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In an older post of mine on the Public Schools, former homeschooler and a friend of mine, Amanda, posted an interesting comment worthy of consideration, thought, and a response.

“Personally, I am all for Public Schooling, and I fully plan on putting my children into public schools! (I bet you’re having a heart attack right now [I did in Tennessee--thanks Amanda...appreciated that. Lost some sleep over this one.] I went to public school for elementary and I would never change that–I loved it! I believe it really did help make me who I am. I had amazing teachers (many of whom were Christian ladies, just like many other schools across the country.) I also believe that the Public Schools area mission field. I regret not going to Public Schools because of that. I believe I missed a HUGE chance to witness to many of my teen peers. I think of being out in California again, when you saw that group of guys, one of whom was wearing a big hat. After talking to them you realized they were Christians [or new believers I might add]. I think the same thing could be very much applied to the Public Schools. You see a group of guys and you get to know them, then you throw out Jesus. There you go–pure witnessing at it’s best…among peers. Heck yes, it would be hard because people would think you were stupid and would hate you…but what about those few, that because you went to Public Schools, became Christians because of the example you set? Public Schools are our mission fields sitting right in our backyards!”

I’ll be honest–and nice. I’m afraid that Amanda is mistaken in numerous points of her argument above. The following examination is not an attack, but an exhortation to follow the Scripture and to do what God says–not the Public Schools, not the government, and certainly not me personally. I’m basing this on God’s word, quotes, facts, lists, and statistics.

By the end I hope you’ll at least send your children to Christian school.

I won’t go too deep into examining the first part of your comment, but I did notice you inserted that you had many teachers who were Christians “just like at many other schools across the country.” That’s a somewhat general statement, without a lot of backup evidence. But it may point to the fact that a Christian teacher can have a whole lot more impact on students that a Christian student can have among his or her peers.

It’s a myth to say that students are “missionaries” in public schools. Nowhere in Scripture does it point to teen missionaries–they were always adults.

You brought up the group of guys that I witnessed to out in California. Pretty good point–the only problem was that it was I, the homeschooler, who witnessed to those guys. I’m not bragging, just pointing out that we must remember who went up and talked to them. It wasn’t a public school student. I wonder why?

“Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals.”

Students may have good intentions, but being around bad character DOES corrupt good morals. It’s easier to pull someone into the swimming pool that it is to pull someone out. As I stated above, Scripture points to adult missionaries–hence Christian teachers, Christian board members, etc. Christian adults must be the missionaries in the Public School system.

You may still heartily disagree with me. So let’s move on to the 6 or more hours when you’re not “evangelizing.” Your curriculum.

It’s time for total immersion in the socialist and humanistic curriculum that you and your family is fighting and teaching against. It’s teaching your peers atheism–reversing whatever you share with them. And who is able to change that curriculum? Adults. Not you.

You must deal with all of this:

CHRISTIANITY vs. HUMANISM

Christianity: The Sovereignty of the triune God is the starting point, and this God speaks through His infallible word.

Humanism: The sovereignty of man and the state is the starting point, and it is the word of scientific, elite men, which we must heed.

Christianity: We must accept God as God. He alone is Lord.

Humanism: Man is his own god, choosing or determining for himself what constitutes good and evil.

Christianity: God’s Word and Person is Truth.

Humanism: Truth is pragmatic and existential: it is what we find works and is helpful to us.

Christianity: Education is into God’s truth in every realm.

Humanism: Education is the self-realization and self-development of the child.

Christianity: Education is discipline under a body of truth. This body of truth grows with much research and study, but truth is objective and God-given. We begin by pre-supposing God and His Word.

Humanism: Education is freedom from restraint and from any idea of truth outside us. We are the standard, not something outside us.

Christianity: Godly standards grade us. We must measure up to them. The teacher grades the pupil.

Humanism: The school and the world must measure up to the pupil’s needs. The pupil grades the teacher.

Christianity: Man’s will, and the child’s will, must be broken by God’s purpose. Man must be remade, reborn by God’s grace.

Humanism: Society must be broken and remade to man’s will, and the child’s will is sacred.

Christianity: Man’s problem is sin. Man must be recreated by God.

Humanism: Man’s problem is society. Society must be recreated by man.

Christianity: The family is God’s basic institution.

Humanism: The family is obsolete. The individual or the state is basic.

Talk about heresy alert.

“I am afraid,” said Martin Luther, “That the schools will prove [to be] the very gates of hell unless they diligent ally labor in the explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of our youth.”

It’s kind of hard to compete between 40 hours or so of humanistic teaching versus two hours at church. Who’s going to win the battle of the mind? Even those who seem firm in their faith are at huge risk. No matter what, they will come out tainted by the teachings. Anyone can be convinced a lie is truth if the lie is told enough times.

