The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore what looked like crowns of gold, and their fac of these verese in Revelation. s looked like human faces. Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth.Their chests looked like iron breastplates, and the sound of their wings was like the noise of many horses and chariots hurrying into battle. Revelation 9:7-9

Eschatology (study of end times)  is not my expertise. I hope you didn’t land here looking for end times explainations. I’m just a homeschool mom but I have read theories that John may have been describing a swarm of helicopters.

This was an opportunity to show my son how Rev9 could be John describing helicopters and opportunity to show him how to use the Internet to look for information. These are some of the photos we found.

One of the photos described as picture of U.S. locusts launching airborn assault on Iraq. The attack  was called OPERATION SWARMER. I couldn’t verify there are helicopters called locusts.

Teach them to your children,
and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up. Deut 6:7

I prefer Twitter but the information is is applicable to Facebook too.

• Read about Twitter here.
• Read about Facebook here.

Twitter is incredibly useful for Christians and homeschooler networking. But to get the most out of Twitter it’s important that you follow those that are have similar interests.

It is not a number game. Months after joining Twitter I am still unfollowing people I should have followed to begin with.

Choose Quality not  Quantity.

Why would a full quiver Christian homeschool mom want to follow a pro-choice liberal or a porn star? That’s what happens when you follow everyone that follows you. Don’t get me wrong. We can be a light to non-Christians but be careful.

Nothing wrong with putting a boat in the water
but you don’t want water in the boat.

How I Decide Who Do Follow

Before I follow someone I usually:

1. Search Twellow for those following me. Its quick to read profiles and click follow.
2. Reviewed their profile.
3. Browsed their most recent 20  tweets.
4. Clicked through to the website in the profile and  browsed a few pages.

If the information makes me believe we have some thing in common I’ll  follow them back.

I Don’t Follow Back If I see

• unChristian behavior trend in Tweets( updates)
• scantly clad avatar
• UnChristian (Buddah or New Age) quotes
• any anti-Semitism or Replacement theology (I am a Zionist)
• anyone without personal information in their profile.
• anyone posting foul language
• anyone with no updates
• anyone whose updates are all promotion
• anyone consistently arguing

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Choosing Only Like-Minded Friends

I despise Tweets that say “Get 500 followers a day” WHY? To me that would be like opening the phone book and randomly calling someone to talk.

Why have a lot of people following you who really aren’t interested in what you are doing or what you have to say?

If you are busy reading information from someone you have nothing in common with you may be missing great Tweets.

Tools for Friend Finding on Twitter

There are many tools to help you find what Anne of Green Gables called “kindred spirits.”

TweeterTags can help you find people with the same interest. Once you’ve added your tags, you can click them to see who else uses them. Sample tags: Christian, homeschool, theology, Bible, etc.

Use Search.twitter.com to search for keywords to find people with similar interest. You can search profiles or Tweets.

Mr. Tweet is an automated system that recommends interesting people for you to follow, based on your own Twitter usage.

Twellow listed above is another good option to find kindred friends.

Twubble can help expand your Twitter bubble - it searches your friend graph and picks out people who you may like to follow.”

If you feel overwhelmed unfollow of some Twitters.  Only follow those you feel you can interact with and learn from.

Blocking People

I rarely use the blocking feature but I am quick to use it when people put porn images in their avatars! If you don’t block them their avatars will show on your Twitter page (if someone clicks the to see who is following you).

Christians Have a Responsibility to Choose Friends Wisely

God’s people are expected to be holy, different and separated from other peoples in order to belong to God as His very own. We are also expected to be witnesses to a lost world.

Don’t feel like you have to follow everyone who follows you and don’t follow everyone. Be a good steward of your time.

Many non-Christians follow me (I’m not sure why) and I am thrilled they see my Tweets encouraging verses and links to Bible studies. If I feel lead I will follow back.  But I don’t follow back, for example, someone bent on arguing about evolution theories–I don’t have time for it.  Maybe you are called to argue evolution theories.  That’s not my calling.

