The Renaissance was a rebirth of Classical Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture that took place mostly in Southern Europe. 

The Reformation was a spiritual rebirth that took place in hearts as they rediscovered the Truth found in Scripture: Salvation through Faith alone. The Reformation took place mostly in Northern Europe. 

As these earth-shaking movements were happening across Europe, men were bravely sailing to the New World.

​What an exciting time to study! How thrilling to see God moving through time and history to glorify Jesus and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth!
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Thought to be inspired by the Swedish Crown of Lights. An Advent wreath is a wreath with five candles. There are four purple candles place evenly around the wreath and one white candle in the middle. You don’t hang this wreath up. It sits on a table.

Families light one purple candle the first Sunday of Advent after devotions. The second Sunday of Advent, they light two candles, the third three, and the fourth all four purple candles. Advent wreaths are used in many churches, including Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, Anglican, and Roman Catholic churches also. Families usually do the devotions and lighting before dinner and let the candle burn during the meal.

Each candle is symbolic. The first candle represents hope. You can sing O Holy Night.

Jesus, You are our Hope! Please guide us and protect us in trials and difficulties. Our hope is in You! Amen.

The second candle represents peace. The second week both candles are lit and prayers of hope and peace are prayed. You can sing Silent Night.

Jesus, You are our peace. We are right with a Holy God and we have peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ because of what you have done. Please bring your peace to our hearts, homes, churches, and the world. Amen.

Should I re-title this article?" I thought to myself, "Because everyone I know thinks that they don't make enough money. They will read the title and think that there is no way they can live below their means."

Is this an impossible dream or can people on less-than-desirable incomes live below their means? This is an important concept to address because it is one of the secrets to financial success, along with seeking the Kingdom first and delaying gratification.

If you are living beyond your means, you have accumulated debt because you are spending more than you earn. If you have debt, becoming debt free will necessitate you living below your means and using the extra money to pay off debt. It always costs more money to be in debt, so get rid of the debt and begin to live below your means.

Taking the Second Step in Financial Maturity

"Well, we live within our means," you might say. "We have no debts, but we have a hard time saving any money." That is a good step toward the goal of living below your means, but it isn't good enough. You see, if you are living within your means, you have nothing saved up for your retirement and nothing left over to give away (I'm not talking about tithing--that should be done first!).

To live in financial freedom, we must learn to live below our income. The extra money we find can go to our savings account for future purchases and investments. The eventual goal for the Christian is to be dependent on no one, but to pull our own weight, financially and otherwise. We also want to be able to give to the poor.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each of us should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each should carry his own load," (Galatians 6:2-5 NIV).

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to sing! What better way to thank God than to sing Him a song.

There are so many ways to praise God. We can dance, shout, speak, declare, lift our hands, and rejoice. But, almost all of those worship commands are coupled with God's call for us to sing Him a song.

So, what are some great worship songs and hymns to sing at Thanksgiving?

Here are some worship songs we love to sing at our church at Thanksgiving. I love to sing these in my Quiet Times.

Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving worship songs.

Give Thanks (Henry Smith ©1970)
Blessed be Your Name (Matt Redman ©2003)
Let Everything that Has Breath (Matt Redman ©1999)
Desert Song (Brooke Fraiser/Hillsong ©2008

Would you like to listen to them? And then it's on to hymns.

We talked about God's abundance in Extravagant Living I. Remember that God owns it all, He wants it all, and He is more than faithful. We also decided to let Christ speak through provision and lack of provision. Let's talk some more about enjoying the lavish blessings of the Lord. I want to enjoy extravagant living!

Stick with the Plan

"It would make more financial sense to let the bank foreclose on my house," my friend, Jack declared and went on to explain why.

"What do you think?" Amy asked, glancing at me when Jack was finished with his logical reasoning.

"It's a lack of integrity," I replied immediately. Christians pay off their debts and keep their word.

Financial principles don't change with the times or economic cycles. They are consistent. God wants us to have integrity, keeping our word and commitments in all areas of life, including finances. If we borrow money, promising to pay it back, then we pay that money back. Our yes is yes!

