For Aaron

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Son, you know how distracted and extremely busy I have been this past month.  With excuses put aside I am taking a few minutes to FINALLY post about our trip to the Mid South Homeschool Convention.  Sorry it’s taken so long.  I know how anxious you have been to show the world the picture of you and your friend, Tim Hawkins!  So here it is….

A few weeks ago we are blessed to be able to attend the Mid South Homeschool Convention in Memphis, TN.  It was a great time of encouragement and refreshing for our family.  My parents drove from Northwest Arkansas to meet us there.  This was their first opportunity to attend a homeschool conference.  On Thursday evening we took them to the vendor hall.  There were hundreds of vendors.  We saw Chuck Black, author of The Kingdom Series and spent some time visiting with his wife.  We  stopped by the booth of Todd Wilson, The Family Man.  We met with the Lewis Family from Homeschool Enrichment.  We browsed through booths by Answers In Genesis, Apologia, Vision Forum, Doorposts, Lamplighter Publishing, Rainbow Resource Center, Switched on Schoolhouse and dozens more. 

Friday morning my parents spent some quality time with the children and took them to the Memphis Zoo.    They had a blast with their grandparents. Here are a couple of their favorite pictures.

Dana and I had a leisurely breakfast together and then spent the day attending seminars.   Our first seminar was Homeschoolers:  Ordinary World Changers by Jonathan Lewis, editor of Homeschool Enrichment.  Being a homeschool graduate, Jonathan encouraged parents who are making a difference in this world by the discipleship of their children.  The statistics he presented were staggering.  It is abundantly clear that God is doing a work within the homeschool community for such a time as this!

Mark Hamby from Lamplighter Publishers was the next speaker we saw.  He spoke on The Education of a Child – The Wisdom of Fenelon.  I had heard this seminar before on CD but enjoyed it much better in person.  Lamplighter Publishers is doing an amazing work with godly classic literature.  Many of our all time favorite books and audio dramas come from Lamplighters.

After shopping at the vendor hall some more and enjoying lunch together we heard Doug Philips from Vision Forum.  His topic was The Family Table.  It was an excellent reminder to keep doing the things we are already doing as a family.

After my parent brought the children back to the Marriot we all headed to Applebee’s for an early dinner.  Abigail snapped this photo right before we left. 

After dinner we took the whole family to go see Dr. Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis.  He spoke on Answers for the Most asked Questions about Creation, Evolution, and Genesis.  Dr. Ham is absolutely brilliant in apologetics.  This was the second time we were blessed to hear him speak in person. 

We topped off the evening laughing with Tim Hawkins.  If you need to add some humor to your day, look him up.  This was a highlight for my boys.  Of course we stuck around to make sure Aaron and Andrew got a chance to meet him and get his autograph.  I could not think of a better way to end the conference. 

 

Who Is God?

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Just who is God? And can I really know Him? Could there be a more significant question asked? Is there anything more noteworthy to dwell on? Does a more important question beg to be answered? No, the question of “Who Is God?” is of upmost priority. Why? The answer is because it is imperative that we know the Creator of all things and understand His plan and purpose for mankind.

Jesus said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36. To seek after wealth, pleasures, happiness, personal fulfillment, or earthly treasures cannot compare to seeking after God and His truth. Eternity is at stake. Our very souls cry out for an answer. Our conscience bears witness. And creation reveals God and leaves man inexcusable. (Read Romans 1:18-20.)

John Hay and David Webb have put together a series of books from Apologia Press called “What We Believe”. The series sheds light on having a biblical worldview of God and Truth. I received the first volume, Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him? to review. The quality of the book first grabbed my attention. It is a beautiful hardback of 252 pages. When I first flipped through the book the pictures immediately captured my interest. It was hard to put it down. But having a beautiful cover and striking artwork means nothing if the content is not superior. However, over the weeks of reviewing this product with my children I have not been disappointed. This book addresses some very important questions.