And that’s not all–if you send you kids to school they encounter drugs, violence, tolerance, possible abuse, sexual promiscuity, evolution, no absolute values, and the degrading of Christianity, which you teach them at home and at church.

Who to believe? You or the School System?
Continue Reading…

First of all, let me apologize for not posting and not telling any of you where or what I’m doing. I’m sitting here in front of my computer, and I can’t tell you what I’m doing, other than the fact that I’m writing this post. Regenerate Our Culture and Square Talk Radio have been taking my time, but I really believe it will be worth it.

Our up and coming Square Talk Episode will be featuring, well, I probably won’t tell you. Let’s just say he’s probably going to end up being our most popular guest who will answer your questions on the issue of evolution. If you have any specific questions, call my “odeo” down on the sidebar under “Contact” and leave a message.

For now, here is some good reading for you:
A Good Post by none other than Karen Kovaka.
The Rebelution is coming to Orlando if you haven’t heard. I certainly hope to be in attendance!

Quote(s) of the day:

Sargeant York once said: “The Fear of God makes a hero; the fear of man makes a coward.”

Elizabeth Braun: “Dear Lord, Thank you for this pop tart. Even though it’s full of just sugar. Make it healthy for my body somehow. Amen.” All I can say is “amen” to that one too.

**Update 3**: Sorry about not being quite on top of the news. Busy afternoon yesterday, and another busy day today. But, believe me, it’s worth missing a little exciting news. If you hadn’t heard, which is improbable, Abdul will be released (hopefully). Here’s the link.

**Update 2**: “They want to sentence me to death and I accept it,” says Abdul, “but I am not a deserter and not an infidel. I am a Christian which means I believe in the Trinity.”

Awesome.

**Update**: Okay, just in case you hadn’t heard, the Afghan government is calling Abdul “crazy and unfit for trial.” Sure. Of course. I mean, seriously, anyone who says they are anything other than muslim is crazy. Now that’s a message to send to the world!

Please be in prayer for this man. Pray that he will not denounce his faith because he is facing death. Pray that peace will come over him, and that his faith will be strengthened. Pray that he truly is saved.

Jaqui at Unconformed has a great roundup on this issue, which is a fantastic reminder to those of us who live with relatively no persecution. Certainly not persecution like this. I think it must make us wonder why we are not being persecuted, and it must make us ask ourselves whether or not we are willing to die for our faith.

The post that I had decided to write today was about technology and the ever-present temptation to waste all of our time on it, and to dive into false “fun” on the internet, wasting our days away with MySpace and instant messaging. But, ironically, that post was deleted accidentally. Got to love technology.

But it reminded me of a few things. First of all, our lives can be like the text file. They can be suddenly gone in an instant, never to be seen again on the screen of our computers, or rather, on earth. James tell us that we
are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

That really hits home, especially for many of us who are in our teens. Our lives seems to stretch out ahead of us, and the possibilities seem endless. It’s as if we’ll never face death. But we will, and it’s real, and it’s coming faster than some of us know. I really think that needs to remind us that we don’t have all the time in the world to serve Christ with all of our lives. That’s why I’ve started right now. I’m not going to waste this time I have now. I once read in a book where the author exhorted the young men reading the book to take advantage of their youth, because it fades quickly. And I’ve really strived to take that to heart, because I really don’t want to take the strength that I have now for granted. I want to be fully used by the Lord, no matter how old I am. I believe that I can be used of God just as much as someone who has a doctorate degree in theology. God can, and will, use me if I allow him to. And I want to allow Him to use me right now.

Another thing that the deletion of that blog post reminded me of sort of ties in with what I just said. Many of us throw our lives away so quickly, and in an instant we’re serving other gods. Television, relationships, computers, sports, you name it. Our minds can quickly delete God, and put a completely new file into our minds. We’re writing our story based on relationships, and not based upon God. We need to be willing to remove those distractions and focus on God.

Now, I realize there is a time and there is a place for relationships, sports, etc. But we need to make sure that our priorities are right.

1. God is always number one.
2. Family is always number two.
3. Then comes the other things…

We need to constantly evaluate our priorities in an effort to make sure our focus in on God. Like I said in Regenerate Our Culture’s Online Magazine, “So many of us have no will to live to the best of our ability, and without that will we cannot change the world around us. We can’t be in the top 5% of the greats, because with no will, and no focus, we cannot make a difference.”

The question is, are you willing to dedicate your life fully to God, no matter what your age is, or are you holding back because of distractions in your life? What are those distractions? Why are they first on your priority list instead of God?

I don’t know about you, but many times I’ve wondered how real God is. Sometimes I have been tempted to doubt that he cares about everything in our lives, even the very small things. But it seems that each and every time that I begin to wonder and doubt, I receive a resounding answer to my prayers asking God how real he truly is.

