The Super Simple Spiritual Sunday Meme is simply a list of encouraging blogs and/or sites I have enjoyed this week. If you’d like to join in this meme, share a few links on your blog and sign Mr. Linky below.

1. Lies: Recognizing the True Problem - Radio audio and transcript by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
2. Lies Women Believe- Outline of the excellent book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I’m reading the book so you’ll be hearing more about this soon.
3. Kingdom of God - Robert L. Lindsey talks about The Kingdom of God: God’s Power Among Believers.
4. Thy Kingdom Come - Article condensed from “The Jewish Background to the Lord’s Prayer” by Brad Young published by the Center for Judaic Christian Studies.
5. Condemnation or Conviction - from the blog God is Doing a New Thing.
6. Spiritual Assessment Quizzes - Spiritual assessment is a Biblical mandate. How are you doing? The quizzes at Assess-Yourself.org will help.
7. Your Sacred Calling - - An encouraging home school blog.

Prayer Request

My younger sister Charlotte had heart surgery a few weeks ago. She was released, went home, but developed pneumonia. She is back in the hospital now with a broken rib from coughing, both lungs collapsed (but are better now) and her heart is infected. Please pray for her recovery. Thank you.

Blogging Break

Today we began moving into our TN home. I hope to have enough unpacked by Monday so my dh can fend for himself in case I need to go be with my sister. Whatever happens I won’t be online for a while (satellite hook up for Internet access can take up to two weeks). I will post again when I can. Hope you enjoy the SSSS links below.

Encourage someone this week.

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I read a blog post ranting about homeschool socialization. The post received many interesting comments. I had this cartoon made a few years ago that illustrates my feelings.

Yes, homeschool children should have friends. But not just random friends. Homeschoolers have the opportunity for selective socialization. Parents can guide their children to other Christian families with like-minded morals and values.

Most homeschool families I know are are very active with other families. There are weekly field trips with support groups, twice-a-week church functions, scouts, choir, weekly skating parties, etc, etc.

But don’t take my word for it. Let us look at the homeschool statistics.

Studies Prove Homeschoolers Do Better Socially

Information gathered by the National Home Education Research Institute prove homeschool students have significantly higher self concepts than those in public schools.

• Dr. Johnson (1991) concluded that home educators carefully address the socialization needs of their children in every area studied (i.e., personal identity, personal destiny, values and moral development, autonomy, relationships, sexuality, and social skills).
• Studying actual observed behavior, Dr. Shyers (1992) found the home educated had significantly lower problem behavior scores than do their conventional school age mates. And the home educated have positive self-concepts.
• Dr. Taylor (1986) found that the home educated have significantly higher self concepts than those in public schools.
• The home schooled are well adjusted socially and emotionally like their private school comparison group. The home educated, however, are less peer dependent than the private school students (Delahooke, 1986).
• Dr. Montgomery (1989) found that home schooled students are just as involved in out-of-school and extracurricular activities that predict leadership in adulthood as are those in the comparison private school (that was comprised of students more involved than those in public schools).
• Home educated children are more mature and better socialized than are those sent to school, according to Thomas Smedley’s personal interaction and communications approach to understanding socialization.
• Dr. Gary Knowles, of the University of Michigan, explored adults who were home educated. None were unemployed and none were on welfare, 94% said home education prepared them to be independent persons, 79% said it helped them interact with individuals from different levels of society, and they strongly supported the home education method.

What Does God’s Word Say About Socialization?

The concept of separation from evil is fundamental to God’s relationship with His people. According to the Bible, separation involves two dimensions - one negative and one positive:

1. Separating yourself morally and spiritually from sin and everything that is contrary to Jesus Christ, righteous and God’s Word.
2. Drawing near to God in a close intimate fellowship through dedication, worship and service.

