Loving the Unbeliever

All too often, we Christians are characterized by what we stand against.  We expect others to hold to our religious and moral standards and when they don't, we gossip about them or we boycott their businesses or introduce legislation to trample their rights.  THAT IS NOT CHRISTIANITY.  That is not Jesus Christ.

I heard some quotes today from St. Maximus the Confessor that I had to put down before I forgot:

“The one who loves God cannot help but love also every man as himself even though he is displeased by the passions of those who are not yet purified” (CL 1:13). “Love for God in no way admits of hatred for man” (CL 1:15).  

“The one who does not love his neighbor [as the Lord commands as a proof of our love for Him] …is not able to love the Lord” (CL 1:16).  

“Blessed is the man who has learned to love all men equally” (CL 1:17; 2:10).  

“The one who loves God surely loves his neighbor as well” (CL 1:23). 

  “The work of love is the deliberate doing of good to one‟s neighbor…” (CL 1:40). 

“The one who leads an angelic life on earth…[is] always thinking good of everyone” (CL 1:42).  

“Perfect love does not split up the one nature of men on the basis of their various dispositions but ever looking steadfastly at it loves all men equally…It ever manifests the fruits of love equally for all men…” (CL 1:71; cf. 2:30).  

“The one who has come to understand the weakness of human nature…never looks down on anyone” (CL 2:39).  

“The one who does not love anything human loves all men…” (CL 3:37).  

“Love of neighbor prepares the mind to think always well of him” (CL 4:40).  

“The one who loves Christ thoroughly imitates Him as much as he can.  Treated ungratefully and blasphemed, He was patient; beaten and put to death by them, He endured, not thinking ill of anyone at all.  These three are the works of love of neighbor in the absence of which a person who says he loves Christ or possesses His Kingdom deceives himself” (CL 4:55).  

“Be as eager as you can to love every man, but if you cannot do this, at least do not  hate anyone [which] you cannot do unless you scorn the things of this world” (CL 4:82).  

“You are to love every man from your soul…” (CL 4:95).  

“The friends of Christ love everyone sincerely [and] maintain the continuity of their love till the end” (CL 4:98). 

I know of people who are leaving the Faith, in part, because of the way American Christians are living out their lives in battle against those with whom they disagree.  They are known by what they stand against rather than what they are for.  Again, let me say, those people do not represent Jesus Christ any more then the 9/11 hijackers represent Islam.  May the world know that we are Christians by the love we show to one another, even those who appear to be our enemies.  Loving people does not mean we have to agree with everything they stand for.  But it does mean extending KINDNESS, assistance when needed, mercy, friendship, and a constant recognition of my own faults and not my neighbors'.  My sins are great enough!  

Molly Sabourin wrote a FANTASTIC piece about this issue last year.  In it, she states:

What does it mean to believe boldly? To take a stand against ___________? Well, just fill in the blank. There’s no shortage of un-Christian attitudes, legislation, opinions to disagree with. Christians oppose Yoga, I read on the front page of the Yahoo website last week. We oppose, we oppose, we’re against, we’re fighting back, we followers of Christ have exchanged our feet washing rags for cold and metal suits of armor. And how approachable does that make us, I wonder? I mean, I understand the concern that befriending, without an agenda,  individuals with moral standards, political opinions, or theological principles not in compliance with our own could be misconstrued as acceptance of what we would consider to be sinful and foolish behavior. I’m not proposing, at all,  that we compromise our beliefs or blend seamlessly into our secular surroundings. I think we absolutely should  stand-out, like light, like salt, like a meager meal of fish and bread shared miraculously with the multitudes, but not because of what we oppose, rather because of what we’re for: a Christ-like love that defies logic, fear, racism, selfishness, self-consciousness, condemnation, rejection, negativity.

This last part really resonates with me because this IS Christianity.  This isn't what I've decided I like about Christianity... this is what was taught by Christ and the Apostles and established as the NORM in the Orthodox Church.  Christ-like love.  May that be what characterizes MY life, even when people do or say things I don't like.

O Lord and Master of my Life,

Take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk

But a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love, bestow upon me, Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to condem my brother

For Blessed art Thou unto ages of ages.  Amen.

I started thinking about this while listening to a podcast by Father Thomas Hopko, theologian extraordinaire, on Ancient Faith Radio:

 How Should Orthodox Christians Relate to Others

Absolutely convicting and inspiring.