This resounding answer always tells me that God really does have a purpose, and he really does have a plan for my life, and for yours. I truly believe that total surrender will lead to a place where God wants you. It will help all of us realize that God is Who He said He is, and that he cares about everything, whether it be your career choice, the house you’re going to buy, the small investment you are going to make, or your schoolwork. God knows and cares about those things.

I thank God for showing me that he is a God who is here with us. He’s not just some force floating around in space or a Santa Claus figure throwing gifts or firy coal at us. He is Emmanuel, God with us, whether we feel like He is with us or not.

So, which teens are blogging on Terri Schiavo? Check it out:

Kaitlin from Mission Amare starts us off.

Chloe at Catch Word has her post up.

Kiersten P. from the Politically INcorrect Zone shares her post with us.

Jennifer from Jennifer’s Musings posts on Terri.

Karen Kovaka from the Rhetorical Response has her post up. Quite and interesting title: Men Without Chests.

Spunky Jr. posts on Terri Schiavo as well.

Some guy named Tim Sweetman has blogged on the subject as well.

The Rebelution has a post up. They are also the designers of the above header.

Travis the Bloggin’ Boy Scout sends us on a trip back into his archives. Interesting stuff.

David Ketter gives us his repost. It’s amazing to look back in your archives one year.

Niroveka sends in her post on remembering Terri.

Jaqui at Unconformed also alerts us to her post on Terri.

The posts are still coming in, so don’t worry about being “late.” I’ll continue updating this post over the weekend.

It was only one year ago today that it happened. Really, it’s hard to believe that’s true, but it is. Terri Schiavo’s life is a reminder to us how precious each of days are, and how quickly it can be taken–or stolen–from us. The day Terri’s tube was taken away from her and she was starved to death is a hard and sorrowful thing to remember. It makes you shut your eyes and bury your head into your hands wondering why something like this could happen, and how many times it has happened without us knowing it.

Today, we’re going to take a trip back in time. It’s starts on March 18th, 2004.

Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed this afternoon, probably not too long ago (around 4:00 EST). Earlier this afternoon, it looked as if Terri would be allowed to live for some time longer.[Note: the above linked article has been updated, also a link to the joint statement of congress can be found here] The story is now a sad one…Terri will begin starvation today, and will die of dehydration. Tom Delay put the situation in words correctly, calling it “an act of barbarism.” Terri’s parent’s website said,

“Terri’s nutrition and hydration have now been withheld from her. It is unclear if the port that accommodates her feeding tube has been surgically removed as her family was ordered to leave her room.”

Her husband’s lawyer called the acts of Congress “shameful.” Sir, I would call your acts “shameful…and downright barbaric.” The case will go on, as time runs short. Terri has started the torture of death. She will live but for only about two weeks more.
Dr. Morrisey or Mount Sinai Hospital said that

“They [those is a vegetative state] don’t experience hunger or discomfort, so she doesn’t suffer. What happens is, she loses fluids from her body, she enters into a peaceful coma and she passes away very gently.”

I fear that what we have said, and through what I have heard, this woman is not in a vegetative state. And she can feel, she can breathe, swallow, and respond. They are making a very serious mistake.

I blogged like I never had before that day. In fact, it was what made me the blogger I am today.

Let’s move to the 19th:

Radio Blogger has some clips from the Hugh Hewitt show which featured James Dobson. Great clips.
Dr. Dobson said of Judge Greer “This man is just wicked.” Exactly.
Also…

“she’s not in a coma, and she’s not on a respirator, she breathes on her own. And yet, Judge George Greer is just determined to kill her in a way, Hugh, that you wouldn’t do to a dog. ”

Fox News:

‘Gov. Jeb Bush said the judge’s decision “breaks my heart” and noted that it often takes two decades for a death row inmate’s appeals to go through the system.
“There’s this rush to starve her to death,” Bush said.’

This whole situation is terrible. Republican congressmen have dedicated their weekends to saving Terri’s life. This post gives some hope though. Stay tuned for more info on the situation.

Two days later, I sat down at my computer and started to type again on Michael Schiavo’s words, ““We didn’t know what Terri wanted, but this is what we want…” I was absolutely stunned.

Then came March 22:

Well, the battle goes on. You’ve heard the story of the Schindlers attorney filing a request for an emergency injunction with a federal district court in Tampa, Florida. The war goes on as the judge has said that he will not make an immediate ruling on the case. Not good news as I’ve heard news that Terri may have an infection, and may pass away sooner than expected (Reported on Pro-Life Blogs). Time is running short in this case of life and death. Especially now that that injuction has been denied and a new one has been filed. They will be working into the night on this one. It’s amazing.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me

God has a will for Terri. He’s in control of the situation. His hand is on all that goes on. He can use this situation to teach us. I believe God is sovereign over all things and that he has a plan for you, me, and for those in situations like Terri’s. He is an amazing God.