Don Stamp commentary explains in the Full Life Bible:

1. In the Old Testament separation was an ongoing requirement for God’s people. (Ex 23:24; Lev. 20:22-26; Isa 52:11;) They were expected to be holy, different and separated from other peoples in order to belong to God as His very own.
2. In the New Testament God commanded separation of the believer (a) from the corrupt world system and from unholy compromise, (b) from those in church who sin and refuse to repent (Mat 7:15; 1Co 5:9-11; 2Th 3:6-15) and (c) from false teachers, churches or cults that teach theological error and deny Biblical truths (Mat 7:15; Rom 16:17)
3. Our attitude in separation must be one of (a) hatred toward sin, unrighteousness and the corrupt world system, (b) opposition to false doctrine, genuine love towards whom we must separate, and (c) fear of God as we perfect holiness.
4. The purpose of separation is that we, as God’s people, might (a) persevere in salvation (1Ti 4:16; Rev 12:14-17), faith (1Ti 1:19; 6:10; 20-21) and holiness (Jo 17:14-21; 2Cor 7:1); (b) live wholly for God as our Lord and Father (Mat 22:37; 2Co 6:16-18); and (c) convince the unbelieving world of the truth and blessings of the gospel (Jn 17:21; Phi. 2:15.)
5. If we separate ourselves properly, God Himself rewards us by drawing near with His protection, blessing and Fatherly care. He promises to be everything a good Father should be. He will be our counselor and guide; He will love and cherish us as His own children. (2Cor 6:16-18)
6. The refusal of believers to separate themselves from evil will inevitability result in loss of fellowship with God (2 Co 6:16), of acceptance by the Father (6:17) and of our rights as children (6:18cf. Rom 8:15-16).

What do you say when people ask you about socialization? Answer in the comments below.

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• An Unplanned Delight-Directed Homeschool Day
• Balancing the 3Rs and Bible
• Creating Reminders for Our Children
• God has a Plan for Your Homeschool
• Spiritual Journey: Reaching the Promised Land

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It’s that time of year again. Vampires, ghouls, ghosts and skeletons will be haunting our doorways. American retailers celebrate a 5 billion dollar a year candy, card and costume business ($1.5 billion in Canada).

But, Halloween is not just a time for cornstalks, pumpkins, apples and cute and not-so-cute costumes. There is much, much more. Before deciding to celebrate or not celebrate any holiday, it is important to understand the history of that holiday.

Before we look at the history and what the Bible says about pagan holidays answer these questions:

• How would you feel if your spouse kept photos of his or her former girlfriend of boyfriend?
• How would you feel if he or she celebrated an anniversary of special times with another after marrying you?
• Our God is a jealous God demanding exclusive devotion (Exodus 20:5). Do you think He cares if you encourage your children to partake in a holiday that honors Satan, the god of this world?

Halloween’s History

Halloween’s roots come from the ancient Celts, a tribe living about 2,000 years ago in the areas that are now Ireland, Great Britain and northern France. (more…)

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The Super Simple Spiritual Sunday Meme is simply a list of encouraging blogs and/or sites I have enjoyed this week. If you’d like to join in this meme, share a few links on your blog and sign Mr. Linky below.

1. Restore Magazine - free articles online from my favorite magazine.
2. Guilt Free Homeschooling - encouragement for homeschoolers.
3. Carnival of Homeschoolers - 91st Carnival at The Voice of Experience.
4. Biblical Womanhood - List of encouraging articles by Crystal Paine.
5. Pride in One’s Lifestyle - An excellent post by Deanne Crawford.
6. Join Me On The Journey -Tamera’s posts are always uplifting.
7. Titus Two - Check out articles in Dad’s and Mom’s Corners.

AND There is always something new to read or learn about at the FFOZ Blogs!

Attention Bloggers: Check the Blogging 101 updates. (more…)

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I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? Psalms 121:1 (NASB)

If you follow this blog, you know I’m in a hotel for a few weeks waiting to move into my TN home. This period began with me publicly requesting prayer from a dark valley after several stressful events. God is still answering prayers as this time has been a blessing–a time of spiritual assessment.

Spiritual Mountain Climbing

It has been helpful to me to see my spiritual journey as a climb up a mountain. The Bible is a map to the path up the mountain. In mountain climbing the terrain becomes steeper and steeper, but with each level there is greater vision.

The mountain top is crowned with God’s glory. Going higher and being able to see you are getting closer to the top is energizing.The closer we get to the top, the more humble and holy we become. In Psalms 24 King David speaks of the hill of the Lord,

Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?
or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart…

Firm Foundation

It is critical to have a sure footing before going to another level, else we slip and slide back several levels. A bad fall can end with serious wounds that take a long time to heal and seriously delay the journey.