God's methods of handling finances work! But, more importantly, they are His commands to be obeyed. Don't forget His principles for managing money.

• Tithe first
• Hard work is God's method of provision
• Give generously of time, resources, talent, and money
• Stick to a budget
• Be kind to the poor
• Save for the future
• Care for family's needs, including older relatives (not government's responsibility)
• Invest wisely

Trust God

"Look at this baby book!" I grabbed Laura's arm and pulled her over to the table with the baby book on display.

Laura, who was gazing at science curriculum, reluctantly allowed herself to be dragged away. We were at the FPEA Homeschool Convention in May, 2008 at the vendors' hall.

"Look! It's a baby book for Jesus! Is that not the cutest thing in the whole world?" I cooed, picking it up and flipping through the pages. "Look, it says "Before Jesus was born, he was creating the world!" and this page says, "Here are the gifts baby received..." And, here is a page about His parents, God and Mary."

By now, Laura was interested. We scanned through the book several times, and, of course, I had to buy the unit study.

Celebrate the Savior by Charlene Notgrass is a Bible Study with history and crafts. There are craft projects and creative writing assignments. The children make two booklets: a Baby Book for Jesus and a Christmas Traditions around the World booklet. With fifteen lessons on the birth and life of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, this book is a great way to teach your children about Christmas!


Celebrate the Savior is a unit study that begins with a closer look at the birth of Christ Jesus our Savior revealed in Scripture and progresses into a look at the history of Christmas celebrating and traditions. Bible, history, geography, writing, music, and art are covered in this unit.

When I first heard the term apologetics, I immediately thought of apologizing. It sounded like Christians were saying, "I'm sorry for what I believe." But the term apologetics refers to intellectually defending the faith. As believers in Jesus, we are commanded to give a reason for the hope that we have, to answer the intellectual questions of our day. The Bible does have an answer for the questions the world is asking.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of your slander," (I Peter 3:15-16NIV).

Teens Defend Their Faith

People will ask you and your Christian teenager questions such as "Why do you believe the Bible?" or "Why do you think Christianity is the only right way to believe?" Is your teen ready to answer those questions? Maybe you are thinking, "Golly, I'm not ready to answer those questions." That's okay. You and your teen can learn together.

Where do we start in teaching our teens to defend their faith? Set apart Christ as Lord. Set Him aside as the Supreme Master of your life and home. Whatever He says goes! His Word is Truth. His commands are obeyed. He is the One we live to please, not the world, our friends, or our college professors.

Training

Next, we receive preparation or training so that we can be prepared to give an answer to those who ask. This preparation can be in the form of a class with you or your spouse. There are many wonderful books available on the subject of apologetics such as More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell or Know Why You Believe by Paul E. Little. My husband taught an apologetics Sunday School class that we have adapted for our teens. It covers the following topics.

• Reality and Uniqueness of the Bible
• Creation and the Evolution Scam
• The Flood
• Archeology
• Prophecies of Cities' Destruction
• Prophecies of the Coming Messiah
• The Trilema: Is Jesus, Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?
• Jesus' Resurrection

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment," (I Timothy 6:17 NIV).

God Owns it All!

We look at our financial situation with a standard of living in mind to make us happy. We pursue financial goals using biblical principles. We tithe, give, stick to a budget, and stay out of debt so that we can enjoy an affluent lifestyle. When we struggle financially, we are surprised and, often, angry.

God has a different perspective, being more concerned about our character than our comfort. He is forming Christ in us. In His eyes, everything belongs to Him and He can do as He chooses. We belong to Him, our money belongs to Him, and our stuff belongs to Him. His heart is to use these things for His glory.

God's heart is also to bless us! He gives us things to richly enjoy, lavishing us with good gifts! He has the freedom to do what is best in our lives, without asking our permission. Our family's standard of living has remained consistent throughout our married life while our income has varied greatly. When there is more month at the end of the money, the Lord provides supernaturally.

God Wants it All!

Extravagant living begins with surrender. Acknowledge that everything you are and everything you own is His. He doesn’t not want competition in your heart. Fully surrender to His Lordship!

Extravagant living is not what we have, but what is in our hearts. A surrendered heart bubbles with joy.