/ Indescribable, Uncontainable,/
/You placed the stars in the sky/
/And You know them by name/
/You are amazing God/
/All powerful, untamable/
/You see the depths of my heart /
/And you love me the same/
/You are amazing God/
(Chris Tomlin,Indescribable)

March 24th was another day. The fight continued on. I was struck that day by some powerful words:

“When I close my eyes at night, all I can see is Terri’s face in front of me, dying, starving to death,” Mary Schindler (search) said outside her daughter’s Pinellas Park hospice. “Please, someone out there, stop this cruelty. Stop the insanity. Please let my daughter live.”

The blogs started making a huge wave as well.

Also on March 24th, I posted a wonderful interview.

March 25th continued. My Senator, a Democrat, made a great statement:

“This is a terrible tragedy. There was no living will and the family was divided…I felt that it was appropriate under these unique circumstances that the court take one last look at this.”

Then came the end.

Terri Schiavo has died just a little while ago. I knew it would be soon, but it’s still amazing that this is somewhat over. But perhaps a movement for euthanasia has begun?

I also find it sad to hear that the Schindlers were denied access to the room as she died. Come on! That really is going to far. That’s one of the worst things Micheal Schiavo could have done and he did it. Hey, what did he have to lose?

We, as bloggers, really can’t explain what’s going on in our minds and hearts, but we can tell you that we’ve tried. And though it seems that we have all lost, that is truly not the case.

This situation, I’m sure, has opened the eyes of many to the fact that America is heading down a path that may lead to legal suicide and murder. These people will now take action. It’s brought hope to others like Terri, who need our help to save their life.

God has a purpose and plan for everything, though we may not see it right away, or we may not see it at all. He will use Terri’s situation for good. I don’t know the spiritual condition of
Terri, but I know God can use anyone to work out his plan. Our prayer is that Terri knew the Lord, but we just don’t know. It would be so awesome to get to heaven and meet someone that you had worked to try to save their life. But we just don’t know.

As we move on this week, we must let ourselves pray for life. For our country we must pray we’ll get back on the right track. We must pray that our judges will make the right decisions.

I had planned to write about the Church today, but that will be tomorrow. If you want to find out more about Terri, and perhaps read her story, look at some of these links below:

* Wittenburg Gate has the full story from beginning to end (bloggers story).

* World Net Daily has the history.

* All things 2 All has many posts on Terri and links to other posts.

That fight was over, but there are so many more that we cannot afford to lose. Are you willing to stand?

Update: Go ahead and send in your lnks all day guys, and I’ll put it in a main post on the top of the page this evening, and will continue to repost it or link to it in the coming days.

Notice to all bloggers: Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the day Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed and her starvation began. Many blogs are working to start a blog “burst” and are putting together roundups. I want to do the same thing, except to get teens linked in one central location, letting our voice be heard as we push for life.

So, write up your post, put it up on the web, then email me the link to your post so I can link you tomorrow.

These past few days have been interesting to say the least. It’s like I’ve started quite a few things over, yet am working to catch up on so many things. And I’ve learned a lot of things, such as the importance of not falling behind and not taking the easy road every time. And I’m still working on those things.

But God has also been trying to bang one important fact into my mind: prayer is so important. I think that I’ve grown much closer to God in the past few weeks just because I have worked on being in prayer daily. I’ve praised God, I’ve thanked him, and I’ve asked him for guidance. Through prayer I have come to know Christ more.

My next mission is to start back on memorizing God’s Word. I really believe that it is vital to memorize Scripture, and I regret slacking off in the past few months. I’ve slacked off on a lot of things, and as I said, I need to get back on track. And it’s going to take a lot of prayer as I work to clean things up, work hard, and grow closer to the Lord.

UPDATE 2:06 PM: It really works guys. Things will be added through the week and next few hours, but for now, the main things are there. Really, it’s some top-quality material waiting to be read and commented on.

That’s right folks, it’s here. And to tell you the truth, I’ve never been more excited. It’s a pleasure to be a part of a project as great as this one.

Regenerate Our Culture has begun, and you don’t want to miss out. Your questions and concerns will be answered by going to the site and reading the articles that we have up. Articles on why debate is so important, how to change the world in three easy steps, and the infallibility of Scripture.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to go visit Regenerate Our Culture.

Update
ROC is being updated through the day, so check in often for more things. The Square Talk Podcast will be coming back in a few weeks as the official podcast, and you won’t want to miss that. And when you visit ROC, check out the blog network every day. It’s extremely helpful to me as I surf the web and pick and choose which posts to read each day.