  • Where am I building my life?
  • How can I know what is true?
  • What is God like?
  • Who are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
  • If God created the world, why isn’t it perfect?
  • Why did God create me?
  • Will God meet all my needs?
  • Why does sin keep me from knowing God?
  • Is Jesus the only way to God?

In a clear and concise format, this book makes a great Bible curriculum for the entire family. We have thoroughly enjoyed it. My one and only complaint is that the authors use a variety of Bible translations (NIV, NLT, NASB, NKJV, ESV, NCV, and NRSV) throughout the book. For consistency sake I do not like this. But most negatives can be turned into a positive. So I simply took our KJV’s and had the children looked up the verses as we came to them.

You can purchase this book for $39.00 from Apologia. Don’t let the price dissuade you. The truth is that you get what you pay for. And with this book you get your full $39.00 worth plus much more. The Apologia website contains additional resources to help you teach this course. To see a sample lesson, click here. To see what others are saying about this product click here. This is a book we will hold on to for many years. And hopefully we will be able to purchase the remaining volumes in the future.

Volume 2 – Who Am I? And Why Am I Here? Addresses the Biblical worldview of self-image.

Volume 3 – Who Is My Brother? And Why Do We Need Each Other? Addresses the Biblical worldview of servanthood.

Volume 4 – What on Earth Can I Do? Addresses the Biblical worldview of stewardship.

Disclaimer: As a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew, I received Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him? from Apologia Press in exchange for an honest product review. I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

“I Don’t Like That Contemporary Music!”

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Music stirs the soul.  God created music for that purpose.  It will either stir your soul toward spiritual things or toward fleshly things.  It will either draw you to God or away from Him.  Music will help you in your spiritual growth or greatly hinder you.  Music either brings honor and glory to God or it wholly dishonors God.

The type of music that is listened to and sung plays an important role in every person’s life.  It plays an even more important role in the believer’s life.  Therefore, the question that must be asked is, “Why type of music should be our standard?”

Someone made the comment to me the other day about not liking contemporary music.  One person even referred to contemporary music as “devil’s music”.  The irony behind the statement was that the contemporary song being played, at the time of that statement, was an old hymn redone by a contemporary artist.  I have heard counter comments just as often.  “I don’t like the hymns.”  “They hymns are boring and hard to understand.” And so on. 

Here is what I told the person who made the comment about “contemporary” music.  “Doesn’t it amaze you that at one point in time someone heard the song Amazing Grace and said, ‘I don’t like that new contemporary song!’”    You see, at one point in history Amazing Grace,  I’ll Fly Away,  The Old Rugged Cross, and all the other great hymns of our faith were new, contemporary songs. In fact, if you will do some research on the history of hymns you will find that when hymns first became popular there was great opposition to them.  The church sang the Psalms prior to singing hymns.  Does God live in the 16th Century?  Does God live in the 19th Century?  Or, does He live in the 21st Century?  Why do we think that God prefers one style of music over another?

 People have preferences.  I personally do not like the twangy, country Christian songs that remind me of something that could be played out of a juke box.  I just don’t like that style.  I am not crazy about bluegrass music either.  So when I hear a Christian song of that style I focus on the words.  I praise God through the words that are spoken.  I have known people who will sing a hymn that is unbiblical in doctrine just because it is in their songbook.  Likewise, people will sing praise and worship songs that are not biblical just because they like the style.  I don’t believe the style or type of music is as near as important as the message it portrays. 

The truth is that our preferences really don’t matter.  When it comes to music the only question is what God and His Word says.  Ephesians 5:19 gives some insight.  “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”   There are three types of music listed here- psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. 

 The psalms are the same Psalms we find in our Bible from God.  The early church would put the Psalms to music and sing them word for word.   I love singing the Psalms because it helps to hide His Word in my heart.  You cannot go wrong singing a song that is God’s own Word.

Hymns are songs that tell others about God.  Many of our hymns do just this.  “On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross…”  This tells a story about God.  Hymns teach doctrine.  Hymns strengthen our faith.  Hymns bless those around us.

