Watch This Film FREE Through May 10

If you have high school children at home, we recommend watching a film together that will really make you (and them) think deeply. It's FREE on-line through May 10.

Over the past 9 months, we have devoted numerous posts to exposing the roots of today's "political correctness" movement, and the relentless efforts of "Critical Theorists" to eliminate Christianity from American thought and practice. 

These efforts began in the mind of a man born in 1813, who had less than a dozen people attending his funeral in 1883: Karl Marx.

Many people are under the false impression that Marxism died with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, 30 years ago. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Curtis Bowers was a member of the Idaho State House of Representatives in 2007. He wrote an article in a local newspaper that caused a firestorm, clearly touching a nerve. Three years later, in 2010, he released a film digging much deeper into that nerve. 

This film, called, Agenda: Grinding America Down, is the best "connect-the-dots" piece you'll find, exposing the links between Karl Marx and the current divisions our nation is experiencing, with the relentless efforts to replace our Judeo-Christian foundations of law and culture with "something other." 

Bowers' documentary lays out the "something other" with great clarity. 

The current Coronavirus shutdown provides a wonderful opportunity for watching, and re-watching, good films and videos! Bowers' 93-minute documentary fits perfectly into this scenario. 

If you have high school children, we highly recommend you watch it together, and discuss it. 

Start with this question: This film was produced 10 years ago. Have things gotten better or worse since then? Support your answer with facts.

This film is worth viewing multiple times.

Watch this film FREE through May 10, using this link:  

https://link.zixcentral.com/u/586c46ef/WJIuGXWK6hGqDqKA5F7kRg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5eLRrR5UUWE

   
Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

  

What Are The Alternatives?

When it comes to education, what road is your child on?

As ideologies opposed to God are given not only a welcome mat in state schools, but a mandate, an increasing number of Christian parents are asking, "What are the alternatives?"

The majority of America’s children spend seven hours a day, five days a week, for thirteen years in schools that are not teaching them the truth about American history, economics, origins, human sexuality, gender, and the ultimate purpose for living.

Many parents are saying enough is enough. 

If you are a parent wondering what your options are for your child's education, register for a free, 45-minute webinar on Thursday, May 7, at 2pm Eastern, hosted by Renewanation.

The speakers are Jeff Keaton, the Founder & President of Renewanation, along with Dr. Josh Mulvihill, Executive Director of Church & Family Ministry for Renewanation. If you are a parent considering educational alternatives to the state schools, we urge you to participate in this webinar.

Click here to register.

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

It Affects The Entire Culture

Nice people, no doubt.

If you have been following this blog, you are aware of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education [CSE] mandate taking place in several states, and gaining speed in others. You also know why it is important to not be "asleep at the wheel" regarding this issue. It affects the entire culture.

"Nice people" (like those whose smiling faces are pictured above), are on a mission to create a new normal for America. 

To establish this new normal, supple minds are needed, and K-12 education is the most effective avenue for shaping those minds. John Dewey, the Father of Progressive Education, understood this well. Christians could learn a few things from Dewey.

About 90% of all K-12 students in the US attend public schools. As go the public schools, so goes the nation. At least that's what way it's been up to this point. We may be witnessing a shake-up, however, the likes of which no one could have been predicted. 

Meanwhile, with respect to the Comprehensive Sexuality Education mandate in public schools, it helps to know specifics. This is why we are providing the video below. We recommend you watch 3 segments, which will total 11 minutes of your time: 

What content can be expected? 2:10-5:48 (3.5 minutes)

Are parents able to "opt their children out" of instruction? 13:15-16:56 (3.5 minutes) 

How is "sexuality education" already affecting students? 16:57-21:00 (4 minutes)

If this video does not play, click https://youtu.be/_aIynuqFNDc

The above video focuses on Washington State, but CSE is not unique to Washington. This is a worldwide movement. Yet, the word "movement" is too weak. "Tidal wave" is more fitting. However, it's really an air-borne virus. Tidal waves are obvious. Viruses are not.     

During a limited window of time [90 days, ending on June 10], residents of Washington State have the opportunity to petition the State to put ESSB 5395 up for a vote of the people: click here.

Protest we must, for silence is not an option. Yet, protesting will not solve the root problem. We need another Great Awakening unlike any we’ve ever seen before. 

We also need some practical changes in the options parents have for educating their children.

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

Is Servicing Cars The Work Of God?

Is servicing cars the work of God?

Last week we saw what happens when a person applies biblical truth to the buying and selling of multi-million dollar hotels.

This week, let's find out what happens when a car dealership owner, Don Flow, decides to sell and service automobilies "as unto the Lord."  

Is servicing cars the work of God?

After watching this 4-minute video, consider the questions below for a discussion at home (or think of your own questions):

If this video does not play, click https://youtu.be/F4tCy6hexc8

For discussion:

What might happen to the world's economy if people practiced the buying and selling of all goods "as unto the Lord?"

Is Don Flow's work a "secular job?" Justify your answer.

In what specific ways could the work that you do be done more in direct alignment with the biblical worldview?

