Vickie: August 2004 Archives

I did a little school supply shopping this weekend. Since we home school, I usually wait until the rush is over before I pick up supplies. However, because we had a "No-Tax" weekend on school supplies, I decided to brave the crowds. As I go about my selections my ears are always tuned in to the conversations going on around me. There is a great variety of attitudes. Some are anxious to go back to school, others are sad that summer is coming to an end. I cannot help but grieve for the countless lives that will forever be changed, many for eternity, because of what is being taught in our schools today. There are many parents that have not got a clue as to what is being taught. I must caution parents as they send their children to school for another year. As the Bible says we will give account of our lives on the last day, I believe we will also give account to the Lord for the education we have provided for our children. We must realize that our public schools are going to teach our children that there is indeed NO God. They will in fact be taught that there was no creator and that the world came into being billions of years ago by a big bang. They will not be taught that our founding fathers started this nation and that many of their lives relied on divine providence. They will be taught that truth is subjective and there is NO ABSOLUTE TRUTH. They will be taught that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle. They will be taught that something is wrong with them if they do not accept alternative lifestyles. Not to mention they will not be taught that abstinence is acceptable behavior but instead will be given condoms and taught to have safe sex. These are directly opposite to God and His word. I cannot talk everyone into home school, nor is it my desire to try. I suppose home schooling is not for everyone. However, I encourage parents. If you choose to put your children into the public school system, you must be ready to answer to our creator for your decision. In addition, you have a personal responsibility to your child to MAKE SURE they are learning the truth. You have a responsiblity to be involved. You must know what those textbooks contain. Talk with your child. Be absolutely sure what they are being told and that you approve of it. Unfortunately, many public institutions are in the process of brainwashing our children from ALL TRUTH. It almost makes one wonder if there is a specific agenda in place. After all as I was reminded of this week, it was Hitler who said, "If I can control the textbooks, I will control Germany"!! I encourage you to tune into the broadcast of Dr. James Kennedy on Truths That Transform for August 12th and 13th. You can read more articles along these lines at www.flamingbanana.net. Keep seeking!!

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Sometimes we read the bible and make it so difficult to understand. We read it quickly to say we read it, or we just read it dutifully instead of stopping to meditate and think about what we are reading. As a result we sometimes miss the message entirely. One day several years ago as I was sunk deep down in my circumstances, I happened to think about a verse in Philippians that told me to rejoice. My response was immediately "whatever is there to rejoice about" (thinking about the current circumstance I was facing). Then the Holy Spirit again reminded me of the verse and the context of Philippians. Paul was in prison when he wrote the book yet the message throughout is one of rejoicing. I stopped on Philippians 4:4 and thought about it again. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice". For many years I would think of that verse and try very hard to find something in my circumstances to rejoice about. That was very hard for me to do. Until this one day when I saw those little words "in the Lord". It didn't tell me to rejoice in my circumstance. It told me to "rejoice IN THE LORD". Why, that changed the message of the verse entirely. I have never read that verse the same. Paul never tried to find joy in his circumstance. Rejoice is a key word in the book of Philippians because Paul continually kept his focus on the Lord and who He was. Therein he saw the reason to rejoice. As he continually pointed people to the Lord Jesus Christ and maintained his attitude of rejoicing, even though in prison, he instructs us to do the same. Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, THESE DO, and the God of peace will be with you. Wow, thank the Lord today for all we can learn in the words of Paul. By the way, don't forget to stop by my recipe page. I have posted one of our summer favorites!

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