Spiritual Songs are songs that are sung to God.  We would call them Praise and Worship songs.  “I love you Lord and I lift my voice to worship you, Oh my soul rejoice…..”  Spiritual songs strengthen our personal relationship with the Lord.

 So you see, we should be singing all types of songs. We should be singing songs from God, about God, and to God.   And they should be sung with a pure heart; “making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  God is always concerned with our heart.

 If Christian people would put aside their own preferences and focus on the truth, the issue of music would be null. God would be praised.  His name would be lifted up.  His truths would be sung.  His Word would be declared.  Brothers and sisters in the faith would be united in song.  And God would be worshipped in sprit and in truth.

 “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”  Psalm 47:6-7

How Does Your Garden Grow?

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Ladies, spring is just around the corner and before we know it people will start planting their gardens.  Everyone wants to see their plants healthy and growing.  For that to happen, plants need food, water, sunshine, fertilizer, and some tending to.  Without one or more of these key ingredients plants will die.

Plants are not the only things in life that grow.  People grow too or at least they should.  Growth is healthy.  People get very concerned when a baby does not physically grow.  Likewise, people get very concerned when a child does not mentally grow.  But, what about a child of God who does not spiritually grow?

Just like a plant depends upon food and water, so do we.  Without either we will not survive.  But, what about our spiritual food?  A child of God will spiritually wither away without daily feeding upon the Word of God.   If you only ate once a week you would be starving.  How many people are starving spiritually?  They go days, weeks, or months without feeding their spirit.

Fertilizer is also very beneficial to the healthy growth of a plant.  Fertilizer is a little extra boost of nourishment every now and then.  That extra nourishment in a Christian’s life comes in the form of weekly corporate worship.  When we come together to pray, praise God, and hear His Words proclaimed we are nourished in our faith.  Without it, or when it is sporadic, our spiritual growth will become stale and stagnant.

Plants also need tending to.  Sometimes we need to give plants extra support or they will fall over.  Sometimes we must pull out the weeds that are choking them.  Sometimes plants need to be transported to a better location.  God has created us to need tending to as well.  In order for us to spiritually grow we need extra support and encouragement from our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Without it we might fall over.  Sometime we need someone to come alongside us and point out the “weeds” growing in our lives and help to “pluck them out.”  Sometimes, we need a helping hand to bear our burdens because the environment we are in is detrimental to our spiritual life.  But a person who does not fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ will not be tended to as they should.  Many people miss blessings and opportunities for God to work because they are not involved in the local church, fellowships, and activities.

Ladies, how does your garden grow?  Are you healthy?  Are you strong in the Lord?  Are you spiritually growing in your faith?  Do you need some sonshine?  If so, read your Bible daily.  Be faithful  to the Lord and His church.  Be sure and fellowship with your brothers and sisters as often as possible.  When you do all of this, you will bloom!  You will flourish!  And you will find yourself healthy and thriving for the Lord!

MathRider

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Remember the “good ole days” of flash cards?  Ten years ago, when I first began teaching my children, that was how I taught math facts.  Every day we would pull out the flash cards and drill, drill, drill.

We’ve come a long way since that time.  This month Andrew (2nd grade) has been reviewing his math facts while riding a horse called Shadow.  He has been on various noble adventures in fantastic lands.  He searches, on this math quest, for magical flowers, returns gems to elves, and seeks to rescue the princess!  All of this is done at our kitchen table while he plays MathRider.

MathRider is a math game for children who need to learn their number facts.  Drilling math facts no longer have to be boring.  Whether you child is working on addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, MathRider can make the journey fun and successful.  Each operation contains four quests, ranging from easy to master.

