Pursuing What Is Excellent

Are Your Words Grace-filled

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:46:00 +0000

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. ~Colossians 4:6

“Biting my tongue” comes easily for me; only because I try to avoid conflict at all costs.
I’m not necessarily a people pleaser any more. I just stay tucked away in my corner and coming out when I know that I have something valid to say.
Don’t think that just because I don’t speak a lot that I’m not thinking. Oh, boy, am I thinking.

To read the rest of this story, visit me at Joy Comes in the Morning.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

No Wasted Years

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:44:00 +0000

Of all our years of home education, I look back and count the failures.

Failures that have been self-imposed. Failures that I had no control over.

Days of not wanting to face another blow-up with one of my children.

Facing days of uncertainty about the future.

Holding on to God’s hand; desperately trying to hold on tight, but feel my grip loosening too often.

Singing songs. Trying to praise in order to lighten the heaviness of spirit.
Lyrics clutching my heart:

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His presence is true
My God will come through always, always
~Always by Kristian Stanfill

The standards that we want our children to follow; they aren’t ours. It's the standard of Jesus. Stand by the Word of God. Live by the Word of God. We’ll show you how. Doggone it, I’ll do what I can, by the grace of God, to walk by the Word!

Their life is not mine. It has to be walked out by them.

I let go…but I refuse to believe that there are wasted years of instruction. The time will be redeemed.

Prayer is ever present; even when its represented with groaning and tears only.
Faith is ever present, especially when that’s all I have to grasp.
Trust is ever present because I know that my children are in the watchful eye of God.

I draw strength and insight from my husband, sisters and girlfriends that fervently pray and encourage.

Through the valleys I find more and more fellow home educators that journey this same path. Some with stories like ours, some more extreme, most with victories and some still waiting for the return.

This was definitely a heavy post to write. The struggle is introduced, but details withheld for obvious reasons of protection. I write this in hopes that a mom that needs it will find comfort in knowing that she is not alone.
When I know that my foes would rejoice in such struggles, I still write.
Cutting through the silence and bringing things to light shuts the enemy down and that is part of my goal also.

Be strong. Hold on to the promises of God’s protection. No buckling under the pressure of attack. Standing with the whole armor of God employed. I’m standing on this battlefield with you! No retreat. No surrender. Satan can’t have our kids!!

****
This post is written as a part of iHomeschool Network's The Imperfect Homeschool blogger link-up. You will find many more "Imperfect" stories.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Worship and a Homeschool Convention

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:24:00 +0000

I knew the solid reasons that I was attending the Teach Them Diligently Convention in Spartanburg, SC.

My mom heart needed to connect with other women that know my story and the things that I ponder on a daily basis.
I needed new vision and to see the newness of being a better deep-dive lover to my husband, and having a heart for my children.
I was going to worship and give thanks to God for privileges that I’d taken for granted.

I’d waited a long time to meet many of my blogging friends. This was the perfect environment to get those group hugs and photos in.
A pair of arms coming toward me reduced me to tears that had been pushed back. Tears of rejoicing that we finally got to meet. Tears of knowing that she knew the very beat of my heart. Tears of sisterhood.

Before the sessions began on Thursday evening, the Teach Them Diligently Bloggers got precious time with Sally Clarkson, I Take Joy. I’d communicated with Sally long before I’d committed to home education. Sally spoke first to my mom heart so many years ago. She remembered me. I was drawn even more to her. I followed her closely.

I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to hear that one “nugget” of information that would send me home a more enriched momma. She gave so many! Pooh on me for not yanking out my notebook!
Sally encouraged us to stay faithful to the call of motherhood.

After that session we were heading to take photos. Sally and I walked side by side. She asked a specific question. I had moments to think of answers in between smiles for the camera. I knew that I couldn’t escape the thoughts swirling in my head. As much as I wanted to put on a brave face, this was a chance to be ministered to.

It was as if time stood still. Amidst all of the movement and chatter, Sally stopped, gave me words of encouragement and prayed with me.

That was my release for the weekend!

The rest of the weekend went by in a flash! I enjoyed very much being able to ooh and aww in the vendor hall; to feel and see the homeschool material that I’d only seen in catalogs.

I ventured out to hears speakers that I’d never heard of to find great delight in those decisions.

