I recently mooched a book called The Serpent of Paradise by Erwin W. Lutzer.  It’s really quite an interesting read!  The premise is to help the reader unravel a biblical understanding of Satan and how Satan’s rebellion serves God’s purposes.

One of the surprising aspects of the author’s writing style is that he throws in little personal applications here and there while narrating the history of Satan. It’s interesting how understanding Satan can help me see the greatness of God. And some of the analogies to my own heart and Satan’s have been startling.

Our pastor is also currently doing a series on Satan — specifically his tactics against the believer. I suppose it must be the time in my life to learn these things, so I may become a better-armed Christian.  I’m definitely learning a lot. 

Here are a few quotes from The Serpent of Paradise that struck me –

On the smallness of Satan and his capacity to seem more powerful to us than he really is:

“A single quarter lifted to the eye can obscure the blazing light of the sun, a star whose diameter is 865,000 miles. Just so, Satan, if we let him, can cause us to block out our vision of God. He can give us the terrifying optical illusion that, at least in this life, he is just about as big as God.”

On why Lucifer (Satan’s original name) decided to rebel against God:

“What we do know is that Lucifer was self-deceived, thinking that rebellion was necessary if he were to put his own interests first. He failed to grasp that even if he were motivated by self-interest, obedience to God would still be best. To put it differently, God’s best for him and his best for himself were actually one and the same.

“Lucifer’s bad judgment is a warning to us. We must never think that our obedience is best for God, but not best for us. When God commands us to obey Him, He not only has His best interest in mind but ours too. That is why we are never wiser than when we choose to follow God’s will, whatever the cost”

(While reading Lost in the Middle by Paul David Tripp last year, I became increasingly aware of how I actually “shoot myself in the foot” whenever I try find a “better” way than God’s way!)

On considering what way Lucifer desired to be “like God”:

“In what sense then can he be “like the Most High”? Only in this: He thought he would be independent. He knew that his accomplishments would always be but a shadow of what God can do. But the joy of knowing that he was now acting without God’s approval was worth the risk. He now would only give orders and supposedly not receive them. At least that was the plan.

“The irony is that Satan’s flaunted independence would in reality turn out to be another form of dependence on the will and purposes of God. True, he wouldn’t depend on God for guidance in the decisions he made, but every one of his rebellious acts would be under God’s careful direction and control. He could defy God, to be sure, but his activities would always be limited to what God allowed. His independence was hardly worthy of the word…he rebelled so that he would not have to be God’s servant, and yet today he still is!

“…Here, it is sufficient to point out that he cannot afflict Job without divine approval. He cannot harass Saul, except that he is sent to Saul by God. And he cannot give the apostle Paul a ‘thorn in the flesh’ without God determining both its time limitations and severity. This does not sound like independence! In fact…it is slavery.

“…He who hated servanthood would now become a servant of another sort. Rather than voluntary servanthood, his would be a reluctant servanthood, service with a different motive and toward a different end, but service nonetheless. In the end, he would still exist for God’s glory just as much as he did when he and God were in harmony.”

Do you see the connection between Satan’s sin and our own? When we try to be indpendent from God, we end up serving Him anyhow. All things will work together for God’s glory! This renews my love for the gospel. What a merciful God to give us human sinners a chance to serve Him as His dear children. All of us WILL serve Him, but isn’t it delightful to be able to serve Him as His child?

Delayed Academics: Key to Preventing Learning Problems

Someone sent me a copy of an article entitled Better Late than Early today. Parents hear from our president that we should be handing over our children at younger ages and for more of the year — for the purpose of “academic excellence.” What does the research say?

Carolyn Forte, in the article mentioned above, says:

Dr. and Mrs. Moore’s first book, School Can Wait and its twin for laymen, Better Late Than Early, introduced me to the facts about education and child development. The Moores collected early childhood research from medicine, ophthalmology, neurology, and psychology and came to the inescapable conclusion that for most children, the optimum age to begin formal academics is between the ages of eight and twelve! For those of us who are steeped in the culture of early academics, this is a strange pill to swallow. But the Moores didn’t stop with mere laboratory research; they studied homeschool families in the 70’s and 80’s to see what happened when children were free to learn at a more natural pace. The result was several more books, culminating with The Successful Family Homeschool Handbook. This volume elaborates on “The Moore Formula” which Dr. and Mrs. Moore developed over the years as they combined research with practical application.