As part of the Old Schoolhouse Crew, I had about 6 weeks to review this product.  I must say that I’m disappointed with the short trial version.  But other than that, I’ve had a positive experience with MathRider.  Andrew enjoyed playing it very much.  It was simple to download and took just a few minutes.  At first I had trouble with the screen resolution but it was easily fixed.  I like the fact that you do not need the internet to play the game and that you can have up to 10 players.  Every person creates their own rider and the game tracks each rider’s progress and practice results individually.  Another great feature is that this program is able to custom-tailor the questions asked based on what the rider knows.  Here is the explanation from their website:

While the rider is playing, the game learns what the rider knows and what he or she still needs to practice. Every single response (or non-response) is stored in an internal database and statistically analyzed by the software. In this way the program is able to custom-tailor to each rider, which questions are asked next. No repetitive drilling of random number facts the rider already knows – but real practice of what actually needs to be practiced!

Visit the MathRider website to purchase this game for your children for just $37.00. 

To see what others are saying about this product click here.

 

 

Disclaimer:  As a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew, I received a trail version of this product in exchange for an honest product review.   I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

Self-Esteem (Or is it Esteeming SELF)

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The other day I was listening to the radio when the most beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace came on.  It was sung by a choir of children.  As their angelic voices rang, I paused from cleaning the kitchen.  I listened to them sing, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a child like me…”  Being that I have heard this song sung my entire life, this stood out because the original version of the song says, “that saved a wretch like me.”  As I asked myself why they changed the words, I already knew the answer.  We cannot have children calling themselves wretches; it might hurt their self-esteem. 

In an effort to build up children, some people have stopped keeping score during sports activities.  The reasoning is that if one team loses they will develop poor self-esteem.  Giving every child a trophy at the end of a sport’s season is along the same line of thinking.  I have heard of teachers who do not give F’s anymore to students.  They instead give U’s for unsatisfactory or I’s for incomplete.  We don’t want a child to know they failed.  When we placate to an already self-centered nature that is ingrained in all children, we foster in them a deeper selfish attitude.

There is a lot of talk in even Christian circles about self-esteem.  For example, Christian’s are terrified to point out sin in a brother’s life.  Even though the Bible clearly says that we are to admonish one another.  The justification for this is that we might hurt their feelings.  We might make them feel bad.  We might crush their self image.  But consider for a moment exactly what we are saying when our only concern is “self-esteem”.  We are saying that we should esteem self.  We must build people up in that we don’t damage their ego.   However, when we build up ego, we essentially Edge God Out.  In all of our concern with self has anyone stopped to consider how God feels in it all?

Can I suggest that this is the problem with our society?  We are too concerned with “self”.  For the last few generations people have not been taught correctly from the Word of God about the condition they are in prior to God’s grace.  In an attempt to build up self we have become blind to the truths of Scripture about the state of mankind.  “Well, we’re all just sinners”, many will say placing themselves in the same category as the rest of the world.  But let me submit that it was not until I stopped looking at everyone else, focused upon my own life, and fully came to grasp with what a wretch I was, that I could I fully understand God’s amazing grace.  Until I saw myself as filthy and undone could I accept the righteousness of Christ.  Until I truly saw myself as lost and without hope could I become saved with complete assurance.  Until I could cry out like the publican, “God be merciful to me a (the only one) sinner” or until I could say like Paul that I am the chiefest of all sinners did I truly understand my position before God.  Until I repented and turned from my sins could I be made right.  Until I realized that I was sick in sin could I be healed.  “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” Mark 2:17.

 My children are precious and as a parent I naturally want to build up their self-esteem.  But a building of self, while soothing to our sinful nature, is to their eternal detriment.  The best gift I can give them is to show them how they stand before a Holy and Just God.  It is when a child understands this and accepts God’s salvation then they have true worth, God’s grace is truly amazing, and their esteem is in Him alone!  “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man,” Psalm 118:8.

She Bears, Open Sin, and Church Discipline

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“Indeed I have sinned against the LORD…I saw…then I coveted…and took…” Joshua 7:20-21.

 I was reading in the book of Proverbs this morning that is it better to face a she bear that has lost her cubs than a fool in his folly, (Proverbs 17:12).  Foolish men are dangerous men.  They are dangerous to themselves. “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul,” (Proverbs 18:7).  And they are dangerous to all those around them. 

