On Obligating the Future - December, 2003

Several prominent Christian financial counselors have written what essentially amounts to an eleventh commandment against the use of debt. In so many words, the commandment can be written: "Thou shalt not obligate the future." As if we can actually choose to not obligate the future, and that that future would be preferable to an obligated one. This fear-laden approach to honoring God with the whole of our lives is weak. In fact, just the opposite seems true to me. It is important TO obligate the future to please God. So choose wisely… but you MUST choose.

A Father's Vision - November, 2003

In my quest to help CHEACT align its strength with encouraging homeschooling in our region, I have observed two key factors that will determine the long-term success of a homeschool. While there are exceptions to every rule, these are few and far between. If you want to continue to homeschool, these two factors need to be in place.

Life Is Not Fair! - October, 2003

Some of the more common words my father would commend to me while growing up were, "life is not fair", and "we're not like other families". In other words, tough luck. Get over it. Buck up, son. Stop complaining. Over the past few years, I've had plenty of opportunity to learn to be content in all situations. Well, actually, not all situations...

Back to School! - September, 2003

For most of us, school is now back in full swing. For our kids, there is a bittersweet ending to each summer that puts the bookmark on childhood memories of carefree days, and ends with an inner growth, knowing that they really are in the next grade. It feels somewhat like that for CHEACT, too...

This Summer in Transition - August, 2003

The annual summer conference is like the end of the year for the CHEACT Board. It is at this point that we begin to develop next year's plan. Already, there are exciting initiatives taking form, and willing volunteers stepping up to take on new responsibility as we lock arms together to safeguard, promote and encourage home schooling that glorifies God in central Texas in the coming year.

We're Back! - June, 2003

I remember my first CHEACT conference. It was a winter conference with Doug Phillips in January of 2000. My wife placed her foot firmly in the small of my back and shoved me out the door. As I looked around the room during the first speaker session, I began to see that there was a vast religious right-wing conspiracy amongst our wives. Doug's message was life changing for me.

Wear Your Colors! - May, 2003

As we sat listening to announcements in church this past Sunday, I glanced down at my feet and noticed that there was icing dried on my shoe. That's OK, I thought. At least no one can see the egg that snuck inside my shoe…

Cutting Teeth - April, 2003

Something has been gnawing at me over the past few babies, and the notion finally grew teeth with our youngest. Have you ever stopped to consider how inhumane, cruel & unusual and even grotesque the process of cutting teeth is for an infant? I mean, what was God thinking when He decided this was the best way for the glory of His creation to get teeth?

What's Your Story?!? - March, 2003

It has been a few weeks since the CHEACT Winter Conference. From what I can tell, there are more than a few men that have reevaluated their approaches to home schooling and parenting at large. I am hearing great stories of changed lives and new resolve to take our role as seriously as God does. From a sheer numbers perspective, this was our most successful winter conference weekend ever...

MY CHUCKER IS A KEEPER - February, 2003

Although my wife would refer to me (lovingly) as a "Pack Rat," I prefer "Keeper." "Chuckers", like she, will get rid of clothing ("junk") that has not been worn in six months (this makes it hard to keep maternity clothing around!). My old clothes become painting clothes, and then smocks for the kids and eventually, shop rags. In my youth, you had to keep at least one pair of worn-out sneakers for tubing down the river. Sooner or later, there's going to be a day when you are going to find a new use for that old thing. What Chuckers call Junk, I like to think of as "raw materials"....