God commands separation of the believer from the corrupt world system and from unholy compromise. (Mat 7:15; 1Co 5:9-11; 2 Th 3:6-15) and from false teachers, churches or cults that teach theological error and deny Biblical truths (Mat 7:15; Rom 16:17). But Jesus ate with sinners becasue He is THE Light.

We can be a light and not compromise.

It comes down to praying about who you follow. The Lord will lead.

Are You Waiting for Me to Follow You?

If you are following me and are waiting for me to follow you back just pop me a Direct Tweet or  Tweet and I’ll checkout your profile and probably follow you right back (as long as you don’t fall into the ugly list above).

But Peter never mentions this or the other miracles he was involved with in his epistles! What a lesson in humility.

We studied Peter last week in Boomerang Express Vacation Bible School.

I put together a timeline of highlights from Peter’s life for our classroom wall to help the children get a good overview of  Peter’s life. As usual, preparing for children’s study taught me much!

Timeline of Peter

• Calling - John 1:40–42
• Name Simon changed to Peter by Jesus* - Matt. 17:25; Mark 14:37; Luke 22:31, comp. 21:15–17
• Fishing Net on Sea of Galilee - Matt. 4:18–22
• Refuses to let Jesus wash his feet - Luke 8:45
• Rebuked by Jesus - Matt. 16:21–23; Mark 8:31–33
• Present at the healing of Jairus’s daughter - Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51
• Transfiguration, wants to build 3 Tabernacles - Matt. 17:1–9
• Coin in the Fish’s Mouth for taxes - Matt. 17:24–27
• Walks upon the water w Jesus - Matt. 14:28–31
• Sent with John to prepare the Passover - Luke 22:8
• Denys Jesus - Matt. 26:33–35; Mark 14:29–31; Luke 22:31–34; John 13:36–38.
• After Resurrection sees linen -   John 20:1–10 Luke 24:9–12
• Ascension - Acts 1:15–26
• Pentecost - Acts 2:14–40
• Heal Cripple at the temple gate - Acts 3
• Imprisoned and scourged; his defense before the council - Acts 4:19, 20
• Foretells the death of Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1–11
• Prays for the baptism of the Holy Spirit -Acts 8:15–18
• Rebukes Simon, the sorcerer -Acts 8:18–24
• Receives Paul -Gal. 1:18; 2:9
• Visits Lydda; heals Aenea - Acts 9:32–34.
• Raises Dorcas from the dead - Acts 9:36–43
• Has a Vision about Gentiles - Acts 10:9–16
• Preaches and Baptizes the centurion and his household - Acts 10
• Imprisoned and delivered by an angel -Acts 12:3–19 (VBS kidos fav story)
• Writes two epistles - 1 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1
• Council in Jerusalem - Acts 15:1–31; Gal. 2:1–10
• After this he appears to have carried the gospel to the east, and to have labored for a while at Babylon, on the Euphrates 1 Pet. 5:13. Where or when he died is not certainly known. Probably between 64 and 67.

After I put this timeline together, I read 1 and 2 Peter. That’s when I realized how humble he is.

Amazing, he never once mentions the miracles that happened to him personally. Peter reminds us that we need to remain humble of heart.

Themes from Peter’s Epistles

The focus on Peter’s episiles are on Christ and to believers to trust and obey God that we may be proven genuine in praise, glory and honor.

