A 2nd Generation of Homeschooling

A Call to Righteous Judging

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000

"There is a false current of thinking in Christian circles that is so afraid of legalism that anything that calls us to righteousness is condemned as an immature form of Christianity. Actually, Scripture is quite clear on this point. The evidence of spiritual maturity is not doctrinal sophistication, nor so-called liberty, but righteous living." - Michael Farris

Hebrews 5:13, 14 "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

Have you ever wondered what the Bible truly says concerning the issue of judging? God's Word addresses this in great detail. Jesus laid down clear guidelines on how to judge. Watch this great video below by our great family friend, Adam Tennant!

What Picture are You Painting Today?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:01:00 +0000

"I am becoming more aware of the power of traditions to shape my children's mental picture of home and family. I see myself as an artist, of sorts, drawing and painting in my children's minds a beautiful picture that will remain there the rest of their lives on this earth." -Sally Clarkson, Seasons of a Mother's Heart

Computer Programming for Homeschoolers

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Does your child show an interest in computer programming? Check this out! It looks very interesting! Would love to hear opinions on what you think of it if you have used it with your pre-teen or teen. Check it out HERE!

Are you a FULL-TIME Parent?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The average kid gets 19 minutes with a parent each day, but he gets 7.5 hours plugged into the media matrix. He gets processed through his institutions for at least 15,000 hour over 18 years. Is it time for a radical shift in the way we view parenting? That’s Israel Wayne’s point in his new book, Full-Time Parenting. We get into some of the nitty-gritty of parenting, training children, and education on this edition of Generations. Listen to this GREAT interview HERE!

And here is the wonderful book from Israel Wayne, "Full-Time Parenting: A Guide to Family Discipleschip".

Free Embroidery Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Raising Homemakers is doing a lovely study on the Fruit of the Spirit for the next nine months. This month they are giving away (to EVERYONE!) a embroidery pattern from Clementine Patterns with the first Fruit of the Spirit, LOVE! It's beautiful! Maybe those of y'all with girls old enough could incorporate it into a home economics program! We have used Clementine Patterns and are more than happy with what they have to offer!

Go HERE to learn more about it! Enjoy!

Metzger Summer 2012 Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:05:00 +0000

This is our tentative schedule for our homeschool this summer. We school year-round, but we have a lighter load in the summer since there are really little to no extracurricular activities. For a list of the curricula we use or have used, visit the tab at the top, Homeschool Tools.

Kaitlyn (12) Summer 2012

Monday – Mystery of History, God’s Design For Life x 2, Lapbooking (A Journey Through Learning)
Tuesday – Algebra 1 Lesson, American Literature x 2, The Daily Spark x 2, Evangelism/Apologetics
Wednesday – Algebra 1 Lesson, Vocabulary Cartoons x 3, Oral Language Plus x 2, The Daily Spark, Online Geography, Missions Reading/book report
Thursday – Algebra 1 Lesson, Vocabulary Cartoons x 3, The Daily Spark x 2
Friday – Family Ministry/Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Ethan (11) Summer 2012

Monday – Mystery of History, God’s Design For Life x 2, Lapbooking (A Journey Through Learning)
Tuesday – Algebra 1 Lesson, The Daily Spark, Reading, Oral Language Plus, Typing, Evangelism/Apologetics
Wednesday – Algebra 1 Lesson, The Daily Spark, Oral Language Plus, Online Geography, MOH, Reading
Thursday – Algebra 1 Lesson, Silly Starters with Trey, Reading, Typing
Friday – Family Ministry/Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Trey (10) Summer 2012

Monday – Mystery of History, God’s Design For Life x 2, Lapbooking (A Journey Through Learning)
Tuesday – Math x 2, Reading, The Daily Spark, Typing, Evangelism/Apologetics
Wednesday – Math x 1, The Daily Spark, Online Geography, MOH, Reading
Thursday – Math x 2, Silly Starters with Ethan, Reading, Typing
Friday – Family Ministry/Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Jake (7/8) Summer 2012

Monday – Mystery of History, God’s Design For Life x 2, Lapbooking (A Journey Through Learning)
Tuesday – Math x 2, Reading, Language 3, Typing, Evangelism/Apologetics
Wednesday – Math x 1, Online Geography, MOH, Reading
Thursday – Math x 2, Language 3 x 2, Typing, Reading
Friday – Family Ministry/Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Julia (6) Summer 2012

Monday – God’s Design For Life x 2, Math x 1, Lapbooking (A Journey Through Learning)
Tuesday – Math x 1, Reading
Wednesday – Reading, Online Geography
Thursday – Math x 2
Friday – Family Ministry/Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Long time, no blog...

