Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers on Pixabay.
~ ~ ~ Unless you live under a rock, you're probably aware of the chaos that the coronavirus has created. From stores running out of toilet paper to churches going on lockdown, nobody is sure of anything anything. One thing that a lot of people are concerned about is the sudden responsibility of making sure their children have an education outside of the classroom. This is also true of adult learners in high school and in college. As someone who was homeschooled in my high school years, I didn't always follow a plan. I just kinda stayed in my PJs, put in my required hours, and watched All My Children. But over the years I've come across a few things I wish I knew or things I wish I would have followed. These tips will work for both high schoolers and college students. Feel free to share! ~ ~ ~ 1) Make a to-do list. You won't be scrambling quite as much to figure out what needs to be done if you have a simple to-do list. Priorities come first, so if you have a report due in two days, make sure that's at the top. If you need to read a chapter by Friday, write it in accordingly. 2) Create a schedule. As a homeschooler, the temptation to do whatever whenever was very real. You might be thinking, "Oh hey I can get up at 11 and not worry". Not true! For one thing, you'll throw your body's clock out of whack and by the time the schools open back up, you're going to struggle to get back into a routine. So, stick to a schedule. If your particular school's classes do not require you to be online at a certain time, be reasonable. Perhaps you're a math wiz at 9am; do your math in the mornings. History buff in the afternooons? Go for it! Don't forget to schedule in your to-do's! 3) Take regular breaks. Schedule in a "lunch time" or a recess (let's get real; Netflix) time. Or maybe this is a good time for your "gym" session. Take this time to recharge with food, water, and at the least, light stretches. 4) Use the Pomodoro technique. Set a timer on your phone or computer for twenty minutes and work for that allotted time period. Take a break for five to ten minutes, come back, and repeat. 5) Change up your study space. Stuck at a desk? Move to the couch or bed. Always studying on the bed? Give yourself more structure at your desk. 6) Stay clean! You've probably heard that two million times over the past two or three weeks, but I'm not just referring to your hands. Wipe off your desk regularly (at least once a day). When you have your study materials out, only have out what you need. You don't need your book report notes while studying the Pythagorean Theorem. Do you have any homeschool tips? Have you studied at home before? Leave your comments!
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A shameful note from the author: So, this week I realized I was at a loss for where to start on studying believer's baptism. There's maybe one or two Scriptures that deal with it, and I wasn't quite sure how to approach the subject. However, I did some looking and I wanted to share a teaching by a pastor that I trust. I feel that he was able to bring out some points that I would not have been able to tactfully bring up. Please know that this is completely biblical, and if it steps on your toes, it's working! ~ ~ ~ Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
~ ~ ~ Author's note: I had a bit of a mishap while planning posts. A different one was supposed to go up today, but I'm going with the Lord on this one. ~ ~ ~ There is absolutely no doubt, if you are a true student of the Word of God, you'll recognize that we are on the brink of seeing the Lord's return. What a blessed hope! Let's see what the Bible has to say about that glorious day. JESUS HIMSELF SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN Matthew 14:3 In context, the above Scripture pictures Jesus comforting the disciples. His death was imminent, and I imagine the disciples were pretty disheartened. If you spent three years with a close friend only to find out they were going away for an undisclosed amount of time, you'd be disheartened too. However, Jesus gave them a soothing thought; He wouldn't be away forever. He said He was going to prepare a place (heaven) for us. Then, He'd return to bring those who trust in Him back with Him. WE WILL MEET HIM IN THE CLOUDS 1 Thessalonians 4:17 There are those that mock the "fly away" doctrine, but it's there in plain black and white. While the word "rapture" is not specifically mentioned in Scripture, Paul describes the experience as being "caught up". Christ Himself will be in the clouds accompanied by holy angels as our souls reunite with our resurrected bodies. Those who are already gone will rise first, and then those of us who are on the earth will follow after. A TRUMPET WILL SOUND 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 24:31 There are two views on this particular event: - Both the unsaved and saved will hear the trumpet - Only the saved will hear it While there are no Scriptures that specifically support either claim, we do know from the words of Paul and Christ Himself that a trumpet will indeed sound and be heard. At the moment of the sound, we will be caught up as mentioned in the last point. Some have even speculated that the sound will not be an actual trumpet as we would see in an orchestra; it will be the ram's horn that the Israelites used for various events in the Old Testament. Regardless of your views, the bottom line is that we must be ready for the trumpet. IT WILL BE SUDDEN 1 Corinthians 15:52 In the Gospels, Jesus warns that the rapture will be as the twinkling of an eye. I'm no scientific expert, but I imagine that's pretty fast. All the more reason to be ready right? We don't know when it's going to happen, but the Lord gives us ample opportunity to watch for the signs. In the words of Christ, it will be as a thief in the night; unexpected, and for some, devastating. THE UNSAVED WILL BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Luke 12:40 Here's where we get to the nitty-gritty. We don't mess around when it comes to the things of God. We don't play around with salvation. Unfortunately, there are souls out there who think they have all the time in the world. There are some who flat out refuse to believe in the work at the cross. Would you believe me if I told you there are some sitting on church pews who think that way? My friend, please do not be caught off guard by the rapture. Do not be one of the millions who will watch as their friends and loved ones disappear into the sky. Getting left behind is not going to be a party. Unless you come to know the Lord during the Tribulation, you will not stand a chance at making it to heaven. ~ ~ ~ It is no coincidence that I should be writing this post during the series my church is doing on the End Times. I mentioned earlier that it felt like a planning accident, but with God, I just don't feel like it was quite the accident I thought it was. If you're reading this and you don't know Jesus, please make it right today. Time is surely running short. Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
~ ~ ~ In our first installment of the I Believe series, I think it's important to know the Person behind it all. Let's take a look in Scripture and see what it says about Jesus. Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah gives us a glimpse of the promised Messiah. He refers to Him as "Emmanuel", located in Isaiah 7:14. His words are echoed by the angel Gabriel as he announced the news to Mary. The word Emmanuel means, "God with us". How fitting for the child who would one day dwell among men as God in the flesh. All throughout the gospels, Jesus is pictured driving out the forces of hell. James 2:19 says that even the demons believe and tremble. They know who Jesus is. Mark 3:11 and Luke 4:41 both say in their accounts that the demons flat out cry, "You are the Son of God!" That is why it is imperative for us as believers to realize that simply saying the name of Jesus will give us the help we need when we are fighting a battle. We are to call on His name. Christ's heavenly Sonship is affirmed at the baptism at the Jordan River. God Himself shows up and says, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you". While the life of Jesus was dedicated from the very beginning, this was a special moment. This was the special bond between Father and Son when Christ's purpose was fully realized. There are many more places in the Bible that point out who Jesus is in relation to God the Father, but I'd like to stop with the words of Jesus Himself. In the gospel of John (10:30), he states, "I and the Father are one." The Pharisees thought it was blasphemy to count oneself equal with God, but we know as believers that it is true. Nobody could have done the miracles that He did without the power of God. Nobody could have sacrificed themselves as He did without the strength and love of God. ~ ~ ~ Check out the Bible and see where else you can proof of Christ's Sonship with the Father. |
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