Tag: public school

Christian

Are You Considering Homeschool?

Cindy Dawson

A lot of people assume that homeschooled children receive an inferior education compared to public school children, but that is not true.

Research indicates that homeschooled children frequently outperform their peers academically, often scoring 15 to 30 percentile points higher on standardized tests, regardless of their parents’ income or education level. They typically demonstrate strong social, emotional, and psychological development, and often achieve higher GPAs in college. 

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:6-7 NIV

“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 AMP

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NIV (emphasis mine)

If you are considering homeschooling, these messages from some of my readers might help you decide.

Comments from Readers:

“Our children have all graduated from homeschool, and we now have grandchildren being home-schooled. But the lessons we all learned during that time have stuck with us. It was a wonderful time of exploring God’s wisdom. God had opened up so many doors for our children to explore so many venues in the industry, arts, crafts, etc. But the greatest blessing was the growth in relationships with the Lord. Watching our children’s faith bloom and now our grandchildren discovering God’s world and wonders was and is such a blessing.”

“We started homeschooling in 1984 because our son was put on suspension for questioning evolution in the 1st grade. We knew then that we did not want our children under the influence of the public school system. We tried to get the creation curriculum in, but we were not able to get any of the other parents at that time to see the handwriting on the wall for public schools.”

“DCHS gave us so much trouble for pulling our son out of school, but praise God, we knew our rights and were able to stand up against them. Our vindication was that by the time both of our children were in 8th grade, they were doing college-level work because they were learning with God’s ways, not the world’s.”

For more information and statistics, see this post:

Is It Time To Dump Public School Education? A Look at Homeschool Data

******************

Resources and Information:

Advocates for Homeschooling, https://hslda.org/

National Home Education Research Institute:

Fast Facts on Homeschooling

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

A Teacher’s Reflection On Judging Others

Cindy Dawson

Maybe there are Christians who have never stumbled. I just know that I’m not one of them! I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. When God judges me, I hope He considers the hurts and circumstances that led me down wrong paths. I don’t want God or anyone else to expect me to be perfect.

But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to consider all the hurts and circumstances that may be in their lives? Even worse, do I judge a person based on how they look?

Jesus said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:2-3 NIV

I don’t know about you, but I want to be judged with abundant mercy! 

I work in a large and very diverse middle school. I have an opportunity to ‘love and not judge’ every day. God has reminded me that many of these kids have not had the advantages in life that I had. 

When I get impatient with a student and inwardly roll my eyes in disgust, Jesus speaks to my heart, “And you’re perfect? Do you even know what’s going on in this kid’s life?” Then, I am reminded of things I do know. He could be falling asleep in class because he slept in a car last night. Or maybe he doesn’t have a bed of his own, or maybe he was left alone with a crying baby all night while his mother was out.

When a student tells me to shut up, do I get angry and take it personally? God, remind me that maybe this child is never spoken to with respect and love at home. Maybe he is being abused and is lashing out at authority.

Maybe this child is apathetic because he hasn’t eaten since lunch at school yesterday.

Maybe he is apathetic because his mom died this weekend.

Maybe he acts out because his mom never shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over, and over, and over again. (All real examples)

Maybe, maybe, maybe…

If only we could see God’s plan for those we tend to judge. If only we could see them with God’s eyes of love and mercy. I am not special or better because of what was given to me.  If anything, more is expected from me. More patience, more love, more understanding.

One morning on my way to school, I prayed “Father, I don’t know how to make a difference in the lives of my students, but you do. That very day my principal posted an article, The Judgement Cure. The author said, “You cannot influence anyone as long as you are judging them.”

How’s that for a quick answer? Wow! I’m still trying to learn this lesson. I believe it is the key to influencing others.

Because I have worked in 5 different public schools, I have seen abuse that the average middle-class person may never be exposed to – examples of abuse, neglect, and suffering that breaks my heart. May God soften our hearts and teach us to walk in love.

“… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing … Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 NIV Read full chapter

(This is a repost. I am now retired.)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

A Teacher’s Reflection On Judging Others

Cindy Dawson

Maybe there are Christians that have never stumbled. I just know that I’m not one of them! I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. When God judges me, I hope that He considers the hurts and circumstances that led me down wrong paths. I don’t want God or anyone else to expect me to be perfect.

