Kerry Beck's Blog

Originally, I planned to write what God is teaching me about the beatitudes today.  But, I’ve been reading 2 Samuel in the mornings and decided to write about showing more grace.

When David returns to Israel, after his son Absalom is killed, David encounters a variety of men.  One of these men is Shimei, who cursed David, the Lord’s annointed one.  Shimei tells David, “I have sinned. . . I am the first to come today of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet the lord the king.”  David’s men ask for permission to slay Shimei since he cursed David.

What does David do when he could have Shimei killed for just reasons?

…He showed mercy!

Shimei did not deserve mercy, but David showed mercy.

Mephibosheth rushes to meet David as well.  Earlier in the book, it appeared that Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, had deserted David.  At least that’s the story the servant tells David.  We learn that Mephibosheth was deceived.  Mephibosheth was actually faithful to David, not trimming his moustache or washing his clothes the entire time David was kicked out of Jerusalem. David extends grace to Mephiboseth and gives back the land.

Finally, Barzillai comes to meet King David.  Barzillai is about 80 years old, with not much time left to live.  Barzillai provided David with supplies while David fought Absalom.  David asks Barzillai to cross the Jordan to live with the king, but Barzillai refuses.  He would rather live his last few years at home.  Instead, David extends the same grace to his servant, Chimham.  Chimham doesn’t deserve to David’s kindness, but David exhibits grace to him.

As I read these stories, I ask myself how often I show grace and mercy to those around me.

Am I merciful & gracious to my husband?

…Or do I nag him?

Do I show mercy to my kids?

…Or do I make them “tow the line” which leads to legalism?

Do I extend grace to my friends?

…Or am I critical of the way they handle a situation?

One question I am asking myself is this, “What do my kids hear me talk about?”  If I’m always complaining about the way things are going at church, I am not showing mercy.  If I’m complaining about the way my husband handles a situation with our kids, I am not being gracious.  If I’m complaining about the kids, I’m not being Christlike.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God….as lights in the world.  Philippians 2:13-14

Lastly, I’m reminded how often God is merciful to me when I fail him.  How gracious he is when I sin against him.  I am quickly reminded how important it is to be merciful and gracious to those around me.

I wrote this a year ago, but it struck me the other day so I’m posting it again. Enjoy
Kerry
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Yesterday’s sermon was thought provoking, not necessarily because of the application, but some interesting insights in the passage. The text was Matthew 8 where Jesus heals the leper, the centurion’s servant and Peter’s mother-in-law.

Peter Leithart showed this passage as one of a pattern in which Matthew shows Jesus’ miracles, followed by an explanation of Jesus’ ministry and finally a “call to discipleship” If you read Matthew 8-10, you will see this pattern repeated in Matt 8:1-22, Matt 8:23-9:17 and Matt 9:18-10:42.

Within Matthew 8, we see several applications that I want to teach my own children and learn these myself.

1. Do you really believe?
The leper comes to Jesus believing he can be healed as he says, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Do you really believe God can heal your problems, whether they are physical, job-related, familial, marital, financial? Can God really heal your situation?

2. Will you help anyone in need, even the wierdos around you?
Jesus does not withdraw from the outcast. In fact, he touches the unclean. Jews at this time would have nothing to do with lepers and were usually repulsed by them. In a few short sentences, it’s difficult to convey the distain that society had for lepers.  On the other hand, Jesus shows us how we ought to treat the outcasts around us.

Does God ever place people in your life that turn your stomach? You know, you really don’t want to be around them because they are weird.

3. Will you help those who might come back & hurt you?
Not only is the leper an outcast, the centurion is also an outcast to the Jewish community. Most Jews would not help him during this time period. Think about it, the centurion is a Gentile, a Roman, a military commander (against the Jews). In the near future, he might call up his troops to destroy the Jews. Ironically, Jesus declares, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” This Roman centurion has more faith than the Jews, God’s chosen people.

Jesus heals the centurion’s servant with just a word. He knew the times were changing from Jews to Gentiles. He also elevated the Roman centurion above the Jews due to his faith.

4. Jesus is the only solution to your problems.
After these miracles are described, Matthew reminds us of Isaiah’s words.
“He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sickness.” This often refers to Christ taking your sins upon the cross, but it also refers to Jesus taking our infirmities, weaknesses and disease upon Himself.

