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    Ephesians 1:15-23 ~ Week 2

    This week we began our study reading Ephesian’s 1:17: ...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This is Paul's prayer for the people of Ephesus and my prayer for all of you! One thing I think is so … [Read More...]

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    Keepers at Home Group Startup

    Hi everyone! I’ve had several questions from readers on how to set up a Keepers at Home group, so I wanted to share a little bit of that today. I’ll try to blog when we do activities as well so I can continue to share ideas with you!   So first off, what is Keepers at Home? Keepers … [Read More...]

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    Road Trip USA: Arkansas

    Hi and welcome to our week on Arkansas! We’re well into our Road Trip USA curriculum, and the kids are having a blast!   Here are some of the things we learned about this week: Located Arkansas and Little Rock on our wall map Read our National Geographic Atlas and located Little … [Read More...]

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    2012 Mid-Year Curriculum Changes

    Hi everyone! I’ve had several questions from readers asking how our 2012 curriculum choices are going. I think one of the things I like most about homeschooling is the ability to be flexible and note when something is working well and when something isn’t working! That said in order to maintain … [Read More...]

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    Teeny Tot Tuesday: Magnets and Games

    Welcome to Teeny Tot Tuesday and my first Link Up! That’s right I wanted you all to be able to have a chance to link up your Tot ideas as well, so I finally signed up for Linky Tools so you can all share ideas for Teeny Tot Tuesday as well! I’ve been having so much fun with the Teeny Tot … [Read More...]

Jan
27

Ephesians 1:15-23 ~ Week 2

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This week we began our study reading Ephesian’s 1:17: …that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

Ephesians

This is Paul’s prayer for the people of Ephesus and my prayer for all of you! One thing I think is so interesting is that wisdom is always referred to as something we must put on, be given, or seek out. Here are some of my favorite verses regarding wisdom:

  • Proverbs 2:6  ~ For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
  • Proverbs 1:7  ~ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ~ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
  • Colossians 3:16  ~ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

    I also love that wisdom is referred to in the feminine quite often. Take a quick look at Proverbs 1-4. It tells all about the benefits of seeking wisdom. "She [wisdom] raises her voice in open squares…" We have the opportunity to be strong women full of wisdom and influence the hearts of our children and families, if we just seek it! But don’t get complacent ladies. Proverbs 14:1 also warns us: The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

    Let us commit to seeking wisdom through God’s word, so that we may build up our houses, and bless our families!

     

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    One of the other verses that spoke to me this week was Eph 1:20-21 …which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

    I had to take this in light of Paul’s prayer that our hearts would be enlightened, that we would know the fullness of His glory. I love this verse, but didn’t really think much about it before. It’s just the perfect story of our salvation being laid out for us. Regardless of our flaws, inadequacies, or faithlessness, God is sovereign.

    Paul reminds us through his prayer that God is indeed in control of our lives. His words open our eyes and help to put our daily fleshly concerns into a  heavenly perspective.

    We have a choice today to believe, repent of anything needed, and purpose to live our lives solely for Him. To lay aside our old selves, and be renewed by His spirit! One great way {besides reading His word} to get back in touch, or stay in fellowship with God is through prayer. Paul is a great example here with this fervent prayer towards believers!

    I’m also reading through “Seasons of a Mother’s Heart” by Sally Clarkson. Some of what I read this week was talking about prayer, and I love how she put it so eloquently:

    “It is only from being on my knees in prayer that I will have the strength and assurance to stand up and keep going as a mother.” ~ Sally Clarkson

    As a side note, I think it is amazing that all these verses up until now are just Paul’s greeting, can you imagine what is to come! :o )

     

    If you didn’t get a chance to read this week, take a moment to go over the verses below and get caught up! There is no condemnation for missing or starting late here!

    Ephesians 1:15-23

    For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

     

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    If you haven’t started the study yet, it’s not too late! You’ve just read the 2nd week of verses above, so start fresh this week and commit to spend time in the Word each day!

    P.S. I absolutely love reading everyone’s responses in our facebook discussion group! I’ve been so blessed by you all, and even though I may not have time to reply to everyone, I do read them all. Please know that your comments are reaching many, and blessing everyone on our list, it’s such an awesome thing to be a part of!

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    Jan
    26

    Keepers at Home Group Startup

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    Hi everyone! I’ve had several questions from readers on how to set up a Keepers at Home group, so I wanted to share a little bit of that today. I’ll try to blog when we do activities as well so I can continue to share ideas with you!   So first off, what is Keepers at Home? Keepers clubs are a "hands-on" type program that you, as a parent, can use to teach your child those practical skills not normally learned as academic endeavors. Designed for use in the privacy of your own home, your own group or association, or a church fellowship, these programs for boys and girls incorporate Christian principles as an integral part of the learning process. These programs are Bible-based and Christ-centered. When you use them you, the parents and leaders, are in control. You join no organizations. You, as parents or leaders, are free to decide exactly how you will use the program to help your children. Visit Keepers at Home for more information, supplies, and … [Read more...]