*A word to future convention attendees: Attend a session or two by speakers that you’d never heard of. You may find a new “favorite”. It may be one of the very sessions that speaks to you the most.

If you’ve heard of the Teach Them Diligently Convention and you think you may want to go, invest your time and heart in the decision to go.

There are still two more opportunities to attend this year; Nashville, TN and Omaha, NE.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

*this post contains affiliate links

I’ve Been Stupid

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:54:00 +0000

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1

I stood corrected by my husband a few days ago and I did not like it one bit!

The thing that happened made my flesh stand up front and center.

I pouted like a baby. Only my husband knows that face and he knows to look for it in a certain, specific instance.

I thought it appropriate to vent to him. After all, he IS my best friend and husband!

I wasn’t looking for an answer or even comfort. I just wanted to be heard.

What I wanted heard should have been dealt with between my heart and God, but no…I wanted human ears to hear me.

I got a return of words that I didn’t take too kindly to, “You always do that; as if things are in your control”.

Knowing that he was right didn’t make it any sweeter.

I hated his correction! His correction was right.

My husband immediately loved on me. As much as I wanted to reject it, I wanted to embrace it.

There will most likely be more chances for correction.

I’m not always stupid. I love instruction and knowledge from God’s word.

Sometimes though, my attitude sucks!

Those are usually the times that my husband is gracious and willing enough to guide me back.

Yep, I’ve been stupid.

Thankfully it only lasts for a few moments. No getting stuck on stupid.

Correction is tough sometimes, isn’t it ladies?

In those moments, let’s practice not saying a word and asking God to help us examine our hearts to see if there are any ways in us that isn’t pleasing to Him.

Our husbands are oft times His mouthpiece.

Talk back to God. He wont be offended if you show Him your wounds.

I’ve started writing with Angela DeRossett at Joy Comes in the Morning along with a group of other fabulous writers.
Angela has introduced a “Rubie Tuesdays” link up. If you’d like to join in, follow me to Rubie Tuesdays

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Immediate Obedience

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:23:00 +0000

“His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
-John 2:5

The events circling this passage was the wedding at Cana. The wine was gone.
In steps mom; Jesus’ Mom with an executive decision. “My Son can handle this!”
She’s confident and faith-filled.

I see two-folds in the above passage

Mother said
Immediate obedience

Mom’s words carried weight and authority. The servants had a charge to act immediately.
There was no time to waste.

God can use individuals that have influence in our lives to speak to us concerning being obedient to what He says to do.
I’ve definitely struggled with immediate disobedience. Keep in mind also that partial disobedience is still disobedience.
A friend recently lovingly, but sternly, reminded me of an area that I was walking in disobedience in. I graciously accepted her words and encouragement.

It’s only for my own good that “whatever He says to you, do it.” gets done!

When time is wasted…

How many lives go un-affected?
How many blessings are we missing out on?
How long will God keep reminding us to “do the last thing”?
How often is the Holy Spirit quenched?
How often do we seem we lose the power of God working through us?
How quickly do we lose fellowship with Him?

We are servants of the Lord. Whatever He says to you. Do it.
Practice instant obedience to God and His Word.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Be Fervent in Prayer for your Husband

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:39:00 +0000

Are you faithful in praying for your husband when you pray?

I want to know without doubt that the latter part of James 5:16 is true of me:“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Join me today at Fulfilling Your Vows as I share more about being fervent in prayer for your husband.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

No Longer For Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:46:00 +0000

That verse reminds me to serve others for Christ’s sake.

For the salvation that He supplied me with, I am no longer allowed to hoard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live for myself. {Tweet this}

Months ago my heart was pricked and my eyes open to the great need that others have when it got personal.

All of that led me to write a series of post about salvation and the gospel.

Care to “flashback” with me?

Do They Want It?
Deeper Than the Surface -my favorite one!
Not Until It Got Personal
They Have No Idea -the one that made it more real.

I’m linking up with Jane @ Girl Meets Paper, for Monday Morning Meditation!

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

When Stopping is a Must

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I’ve been so dormant here in this space.
Believe me! It’s not because of laziness and it’s definitely not from a lack of deeply yearning to.