Discipleship is not just about “you” being saved & healed; it’s about you being healed so you can go be a healer, too. When you are saved, you are caught up in Christ’s river of life. So much so, that you can’t help yourself to reach out and “heal” those in need around you.

5. What model of discipleship will you follow?
After modeling discipleship to His disciples, Matthew further explains the cost of being Christ’s discipleship. When one of his disciples asked Jesus if he could “first go and bury (his) father”, Jesus tells him to “Follow Me”. I’ve often thought this man’s dad just died and Jesus won’t even let him bury him properly. This isn’t really the case. If that man’s dad had just died, he would not be talking to Jesus but instead making funeral preparations. This disciple wanted to care for his dad in old age and then follow Jesus Christ. Taking care of the elderly was very important to Jews, so he was following the pattern of those around him.

What we learn in this story is that even good & right family obligations must be put aside to follow Jesus Christ. Following Jesus trumps all other obligations.

Are you reaching out to the outcast, those you think are weirdos in your life?
Are you modeling this so your children will help those around them, too?
Are you placing Jesus Christ above all other obligations?
Or, do you put Him on the back burner so you can give your kids the best 

I’ve been watching tv for about an hour each afternoon while I stretch my back.  I usually watch a cooking show and today it was Emeril Live.

Emeril’s entire show was a support to the US troops.  He had a cooking contest with the military.  The marine that won talked about a cookbook that had his steak recipe.  All proceeds from A Salute to Steak go to the care of wounded marines.  So far they have raised over $400,000 with their goal being $500,000.

I immediately googled wounded warrior center recipe book to find that cookbook. (I couldn’t remember the exact name)  I ordered a copy and I encourage you to order a copy, too!  I don’t promote charities much on this blog, but this is a way to help take care of men & women who are serving us around the country…without charging taxes.   That’s my way of paying the bills.

Go get your copy right now at Command of the Grill:  A Salute to Steak and know the profits go to helping wounded soldiers.

Kerry

ps.  If you think $10 is expensive for this recipe book, consider it a donation to a great cause.

pps.  Let your kids pitch in for a family copy and you are modeling “charity” for them.

ppps.  The steak recipe Emeril cooked on his show looked delicious.  I plan to cook it once I get my cookbook.

Yesterday’s sermon was thought provoking, not necessarily because of the application, but some interesting insights in the passage. The text was Matthew 8 where Jesus heals the leper, the centurion’s servant and Peter’s mother-in-law.

Peter Leithart showed this passage as one of a pattern in which Matthew shows Jesus’ miracles, followed by an explanation of Jesus’ ministry and finally a “call to discipleship” If you read Matthew 8-10, you will see this pattern repeated in Matt 8:1-22, Matt 8:23-9:17 and Matt 9:18-10:42.

Within Matthew 8, we see several applications that I want to teach my own children and learn these myself.

1. Do you really believe?
The leper comes to Jesus believing he can be healed as he says, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Do you really believe God can heal your problems, whether they are physical, job-related, familial, marital, financial? Can God really heal your situation?

2. Will you help anyone in need, even the wierdos around you?
Jesus does not withdraw from the outcast. In fact, he touches the unclean. Jews at this time would have nothing to do with lepers and were usually repulsed by them. In a few short sentences, it’s difficult to convey the distain that society had for lepers.  On the other hand, Jesus shows us how we ought to treat the outcasts around us.

Does God ever place people in your life that turn your stomach? You know, you really don’t want to be around them because they are weird.

3. Will you help those who might come back & hurt you?
Not only is the leper an outcast, the centurion is also an outcast to the Jewish community. Most Jews would not help him during this time period. Think about it, the centurion is a Gentile, a Roman, a military commander (against the Jews). In the near future, he might call up his troops to destroy the Jews. Ironically, Jesus declares, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” This Roman centurion has more faith than the Jews, God’s chosen people.

Jesus heals the centurion’s servant with just a word. He knew the times were changing from Jews to Gentiles. He also elevated the Roman centurion above the Jews due to his faith.

4. Jesus is the only solution to your problems.
After these miracles are described, Matthew reminds us of Isaiah’s words.
“He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sickness.” This often refers to Christ taking your sins upon the cross, but it also refers to Jesus taking our infirmities, weaknesses and disease upon Himself.

