Where's the cheese button?

Today Elisabeth received a visit from Grandma and Pop-pop. Since Mommy and Daddy don't have camera phones, Elisabeth was intrigued by Grandma's. She managed to get Grandma and Pop-pop in view pretty easily and then asked,

Where's the cheese button?!

Mr. Mom?

I had someone recently ask me if I get a lot of cracks about being "Mr. Mom." He was quite surprised that I rarely get Mr. Mom jokes. More often, I have friends say to me, "I wish I could do that," or "I wish my dad had done that," or "My dad was home a lot with me, and I am so thankful for those times."

In so many ways I am grateful. I'm grateful to be able to spend this time with Elisabeth, and I'm grateful for so many people who see the value of active parenting rather than ridiculing it. I'm also thankful that many are beginning to see that parenting is not just a mother's role.

I have to admit, I think that I get many questions that a full-time mom doesn't get, just because I'm male. People look at me a bit incredulously, yet have no such incredulity for a mom who does the same things. I think that in that way, I have a slightly different perspective into the double standard that is applied to full-time fathers and full-time mothers . . . and I don't think that I'm the one getting the short end of the stick.

Literary snobbery

There is a very real temptation (at least in me), in the pursuit of God, and the enjoyment of great literature, to become a literary snob. I think that the best way to battle this danger is by being intimately acquainted with the marks of great literature. Then they are the measure of a piece of literature, and not whether it was written by a particular person, or in a particular era. I think that this protects from chronological snobbery in both directions (preferring the old to the new, or the new to the old), and forces us to engage in real dialogue rather than simply dismissing those pieces that are not recognized as classics without a hearing.

So, what are those criteria? By what marks do we recognize great literature?

The only center for human unity

We who have been redeemed as the first-fruit of God's new creation must be above all concerned that his name is honoured. In a religiously plural world we cannot offer any other centre for human unity except the one which he has provided in the atoning work of Jesus. The life of a Church wholly devoted to honouring him in worship, loving obedience and faithful witness is the human means though which he will fulfill his promise to draw all peoples to himself. The heart of our praying is that he would see the travail of his soul and be satisfied. (Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian p184)

As usual, Newbigin states more clearly than I can the unity and mission of the church in its active witness.

Finding a place to read

In recent days, Elisabeth has taken to finding places to read by herself. A day or two ago, she pulled the chair into the middle of the kitchen, and started reading aloud.

Tracing her own name

For learning to write letters, I think that tracing is one of the best tools. Starfall has some great printable resources for practicing each letter of the alphabet. A fellow teacher put me onto My Moondrops that creates a print sheet of tracing letters based on the characters you input - which is a perfect way for a child to practice writing his or her name. Type in the name, and out comes the tracing paper!

Shampoo and air conditioner

In the bath this morning Elisabeth offered her thoughts on hair care:

I don't want shampoo and air conditioner. But we don't say "pooh." We should just call it "sham."

On Virtue

I remember walking away from the theater after watching Pride and Prejudice two years ago and thinking, "How enormously our society would change, if this was the regular fare of young film-goers!" I had the same experience reading The Story of Ruby Bridges to my second graders when I was a teacher, and of reading Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from a Birmingham jail to myself.

I think that many have the same experience when reading great literature or poetry, or watching great theater or film. These pieces provoke us to virtue; they expose the folly of sin. Over time, they earn the title classics.

I realize now that likely I will often be writing on virtue, particularly as it relates to parenting, and so have created a new tag to connect the thread. The impetus for my reflection is the Gospel; that impetus is focused by my desire to provide for my daughter (and other children, as God should provide) an education that extols and cultivates true virtue.

At the very moment I begin to explore virtue, I am conscious that this was the fantastic dream of the Greeks, and that many of them did not seek virtue through Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. There is an allure to virtue that is prideful, in order to be highly regarded by those who apprehend virtue, and to be distinguished from those who lack it, or even simply to be the possessor of it without the regard of others. I feel that wicked temptation, and so at the outset want to battle against it by defining virtue in the way that Jonathan Edwards did in The Nature of True Virtue:

And it may be asserted in general that nothing is of the nature of true virtue, in which God is not the first and the last, or which, with regard to their exercises in general, have not their first foundation and source in apprehensions of God's supreme dignity and glory, and in answerable esteem and love of him, and have not respect to God as the supreme end. (The Nature of True Virtue, p16)

This is the virtue that I want to explore and extol, and in which I want to participate, not by pride, but by humble trust.

Why do we desire peace?

For certainly your desire for peace, and prosperity, and plenty is not prompted by any purpose of using these blessings honestly, that is to say, with moderation, sobriety, temperance and piety; for your purpose rather is to run riot into an endless variety of sottish pleasures, and thus to generate from your prosperity a moral pestilence which will prove a thousandfold more disastrous than the fiercest enemies. (City of God, p35)

Augustine laid this charge against the citizens of Rome after its overthrow; yet his words could have spoken just as clearly and forcefully against the citizens of the United States.

He continues:

[U]nscrupulus ambition has nothing to work upon, save in a nation corrupted by avarice and luxury. (ibid. p36)

and

Depraved by good fortune, and not chastened by adversity, what you desire in the restoration of a peaceful and secure state, is not the tranquility of the commonwealth, but the impunity of your own vicious luxury. . . . You have missed the profit of your calamity; you have been made most wretched, and have remained most profligate. (ibid. p37)

I count myself one a multitude who have not learned enough from history. As I delve into the City of God, I hope to be both rebuked, as I already have been, and educated for the honor of Christ and the good of His church.

Smarties!

Yesterday I heard a little voice from the kitchen say, "Daddy!"

The lights were off in the kitchen, and we had guests in the living room, so I was puzzled as to what she wanted.

"Can you help me get down?" came the little voice.

Elisabeth can easily climb up and down from her booster chair, so I was still puzzled at her request . . . until I entered the kitchen.

I found our 3 year-old standing on the edge of the sink with Smarties in hand. As soon as I walked into view, she grinned and said, "Can I have these?"

Her determination impressed me. She had realized that if she moved her booster chair next to the sink, she would be able to climb up on the sink and open the upper cabinets, which contain the things to which little hands shouldn't have ready access.