 Do you remember the story of Achan?  When the Israelites conquered Jericho they were warned to not take anything from the city. “And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it,”(Joshua 6:18). Yet Achan disobeyed the Lord and took a garment, some silver, and gold. Then he hid it under his tent.

 When the children of Israel went to fight their next war, they were overthrown and thirty-six men were killed.  Joshua and all the elders fell on their face before the Lord to enquire why God was not with them.  God told Joshua to get up.  He said there was sin in the camp that he needed to deal with.  It is impossible for God to bless when sin abounds. 

When confronted, Achan told Joshua that he saw the goods, he coveted them, and he took them.  Achan was a fool in his folly.  Achan’s sin did not just affect him.  His sin caused thirty-six women to lose husbands.  His sin caused many children to become fatherless.  His sin caused Israel to lose a war.  His sin caused God’s name to be blasphemed.  But that was not all.  Achan’s sin destroyed  him and his entire family.  “And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan …and his sons, and his daughters,… and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones,” (Joshua 7:24-25).  Only when the sin in the camp was dealt with was the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger.

 God hates sin.  God is not mocked.  God punishes all sin. 

 But now, thanks be to God, those that are saved live under grace!  But does that mean that God ignores sin today?  Does He just overlook it?  Will sin go unpunished?  Paul said, “God forbid!” (Romans 6:15-16).

 The New Testament is filled with chastisement, punishment, and discipline upon children of God.  “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth,”(Hebrews 12:6).  In fact, God will only chasten those He loves.  Can you imagine a world without discipline?

 Let me ask, what kind of child would you have if you always told him to obey, taught him rules, and then NEVER corrected him or punished him when he did wrong?  Would you want to spend one day with a child like that?

 What would the school system look like if the children there were never given consequences for misbehavior?  Would you want your child going there?

 What would your workplace look like if those who cheated, lied, and acted lazy were never fired?   Would you want to work there?

 What kind of society would we live in if there were laws in place yet the police never enforced them?  Would you want to live in a society like that?

 The answer is an obvious no.  We want rotten children spanked.  We want mean, bullies at school to be dealt with.  We want unethical and dishonest workers to be fired.  We want murderers, thieves, and drunk drivers in our society to be locked away and punished.

 So let me ask this.  What kind of church would we have if the pastor always preached on sin, repentance, and living holy.  Yet, no one ever exhorted one another.  What if the church disobeyed the Scriptures and never disciplined its members?  What if we had the attitude of the first murderer and said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  Would you want to be in a church like that?

 But, what if sin, repentance, and holy living was preached each week and the members exhorted one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)?  What if we carried our brother’s burdens and restored those who were overtaken in a fault (Galatians 6:1-2)?  What if we went to those that were sinning and confronted their sin (Matthew 18:15)?  What if we truly made a difference in the life of a brother or sister pulling them out of the fire (Jude 1:22-23)?  What if the church disciplined those who refused to repent (I Corinthians 5:9, I Corinthians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, Matthew 18:17) in a loving effort to win them back? 

 If this happened God would bless. He would add to a church like this (Acts 5:13-14).   The church would be a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but it would be holy and without blemish, (Ephesians 5:27).  The church would have a good testimony in the community (Matthew 5:14-16).  The membership would be a peculiar people who glorified God (I Peter 2:9).  Each person would be striving for the high calling (Philippians 3:12-14).  God’s name would be lifted up and the members would be zealous of good works (Titus 2).   Who wouldn’t want to be in a church like that?

5 Ways to say “I Love You!”

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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the card, chocolate, and flower industries are prospering.  Everyone wants to show their loved ones just how much they truly love them.  But let me ask.  Is this the best way to show our love?  Sure, it is nice to get a card, some chocolate, or a vase of flowers on Valentine’s Day.   But is it really necessary? 

Do not get me wrong.  I love getting flowers and such from my husband.  But I love getting them much more “just because”.  There are two reasons for this.  The first is that the “just because” are not expected.  They are just because he is thinking of me and wants to show his love.  The second reason is that these industries usually increase their prices this time of year.  And I hate having money wasted.

