The Dangers of Home Education
At our homeschool, we are studying Oklahoma History. When we were listening to a lecture about the Vikings (Heavener Runestone, look it up online and tell me why a Viking would come all the way to Oklahoma!) there was a particular weapon that intrigued us all. Being G I Joe afficianados, we like a good weapon. There is a Viking record that says they were attacked by Indians, who threw something “about the size of a sheep’s stomach” at them, which exploded and scared the Vikings back.
What in the world could THAT be?
LET THE RABBIT TRAILS BEGIN!!!!!!!!
During our arrowhead hunt yesterday, our intrepid guide, Mr. White, mentioned that calcium carbide and water form acetylene — and that perhaps it could be an option to consider in trying to figure out what the “Native American Grenade” consisted of. Hmmmm….
Well, with the intoxicating powers of the internet and help from The Baking Baker lady’s memory, I found this little gem on Wikipedia:
It is still used in the Netherlands and Belgium for a traditional custom called Carbidschieten (Shooting Carbide). To create an explosion, carbide and water are put in a milk churn with a lid. Ignition is usually done with a torch. Some villages in the Netherlands fire multiple milk churns in a row as an oldyear tradition. The old tradition comes from the old pagan religion to chase off spirits.
It is used in toy cannons (see Big-Bang Cannon.)
Be still my beating heart!
An opportunity to make something go KaBoom????? It is the dream of every homeschooling boy across the world!!!! (and a few of the homeschooling moms, too)
If it involves mud, dirt, animals, explosions, or excessive noise, WE WILL BE THERE.
First things First, please
Zephaniah 1:6 caught my attention this morning: ….those who have not sought the LORD nor inquired for, inquired of, and required the LORD [as their first necessity].
Ask the LORD first! Seek the LORD first! He is the Ultimate Necessity!
A situation came up years and years ago when people did not inquire of the LORD first, but instead, inquired of myself and my brothers. My parents were divorcing and the dirt mongers were eager for a good story. The most blatantly annoying comment was, “I just want to know how to pray — can you tell me what happened?”
Gee, how about praying: Lord, bless this family as it goes through these challenges. Father, bring healing and restoration into their hearts and minds — may this draw them closer to You! May Your Name be mighty and powerful all the days of their lives, and may they give You glory for bringing them through, in the Name of Jesus.
That was pretty easy, huh?
I often find myself looking around at other believers who are struggling with the storms of life, and I pray that their ears will be shut to what is truly just gossip cloaked in false Christianity. I pray that wagging tongues will not be able to reach in and scar their hearts…that those who have a hunger to hear the “dirt” will suddenly become disgusted by the reality of what they are craving and that they will instead want to rush to Abba to make things right.
I have a handful of very trustworthy prayer warriors that I call upon from time to time. The best thing about each of them is that they point the way back to Jesus. With one friend in particular, our goal is to spend at least one day praying about the situation before we bring it to the table for discussion. Then, once the issue is shared, we pray again and ask for wisdom in how to proceed. We’ve all seen the damage that gossip causes and we know that it takes wisdom to know when to share and when to shut up. 
Another friend’s motto is, “God is my/your defender!” Which is a good thing to remember when under attack and the desire to set the record straight is especially strong! And another says, “Okay, let’s just agree to be mad about this for the next half hour or so — and then we’ll pray about it, calm down, and move on.” That one always makes me smile….I just need a half hour of Epic Volcanic Eruption to blow off all the steam and then I’m ready to clean up the mess for a fresh start.
In whatever way we cope, it needs to start with prayer. When we see or hear of controversies or challenges in the lives of others, we need to take it to Jesus before we take it anywhere else. He is the best Filter of what is Truth and what is just malarky and manipulation. (and No, “malarky” is not a homeschooler word – I heard it from my kinfolk in Arkansas and liked it. Sums it up pretty well.)
This entry is kinda heavy so let me end it with the “happy feet” verses from Zephaniah:
The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who Saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exault over you with singing!
Anybody else hear music playing?
Gotta love Him!
Habbakuk and Juice for Breakfast
Somebody kept me up wayyyy too late last night…. It was Java Man. No, not the fake caveman of evolutionist thought — but a fat, round little machine who begs me to drink coffee until the pot is empty. Beware Java Man!
So this morning, instead of a cuppa joe, I started off with Habakkuk and juice.
Check out chapter 3 …but I’ll start you off with verses 1-2 (and imagine this in T D Jakes’ voice with a full choir and orchestra in the background — the organist’s fingers flyin’, etc.)
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to wild, enthusiastic, and triumphal music.
O Lord, I have heard the report of You and was afraid, O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make [Yourself] known! In wrath [earnestly] remember love, pity, and mercy.
Okay, did you go back and read that first verse? with all the wild, enthusiastic, triumphal music? What a way to pray!!!! Get rowdy! Crank ‘er up, boys!
Even though Isaiah will pretty much always be my favorite prophet, I’m thinkin’ Habakkuk is a pretty “cat’s meow” cool kinda guy.