Now I know that those things are not so far out of reach as I thought - and that our small one has reached a new level of creativity in pursuing that which she wants.

Rules and their consistent enforcement become all the more important . . .

Helping Daddy exercise

Elisabeth has found creative ways to help me exercise!

The foolishness of the Gospel

I strongly believe that in order to taste the power of the Gospel, we must embrace the foolishness of it. The Gospel is foolishness to modern sensibilities.

The claim of the Gospel is that God created all people from one man, and that the sin of that one man consigned the whole created order to futility. It is also the claim that the One who created all things became part of that creation as a human baby in order to redeem that creation. He withdrew when His followers sought to make Him king by force, and He went willingly, even deliberately, to the most horrific and unjust death. The Gospel announces that this One, who created the world, and became a human baby, also died, then rose from the dead - but unlike any other resurrection: He laid his life down, and He took it up again. Not only that, the Gospel announces that His resurrection body could both touch and be touched - and yet could enter locked rooms, and ascend to heaven without any ladder. The Good News doesn't stop there. It goes farther to claim that Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father, rules over all things, and will return to take possession of all that is His, and to execute His wrath on those who have scorned Him.

This is the Good News that Paul announced to Festus, who then exclaimed, "Paul, you are out of your mind . . . (Acts 26:24)" Festus was right. When we accept the Gospel on its own terms, we are either out of our minds, or possessed by the most wonderful revelation of divine love and sovereignty. But it is not respectable.

The affirmation that the one by whom and through whom and for whom all creation exists is to be identified with a man who was crucified and rose bodily from the dead cannot possibly be accommodated within any plausibility structure except one of which it is the cornerstone. In any other place in the structure it can only be a stone of stumbling. . . . (Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian p236)

Two years ago...

Enjoying snow two years ago (we haven't had much recently!)

Defining modesty

I think that The Rebelution is a tremendous resource for teenagers. I strongly agree with their tagline: "a teenage rebellion against low expectations." I think there is strong evidence that Alex and Brett Harris are rebelling against low expectations in many ways. Peruse their site, and you'll find that its design, and their writing far exceed what you might expect of teenagers.

Recently, they have sponsored a Modesty Survey, in which I participated, and which has helped me to think about modesty.

Several questions occurred to me that I want to pose to you:

• How do you define modesty?
• How do you teach/impart modesty?
• What are the differences between male and female modesty?
• In what ways does modesty refer to more than being fully clothed?

Learning is Serious Fun

If I had to sum up my philosophy of education, this would be it: Learning is serious fun. The foundations are simple:

1. We learn best when we are having fun. (Consider how many people love playing Cranium, or the like.)
2. Learning is natural when we're having fun. When we're engaged with the object, the learning process happens most authentically.

The conclusion is obvious: the best teachers are those who most fully expose the fun of learning. That is not to say that learning isn't at times very hard work; rather the fun of it helps to build our stamina for the parts that we wouldn't as naturally incline to.

So here are the question for you:

1. What are the best learning games for kids?
2. What are the best ways to make learning phonics fun?

Note: I'm assuming that the kind if fun I'm talking about is intrinsic and authentic. It is not "If you do _____, then you get something fun" but that the learning process itself is fun.

Without this, healing is impossible

But I come . . . to show that this at present is the state of many professors of religion [professing Christians], that they are fallen under those spiritual decays, and do not enjoy the effects of the promises concerning flourishing and fruitfulness, which we have insisted on. To fasten a conviction on them, or some of them at least, that it is indeed so with them, is my present design; and this ought to be done with some diligence. The glory of Christ, the honour of the Gospel, and the danger of the souls of men do call for it. This is the secret root of all our evil, which will not be removed unless it be digged up. Who sees not, who complains not of the loss of, or decays in, the power of religion in the days in which we live? But few there are who either know or apply themselves, or direct others, to the proper remedy of this evil. Besides, it is almost as difficult to convince men of spiritual decays as it is to recover them from them; but without this, healing is impossible. If men know not their sickness, they will not seek for a cure. Some, when they see their sickness and their wound, will apply themselves to wrong, useless remedies, like them in the prophet Hosea (5:13). None will make use of any cure who see no disease at all. Therefore, to fasten a conviction of this on the minds of some, we may make use of the ensuing inquiries and observations . . . (John Owen, The Glory of Christ. p 263) [emphases mine]

What a needed call in our day:

1. To be convicted of spiritual decay
   
2. To apply ourselves, and direct others, to the proper remedy of this evil

for the glory of Christ, the honour of the Gospel, and the danger of our souls.

The Kingdom Economy

Recently, I have been impressed by the Holy Spirit with:

1. The nature of God's economy
   I am utterly astounded that Jesus says of the widow who put in two copper coins, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on" (Mark 12:43-44). In His economy, the measure of the gift is faith, not quantity. In putting in all she had, she not only was contributing far more as a proportion of her possessions, but was also casting herself on God to provide. I feel like that is a word that I really need to hear, because I so often think that we need big givers; yet Jesus points me the other direction.
   
   
2. The importance of testimony
   When I look back on my walk with God, the things that God has most used to thrust me forward into trust and obedience have very often been testimonies, of two sorts. One kind has been personal testimonies. A person will tell me how God has sustained them, answered their prayer or used them, and I am reminded: God is worthy to be trusted, and I am emboldened to trust Him more. The other kind is historical testimony, like that of George Muller, who wrote to China Inland Missionaries with these words:
   

On Him then reckon, to Him look, and on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him, look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother, who has known the Lord for forty-four years, who writes this, says for your encouragement that He has never failed him. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; and because I was enabled by His grace to trust in Him, He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His Name. (Taylor, Dr. & Mrs. Howard. Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. China Inland Mission: Philadelphia, PA. 1935. p107)

Testimony pushes me to spiritual maturity because it presses me to trust Christ more in everything - and so as I do, I find Him faithful, and then have the privilege of encouraging others through testimony.

Carol of the Brown King

I am fascinated by books like Carol of the Brown King for missiological reasons. So when I saw this book on the shelf of Christmas books at our local public library, I picked it up.