Accept Trails (1 Peter)

• Rejoice, even if you have to endure trials and testing (1:6-7; 4:12-13)
• Follow the example of Christ in suffering unjustly (1:11; 2:21-25; 3:18; 4:1; 5:9)
• Don’t do anything to deserve punishment (2:20; 3:16-17; 4:15)
• Don’t repay evil with evil, but by blessing and doing good to those who persecute you (2:23; 3:9; 4:19)
• You are blessed if you are reviled or suffer “for the name of Christ” or “as a Christian” (4:14, 16)

Maintain Hope (1 Peter)

• Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope for an imperishable inheritance (1:3-4, 11), the salvation of our souls (1:5, 9)
• Judgment day, the “end of all things” is near, so be prepared (2:12; 4:5-7; 5:8)
• In 1 Peter, the focus is on Theology more than Christology: Jesus is the model of obedient suffering, but God is the eschatological judge; the Christian community is the “Household of God,” rather than the “Body of Christ” (as in Paul)

Spread the Gospel and Avoid False Teachers (2 Peter)

• The whole letter is written in the form of a “Testament,” as the dying words of the apostle Peter (1:12-15; 3:1-2)
• Peter was an eyewitness of Jesus, not someone who made up or passed on myths (1:16-18)
• In contrast, f alse prophets and false teachers will try to deceive the believers (2:1-3, 10-22; 3:3-4, 16)

Live  Virtuous and Godly Life: Avoid Evil and Immorality (2 Peter)

• build up your lives step-by-step: faith / goodness / knowledge / self-control / endurance / godliness / mutual affection / love (1:5-7)
• the Lord will punish the unrighteous, but rescue the righteous (2:4-10)
• avoid sinners and any kind of sin: slander, revelry, adultery, greed, etc. (2:11-22)
• live ethical holy lives as you wait for the coming of the “Day of the Lord” (1:3-4; 3:11-12)

VBS is such a blessing. I Learned, I Hope Children Did Too!

The biggest lesson to me is Peter failed, he even denied Christ,  but still was awarded the “rock of the church” honor despite all of his weaknesses. This gives me hope that my life with all my failures can make a difference.

What have you learned from Peter, another disciple or VBS? Share in the comments.

Read the moving story behind the song here

If I have the language ever so perfectly and speak like a pundit and have not love that grips the heart, I am nothing.

If I have decorations and diplomas and am proficient in up-to-date methods and have not the touch of understanding love, I am nothing.

If I am able to worst my opponents in argument so as to make fools of them, and have not the wooing note, I am nothing.

If I have all faith and great ideals and magnificent plans and wonderful visions, and have not the love that sweats and bleeds and weeps and prays and pleads, I am nothing.

If I surrender all prospects, and leaving home and friends and comforts, give myself to the showy sacrifice of a missionary career, and turn sour and selfish amid the daily annoyances and personal slights of a missionary life, and though I give my body to be consumed in the heat and sweat and mildew of India, but have not the love that yields its rights, its coveted leisure, its pet plans, I am nothing, NOTHING.

Virtue has ceased to go out of me.

If I can heal all manner of sickness and disease, but wound hearts and hurt feelings for want of love that is kind, I am nothing.

If I write books and publish articles that set the world agape, but fail to transcribe that word of the Cross in the language of love, I am nothing.

Worse, I may be competent, busy, fussy, punctilious, and well-equipped, but like the church at Laodicea—nauseating to Christ.

This is from The Prairie Overcomer, January, 1955. By a missionary student in Indian language school.

Rachel, the 37 year old wife and mother of two is facing imminent death. She has weeks to live.

For Rachel, the essence of life is not in her illness,  it is found in her relationship with God through Jesus. And that’s why Rachel is convinced that death is not dying.

Death is not Dying Video from Rachel Barkey

On March 4, 2009, what started out as a small talk to a women’s group at her church grew into an event attended by 600 women from around Vancouver, giving Rachel an opportunity to share about her hope in the midst of terminal cancer. Click for audio.

“Cancer does not define me. Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus.” –Rachel Barkey

Those who encourage others will themselves be encouraged. Proverbs 11:25

Letters from Rachael

During the bouts of cancer diagnosis and treatments, Rachel writes e-mails to keep her friends and family updated on her thoughts and spiritual walk.

She wrote this letter as she lay at death’s door. She died before it was completed. My favorite line is in bold letters.

What a joy it was to find the thing she desired most for her children was the needful thing Jesus spoke about to Martha. I hope it touches you in as emotionally powerful a way as it has me.