I just had to stop. I’ve had to be okay with it.
Having to fling my cares on my heavenly Father is where I’ve been abiding.

Sitting with my Bible in my lap; sometimes soaking the Word in, other times just staring at the pages.

It’s in the stopping that I got to the point of Running to Hear Him.

Join me at A Woman Inspired to read the rest of what’s on my heart these days.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Fulfilling Your Vows Launch + My Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Have I told you what I've been getting into lately?

If you've known me or read my blog for any amount of time, you'll know that my heart is for marriage; marriage enrichment.

God has indeed blessed me with a husband that desires to be the husband that God has ordained him to be. This helps us to be a pair that mentor other couples.

Mentorship brings to light many things in our own personal lives that gives us an opportunity to either deal with and fix it or be destroyed. We choose growth!

Carlie Kercheval (So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler) and I have formed such an amazing friendship. She is definitely a “woman of the Word” that is chasing after God in every aspect of her life!

Carlie opened the door for writers of her new Fulfilling Your Vows site and I'm so delighted to be one of the full-time writers!

Join me today as Fulfilling Your Vows is launched!

I share Your Heart and Mouth are Connected today.

Look around the new site! Get acquainted and I’ll see you back here soon.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Reading Horizons Discovery K-3 review

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I have featured a review for Reading Horizons v5 Reading Software before when I wrote “The Difference Reading Horizons Makes” for our use with my 10 year old daughter.

I’m coming with another Reading Horizons product that I’m equally as excited about!
New Discovery At-Home program was used with my 7 year old son. There were some reading skills that I really wanted to focus on with him, and this program seemed to be a good fit.

We’ve tried a couple other reading programs but didn’t take off like we’d hoped.

Although I got really excited about Discovery, my son wasn’t as enthused. I sat down with the curriculum to fine-comb it to make sure I wasn’t missing anything that I needed to do in order to teach him the material.

Alas, it wasn’t a great fit for him. This is a case where “mom really likes it, but the kid…not so much”.

I still shout out that the program is wonderfully put together.

I really like all of the components of Discovery k-3. The Teacher’s Manuals are broken down into 6 chapters; cutting down on bulkiness and sectioning the lessons nicely. The pre-printed Wall Posters makes referring to sounds and recognition convenient.

What I liked most…okay, there are two things that were my favorites: the Enrichment CD-ROM and the Little Books.

About the Kit:
“It is especially designed for homeschool use and is an essential part of any effective reading curriculum. It teaches essential skills in a simple, structured approach that reaches all learning styles, offering flexibility and control for the instructor.” –Reading Horizons

What’s Included?:

Teacher’s Manual (six volumes divided by chapter for grades 1-3; two volumes for Kindergarten) – scripted material to help you teach your child through direct instruction
132 Transfer Cards to help students practice and reinforce decoding skills
Six Wall Posters for student reference
Games Supplement includes high-engagement, differentiated activities for each lesson
Little Books sample set (five little little books) help a students transfer decoding skills to connected text

For more information and pricing, follow this link to the New Discovery At-Home program page.

While you’re still here, I invite you to take advantage of some other helpful and free resources that Reading Horizons has to offer. You may find something here that makes you have an “aha” moment in unlocking your child’s reading potential.

Parent Phonics Training
Assessments
Reading Horizons At-Home Webinar
Reading Corner Blog

Visit Reading Horizons on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela
Disclaimer: I received these products for review for free. My review is my honest opinion.
*affiliate links are in this post.

Who Said Life Has to Always be Pretty

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:37:00 +0000

I’m sharing at The MOM Initiative today.

I don’t go into great details about everything, but I do shed some light on God’s faithfulness and kindness when things aren’t always pretty in life.

Join me there today!

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Teach Them Diligently Convention ~ Speaker Highlight

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I want to highlight a speaker that will be at all three of the Teach Them Diligently Conventions.
Heidi St. John

The first thing that I ever experienced concerning Heidi was her book, The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Romance: Nurturing Your Marriage Through the Homeschool Years, when it was hot off the presses in 2010. Perfect fit for me; Home educator AND married! I already knew that my husband and I weren’t going to be a divorce statistic, but I was determined to go the extra mile to “seal the deal” even further!

As I started to “get to know” Heidi, I could see her tenacious passion for family, home, country and justice.