My Own Kind of Homeschooler

A few days ago, I woke up to the news that Ken Ham, President of Answers in Genesis, has been "disinvited" to speak at two major homeschool conventions this year.  Now, I, for one, think this is a good thing.  I happen to be an old-earth creationist and I think the pseudo-science and biblical literalism he's peddling is nothing short of ridiculous.  But, unfortunately, the content of his message is not the reason why he was disinvited.  I'm still trying to get to the bottom of what this is all about, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't kicked out for believing the earth is 6,000 years old.

So often I feel all alone out here in old-earth world.  Its funny: some days I think to myself "does anybody still believe the earth is young?" and I'm totally shocked that anybody does.  And some days, like today, I very much feel in the minority, which I don't mind.  My fidelity is to truth, not to being popular.

But just try buying science curriculum from Rainbow that does NOT espouse young earth creationism.  It can be done and there are some excellent resources out there.  But its slow going.  Much like the creation of the earth, har har.

Homeschool conventions are being taken over by neo-Calvinistic historical revisionists like Doug Phillips and Kevin Swanson.  Very. scary.  I can honestly say that I will never attend a one where either of those men (or Voddie Baucham or any member of the Botkin family) is a keynote speaker.  Young Earth Creationists I can mostly deal with... but these patriocentric types... yeah, suffice it to say that putting me in a room with Doug Phillips would not be a pretty picture.

Being compared to a godless pagan guilty of committing child sacrifice sure didn't help his image in my eyes..

Yeah, I'm still working on that forgiveness thing.  (I'm just being sarcastic.... I really AM working on that forgiveness thing).

The agenda these people peddle is dangerous- it is dangerous to families, to homeschooling, to our country and to the people of God.  They create a problem, twist the Scriptures, make a video and sell you the solution for $29.99 plus shipping.

And yet, they seem to be the "future" of homeschooling.  People are believing the false utopian images they are selling and it breaks my heart.  It angers me to see them identified as Reformed Christians (when they most certainly are NOT- you can't be Reformed and be a baptist.  Calvin would've had you thrown out of Geneva.  Its okay.  Accept it.  There are other ways to pretend your beliefs and traditions are tied to history).  It angers me to see the devastation that patriocentricity inflicts on families.  It angers me to see so many people falling for it.

So, obviously, these are not my kind of homeschoolers.

But hey, after all, I'm Orthodox.  And there are some great resources out there for Orthodox homeschoolers.

I'm definitely in the minority.  I am my own kind of homeschooler.  The beauty about homeschooling is that doing what works for your family is exactly the point!  I teach my children about the Feasts and Fasts and the Saints.  We memorize Scripture from the Divine Liturgy.  We get to church as often as possible.  We read a lot of living books.  We use workbooks and teach concept-based math.  (Hey, Singapore is #1 in the world for a reason!!).  We "do school" almost every day, but we are very flexible.  We teach our children that nature doesn't lie to us because God is the Creator of nature and has revealed Himself to us in nature as well as in the Bible and Holy Tradition.  We teach them weird stuff like tolerance and social justice.  We use a public charter school to fund our curriculum and activities.  We teach them to pray and to have compassion and not to judge others.

And that's what works for us.

I'm not terribly concerned about fitting in.  The homeschooling movement as a whole has no interest for me.  As long as it stays legal in California, Doug Phillips can peddle his products and the Botkins can preach about the wonders of spanking all they want.  Thankfully, I don't have to listen.

Inspired!

I've never suffered from homeschool burnout.  I mean, how in the world would that even be possible?  I've only been homeschooling since September.  I wasn't burned out, but I was bored.  Very bored.  I'd see all these blogs detailing their Charlotte Mason or classical education method and how they were reading living books and their kids were loving it... and I'd think "Sheesh!  All we ever get to is math, reading, writing and Bible.  Where did all my vision go?"

My loss of vision basically amounts to laziness.  I've been so caught up in my own agenda which, if I'm honest, involves spending much too much time on Facebook or reading lame watchdog blogs that don't edify me one bit.  I'd wake up excited for the new day... and then all of a sudden, it would be 2pm and we hadn't sat down at the table once.

Spending time with our homeschool group, St. Theophan Academy, really helps keep the inspiration up.  These ladies LOVE their children and they love homeschooling.  They love teaching their children.  They love books and they love getting down on the level of their kids and really engaging them.  Their homeschooling is deliberate.  And that inspires me.

I've also found fresh inspiration at Evlogia's Orthodox Homeschooling Series.  Katherine is a seasoned homeschooling and a lover of all things Charlotte Mason.  I have great respect for her experience as a mother, homeschooler, Orthodox Christian and all around person.  She is a beautiful writer.  And I'd be remiss if I did not credit her for a great deal of this new zeal and vision I have for our schooling.