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:57:00 +0000

For those who aren't aware, I have been super busy with the new ministry we are on the board for here in Charlotte called Cities4Life! I have been one crazy-busy woman, between being a wife, homeschooling, our usual family ministry at abortion mills and now...Cities4Life. But...life is good and is now becoming more manageable again!

We recently had a wonderful family time at a local homeschool convention in Spartanburg, SC where I was finally able to sit down and look at Teaching Textbooks. After Mark and I played around with the algebra 1 CD-ROM program at the booth, we decided to take the plunge and buy it for Kaitlyn and Ethan to start immediately! Oh my goodness! I LOVE IT! Yes, it's only day #3 on it. BUT...they love it and it does all (and I mean, ALL) the thinking, teaching, and even grading for me. I am now going to test the other children to see where they place and if I can find some used CD-ROMS on their level! This is awesome!

I look forward to blogging more again soon! It's good to be back!

The Unbeliever's Favorite Scripture...Do Not Judge!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:18:00 +0000

Unbelievers aren't the only ones who like to quote this out of context...MANY believers do, as well. I find that they really only feel the need to do so when they know that what you're saying is right and it convicts them. For more on SCRIPTURAL judgment by Believers, read here!

"It should be noted that this passage has erroneously been used to suggest that believers should never evaluate or criticize anyone for anything. Our day hates absolutes, especially theological and moral absolutes, and such simplistic interpretation provides a convenient escape from confrontation. Members of modern society, including many professing Christians, tend to resist dogmatism and strong convictions about right and wrong. Many people prefer to speak of all-inclusive love, compromise, ecumenism, and unity. To the modern religious person those are the only "doctrines" worth defending, and they are the doctrines to which every conflicting doctrine must be sacrificed..."

Finding the FUN in Annual Testing!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:56:00 +0000

Being a 2nd generation homeschooler, I have come to realize that parents know, for the most part, where their kids are educationally. Annual testing, if required by your state, is mostly just a hoop we’re to jump through in accordance with our state’s requirements for homeschooling. In our homeschool, I seek to make testing fun and easy….or at least as fun and as easy as possible. Read the rest of my post on At The Well HERE...

Raising Indigenous Missionaries

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:52:00 +0000

"And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews... to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law... I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:20-22

Indigenous Missionaries are individuals who originate in a particular region or country and who boldly share the Gospel of Jesus. Since our children are natural citizens of America, and since the ones who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior have been commissioned by Jesus to share the Good News of the salvation that He freely gives, they are perfectly placed to live out the role of an Indigenous missionary.

We can probably all agree that being a native missionary is a commendable goal for our children, though they may also be called to be a foreign missionary as adults. So, what about the training process? Must we wait until they are a certain age? Should they plan on attending Bible college before actively learning how to practically share their faith? What should our focus be in these formidable years?

First, WHO did Jesus command to go?

The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

In that passage there is something deeper to think over: "Therefore go" is not the best translation. An expanded translation that better reflects the Greek text is:

"As you go through life, wherever you may have been born, wherever God may take you, as a habitual practice of life, make disciples . . ." (Matt. 28:19).

So, while there is a need to go to the ends of the earth and preach the Good News, there is a commission given to EACH believer that tells us to make disciples HABITUALLY, AS we go through life!

Secondly, HOW can this be accomplished?

Where has God called me (Lisa) to go in life? He has called me to be a wife and a mother. Since Mark is my spiritual leader, I am not called to make a disciple of him. But Mark and I have been called, as our children’s parents, to make disciples of them and to train them in the way of Jesus at ALL times (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). The first way our family accomplishes this is through homeschooling!

