Raising Real Men: The Real Deal!

I was pleased to receive a copy of "Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching, and Appreciating Boys".

After hearing the authors, Hal and Melanie Young, interviewed on Kevin Swanson's Generations Radio Podcast, I knew that I HAD to read this book. Why, you ask? Because I was desperate for a completely biblical, practical guide to raising boys that did not draw from any secular humanist psychological theories. You see, I used to be a secular humanist psychiatrist so I know the bad stuff when I smell see it.


My son is 9 now and I was raised around a bunch of girls- 5 of them to be exact.  I am the one that my son is around for teaching and training most of the day most days.  With God's grace and godly advice from parents who have been there, I desire to raise my son for the glory of God.


I am very grateful that this book did not disappoint.  The authors very humbly take you through principles they have learned in raising their boys (all 6 of them) for the glory of God.  Filled with Scriptural principles," Raising Real Men" is a welcome addition to the standard Christian books about raising boys.  Written from a homeschooling perspective, I find it much easier to relate to this book than the others.

"Raising Real Men" is a book that I will surely re-read many times in my quest to raise a real man.  I am so grateful to the Young's for writing it.

Check out their very informative and encouraging blog today!

Big Thoughts For Little People

Another jewel by Kenneth Taylor. This is an updated edition of a classic.

What a wonderfully illustrated, vibrant review of basic Christian principles and morals. We have enjoyed other Kenneth Taylor Bible-based storybooks and this was no exception. Clearly Mr. Taylor's enthusiasm for teaching Bible truths to the youngest of children made him very sensitive to the needs of children and their parents.

My children are a little older (6 and 9) but they still enjoyed the alphabet-letter approach and colorful illustrations.

There are so many books out there that we can read to our children and encourage them to read that have NO eternal value. Life is short, there are only so many hours in a day so filling my children's minds and hearts with good examples of behavior and morals is important to me.

I do not think anyone with children will be disappointed adding this charming book to their family's bedtime reading line-up.

Review: How To Evaluate A Suitor

How To Evaluate a Suitor is a CD featuring a presentation by Doug Phillips, founder of Vision Forum Ministries, on helping a father properly evaluate a man interested in marriage to his daughter.

How to Evaluate a Suitor - Audiobook on CD

What a wonderful CD for parents like me and my husband who grew up thinking that dating was the only option for finding a life partner but who now realize there is a better way: God's way. Combining biblical directives with practical wisdom, Doug Phillips gives a wonderful vision for the godly way to the marriage altar. This is one we will listen to again and again.

Click below to hear a sample of the message.

How To Evaluate A Suitor

Review: Ken Ham Creation Science DVD

Since my 9-year old son began listening to the Jonathan Park series of creation science audio dramas, he has become more interested in and knowledgeable about all aspects of God's wonderful creation.

Ken Ham's DVD, "Top Ten Questions About Genesis and Creation", produced by Vision Forum, has helped to stoke his interest even more. I found myself quite curious as to what the top questions would be from a man who for many years has been in the forefront of speaking on behalf of our Mighty Creator and His all-encompassing role in our Universe.

Some questions were somewhat predictable ("How did Noah get all of the animals on the Ark?") but others were a little surprising. One of the surprises for me was "Where did Cain get his wife?" which Ham stated was one of the most frequent questions he has received over the years. I always assumed that he married a sibling and that is exactly what Ham discusses.

Questions about the origin of races, carbon dating and the global flood were all very interesting and informative.

This video presentation of a conference lecture could be an excellent springboard to spark discussions, reading and research in your homeschool on relevant topics in creation science thus preparing you and your children to defend the biblical worldview of creation and the history of mankind.

Visit VisionForum.com to get your copy today!

Resting In Jesus

Our church, Broadview Heights Baptist Church is having a Holiness and Revival Conference this week. One of the themes of preaching at church over the past few weeks as well as a theme of the conference that has convicted me is the idea of truly resting in Jesus, depending on his grace and the Holy Spirit for all of my needs.

Resting does not come easily for me. I am more likely to work harder and harder on a difficult area of my life than I am to look to Jesus and his strength and power to enable me to accomplish the mountain of tasks often before me as a homeschool mom.

I am learning now to ask each morning and throughout everyday "Am I working on my own strength and power or the power of the Holy Spirit within me?"

I love this hymn I recently learned at church:

JESUS, I AM RESTING, RESTING

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

May you rely on God's grace and His Holy Spirit to help you to rest in Jesus as you prepare to begin for another year of homeschooling.

Go to NetHymnal to hear the tune for the hymn, "Jesus I Am Resting, Resting".

Review: NLT Hebrews- Life Application Bible Studies Series

I admit I was a little leery of a Bible study specifically meant to be application focused. I feared it might be too much focused on "me" like many studies I have picked up. I tend to want a study to teach me more about God and his attributes and his redemptive plan for man. This study did just that.

I was pleased that the commentary section of the study was actually quite good and detailed. It was nice to have the Scripture text on the same page as the extensive commentary. Some nice charts and tables were included as well.

I especially appreciated that the editors commented when certain changes were made in the New Living Translation from the original manuscripts. For instance, the translation often changed "brothers" to "brothers and sisters".

The questions in the study section of the book are divided into 13 sections. Some are questions from the text while others encourage the participant to reflect on his or her life. Both types of questions are helpful and should make the meaning of the text more memorable.

I liked the small size of the book which made it very easy to carry around as I was completing the study.

I believe I will go through this study with my 9-year old son once we begin our homeschool year. He is ready for more than just Bible stories at this point and I believe we will both enjoy going through the study together.

In summary, the Hebrews Life Application book is a good Bible study for anyone who wants to dig deeper and find the treasures written in the Bible to help us to glorify God by living our life as followers of the true Christ written of in the Bible.[[ASIN:1414325649 Hebrews (Life Application Bible Studies: NLT)]]

Learning About Missionaries

Here is a slide show I put together from a class that I co-taught for our homeschool co-op this spring. I was blessed and encouraged learning from the lives of famous missionaries. Feel free to share this. A mini-study on missionaries using the very short and interesting series we used would make a great summer project for your family.