 Hey Mama,
The most important thing about speech is to have it be God-honoring. We need to teach our children what the Bible says about what should come out of our mouths. Here’s a good verse to start with: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NIV). Sit down with the kids, take a good concordance or do an internet search, and see what else the Bible has to say about speech.
Now here’s something we need to remember …
Today focus on building up. I saw a cool meme on Facebook which said something to the effect of, “You can tell who the strong women are. They are the ones you see building one another up instead of tearing each other down.”
It’s easy to do this with ourselves (Eeyore Syndrome), but we also do it with our kids sometimes. It just comes naturally.
We have all these kids to take care of at the same time, plus a house, plus the outside bills, not to mention needing to take time to counsel with friends, spend time with Hubby, do the grocery shopping (and cooking) … the list goes on. In a perfect world, the kids are just going to be good all day long so we can manage that huge list we wake up with every morning.
Truth is our husband and children are our top priority. The house will get done eventually, and everyone IS eating (and growing). Take time today to build UP those who live in the house. It’s going to provide lasting memories and believe it or not, your day will run more smoothly in the long run.
Backwards: Build up your externals like the messy house, the errands, all that has to get done, and THEN take the time to pull that little one close and tell her/him how much Mama loves and needs her/him.
Build, build, build, today Mama. The Lord called you to this life and gave you this family. If it comes down to a missed co-op day and a child who’s feeling a little insecure and needs Mama’s arms all day, pick the prize behind curtain number two. Because really, that’s FIRST prize anyway.
~ gena
|
|
|
Advertisement
To Give an Answer
The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
Regardless of occupation, we are called to communicate. A mother communicating the gospel to her children, a missionary with different cultures, a lawyer defending justice–we are to stand ready to share the reason for the hope within us. We must know how to winsomely articulate truth and graciously combat incorrect thinking and inaccurate data. The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association uniquely prepares students to accomplish each of these. Through competition, students become equipped to follow God’s call to communicate effectively for His glory.
Many opportunities present themselves for homeschooling families, but few offer as much return on investment as NCFCA speech and debate competition. While earning credit in areas of critical thinking, logic, apologetics, history and current events, students:
The NCFCA experience is like no other. It is awe-inspiring, motivating, encouraging, world-changing, uplifting–truly life-changing! Bring your students and join us!
NCFCA facilitates communications-based competition to homeschooled high schoolers, placing particular emphasis on excellence in academic and personal integrity as students learn to think and communicate effectively.
Debaters learn speaking and research skills, respectful argumentation, refutation, organization, and most importantly, effective communication skills.
Speech events offer a different type of communications experience. NCFCA competitors can choose from eleven different events, including Essay and Film contests, carefully chosen for their unique, developing skill set.
Visit www.NCFCA.org and learn how to get involved! Come join us!
|
|
|
This Memorial Day, help your kids learn the history of our
real-life superheroes with this FREE DVD!
|
|
|
Advertisement
Raising A Modern Day Princess inspires parents, mentor s and youth leaders to raise a true Modern Day Princess. Co-authors Pam Farrel and Doreen Hanna, share the value and purpose of providing a Biblically based rite-of-passage that guides their girls into womanhood that culminates with a life-impacting blessing ceremony.
|
|
|
A division of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine
Did you know? Every class is INCLUDED for members! No limits!
In the January/February 2014 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, we spoke with Dr. Ben Carson regarding why he believes it is important for students today to be able to clearly state and defend their beliefs. He answered:
“Because they are up against a secular progressive society which is extremely vocal. It does not actually represent the majority opinion but has the microphone and tries to make people believe that anyone who varies from the secular progressive opinion are small-minded, ignorant people. And you need to be able to stand up to that and articulate your point of view in such a way that it becomes quite clear that you are not a small-minded, ignorant person.”
SchoolhouseTeachers.com has current and upcoming classes to help you do exactly that. Middle school and high school students can take five months of Public Speaking with homeschool graduate and Biola University student Rebekah Bell, and they can enjoy fifteen weeks of Logic with Lisa Duffy. Plus Deborah Burton, attorney and founder of www.homeschoolcourt.com, offers Mock Trial on our site–more than 18 months of the study of law and important legal cases–leading to opportunities to debate in a mock trial or persuasive-argument setting. (Join the course at any point; the months provide standalone material and are archived.)