Here was the question that I asked: Is it appropriate to retell the story of the incarnation as if the primary actors were not Jewish? [I don't think there's any problem with casting the wise men as being of various races, as this is something on which Scripture is silent.] On a missiological level I am sympathetic, because I desperately want those who hear the story to understand that Jesus came for sinners, not just for white people, or Jewish people.

But when I seek to understand the incarnation on its own terms, I just can't justify retelling the story in a way that casts the characters as anything but Jewish. My hope hangs on the fact that the living God called a wandering Aramaen named Abram and promised to bless all the nations in Him. The work of God in history is revealed as His setting His favor on an undeserving and unlikely nation in order to bless all the nations through them. Thus Jesus' identity as a Jew is not incidental, but essential. Hence both Matthew and Luke trace His genealogy in their gospels. Jesus came as the rightful heir to David's throne, in fulfillment of God's historical action in the descendants of Abraham.

As a non-Jew, I need to hear and realize that Jesus was a Jew, and that I, who was once a stranger and alien to the promises of God, and without God in this world, am now made an heir of the promise! Inasmuch as I would love to endorse a book that is inclusive in its intent, reading the Gospel on its own terms requires me to say that such a retelling is more harmful than it is helpful because it obscures, rather than illuminating, the saving work of God in history.

In my view it is better that any non-Jewish child like myself should see the Messiah as different from myself and be forced to ask, "Why?" That question brings the answer: the God who created all the nations of the earth, graciously chose the heirs of Abraham to be His people - and that by grace now allows those of us who are outsiders to the promise to be included by trusting Jesus.

I'm tired, and that's making me difficult

Sometimes Elisabeth shocks me with her insight into her own behavior. Tonight, as we were getting ready to go to bed, she said:

"I'm tired, and that's making me difficult."

The child speaks truth!

Children's Literature Reviews

In search of a cover image for Siesta, I found Curled Up Kids, a site that reviews children's, young adult, and parenting literature. From my cursory snooping it looks like they have some good books, along with brief reviews. I like their divisions of board books and picture books, as a great way to look for age-appropriate books. Since their reviews are not that extensive, this is probably a better place to browse for books before you go to the library than to look for the review of a particular book you've heard recommended.

Siesta

Elisabeth picked out Siesta at the library recently, and she loved it. It employs simple, vivid simple illustrations in a simple story. Although the story is in English, the story teaches color words in Spanish, along with a few other Spanish words.

Since the story is simple and short, and the illustrations are vivid, it is easy to read the story multiple times in a sitting - thus reinforcing the Spanish words and their English counterparts. As such, I think it is a great way to teach the Spanish color words.

They thought he was joking

The account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the most sobering accounts in Scripture. Though Abraham had pleaded for its preservation through the number of righteous persons in it, yet there were not found even ten righteous people in the city. In the mercy of God, He sends "men" to Lot to bring him and his family out of Sodom before it is destroyed, and charge Lot to bring out anyone he has in the city before they destroy it.

So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, 'Up! Get out of this place, for the LORD is about to destroy the city.' But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting (Genesis 19:14)

In this encounter, there are tremendous parallels to Gospel-proclamation. We are charged with a message like Lot's: Flee from impending judgment! The response of many to the Gospel mirrors that of Lot's sons-in-law: they must be joking.

"Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). Our warnings will seem to many as jesting, and yet they are not therefore any less true. Rather, it makes the warnings of the Gospel even more urgent, since they appear less immanent to the hearers.

God give us grace to call others to run to you for mercy, and open the hearts of others to see that we do not jest.

Like father like daughter

I'm told that when I was small, on at least one occasion I fell asleep in my high chair during the meal, and went face-first into my food - without waking up! It appears that Elisabeth has inherited my ability for sleep.

This evening she was very tired, and so we fed her dinner on the couch to keep her mellow. Our thought was that then right after dinner we could put her right to bed. Our plan worked a little too well. Mid-mouthful, Elisabeth fell asleep! She still had a good chunk of chicken and rice in her mouth, so we had to rouse her to finish chewing and swallow her food so she wouldn't choke. And that was at 6:45!

Peter's Chair

In one of my recent library trips, I found the shelf with all the Ezra Jack Keats books. I took an armful, and we read them over the course of the next week.

I think that Ezra Jack Keats plays an important role in the recent literary history by presenting a black boy as the protagonist of a story. However, as I read through a half dozen books, they didn't strike me as great literature. Keats has a unique artistic style, but few of his books have significant content to them. One happy exception is Peter's Chair, which I did like. I thought Keats did a good job of communicating something important, rather than just telling a story with clever pictures.

So if you're on the lookout for a good Ezra Jack Keats book, look at Peter's Chair first.

Window on the World

I recently ordered a copy of Window on the World, and it just arrived. I am very excited to begin using it with Elisabeth. It is, essentially, a version of Operation World modified for children. Instead of being heavy on facts and figures, it is heavy on pictures and stories that connect children with the countries for which they are praying. Each two-page country spread includes a small map inset, a picture of the national flag, basic facts (area, population, language, religion, exports), a narrative, and a list of requests for prayer and praise.

Has anyone used this with their kids?

The Bible as Literature

In college, I took a class title "The Bible as Literature." I approached the class with skepticism, assuming that the course was going to be a revisionist reading of the Bible. I was proved happily wrong.

Using Leland Ryken's text, Words of Delight, the professor showed us how the literary nature of the Bible is part of its true revelation of the only true God.

In my reading today, I caught sight again of just how helpful this approach to Scripture is in order to receive revelation. I just read Genesis 20, the account of Abraham and Abimelech, where Abraham says that Sarah is his sister, Abimelech takes her as a wife, and then the LORD appears to Abimelech, closes the wombs of all his household and says, "[I]f you do not return her [Sarah], know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours" (v7). The narrative is quite straightforward, but the way that the story is told is important for what the narrative is intended to teach, and to reveal.

When confronted by the LORD in a dream, Abimelech answers, "In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this" (v5), which the LORD confirms in verse 6. When Abimelech confronts Abraham, saying, "[H]ow have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin?" (v9) Abraham replies, "I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife" (v11).