But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to consider all the hurts and circumstances that may be in their lives? Even worse, do I judge a person based on how they look?

Jesus said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:2-3 NIV

I don’t know about you, but I want to be judged with abundant mercy! 

I work in a large and very diverse middle school. I have an opportunity to ‘love and not judge’ every day. God has reminded me that many of these kids have not had the advantages in life that I had. 

When I get impatient with a student and inwardly roll my eyes in disgust, Jesus speaks to my heart, “And you’re perfect? Do you even know what’s going on in this kid’s life?” Then, I am reminded of things I do know. He could be falling asleep in class because he slept in a car last night. Or maybe he doesn’t have a bed of his own, or maybe he was left alone with a crying baby all night while his mother was out.

When a student tells me to shut up, do I get angry and take it personally? God, remind me that maybe this child is never spoken to with respect and love at home. Maybe he is being abused and is lashing out at authority.

Maybe this child is apathetic because he hasn’t eaten since lunch at school yesterday.

Maybe he is apathetic because his mom died this weekend.

Maybe he acts out because his mom never shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over, and over, and over again. (All real examples)

Maybe, maybe, maybe…

If only we could see God’s plan for those we tend to judge. If only we could see them with God’s eyes of love and mercy. I am not special or better because of what was given to me.  If anything, more is expected from me. More patience, more love, more understanding.

One morning on my way to school, I prayed “Father, I don’t know how to make a difference in the lives of my students, but you do. That very day my principal posted an article, The Judgement Cure. The author said, “You cannot influence anyone as long as you are judging them.”

How’s that for a quick answer? Wow! I’m still trying to learn this lesson. I believe it is the key to influencing others.

Because I have worked in 5 different public schools, I have seen abuse that the average middle-class person may never be exposed to – examples of abuse, neglect, and suffering that break my heart. May God soften our hearts and teach us to walk in love.

“… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing … Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 NIV Read full chapter

(Reposted from 2017)

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian

Why We Must Not Judge Others

Cindy Dawson

Maybe there are Christians that have never stumbled. I just know that I’m not one of them! When I’m judged, I hope that God takes into account the hurts and circumstances that led me down wrong paths. I have plenty of excuses. I could explain it all. I don’t want God or anyone else to expect me to be perfect.

But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to take into account all the hurts and circumstances that may be in their lives? Even worse, do I judge a person based on how they look?

Jesus said, “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” Mathew 7:2

I don’t know about you, but I want to be judged with abundant mercy! 

Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” Mathew 7:3

“For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 AMPC.

I work in a large and very diverse middle school. I have an opportunity to ‘love and not judge’ everyday. God has reminded me that many of these kids have not had the advantages in life that I have. 

When I get impatient with a student and inwardly roll my eyes in disgust, Jesus speaks to my heart, “And you’re perfect? Do you even know what’s going on in this kid’s life?” Then   I am reminded of things I do know. He could be falling asleep in class because he slept in a car last night, or maybe he doesn’t have a bed of his own, or maybe he was left alone with a crying baby all night while his mother was out.

When a student tells me to shut up, do I get angry and take it personally? God, remind me that maybe this child is never spoken to with respect and love at home. Maybe he is being abused and is lashing out at authority.

Maybe this child is apathetic because he hasn’t eaten since lunch at school yesterday.

Maybe he is apathetic because his mom died this weekend.

Maybe he acts out because his mom never shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over, and over, and over again.

Maybe, maybe, maybe ….

If only we could see God’s plan for those we tend to judge. If only we could see them with God’s eyes of love and mercy. I am not special or better because of what was given to me.  If anything, more is expected from me. More patience, more love, more understanding.

One morning on my way to school, I prayed “Father, I don’t know how to make a difference in the lives of my students, but you do. That very day my principal posted an article, The Judgement Cure. The author said, “You cannot influence anyone as long as you are judging them.”

How’s that for a quick answer? Wow! That was almost a year ago and I’m still trying to learn this lesson. I believe it is the key to influencing others.

Because I have worked in 5 different public schools, I have seen abuse that the average middle class person may never be exposed to. Examples of abuse, neglect and suffering that break my heart. May God soften our hearts and teach us to walk in love.

“if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. … Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”   I Corinthians 13: 2-8


With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

This is a reprint from 2017.