Beginning June 2, Julie Polanco will help students explore the world of Botany and understand some of the infinitely creative ways our Creator designed the earth to work. Starting this fall, Ruth Sundeen will teach students Biology that accents the roots of science and debunking evolutionary teaching. And Sonya Brouillette will introduce your students to Animal Science.
If you’re not already a member, join today during our special 19 Gifts sale. Not only will you save money now (regular price $12.95 a month), you will lock in your membership at this price for as long as you maintain your membership (see site for details). That is a savings of over $60 every year. You’ll receive access to all the material on SchoolhouseTeachers.com for your entire family (over 85 courses in all) plus 19 free gifts including products from Jim Hodges Audio Books, A Journey Through Learning, King Alfred’s English, and many more. Stop by The Old Schoolhouse® Store today for all the details and to lock in your super sale price. But hurry, this offer is only good until June 30, 2014!
|
|
|
Can your teens defend their faith? Send them to a
Summit Student Conference to help them build critical
and biblical thinking skills about competing worldviews.
|
|
|
Announcement
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
|
|
|
Advertisement
Be encouraged, enlightened, and educated with the 2014 Annual Print Book published by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
You’ll get a year’s worth of homeschool support in over
280 pages in this full color one-of-a-kind print magazine for homeschoolers, by homeschoolers.
This is a magazine you’ll refer to again and again.
Get your copy of the TOS 2014 Print
Annual Edition today and pay just $15.
Or you can buy both the 2014 and the
2013 Annual Prints for $25!
Free shipping to U.S. only.
|
|
|
Now you can be a TOS affiliate and earn some extra cash!
Would you like to earn 20% commission on TOS items that family and friends purchase through an affiliate website? It’s easy, check out this page for more information. Once you are signed up, you simply share your unique affiliate link with family and friends. If anyone purchases anything from the TOS website using your affiliate link, you receive a 20% commission. There are even buttons available to help you promote your affiliate link on your website or blog.
|
|
|
|
|
Check out these resources:
Who We Are:
|
|
|
“I am amazed at the number of times I open The Homeschool Minute newsletter and have the opportunity to read EXACTLY what I need that day! Thank you so much for putting a real face on homeschooling.”
–Michelle Sager
Liberty Twp, OH
|
|
|
“I really appreciate all the information and the many uplifting articles in your magazines. Invaluable. Thanks for all you’re doing to help us homeschoolers.
–Kathy P.
Stanton, TX
|
|
|
“Only just this past week have I seriously checked into the content of the SchoolhouseTeachers.com site … May I just say wow?!”
–Janelle Chille
Mason City, IA
|
|
|
“I really enjoy reading all the THM articles. I learn a lot from Todd Wilson’s column. [He’s a] funny guy who speaks the simple truth! Thank you very much!”
–Charlene
Brandon, FL
|
|
|
“I look forward to THM every Wednesday. I really enjoy Deborah’s articles. For some reason, it must be God, she always writes about what I am needing to hear. Her ability to put scripture and God in the middle of all her articles keeps me coming back. I recently have been enjoying the Youngs’ [articles] because I have a young man (10) in my house. The encouragement of the Youngs is fabulous. I thank God for parents like them that pave the way for parents like myself and my husband.”
–Racheal Fowler
Glen Burnie, Maryland
|
|
|
“So love reading TOS on my iPad from cover to cover every month!!!”
–Leigh Anne McGrady
Dunwoody, GA
|
|
|
“I love the new TOS app! So convenient. So quick. All the encouragement I need at my fingertips … any place at any time.”
–SpunkyHomeschool
|
|
|
“Thanks ever so much. I love the encouraging articles! I really loved the list of 25 all in one place. Nice to have this little bit of “free” encouragement in my mail. I don’t have funds to subscribe or purchase frills and with also working more than half time I don’t have time to search it out. May God bless you exceedingly.”
–Teresa
rural Kansas
|
|
|
“I absolutely love Todd’s column. He always seems to put things in the proper perspective, and it keeps me from getting all stressed and anxious. Thanks Todd, and thanks TOS!!”
–Johnne Orelchikov
East Texas
|
|
|
Have you been blessed by
The Homeschool Minute™?
|
|
|
Start reading the May/June issue NOW!
|
|
|
|
