From the Editor ~ Feasting and Sin
by Deborah Wuehler
If you have a few minutes, you'll want to read this month's offering from one of our readers, Traci Weldie of Wisconsin. Tracie sent in a beautiful reminder which runs parallel to my heart for homeschool moms everywhere: feasting on the Word of God. It's what gets you through the cold, hard times.
And our question this issue is how we teach our children about sin. Contributing writer Marla Nowak gives us an excellent answer to that question that we can use in our Bible times with our children.
And, lest I forget, I owe you an update on our 2-year old, Hope. Her CT-scan came back perfectly clear. From the time of her scan until this writing, she has not complained even once of her head hurting. All glory to God! Thank you to all who were praying for our little girl. The battle of fear has subsided, yet we continue to keep our spiritual armor on.
Until next time, let's keep fighting the good fight
and feasting on the Word.
~ Deborah Wuehler
From Our Readers ~ "The Chickadee and the Feast"
by Traci Weldie of Wauwatosa, WI
It has been a long, cold winter in Wisconsin this year, especially for a family coming off 6 years of living in California! A few weeks ago, we had a terrible cold spell that found a significant part of the country suffering in sub-zero temperatures for days upon end. Some days, it was difficult just to get the door open.
It was on one of these very cold days that I noticed a house that I often drive by. This house has seven birdfeeders lined up in its front yard. I chuckled to myself, thinking there must be some serious bird lovers living there. I also wondered why all the bird feeders in the middle of winter? Don't most birds migrate south during this time of year?
My question was soon answered during a local news report. The anchor was talking about chickadees and how they don't migrate south. He proceeded to tell the audience that on these very cold days, a typical chickadee needs three times the amount of birdseed than he normally needs just to make it through the day. While this little news story was probably meant to fill some time on a light news days, God used this image to teach me about feasting with Him.
You see, as I struggle to figure out what this Christian walk is all about, I often find myself in cold, hard places, times when nothing seems to be going the way I had planned, or times when I wish I were doing something else. There are those days where the laundry is piled up past my waist, the kitchen floor has gunk all over it, I find a day-old banana stuck to the carpet in the basement, and my husband just called and said he won't be home for dinner for the third night in a row. Those are the days that I think I don't want to be a Christian - I want to yell and scream, I want to escape my responsibilities, and I want to just think about ME! Those are my cold, hard days.
But, in those times there is a refuge, a place where I can go to be filled. There is a source of nutrition that will sustain me and give me the strength to go on: God's Word! The problem is that I am not like that chickadee in the freezing temperatures - I am not diligently "eating" three times the amount of food I normally need to get through a day.
Isaiah 55:10-11 says, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Just like rain (and even snow) waters the earth that leads to seeds, which in turn give bread, so it is that God's Word feeds our souls and does a work in our lives. God's Word is something that I can feast upon - it is what will get me through those days.
Psalm 119:103 says, "How sweet are thy words to my taste yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
I have to admit that for most of my life I just didn't "get" passages like this - I couldn't see how the Bible was sweeter than honey. I realized that I didn't get it because I wasn't reading it! When I actually started taking God's words into my soul, He started working in my life - and it is sweet! God's Word is also everything we need. Matthew 4 is the account of Jesus being tempted in the desert.
The Message puts Jesus' response to Satan's challenge to turn stones into bread: "Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: 'It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth.' "
Some days, I am not taking in a steady stream of God's words. I find so many ways to fill my time, and by the end of the day I feel like I have failed in so many ways; I have been an impatient mom, I have been an uncaring friend, I have not been a willing wife, and I have not even been able to get done what needed to be done that day. The contrast to the days in which I quietly taste the sweet words of my savior is amazing: my temper doesn't flare up quite as easily, I find time to get all my work done, I willingly give of myself to my husband, and I rest easily at night. I have to ask myself why, then, do I not do this every day? Why are there days when I still choose to put something else before spending time in God's Word? If I am being totally honest, I would chalk it up to two things: laziness and selfishness.