One more blog tip for my two readers out there: 10 Million Miles.  Visit and be blessed.  Laura and her family are precious.  I'm not sure how I found this blog... I think I found the video they did on You Tube with Laura's two daughters making butter by shaking a mason jar filled with cream.  Seeing her joy as a mother, as a wife, as a homeschooler... just check it out.  You'll be blessed.

I have more I'd like to write, but it is REALLY late and I need to clean up before heading off to bed.  But I just wanted to say that I am EXCITED!  I've caught the vision once again and I can't wait to start a new week with our new lesson plans.

Phonics Museum GIVEAWAY!!

Recently, I discovered a phonics program that I am DYING to try out.  Its called "Phonics Museum"

Its sort of a phonics/handwriting/art combo program from Veritas Press.  Now, be warned: Veritas Press is an Evangelical and distinctly Reformed Protestant curriculum, so if that worries you, don't even look... cuz you'll be hooked once you check out this program.

Raising Homemakers is giving away a Kindergarten-First Grade Combo Kit. Oh. my. heck!  So, I'm blogging about it to raise awareness and also to give myself an extra entry (teehee...) 

So check it out!

Catechumen

My husband became an official catechumen of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church this morning.

Glory be to God!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

 

A Simple Woman's Daybook for February

Outside my window...grey clouds just waiting to rain and unusually cold weather.

I am thinking...about what I need to do to prepare for our ES's visit on Monday

I am thankful for...Hot tea and a peaceful evening

A thought to share... "Be kind for everyone around you is fighting a great battle."

From the kitchen...Garlic Thyme soup and grain-free buttermilk biscuits

I am wearing...my gym clothes... STILL!  EW!

 
I am creating..Alex's notebook for our homeschool

I am going...todeep clean the kitchen tonight

I am reading...Great Lent by Father Alexander Schmemann

I am hoping...to really be present at the Divine Liturgy tomorrow

I am listening to...Podcasts from the 2011 Climacus Conference on Thoughtful Ascent, available for FREE at Ancient Faith Radio

Around the house... kids are playing, husband is exercising, dog is begging to come inside, mama's trying to clean clean clean so she doesn't have to do it tomorrow...

One of my favorite things...A CD someone gifted me of the nuns at the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring chanting hymns of the Divine Liturgy.  I close my eyes and I'm right back in the katholikon listening to the chant and awaiting the Eucharist.

Another thought to share... "Honor is... treating every person as special, doing more than what is expected of you and having a good attitude."  I need to remember that before I can expect my kids to live it.

A few plans for the rest of the week: more decluttering and cleaning, our 'learning meeting' with our charter school teacher, printing press field trip, feast day on Tuesday, St. Valentine's Day park day- it is going to be a busy week!

Still another thought to share...

Meatfare Suinday Tomorrow!!  Pot Roast it is!

The Homekeeper's Journal

This week’s Homekeeper’s Journal is about homemaking, of course and…… Being Gentle.

“Behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5; cf. Zech. 9:9)

Gentleness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit. We’re commanded to be gentle with others. In the Bible the word Meekness means Gentleness. Most women don’t have too hard a time being gentle or meek. The problem women sometimes have with gentleness is in thinking that gentleness equals weakness.

In my kitchen this week ….. Meatless dishes cuz its Cheesefare week!  I've got loads of soups planned- tonight was a garlic thyme soup with greens and homemade stock with grain-free buttermilk biscuits.  YUM!

On my mind this week … My husband becomes a catechumen tomorrow and Great Lent starts a week from Monday.  On my mind this week- preparations for the Fast and the sacrament of Holy Confession.

Gentleness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit so as a Christian ….. I want to demonstrate gentleness in ALL my interactions with people, especially my children.  Moreover, I want to be gentle in my heart, not just in my words and actions.

When the Bible says that Moses was the meekest of all men (Numbers 12:3), it reminds me that …. It reminds me of the Beatitudes, that the meek will inherit the earth.

The gentle person has died to self, so when I am gentle in situations that cause others to be angry and violent (Proverbs 16:32; 25:28) …..I know that a soft answer turns AWAY wrath.  I need to stay strong in that gentleness and insist that the situation remain calm.

Knowing that gentleness is not cowardice or lack of conviction (1 Peter 2:22-23), I am encouraged to …. be deliberate in my gentleness toward others.