Another one of the many ways we are training our “little disciples” is to allow them to participate in our ministry – our family’s ministry - to those at abortion clinics. We minister to them where they are and we share with them the Good News and Hope that only Jesus can bring! Many times we get to minister to these men and women, both on a short-term and long-term basis. So in essence, we go about this particular ministry, making disciples by reaching souls outside of abortion clinics. (for more info: check the Pro-Life and Family Ministry categories)

When you train up disciples you have to equip them with the tools they need to share and defend their faith! We train them “as they go”, teaching them through the many opportunities that present themselves in real life, and preparing them before hand through doctrinal overview (discussing why we believe what we believe) and through evangelism training. I highly recommend evangelism training through Ray Comfort’s ministry, Living Waters. Their resources are great! Another good one, for learning about solid scientific defenses for our faith is through Ken Ham’s ministry, Answers In Genesis. Through nightly family worship, we study the Scriptures and hide the Word in our hearts!

What are YOU doing?

So where have you been called to serve? How can you and will you purposefully share your own faith, as well as train your children up to know and experience sharing their faith as children, teens and young adults?

2012 Metzger Homeschool Schedule - Year-round with Multiple Grade Levels

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:01:00 +0000

I'm really enjoying our school schedule this year! Since we school year-round, taking a few breaks during the year and a larger break between Thanksgiving and New Years, our grade levels are "in between" for some of the children. They all go at their own pace and complete their school years at different times during the year. Below is how we have worked it all out! Hope it sparks some imagination in your own home school!

Kaitlyn (12 years, 9th Grade) 2012

Monday – Consumer Mathematics, Vocabulary Cartoons x 3, Oral Language Plus, American Literature, The Daily Spark, Music Theory Review, 4H Projects
Tuesday – Consumer Mathematics, The Daily Spark x 2, Choir/Theory, 4H Projects
Wednesday – Consumer Mathematics, Vocabulary Cartoons x 3, Oral Language Plus, American Literature, The Daily Spark, Online Geography, MOH, God’s Design For Life x 2 @ 4:30, Missions Reading/book report, 4H Projects
Thursday – Consumer Mathematics, Vocabulary Cartoon Review, The Daily Spark, Music Theory Review, 4H, Wilderness, 4H Projects
Friday – Community Service, Geography, 4H Projects, Read and Understand Science x 1

Ethan (11, 7th/8th grade) 2012

Monday – Pre-Algebra x 2, Typing, Reading, Oral Language Plus, 4H Projects
Tuesday – The Daily Spark, FFHA, Reading, 4H Projects
Wednesday – Pre-Algebra x 2, The Daily Spark, Oral Language Plus, Online Geography, MOH, Reading, God’s Design For Life x 2 @ 4:30, 4H Projects
Thursday – Pre-Algebra x 1, Silly Starters with Trey, Reading, typing, 4H
Friday – Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Trey (9 years, 5th/6th grade) 2012

Monday – The Daily Spark, Math x 1, Typing, Reading, 4H Projects
Tuesday – Math x 2, FFHA, Reading, 4H Projects
Wednesday – The Daily Spark, Online Geography, MOH, Reading, God’s Design For Life x 2 @ 4:30, 4H Projects
Thursday – Math x 2, Silly Starters with Ethan, reading, typing, 4H
Friday – Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Jake (7 years, 3rd grade) 2012

Monday – Math grade 3 x 2, Language 3, Typing, Reading, 4H Projects
Tuesday – Math grade 3x 1, FFHA, Reading, 4H Projects
Wednesday – Math grade 3x 1, Online Geography, MOH, Reading, God’s Design For Life x 2 @ 4:30, 4H Projects
Thursday – Math grade 3x 1, Language 3 x 2, Typing, Reading, 4H
Friday – Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Julia (6 years, K5/1st grade) 2012

Monday –Math 1st grade x 1, Reading Advanced K5, 4H Projects
Tuesday – Math 1st grade x 1, FFHA, 4H Projects
Wednesday – Reading Advanced K5, Geography, 4H Projects, God’s Design For Life x 2 @ 4:30 Thursday – Math 1st grade x 2, Typing, 4H
Friday – Community Service, Geography, Read and Understand Science x 1

Ellie (Pre-K) 2012

Monday - Thursday: "Preschool" and Rod and Staff

Judah (Nothing formal at all, just 3 years old) 2012

Monday - Thursday: "Preschool" with his big sister so that he can learn how to count, address, phone number, birthday, days of week, months of year, etc. Workbook from Wal-Mart.