The “Moore Formula” includes three elements in approximately equal portions: study, work and service. They do not recommend formal academic studies before age 8 and in some cases, as late as 12. (My younger daughter fell into this older category.) This does not mean that the child does not learn anything until age 8+. Children are learning voraciously from birth and only the roadblock of clumsy “schooling” can retard or stop a child’s otherwise insatiable thirst for knowledge. Books are useful and important tools, but for a young child, the world is filled with much better learning opportunities than can be found on the printed page alone. When a child is allowed to explore and question and wonder, whole worlds of interest can open that might never be discovered otherwise. In this homeschooling style, a child might learn to read at five, at seven or at twelve, depending on the child.

This more relaxed early learning/teaching style will incorporate important developmental areas often neglected or ignored by formal curricula: listening, hand-eye coordination, large motor skills, spatial relationships, personal relationships, knowledge about the physical environment, memory development, imagination, logic and many more. Because of the overwhelming presence of electronic media in our lives, children are often have difficulty using their own imagination or even listening to a story without pictures. They are so bombarded with constant sound from radio, TV, and electronic games that they can hardly think for themselves. Giving children time in the early years (hopefully with a minimum of TV, etc.) to develop physically, neurologically and emotionally allows them to move into formal academics with a maximum of preparedness and energy.”

The early years with my boys have been precious, delightful times of learning.  We’ve grown into more formal, rigorous work each year, and they’ve adapted well.  I do miss those early times that were centered around playing, cuddling and delight-directed learning!  I’m so glad we were directed to books like those by the Moores, Educating the Wholehearted Child, For the Children’s Sake, I Saw the Angel in the Marble and Things We Wished We’d Known right at the beginning of our homeschooling journey.  These books convinced us to truly slow down with our young ones; we have been richly blessed by doing so.

According to TIME magazine, the New Calvinism is one of the things changing the world (Number 3 of the Top Ten!).

(I read about it over at Irish Calvinist.)

My favorite quote from the article is Al Mohler’s: “The moment someone begins to define God’s [being or actions] biblically, that person is drawn to conclusions that are traditionally classified as Calvinist.” Instead of saying I am a Calvinist, since people often look at me strangely when I say that, maybe I should say, “Thinking biblically has caused me to arrive at conclusions-formally-known-as-Calvinism.”

I was excited (a few years ago) to discover there was a shorthand way to say “God is sovereign; people are sinners; I can depend upon God and don’t have to depend on myself!” But many, many people see Calvinism as Determinism or Fatalism. When you use the “C” word, they seem to check out of the conversation! I do enjoy saying I believe in the “doctrines of Sovereign Grace,” but people don’t really know what I mean when I say that either.

On the other hand, I have been absolutely FLOORED by the amount of friends and family who have had very similar experiences to my husband and myself in regard to changing, or refining, of our theology. Many people we haven’t seen in years seem to have the same story we’ve had. I’m still surprised when I come across someone else who has been moved in the same direction of heart. And this change in theology has come to those I know with almost ZERO push from the pulpit (in my city, churches that are Calvinist are few and far between, and the preaching is often more the “Jesus-wants-to-be-your-buddy” type).

I think maybe TIME magazine is onto something. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see!

I love this video. It brought tears to my eyes. Every life is potential for greatness. Circumstances that look bleak to us can — and are — used to forge phenomenally-capable individuals. Abortion is “playing God”; it is not our place to take another human’s right to life.

It seems that God created me with a soft spot in my heart regarding unborn children. If you knew me in high school, you’ll remember this was what I was fanatic about. Every speech, many papers, lots of conversations — anytime I could persuade people of the evil of abortion and the wonder of life I was on it!

Interestingly, my firstborn son came into the world on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade — reminding me in a tangible way each year of the reality of life and death. Watching my son grow has given me a renewed respect for the gift of life! On the other hand, sometimes I feel I could drown in depth of sorrow living in a country that sanctions parents taking the lives of their children.

I heard on the radio today that a group of people are requesting President Obama sign an Emancipation Proclamation for the Unborn. Did you know African Americans are experiencing a genocide through abortion, right here in the U.S.A.? What a historic opportunity for President Obama to free African Americans from this tyranny.

When you consider how abortion has been used as a racist tactic against African Americans, it is quite ironic that our first black president is so wildly pro-choice. Rev. Johnny Hunt of the Life Education and Resource Network, writes, “Because of some very suave planning by abortion supporters and providers abortionists have eliminated more African-American children than the KKK ever lynched.”

I’m praying that President Obama’s eyes will be opened to the horrors of abortion, not only against black people but all humans whose lives are lost through it.

