Dear Friends,
"Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an
instrument of ten strings" (Psalms 33:2).
Here in Kansas, spring has started in full swing. Beautiful magnolia trees
are blooming, the air is crisp and fresh, and we are rejoicing in God's
un-changing love!
Teri's shares in her Corner the importance of using the Bible to teach even
young children. Steve's Corner is on the subject of a new direction the Lord
has given the Maxwell Family.
We are starting an additional e-mail list, HomeschooleCards News. It will be
a brief, HTML e-mail sent out the middle of each month. The purpose is to
inform of new eCards that were developed and any other news we might have.
If you'd like to sign up, please go to
spam://www.homeschoolecards.com/mail_list/index.php . You need to sign up in
order to receive HomeschooleCards News because we will not use the Corners
e-mail addresses for the new list. As always, addresses are kept strictly
confidential and will never be shared or sold!
Steve and Teri will be speaking in Orlando at the FPEA Convention, which is
May 26th-28th. The whole Maxwell Family plans to be there, and we'd love to
meet you!
We recently received this note from a mother about Keeping Our Children's
Hearts, spam://titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1140 :
Just finished Keeping Our Children's Hearts and wanted to thank you for yet
another encouraging, motivating resource! The Lord has used your writings to
convict me many times over. Thank you for your continued service to Him!
--Stevia
We pray that the Lord will richly bless you and your family. May it be our
hearts' desire to win souls to Jesus and be ambassadors of our Savior and
King!
Only for Jesus,
The Maxwells
Steve, Teri, Nathan & Melanie, Christopher, Sarah, Joseph, John, Anna,
Jesse, and Mary
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April Mom's Corner
Children's and Family Bible Time
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Sometimes in the course of parenting, we are given sound advice in the
raising of children. Other times, the counsel offered is not the path to
take. Sadly, it may only be the course of time that leads one to discover
whether there was value in the words that were spoken. Steve and I found
ourselves in this kind of difficulty, when it came to reading the Bible with
the children, as we raised our first three who are now adults. We listened
to the wrong encouragement. We were given another opportunity with our five
younger children, having the benefit of spiritual growth in us as parents.
We also had more experience in learning to listen to the Lord instead of
listening to others.
When our older children were young, we were told that preschoolers couldn't
understand the Bible. It was simply too difficult for them. The words were
too hard. The concepts were above their heads. The Bible wouldn't hold their
attention. Spiritual training, according to these voices, was not to be
neglected, though. We were encouraged to make the Bible real to our young
children by reading them books with stories that were easy to understand,
exciting, fun, and enticing for young eyes and minds with oodles of colorful
illustrations. Most said that our preschoolers needed easy-to-understand
materials like picture Bibles or books that had one verse and then a story
connected with the verse. There were plenty of these books available, so
that's what we started using for our Bible time with our children.
Although our Kindergarten-age oldest son was praised by a teacher for his
Bible knowledge, gleaned from a picture Bible, we never felt like we were
quite hitting the mark in our children's spiritual nurturing when we used
these types of materials. The children enjoyed them, no doubt. We spent
beneficial time together with our children as we read from these books.
Where was the spiritual meat, though? Could it really be that pictures
illustrating God's truth or paraphrased stories were able to convey the same
truth and wisdom found in the Word? Did these children's materials have the
power of the Bible in them?
As our children became older, the Lord was pulling our hearts away from the
fluff of other books for family Bible time. It took a few intermediate steps
from picture Bibles, but eventually we moved to using the Bible for Bible
time. What a novel idea! Of course, by now our older children were well into
their elementary grades and could be expected, even by those who liked to
give suggestions, to start understanding some of what was read from the
Bible.
In our large family, using Bibles for family time meant that our youngest
children-who were then babies, toddlers, and preschoolers-were involved in
Bible time using real Bibles. We were amazed. We were shocked. We were
dumbfounded. Our preschoolers most certainly weren't fitting the model set
out earlier for us. They liked Bible time with the family and with Bibles.
Our little children could understand much of what we were reading. They
would ask questions about what they didn't understand. They did great. When
Mary was four years old-long before she could read-she would still
participate in our family's tradition at the end of our Bible reading. After
reading the chapter for that night, each family member picks out a verse
that applies to his life in some way and shares it with the rest of the
family.