Eva (11 months...play, play, eat, nap, play) 2012

*FFHA is Fun and Fitness Homeschool Athletics (mainly P.E. and pick-up sports games)

*4H for our children includes: Veterinary Science, sewing, Robotics, Wilderness, Animal Sciences, (and in the past - Rabbits, Pre-Flight, Dogs)

*MOH is Mystery of History On the day we do that, we do 3 lessons plus work on our timeline!

*Science reading is nature, animal and Creation sciences that we read aloud. Experiments are also done at that time. Again, we will do two or three lessons at a time.

*Geography Video/Presentation is when one of our children chooses a country in a continent I choose. They find a YouTube video (with me by their side to "screen" them) or a Netflix video. They also do a presentation on that country and everyone learns to locate that country on the globe.

*Games are all educational in nature (money counting, math, geography, etc.)

*Community Service projects are like this and this and more in that section!

*Doubling Up! Our children double up on certain subjects on different days so that we can devote Fridays to more fun activities and to community outreach. Since we school year-round, some subjects are only done 4 days per week.

This plan is not set in stone and will probably be tweaked as the year goes forward! Ahhhh...the beauties of homeschooling!

Merry Christmas 2011! Metzger Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:30:00 +0000

Merry Christmas from all the Metzgers! We pray you come to know Jesus or to know him better!

HERE is our family's Christmas Newsletter for 2011!

Cities4Life Dinner with Alex Kendrick!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:56:00 +0000

Cities4Life is another project that Mark and Lisa have been working on all year with other visionary leaders of the pro-LIFE community here in Charlotte. We are thrilled to be able to debut the website this month, as well as host the Cities4Life annual dinner, with guest speaker Alex Kendrick of the hit Christian movie, “Courageous”.

Cities4Life is not simply an event or a ministry; it is a culture. Cities4Life seeks to transform the culture of death brought about by abortion to a culture of LIFE in our cities as we work to mobilize the Body of Christ to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. This is accomplished by uniting and supporting grassroots, Gospel-centered ministries, families, and individuals dedicated to proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ and providing tangible support to abortion-minded mothers at local abortion centers.

We are very excited to see how God will be able to use this ministry to save more lives and souls for His Glory! See Alex Kendrick's message below about Cities4Life!

Jesus' Atoning Blood!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 03:46:00 +0000

"But if we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from ALL SIN"!!! 1 John 1:7 Thank JESUS that HE ALONE covers ALL of our sins when we repent and accept Him as our Savior! Thank you, Lord, for YOUR atoning blood!

We MUST TRUST in JESUS ALONE and His sacrifice on the cross. Putting our trust in something WE can do for our salvation brings a curse on us! See below. Love it!

Jeremiah 17:5-8 "This is what the LORD says: ..."Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”"

Free - Prepare your HEART and HOME for Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:06:00 +0000

Want more meaning in your Christmas this year, celebrating the real reason for the season?

Read our first issue of Kaleo about preparing your home and heart for Christmas! This is a great FREE online magazine from At The Well, where I write monthly devotionals and homeschool help articles. In this issue, my "article" is featured on the cover - the Advent/Activity Calendar. Enjoy! It's FREE! Click "FULL SCREEN" to see it.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Oprah Denies Jesus...why do Christians insist on following her?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:22:00 +0000

Blessed!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:37:00 +0000

See more on this video HERE! And then photos below...

Thank you, Jesus, for your little creation; for a wonderful Thanksgiving gift!

Be in the world and not of it? Is that Biblical?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:13:00 +0000

How does one apply "be in the world, not of it"? I think, without
sinning, we need to stay current with the changing of the world. I know of youth pastors who have read Twilight so they can better relate to their youth who were obsessed with it, or to stay current on fashion (when it does not become immodest). Becoming immersed in the world is not an option, but staying clear of it's trends isn't an option either. Just because the world changes all of its ways (usually for the worse) does not mean that we have to stay in ours.

