"Well Brian keeps the economy humming," I giggled to my husband as we talked late one evening. Our friend, Brian, had dropped in to show us his latest purchases that included a dart gun, a music CD, and a new amp for his guitar.

Where the money came from was a mystery. He worked for Khol's, drove a motorcycle, and lived in his own house. His checking account hovered near zero and he didn't even have a savings account.

What is a Economics?


We are told by politicians that people spending money is a sign of a "healthy economy." But is it? What is a healthy economy in God's eyes? And what is economics anyway?

Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services according to Webster's dictionary. Goods are products such as televisions, ships, jeans, jewelry, ice cream, or bikes. Services include hair styling, banking, cleaning, interior decorating, or teaching. People make, sell, and buy goods and services day in and day out. In the process of all this producing, selling, and buying, money is exchanged. That's why we study money, inflation, debt, and interest too.

You see, economics is simple. It is just studying what people make and do and how those things are sold. Daily life is full of buying things. We go to work and produce things (goods) or do things (services) to make money.

Money is constantly flowing from one place to another. Imagine the dollar bill in your purse. Where has it been? Where is it going? Maybe it was a little boy's allowance and he used it to buy a candy bar at 7-11. The cashier gave it as change to your daughter when she bought a Big Gulp. Your daughter used it to pay your husband back the dollar she owed Daddy, but then he needed larger bills and traded you all the ones and fives in his wallet for a twenty dollar bill.

Throughout all the plans, classes, and endless documentation of high school, we want to keep our eyes on our destination. Let's talk about boating.

On a boat trip, you must steer carefully, not getting too close to the sides, lest you run aground. This is accomplished by keeping our eyes on our destination (the goal!) and maintaining vigilance.

Depth

Depth of the water is important when boating. The water needs to be deep enough for the boat to glide through without touching the bottom. Spiritual depth is important in our own lives so that we can impart our faith to our beloved children and receive grace to homeschool for the glory of God. We also need to maintain vigilance about the depth of our children's walks with the Lord. Doing certain "normal" teenage things (like dual enrolling or joining the church youth group) require a depth in their walk with the Lord that will withstand the temptations that assault our teens in these situations.

Steer Clear of Obstacles

"Mrs. Rachel Lynde lived just outside where the Avonlea main road dipped down into a little hollow, fringed with Alders and Ladies' Eardrops and traversed by a brook that had its source away back in the woods of the old Cuthbert place; it was reputed to be an intricate, headlong brook in its earlier course through those woods, with dark secrets of pool and cascade; but by the time it reached Lynde's Hollow, it was a quiet, well-conducted little stream, for not even a brook could run past Mrs. Rachel Lynde's door without due regard for decency and decorum; it probably was conscious that Mrs. Rachel was sitting at her window, keeping a sharp eye on everything that passed, from brooks and children up, and that if she noticed anything odd or out of place she would never rest until she had ferreted out the whys and wherfores thereof," (Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, opening paragraph)

From the moment we read this paragraph, we are hooked! To the little town of Avonlea we go, across the Lake of Shining Waters, greeting beloved folk, especially the inhabitants of Green Gables. Literature takes us to delightful places such as Prince Edward Island.

All people in all places around the world love stories. It must be because our Creator is the Master Storyteller and we live in anticipation of His final climax: His Glorious Return and the final destruction of our enemy and all those in his bondage. As we gather together with extended family, there are always stories, "I remember when I met your mother..." "The first time he ever..." "When I was your age...." Once we hear the beginning of a good story, we are hooked, wanting to hear the rest of the tale.

We teach our children to read so that they can read the Bible, drawing closer to their Savior and Redeemer, Jesus. That is the most important reason. We also want them to read to learn. They will read all kinds of writing that brings knowledge and information. There is a third reason we teach our children to read: we give them a passport. This passport can take them on any adventure they would like to embark on, to places where they can meet people they've dreamed of meeting, or to any place in the entire world, real or imaginary.

When children are young, teach them to value reading as a treat and privilege--something they look forward to! If your child is always having to write a book report or read books he doesn't like, reading may not be a great joy in his life. If television is always on, he will most likely choose it because watching television is a passive activity that requires no mental exertion! Remove the computer and the television as competitors by limiting their use. You might have television-free and computer-free hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

I read The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman when I was a sophomore in college. This book changed my life! I have my children read it in high school for one of their Bible classes. It is a book that I would like to see more Christians read, especially homeschooling parents. Robert, born in 1928, grew up in Texas, attending a Methodist church. He pastored for six years and moved into teaching. He has a Masters in Theology from Princeton, a PhD from the University of Iowa, and a Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity International University. His writing style is academic, but don't let them keep you from reading this book.