—

“I am thrilled we reached this landmark as a country – the first African American President. Isn’t it just a little ironic (and horrific) that millions of future Americans will never learn of it?” –Mike Adair

—

(for more of my thoughts on this subject, see this old post)

Breakfasts:

Golden Oats

Oatmeal

Sourdough English Muffins — Egg Sandwiches or toasted w/ jelly

Eggs, to order

The Nourishing Gourmet’s Sourdough Pancakes

Lunches:

PB and J

Smoothies

Leftovers

Leftover Beans and Cornbread

Bean Burrittos

Dinners:

Cowboy Nachos (Monday — I’m not using brisket for these, but just ground beef mixed w/ tom sauce, I think)  Addendum:  I made a variation of these nachos tonight that was sooooooo good!  I used mexican tomato sauce in the ground beef, and made a sauce that was a variation of this recipe.  I’ll update a link when I write out exactly how I made the sauce — it was seriously yummy.

Turkey Soup (2 nights)

Beans and Cornbread (these were so good last week, we’re doing them again!)

Chicken Caesar Salad

Desserts:

Apple Pie and Ice Cream for Saturday Night

I followed a link from Cook Like Your Grandmother over to The Pioneer Woman Cooks and found myself lost in her gorgeous photos and delightful wit for the past 2 hours!  Have a look around!  She even shares her Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule.  So many good ideas and such pretty photos that my menu this week will center around Pioneer Woman’s website.

Breakfasts:

Golden Oats

Egg Burrittos

Oatmeal x 2

Sourdough English Muffins — Egg Sandwiches or toasted w/ jelly

Eggs, to order

The Nourishing Gourmet’s Sourdough Pancakes

Lunches:

PB and J

Smoothies

Leftover Chicken Soup

Leftover Potato Soup

Beans and Cornbread

Bean Burrittos

Dinners:

Chicken Rice Soup (Tuesday and Wednesday)

Chicken Pot Pie (Friday)

Cowboy Nachos (Monday — I’m not using brisket for these, but just ground beef mixed w/ tom sauce, I think)

Bean and Bacon Soup with a healthy salad (Saturday)

(Sunday…find leftovers or bust out the frozen turkey?)

Thanksgiving Day:

I only have to bring bread and potatoes and pie to Mom’s for Thanksgiving this year — woo hoo!

I haven’t decided between chocolate pie or pumpkin pie.  Doesn’t this chocolate pie look exquisite?

I can’t believe I found this movie on Google for free! I just paid $25 bucks for this! Actually, I’m very happy to own this film.

The ideas in this film are not too popular. But if they are true, they are worth consideration. Most fascinating to me, as HomeDisciplingDad pointed out, is the fact that a group of secular scientists can come to the same conclusion those of us reading the Bible come to: one-man-and-one-woman-for-life-with-children-as-a-by-product is good for society!

I’m hoping my family and friends all watch it, so we can discuss and debate the issues mentioned herein.

Here’s a link to the Google Video page if you don’t want to watch it here on such a small screen!

Food Food Food! Last week we saved so much money by eating a nice turkey dinner and turkey leftovers and more turkey leftovers! And we didn’t even get to the turkey enchiladas (I still have turkey pieces and turkey broth in the freezer). I think I’ll have to do a turkey once a month in the cold weather — I love the frugal feeling turkey brings!

I’m going to step down my wheat-intake this week as I’ve had some health problems showing up that were not around when I was wheat-free. I am going to try to only ingest my homemade sourdough as far as wheat goes…

Breakfast:

English Muffins w/ Jelly

Omlettes

Oatmeal x 2

Golden Oats

Eggs, to order

Cereal or Sourdough Pancakes (depending upon whether there is “healthy” cereal on sale tomorrow)

Lunch:

Turkey Soup leftovers and quesadillas for boys

Pot Roast leftovers

PB and J at the park, carrot sticks, apples, Activia (twice)

Bean Burritos for kiddos (cottage cheese and pineapple for me)

Smoothies, apples w/ almond butter

Leftover enchiladas

Dinner:

Pot Roast

Green Chili (Turkey) Enchildada Casserole

Chicken Caesar Salad (grilled boneless chicken thighs over a bed of romaine mixed w/ dressing, parm cheese, and croutons)

Black Beans and Ham (pg 87 of Fix it and Forget Recipes for Entertaining) over rice, salad

Mrs. Keller’s Beef n’ Barley Soup

Breakfasts:

Oatmeal x2

Eggs x 2

Golden Oats

Sourdough Pancakes or Sourdough English Muffins

Parfaits (yogurt, blueberries, granola)

Lunches:

Lentil and Sausage Soup (2 days, I think)

Turkey Sandwiches

Leftover carnitas wraps

PB and J

Leftover Turkey and Quesadillas

Dinners:

Lentil and Sausage Soup (we didn’t get to this last week)

Roasted Turkey and potatoes; Oh Yummy! (2 nights)

Pork Carnitas, tortillas, sour cream, iced-tea  (pot luck w/ a few other families)

Korean Beef and Cabbage

Bunless Cheeseburgers

Turkey Enchiladas (use my Chicken Recipe w/ leftover turkey)

Side Dishes with Dinners:

Steamed Broccoli

Salad, Caesar or Garden

Steamed Green Beans

Red Potatoes

Other:

White Cake w/ Chocolate Buttercream frosting for baby shower

Make a turkey broth from turkey bones to save for later

Freeze some turkey for later too!