So, then, there are the days that are extra cold and extra hard. The lesson I learned from those little chickadees is that I need to be like them - take in three times the amount of God's words I do on the good days. Think of those seven birdfeeders planted in the front yard - it is an overabundance of food for the chickadee. That is how available God's Word is to us! We are so fortunate to live in a place where we can pick up a Bible at the local store or turn on the radio to hear a preacher. Not only do I have a Bible, but I have five different translations and even one with a pretty cover. I have no excuse to neglect feeding on God's words daily.
When I find myself turning to the Bible, I am no longer just feeding, but I am enjoying the finest feast with a Lord who promises that His Word will accomplish what He desires! So instead of shivering in the cold, will you join in the feast?
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Q&A with Deborah
by Deborah Wuehler
QUESTION: "How should we teach our children about sin?"
ANSWER: To answer that question, I wanted to share some great insight from one of our contributing writers, Marla Nowak. Here's Marla:
The Other Side to Sin
The other night I started to listen to a message and the speaker mentioned, "Sin is fun." I've always had a weakness for honest people, so I decided to listen to the entire message. Sin is sometimes fun - that's no surprise. Yet I kept thinking about it, considering that while I teach my children about sin, I don't tell the whole truth.
The next morning during our Bible time, I asked the children what they could tell me about sin. All four gave me good answers - the right Christian answers, the godly-sounding, spiritually inspired, solid, acceptable answers. No one said it was FUN. I'm not surprised.
Children need to know about the other side to sin. It's the part we all know but don't often admit. We enjoy sin. How could sin tempt if it did not hold some degree of benefit for us? The whole nature of sin screams "self." And self likes to please self, first.
Sin is not just fun. Sin is comfortable. Sin is exciting. Sin takes no thought. Sin has appeal. Sin can feel rewarding. Sin is relaxing. Sin soothes. Sin makes us happy. Sin is cheap or even free (for the moment). Sin is easily justified. Sin is easily excused. Sin is just plain easy. Sin is a friend that looks for you. You don't have to seek sin. Sin is always available. Sin is independence and freedom because sin is a choice.
Hebrews 11:25 "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season …"
Sin can be pleasurable; even the Bible admits it. Children need the whole truth about sin. It's not like they don't know it. We know, and teach our children, that sin leaves us feeling awful, pained, guilty, disappointed, terrible, cheated, regretful, and frustrated. How can our children reconcile that with sin that sometimes "feels" right?
In 2 Timothy, Paul tells us men will be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Children can understand this warning. The threat of sin, the deceptive, sinister ways of sin make it hard to identify at times.
Teach children that sometimes they must be prepared to look fun in the eye and know it can be an enemy, a wolf in lamb's clothing. Admit sin may be fun for a season, even if that season is less than a few minutes. Remind them of sin's consequences, of how much God hates sin, how it separates us from Him, how it isolates us from Him and those we love. Tell them how awful and painful it is. Tell them we always reap MORE than we sow, too. Tell them Jesus was HOLY and wants us to be separate and holy, too. Tell them they make choices and have to decide if they want to believe the voice that calls them to sin or the voice that calls them to persevere and hold tight to the truth.
Read these Scriptures to your children: 1 Cor. 10:2 "And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;" 1 Cor. 10:3 "And did all eat the same spiritual meat;" 1 Cor. 10:4 "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." 1 Cor. 10:5 "But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness." 1 Cor. 10:6 "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted."
Many learn the truth, even see the Savior, but don't choose the right path. Tell your children that none of us, not Daddy or Mommy, can relax on this issue of sin's temptation. We are never safe from sin on this earth. Warn your children.
Tell them of 1 Cor. 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Lastly tell them that when they fail and sin is the problem, the solution is Christ. Tell them His mercy endures forever. Remind them of 1 Cor. 15:57 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Tell them not to be ruined by sin's guilt, which can be just as damaging as sin.
