Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:3-24

     “Heart” is an interesting word to study in Scripture.  Most, if not all, of our training situations would be simplified if the “heart” of the trainer and trainee were both sincerely seeking God’s way.  Think about this when you are in your next difficult training situation.  Try to focus on the heart when working on behavior, schedule, study skills and other school incidents.

Creation

Master Books (masterbooks.net) is a good source of dependable resources.  Also, in my opinion, the Jonathan Park audio creation stories are well done and worth borrowing or buying.  They are available at Vision Forum or CBD.  I learned of these tapes from my grandson, Nathan, I think.  They make creation concepts clear in a story format.

Math

Consider having your upper elementary or Jr. High student read and summarize Beyond Numbers, by Katherine A. Loop. Also, consider having your upper level high school student read Mathematics, Is God Silent, by James Nickel. Both of these books help the student understand the purpose, plan and history of numbers.   God is given full credit for the number system!

Writing

This is a reminder that we are all contributing to   writing our own history.  Encourage your children to journal everyday events, not just major trips and activities.  Years from now future generations will be interested in sports events of this day and the price of bread, for example.  This could be a journal right along with your spiritual journal or Bible journal or it could be a separate, My Life Story journal.

Rest

Old age is such a help in pushing me to discover what God meant by “rest.”  May I challenge you not to wait until you are old but to pray now for wisdom to so time things that God receives honor from your schedule. Reminder:  One or two hours of flat on back time each afternoon refreshes you AND your family.

Discipline

Two siblings are playing together and a toy (or doll) gets broken.  Everyone knows who broke it.  The guilty one cries, “I didn’t mean to break it.”  What do you do? Usually we say, “Of course, you didn’t mean it.  Tell your brother/sister you didn’t mean to do it.”  End of scene. Personally, I would suggest a different response. As the child comes running to you with, “ I didn’t mean it!”, give him/her a sincere and understanding hug.  Pause and sigh and pause and hug.  Then say, “You feel terrible about this, I’m sure.  Now let’s think of what we can do to make the situation better.  Continue to discuss ways to “pay back” the offended one.  If you can’t draw a conclusion immediately decide to think about it and return to decide. The point here is responsibility.  Too often we give the opinion that if it was no one’s fault no one need pay.  In real life all behavior intentional and unintentional has consequences.

Workshops

I must remind you again of the good times we have at workshops.  After lunch, moms and children gather into unassigned small groups and discuss personal needs and situations.  I’ve seen much encouragement come from these occasions. Check your calendar for when the next one is.  Hope to see you there.