So, what is one to do?  After all, it would be incredibly disheartening to just ignore an extra opportunity to show some love.  We could buy things for our family and they could buy things for us.  But, I’ve put together a list of five ways that we can show our husband or children just how much we love them without spending a dime.

Writing – It stands to reason that a writer would list writing first.  It just makes so much sense.  First of all, when you take the time to write something down it means more.  It is longer lasting.  I’ve written many poems for my husband and family.  One year I made an acrostic poem of my children’s names.  I simply listed attributes about them beginning with the letters of their names.  Maybe poetry is not your expertise.  Don’t despair.   A simple letter that they could hold on to would speak volumes.  I have learned that very few men care about poetry.  They do, however, want to be respected.  So, make a list for your husband of all the reason’s you respect him.  Tell him he’s doing a good job.  Let him know he’s a good father.  Thank him for providing for you every day.  My husband has told other men to go to Wal-mart and copy down a Halmark card word for word.  I won’t comment on that! But I will say that there is nothing sweeter than a hand written note.

Baking – Sure you can go to the store and buy cupcakes or cookies.  But there is always one ingredient the stores leave out – love.  Sure you can go out, wait in line for two hours, and share a fancy meal at an expensive restaurant with dozens of other couples but where is the romance in that?  One sure way to let your loved ones know you care is to bake them something.  Pancakes for breakfast with chocolate chips are one way to give my children something special.  One year I took some chocolate and melted it down.  I then took wooden skewers and made chocolate heart suckers for my children.  A little time and $3 later I was their hero!  A frozen pizza is particularly special for my husband!  No, not for him to eat but for the children.  You see, I can fix us a special romantic meal and send the children to another room with a frozen pizza and a movie.  They are happy to get a special treat.  We are happy to have some special time.  Everyone wins!  Does your husband have a favorite meal or dessert?  Make it for him.  He’ll love you for it! 

  Investing – Nothing articulates love like time!  Invest some time into your children.  Play a game with them.  Color with them.  Read a book together.  Help them make a tent in the living room.  Just spend time with them.  And, after spending time with them put them to bed early and spend time with your husband.  My husband and I like to take walks together.  We stay close to the house, hold hands, and walk.  It’s wonderful.  If you have a busy day scheduled make the effort to get up 15 minutes early and linger over a cup of coffee together.  It will set the tone for the rest of the day.  Keep some white space on your calendar for your family.  It shows them you love them!

 Organizing – One day my children and I spent an afternoon cleaning out and organizing their daddy’s closet.  We even categorized his dress shirts by color.  He was so thrilled!  Sometimes I surprise him and we clean out and vacuum his car.  Doing little things for others is a big way to show love.  Does your husband have a desk, a work area, or a shed that needs some attention?  Surprise him and organize it.  What about your children’s bedrooms?  We expect our children to be responsible for their own rooms.  It is their job to clean them.  And maybe you have extremely neat and organized children who keep their rooms perfectly clutter free.  I don’t.  My children for some reason think that the trash can is under the bed.  So every now and then (for no other reason than because I love them) I help them organize their rooms.  A little help goes a long way.

Praying – So far I have listed ways to show our family we love them with our hands – writing, baking, investing, and organizing.  But this next one is not something we do with our hands.  We do it on our knees.  One of the greatest ways to show you love your family is to pray earnestly for them.  Pray for your husband, that God would lead him as he leads his family.  Pray that God gives him wisdom.  Pray that God would bless him.  Pray for your children. Pray for their salvation, pray for their protection, pray for their health, and pray for their future.  Pray that God will work mightily in your family.    Prayer is a great gift that shows great love.  Your family may not ever know about it but the effects are eternal.

This list is not exclusive.  There are many ways to show love to your family.  Be creative.  And have a blessed Valentine’s Day!

We love him, because he first loved us. (1John 4:19)

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:8-10)