The story teller (the Biblical author) is deliberately relating this event in such a way as to contrast the God-fearing pagan, Abimelech, and the man-fearing God-follower, Abraham, that we might see the folly of fearing people rather than God. The author highlights the irony of Abraham's statement, "I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place," by demonstrating that Abimelech acted with far more fear of God than Abraham!

To say that we read the Bible as literature is not to say that the story it tells is not true; on the contrary, it is to say that the true story is told in such a way as to communicate truth clearly and on many levels - as any good piece of literature does.

Active listening

When I was a classroom teacher, I told my students at the beginning of each year that the measure of my success as a teacher was my teaching them to listen well. If I taught them to listen well, all realms of learning and communication would be open to them; if I failed, those doors would remain closed. I still think that this assertion is true, and therefore in parenting one of the most important roles a parent has is to teach active listening skills.

I recently saw a text article from Desiring God pop up on my rss reader titled Ten Reasons to Listen to Questions Before You Answer. It is an excellent Biblical, theological and practical explanation of why listening is so important. It is not the sort of thing that you'll read to your three year old (you can wait until she's four); but it provides the intellectual framework for explaining to your children from Scripture and experience why listening is so important.

Doing her work

Elisabeth is steadily learning independent play (which I think comes a lot more slowly for a first and only child). Today she told me that she was going to "do her work" at the easle.

Crayola Twistable Slick Stix

If you want to see the most vivid crayons ever, here they are! Since they're so oily (which is why they're called "slick"), they are harder to get off of things other than the intended paper target.

However, in a controlled environment, I think Crayola Slick Stix are the best crayons I've seen! (Elisabeth loves them.)

Sitting in Church

The beginning of the new year marks another change for Elisabeth. Now that she is three, she stays in church rather than going to the nursery. During the sermon, she goes out for children's worship with the other kids, and returns at the end for communion.

Until now, Elisabeth has not been good at sitting quietly through the worship, reading and prayer portions of the service. What is remarkable to me is that in the past two weeks (since she has switched from going to the nursery during church to sitting in the service and going out for children's worship) she has dramatically improved in her ability to stay in the service. At this stage, most of the time is spent coloring, which makes me all the more grateful for the children's bulletins!

Spurgeon on faith

Better the poorest real faith actually at work than the best ideal of it left in the region of speculation. The great matter is to believe on the Lord Jesus at once. Never mind distinctions and definitions. A hungry man eats though he does not understand the composition of his food, the anatomy of his mouth or the process of digestion. He lives because he eats. Another far more clever person understands thoroughly the science of nutrition, but if he does not eat, he will die with all his knowledge. There are no doubt many at this hour in hell who understood the doctrine of faith but did not believe. On the other hand, not one who has trusted in the Lord Jesus has ever been cast out, though he may never have been able to intelligently define his faith. (from All of Grace)

It never ceases to amaze me that folks like Jonathan Edwards, John Owen and Charles Spurgeon, who were passionate and precise in their doctrine were united in this theme that Spurgeon unfolds: faith is a personal commitment, not a mere intellectual understanding and the person who trusts is justified even if he doesn't understand. God give us grace to believe not just that these things are true, but to trust Him who calls.

The only effectual way to revival

This, therefore, is the issue of the whole: a steady view of the glory of Christ, in his person, grace, and office, through faith, or a constant lively exercise of faith on him, according as he is revealed to us in the Scripture, is the only effectual way to obtain a revival from under spiritual decays, and such supplies of grace as shall make us flourishing and fruitful even in old age. (John Owen, The Glory of Christ p282)

This is Owen's thesis, derived from Scripture. He takes for granted that what God has given life is to continue to grow and bear fruit even to old age, and that decays in that growth are unnatural (though possible, and not surprising) and to be fought with all our might. The two major ways he calls us to the fight are (1) to see the glory of Christ, and (2) constantly to trust Him. So . . .

Let us live in the constant contemplation of the glory of Christ, and virtue will proceed from him to repair all our decays, to renew a right spirit within us, and to cause us to abound in all the duties of obedience. This way of producing these effects flesh and blood do not reveal, it looks like washing in the Jordan to cure a leprosy; but the life of faith is a mystery known only to them in whom it is (ibid. 284)

Watch to prayer

Watch to prayer. A thousand pretenses rise against it; all the arts of sloth, formality, weariness of the flesh, and the business of life, do contend to frustrate the design of it. (John Owen, The Glory of Christ p268)

Doing Justice to Dr. King's Dream

I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low. The rough places shall be made plain and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

These words hung on a banner at the front of the auditorium in the public school where I taught for three years. They are taken from Dr. King's famous I have a Dream speech. What struck me in those days was the hollowing out of Dr. King's dream. He dreamed of what Isaiah saw: the revelation of the glory of God. Yet though these words hung in my public school, Dr. King's vision of civil rights had been extracted from the context in which he saw it.

If we are to honor Dr. King, we must honor that which he believed. If at some point we disagree, we must critique him, but not pretend that he stood for something other than what he did.

May the vision of the glory of God make us as courageous for justice and righteousness as it did Dr. King.

More puzzles

I love watching Elisabeth develop. After Christmas, she was interested in her new puzzles, but didn't have the stamina to complete one alone. She'd find a few pieces that fit together, and then be ready for something else. Then she graduated to being able to complete a puzzle with encouragement. Now she's moved on to completing multiple puzzles in one sitting, with encouragement.

Temporary Faith

The constitution of spiritual life is such as is suitable to grow and increase to the end. Hereby it distinguishes itself from that faith with is temporary; for there is a temporary faith, which will both flourish for a season and bring forth some fruit; but it is not in its nature and constitution to abide, to grow and increase, but rather to decay and wither. It is described by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 13:20-21). Either some great temptation extinguishes it, or it decays insensibly, until the mind in which it was do manifest itself to be utterly barren. And, therefore, whoever is sensible of any spiritual decays, he is called to a severe trial and examination of himself, as to the nature of the principle of his profession and obedience; for such decays do rather argue a principle of temporary faith only, to which they are proper and natural, than that whose nature it is to thrive and grow to the end, on which those that have it shall, as it is the promise, still bring forth fruit, and , without their own great guilt, be freed from such decays. (John Owen, The Glory of Christ p254)

When I read the parable of the soils yesterday, I couldn't help but see the wisdom of Owen's application. There is temporary faith; and so spiritual decay is something that ought to alarm us, and thrust us to throw ourselves again on Jesus for mercy, lest we show that our faith was only temporary - and not saving.