The Bible clearly points out that we are to flee sinful things (such as Twilight) and focus on things that are pure. "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." – Philippians 4:8

To focus on vampires for educational purposes of any kind is plain evil. Why do we need to immerse ourselves in evil, in order to abhor and rebuke those entwined within it? Look at what the Bible says about those who eat or drink blood...."'Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood—I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, "None of you may eat blood, nor may an alien living among you eat blood." Leviicus 17:10-12

I don't see where imitating the world is advised in Scripture. In fact, all I see is the direct opposite (see verses below). I'm also wondering where this "in the world but not of it" is coming from anyway?

"...the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." 1 John 5:19

"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there." Deut. 18:9

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:17

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. **If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.** As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. " John 15:18-19

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." John 17:16-20 [sanctify means to be made holy]

"Friendship with the world is enmity to God." James 4:4

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness, and do not sin...." 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

We need to be set apart for Jesus! Our focus should not be on the world and their ways, but solely on Jesus and HIS plan for our lives. We will be different from the world, and we will be hated for it. Why work so hard on conforming the outside to blend in, when our motives in this world should stand out and be so different?

Great Advent Adventure and Devotional! Jotham's Journey - Great for the ENTIRE family!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:19:00 +0000

This series is a GREAT Advent story and devotional! A friend recommended this series a few years ago and we have really enjoyed them! Last year we did Bartholemew's Passage for Advent and Amon's Adventure for Resurrection Day. Our children LOVE these and literally begging us to read more every night! What a hit! Click here to see more...

Is Abortion Okay in Cases of Rape?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 01:01:00 +0000

Hear one woman's story of dealing with her abortion because of rape. God creates life and NO ONE has the right to take that life away for ANY reason!

Favorite Homeschool Mom Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:10:00 +0000

I just found out that my blog was nominated for "Favorite Homeschool Mom Blog" at The 2011 Homeschool Blog Awards! Please cast a vote for me, HERE, if you like my blog! Thanks! ;)

Great Deals in Your City!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:32:00 +0000

Check out this new site that is like Groupon for MOMS! I already purchased a great deal! $20 got me a $40 gift certificate to be used at a local super nice children's consignment store. Simply go HERE to sign up and enter in your city to see your local deals! Very nice!

True Knowledge

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:27:00 +0000

Below is an excerpt from my post today on At The Well.

“I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place their child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt.” Martin Luther, A.D. 1537

Martin Luther’s quote is direct, yet honest and full of truth. Since Luther was a lover of the Word of God, His thoughts were likely based on how he viewed the Bible to be the beginning of all knowledge and how we, as humans, are nothing apart from God. Therefore, he determined that we need spiritual teaching above all other academic instruction. Do we need to throw aside reading, writing and arithmetic? Of course not. Since the foundation determines the stability of all else that is built above, we must look at what the groundwork of our children’s education is, as well as what it should be. Without diligent instruction about our Creator God; without a true understanding of what He desires for our lives, True wisdom and knowledge will never be attained.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning [first-fruits; principle thing] of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

What is the fear of God? READ THE REST HERE...

Pennies from Heaven: What is a Penny Worth To You?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:06:00 +0000

A single penny has very little worth. It is small, typically drab in color and when used by itself, can buy virtually nothing! Because they are not seen as valuable, pennies are stored in jars, lost in cars and even tossed to the ground, without any thought.

It is estimated that average American household has $93.75 worth of pennies stashed in jars, empty containers, lost behind sofa cushions, and hidden in old purses.In many ways people today view unborn human life the same way – worthless and without value.

With nearly 3700 abortions performed daily in the US, these human lives are just “tossed to ground” like a worthless penny. On January 22, 1973 a landmark decision was made by the Supreme Court of the United States.

The trial Roe v. Wade ended with a decision to legalize abortion – giving an open door for all women to legally get rid of what they deemed worthless…their baby. Sadly, January 22, 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of this legislation. It is estimated that over the course of those 40 years, 57 million babies will have lost their lives. A number so large is often times unfathomable and when it is applied to human life, it becomes unconscionable!