Discipleship is not just about “you” being saved & healed; it’s about you being healed so you can go be a healer, too. When you are saved, you are caught up in Christ’s river of life. So much so, that you can’t help yourself to reach out and “heal” those in need around you.

5. What model of discipleship will you follow?
After modeling discipleship to His disciples, Matthew further explains the cost of being Christ’s discipleship. When one of his disciples asked Jesus if he could “first go and bury (his) father”, Jesus tells him to “Follow Me”. I’ve often thought this man’s dad just died and Jesus won’t even let him bury him properly. This isn’t really the case. If that man’s dad had just died, he would not be talking to Jesus but instead making funeral preparations. This disciple wanted to care for his dad in old age and then follow Jesus Christ. Taking care of the elderly was very important to Jews, so he was following the pattern of those around him.

What we learn in this story is that even good & right family obligations must be put aside to follow Jesus Christ. Following Jesus trumps all other obligations.

Are you reaching out to the outcast, those you think are weirdos in your life?
Are you modeling this so your children will help those around them, too?
Are you placing Jesus Christ above all other obligations?
Or, do you put Him on the back burner so you can give your kids the best education possible?

Discipleship Training

One of my goals in our homeschool this year is to mentor my children, instead of giving them a stack of books & workbooks to study.

When you think of mentoring, do you imagine a group of students around a teacher, spouting off words of wisdom? Many conjure up a scene with Socrates or Plato as they talk to their students. I’m sure we all have our own idea of what mentoring would look like.

I believe homeschooling is truly a mentoring process. Some homeschools look like a government classroom, with desks, posters on the wall, and a stack of textbooks to be read and examined each day.

My idea of homeschooling/mentoring is much different. Let me give you a little glimpse of mentoring in our home.

* Sitting on my daughter’s bedroom floor, discussing Dante’s Hell with both my girls – laughter included
* Sitting with my middle daughter each week, with my cup of tea, discussing the lectures and books for humanities
* Sitting on my daughter’s bed discussing which direction her research paper should go.
* Looking through support books about Jane Austen to guide my daughter with her research
* Discussing possible research topics and narrowing it down to three
* Sitting on the couch, reading about how the gospel has spread across the earth. Asking my son questions about today’s reading and past readings as he dribbles a basketball
* Sitting on the couch and looking over the shoulder of my daughter as she edits her own essay. A chance to discuss what is best.
Reading the same books my kids read silently so I can discuss them.
* Listening to my girl’s weekly lecture in the kitchen while I fix breakfast so I can discuss it with them later in the week.
* Reading & discussing the worldview of the medieveal era as we fold laundry
* Developing my child’s “interests” into a subject they can study in their high school years

Take it easy and take advantage of informal times with your kids to discuss worldview, readings, and lectures they have heard recently.

What other ways do you “mentor” your children?

Kerry

ps. Post a comment about how you mentor!!!

OK…this is probably more for girls, but some guys might like it too. This is a really cool way to  organize your note cards. I started using note cards again this summer as I read the Bible and wanted to keep a record of specific topics about leadership. I’ve also used note cards to keep track of specific ideas we are studying.

Why not make this fun organizer to keep your notes?

I’ve included a link to all the directions, as well as another picture you can see to get a great idea of how to make this organizer.

Click here to get the directions:

Organizer Directions

Just print them out and start working with your children to make a great organizer.
If you decide not to do this for your own kids, why not make one for Grandma to keep her recipe cards organized?

Blessings,

Kerry

ps. all ideas & pics from splitcoaststampers.com

The first book on my son’s reading list this year was Pride & Prejudice.  He was dreading it.

But I still remember a Sunday School teacher in Texas saying that is one of his favorite books.  Plus, one of our best friends wrote a book about Jane Austen.  The first chapter starts with something like, “Real Men Read Jane Austen”.  So, I figured he could handle it.

Well, he made it half-way through the book!

I guess that’s good, considering the murmuring around our house about the book.

Even though he didn’t finish the book, we had some great discussions.  Last night he told us he got to the part where Darcy asks Elizabeth to marry him the first time.  He went on to say that Elizabeth was just disgusting.  She made him so mad.

