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A Publication of RenewaNation: Helping Children Develop a Biblical Worldview.

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Friday, April 24, 2020

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

Friday, April 17, 2020

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

  





Friday, April 10, 2020

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

  







Friday, April 3, 2020

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

  

Friday, March 27, 2020

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

  

Friday, March 20, 2020

You Complete The Sentence




Last week, we posted a video that documents the efforts of the United Nations to get CSE [Comprehensive Sexual Education] into elementary and secondary schools around the globe. If you missed it, click here:  https://youtu.be/hIv-KOQ5F4A

We also said that in Washington State, 58% of the more than 10,000 respondents to a survey done by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction said CSE should not be required in grades K-12.

But just 58%.

This means 42% did not object to mandating CSE in K-12 schools. That should give us all cause to pause.   

The day after the Washington State legislature passed the CSE bill, a citizen posted the above-referenced video on her neighborhood social network, and provided a link to petition the governor to not sign the bill into law.

The majority of the comments this person received from neighbors were negative. Here are some:

Oh my goodness 😂 I thought I was reading something in favor of the bill until I realized some special folks might actually think this is a bad thing.

I don’t think a non-traditional family is a threat to yours. If you’re out there suggesting that non-traditional families are somehow inferior to yours and in some way threatening, you are absolutely 100% preaching hate.

Gave that video 10 minutes of time. Honestly laughing pretty hard. Gonna show my wife so she can get a hoot out of it too.

You have the right to teach your kids whatever you want, but I have the right to think that’s a really bad choice on your part and to look forward to when your kids learn better.

Any society that does not thoroughly explain human sexuality to every youngster is working to destroy its youth.

The program allows an "opt out".  Nobody is trying to force mainstream views on your children, and while you're at it, the things you refer to as "radical views" are mainstream. So, please, show some equity here.

If we think CSE and the ideology behind it are part of a top-down push by the “powers that be” upon a hapless population that has no idea which way is up, think again. That’s not the full picture. It’s coming from “the bottom up,” too.

Pause.

If our neighbors believe CSE is good thing for elementary and secondary students, and it should be mandated learning, then...

You complete the sentence. Your way.


For one pastor's search to find out what is going on in California, see: https://www.nordskogpublishing.com/no-opt-out-allowed-the-california-sex-ed-indoctrination/

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org



Friday, March 13, 2020

An Infection More Life-altering Than COVID-19




By now, you have heard about the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. Who hasn't?  
   
But have you heard about the other infection that's circling the globe right now, called CSE?     

The latest US state to pass a Comprehensive Sexuality Education [CSE] bill is the State of Washington. Prior to its passage, the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction did a survey and found that 58% of the more than 10,000 respondents said CSE should not be required in grades K-12. Nevertheless, the bill passed last weekend. 

Mandatory CSE for all Washington State public schools will go into effect starting the coming school year. Previous CSE bills passed in California and Oregon. Washington was just the third domino to fall on the West Coast.   
   
You may not know what CSE is about. You may have never heard of it. But it's as important to be informed about CSE as to be informed about COVID-19.   

A worldwide effort has been underway for several years to get CSE into elementary and secondary schools in Africa, South America, North America, Europe, Australia…and many other parts of the planet…through the work of the United Nations. This is no secret. This is no conspiracy. The UN is quite open about their efforts.

We urge you to carve out 35 minutes of your precious time to watch an informative video that explains what CSE is about. It presents numerous examples of CSE curriculum, and shares compelling warnings from experts around the world. If you are not familiar with CSE, you need to be.  
   
Spending 35 minutes to view the video below may be the most important 35 minutes you have spent since you began looking into COVID-19, or listening to what others are saying about it.

CSE is different than the Coronavirus. It's an infection more life-altering than COVID-19, in that it does the most damage to children, rather than the elderly. They must live with it for a lifetime.

There is a generation at stake here, not only in the USA, but in many other nations as well.

We urge you to take a good look at this video, and pass on this post to others:



If this video does not play, click: https://youtu.be/hIv-KOQ5F4A

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org