There is a need to stay at each plateau long enough to learn what God is teaching us. Moving too quickly can be dangerous. Our zeal or our want-it-now mentality can make us want to take a helicopter shortcut to the top in order to skip levels. But the climb is an important step-by-step learning experience. Remember, the most attractive shortcuts lead to disaster.

Each level of the mountain demands constant reference to the map and prayerful evaluation of our current footing and vision. Without a sure foundation, the higher up, the more dangerous the climb becomes.

Moving at God’s pace, following God’s direction, with firm foundations on every level we get closer and closer to the top. Doubt will cause us to teeter on a ledge. The closer to the top, the more glory we see and the more spiritual fruit is evident in our lives. The higher we go, the more critical it is to refer to the map. God forbid we forget the map on any level.

The spiritual ascent is not a work but a becoming or transformation. You can’t hide when you’re on the mountain. Weaknesses and strengths are exposed. The goal for the climb will determine how high and successful the climb. The higher up the mountain, the fewer people will be found.

A climb for personal recognition will be shallow and eventually fail. A submissive, humble climb with the purpose of honoring God will cause one to ascend each level revealing less of self and more of Christ.

Lightening the Load

During the climb, works of the flesh are exposed openly until they are cut away. If this flesh is not cut away it is almost impossible to have pure motives. This is a spiritual circumcision, ridding us of the carnal nature that makes climbing difficult.

As we go higher, we mature and our motives change. The path will become increasingly lighter and brighter. Once high enough to get a glimpse of God’s glory, we will be elated. Our thoughts will become more like His thoughts. Our actions will become more like His actions. We will become more and more humble in the light of His glory. Our time will be spent going higher and going back to help others climb, as He helps others climb.

Seven Mountain Levels

2 Peter 1:2-7 reveals how we can participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires by climbing the seven levels of the mountain:

And for this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

1. Faith
2. Virtue
3. Knowledge
4. Self-control
5. Steadfastness
6. Godliness
7. Love

Each of these qualities builds on the previous quality. Each level contains a gold mine of wisdom if we take the time to experience and investigate the level. As we climb each level we should see more fruit of the Spirit in our character.

We begin the mountain climb on the faith ledge. We ascend to the glorious top to find perfect love. Trust is an essential trait for those who climb the mountain. We get a sure footing on this ledge by believing in God, knowing He is real, and understanding that He loves us. If we move to another level before we have this sure footing we will later fall.

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. (Hebrews 11:6).

Stumbles and Falls

I have fallen many times. I tried climbing from the faith ledge to virtue and knowledge ledges while I doubted God’s love for me. Accepting the love of God through Christ is a basic truth I did not have a firm grip on. Not understanding God’s love for me caused me to stumble, never allowing me the required sure footing needed for a successful climb.

Unforgiveness and resentment caused me to stumble and fall and become wounded, hindering my climb. Such sin causes bitterness, bondage, and strongholds. At the time, I didn’t realize why I wasn’t getting victory over sin in my life–I didn’t understand the reason I struggled with the same sins over and over.

Forgiving others would heal my wounds and allow me to climb strongly again, but somewhere on the journey, when I hadn’t taken thoughts captive, I allowed unforgiveness back in resulting in deeper wounds. Hurtful wounds caused more sin and obstructed my climb even more. I would be stuck on a level recovering, frustrated that I was not climbing higher. At times I knew what was holding me back, other times I was deceived and didn’t understand the reasons.

I also stumbled several times by being impatient. I can look back at my disastrous attempts to find a quicker path than the path God chose. We can only increase to higher elevations without falling by waiting on God’s perfect timing.

Dusting Off and Climbing Again

Praise God, I know I can slip and stumble, incur wounds and injuries, and suffer setbacks but our loving Father continually picks me up and helps me find the path again. Isaiah 58:8-9

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

Rejoice in The Adventure!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. God’s paths are straight, His paths are narrow. To follow keep your eyes on Him.Climbing these levels can be very hard especially when faced with unexpected or particularly difficult challenges. But, the climb can be seen as exciting when we reach this stage. It becomes an adventure—a chance to see what God will do next and how He will work out the situation.

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