God is More than Faithful!

"The cheerful heart has a continuous feast!"  (Proverbs 15:15 NIV).

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones," (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).

Okay! It's time to share my deep dark homeschooling secrets with you! There are many!  Here are my confessions!

I don't fix breakfast for my children. Yep, it's true. As soon as my children leave the high chair, they are on their own for breakfast. If they want a hot meal they have to pull a stool up to the stove and cook it themselves or bribe an older sibling. My children don't even realize that there are mothers in the world who cook breakfast!

I would rather be shot in the head than teach my teenagers to drive. There! I admitted it! My children are all great drivers, but I am a terrible passenger. By the time we have backed out of the driveway, I am ready to be committed to a psychiatric hospital. I beg and plead with my husband to teach the children to drive. They seem to like learning from him better, anyway. Go figure.

There are millions of paper piles around my house. When I get rid of one, ten more take its place. My heart is to keep my home neat and tidy. File folders in the untold millions are labeled and in file cabinets, but still these piles appear! You can tell where I am and where I've been--just follow the paper piles.

A day at the beach by any other name is a field trip. Yes, it's true. I have put away the school books, loaded up the minivan, and driven over to the Florida coast for a day in the sun. Forgetting my cares, and sometimes my name, I have fallen sound asleep while the kids play in the sand and body surf in the waves. Sometimes they look for shells or capture poor innocent sea animals. I will go home, lather on aloe, and convince my husband that we went on a field trip.  "The field trip was a nature study on marine life." I can look my husband straight in the eye and say this. He begins to have doubts after the tenth nature study on marine life in one school year.

Technology is a necessary evil in the world we live in, but it is not my cup of tea. There are too many remotes in my house to understand what each one does, so I can't even turn on the  DVD player by myself.  I don't even like mechanical pencils. My computer can do fifty million things that I can't even comprehend, let alone make them happen. I force myself to learn one new thing each year on my computer. One year I learned that you can hit "reply to all" and respond to EVERYONE at the same time. It was a miracle and changed my life. This year I've already learned three new things--I'm way overwhelmed!

Starting a project is more fun than finishing one. Things are much more fun at the beginning of the adventure than when it is winding down. I have millions of unfinished sewing projects, novels, craft projects, and songs that I have never finished. Likewise, I enjoy the beginning of the school year more than the end. I love the fresh new start when we are eager to begin again after a long break. By February, I'm counting the days until summer.

When I was pregnant, I always fell asleep while homeschooling the other children. I would try so hard to keep my eyes open, but he minute I started reading aloud, I lulled myself right to sleep. Once the baby was born, nursing my new little one would put me to sleep too! It was so amazing when I weaned my youngest son. Two months later, I woke up one morning and, for the first time in twelve years, I had energy! It was wonderful! I don't fall asleep anymore while I homeschool. Now I fall asleep watching movies.

My children would rather play than do their schoolwork. They are not as eager to learn as all the self-motivated children in the homeschool books I've read. My children actually complain about school sometimes and I've had to discipline them for complaining. In the books I've read homeschooled children discover new stars, invent computer software, and rake lawns for all the elderly citizens in the town where they live. My children are just normal children, but I do like them!

I don't use math manipulatives--they are too much trouble. Yes, I own them, but I find that dragging them out of their special box onto the table to show my children a visual demonstration is just too much for me to handle. So, though I believe that hands-on math is the best way to learn, my children use workbooks with brightly colored pictures instead.

"The American people have spoken," I heard over and over on election night. I wondered just exactly what the American people had said. I realized how polarized our nation was as many states came down to the wire. Of course, Wyoming, Texas, and other staunchly conservative states voted overwhelmingly Republican and more liberal states like Massachusetts and New York were strongly Democratic. Our state, Florida was a close call. 

The election results made me sad. Not just another four years with Obama who has led us straight to socialized medicine, economic ruin, and unfathomable debt, but I grieved over the amendments passed throughout the nation. Socialized medicine was held up here in Florida. Colorado legalized recreational drug use. Surprised these things were on the ballot? No. Surprised at the results? Yes. 

