In last week’s reflection, I expressed some lofty thoughts on parents needing to make the invisible God visible to their children. I would like to get more concrete about how this can be pursued in daily family life. Here are some things for parents to chew on. This may take a few weeks. We make the invisible God visible in … Read More
Making the Invisible, Visible
Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said:”Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with … Read More
Are We That Out Of Touch?
Last week, a priest in our diocese sent me a two-and-a-half minute video bearing a Comedy Central logo, but also released on a web link called “Alternatino”. The video depicts a father attempting to have a conversation about sex with his teenage son, who is going to his prom. I laughed at some of the video because what the father … Read More
I Have Never Eaten Anything Common or Unclean
The next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four … Read More
What are you doing this summer?
Many people take vacations in the summer, or send their children to church or band camps. Those who play football often begin practices during the summer to get ready for the fall season. Here are some things to think about now that summer has come upon us. When going on vacation, don’t take a vacation from church. Make sure you … Read More
Final Thoughts on Public/Parochial/Home Schooling
Over the last four weeks I have focused on this topic because I think it holds interest for families who wrestle with the best way to educate their children. How we address this can have a big impact on how we understand the family as a little church. One thing that is clear to me is that going to public … Read More
What does research say about Home Schooling? What about Parochial Schools?
Several weeks ago, a person responded to my original note on this topic, citing links to research that has been done on home schooling. In reading through them, I was able to discern the following. Those who are home schooled do not suffer academically, and may even do better in academic achievement. The concerns about home schooled children not being … Read More
What are the benefits and shortcomings of public school?
The main benefit of a public-school education is teachers have qualifying degrees and certification they obtain to enable them to teach children. They have been properly vetted and gone through internship to prepare themselves to become teachers. How does this match up with home school? Children are taught by their parents in most cases. They may be good parents but … Read More
What are the benefits and shortcomings of home schooling?
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). How can home schooling help raise children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord? What first comes to mind is that home schooling can be flexible in terms of class times. This may allow families to participate … Read More