Mary would listen as the chapter was read and understand it well enough to
know which verse she wanted to pick. She even had a system to be able to
tell us her verse number. She would identify the family member who read the
verse she was choosing. She would then count around the room, since we each
read two verses until the chapter ended-sometimes her verse was read on the
second round-to determine the verse number. Then she would tell us the verse
number and articulate the personal application from what had been read in
that verse. That is pretty amazing for a very normal four-year-old if
preschoolers can't understand the Bible!
Scripture gives us a good basis for reading the Bible with our children and
teaching them from it. "And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works" (2 Timothy 3:15-17). I don't know exactly how Timothy was
taught. However, when this verse says that he has "known the holy
scriptures" from a child, I don't think he was learning from any popular
Jewish children's picture books of the time. I believe he was being taught
directly from Scripture. Look at these verses and the power we see in God's
Word-even for a child. Strong's Concordance indicates that the word "child"
is actually a baby or young child. Timothy's instruction from the Bible
began when he was very young.
In this process of what to use for Bible time with young children, consider
the appetites that are developed. When we give our children Bible story
books and picture Bibles rather than real Bibles for family Bible reading,
are we developing a love in their hearts for God's Word? Are we teaching
them that God's Word is the very sustenance of their lives? Are we giving
them a comfort level that they can and should learn and understand the Word?
Are children's picture Bibles "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness"? Are they "quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and . . . is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12)?
We experienced firsthand the consequences of using picture Bibles, story
books, and cute devotionals for Bible time. We had created an appetite in
our three older children for those kinds of materials. They much preferred
something with a story and a picture in it to the Word itself. They weren't
excited when Steve said we were going to begin reading the Bible. They
wanted a story from one of their other books or children's devotionals. It
was a process to help them develop a love for the Word and to let go of
wanting it to be entertaining.
Our younger children haven't had this problem with bad appetites being
developed in them regarding Bible reading. Instead they have had positive
appetites instilled in them. They have grown up with real Bibles and have
been a part of the family reading the Bible together. They have been able to
understand the Word without needing pictures and stories. Some have
participated in family Bible time since the day they were born, once we had
instituted reading the Bible with the children. God's inspired Word has
filled their minds and consequently taught their hearts from infancy. They
truly love God's Word.
I would encourage you to consider these thoughts as you plan what to use in
your family Bible time and preschool Bible time. We pray that our
experience, both negative and positive, would give you information to help
you see the value of using Bibles even with young children. May we be moms
who love the Word so much that nothing can be substituted for it in the
lives of our children.
Teri Maxwell
Written by Teri Maxwell, co-author of Managers of Their Homes, A Practical
Guide to Daily Scheduling for Christian Homeschool Families, Keeping Our
Children's Hearts, Just Around the Corner: Encouragement and Challenge for
Homeschooling Dads and Moms and author of Homeschooling with a Meek and
Quiet Spirit.
Teri Maxwell is the mother of eight children and began homeschooling in
1985. Three of her children have graduated from homeschool, two are still
living in their home and one is married. Teri is a homeschool conference
speaker and has been writing monthly articles of encouragement for
homeschooling moms since 1990.
To subscribe to free monthly Dad's and Mom's Corner e-mails send a blank
e-mail to corners-subscribe@titus2.com and our mailing list software will
take it from there. Or you can sign the guest book at spam://www.Titus2.com.
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April Dad's Corner
A Family Pursuit
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Some on the Corner's list have heard us speak and know that when we are at
the smaller conferences, we introduce the family by singing. We felt that
was appropriate because each evening we close our family Bible time with a
hymn. We have greatly enjoyed our singing together.
Christopher has played the piano since he was eight and is now giving Jesse,
Mary, and Anna piano lessons. His love for hymns and skill at playing them
has been a great encouragement to our family, motivating the younger
children to want to learn from him. Frequently, when Christopher visits our
church attendees, who are in the hospital, he will play the piano in the
sitting area. This is a source of joy and comfort to those he is visiting.
Last fall my mother found a violin in a thrift store that had some minor
damage to it. She is skillful with her hands and soon had made a few small
repairs to it, yielding a very playable instrument. She had heard about
Anna's desire to play the violin and gave it to her. Since then Anna has
worked hard teaching herself to play the violin.