Where is the America Dream?

I grieved all day Wednesday. I don't recognize this nation anymore. I remember a speech my friend, Kathy gave in high school at an Optimist Club oratorical contest. It was on the American Dream. She was amazing and won the night! Like most young people, I didn't pay attention to the message, only the delivery. She looked pretty and spoke well. 

"Like a lamb led to the slaughter," I kept hearing in my mind. People, so foolish, think they can get something for nothing. Promised the moon, they will end up with only an illusion. Voters will lose far more than they will gain. 

National Sovereignty

Socialism is about more than high tax brackets. It is about the loss of national sovereignty, the loss of freedom, the destruction of the Constitution. 

All socialists believe in one world government. Do we really want to cash in national sovereignty. Do we really want to surrender our freedom to the federal government? We are on a path of destruction. Does no one see? This is far more than economic woes and higher taxes (though they will come in full force!). Individual rights will cease to exist. Yes, they will disappear slowly and many will not even notice. 

Corruption of Power

I gave my heart to Christ at the age of sixteen. I love Him and would lay down my life for Him. He is my boss. I trust Him completely to make wise decisions with my best interest at heart. I do not trust the federal government to make decisions with my best interest at heart. I do not want the federal government to be my provider either. I already have one. I do expect the federal government to provide me a justice system and a strong military that will defend the nation should we be attacked by a foreign government. 

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We are giving more and more power to the federal government, With that power comes more and more corruption because power is like a drug--you just want more and more. Giving more power to the federal government will mean less freedom for families, businesses, educators, and individuals. 

With great sorrow, I still commit myself to honor our president and do my best to be a responsible American. I trust in God's sovereignty, in His discipline.   

Now, I mourn the loss of the American Dream. There is no Canadian Dream, no Venezuelan Dream, no Dutch Dream. Good-bye American Dream, hello American Nightmare. 

We can get a handle on everything in our lives, except finances and chocolate. Why is that?

Chocolate, smooth and creamy, stimulates endorphins and satisfies our need for sugar and iron. How can anyone doubt the life is good when biting into a rich dark chocolate bar? Yes, it is fattening and yes, it is full of "bad fats." But, really, who can resist it? It even looks tempting. 

Money, on the other hand, is not that pretty, and doesn't taste good. Ah, you say, but look what money buys. Well, there you have it. Money, in our  minds, represents, all that can be purchased with it from homes to trips, from clothes to chocolate. There is little, we believe, that money cannot buy.

What Money Can Buy

Money is important because we use it to purchase things we need to stay alive, warm, and dry, such as food, clothing, rent, and gas for our car. The things that make life easier, such as cars, cell phones, computers, and CD players cost money too. And most of our dreams and desires (trips, business ideas, dates with our husband, conferences) cost money too.

We can't seem to get away with money, so if we struggle with money management, we can't just stay away from money. An alcoholic can avoid liquor, bars, and parties where hard drinks are served. However, a glutton, can't just avoid food for the rest of her life, she must learn self-control. A glutton wants more food than her body needs.

Many of us are money-gluttons. We want more money than we need.

What Money Can't Buy

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that," (I Timothy 6:6-8NIV)

God tells us, in His Word, that food and clothing are enough, that we can be content is we are fed and clothed. Wow! That doesn't even include shelter. I believe that God wants to bless us with so many good things. He wants to give us homes, cars, cell phones, computers, vacations, and neat gadgets. But we don't wait for him to give us anything before we are out, in our own strength, grabbing for all that we can get.

Nutritionists tell us that if we eat healthy most of the time, we can splurge a little once in awhile. But, the American diet is like a continual feast with tons of rich food consumed on a regular basis. Feasting is not a rare thing, but a common way of life.

"We are just starting out," the young woman informed me with shining eyes. I thought that she was a high school homeschooler with her fresh smile and "girl-next-door" looks.

I smiled to myself remembering those days. Was I ever a young mom who didn't need to reach for her reading glasses to check a writing paper or look at the numbers to explain a math problem? How wonderful those early years were when we enjoyed making volcanoes of papermache and going to the zoo for a field trip.