When you pray with your children, or talk with them, don't just call Him God, Lord, Jesus, but call Him Savior too.
Marla Nowak is a contributing writer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. She is delighted to have accomplished her childhood dream to be a wife and mommy. Originally a product of the Shenandoah Valley, Marla is still a small-town girl at heart and cherishes her family and faith. Presently in her eleventh year of homeschooling, she is mother to 7 children, 4 still at home. Pleasures like a good cup of coffee or the first hydrangea bloom are simple things she appreciates. Admittedly a bit of a homebody, Marla delights in her family (most days!).
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This Month's Contests
- The Values Driven Family Book: A Proactive Plan for Successful Biblical Parenting by Marc and Cynthia Carrier. Here's our Product Review and their website: www.valuesdrivenfamily.com.
- The Cozy Classroom Collection CD: Marie Rackham performs Classical Piano Arrangements Conducive to Learning. See the website for further offerings: www.splashesfromtheriver.com.
- Studying Japan? We have two books available together - Operation Japan Prayer Guide and a beautiful Bouquet of Bible Verses in English and Japanese. This website has more information on the prayer guide: www.thejapannet.com.
TO ENTER: Email Devotions@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com with your name and mailing address for a chance to win one of these gifts. Note: We never use your personal information for anything other than sending out prizes to the winners.
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The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("Company") is sponsoring the May 2007 Devotional Newsletter Study Starters Contest and the May 2007 Devotional Newsletter History Scribe Contest, each running from May 1, 2007, to May 30, 2007. You must be 18 years of age or older and follow all rules to participate. Entering the contest constitutes full and complete acceptance of, and a warranty that the entrant has read, understands and agrees to, all contest terms and conditions, including without limitation all of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC Contest Rules ("Official Rules") at http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Resources/Contests.php and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Writer Guidelines and Terms and Conditions for Submitting Queries (as published on the Internet at http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/legal/Writers_Guidelines.html). All Official Rules apply. Entry also constitutes full consent and unlimited permission for Company to print, publish, broadcast and use all intellectual property and personal information submitted as part of the Contest entry on the Internet and in any and all Company publications in accordance with the Rules. Entries become the sole property of Company and will not be returned. Employees and independent contractors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, Contest sponsors, individuals or entities furnishing Contest prizes and their family members may not participate in this contest. Company reserves the sole, discretionary right to determine contest winners and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest or the Rules at any time with or without notice or cause, subject to applicable law. See Official Rules for details.
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Schoolhouse Store Spotlight ~ Time Traveler's History Series
The Schoolhouse Store is excited to announce the Time Traveler's History Series, a brand new addition from Home School in the Woods. Each of these studies, currently available for Colonial Life and New World Explorers, offers 25 lessons chock full of hands-on crafts and projects. Each 5-10 week unit study includes reading text, project directions, teacher helps, student pages, and a lesson planner Guide-at-a-Glance. You'll enjoy recipes, making lapbooks, science experiments, practice penmanship, and much more!
You won't want to miss this great resource, available for only $28.95. And remember, shipping is always free at The Schoolhouse Store!
Blog of the Month
Each month I will feature a different blog site from TOS's HomeschoolBlogger.com
Homeschooling only one?
You will find encouraging and practical help every week right here.
May Haptoon
Interested in more Haptoons? Email to purchase your own mini book of cartoons here: haptoon@juno.com or visit the website here: http://www21.brinkster.com/haptoon/
Testimonials
"Wow, Deborah! Great devotional on overcoming fear! During my time with the Lord yesterday, He impressed me with the need to trust Him. As I looked in the Word, I saw that it was definitely not a good option not to trust Him. Our family discussed this last night during family prayer, and the Lord had been speaking the same to our 16- and 14-year olds.
Thanks so much for sharing. As homeschoolers, we do go against the norm of society so we're 'a peculiar people,' but it's better to put our trust in the Lord than in man. God bless." --Terri
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