Years ago, when we lived in Washington state, Nathan purchased an old guitar
from someone at church, and it has been gathering dust since Nathan
graduated into a nicer guitar. Occasionally, Jesse and Mary would ask if
they could get Nathan's old guitar out and play it. They would have a great
time strumming away "melodies" that they composed on the fly.
In the summer of 2004, Sarah and Teri visited some friends of the family.
Several times during the visit, the family broke out their instruments and
played them. They sang hymns and had a blessed time. Even the young children
in the home had instruments that they were learning to play.
Last fall two of our children began asking if they could purchase acoustic
guitars. I suppose all the above factors were a part, but by this time,
learning to play the guitar was firmly on their hearts. One day when Teri
and I were on our walk together, I shared with her that I was praying about
getting three guitars, two for the children and one for myself. I mentioned
how I had always wanted to learn to play a guitar, but had never done so.
When Nathan started to play his guitar, I had tried to learn with him, but
with my short fat fingers, I had given up in despair. However, now it was on
my heart again, and I was feeling committed to learning how to play the
guitar.
Teri surprised me with her reply. She said she had always desired to learn
to play the guitar as well, and if I got one, she wanted one too. It was
funny to hear her say those words because after thirty years of marriage, I
had no idea she would like to learn to play a guitar. I believe I know her
quite well and don't expect many surprises-I was wrong, she surprised me.
After getting the Lord's direction, we leapt right in and purchased a number
of instruments. Since then there have been some adjustments, and the
children have settled into their instruments of preference. Starting with
the youngest and working upwards, Mary, age 8, plays the mountain dulcimer,
guitar, and tin whistle. Jesse, age 10, plays the hammered dulcimer,
mountain dulcimer, bowed psaltery, and guitar. Anna, age 12, plays the
fiddle, hammered dulcimer, bowed psaltery, and mandolin. John, age 14, plays
the banjo, and guitar. Joseph, age 15, plays the mandolin. Sarah plays the
banjo. Christopher plays the upright bass and guitar. Finally, Teri and I
play the guitars. Whew!
So why write about this in a Dad's Corner? I have a number of things I can
share about our new interest in instruments that might encourage you and
strengthen your family.
First, we believe that Luke 1:17 is critical to raising children who have
their hearts turned toward their parents. "And he shall go before him in the
spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a
people prepared for the Lord." When my heart is turned toward my children, I
will spend edifying time with them and their hearts will be turned toward
us.
Following dinner, the rest of our evening is spent together in the most
blessed and special time of the day. Every night, we begin by having our
family Bible time. After that, we play our instruments and sing hymns. Not
only is the time edifying, but we enjoy it greatly.
Compare how our evenings are spent to the family who spends their time in
individual pursuits, out at an activity, or worse, sitting in front of a TV.
The TV is "the world" condensed down into several cubic feet. To "feed" on
what the TV spews out is spiritual poison for Christians. Friends, if you
have a TV in your home, may I encourage you to put it out for the trash? You
will be blessed if you do. If TV is taking even a minute of your time, I
implore you to get rid of it. After you have the television out of your life
for a month, you will look back and see how it was corrupting your spirit
and stealing your time. I know those are strong words, but I challenge you
to see if what I'm saying is true.
Next, I have heard through the years that if you want to teach your children
teamwork, let them play sports. I have come to disagree with that statement.
Instead of our children receiving all the negatives sports have to offer-bad
influences, injuries, appetites for wasting time, and more-our family is
learning to cooperate and to defer to the other as they seek to produce
harmony and balanced music. (For more information on sports, we suggest you
listen to: Sports-Friend or Foe?
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Playing music to be a blessing to others has given the children additional
purpose in their days. When they have some discretionary time, they are
likely to spend it practicing on their instruments instead of wasting it. I
love to walk past the living room seeing Jesse and Mary practicing their
dulcimers together, or seeing all of the younger children working on a hymn
they will play for the elderly on Sunday at church.