Browser Spellcheck

For those of you who don't use Firefox (a free, open source internet browser) there is now another good reason to switch: spell check. Firefox 2.0 (download here) has a spell check that works much like Microsoft Word. Any time you type a word that it doesn't recognize, it underlines it in red. And just like Word, you can add words to the dictionary that you don't want to be underlined.

So hopefully, you'll see fewer typos in my posts, thanks to Firefox.

A good map

I have been realizing just how valuable a good map of Biblical geography is for helping kids (and me!) understand the Scriptures.

In addition, I've been realizing just how helpful diagrams are that show the times of the kings, prophets and books of history in parallel so that I get a better sense of the flow and sequence of things. (This is probably more helpful to older children than younger, but I think can be of great value in helping them see the big picture of salvation history.)

So I think I need to hunt down a good map of the ancient near east so that as we read we can look at the places of which we speak.

When we're close to the computer, there is a clever new resource called BibleMap.org that does a pretty good job. (It is new, and I'm sure that they'll improve it.)

HT: Justin Taylor

Catching up on some reading with Molly

Playdate with Aidan

The recapitulation of all things in Him

There is no contemplation of the glory of Christ that ought more to affect the hearts of them that do believe with delight and joy, than this, of the recapitulation [summing up] of all things in him. One view by faith of him in the place of God, as the supreme head of the whole creation. Moving, acting, guiding and disposing of it, will bring in spiritual refreshment to a believing soul. . . .

Did we live more in the contemplation of the glory of Christ, and of the wisdom of God in this recapitulation of all things in him, there is not anything of our duty which it would not mind us of, nor anything of privilege which it would not give us a sense of, as might easily be demonstrated. (Owen, John. The Glory of Christ p166)

John Owen has helped to set my eyes on what is the center of Christ's redemption: the summing up of all things in Him, the placing of all things under His feet. This is what Owen contemplated, and calls us to contemplate, that our hearts would be affected as his was with the wisdom, mercy, sovereignty and glory of God in making Christ the center.

Upromise

Some time ago I signed up for Upromise as one way to save for Elisabeth for college. I now think that it is a marketing scam. They admittedly have "millions of families" enrolled, and I saw an advertisement in which they touted over $60 million dollars that families have put away for college for their children.

So here's the math: If there are multiple millions of families enrolled, that means 2 or more million. So divide $60 million by 2million enrollees (to be conservative). You have an average college savings of $30 per family - total, not per month or even per year.

When I called Upromise to discontinue their service, they asked why I was withdrawing, and I told them. They said that they would then have the balance that I had accrued paid to Elisabeth's 529 college account. The sum? $1.28

If you're thinking of saving for college, don't go for this direct marketing gimmick. Start a direct deposit from your bank account.

Ready for the cold

Elisabeth insisted on wearing her sunglasses yesterday as we headed out for a walk.

Events and meaning

I love special days, and the opportunity they present to teach. Obviously this coming Monday is one of those days. There are two respects in which I think doing so is challenging.

1. One must have integrity in ascribing meaning to the events. For example, in the chapel at Princeton University hangs a plaque to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. praising his vision of tolerance and pluralism. (I searched online without success to see if I could find the exact text, so I'll rely on someone on campus to find the precise language.) What struck me when I first saw the plaque was that it did not honor Dr. King on his own terms. It praised the values that those who commissioned the plaque embraced, and (in my estimation) not the core commitments of Dr. King. When we teach our children, our representation of the meaning of events must have integrity. The story must be told on its own terms, and when we offer our interpretation of those persons or events, it must be clear that they are our interpretations, and why we interpret things as we do.
   
2. One must have an epistemology that allows for meaning. When we remember September 11, 2001, or Hurricane Katrina, the questions quickly arise: Do we attribute meaning to these kinds of events? Can there be meaning in the acts of terrorists, or in natural disasters?
   As Christians, we can see that there is tremendous Scriptural precedent for ascribing meaning to calamity and natural disasters. Daniel does it in his confession in Daniel 9, as does Ezra in Ezra 9, and it is the repeated refrain of the prophets: because of our sins, these things have happened. Yet there is also good Scriptural reason for not jumping to conclusions. Jesus, when asked about those whose blood Pilate mixed with his sacrifices, and others on whom the tower of Siloam fell, answered this way:
   

   Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:2-5)
   

   The meaning that Jesus implied was not particular judgment, but a call to repentance.
   

There is no abdication of teaching our children. If I am silent about the meaning of September 11, I am implicitly saying that it does not have meaning as judgment or a call to repentance; it is simply a day that we remember. If I say nothing of God being sovereign over earthquakes and hurricanes, I will be (perhaps unconsciously) teaching Elisabeth that God is not sovereign over these things. If I tell only part of the story of Martin Luther King Jr., I pretend that truth doesn't matter, or worse yet that I get to define my own truth.

I don't expect what I have just stated to be either embraced or respected by those who don't know Christ, because what I am suggesting truly is nonsense to the modern scientific worldview - that there is meaning and intention behind events of nature, and meaning greater than that intended by rulers or terrorists. Yet I think it is in the public statement of these things that the mystery, and foolishness, of the Gospel is again presented to the world.

Education: Skills or Character?

In The Emperor's Club, there is a fascinating exchange between the revered teacher, Mr. Hundert, and a United States senator, whose son is one of Mr. Hundert's students. The arrogant senator tells Mr. Hundert that his work as teacher is to teach his son skills, and emphatically not to shape his son's character. "I will do that," he ends emphatically. And it was transparent that the son had learned his miserable character from his father.

As a public school teacher, I can say emphatically that this is the message of contemporary education. The curriculum is skills-based, not character-based. Sadly, it fails at both.

