must admit, are in the areas where I personally struggle and so have a low platform for them to jump off from.  But I’m working actively to grow in those areas and as I grow I share the skills with them. We’ve all been on a decluttering and organizing and getting the house straightened up kick. Not that it’s “dirty”, but we live in a very small space with 7 people and all our stuff.  As we pare down our stuff we are much more comfortable   The less we have the less we have to clean.

The real life lessons my children get are priceless. We have pets, and ministry work, and dh plays sax, I’m an author and we both love reading–the children are in a very rich environment.  When I think about adding the Pokemon Learning League into our curriculum choices I cringe–but my child with autism is very into this. If it was his only interest I’d be working to limit it, but he also loves when I read the Iliad to them so I think he’ll be okay.

So if you’re struggling with knowing if you are doing *enough* for your homeschooled children, this is a great read

Yes, I’m seriously considering getting this. Liam has been doing the free trial and he’s loving it–and, honestly, it’s pretty neat.  What a great way to maximize my tweens interest in pokemon to improve his study skills and commitment. They teach a lesson with characters he knows and loves, then they do a knowledge building quiz, and then an application where he gets to use what he has learned to do something fun.  So far I’m impressed.

my fil would probably call it wisdom LOL but I actually believe it’s frustration.  I am a very strong Conservative Republican.  I believe in so many things that the party platform stands for.  One thing I have always maintained is that *most* Dems and Reps want the same things for everyone–we just believe that different actions on the part of government are best for achieving those things.

But since the last election I see two things occurring–ONE–I no longer see both sides even wanting the same things and–TWO–I am not seeing my party understanding/pursuing/applying its platform the way that I have always understood it.  I’m very disconcerted that McCain is so close to getting the election.  I have not supported him as a Senator from my state and I do not for one second support him as a Presidential nominee! I cannot, in good conscience, vote for him on election day and go home, kiss my children, and go to sleep.

Unfortunately, we have three very liberal candidates–two who are honest about it and one whose party affiliation apparently means nothing.

Which leaves me really searching the parties, the platforms, the candidates, and my conscience.

One thing dh and I discussed yesterday is this:  I HONESTLY believe in the *theory* of Trickle Down Economics.  My problem is that the reality works about as well as Communism (also a great theory ).  True, TDE gets the money down farther than Communism (where it’s trapped at the top completely). TDE, though, appears to be shaped more like an hourglass and the money gets stuck at about the middle management level–leaving a very slow, low trickle down to the masses in the bottom half of the glass.

I find myself very disconcerted that the Republican Party has become the “Christian Party” when I’ve never believed that Christian needed to be synonymous with Republican.  I have been very aware over the years that the Rep Party has typically been the party of Right to Life–when it comes to babies. Though, ironically, the party most in favor of the death penalty. Though, in picking parties, I’d rather be pro-baby/anti-death row inmate than the other way around!  The longer I studied and worked in law the more I became aware of the glaring problems in how we exercise and apply the death penalty (and I’m not just talking across racial/socioeconomic boundaries–the topic that gets the most play).  My two main problems with it currently are the state t0 state discrepancies in application as well as the number of inmates currently on death row who were put there before DNA evidence may have cleared them and they cannot, because of their state or the Federal laws as applicable to their case, have that evidence examined to potentially clear them.

Back to the economics issue, though . . . Jesus taught a social gospel that I think many Christian Republicans have forgotten.  One reason that I have always supported fiscal conservatism is this:  I believe that God has given us instructions on how to spend money and while we are to render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar (taxes) we are also to live according to Acts 2 where the Body was all together in one accord and everyone sold what they had to see that no one was in need.  In my personal life I’ve always tried to apply it this way:  If I can vote so that the government takes less of my money, I can better provide for my family and the Body and the world at large.  If Ceasar gets less, God can get more!

See, God is a Socialist   BUT I firmly believe there are guidelines for God’s Socialism that are not at the heart of the plans put forth by Democratic Candidates.  When Ceasar is the one overseeing the socialism two things happen–it won’t work right and God doesn’t get the glory. But this is the Church’s downfall!  When the Body of Messiah at large has not shown itself faithful in caring for the least of these, the world gets to come in and do it better than us and God doesn’t get the glory. This breaks my heart!

I’m so blessed to be a part of the Body at our congregation. This is something that the members of our congregation have got down in a big way!  For the last decade God has allowed my dh and I to go through some serious challenges in this area.  There are many reasons (some educational, some spiritual, most I won’t get into here ) but one of the things he did for us is to break down so many of our preconceived notions about the *least of these*. There are now many things I know when I hear someone else spouting it’s only because they haven’t been one of the least of these and cannot speak with empathy

Myth Number 1:  If they would just get a job they could improve their lives.

