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Families Again
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Thanks for all of your prayers!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Family

As most of you know, these past three weeks have been tough ones. It began when my elderly mother passed away on February 14. What a Valentine's Day my mother had. She got to spend it with my father and her Heavenly Father.

Soon after that we all came down with the flu. It was one of those cold system like flus where you are congested in the head and coughing a lot.

Finally, on February 18, Sarah's mom called and said that the Dr. was sending her to the hospital immediately with heart problems. After many tests and tries at various medications they finally decided to put a pacemaker in on February 25. Today she had her checkup and is doing fine. Sarah has been with her this whole time with the boys and I making a visit for a couple of days. The boys and I came home Tuesday morning and Sarah is coming home Saturday! Prayerfully, life will get back to a semblance of normal again.

Thanks again for your prayers and continued prayers for our family.

Tim


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Posted by tink38570 at 9:38 PM CST
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Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Math Rider - A Quest You Can't Refuse!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Homeschool Product Review

Over the past couple of years I have had the chance to use and review many, many math programs. Some have been complete math curriculum, some have been supplemental math programs, and some have been just fun math games. There have been some that my kids have enjoyed and some that they wish was never sent for us to review. Math Rider, however, has got to be one of our favorites.

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Math Rider is more than a math supplement. It's more than a game. Math Rider is an adventure! And I literally mean an adventure. Math Rider reviews addition, subtraction, multiplication and division from 1-12. After your child creates his or her rider, you select an operation and a level for your child. Then he and his horse "Shadow" are sent on a quest. You might be sent to find a special medicinal flower. You may be challenged to find a rare gem. Or, you may even be sent to rescue the princess.

After learning your quest, the fun begins. Your horse starts galloping toward the goal only to find hurdles that it must jump over. These "hurdles" are actually math problems that your child must answer in order for Shadow to jump over them. If a child is having problems, the hurdles come at a slower pace. If a child gets an answer incorrect, the computer tells the correct answer and you move on. However, the computer "intelligence" remembers everything. If you have mastered a math fact, it won't show up as often, however if you are having difficulty, then it will show up more frequently.

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After you have answered a series of about 30 problems. You are shown a map and, depending on how many questions were answered correctly and how quickly you completed that series, your progress toward the goal is shown. You can also check to see how well you are doing by looking at a special number table. If a math fact is green, that means that you've mastered it. If it is yellow or red, that means you need more practice. After you've completed your quest, you are rewarded with much heraldry and then given another mission to go on.

 

As you can see from the short video above, the graphics for the game are stunning and the story lines keep the child's interest. My son, Joshua, loves it. It is one game that he asks to play over and over. And, better yet, it has really helped with his addition and subtraction. In my book, this game is a keeper!

And I have even better news - the price is excellent! Right now they are even having a sale - you can download Math Rider for only $37. Not sure if it will run on your computer? It runs on Windows, Mac and even Linux systems. To find out more about Math Rider, just click here or on any one of the hi-lighted links above. Or you can find out what the other TOS Crew members had to say by clicking here. Happy Home Educating!

As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was given a limited time download of Math Rider in order to use and review on my blog.

 


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Posted by tink38570 at 9:51 PM CST
Updated: Wednesday, 2 March 2011 10:25 PM CST
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Monday, 28 February 2011
Wiersbe Bible Study Series - Nehemiah - A First Wild Card Book Tour Book
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Book Reviews

I am always on the lookout for a good Bible study. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned how much I like Warren Wiersbe's books. Well, now I've had a chance to try one of his Bible studies and have really enjoyed it. I think you will too. Check out the information below.

 

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Wiersbe Bible Study Series Nehemiah

David C. Cook (February 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karen Davis, Assistant Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. For ten years he was associated with the “Back to the Bible” radio broadcast, first as Bible teacher and then as general director. Dr. Wiersbe has written more than 160 books. He and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.



SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Nehemiah was an ordinary man given an impossible task: to rebuild the war-torn city of Jerusalem. This Bible study examines the life, legacy, and perseverance of Nehemiah.


Product Details:

List Price: $8.99
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (February 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 078140455X
ISBN-13: 978-0781404556

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


A Caring Attitude

(NEHEMIAH 1—2)

Before you begin …

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.

• Read Nehemiah 1—2. This lesson references chapters 1 and 2 in Be Determined. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.