Philosophy of education is not something that most people think about on a daily basis (except those whose profession it is to do so), and yet it profoundly affects us as individuals and as a society. Those of us who have preschool aged children have a unique opportunity to develop and implement a philosophy of education for our children that not only forms the framework of what we do at home, but how our children understand what they receive when they enter school.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons that classical Christian education appeals so much to me. The classical ideal embraces the suggestion I have made that education is more primarily about the formation of a person's character, and that the cultivation of particular necessary skills serve this end. If I was to embrace simply the vision of classical education, I would deny the gospel, because the classical model purports to cultivate truly noble character apart from new birth in Christ. That is what draws me to Christian classical education; it has as its foundation the gospel - that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - and makes its aim to shape the character of its students.

Here, under the influence of Lesslie Newbigin, is where I depart from the mainstream of Christian education, or even Christian classical education. If indeed the gospel is public truth, and not just true for Christians, then it follows that the business of classical Christian schools is not just to admit students who profess faith in Christ, but to admit all students who are willing to participate in the course of study. For those who embrace this philosophy of education and send their children to public schools, the import is no less great. The Gospel is not a private story that we tell our children at home; it is the story that informs how we receive all instruction, and as Lesslie Newbigin says:

The story the church is commissioned to tell, if it is true, is bound to call into question any plausibility structure which is founded on other assumptions. (Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian p236)

This is how putting one's children in public school (or private non-Christian schools) sets us about the business of happy proclamation.

Victorian doll house

Elisabeth was given a fantastic pop up book (yes, what you see is a book) that turns on its spine to be an elaborate Victorian (paper) doll house. It is by far the most intricate and clever pop-up book I have seen.

The evil and danger of procrastination

This is as evil and dangerous a posture or frame of mind as you can fall under. If you have learned to put off God, and Christ, and the word for the present season, and yet relieve yourselves in this, that you do not intend, like others, always to reject them, but will have time to hearken to their calls, you are secured and fortified against all convictions and persuasions, all fears; one answer will serve for all, within a little while you will do all that can be required of you. This is that which ruins the souls of multitudes every day. It is better dealing with men openly profligate, than with such a trifling promiser (see Isa. 5:7,10) [John Owen, The Glory of Christ, p242]

How many there are who "have learned to put off God and Christ"! Owen spoke truly from experience that it is far better to deal with one openly rebellious without pretense, than with the one who intends to come later.

Confession

Recently I read Daniel 9, and was reminded of the central, indispensable role of confession. Daniel cries out:

. . . we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets (5-6). . . . Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame (7) . . . because we have sinned against you (8) . . . refusing to obey you (11) . . . . The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him (14).

Despite feeling the weight of their shame, Daniel does not shrink from pleas for mercy:

O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city (16). . .listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate (17). . . . For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name (18-19).

I want to learn to pray like that: with true humility and contrition, and passion for God's honor in His people. I also want to teach Elisabeth the grace of confession, that they are not just words that we say, but the expression of hearts that grieve over sin, and want God's mercy and name to be exalted.

How Kids Develop

I just discovered a great parenting resource: HowKidsDevelop.com

For some time I have been on the lookout for a good online resource of child development milestones. How Kids Develop does a great job of outlining the five major areas of development:
1. Cognitive
2. Social Emotional
3. Speech and Language
4. Fine Motor
5. Gross Motor

The site does a great job of identifying milestones in each developmental area for each time-frame of development (unlike most sites that lump them together, and only give 3-5 total milestones per time-frame).

I think they could offer more suggestions on how to prepare a child to meet each milestone, but I think their overall suggestions in "How can I help my child meet these developmental milestones?" are good basics for any parent.

How Kids Develop now appears in the sidebar under Parenting Resources!

Playing a 50-year-old organ

Recently Elisabeth visited a friend who has a little organ, perfect for little girls!

Better be under terror

Peace in a spiritually-decaying condition, is a soul-ruining security; better be under terror on the account of surprisal [falling] into some sin, than be in peace under evident decays of spiritual life (The Glory of Christ, p255)

There is a kind of terror that is good, and a gift from God.

Knowing God

. . . one can know a great deal about God without much knowledge of Him. I am sure that many of us have never really grasped this. We find in ourselves a deep interest in theology (which is, of course, a most fascinating and intriguing subject - in the seventeenth century it was every gentleman's hobby). We read books of theological exposition and apologetics. We dip into Christian history, and study the Christian creed. We learn to find our way around in the Scriptures. Others appreciate our interest in these things, and we find ourselves asked to give our opinion in public on this or that Christian question, to lead study groups, to give papers, to write articles, and generally to accept responsibility, informal if not formal, for acting as teachers and arbiters of orthodoxy in our own Christian circle. Our friends tell us how much they value our contribution, and this spurs us to further exploration of God's truth, so that we may be equal to the demands made upon us. All very fine - yet interest in theology, and knowledge about God, and the capacity to think clearly and talk well on Christian themes, is not at all the same thing as knowing Him. We may know as much about God as Calvin knew - indeed if we study his works diligently, sooner or later we shall - and yet all the time (unlike Calvin, may I say) we may hardly know God at all. (Knowing God, pp21-22) [emphasis mine]

I thank God for passages like this, that cut to the heart and expose my sin.

Elisabeth's pleasure reading

I caught Elisabeth sitting at her desk recently catching up on the latest in the world of pediatrics.

ZPD

One of the most important theories I studied in graduate school was Lev Vygotsky's theory of the zone of proximal development, which he defined as

the distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers (wiki)

What intrigues me are these two implications:

1. We learn by attempting things that are beyond our current abilities.
2. Almost my definition, we must attempt this learning with others, because it is beyond our current independent abiliities.

Thus it is essential to be constantly doing things with Elisabeth that she couldn't do alone, so that in short order she will be able to master them independently. It is my responsibility to be constantly looking forward beyond what Elisabeth has mastered to what she will attempt next.

Badges of Christians

If vain spending of time, idleness, unprofitableness in men's places, envy, strife, variance, emulations, wrath, pride, worldiness, selfishness (1 Corinthians 1) be badges of Christians, we have them on us and among us in abundance. (John Owen: Overcoming Sin and Temptation p56)

Sadly, what Owen wrote 300 years ago is no less true today.