I had the privilege to meet Heidi at the Titus 2:1 Conference in 2012.

When I heard that she would be a special speaker, my copy of her book was the very first thing to get packed so that she could sign it!
I absolutely LOVED the words that she wrote to me! Words specific to and for me!

I’ll be the first to tell you that behind those beautiful eyes and her hot style, she’s so much more than you’ll ever see on the pages or screen.
Heidi is a hilarious and witty woman that compels moms to launch our children with the surety of the Gospel of Christ.

Have a look at Heidi’s speaker page at the Teach Them Diligently Convention website.

Make a decision to either join me in Spartanburg or attend the convention in Nashville or Omaha.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

*This post contains affiliate links.

How Do I Help Her

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:20:00 +0000

There are times when a Momma’s heart is heavy for our children.

We’re faced with questions about their longings that we can’t answer.

My question today is…

How does a mom that didn’t have to “wait on God” for a husband help her daughter to?

Trusting God is what we’ve been teaching our children to do.
It’s what we as their parents have learned to do.

We’ve seen God answer prayer after prayer, show us how to move mountains and keep a faith in circumstances that would make us buckle otherwise.

But this…

This area is something that I never had to deal with.
I’ve known my husband, her daddy since I was 17 years old.

I didn’t have to wait on a husband.
I didn’t have to seek God for him.

How do I help her?

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Teaching Creation Thursday: Evolution’s Fatal Fruit ~Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:27:00 +0000

Evolution's Fatal Fruit: How Darwin's Tree of Life Brought Death to Millions

by Tom DeRosa

When Tom DeRosa's book, Evolution's Fatal Fruit, came to my home, I saw it as a tool to help equip my children. In conversations with my husband we discussed seeing the views from an atheist's point of view to better understand the mindset. Believing our God's creation was never hard for me. I wanted a different perspective…
Read the rest of this Teaching Creation Thursday review at Creation Conversations.

Before you go, please enter to win a copy of Evolution’s Fatal Fruit!
The giveaway (hosted by Rafflecopter) runs from February 14 – February 21.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Everyday Matters Bible for Women review

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Everyday Matters Bible for Women

from Hendrickson Publishing

I’m delighted to be able to put my hands and eyes on the Everyday Matters Bible for Women!

Refreshing and light, yet deep and insightful. Don’t ask me how those things go together, but they just do.

Every discipline is explored in four ways:

• Everyday Matters. Two-page articles introduce major themes and focus on an essential part of understanding and practicing a discipline.
• Everyday Profiles. Profiles of twenty-five Biblical women highlight a particular discipline.
• Everyday Q & A’s. Short articles delve into a difficult aspect of the spiritual practice and offer practical help on incorporating the discipline into your daily life.
• Everyday Reflections. Selections illustrate ways to personalize and apply God’s Word to your own situation.

I’m not reviewing the translation; which is NLT (New Living Translation), but rather the feature that I like most about this Bible.

This was a tough call, but I’d have to say that it’s Everyday Reflections.

I’d like to share one of the many that I enjoyed:

Praying Scripture

More than 300 articles and features by more than 140 of today’s most well-known Christian leaders and writers, including: Kay Warren, Priscilla Shirer, Elisa Morgan, Nancy & John Ortberg, Richard Foster, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Lauren Winner.

Special Features include . . .

• 4-color throughout
• Color-coded icons identify each Spiritual Discipline addressed in contributors’ material
• How to Use This Bible in a Small Group Study
• Index of Spiritual Practices
• Resources for further reading

I’ve found a specific “use” for my Everyday Matters Bible.

I recently started a Prayer Journal. I will use the Everyday Matters Bible as my go-to “prayer Bible” to highlight Scripture pertaining specifically to prayer, and recording how God speaks to me in prayer through the Scripture.

I’m looking forward to years of prayer with this Bible.

I rate the Everyday Matters Bible a 5 out of 5 coffee cups!

You can purchase the Everyday Matters Bible for Women from Christian Book or a Christian retail stores near you.

Living With Sword and Coffee,

Kela

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.
Affiliate links are included in this post.

Unless You Abide

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:26:00 +0000

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

John 15:4

Speaking of the True Vine in John 15 are some of my favorite passages of Scripture. The word, “abide” is laced throughout.