For more about Don Flow's approach to business, particularly in a time of economic downturn, click here.

The above video is contained in the God's Pleasure At Work Curriculum Pack, by Dr. Christian Overman. For more about this curriculum pack, recommended age 13 through adult as a home-based study, click here. 

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

  

The True Art Of The Deal

When people align their workplace values and behavior with the biblical worldview, there are often choices to be made that lead to doing things much differently than the "normal" way people do the same work.

Today's "family conversation video" is the personal account of Jack vanHartesvelt, a businessman who quit doing his work the "typical" way it was done, and started doing his work the way a Follower of Christ would, as he negotiated major deals through the buying and selling of hotels for an investment management firm.

Yes, buying and selling hotels.

About two weeks prior to the interview shown in the video below, Jack was involved in the sale of a New York City hotel for one million dollars per room. 

Jack's story is a powerful example of what it means to integrate biblical worldview truths into the world of high finance. This is the true art of the deal.

After watching the interview below, consider the following questions for having a good family conversation. If you don't have a family, discuss the video with a friend--via ZOOM.

What struck you most about Jack's account? Why? 

Why do you think Jack's lawyers told him they would not work with him unless he first went to the board of the company to get their permission? Why do you think the board gave Jack its permission?

What risks did Jack take?

How might Jack's way of doing things make a difference in the way you do your work?

This is the short version (7.5 minutes). If this video does not play, click https://youtu.be/9yG9BNm_zFw

This is a longer version (12 minutes). If this video does not play, click https://youtu.be/18KKoaLMKzM

This video, and others we will be sharing in the weeks to come, are from the God's Pleasure At Work Curriculum Pack, by Dr. Christian Overman. For more about this curriculum pack, recommended age 13 through adult as a home-based study, click here. It is also available on Amazon, here.

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

  

Dr. George Washington Carver

Dr. George Washington Carver created 300 products from the peanut and 118 products from the sweet potato.
What motivated him to do this?

Last week we began a series of short video clips to provide opportunities for families to have meaningful conversations around things that really matter.    

This week's video clip deals with the life of Dr. George Washington Carver, and his biblical worldview. 

After you and your family have viewed the video below (4.5 minutes), pick one or two of the following questions to discuss (you may need to adjust the wording of these questions depending on the age of your children), or think of your own reflective questions:

What biblical truths provided meaning and purpose for Carver's work as a botanist?

In what ways did Carver's work fulfill the First Commission of Genesis 1:26-28 and the Great Commandment of Matthew 22:36-40?

What was most impressive to you about the things viewed in the video?

What biblical truths that Carver understood can be applied to your daily work? 

Carver once wrote: "After I leave this world, I do not believe I am through." What do you think Carver meant by this statement?

To discover more about Carver and his biblical worldview, we recommend two books dealing with his faith: George Washington Carver: His Life & Faith in His Own Words, by William J. Federer, and Fruits of Creation, by John S. Ferrell. 

If this video does not play, click https://youtu.be/1wv4qYIyJoM

This video, and others we will be sharing in the weeks to come, are from the God's Pleasure At Work Curriculum Pack, by Dr. Christian Overman. For more about this curriculum pack, recommended age 13 through adult as a home-based study, click here. It is also available on Amazon, here.

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

  

Turn Lemons Into Lemonade

Gary Starkweather, Christ-follower and inventor of the laser printer.

Families are spending more time together these days. Perhaps more time than they ever thought possible, prior to the Coronavirus crisis.  

These are challenging days for all of us. But by God's grace, we can turn lemons into lemonade, and direct this experience toward something truly beneficial. This crisis, in fact, is presenting many new opportunities to be realized at last! Not the least of which is quality family time.

To that end, in the coming weeks we will be posting short video clips, encouraging parents to watch these clips with the entire family, and use them as meaningful "conversation starters."  

The first clip we have for you is an interview with Gary Starkweather, who invented the laser printer. Gary went to be with his Lord and Friend just last December 26, after a 6-year battle with cancer. But Gary's testimony while on Earth lives on, thanks to the Internet, computer technology and YouTube.

After you and your family have viewed the video below, pick one or two of the following questions for having a meaningful conversation (you may need to adjust the wording of these questions depending on the age of your children), or think of your own reflective questions: 

How do you think God feels about computer technology?

How does Gary Starkweather's view of his work with technology line up with a biblical view of purpose?

How will you look differently at the laser printer, now that you have heard from its inventor, and know more of the biblical worldview behind its development? 

What lessons can we learn about our own work from how Gary Starkweather viewed his work? How can we apply these understandings to our daily life and to our work at home, particularly during these challenging days?

If the video does not play, click https://youtu.be/8eFLQoBXMHI (6.5 minutes)

This video, and others we will be sharing in the weeks to come, are from the e-book curriculum, God's Pleasure At Work, by Dr. Christian Overman. For more about this curriculum, recommended age 13 through adult as a home-based study, click here.

Extra credit: Did you know that during the Bubonic plague in Europe, Isaac Newton had to work from home, and it was during this time he was most productive, developing his theories of calculus, optics and gravity?

Check it out here. 

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org