As much as I did not want President Elect Obama to win this election, I am (surprisingly) at peace that he did win! I’m grateful for my theology that reminds me God is always on His throne, and it was God Himself who appointed Obama as our leader for this time. I will honor God by recognizing Obama is in office because of God’s sovereignty.

Will President Elect Obama’s time in office be for our good or our harm? Only God knows, but I can pray and hope for the best while standing guard against evil.

Thanks to my sister, I was reminded by John Mark Reynolds in Morning in America that we can be part of the “loyal opposition” (isn’t that wonderful phraseology?):

“President-elect Obama will soon be my head of state. I will pray for him daily and for his success. He is my president and it is my duty to do so.

“In our system, President-elect Obama is also the head of government. In those terms, I am part of the loyal opposition. I will support President Obama when his policies are sound and give forceful reasons to oppose them if they lurch to the left. A loyal opposition is always hopeful that the Other Party will govern better than they have promised—the real world often tempers messianic dreams, but is ready to quip and quarrel if not.”

The age-old adage, Love God and Honor the King comes to mind.

It’s my duty to honor President Elect Obama in any way I can. I will stand behind him whenever I can and pray for his success. Of course, when it comes to his policies on abortion, I cannot and will not stand with him but will pray with fervor and take any actions I can to protect the unborn.

Stand to Reason had an interesting post that was on one hand celebrating this historic moment of our country electing a black man to presidency and on the other hand mourning the fact that because of supreme court appointees President Elect Obama is likely to choose we will probably never see equal rights for all humans anytime soon.

Reading the same post, commenter Mike Adair (check out his animation called David’s New Snail — hilariously adorable!) had this to say:

“I am thrilled we reached this landmark as a country – the first African American President. Isn’t it just a little ironic (and horrific) that millions of future Americans will never learn of it?”

In another place, Mr. Adair goes on to explain,

“The triumph of African Americans seems a little hollow when so many Americans are daily oppressed and disposed of because they are deemed sub-human. I wish it wasn’t so.”

When you consider how abortion has been used as a racist tactic against African Americans, it is quite ironic that our first black president is so wildly pro-choice. I, too, wish it wasn’t so.

One more thing has my attention this election week. The news media keeps singing the praises of how the 18 to 30 crowd continues to vote increasingly “progressive” each election. I really cannot help but think this “great change” is due to the incredible influence over our nation’s children through public education and media (through sheer volume of time a certain set of values is being passed on to kids).

Voddie Baucham said it this way,

“The neo-Marxist left has achieved cultural hegemony. Through the news media, government education, and the entertainment media, Americans have been shaped and molded into the kind of people who view Ron Paul as a political hack, while applauding gay marriage (one of the first lines out of Obama’s mouth last night was an acknowledgement of homosexuals), wealth redistribution, and government intervention in the free market! How ironic. We sent our children to Caesar for their education, and yesterday they voted just like Romans (the majority of 18-30 year-olds flooded the polls for Obama whether they were professing “Christian” or not). These young people believe hatred and racism are America’s biggest problems, and that the election of Mr. Obama is the cure (along with Hate Crimes Legislation). They believe America is evil because we don’t have universal healthcare like the Europeans. They believe homosexuality is innate, the existence poverty is a sin, and abortion is an ethical (and completely personal) means of birth control. They believe in anthropogenic global warming, Darwinian evolution, Gramscian Marxism, and Freudian Psychology. In short, they believe what they’ve been taught during their 14,000 hours of government indoctrination. And yesterday, we saw the culmination of this cultural hegemony as Obama beat McCain like a tied up goat.”

This week I’ve been seriously contemplating why biblical Christians would want to continue to keep their children in government school, when the product of such schooling becomes more and more apparent. I’m hoping God moves in more hearts of Christian parents, to begin a solid biblical education with their kids — either by dedicated and deep afterschooling or by providing them a government-free education.

Whenever my kids start to bug me, I remind myself the alternative to having them at home is sending them off to Caesar. No way! These kids were given to me by God, Caesar cannot have them. Here’s Voddie reminding me: