Troubled? Discouraged? Needing Confidence?

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The signs of the times are ever before us. The news is depressing at best and down-right scary at worse. Many are left without hope. They have nowhere to turn, no answers, and merely an unwelcoming future. I can see why many are disheartened.

But the truth is that there is hope. There is hope when the financial market collapses. There is hope when the environment rages. There is hope when the political leaders fail. There is hope when your entire world crumbles. In a world full of despair it is refreshing to read a book that shines a light on that hope. That is just the type of book that Dr. David Jeremiah wrote in Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World.

In a striking contrast to his book, What in the World is Going on?, Dr. Jeremiah delivers a message of hope that is imperative for the troubled soul. In it he lays before us a plan of living the Christian life in this uneasy world. With the foundation of the Holy Scriptures, he inspires his readers to look beyond the immediate – that which is filled with concern, chaos, confusion, and commotion – and encourages us to lift our eyes to the eternal. Persuading the reader to stay calm, compassionate, constructive, challenged, connected, centered, consistent, committed, and convinced, Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World imparts a spirit of peace and confidence to the weary mind.

Do not be troubled; despite the darkness that surrounds us, there is hope in Jesus Christ. The light shines most brilliantly after the fiercest storm. And Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World paints that picture in a very straightforward way. It is a book that I will be recommending to friends this year.

Disclosure:  Thomas Nelson Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.  I am not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Any other “MEAN” parents out there?

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Every year about this time I go through the same dialogue with my children. It usually goes something like this…

Sorry, you can’t watch that video today. You know the rule. Once school starts back up we turn the TV off completely during the week.

But mom, we don’t watch that much TV. We don’t even have cable or local channels. Everyone else watches much more than we do.

Sorry children, we don’t live our lives in comparison to others.

But what’s wrong with watching a good wholesome movie every now and then?

Nothing is wrong with it. But I don’t want you children to spend your life watching other people live fake lives. You have a life to live. Now go do it! Be creative. Learn a new skill. Read a book. Make a difference to someone around you. Explore the world. Work with your hands. Write a letter. Play a game. Change the world.

I believe that they understand my heart on this issue. Maybe they are just use to this answer or perhaps they realize that their father and I are resolved. But the truth is, there is just too much living to do for us to waste it in front of the TV.

Schoolhouse Expo

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It’s back to homeschool time and registration is open for the online Schoolhouse Expo, October 4-8. It’s five days of top homeschool speakers, fellowship, and fun door prizes.


Save $5 per ticket! Register between August 16 and midnight August 22, and you’ll pay only $19.99. Plus you’ll receive over $200 in free E-Books. on August 24 and September 21 with Dr. 
Jay Wile, Jeannie Fulbright, and Kim Kautzer!
The theme this fall is “Celebrate Homeschooling!” We’re going to celebrate the unique blessings of homeschooling, the beginning of another school year, our families, and the freedom to tailor our children’s education to best meet their needs.

You’ll be inspired by speakers including: Zan Tyler, Dr. Jay Wile, Jeannie Fulbright,Carol Barnier, Diana Waring, Todd Wilson, Davis Carman, Kim Kautzer, Lee Binz, and many more!

A special teen track is planned–the entire family will definitely want to listen to these special sessions. We’ve also planned a special focus on a topic that touches every homeschool–writing. Plus, an array of other topics that will inform and inspire you throughout your homeschooling years.

Don’t forget, MP3 copies of each session comes with your LIVE event ticket.

Two special preconference shows

Register starting 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 16.

If you cannot make the Live event,  then the October Expo To Go is just your ticket! (Which I will be receiving for free for doing this post.)  You’ll reserve MP3s from all of the workshops. This week only, pay just $14.95!

I can’t think of a better way to get to geared up for the upcoming school year!

It’s getting GLORIOUSLY DARK!

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I’m always amazed at how few people care about what is going on in the world.  While I must admit, following the news can be rather depressing.  However, we should be responsible enough to stay up-to-date on what is going on in the world.  Why?  You ask.  Because, as believers in Christ, we have an obligation to warn those without of the coming judgment.  Am I gloom and doom today?   Reading the news, it would be easy to be so.   According to today’s Drudge Report, Israel has ‘8 Days’ to hit Iran nuclear site.    Why is it that a nation as small and insignificant as Israel is always in the forefront of the news?  I believe the scriptures bear out the answer.  Yes, the last days are here.  Second Timothy three gives a description of the last days.  Man will be…

-lovers of their own selves       -trucebreakers

-covetous                                 -false accusers

-boasters                                  -incontinent (without self-control)

-proud                                     -fierce

-blasphemers                           -despisers of those that are good

-disobedient to parents            -traitors

– unthankful                             -heady

-unholy                                    -highminded

-without natural affection                 -lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God

Does this sound like today’s society?  The passage goes on to say that people will have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.  (Just how many American’s claim to be religious today and live ungodly lives?)  But this next attribute is what gets my attention.  Second Timothy 3:7 says, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  We live in the information age.  Technology is at its peak, yet still exceeding.  People are very smart and learning more and more everyday but very few know the truth.  Let me prove it.  Just ask someone if “truth is relative” and see what they say.  Statistics prove over and over again that very few “born again Christians” acknowledge that truth is absolute.  How sad!

 So, am I gloom and doom?  Yes and no. 

 Yes, the world is ending.  Read 2 Peter 3:4-7, 12, 11 Cor. 5:10-11, Rev. 20:11-15.

 No, because the ending of the world means for every believer the beginning of eternity.  Christ is coming soon.  The heavens will soon be mine.  My affections are already there.  How exciting!  It thrills me to see prophecy fulfilled. 

 If you do nothing else today, I pray that you will …

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. (2Co 13:5a)   For the times that we are living in are becoming gloriously dark!

If You Fail to Plan…

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 What do you do when you look up and the day is almost gone?  Wondering where the time went, you realize that you still need to prepare your weekly menu and grocery shopping list, put together a financial budget for your husband, find a stack of library books to return, send out birthday cards for the month,  and somehow put together next week’s lesson plans for your three children.  In the middle of trying to figure out where to start, you get a phone call from a friend who wants a chronological list of the miracles of Jesus for Sunday School.   As you hang up the phone your oldest child needs to know the capital of Mongolia for a report.  Playing army men, your seven year old asks how many wars the US has been involved in for the past 100 years.   Your daughter wants a list of good books to read.   And, you still have to plan and make dinner!  What do you do? 

No, you don’t crawl back into bed and wait for tomorrow to come! 

You pull out your 2010 Schoolhouse Planner from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and in a few short minutes you have everything you need at the touch of your fingers. 

The Schoolhouse Planner is the most versatile and resourceful product I have ever owned.  Created by busy moms who juggle work, school, and home responsibilities – just like you – they understand your needs.  It is a treasure of 614 pages filled with a wealth of information.  In it you will find reproducible and interactive forms such as calendars, organizational forms, household forms, and homeschool forms.   With over 120 homeschool forms alone, you will find everything you need to have a successful year including curriculum forms, goal/objective forms, planning sheets, report cards, schedule forms, log sheets, science lab sheets, field trip forms, book report forms, and much more.   The calendars and household forms are a “must have” for today’s busy mothers.   The recipes and miscellaneous information is invaluable.  And the Bible reading schedule, prayer journal and study notes are great resources for not just mom, but everyone in the family. 

 At just $39 and downloadable at The Old Schoolhouse, this planner is a jewel!  It will be used daily in the Williams’ home this year!  After all, there is some truth to the saying, “If you fail to plan you can plan on failing.”   

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 Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I wrote this blog post while participating in the The Old Schoolhouse advertising campaign, making me eligible to get a prize. I received a free copy of the planner to facilitate the writing of this blog post.

Give-A-Ways

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There are a lot of bloggers who offer great give-a-ways.  I don’t always have the time but ocassionally I will sign up for the really good ones.  This week I won a Jump Start Get Moving Wii Game from Our Best Daze.  Thanks Marie for the give-a-way!

My FM on The Old Schoolhouse crew is offering three great give-a-ways.  If you would like a chance to win visit her blog!

Nature Valley Hiking pack 8/27 http://faithfamilyandfun.com/?p=3960
$25 Sam’s Club Card 8/20 http://faithfamilyandfun.com/?p=3944
Bark off Crazy Critter 8/11 http://faithfamilyandfun.com/?p=3772

I’ll try to be more diligent in posting give-a-ways.  If you know of any share them with us and leave a comment!  Blessings!

Who has time for blogging?

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I had a few preconceived notions coming into this vacation about how much time I would have.  I pictured days of sitting around reading and writing.  It just hasn’t happened.  We’ve been too busy.  Tuesday morning we spent on the beach snorkeling and kayaking.  The afternoon was spent by the pool with a two-hour nap in there somewhere.  That evening we made reservations at Cafe’ Parai’so.  It is situated in a tiny lagoon on the resort.  The restaurant was beautiful.  The man playing the piano and the colorful fish tank gave the restaurant an atmosphere of cool elegance.   It was a seven course meal.  Throughout the evening I tried a greek salad, caesar salad, shrimp (from my sister’s plate), strips of raw beef (from my sister-in-law’s plate), steak (from my husband’s plate), soup, stuffed chicken with spinach, onion rolls, roasted vegetables and potatoes, strawberry cheesecake, and a small taste of coconut ice cream (which was incredible!) and a bite of my husband’s chocolate cake.  Tuesday evening there was a pirate beach party where we watched a show of fire handlers.  My boys loved it!

Yesterday we spent the morning having a leisurely breakfast and by the pool.  We picked up our pictures from Monday evening at noon, ate lunch and then went into town for some shopping.  We stopped for a few minutes to have some ice cream.  I talked Kendal into trying corn ice cream.  I was too scared!  We made it back to the hotel around 6:30 completely exhausted.  After dinner at Restaurant La Isla, which overlooks the beach and serves an extensive tropical-Caribbean buffet, we went to the evening show.  It was a Mexican Broadway show.

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Day One in Cozumel

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We are having a wonderful time with our family!  The resort is beautiful and everyone is very friendly and helpful.  This is where I sat most of the afternoon after we flew in.  Surprisingly, the resort is not crowded at all,which I am very thankful for.  The forth picture is of my dad and Andrew.  Next, the men are playing pool outside our room.  Notice the picture of the water.  It is amazing at how clear it is.  The children really enjoyed the snorkling and seeing all the beautiful fish.  Aaron took Dana and my picture as we were waiting for the rest of the family.  Last night at sunset all 14 of us had our pictures taken on the beach.  I can’t wait to see how they turn out.  After, we went to dinner.  The first picture is of the children, then mom and Landon, then my very serious minded brother.  After a day of fun Ladon took a little nap on the table.  My sister decided to join him.  He is so precious!  After the show the performers wanted a picture a picture with my boys.  Aaron and Andrew were kind enough to oblige them.  We, of course, were too busy for autographs.  We ended our day with a game of cards.