The lone word, “Abide” is where I thought this post was going until another word caught my eye…

UNLESS

“Unless you abide in the vine…Unless you abide in Me.”

Sometimes I make plans and THEN ask God to bless it.

This isn’t the way He wants me to operate.

He wants me to seek Him first.

This way the fruit will be from Him; which is far more satisfying than anything that I can put together.

Nothing fruit bearing can be done apart from God. Tweet This

Today I’m linking up with up with Jane at Girl Meets Paper for Monday Morning Meditation.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

It’s the Way You’re Wired…

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:23:00 +0000

“So be it”.

The words I’ve been longing to hear from my husband for a while now.
There are times when we’re forced to think things through. To figure out some things.

My husband and I are wired totally differently.
It’s something that’s always been known, but finally fully acknowledged.

He’s seeing that my introversion is not a sin. Haha!
I can sit for a long time without saying a word…and just think.

I’m seeing that his extroversion isn’t to make me look or feel bad.
He just thinks best on his feet. Working. Doing. Busy hands.

I’m glad that we now have that understanding.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Praying God’s Word ~ Dwell With the Most High

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:18:00 +0000

“(1) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (4) He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:1,4

Psalm 91!

Ahhh. Every time I read it I feel wrapped up!

Wrapped up by my Daddy (Abba Father).

The feeling of knowing that I have His forever love is unexplainable.

Praying God’s Word can be powerful and productive. God said in the Bible that “His word that goes forth from His mouth will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He sent it out to do, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11).

Today I want to pray Psalm 91:1,4 back to God (personalizing in first person speech).

It’s His Word. He sent it forth! What can you see it accomplishing in your life?

Lord, I dwell in the secret, hidden place of You, the Most High; Shaddai, the All Sufficient God.Lord, You cover me with Your feathers and under Your wings. I take refuge in You. Help me to remember that Your truth is my shield and buckler. For this, I thank You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Linking up today with:

Living With Sword and Coffee,

Kela

Teaching Creation Thursdays ~ Creation Kids Online Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I want to introduce you to a new to me resource for teaching creation in a fun way.

Investigating the Possibilities by Master Design

Through Media Angel, Felice Gerwitz, offers an online Creation class featuring Tom DeRosa of Creation Studies Institute.

Creation Kids Online Classes, recommended for Upper Elementary and Middle School grades, are based on texts written by Tom Derosa and Carolyn Reeves.

Forces & Motion: From High-speed Jets to Wind-up Toys

Matter: Its Properties & Its Changes

These books teach good science; support a supernatural creation and a worldwide flood; and challenge Darwinian evolution. This is a good opportunity for parents to preview some of the lessons from these books. They are a great aid in teaching these lessons to students.

On Demand Creation Kids Online Classes include:

Orientation to Hands-On Science
Class 1: Motion, Speed and Free Fall
Class 2: Forces through Space
Class 3: Machines at Work
Class 4: Matter and Its Strange Substances
Class 5: Water Everywhere and so Important to Life
Class 6: Chemicals that React

You can preview a class for free to get a taste of what each lesson will be like.
When you decide to purchase the the classes, there is a one time fee of only $24.95.

Included with this cost is

SIX one hour On demand and downloadable video sessions plus a bonus video
Handouts for the Presentation
Additional Activities

With that introduction to the online classes, I’d like to tell you about a coming giveaway for you, the adult, next week!

Tom DeRosa was gracious enough to offer a copy of his book,
Evolution's Fatal Fruit: How Darwin's Tree of Life Brought Death to Millions

Let’s chat about creation in the Teach Creation Thursday group at Creation Conversations, or join us in our new Google+ Community!

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

*this post contains an affiliate link.

Overwhelmed? I’ve Been There

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:19:00 +0000

Oh my dear friend,
I can empathize with your “overwhelmed”. I’ve been there. It visits me at times. It touches my loved ones sometimes too.

I want to make it clear to you. It is not a sin to be overwhelmed!
You’ve indentified it. Now its time to deal with it.

My close friend, Stephanie Shott, founder of The M.O.M. Initiative asked the MOM Initiative writers (myself included) to share in our new eBook about our “Overwhelmed” experiences so that we can minister to moms that are seeking a way to deal with overwhelm.