What is a penny worth to you? Would you be willing to give something so small to be a part of something big?

A group of dedicated individuals are working together to collect 57 million pennies, one for each life lost due to the Roe v. Wade decision. The target date to reach this goal is the 40th anniversary of this legislation, January 22, 2013.

Collection of these pennies will serve two purposes:

1) To create a visual memorial showing the magnitude of lives lost due to this legislation

2) To purchase life saving booklets that will be donated to crisis pregnancy centers, sidewalk counselors and other pro-life organizations that work directly with abortion minded women

Do you see value in a penny? Every time you see one, would you think of baby who was never given the opportunity to take a first breath, who never felt the warmth of sunshine and never experienced the hugs and kisses of a mommy who loved him. Instead of tossing the penny in a jar or on the ground, would you save it and send it to us?

Pennies can be sent to: PO Box 5742Cocord, NC 28027

If they are too heavy to ship and you want to just send us a dollar or more, we will change them back to pennies when received.

To learn more about the Pennies From Heaven project, you can send us an email . Please also like our Facebook page to receive updates. Or you can visit our website at Tiny Hands Book (project information on the website will be available by the end of November).

Life in a Family Integrated Church!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Metzger) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:41:00 +0000

I cannot say enough about how much we have spiritually grown as a family since attending our family integrated church 3 1/2 years ago. We are blessed to be surrounded by a supportive church family that meets for worship on Sundays, has a weekly fellowship potluck following the service and has monthly prayer and men and women's accountability meetings, as well as other social events!

Moving to a family integrated church was a big switch for us. Both Mark and I grew up in age-segregated churches and after we married we attended one of the largest churches in Charlotte for 9 years before making the big switch. It was different, to say the least.

However, since we began going to our church, Mark has felt encouraged by the other men to LEAD his family in nightly family worship. Was it natural to him? No. He didn't grow up with family worship. Mark tells of how his father, though a Baptist minister, only opened the Bible for family Bible reading twice a year (Easter and Christmas). This family worship thing was something that Mark learned to do. Is he a perfect teacher? No. But, then again, is anyone? Only Jesus!

All I can say, is that when men are "forced" (er, encouraged!) to lead their families in this regular spiritual mentorship, as God has them naturally programmed to do...WOW! God brings together the family in ways that couldn't be done without Dad taking that nightly spiritual leadership role! Men desire to lead their families, but are either never asked, required or allowed to take on that role.

Since starting regular family worship, our kids are now closer to Mark than ever (we have always homeschooled...he's always been very involved, just not in this aspect). They are learning Scripture and understanding Scriptural concepts that most adults can't wrap their minds around. All this is learned either alongside Mark or a day or two behind him! Mark didn't need to go to seminary. He just needed to study Scripture, read it aloud and explain the concepts as he noticed them. The Holy Spirit does the rest...and oh, how cool it is to watch Him move through our worship and Bible reading times!

I'll also say that our pastor has a wonderful way of speaking to all ages. There are concepts that our children don't understand...that's okay. They'll either ask us later (they take notes and write down their questions) or they'll catch what they can for their age and that's exactly what the Holy Spirit had in mind for them! It's kind of like when we have the littles sit in on our history or science lessons. We call it the "school bus stop approach". They listen and their brains "get off the bus" after they have exceeded their attention span. Does that mean it was fruitless? On the contrary...they learn MUCH MORE than we assumed they were able. Same with a family integrated church...we always underestimated the Holy Spirit's workings in our children's hearts and minds! DUH...they have the SAME Holy Spirit we do! ;)

I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that. Oh, and just a few weeks ago...the fathers and sons are on our church's father and son retreat! While they were there they called to say that they were having a blast and that they were all learning so much from the teaching that all the dads were doing throughout each day! I LOVE that!

For those who need idea starters on how to do family worship, here ya go! It's not difficult. It just requires a committed, godly man to take up the natural, God-given leadership role that he hungers for whether he realizes it yet or not (and in the absence of the man, the woman can take up that role in her family). For more information on how to find a family integrated church in your area, click here! To see how we teach our children to listen and learn in church, check out this blog post from a while back!