and you know what that is ok! I'm a Christian and a former Conservative Christian(I guess you could say--I don't think I was ever wound as tight as some of the more vocal ccs are). And now to try and not offend Conservative Christians because I know that they do not all fit the stereotype of having to have things their way, being small-minded, and full of hate, etc., that is so often portrayed in the media and elsewhere. As a matter of fact, I have friends that are Conservative Christian and as far I know we are on friendly terms. Hopefully that doesn't change after today but if it does...well we were never friends anyway were we?
Seems that there has been another kerfuffle in the homeschooling community. This time Julie Bogart (author of Bravewriter homeschool materials) as well as other previous speakers were not invited back to Great Homeschool Conventions in Cincinnati. It is my understanding that until this year that GHC was created to serve the whole homeschool community even though the group was formed by Conservative Christians--sounds wonderful doesn't it? Extending an olive branch, loving our neighbors, all trying to do what we think is best for our children, etc. Well for whatever reason GHC issued a statement(paraphrased) that they will not be inviting speakers that do not share their specific core of beliefs. It's sad really, because now GHC has lost a group of homeschoolers that are both Christian and Non-Christian and at the same time tarnished how the world views Christians. Why do people not realize the harm they are doing when their words and actions show that they will only provide services to or gain the friendship of someone who shares the same set of beliefs? Just to add in here--One very well known speaker(Dr. Susan Wise Bauer) invited Julie Bogart to be a part of her booth at the convention. Bravo to SWB!
This problem is widespread in the homeschool community. It branches all the way from the little local homeschool co-ops and support groups all the way up to national levels. Even the group that I have belonged to for the last 4 years now has a marriage clause in it. Really? We are homeschooling our kids because we think that is what is best for them. Does our belief about marriage come into play when setting up a co-op class or a playdate? My answer is 'no'. And the reason my answer is 'no' is because I know the back story and there are no classes dealing with marriage in our little scenario. One person thought they were high and mighty and knew what was best for ALL members of the group. My guess is that she doesn't really know what is best for ALL members...and I'm left trying to decide is it worth the $10/year so son #1 can hang-out with the children of the 'I know better than you do' parents. Where do I draw my lines? Just because a parent can be mean doesn't necessarily mean their child will be...or what about 'the apple doesn't fall from the tree'? See I could go in circles all day long...
So here's what I have to say to the 'high and mighty' ones that think they know what is best for ALL:
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Parable of the Good Samaritan
Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:30-37
Love is patient and kind. I Corinthians 13:4
Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. Proverbs 11:17
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23
I think poem sums it up nicely and it has always been one of favorites
All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK. -Robert Fulghum
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