Listen, Hear and Then Obey: Reflections (Part 3)
While I have been involved in political activities for most of my life, I am not much of a “groupie”. Aside from my serious involvement in the establishment of the Reform Party of Canada a long time ago, I now tend to maintain my memberships in political parties more so I can be in the know of what is happening and influence when opportunity is presented.
While I often communicate with political leaders and government workers, I believe most of my contributions go largely unnoticed, but then again we never really know what effect our efforts actually have. One thing is certain: you won’t have any effect if you do nothing other than complain.
Continue reading “Listen, Hear and Then Obey: Reflections (Part 3)”
It Happens! Reflections (Part 2)
Those of you familiar with the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump” may remember the scene in which Forest says, “It happens” which ends up being preceded with an “Sh”. Maybe this was meant to show bad things happen just as often, if not more often, than good things, and we should all know “it happens” events will occur to us all at some point in our lives.
Those familiar with my wife and I will know that we experienced a number of bad events these past two years. You will remember that 2021 started with major problems with our sponsor school followed by an event of crushing consequence before continuing with even more disasters to make 2021 the worse year my wife and I have ever had to endure. Unfortunately, 2022 didn’t start well either. In fact, it nearly ended before really getting started. More on this, later.
Continue reading “It Happens! Reflections (Part 2)”
Reflections (Part 1)
Life is full of surprises, and not all of them are positive. Although there may be many things that can get our attention, nothing sneaks up on us like time. Everyone has heard older folks say that time goes by fast, but who really believes them, unless of course, you are one of the older ones!
Children have a very limited concept of time, while teens seem to be locked in their own immediate time capsule. While in the twenties, most can only see time as far as the next weekend, and the thirties come with so many responsibilities that time is often blurred. The next thing you know, you are in your forties when your own children reawaken your time consciousness as they embark on creating their own timeline.
Continue reading “Reflections (Part 1)”
Choosing to Celebrate All That He Has Done
Regardless of how you view and/or celebrate Christmas, or not, let’s include the rest of the year’s celebrations in this message.
I doubt Jesus was born on December 25th. We know where he was born, and ultimately we know why. We can imagine how he was born, as he came through normal channels, but we do not know exactly when. Still, for the sake of argument, let’s say we celebrate the birth of Christ at this time of year.
Two followup celebrations take place in February: Valentine’s Day, when we celebrate love, which the Apostle John tells us is the essence of God, and Family Day, when we celebrate God’s nuclear unit of life.
Continue reading “Choosing to Celebrate All That He Has Done”
Decisions – Summary: Choices (Part 15)
We all face having to make decisions every day. While most decisions are inconsequential, some are very serious, as the consequences could affect others well into the future, particularly in regards to children. It makes no real difference whether you make a peanut butter or jam sandwich or both for that matter, and the colour of your socks will hardly be noticed, unless of course it is different on each foot. But something like deciding to home educate will have far reaching consequences.
Deciding to home educate is a very big decision that will put you in conflict with status quo expectations. However, please remember that if everyone does the same, everyone gets the same. More importantly, the only way to make a difference in this world is to be different. While having different coloured socks may attract attention (our PM comes to mind), home education influences the future by producing adults who think differently from those who followed school, cookie-cutter, think-alike programming.
Continue reading “Decisions – Summary: Choices (Part 15)”
Academic Objectives for Home Education: Choices (Part 14)
Now that we have dealt with the urban legend of having to possess a high school diploma and government transcript or die, it may be necessary to explain why this lie is perpetuated in the first place and what is actually needed instead of the standard expectation.
It should not come as much of a surprise that the main motivation behind advancing the diploma is largely based on funding. The government provides greater funding for public programming. Why would a government do this if not to maximize the usage of its programming, which you should understand is not going to advance God’s kingdom as much as its own.
Continue reading “Academic Objectives for Home Education: Choices (Part 14)”
Diploma Consequences for Home Education: Choices (Part 13)
Most likely the biggest, most fearful consequence associated with home education is the potential for sabotaging a child’s future possibilities. As I mentioned in a previous blog, “there will be consequences” for choosing home education, and again, you are probably hearing “that you will not like”. At least that is what the entire world seems to be saying – loud and clear!
Let’s begin by answering the question about whether or not a child’s future will be handicapped by home education.
NO, you are not potentially ruining your child’s future. Should they go to high school, and that is most definitely not recommended, they will have no problem integrating into their studies.
Continue reading “Diploma Consequences for Home Education: Choices (Part 13)”
Long-Term Consequences of Choosing Home Education: Choices (Part 12)
Let me mention two important advantages and long-term consequences of learning at home. Remember, there are always exceptions so keep the words “should”, “could” and “usually” in mind.
The first advantage of home education is improved family dynamics. Siblings who grow up together become each other’s best friends. While there will always be contests between children and with parents, especially as children go through the transitional “teen” years, the default remains a strong loyalty to the family unit. Children who are allowed to be comfortable with who they are at home will be more likely to value the individuality of others, especially those nearest them. Educating at home is time well spent especially when considering the word love is best spelled T-I-M-E.
Continue reading “Long-Term Consequences of Choosing Home Education: Choices (Part 12)”
Short-Term Consequences of Choosing Home Education: Choices (Part 11)
Every decision comes with consequences. Unfortunately, the word consequences has taken on a negative meaning. We have all heard the warning “there will be consequences” and we have all heard the unspoken “that you will not like”. Truth is, consequences are directly related to the decision. Therefore, if bad decisions usually result in bad consequences, good decisions should bring good consequences.
We all know we are living in an imperfect world where the expected can elude us. Rose-colored glasses do not change the fact that bad things happen, even to good people who make good decisions. There are no guarantees other than inevitable death, taxes (if you make money), and persecution for doing good, and there are most certainly no guarantees in home education.
Continue reading “Short-Term Consequences of Choosing Home Education: Choices (Part 11)”
More Decisions – Family Structure? Choices (Part 10)
While choices abound for the why’s, how’s, when’s, where’s and what’s of home education, there are other decisions that must be made to ensure a sound foundation upon which to conduct your educational efforts.
One of the biggest reasons families fail to continue a home education program is because their house is out of order. Today, I would like to address this most important topic and the decisions required to get this right.
There is an old saying that anything with more than one head is a freak or monster. This is true, especially when applied to the family. On the other hand, if there is no head the entity is dead, and a house lacking leadership is on a collision course with failure.
Continue reading “More Decisions – Family Structure? Choices (Part 10)”