Well, I’ve been working in active ministry for the last 10 years and my dh has been either other or self employed the entire time and we’ve still struggled.  In fact, most people “in the system” are either fully disabled or employed because most states are set up that you can’t be receiving assistance for more than a short time without being employed or at least actively seeking a job.  My dh happens to be medically disabled from the military–this has limited the jobs/hours/duties he can do.  Despite that, he works himself exhausted during the day (at times during the night) and then comes home to help take care of 5 children.  “Lazy” he is not (though you might not get that impression when I’m talking about him hitting the dirty laundry basket with his socks I try to cut him slack after his exhausting days ).  We have homeschooled our children during this whole time, worked hard, done side jobs, scrimped, saved and tightened the belt despite our special diets.  I have learned the art of shopping in bulk and cooking everything from scratch.  My goal during this season was to never let our children *feel* poor. And when asked by them if we were I always answered, “Poor is a state of mind. We don’t have a lot of money right now, but poor people have given up hope and we have a God who provides all our needs.”

Myth Number 2:  If they really wanted to, they could get off the system.

Well, partially true, but you have to start with the understanding that our system is set up that you have to be at rock bottom to get into it and the second you start moving up from rock bottom you get assistance ripped away.  You also have to understand that the cost of living expectations that the formulas for determining assistance for are not based on anything in reality and if you add in special needs for diet or care for children then it isn’t even based in close to reality.  With food stamps, for example, my husband works for the school district and has *mandatory* (IOW, we tried to get it not taken out and were told no way that could happen) retirement taken out.  Our food assistance was figured on before that comes out, even though the government takes it out without us having a say.  Also, he got a 30 CENT an hour pay raise (which upped the social security and mandatory retirement amounts) and we dropped about $200 a month in assistance.  Never mind that on the byweekly paycheck we saw about $20 more.  Thankfully our state recently adjusted the amounts you can have in retirement and savings–which means that the person who is short term unemployed doesn’t have to take penalties and cash out his retirement to live for a few months while looking for work (because for some reason many seem to think it makes more sense to pay for years of old age living rather than offer some food help to a family with a parent out of work short term).  But there is nothing in place that lets someone save for a rainy day or even to budget for the annual and biannual payments that come along–like auto repairs, or other things that WILL happen if you live in the world.  When tax money comes in the only way to not lose your food stamps is to get rid of it really quickly–same with any extra cash. So a consumer standard of living is fostered. Honestly, I understand those who lie on their applications and hide money from the State because honesty will mean they lose their food stamps today but because of what the money is for will have to reapply and wait for sometimes up to two months to get reinstated.

Never mind that the process is so complicated and messed up that it is a full time job just to be in the system.  If you have an appointment in most offices you can expect to be there HOURS.  Add in the drab, dehumanizing environment of the average DES office and you leave more depressed than when you went in.  I’ll never forget the day I sat in the DES office and had to battle my prejudices by realizing I was actually “one of them”.

Myth Number 3:  I’m not one of those people.

Maybe *you* aren’t, but the average family in America is one paycheck away from losing everything.  The sad reality is that our consumer/credit driven society has taken most families to the brink of being “one of those people” and needing government assistance of some kind.  Factory layoffs/closings, outsourcing to foreign countries, technology replacing humans in jobs–all lead to *people* being in financial dire straits like our forefathers never imagined.

In order to get the jobs that get you to the top of that TDE hourglass you have to have certain things:  The ability to afford college (at this point probably an advanced degree) OR a talent in a sport or acting. How’s that for rational.   Our highest salaries go to CEO’s and those who can bounce a ball or act. Now, I act–I have a Theatre degree–but the Lord called me in a different direction. I’m not suggesting erroneously that acting is easy–it’s very hard work! But work worth MILLIONS??? *shakes head no*. Our culture just happens to value entertainment above hard work.  You also have to have a talent or affinity for the areas that our culture values when it comes to your job. Time was in this country when you could come from your homeland and get a job sweeping streets or cleaning bedpans or building things and make enough money to save and become a millionaire. Yes, it’s still possible, but hardly if you have a family.  We just don’t value those jobs.  We value entertainment above hard work.  It also doesn’t hurt if you have connections in a business already.  I’ve never faulted people for offering chances and help to family–but I’ve watched my dh have to work for nephews of the owner who couldn’t tie their own shoelaces and took credit for everything my dh did.  DH wasn’t the nephew so too bad.

Watch the Pursuit of Happyness–it will change your perspective on a lot of things.

Live the decade we just lived–it will change your perspective on a lot of things.

I’m disillusioned with our government.  I’m frustrated with my party. I’m saddened when I hear things I used to say coming out of the mouths of others.  Yet I can’t imagine answering the question about “what have you done for the least of these in Jesus’ name?” with stating what candidate I voted for.  Maybe I’m most frustrated with the Body of Messiah. The Church that claims to be His representative on Earth.

I just don’t know.