Sliding together

Elisabeth was quite afraid of the slide this weekend, so I took several slides with her. (We're not actually going as fast as this picture makes it look.)

True evangelical mortification

The truth is, what between placing mortification in a rigid, stubborn frame of spirit - which is for the most part earthly, legal, censorious, partial, consistent with wrath, envy, malice, pride - on the one hand, and pretenses of liberty, grace, and I know not what, on the other, true evangelical mortification is almost lost among us . . .
(John Owen: Overcoming Sin and Temptation, p55)

Mortification is an archaic word that means to put to death. Yet sadly, I think, the teaching of mortification is no less common now than the use of the word. We tend to the two extremes that Owen here describes: legalism and licentiousness. Now, as then, "true evangelical mortification is almost lost among us."

Thankfully, Owen is a wise guide in how to make war on sin in a way that is truly evangelical, that is to say, "belonging to the good news." I look forward to passing on his wisdom along the way.

My little scientist

I remember well in an graduate level education class that an instructor made this observation: Many of your 'bad kids' are little scientists. They are experimenting to see what happens, physically, socially and otherwise. Take for example the little boy who overflows the sink at the back of the classroom. It is easy for the teacher (or parent) to reprimand sharply, because it is a thing at at his age he should know not to do that. But if the teacher or parent can pause for a moment to ask, "What was he trying to do?" the answers may be surprising.

Often, the child is wondering, "What will happen if I . . .?" Sometimes the action is something that is directly forbidden, like sticking objects into an electrical outlet. The child knows not to do it, but has never seen why not to do it. So the question is both scientific (What will happen to the object I stick in the outlet?) and sociological (What will Mom and Dad do to me if I disobey?).

Sometimes the action is not forbidden, but is clearly outside the norm. This is where Elisabeth has been experimenting recently. Today it she spread apple sauce on lime tortilla chips. Yesterday she was dipping craisins in apple cider. Every day it is something new. What fascinates me is how inquisitive it is. (I would never think to dunk my sandwich in orange juice, and then continue to do the same with every last bite!)

So, Lord-willing, she will learn that I want her to cultivate the inquisitive, scientific spirit - and that breaking rules (like sticking things in outlets) have clear, firm, and consistent consequences.

Mmm . . . chocolate cookies!

This morning as I sat in the living room reading the Bible, I heard Elisabeth's little voice from her bedroom:

Mmm . . . chocolate cookies!

Then she was back to dream land for another 20 minutes before she woke up. Now I know what she dreams about!

The End of the Spear

In what must be a record for us, we've watched two DVDs in two weeks! When I returned The Emperor's Club, I found The End of the Spear on the library shelf!

After watching it, I am again amazed at the courage of those families, and the way it was used by the Holy Spirit. To summarize for those who haven't seen it (without ruining the movie): five young men and their families move to the Amazon basin in South America to bring the good news to a tribe that has a homicide rate over 60%.

The whole story is told from the perspective of young Steve Saint, a boy of about six, whose father is one of the five men committed to bring good news to this people. When Nate Saint, the boy's father, is preparing to make the first face-to-face contact with this tribe, Steve asks his dad, "If the Wadoni attack, will you shoot them?" His father answers, "We can't shoot them; they're not ready for heaven yet. But we are." I thought it was such a good explanation for a young child of what these families were about. They would not use force, even against a murderous people because they had come to bring the news of new life, even at the cost of their own lives.

While the movie is quite violent, I think it is a great movie for parents to watch to help us ask these questions:

• Are we living for something that is worth dying for?
• Do our kids have a sense that we are where we are (wherever that is) because we hope in Christ, and want others to trust Him?
• How courageous and persistent are we in telling others of the One who delivers from death?

Behaviorism and the Gospel

Behaviorism will keep you from making the Gospel central in your correction and discipline. If behavior and behavioral change is your focus, your parenting will emphasize techniques for controlling behavior. It is impossible for the gospel to be the core of your parenting interventions when behavior is your focus. [Ted Tripp]

I think that Tripp is right; behavior is the tip of the iceberg. Addressing behavior is just melting the top of the iceberg so it doesn't prodtrude above the water . . . for a moment.

The Emperor's Club

Even though I don't see many movies, I love good film. Last week Rebecca picked The Emperor's Club off the shelf of our local public library. I hadn't heard of it previously, but loved the film. The protagonist is a classically trained history teacher at an elite boys school who sparks the love of learning and understanding in his students.

The reason that I recommend this film here is for the way that it demonstrates the importance of integrity in parenting. I thought that the film did a brilliant, and surprising, job of impressing the necessity of integrity in a way that I needed to see.

[The film has one inappropriate scene, that they would have done very well to leave out - where some of the students are looking at pornography. I think the point was to show the bad influence of one student upon others, but could easily have been done without the scene - and you'll be better off if you fast forward through it too.]

In Art Class

Why toy/book/stuff recommendations?

Why offer recommendations of toys, books and kid gear? For some, this question may never occur; this is a blog, and the blogger can do whatever s/he wants with it.

As a Christian, I think it is a valid question. Why recommend things that can't satisfy? If our hearts naturally incline to be satisfied with anything but God, then why add my recommendation to things that I know will not satisfy?

First, why recommend things that can't satisfy?
I am indebted to C.S. Lewis for the answer.

But the most obvious fact about praise-whether of God or any thing-strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honor. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless (sometimes even if) shyness or the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check it. The world rings with praise-lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game-praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds, praised most, while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least.…

I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: "Isn't she lovely? Wasn't it glorious? Don't you think that magnificent?"

Lewis' point is that praise is inherent to our nature. The question is not whether we do it, but of what we do it. We praise those things that we esteem, that we consider worthy of praise, worthy of being admired and trusted by others. For this reason, I don't hesitate to recommend toys, books and gear that are durable, well-made, clever, etc. Just as Lewis says, I spontaneously praise what I value. If things were all that I praised, or what I praised most highly, then I would be in great danger of leading others to trust and delight in things beyond the measure that they are worthy to be trusted and enjoyed. Which leads me to answer the second question.