One thing we have avoided is dependence on someone else to teach the
children. I've known many families who taxi their children all around to
music lessons. In addition to disrupting the day, it can be extremely
expensive. We tried an instructor for a few weeks and cycled several
children together through the lesson, but soon found that books and DVDs
were more beneficial. We can use these resources at times that fit our
schedule, and the materials are there for later review.
Instead of purchasing character-quality curriculum, we have found the music
time provides ample opportunity to work on character. For example, when the
children work together practicing hymns they need to submit to one another.
Each one usually has a suggestion on how to best play the arrangement, and
it is a wonderful exercise in submission for them to work through it with
proper spirits.
Some might think that it would be expensive if one chooses to go down the
musical road. Certainly, it can be, but there are many ways to make it
affordable. As I mentioned, Anna's violin came from a thrift store. A family
we know got their son's guitar at a garage sale. It is not uncommon for
people to have instruments gathering dust that they would be happy to give
away or sell inexpensively to someone who will use them. Two of the children
have recorders and Mary also has a tin whistle which are very inexpensive
instruments. Also, musical instruments make great gifts for the children
instead of toys that quickly wear out. Grandparents might be pleased to know
of something worthwhile to give as a present or at least money toward the
instrument. Often children will have money saved that could be used on a
life-time investment such as a musical instrument. If God puts family
musical instruments on your heart, pray and ask Him to provide them. It is
exciting to see how the Lord answers prayers, and your children will be
encouraged in their faith.
Another hindrance to some might be that the parents don't have a musical
background or knowledge of music theory. That is exactly how I would
describe myself. I was a grade school trombone flunky. We have found that
there are books and videos available that can take someone who knows nothing
musically and have him playing hymns very quickly. If I remember right, I
believe we were playing our first hymn within a week. It was rewarding and
such a blessing. Don't let lack of musical knowledge stop you. Most
importantly, if the Lord Jesus is leading you, go for it.
May I encourage you to seek the Lord in how He might direct your family into
joint pursuits-activities that may be done as a family? Our family music
time has a significant impact on my time and what I can accomplish in the
evenings, but I don't regret this investment for a minute. I love pouring
out my heart and time into my family. If there are unprofitable things that
are taking your time, please remove them from your life. Then substitute in
something that is edifying and good for your family. The benefits you will
receive will be a blessing for eternity.
Steve Maxwell
Written by Steven Maxwell, co-author of Managers of Their Homes: A Practical
Guide to Daily Scheduling for Christian Homeschool Families, Keeping Our
Children's Hearts, Just Around the Corner: Encouragement and Challenge for
Homeschooling Dads and Moms, and author of Preparing Sons to Provide for a
Single-Income Family.
Steve Maxwell is the father of eight children. His family began
homeschooling in 1985. In 1997, the Lord brought Steve home to run his own
business, and he now enjoys the privilege of working with his two grown sons
and one grown daughter. Steve is a homeschool conference speaker and has
been writing monthly articles of encouragement for homeschooling dads since
1990.
To subscribe to free monthly Dad's and Mom's Corner e-mails send a blank
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Selected Dad's and Mom's Corners are available at our web site:
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one book entitled, Just Around the Corner: Encouragement and Challenge for
Christian Homeschooling Dads and Moms
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information, please visit our web-site, spam://www.Titus2.com.)
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----All Scripture is quoted from the King James Version.
Copyright 2005 Managers of Their Homes
Managers of Their Homes
2416 S. 15th St.
Leavenworth, Kansas 66048
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Microsoft délivre le premier service pack de Windows Server 2003
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TPE/PME - Business
Hewlett-Packard a un nouveau big boss
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Une start-up conçoit la première puce spéciale réseau optique
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Microsoft prépare le successeur de Passport
Microsoft s'est résolu à développer un nouveau système
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VeriSign bien placé pour conserver la gestion du .net
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Stratégie multiplay : Thomson rachète Inventel
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fil.
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Google veut promouvoir son propre outil d'audience Internet
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performances de sites Web.
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Les réseaux locaux sans fil en progression dans les entreprises
Au cours du 4e trimestre 2004, le cabinet d'études IDC a observé une
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destination des entreprises.
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La BSA veut éduquer les entreprises à la gestion de parcs logiciels
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françaises, l'association d'éditeurs rappelle les risques encourus
et prodigue ses conseils.
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