Well, I guess the book provoked emotion in my 14yo son.  Maybe not the same emotion my 17yo daughter & I had, but emotion nonetheless.

He went on to say that he couldn’t stand Elizabeth and the way she talked about people.  He couldn’t understand why she would say and the way she did.   I guess he hit upon some real truths about girls.

I was excited he had an opinion about the book.  When I talked to him about the book, he would barely discuss it with me.  Last night at dinner was the most lively discussion we’ve had.  That’s probably because his big sister kept quiet and let him talk about P & P for the first time.

Even if your kids don’t like a book, that’s okay.  Let them talk about it and express their feelings…especially if they are different from yours!

Kerry

ps.  What book will you be reading this week?  Will your kids have an opinion about it?

pps.  I just realized my non-reading son really does have opinions about our readings.  Just this morning, he stopped our read-aloud and asked why we had to read about geeks who liked school….We were reading about Louis Pasteur!

Hey, at least he was listening and taking it in!  Do your kids oppose your opinion?  That’s good because they are interacting with the text!

Teaching Classics

I must confess that I don’t always live up to everything I encourage you to do.

You see, my hip and lower back have been giving me problems the past 2 weeks.  Since I’ve been in pain, I haven’t been able to keep up with my reading…shame on me!  Although I’ve read some, it is usually in bed before I fall asleep with the book on my lap

I am sharing this to say that sometimes there are seasons of life when we can’t get it all done.  My plan is to get back into regular reading next week as we start a new literature book.

Hopefully, I will finish Pride & Prejudice this weekend while we are on the road.  My dd just finished it (again) yesterday.  My son only made it half-way through and I told him he could choose another book.  Even though he didn’t finish the book, he came away learning alot.  How do I know?  Read my next post!

Kerry

Mentor with classics 

As I worked on my Raising Leaders books last year, I discovered a pretty cool activity you can use with your children to encourage critical thinking.  As I read Ezekiel in my quiet times this week, I was struck by the use of metaphor.

Metaphor is foreign to most of us.  If we think of metaphors, we usually associate them with similes.  Similes compare two things with the word “like” or ‘as’. Metaphors compare two things without the word “like” or “as”.  Metaphor is a much larger idea.  When we read classics, great authors use metaphors throughout their books.

One of the reasons we don’t think in metaphor is it takes hard work.  Making comparisons between two things that appear different requires “thinking”.  Thus, my activity centers around metaphor.

Ezekiel offers several places to start.  (Or, you can find another passage)

Ezekiel 31:2-9        Compares Assyria to cedar tree
Ezekiel 32:2-9        Compares Pharaoh to young lion & sea monster
Ezekiel 34             Compares Israel to shepherds
Compares God to True Shepherd

1. Read the passage aloud to your children
2. Choose one of the items being compared.
3. Ask questions to get your children to describe the thing you choose.  For instance:  What is a cedar tree like?  How does a young lion act?  What does a good shepherd do?  I’m sure you get the idea.
4. Once your children have a picture of this animal, tree, person, etc, ask what it is compared to.
5. Ask questions to determine how these two items are similar.  For instance:  How is Pharaoh like a young lion?  How is Pharaoh like a sea monster?  How is Israel like a shepherd?
6. Draw comparisons and conclusions.  This will enlighten your children’s readings and discussions.

This is not included in my new book set.  It’s just a freebie activity for all of you to try.  Using questions is a great way to encourage your children to think on their own. If you like this type of activity, take a look at Raising Leaders, Not Followers.

Please pass this activity to other homeschoolers. If you share it on your blog, email loop or personal emails, please include the following bio:

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Kerry Beck, author of Raising Leaders, Not Followers shows you how to teach your children to think for themselves.  She wants to give you a Free Report and Free Online Workshop.  Pick them up at:   Leadership Education Homeschool Curriculum

Great Books? Classics? Worldview?

Over the past few years there has been a revival to use Great Books and classics in your homeschool. These books are wonderful in that they teach your children a variety of lessons, concepts and principles. But, is reading some of the Great Books enough? Is writing about the Great Books enough?