If our hearts naturally incline to be satisfied with anything but God, then why add my recommendation to things that I know will not satisfy?
Again, I rely on Lewis:

The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about. My whole, more general, difficulty about the praise of God depended on my absurdly denying to us, as regards the supremely Valuable, what we delight to do, what indeed we can't help doing, about everything else we value.

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. (C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1958, pp. 93-95) [I found this selection online here.]

I am not going to deny myself or others "what we delight to do, what indeed we can't help doing" by saying, "I will only praise God." Rather, I need to be clear that those things that I commend while surpassing their peers, and bringing me pleasure, are nothing next to the supreme worthiness of God in Christ. This is why Jesus' words, "Whoever does not renounce everything he has cannot be my disciple," are not burdensome. It is like trading a Kia for a Porsche. Only the idiot is going to cast a second glance at the Kia. Praise can be appropriate of both Kia and a Porsche, but there is no comparison between the two.

Given the reality that Christ is more worthy to be trusted and admired than anything, there are two other respects in which recommending things can be helpful, I think:

1. Value is upheld. God is not honored by those who sell a junky product or service, nor by those who consider junk to be of good quality. Giving our business to those who deserve it strengthens those companies that truly provide value - and nudges inferior companies to improve, or go out of business.
2. Things can lift our eyes to Christ. I think that this is most clear with music and literature. They can be a vehicle to help us see Christ more clearly and love Him more.

As human beings, we will praise. The question, I think, is whether our praise is in proportion to the worthiness of the object.

New bookshelf

Elisabeth is loving her new bookshelf, that accomodates her toys in a much tidier manner.

Mediterranean couscous with roasted vegetables

I've been on the lookout for good vegetarian recipes, and this one was excellent, from epicurious.

Building a gingerbread house with Aunt Haley

Aunt Haley was one of the chief architects of the gingerbread house. Elisabeth was the chief decorator and nibbler.

Hide 'Em in Your Heart

Elisabeth was just given Volume 2 of Hide 'em in Your Heart. What a great way to memorize Scripture! Like the first volume, the songs are Scripture set to music. However, in addition to the audio CD, this package includes a DVD of the kids' songs.

I think the musical quality of the first volume was slightly better, but the content of this CD is also excellent.

If you know of other good Scripture set to music for kids, please share!

Priorities for the Church

One of the things that I most enjoyed about our Christmas travels was the time that we were able to spend talking with family over meals. At one of those meals, my dad posed this question to those around the table:

If you were part of a church plant, and responsible for defining the core
values and priorities of that church, what would they be?

What a wonderful question for helping us to think missionally! So, having benefited from the answers of those around the table, I wanted to open up the question to others to glean from your wisdom as well.

Comment away!

McCheyne's Reading Plan

I know many people start new Bible reading plans at this time of year. I have used Robert Murray McCheyne's for several years now. I tried the Discipleship Journal plan last year, and switched back to McCheyne midyear. I highly recommend it.

Here are some of the advantages of the plan, and how it is designed to be used for both private and family readings. Here is a little more background on McCheyne, as well as my review of Awakening, a biography of McCheyne by the current pastor of St. Peter's, Dundee.

Here are some internet ways to access McCheyne's calendar:

• Edginet -set for your own timezone, version of the Bible, with custom rss
• ESV - all on one page
• pdf - In addition to the calendar, McCheyne outlines not only the advantages but the dangers of his plan

Be killing sin

Be killing sin or it will be killing you.
(Taylor, Justin, and Kapic, Kelly., ed. "John Owen: Overcoming Sin and Temptation." Wheaton, IL: Crossway. 2006. p50)

A Foray in Foosball

Elisabeth decided to take on Uncle Roger in foosball. Fortunately for Uncle Roger, she hasn't yet mastered using both of her hands to control the players. :)

Candyland

For Christmas, Elisabeth was given the Dora Edition of Candyland (which includes a Dora Memory Game). The first time we tried playing, she didn't understand it at all, got bored with it and walked away.

After 2 more attempts, she got it, and just now she beat me in our first complete game! It is amazing to watch how quickly kids learn through simple exposure.

Redefining "treat"

Over the holidays, Elisabeth has had a lot of "treats": candy, cookies, cake, etc. Not surprisingly, she has come to view treats as a part of every day (since they have been for the past two weeks or so). So we have begun the process of redefining "treat" in our household usage. When Elisabeth asks, "May I have a treat?" I answer, "Yes, you may have a banana, or a pear or yogurt." For the last few days, she responded, "Dad! That's not a treat!"

Today, for the first time, when she asked for a treat, and I gave her a pear, she said,

"A pear is a treat, Dad!"

She's right! And I'm glad that she's learning that not all treats are made of refined sugar!

Happy New Year!

Clipmarks

I recently discovered an add-on for Firefox that I had long wished for (and don't have the technical competence to create): An efficient way to tag a small section of text on a webpage for future reference. I used to bookmark the page on which a particular sentence or paragraph was found, but didn't have a good way of referencing it later when I wanted to find it.

Then I found Clipmarks. It is kind of thing that I would have expected Google labs to come up with. Clipmarks is the researcher's tool, because you can clip small sections of text on any webpage, title it, tag it, and later find it easily.

Why note it on this blog? First, it is a great way for parents to keep track of valuable resources on parenting that they want to be able to find quickly. Second, there is a social dimension (although I think the service is presently quite small). Users have the ability to make their content private or public. If made public, it enables parents to "pop" resources that other parents have "clipped."

Telling Time

The time has come to learn how to read an analog clock. We've been using a book with a built in clockface (which isn't good literature at all, but is useful for the little clockface). So now Elisabeth can tell time to the hour, and can move the hands to show any "o'clock."

We were given the Melissa & Doug clock some time ago. At that time, it was great for learning numbers and shapes; now it is going to be great for learning how to read the minute hand.

The hour and minute hands are significantly different in length, and are different colors. (Believe it or not, a lot of clocks designed to teach kids time have hour and minute hands that are remarkably similar in length and the same color.) Around the perimeter, the hour numbers are printed, and just inside those marks, the minutes are indicated.

In addition to excellent design (apart from making the 5 a hexagon and the 6 a pentagon . . .), the clock is solid and durable, made of wood. I highly recommend it!