Along the way, Dr. Coleman became convinced that schools were not the answer to raising up mighty men of God. He carefully studied the life of Jesus, coming to the conclusion that Jesus knew exactly what He was doing in laying a foundation for the Church. Dr. Coleman values Jesus' pattern of ministry and embraces it in his own life.

Jesus spent His life calling people to repent and believe while healing the sick and injured, performing all kinds of miracles, and teaching His beloved people. However, He invested in a small group of men, His disciples. These He gave focused time and attention to for three years. He imparted to them truth and modeled a lifestyle that they could imitate. What a blessing to take a closer look at the life of Jesus!

The Body of Christ is called to fulfill the Great Commission by spreading the good news, leading people to Christ, and making disciples. We are called to evangelism. But, Dr. Coleman wants to make it clear that Jesus' definition of evangelism is broader than our own and involves mentoring people to a place of maturity.

_  "Hi, Mom. How was your meeting?"

"Well, it didn't go quite as I had planned?' I answered my middle daughter, Jenny-Rose, a senior in high school.

"I'm so sorry," she replied empathetically. "What happened?"

"If you don't mind, I don't want to rehash it. Needless to say, there were several people who did not see eye to eye and the meeting had many awkward moments."

"Can I pray for you?"

"Yes, thank you, Rosie. Please!"

Yes, this is a real conversation that took place in our home. My Rosie is gentle and sweet, noticing when I need some encouragement. When she is discouraged, we talk and I pray for her. I have four daughters and we all pour our hearts out to one another. There is always one of us girls who needs to talk and another who is willing to listen.

Strong relationships are built upon healthy communication. How can we improve communication with our teens?

Put a Tent on Their Forehead

_ "Place a ten on their forehead," Pastor Mike was explaining. "Let people know that on a scale of one to ten, they rate a ten in your eyes. When you look at your children, picture a ten on their forehead."

Laura had a puzzled look on her face.

"Is something wrong?" my husband asked.

"Well, I understand your point, but I don't see how picturing a tent on Zack's forehead will help me value him more," Laura answered referring to her son.

We all laughed and, to this day, we speak of putting a tent on someone's forehead.

Place value on your teens! Let them know that they are A-#1 in your eyes. Remind them over and over of how much joy and blessing they bring to your life.

Speak Respectfully to your Teens

Treat your teens with respect as people. Thank them, apologize to them, and honor them whenever it is appropriate to do so. Try saying, "Would you please take out the garbage?" instead of "Are you ever going to get this garbage out?" Talk to your children they way you would talk to friends that you really admire.

Respect is really a heart issue. No matter how hard we try to cover it up and how good of a job we think we are doing, teens can always tell when you are frustrated with them. The only way to overcome frustration and anger is to go to the Lord and keep praying until His love floods your soul!

Control your Voice Level

I am sorry to tell you that often, when God's children are in trouble it's because they have ignored their Heavenly Father.

If only we had paid attention to the Lord's commands and plan, we would find ourselves in a different place.

We have a hard time listening to the Lord because we have our own plans and our own agenda. Sometimes we hear from the Lord and know God's plan for our lives but we run ahead of God's, wanting to do His will in our timing rather than His plan in His time.
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Everybody knows the story of Daniel and his friends in Daniel chapter one. He resolved not to defile himself with the unclean food of the Babylonians because he was a servant of the Lord. The guard agreed to let Daniel and his friends eat a different diet that would honor the God of Israel.

"At the end of ten days they look healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away the choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. To these four men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds," (Daniel 1:15-17 NIV).

Daniel's Choice Leads to Blessing

Not only did God bless these young men spiritually who had resolved not to defile themselves, but he also gave them knowledge and understanding of literature and learning. If we want to raise smart and godly kids, there is only one way to do it!  Resolve to not defile them with the world's ways, but instead always seek first the Kingdom of God. The Lord always blesses those whose hope is set on Him!

Our Ministry

There are so many benefits of reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God.

Benefits of God's Word

When we meditate on God's Word, the result is bearing fruit, prospering, and health (Psalm 1).

When we meditate on God's Word day and night, obeying God's Word, we will experience success (Joshua 1).

The Bible has the power to change our lives! When we memorize verse and passages, we are able to avoid sin (Psalm 119:9-11).

We need to "wash with water" through the Word. Scripture washes away the crud in our lives (Ephesians 5:25-27).