I wont go into my “overwhelm” story here because you’ll get a chance to read it in the new book.

I do want to share more of the heart of how God can use Overwhelmed ~ 31 Stories from M.O.M. in your circle of MOMs; whether its in your church or small group.

We’ll be launching Overwhelmed ~31 Stories from M.O.M. Monday, January 7. We want to make it available for you to help lead an Overwhelmed Study.

I’ll be linking with the M.O.M. Initiative to form a local group. I’m excited about the calling and mission that God has placed me in. It is our passion to “take Titus 2 to the streets”.

Are you interested in starting a local M.O.M. Initiative group?
Begin a M.O.M. Initiative Mentor Group in Your Area

If you haven't connected to The M.O.M. Initiative on Twitter, through email subscription, or our Facebook community, I highly encourage you to.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

PreScripts from Classical Conversations Is Here {A Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:21:00 +0000

Prescripts from Classical Conversations is here!

I’m delighted to be chosen to review this wonderful new cursive writing course.

What is PreScripts?
PreScripts is a set of cursive writing copybooks.
I’ve found that its so much more than that!

Medieval to Modern World history, Scripture, and American Documents are integrated with each text or passage to copy making it a richer experience.

My children get to use their drawing skills (or lack thereof) on the pages that followed each copy work activity.

I have children in all four levels in the PreScripts series that Classical Conversations offers.

Each book is a guideline for the following ages:
Letters: ages 3-7
Words: ages 5-10
Sentences: ages 7-12
Passages: ages 9 through high school

I must admit that my personal favorite is the PreScripts that my oldest son is using, Passages and Illuminations, because it includes one of my most enjoyable things to, Lettering!

I’ve included a link that will lead you to the sample pages of all four PreScripts in the series.

PreScripts Cursive Letters and Coloring: Medieval to Modern World History Sample Pages.

PreScripts Cursive Words and Drawing: Scripture Sample Pages.

PreScripts Cursive Sentences and Art Lessons: Medieval to Modern World History Sample Pages.

PreScripts Cursive Passages and Illuminations: American Documents Sample Pages.

Go to the PreScripts page at Classical Conversations to find more information on the FAQ page, pricing and a delightful video that further describes PreScripts.

I’m looking forward to seeing my children do more copy work and drawing with PreScripts.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

I received copies of the PreScripts copy books from Classical Conversation at no cost. I was asked to give an honest review in exchange. My words, my feelings, my emotions about the product are mine, mine, mine.

Teaching Creation Thursdays: Dr. Ariel Roth

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I’ve been learning so much about creation since becoming actively involved with Creation Conversations and the group Teaching Creation Thursdays. I asked my creation studies mentor, Dr. Carolyn Reeves, for deeper stuff pertaining to Darwinism, Evolution and Creation. She is truly coming through!

*The material is more for the parent/teacher.

How in the world did Darwinian evolution reach the place where it is one of the few subjects in science that is not openly and fairly debated? Critical analysis of research is what gives science a high level of trust and credibility. When science works like it should, bad ideas are weeded out and good ones are strengthened. During all the biology and science classes I had taken, only one professor in one class ever fairly discussed weaknesses of Darwinian evolution. So, I naively assumed that the evidence for evolution was so overwhelming that all scientists agreed it was true.

I remember when I first read a well-documented book that challenged Darwinian evolution. I had just completed a master’s degree in combined sciences. After only a few chapters, I began to feel indignation and even anger. There were facts and explanations that challenged Darwin’s proposals that anyone in graduate school should have known, but I was reading about them for the first time.

It’s not hard to show that living things can change (or evolve) in many minor ways over a few generations, such as in size, shape, color, and number of appendages. I had been persuaded in dozens of science classes that these kinds of changes were proof that every thing that ever lived had originated from the same one-celled organism millions of years ago.

I can accept that all canines may have come from an original created set or sets of canines and over the years evolved into a huge variety of dogs, wolves, and coyotes. The same thing is true of original created sets of eagles, horses, and pine trees. However, I no longer accept that dogs, eagles, horses, and pine trees evolved from the same one-celled ancestor.