    Jan
    25

    Road Trip USA: Arkansas

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    Hi and welcome to our week on Arkansas! We’re well into our Road Trip USA curriculum, and the kids are having a blast!   Here are some of the things we learned about this week: Located Arkansas and Little Rock on our wall map Read our National Geographic Atlas and located Little Rock, AL using the map coordinates. Worked on our 50 States and Capitals song Learned about the state bird: Mockingbird Learned about the state gem: The Diamond Learned about the state insect: The Honeybee State Flower: Apple Blossom Famous people: General Douglas MacArthur U.S. President: Bill Clinton Classified the animals of Arkansas Famous Landmarks: Fort Smith Food: Catfish, and fried green tomatoes! Read: If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine   I started putting up a white board each week just to help us review the facts quickly.   One of our favorite parts is adding in the Road Trip USA Animals to our wall. … [Read more...]

    Jan
    24

    2012 Mid-Year Curriculum Changes

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    Hi everyone! I’ve had several questions from readers asking how our 2012 curriculum choices are going. I think one of the things I like most about homeschooling is the ability to be flexible and note when something is working well and when something isn’t working! That said in order to maintain my own sanity, and thus the sanity of those around me, I’ve decided to change the things that weren’t working. And while I hate to waste money, sanity is priceless, no?     Change Number 1: Saxon –> to Math U See I said at the start of the school year that we were trying out Saxon for the first time. Well, I have to say that Saxon just wasn’t a right fit for us!  Partly because I had a hard time adjusting to teaching it, and partly because my kids just weren’t getting how they explained certain things. I found myself pulling out our Math U See blocks and trying to re-word it for them so it made sense. The other reason I switched to Saxon was because … [Read more...]

    Jan
    23

    Teeny Tot Tuesday: Magnets and Games

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    Welcome to Teeny Tot Tuesday and my first Link Up! That’s right I wanted you all to be able to have a chance to link up your Tot ideas as well, so I finally signed up for Linky Tools so you can all share ideas for Teeny Tot Tuesday as well! I’ve been having so much fun with the Teeny Tot lately! She’s really into doing her own school. My only issue now is she wants new things all the time and I’m running out of ideas! So I’ve started adding in some games for her. She doesn’t always know how to play them by the rules, but I’ve found that they’re great for things like sorting letters, colors, logical thinking, and fine-motor skill practice!   The Magnetic Match Rings is a really fun game, and she does know how to play this one. It’s fairly simple, it comes with double sided picture cards that she has to re-create using the actual magnets. The trick is to place the magnets in the proper direction so they “float” above one another.   This game is … [Read more...]

    Jan
    22

    2012 Great Homeschool Convention Giveaway!

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    Don’t Miss the 2012 Great Homeschool Conventions! That’s right everyone, it’s time again for homeschool conventions! Why choose the Great Homeschool Convention? How about HUNDREDS of encouraging and information packed workshops! AmaZING Group of Featured Speakers! Choose from FIVE locations: (Greenville, SC, Memphis, TN, Cincinnati, OH, Long Beach, CA, and Hartford, CT) Want more info? www.greathomeschoolconventions.com email: greathomeschoolconventions@gmail.com Interested in winning some tickets? I’m giving away two family registrations for FREE! Mandatory Entry: Simply leave a comment below letting me know why you’d like to win a free registration for your family! Additional Optional Entries: (not required to win, come back and leave a separate comment on this post for each additional action taken.) Follow GHC on Twitter Like GHC on Facebook Subscribe via email to Confessions of a Homeschooler or Subscribe via RSS Tweet about … [Read more...]

    Jan
    22

    Ephesians 1:1-14 ~ Week1

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    Hi everyone! I wanted to take a minute this weekend to reflect on this week’s Ephesian’s study that we’re doing. One thing I LOVE about this study is that each day is broken down into only a few verses! Not only is it totally DOABLE, but it really allows me to soak in what God has for me each day and not stress out about how much reading I have to do. My favorite part of this week: "Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ".  (Eph 1:2) I’m not sure about you all, but I can seriously use some grace and peace these days! I tend to get caught up in the daily grind, and forget to keep God as my priority. But I can always tell when I'm searching for something to appease me, and nothing is working. It's a clear indication to me to get back into the Word of God. It's the only thing that can give us that peace and fulfillment we are longing for! And isn't it wonderful to know that God chose us in Him before the creation of the world to … [Read more...]

    Jan
    22

    The Good Wife Winner

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    Hi everyone! I had two awesome giveaways going on this week, and as promised, I have two winners! “The Good Wife’s Guide” By Darlene Schacht goes to Amy, comment #343!     And my Grammar 500 game goes to Caroline, comment number 282!   Congratulations ladies, I hope you enjoy your prizes! And I’d just like to send out a big “THANK YOU!” to Educational insights, and Darlene Schacht for offering their great products to my readers! … [Read more...]

    Jan
    20

    PBS LearningMedia Twitter Party!

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    Hi everyone! I’m excited to be taking part in a PBS LearningMedia Twitter party on 1/24/12 at 7-8PM EST and would love it if you could join me! I will also be a panelist in the Twitter party, so please stop by to say “Hi” and feel free to ask me questions as well!     What is PBS LearningMedia? PBS LearningMedia™ is a website created for easy, instant access to thousands of classroom-ready, digital resources including videos and interactives perfect for the Interactive Whiteboard, plus audio and photos, and even in-depth lesson plans. You can search, save, and share with ease. Best of all, PBS LearningMedia™ is FREE for educators! (And yes, that includes homeschoolers!) I’ve spent a little time browsing through the website and they have free lesson plans, ideas, and activities for a wide range of subjects and grade levels. You can even mark things as a favorite so you can find them easily later on. Subjects Include: Arts English Language Arts … [Read more...]