Getting Started

From the Commentary

“The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that’s the essence of inhumanity.” George Bernard Shaw put those words into the mouth of the Rev. Anthony Anderson in the second act of his play The Devil’s Disciple. The statement certainly summarizes what Jesus taught in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), and it rebukes all those who fold their arms complacently, smile benignly, and say somewhat sarcastically, “Ask me if I care!”



1. What are some of the evidences in Nehemiah 1 that Nehemiah was a person who cared? Why are care and concern important traits for leaders? How might the lack of care and concern affect a leader’s ability to lead?


More to Consider: Nehemiah was a layman, cupbearer to the great Artaxerxes Longimanus, who ruled Persia from 464 to 423 BC. Nehemiah’s name means “The Lord has comforted.” What is the significance of Nehemiah’s name in relation to the task God has for him? Why do you think he mentions abruptly that he was the cupbearer to the king (Neh. 1:11)?


2. Choose one verse or phrase from Nehemiah 1—2 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.


Going Deeper

From the Commentary

Nehemiah asked about Jerusalem and the Jews living there because he had a caring heart. When we truly care about people, we want the facts, no matter how painful they may be. “Practical politics consists in ignoring facts,” American historian Henry Adams said, but Aldous Huxley said, “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” Closing our eyes and ears to the truth could be the first step toward tragedy for ourselves as well as for others.



3. Go through Nehemiah 1 and underline what Nehemiah learns about Jerusalem. What does this tell us about Nehemiah? About the Jews living in Jerusalem? About Jerusalem itself?


From the Commentary

The prayer in Nehemiah 1:5–10 is the first of twelve instances of prayer recorded in this book. (See 2:4; 4:4, 9; 5:19; 6:9, 14; 9:5ff.; 13:14, 22, 29, 31.) The book of Nehemiah opens and closes with prayer. It is obvious that Nehemiah was a man of faith who depended wholly on the Lord to help him accomplish the work He had called him to do. The Scottish novelist George MacDonald said, “In whatever man does without God, he must fail miserably, or succeed more miserably.” Nehemiah succeeded because he depended on God. Speaking about the church’s ministry today, the late Alan Redpath said, “There is too much working before men and too little waiting before God.” This prayer begins with ascription of praise to God (1:5). “God of heaven” is the title Cyrus used for the Lord when he announced that the Jews could return to their land (2 Chron. 36:22–23; Ezra 1:1–2). The heathen gods were but idols on the earth, but the God of the Jews was Lord in heaven. Ezra often used this divine title (5:11–12; 6:9; 7:12, 21, 23), and it is found four times in Nehemiah (1:4–5; 2:4, 20) and three times in Daniel (2:18–19, 44). Nehemiah began his prayer as we should begin our prayers: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” (Matt. 6:9).


4. What’s the significance of addressing a prayer to “the God of heaven”? Why does Nehemiah begin his prayer this way? (See Neh. 1:5; see also 4:14; 8:6; 9:32.) What is the focus of Nehemiah’s prayer?


From Today’s World

Every few years, the church suffers through “media scandals” prompted by public revelations of leaders’ misconduct. Though the focus is usually on a single individual—or a tightly knit group of people in positions of influence— these media scandals can have a lasting effect on the church. Long after the details of the scandal have faded into the past, people with an axe to grind continue to point to these events as evidence that the church is at worst, corrupt, and at best, a place for hypocrites and fools.


5. Why does the media give so much screen time to church-related scandals? What makes scandals newsworthy? What impact does this sort of event have on the local churches? Church leaders? Believers in general? What are some positive ways to respond to such scandals?


It has well been said that prayer is not getting man’s will done in heaven but getting God’s will done on earth. However, for God’s will to be done on earth, He needs people to be available for Him to use. God does “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20 NKJV). If God is going to answer prayer, He must start by working in the one doing the praying! He works in us and through us to help us see our prayers answered. While Nehemiah was praying, his burden for Jerusalem became greater and his vision of what needed to be done became clearer. Real prayer keeps your heart and your head in balance so your burden doesn’t make you impatient to run ahead of the Lord and ruin everything. As we pray, God tells us what to do, when to do it, and how to do it, and all are important to the accomplishing of the will of God. Some Christian workers are like Lord Ronald in one of Stephen Leacock’s short stories who “flung himself upon his horse and rode madly off in all directions.”


Nehemiah planned to volunteer to go to Jerusalem to supervise the rebuilding of the walls. He didn’t pray for God to send somebody else, nor did he argue that he was ill-equipped for such a difficult task. He simply said, “Here am I—send me!”