Like me, most adults were presented only evidence for Darwinian evolution elementary and secondary schools, textbooks, library books, TV documentaries, and college courses. They had few opportunities to examine real scientific evidence that challenge Darwinian evolution. The next few posts will give members of this group opportunities to examine good scientific evidence that challenges Darwinian evolution and supports creationism. Some of these articles may be a little technical, but they will be well worth your time.

Have you even been told that the Grand Canyon is billions of years old and is a record of the evolution of many of the living things on earth? The standard history of Grand Canyon is that each layer represents millions of years of time and formed as ocean levels rose and lowered. When ocean waters covered the land, sediments were deposited on the floor of the ocean. When then ocean waters receded, the former ocean floor became dry land and began to be eroded. The key words are deposited and eroded. Evolutionary scientists tell us that the history of the land can be determined by going from the deepest (oldest) layers up to the top (youngest) layers.

Scientists assume that Grand Canyon contains a number of missing layers, known as paraconformities, where hundreds of millions of years passed as sedimentary layers were deposited and then eroded away. These layers were assumed to have existed, but there is no evidence that they did. Continue reading Dr.Ariel Roth’s challenges to the idea that hundreds of millions of years passed between flat level layers in the Grand Canyon and left no evidence of gulley erosion that occurred during that time period.

Slide credit: Science and Scripture

Questions to Ponder:

Do you see why it is important that uncensored, open debates, especially among scientists, should be a part of good science?
Did you see that evolutionary scientists were basing their explanations for how the canyon formed on a number of assumptions?
Do you think the canyon’s sedimentary layers could logically be explained by a worldwide catastrophic flood (such as the Genesis Flood)?

If you would like to read additional articles, go to Dr. Ariel Roth’s website, Science and Scripture and see “discussions.”
Joy Ellis and I have started a new Google+ Community for Teaching Creation Thursdays. Join us there!

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

Doing the Last Thing ~ Prayer: One Word 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:34:00 +0000

What was the last thing that God told you to do? Did you complete it, or carrying it out diligently.

How is that attention span? How often do I get bored with the last thing that God told me to do?

I’m from one thing to the next like a bouncy ball. My Father is standing there waiting for me to settle down so that He can speak again.

I get caught up in the hype and going-on of my friends. The next awesome Bible Study, Scripture memory, etc.

I need that fellowship and direction. I’m not told to not to those things.

What I am to do is to continue to do the last thing that God told me to do.

Out of breath…or wanting to seek God on something new, He isn’t standing there tapping His foot or wagging a finger at me.

He asks, “Are you done now? Are you ready to do the last thing that I told you to do?”

“Stay in prayer, My daughter.”

Okay! I can do that!

I start devouring books about prayer, being a prayer warrior, spiritual warfare. Scripture after Scripture about prayer.

My soul is filling to overflow. I’m loving time with my Daddy.

I start to get ahead of myself; forgetting all of the aspects of prayer.

My mind races to different prayer “campaigns” that I can start!

Maybe a weekly prayer link for my readers, or making up a “How to pray for ___” kind of printable.

“Listen! Sit still, girl and listen to Me.”

So now…

Prayer. Sitting. Resting. Prayer. Listening. Prayer. Doing

Prayer focus for now:

“…But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

There is so much to be said about prayer. SO MUCH more to understand.

I’ll never have an exhaustive amount of knowledge of how to pray, what to pray, breakthroughs by prayer.

That’s what God’s daily bread is for.

That’s what seeking His wisdom is for.

That’s what “staying by the stuff” is for.

Please know that 2013 is a continued year of prayer carried over from 2012.

I’m praying for YOU, my friend!

If you have a specific prayer need, I encourage you to message me mail@kelanellums(dot)com.

Living With Sword and Coffee,

Kela

The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas {A Book Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 02:31:00 +0000

Description:
What if you stopped looking for a “soul mate” and started looking for a “sole mate”—someone who will live out with you the great purpose of God? What if dating isn’t about finding “the one” but making a wise choice so you can better serve the One who loves you most? What if God didn’t design relationships to make you happy but to make you holy? Don’t Get Married Until You Read This Book In The Sacred Search, Gary Thomas will transform the way you look at romantic relationships. Whether you are single, dating, or engaged, Gary’s unique perspective on dating will prepare you for a satisfying, spiritually enriching marriage even before you walk down the aisle. As Gary reminds us, a good marriage is not something you find—it’s something you make. www.GaryThomas.com

I want to give The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas the raving review that it deserves!