“This you shall find some day. Dear John, when I shall have past away forever,and the cold white stone will be keeping its lonely watch over the lips you have sooften pressed, and the sod will be growing green that shall hid forever from your sight the form of one who has so often nestled close to your bosom.

For many long and sleepless nights when all beside my thoughts was at rest. I have wrestled with the consciousness of approaching death, until at last it has forced itself upon my mind, and although to you and to my dear children it might seem but nervous imagination, yet Dear John it is so.

Many weary hours have I passed in trying to reconcile myself to leaving you whom I love so well, and the darling children. God has given us, that need a mothers care and prayers.

Oh, how hard to struggle on silently and alone with the sure conviction that Iam about to leave all forever and go alone unto the dark valley of death. But, I know in whom I have trusted and leaning upon his arm, I fear no evil.

I could wish to live if only to watch over you when in pain, sickness and death, but it is not to be so and I submit, you shall share my last thought and prayer on earth.

When I am gone, try and find comfort in Jesus. Never close your eyes to sleepwithout each reading a verse in the Bible and as my little ones grow up teach them to love the Bible and the church of God.

But, amidst all let memory carry them back to a home where the law of kindness reigned, where the mothers reproving eyes was moistened with tears, and the father frouned more in sorrow than in anger.

I know the spot where you will lay me, often have we stood there together. I loved to visit the place and I know you will love it not the less when I lay there…”

Exemplify Magazine’s June issue is up and running.
Check it out today!

Exemplify Online is a free magazine to encourage women to live lives that glorify Christ.

A Christian’s foundation is built upon the love of Christ. Jesus summarized the law of God in two commands:  love God and love others. As we spread this love it is important we  don’t negate sin, God’s instructions,  or paint a picture of the Christian life as rosy perfect. Christian will experience trails and suffering.

This video explains some of the flaws in Joel Osteen and prosperity type messages. Mark Driscoll examines the life and teachings of the apostle Paul in Acts 16 you will learn where joy is to be found. Joy is not in religion, and a bottle, pill, a person, or new car.

Be sure to watch the whole video, towards the end, there a neat story about Robert Robertson (18th century author of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing) .

See more videos The Rebels Guide to Joy series

A friend of mine with Breast cancer is in remission. She refers to cancer as her blessing–becasue it brought her into a  relationship with Christ.

I count my health issues as joy - becasue it plunged me into His Word and washed me from bitterness and anger I battled for years.

The Christian life is a struggle when we don’t rest in Him. We battling not against flesh and blood but spirits. God gives us the armor to fight the fight.

Don’t go out in your spiritual underwear. You need the whole armor- especially the Sword of the Spirit (Bible) for the fight.

We don’t always understand why we suffer but we can know God always wants best for us. He is an awesome God of love ready, willing, and able to provide for all our needs. He takes great delight in meeting our needs and showing us love. He wants  fix our problems as He transforms us through them.

We all have a long ways to go before we hear “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Let us all strive to live humble in gratitude for His love and grace.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Robert Robinson

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Disclaimer: I recommend many Brothers and Sisters in Christ on this blog. It doesn’t mean I agree 100% with their theology.

• God’s Creation!
• Satan’s Deception.
• Adam’s Consumption.
• Noah’s Boat.
• Abraham’s Faith.
• Joseph’s Dreams.
• Pharaoh’s Oppression.
• Moses’ Escape.
• Doubters’ Wandering.
• Joshua’s Conquests.
• Judges’ Strength.
• David’s Slingshot.
• Solomon’s Wisdom.
• Prophets’ Proclamations.
• Israel’s Scattering.
• Mary’s Delivery!
• Jesus’ Miracles.
• Rabbi’s Lessons.
• Lamb’s Death.
• Resurrection!
• Spirit’s Arrival.
• Disciples’ Testimony.
• Paul’s Letters.
• Churches’ Multiplication.
• World’s Demise.
• Heaven’s Triumph!

Can you think of a game that can be played with the  index cards?