6. What are some of the lessons we can glean from Nehemiah’s prayer? What is significant about his use of “we” in the prayer? What does this say about Nehemiah as a person? As a leader?


From the Commentary

Unknown to him, Nehemiah was about to join the glorious ranks of the “champions of faith,” and in the centuries to follow, his name would be included with heroes like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Deborah, and David. One person can make a big difference in this world, if that person knows God and really trusts in Him. Because faith makes a difference, we can make a difference in our world to the glory of God. “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace,” said Martin Luther. “It is so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.”



7. Read Mark 9:23–24 and Matthew 17:20. How do these verses apply to Nehemiah’s faith? How can they help inspire church leaders today?


From the Commentary

The king asked him, “What is it you want?” What an opportunity for Nehemiah! All the power and wealth of the kingdom were wrapped up in that question! As he was accustomed to do, Nehemiah sent one of his quick “telegraph prayers” to the Lord (4:4; 5:19; 6:9, 14; 13:14, 22, 29, 31). But keep in mind that these “emergency prayers” were backed up by four months of fasting and praying. If Nehemiah had not been diligent to pray in private, his “telegraph prayers” might have gone unanswered. “He had only an instant for that prayer,” wrote George Morrison. “Silence would have been misinterpreted. Had he closed his eyes and lingered in devotion, the king immediately would have suspected treason” (Morning Sermons, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1931, p. 243).


8. Review Nehemiah 2:4–8. Why is it significant that Nehemiah took a moment to pray before answering? What lessons can we learn from this small action? How did God answer his prayer?


More to Consider: Jewish rabbis often answer a question with a question, and Nehemiah followed that example. Instead of telling the king what he planned to do, he aroused the king’s sympathy and interest with a question regarding how he should feel about the sad plight of his ancestral city and the graves of his forefathers. Why do you think he chose this approach?


From the Commentary

Nehemiah is a good example of how believers should relate to unsaved officials as they seek to do the work of God. Nehemiah respected the king and sought to work within the lines of authority that existed in the empire. He didn’t say, “I have a commission from the Lord to go to Jerusalem, and I’m going whether you like it or not!” When it comes to matters of conscience, we must always obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29), but even then, we must show respect for authority (see Rom. 13 and 1 Peter 2:11–25). Daniel and his friends took the same approach as did Nehemiah, and God honored them as well (Dan. 1).


9. How might the king’s reaction have been different if Nehemiah had spoken in more “religious” terms about his commission? What are some examples in today’s church where leaders have related well to nonbelievers in positions of authority? What are some bad examples of this? How can believers today apply Nehemiah’s wisdom in their dealings with non- Christian bosses or other authority figures they relate to in daily life?


From the Commentary

After his long, difficult journey, Nehemiah took time to rest, for leaders must take care of themselves if they are going to be able to serve the Lord (Mark 6:31). He also took time to get “the lay of the land” without arousing the concern of the enemy. A good leader doesn’t rush into his work but patiently gathers the facts firsthand and then plans his strategy (Prov. 18:13). We must be “wise as serpents” because the Enemy is always watching and waiting to attack. Leaders are often awake when others are asleep, and

working when others are resting. Nehemiah didn’t want the enemy to know what he was doing, so he investigated the ruins by night. By keeping his counsel to himself, Nehemiah prevented Tobiah’s friends from getting information they could pass along to Sanballat.…


As he surveyed the situation, he moved from west to south to east, concentrating on the southern section of the city. It was just as his brother had reported: The walls were broken down and the gates were burned (Neh. 2:13; 1:3).


10. Review Nehemiah 2:11–16. Why did Nehemiah not want the enemy to know what he was doing? In what ways was Nehemiah practicing what it means to be a good leader? What role did his “secret survey” play in his plan to rebuild the city?


Looking Inward

Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Nehemiah 1—2. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.


Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all,

be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.


11. What are some ways you show your care and concern for your local church? How do you show respect for tradition while also being sensitive to today’s needs? Are you more of an encourager or a complainer? If the latter, why? How can you be more constructive in your relationship with your church?


12. Nehemiah puts a great deal of emphasis on prayer from the very outset of his plan to rebuild the city. What role does prayer play in your plans? How much emphasis do you place on the importance of prayer before, during, and after a plan is put into effect in your life?


13. What aspects of Nehemiah’s leadership appeal to you most? In what ways are you like him? What are some things you’d like to work on in order to be a better servant leader?


Going Forward

14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try). Do you need to work on expanding your prayer life? Is there a particular matter you need to pray about, perhaps for an extended period of time? Be specific. Go back through Nehemiah 1—2 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.


Real-Life Application Ideas: One of the key features of Nehemiah’s leadership was his deliberate prayer life. Take a few minutes to consider the various plans you have for your own life (and your family’s life). This could be anything from plans for a summer vacation to educational goals to career plans for you and every other family member. Now, think about how your prayer life intersects with these plans. What are some ways you can be more deliberate in your prayer life about these things? Make practical plans for how to become more prayerful, then commit to those plans.


Seeking Help

15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.


Notes for Small Groups:

• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.

• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read

and studied.

• Before you start the next lesson, read Nehemiah 3—4. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapters 3 and 4, “Wall-to-Wall Workers” and “Workers and Warriors,” in Be Determined.

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Posted by tink38570 at 10:47 PM CST
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Kid Scoop - I've Got A Secret Part...?????
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Homeschool Product Review

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It's time for another deep dark secret. When I was in middle school, I had to go to remedial  reading. It was a grand place. I loved it. It was way upstairs in our old school building. The teacher had stations set up all over the room. You would rotate between the different stations. It was so much fun.

I really think one of the reasons it was so much fun was because of the different things that you learned and read about. It wasn't the same old boring thing, it was something new all of the time. The Reluctant Reader Solution reading program really reminded me of those days.

Reluctant Reader Solution by Kidscoop is actually two programs in one. The first is a fantastic set of 59 downloadable thematic units that range in topic from Constitution Day to Solar Snacks to Butterflies to Hockey. Really they have everything. Each unit has 5-7 pages of information and fun puzzles that keep your child's interest and, therefore, he or she will want to read. 

Each unit starts out with a short article about the topic then continues with fun pages that include puzzles, a writing page, and other pages that integrate math, science and other subjects into the topic. I love the way that it is put together to keep the child excited about reading, and Joshua loves it as well. He hardly realizes that he is reading and learning.

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The second part of the Reluctant Reader Solution is the Kid Scoop News. Do you remember the weekly small newspapers that you used to get when you were in elementary school? They were always so neat to get and to read. Well, the Kid Scoop News is those newspapers on steroids. I am really impressed with it. The two that I have looked at are both packed twenty (yes I said 20 - twenty) page downloads. They are published monthly, but have so many articles, puzzles, and activities that it will take you the whole month to get through it all! 

Do you want to learn about Nellie Bly, the first woman to circle the globe? How about how pencils are made? Or, better yet, about a cool sculptor who carves tiny statues on the tips of pencils? What about finding out all about the stock market? These are all things that are included in the February edition of Kid Scoop News.

Okay, do you want to learn a really cool thing yourself? Both the Reluctant Reader Solution thematic units and Kid Scoop News are for kids of all ages. Kid Scoop News has a special page for young readers in every edition. Do have more than one child that would be interested in the puzzles? Remember, these are downloadable so you can save it and print just the pages that you want for a certain day. I am really impressed with both the thematic units and Kid Scoop News newspaper and so is Joshua.

So, how much does all of this cost? Well, I have seen reading programs that cost in the in the 100's of dollars that don't do what this program does but for just $97 you get 12 editions of Kid Scoop News and all 59 thematic units. You can learn more about Kid Scoop from their fantastic website. They even have a place where you can sign up to get 30 daily email tips on how to "Make Reading Fun". Just click here on on any one of the hi-lighted links above. To find out what some of the other TOS Homeschool Crew reviewers thought about Kid Scoop click here. Happy Home Educating!

As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was given a free download of the 59 Reluctant Reader Solutions thematic unit and a free edition of Kid Scoop News to use and review on my blog.


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Posted by tink38570 at 12:01 AM CST
Updated: Monday, 28 February 2011 10:21 PM CST
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Friday, 25 February 2011
Sarah's Mom's Surgery Went Well!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Family
Everything went well with Sarah's mom's pacemaker today. Hopefully she will come home tomorrow. I need to get back into the old grind now and get some reviews written so be on the lookout. Thankfully we are all feeling better and things are getting a little back to normal. Thank you for all of your prayers.

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Posted by tink38570 at 10:06 PM CST
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