You may wonder why I bring up this subject. Over the past several months I’ve had conversations with homeschool parents about what they do with their older children. Since popular homeschool books and curricula suggest reading the Great Books, they begin promptly at ninth grade. Some start even sooner. If you aren’t familiar with Great Books, it is a list of the Great Books of Western Civilization. You can read more about these books at http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/100.html

My concern isn’t the fact that homeschoolers are reading the Great Books and classics of our civilization. What concerns me is how those books are used. Many of the ones that have read these books fall either boast of the number of books they’ve read as if it makes them better than others. Or, they tell me all about these books, but don’t really understand how the book lines up with Scripture.

If students aren’t taught to use a Biblical worldview as they read, I think they are coming up short. These books should be compared to Scripture, especially the Great Books because many of the Great Books are pagan. I’m not opposed to reading those books, but you must look at the thoughts, philosophies and principles within them from a Biblical perspective.

Most adults and teenagers, have a difficult time analyzing these books Biblically. That stems from the fact we were not taught how to do this when we were in school.

So, what can you do? I’d like to share a few ideas we have used to make your readings more profitable.

1. Parents Read books Along with Students – As parents, you should read the Great Books or classics at the same time your students are doing so. Don’t depend on the fact that you read these in high school. Let me tell you from my own experience, it doesn’t work. When my oldest daughter read Pride & Prejudice several years ago, I tried to discuss it by just using the Cliff Notes. It was a disaster! I really didn’t remember the story, nor could I talk to her about the lessons we could learn from this novel.

2. Daily Reading Journal – Both mom and students should keep a daily reading journal. If dad is the one reading the books with the children, he should keep a journal. At the beginning, your students will probably just re-tell what they read. Your journal should be different and discuss what you learn from those pages. Then, you can encourage your children to interact with the text by reading your jouranl entries to them. When they hear your entries with your thoughts about the readings, they will start to see a better way to write a journal entry.

3. Discuss the Books with Your Children – Once a week, discuss the classic or greata book you are reading along with your children. Have everyone bring their reading journal, so they can share what they learned from the book. The best way you can lead a discussion is by using questions. Be sure to allow plenty of silence after your questions for your children to think about the answers. Too often, parents answer their own question and don’t allow enough time to contemplate what is being asked. The best thing you can do when leading is a discussion is to never answer your own question. If no one can answer the question, pose another question to get to the matter at hand.

4. Apply Scripture to Your Readings – In your reading journal and discussion, you must bring in Scripture that agrees or disagrees with the book. As you do this, your children will begin to see the importance of analyzing all of their readings from a Biblical perspective. This is the foundation for their future. If your children can analyze books from a Christian perspective, they should be able to translate that activity to other areas of life (family, business, community politics and so forth).

My favorite time to discuss from a Biblical perspective is dinner time. Dad and Mom are both present and give a different outlook on the same situation. Don’t make this too hard. Make your discussions and Biblical applications a part of the life you already lead. Make it part of your daily activities, such as a meal time.

If drawing Biblical applications from your studies is difficult for you, I highly recommend using Gileskirk Humanities. They’ve done most of the work for you!

DON’T GIVE UP BEFORE YOU START!!!

I can probably read your mind right now. It’s saying, “That’s a lot of work! I don’t think I can do it.” I completely understand because I know it’s a ton of work. I try to do this with my own children and realized where I come short as I wrote this article.

On the other hand, it is one of the most rewarding activities I’ve done with my children. In a few short years they will not be living under my roof. Will they be prepared to live with a Biblical worldview? If I don’t work hard now, my children are the ones who will suffer later.

When your children were small, they needed you just to survive. Now that they are older, they can get by without your help. You get comfortable not being as tired with your family work. My encouragement to you is to keep working a few more years by giving your children the Biblical foundation they so desperately need for their future.

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:28-29

Work hard now with your children, through God’s might power, so you can present your children to Jesus as mature believers.

(c) Kerry Beck, 2007

Feel free to share this article, as long as you include the following bio in full.

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Kerry Beck is a wife, homeschool mom and business educator. She authors books such as Raising Leaders, Not Followers; Hop Off the Conveyor Belt; Teach Your Child “How to Think” with Mentoring, and recently published her first multi-media course, Secrets to Online Auction Success. She wants to give you a free report, “How to Get It All Done” at Christian Homeschool Curriculum