I think that I highlighted the whole book!

You may be wondering why I read The Sacred Search since I’m already a married woman.

Our oldest daughter is of marrying age, and she is looking forward to becoming a wife.
My husband and I have talked with her about being who she needs to be for her future husband/marriage.

Making such a wise choice may well be driven more by why we get married than by who we marry. It’s not that the who doesn’t matter (in fact, it matters very much); it’s just that asking and settling the why question first will set us up to make a wise choice about the who. Thomas asks, “Why do you want to get married? That’s what you need to ask before you decide who to marry.” –David C Cook Publishers

“I’m Just sayin’” is the way that I read most of Gary’s book.

I’ll give you some examples and you tell me if you don’t hear, “I’m just sayin’” after each quote:

“Marriage isn’t about being young together; it’s about growing old together – and bodies change as we get older. If you don’t marry with that in mind, you’re going to make a major mistake—perhaps the biggest mistake of your life. “ (p. 25)
Women, ask yourself, what will you most desire in your man ten years from now, when you have kids and a house and are sharing a life together and the infatuation has faded? Find that. Look for that.” (p. 45)
I cannot overstate how crucial it is to be cautious and discerning in making such an important decision. You don’t want to miss out, do you? This is not the time for romanticized foolishness.

The Sacred Search packs heart searching into 19 chapters.

My favorite chapters:

Vulnerable and Stupid
You Don’t Want What You Think You Want
Passive Surrender or Passionate Pursuit? Compelling Reasons to Get Married
Are You Strong Enough to be My (WO)Man?
Something You Must Agree About
Problem People
Mercy Marriages

Each chapter ends with thought provoking study questions; questions that I think should seriously be explored and thought over.

Truly, knowing why you want to marry should be the first question that you ask yourself.

Gary goes to great lengths to help you find your “why” if your focus isn’t healthy.

I’m glad to have him in our corner with sound, Biblical advice.

I more than gladly give The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas a 5 Coffee Cup rating!

Look for The Sacred Search in January wherever Christian books are sold.

Find out more about the author, Gary Thomas, at www.garythomas.com.

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela

*I was given an eBook copy of this book at no charge. I freely agreed to write a review of said book. Honestly! These opinions are mine.

Gap in Motherhood

noreply@blogger.com (Kela) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 16:01:00 +0000

I have 6 children. 3 girls. 3 boys.

The break down: girl,girl,boy,boy,girl,boy.

You see that little girl sandwiched in with her brothers?

There is a gap in my mothering her.

When our first two daughters arrived, I was wide-eyed.

Being a new mom to girls was fascinating! Exciting!

They are 14 months apart, so I got to stay in practice.

Think about the frilly clothes, matching ribbons, and shiny shoes
.
I’m a girl Mom and I love it!

I devoured parenting books that led me from birth to age 5.

The older two are now 17 and 18.

I grew up with them. All of their firsts; I’m there!

The boys? Oh…they’re pretty easy. They’re boys and their daddy handles all that rather nicely.

We teach them manners, how to be respectful, hard workers, ~~not to burp at the table (~~Okay..that one is out the window), to run through the woods and do “boy things”.

Then. There is our youngest daughter. Almost 11 years old and I’ve sped by some of her firsts!
I’ve sadly sometimes had the “been there, done that” attitude that I detest.

She didn’t get as many ribbons as her sisters did. Her clothes are more practical than frill. Her shoes are the kind that she needs; not necessarily the ones that make her feel pretty.

There is a gap in my mothering her.

I draw a line in the sand today!

I look at her with different eyes. I’m a little girl Mom!

Boingy curls that deserve any color ribbon that’s available. They really do “boing”!! I LOVE her hair!

Beautiful blue eyes that dance with excitement as she tells me about the latest play that she wrote.

I think that I will get her those sparkly red shoes from Target that she’s been wanting for years! Are they still in style? Do they even have them in her size now?!

I’ll paint her fingernails like I used to do for her older sisters.

We’ll play in the makeup together.

Its not too late!

Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela