(CC) Help with family conflict and marriage problems (rec. for speaker)

[Kathleen in VA]

I went to the HEAV Homeschool Conference in June. One of the keynote speakers was Phil Downer of DNA Ministries (http://www.dnaministries.org/). I have to be honest. Since I work as a copy editor for the newsletter I must've read his name and seen his picture at least a hundred times before I actually attended the conference. For some reason, every time I saw his picture I thought, "What could he possibly have to say that would help me?" I lack trust in men, generally speaking, so that may account for my initial reaction.

Well, I was absolutely blown away when I actually heard him speak. I've never heard a more transparent (revealing his worst faults) or humble man speak. His words pierced my heart but also edified me. I went to his booth and bought two sets of CDs to listen to later.

It's September and I am finally getting around to listening to the "family" series and I would just like to say that I am very glad I bought them and highly recommend them to anyone who is struggling with family conflict issues or marriage difficulties.

One thing he said that seems obvious but is always good to be reminded of is, "Homeschooling is not about replacing school, it is about building godly children." I knew that - honest - but I need to hear it a lot. It is easy to get caught up in feeling pressured by society, family, friends, to compete with the ps and focus on academics instead of heart issues. But there were/are an awful lot of highly educated people in the world who have done/are doing a lot of damage to the world. Jesus' disciples were uneducated and turned the world upside-down for the better.

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

[NevadaRabbit]

One thing he said that seems obvious but is always good to be reminded of is, "Homeschooling is not about replacing school, it is about building godly children." I knew that - honest - but I need to hear it a lot. It is easy to get caught up in feeling pressured by society, family, friends, to compete with the ps and focus on academics instead of heart issues. But there were/are an awful lot of highly educated people in the world who have done/are doing a lot of damage to the world. Jesus' disciples were uneducated and turned the world upside-down for the better.

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

Thank you for the link, Kathleen, and esp the important reminder. I need to hear it a lot, too.

My friends whose children are in ps inevitably focus on the academic, and I confess that sometimes my agenda is pride-driven (look what my kids know about!).

[runninmommy]

What a good reminder.. thank You

[Janna]

One thing he said that seems obvious but is always good to be reminded of is, "Homeschooling is not about replacing school, it is about building godly children."

I'm not trying to be snarky at all. Truly, I mean this sincerely. But, isn't it possible to raise godly children without homeschooling? I mean, I wasn't home schooled and I was raised in a very godly home. I was even an outcast growing up because I was outspoken in my faith.

I just don't want those who are afterschooling to feel like they are ruining any chances of having godly children. Because in my view, the decision to homeschool or not to homeschool is between the family and God. And if everyone removed themselves from the school system to homeschool and raise godly children that way, there would be no godly children in the school system helping the unreached, kwim?

Again, not trying to be snarky in the least. Just looking for some gentle clarification.

[lovemyboys]

One thing he said that seems obvious but is always good to be reminded of is, "Homeschooling is not about replacing school, it is about building godly children." I knew that - honest - but I need to hear it a lot. It is easy to get caught up in feeling pressured by society, family, friends, to compete with the ps and focus on academics instead of heart issues. But there were/are an awful lot of highly educated people in the world who have done/are doing a lot of damage to the world. Jesus' disciples were uneducated and turned the world upside-down for the better.

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

What a coincidence!

Dsil and I were just sitting in my kitchen talking about this. She's a homeschooling vet and very wise. (:001_smile:) She was saying very simply that homeschooling is not about school or academics, it's about relationship. She has told me since dc were wee that the heart issues are what count. All else falls into place.

Thanks for sharing this.

[Kathleen in VA]

I'm not trying to be snarky at all. Truly, I mean this sincerely. But, isn't it possible to raise godly children without homeschooling? I mean, I wasn't home schooled and I was raised in a very godly home. I was even an outcast growing up because I was outspoken in my faith.

I just don't want those who are afterschooling to feel like they are ruining any chances of having godly children. Because in my view, the decision to homeschool or not to homeschool is between the family and God. And if everyone removed themselves from the school system to homeschool and raise godly children that way, there would be no godly children in the school system helping the unreached, kwim?

Again, not trying to be snarky in the least. Just looking for some gentle clarification.

I'm sure he did not mean it is impossible to raise godly children if you don't home school. He was trying to remind everyone of our priorities.