When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Isaac Watts, 1707, text of 1709

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God:

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down:

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Two Days of Hands On Homeschooling - For Daddy

We are at the end of the second of two "snow days" that I received off from work. These days have been quite productive. On day 1, I got to work with Paton and Justin on their math. Today, I got to help Brittney dissect a crayfish (or crawdad, as I've taught her to say!). I also managed to pick up a generator at Sam's yesterday morning. I was on my way to the office when my friend and colleague called to tell me that the state offices were closed and I should go home. Well, Sam's wasn't too far out of the way, so after Sheri called to find out they had them, I swung by there and picked one up. It fit completely in the trunk of the Mercury! We recently bought that car from my dad, as it had belonged to my grandfather. Later that afternoon before the really bad sleet began to fall, I made a quick trip to Lowe's to pick up a power transfer switch for the home. So, I spent a couple of hours getting that hooked up today. This was in anticipation of losing power, which we never did. It's a great backup anyway, even if we don't need it during this snow storm. As I write this, the snow is still falling. Looks like we'll be shut in throughout the weekend as well.

Michael is in Texas with Sheri's mom. They rode the train down there. The plan is for them to attend the Ft. Worth Stock Show rodeo tomorrow night. Glad they're having fun. They've got a lot of rain, but at least they're not stranded at home.

Gotta run...homemade pizza's ready... It's great to have a grain mill, a dough mixer, and a wife and daughters that know how to use them.

Texaplex

Oklahoma Legislative Alert

Many of my readers are homeschoolers in Oklahoma. If this includes you, please read the following legislative alert I received from OCHEC.

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Legislative Alert SB1403

Author Sen. Mary Easley

January 15, 2010

Senator Mary Easley, has pre-filed a bill for the 2010 session that would include the following language into law: "The parent or guardian of a child utilizing other means of education shall provide written notification to the public school district of residence of intent to utilize other means of education prior to the first day of each school year, or within ten (10) days of the beginning of the provision of such other means of education to the student."

OCHEC opposes this bill because, regardless of it's intent, it accomplishes nothing. It is unnecessary and is wasteful of both the parent's and state's time and resources.

Notification will not improve home educated students academically. Studies have consistently shown that there is no correlation between the amount of state regulation of home education and academic success.

Notification will not prevent parents from fraudulently claiming to be home educating their child. Oklahoma's laws regarding truancy and educational neglect have been reviewed and found to be adequate, when enforced. If there are parents willing to incur charges of truancy, they would certainly be willing to file a fraudulent notification. Scofflaws will continue to scoff at laws.

Please contact Senator Easley by telephone, email and/or mail and express your opposition to this bill. This would also be an excellent opportunity to contact your senator and ask that this bill be opposed. Contact information may be found at: www.lsb.state.ok.us .

Once the bill has been assigned to a committee, OCHEC will request that you contact the members of the committee and ask that the bill not be heard.

Small Group Bible Studies

HT: http://www.extremetheology.com

The Pain of Miscarriage

Here is a very helpful Kevin Swanson - Generations program. I'd encourage you to give it a listen.

Psalm 77

This Psalm was read, expounded, and sung during the Lord's Day meeting today. It really ministered to me.

Psalm 77:1-20 (ESV)

(1) To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.

(2) In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

(3) When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

(4) You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

(5) I consider the days of old, the years long ago.

(6) I said, "Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Then my spirit made a diligent search:

(7) "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?

(8) Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?

(9) Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah

(10) Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High."

(11) I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

(12) I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

(13) Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

(14) You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

(15) You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

(16) When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.

(17) The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.

(18) The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

(19) Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

(20) You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

What E'er My God Ordains is Right

What E'er My God Ordains is Right

Samuel Rodigast, 1675

Tr. by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

1. What e'er my God ordains is right:

Holy his will abideth;

I will be still what e'er he doth,

And follow where he guideth:

He is my God;

Though dark my road,

He holds me that I shall not fall:

Wherefore to him I leave it all.

2. What e'er my God ordains is right:

He never will deceive me;

He leads me by the proper path;

I know he will not leave me:

I take, content,

What he hath sent;

His hand can turn my griefs away,

And patiently I wait his day.

3. What e'er my God ordains is right:

Though now this cup, in drinking,

May bitter seem to my faint heart,

I take it, all unshrinking:

My God is true;

Each morn anew

Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,

And pain and sorrow shall depart.

4. What e'er my God ordains is right:

Here shall my stand be taken;

Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,

Yet am I not forsaken;

My Father's care

Is round me there;

He holds me that I shall not fall:

And so to him I leave it all.

AMEN