"I need all the wisdom I can get," my new young friend interrupted my thoughts.

"Well, have I got a book for you!"

Though I have read many books on homeschooling over the past twenty years, this was my first time reading The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell (sent to me by Apologia Press to review).

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell is an honest look at homeschooling from a mom whose run the race with joy and success! You will like Debra. She is honest and insightful. She doesn't sugarcoat homeschooling. Debra and her husband, Kermit, have four children, all homeschool grads. Saved in college, Debra never envisioned herself homeschooling, but she saw good fruit in the lives of homeschooled children in her church. This led her to pursue homeschooling for her own family.

Debra homeschooled her children and built friendships with other homeschooling families. She mentions the support group, coop, and homeschooling friends in her book over and over. As she mentions her family, you can tell that she values relationships. Her lives, and the lives of her children, have been changed in these relationships.

Reading this book was not only a time of equipping for me, it was like having tea with a kindred spirit who loves homeschooling too! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, "meeting" Debra, and hope that you will consider reading it too.

Here are some topics that Debra covers in her guide to homeschooling. She covers these topics realistically, practically, and honestly.

• Advantages of Homeschooling
• Ingredients of a successful homeschooling
• Relationships
• Learning Styles
• Husband's role in homeschooling
• Choosing curriculum
• Home management
• Scheduling
• Can I homeschool my kids?
• Testing
• Support Groups
• Setting up a learning environment
• Preventing burnout
• Lesson planning
• Computers

There is a constant reminder to make learning relevant to real life. Learn computer skills with blogging. Start a family business to learn about economics and business. Learn about government and politics by participating in an election campaign.

 She also has many suggestions to avoid burnout such as the following:

• Raise your children to be independent learners
• Teach your children to be responsible and work around the house
• Go on some fantastic, fun field trips
• Plug into a support group or coop

Raising the Reluctant Learner

So many things tug at my heart strings and make me open my wallet to donate to a worthy cause. But no matter how desperate a situation is painted, I never vote for a tax increase. Why? Because I have yet to see the government use its money wisely and with integrity. 

The government needs money to exist, to fulfill its role.  I do not have a problem with paying taxes. My problem is with the way the government handles my money and how  much money it wants to take from me. 

Accountability

When our Constitution was written, a system of checks and balances was put into place to keep one section of the government from acquiring too much power. The voice of the American people, through voting, is one way for the American people to say to government at every level, "Enough is enough."

Government officials, and the way those officials spend money, needs to be held up to scrutiny. This is our money folks, money that we have worked hard for. Are you happy with the way the government spends your tax dollars?

Lavish Spending

From my perspective, there is a lot of government waste. People joke about it, but it annoys me. People wasting money the way the government does would be fired in the business world. It doesn't matter whether they are Republicans or Democrats, they are all guilty of spending more than is needed, sending money home to their states or counties whether it is a prudent decision or not. 

Spend It or Lose It

In government work, thriftiness and cutting costs are not rewarded. If you don't spend all the money the government gives you in one year, you receive less the next year. This results in people "spending up their money" in a fiscal year to make sure that there is more next year. I would like to see cutting waste rewarded in some way. 

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone pays for every government program that exists. That someone is the hardworking tax-payer. If the government (federal, state, or local) is going to spend money on something, then it should spend that money wisely and as prudently as possible. After all, it is not their own money they are spending. 

Whose Money Is It?

There is a mind-set in many, not all politicians that tax dollars rightfully belong to them. I do not find a tax rate of 5% hard to manage, but I do find it quite upsetting that Washington D.C. takes up to 35% of people's income, as well as taxing their property, clothing, gas, school supplies, etc. How much money is left in an American's pocket after the government has finished taxing it?

I appreciate our "Tax-Free Days" in Florida that help parents save money when getting ready for school. I would like to see more examples of government leaving money in people's pockets. 

I would not buy an alcoholic a drink. Sure, he might get the drink elsewhere, but I don't want to participate in his destructive behavior. Let the government take some steps in the right direction and I may reconsider my stand. But until then, I will give money to private charities, but will always vote against tax increases.

God Bless America!
And God Bless the American Taxpayer!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)