Bravo!

Well said!

Especially that part 3....

Goals are what make something fun. Some people think fun is playing with a ball. However, sports wouldn't be considered 'Fun' by those who play it, if there were no goals, and no times.

Keep track records of goals, both complete and incomplete, and watch your views of the nearly profane three letter word, 'fun', change entirely.

Goals make responsiblity a joy. They allow us to see how much we can do when we have direction, and purpose.

I wish I was not so wrapped up in the 'fun' philosophy myself, but somehow I've come to think that somehow I have a right to amuse myself...

A-Muse....

Not Think...

Apparently we're pushed into believing that we have a right to not think!

No wonder we have so many problems later in life! Well, I hope I learn to muse more, and amuse less.

Thanks for keeping a great blog guys!
John Robert Moore | Homepage | 11.01.05 - 4:39 pm | #

I'm definitely going to read all of these. This one had some great tips. Thank you so much, guys. You really are such blessings. Keep up the good work and never stop glorifying our Lord.
Promise Rhodes | 11.01.05 - 6:44 pm | #

Wow, I am going to have to read the other parts of this series!! I agree with you 100%. If people are not used to having responsibility when they are young, what kind of an America will kids grow up to? John made a very good point about amusement. Isn't it sad that in America we have the 'priviledge' of going to parks that allow us to not think for a whole entire day?

~Nella
Ednella Sound-Out | Homepage | 11.02.05 - 7:23 am | #

You bring up some important points here, as in the great majority of your posts. But, let me briefly speak the truth in love: you need to make sure you're careful with your words. Please know you have a wide audience here, and what you say needs to be well thought-out and not hasty. This is especially with regards to some of the comments that have been made about public schooling. I know I, and several I know, have been deeply affected by these in negative ways. Hurt is brought about when acceptance is absent.

Remember there are lots of pros and cons to homeschooling as there are public schooling! I'll refrain from discussion. But I ask you, as your fellow sister in Christ, please be gentle, please be rational, please be considerate. As you seek to glorify the Lord, remember that Jesus was not judgemental. Far from it. :-) Look to Him as your example when you want to reach your peers.
Vikki | 11.02.05 - 10:49 pm | #

Dear Vikki,

Thank you for your comment. You truly spoke your reproach with love, and we greatly appreciate and admire that. We will make sure that we give great care and thought to our words regarding public schooling. We are pained to think that we have caused anyone reading to feel hurt or condemned. That was far from our intention.

However, if I may clarify, we have studied this issue in length and our comments reflect our conclusions, which we have tried always to season with salt. Please do not misunderstand; we do not condemn the people in the public schools. There have been excellent, excellent Christian young people who have come out of the schools as stronger and more effective Christians than they would have been otherwise. There are countless teachers who have been an incredible witness to Christ through their work in the public schools. But this is a testimony of God's gracious goodness, not a testimony that the public school as a system is justified. As a system, we strongly believe that it is spiritually bankrupt.

As you rightly said, there is no need to argue the pros and cons. Brett and I believe that home schooling, in the context of a family following God's biblical guidance in a strong local church, is superior to any other form of education. However, we do not take a legalistic approach. By no means. If we have ever made a statement that implies a legalistic approach, please bring it to our attention that we may rectify that error...

Throughout our blog, our approach to the homeschool vs. public school controversy has been primarly one of: Observe the fruit. If you like what you see, do what we do.

Once again, thank you for your kind correction. We esteem and appreciate those who bring to our attention any error in fact or approach very much indeed. God bless you!

In Christ,

Alex
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 6:04 am | #

I love your blog! I just found it a few days ago and it looks awesome. I've already read most of the Kidult series- very good!! I'll keep checking in here periodically.
Thanks and keep up the good work,
Lindsey
Lindsey | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 8:46 am | #

Wonderfully inspiring! Thanks for the great words of encouragement in the Kidults Series (Part 3). It is all too easy to fall into an activity driven life. Keep proclaiming truth for His glory!

~*Christin*~

P.S. English Country Dancing is more than "just having fun" right?
Christin Spradling | 11.04.05 - 8:11 am | #

Hey Christin! Thanks for commenting. Yes, I would say that English Country Dancing is more than "just having fun," especially if you truly focus on developing the historical social etiquette and signficance that accompanies it. George Washington once said that English Country Dancing was what taught him how to be a gentleman.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 11.04.05 - 11:03 am | #

alex and brett-

thanks for setting this site up-it's awesome! It really helps me keep my focus on eternal things and that our purpose on earth is to serve Him. As I face distractions, this is an encouragement to make the Main Thing the main thing.

thanks again,
sarah
sarah rogers | 11.08.05 - 7:54 pm | #

I couldn't disagree more. the fact is, life is evolving. these "20 somethings" that don't know what they want to do with their life are not simple doing nothing. they are creating. they are making things. they are learning. they are socializing, they are experimenting with life. they are expanding as human beings.

if you try to define a person's worth and purpose simply by saying what they do to buy groceries and pay rent (or mortgage, a lot of these "twixers" have condos, you know), you are denegrating who they are. in fact, you are denegrating the entire human race by reducing them to components of production. life is more than just work. the fact that our generation has learned this is a step up in our evolution, not a step down.
josh albert | Homepage | 11.09.05 - 1:41 pm | #

Hi guys - some interesting posts on "kidults" here - I e-mailed you yesterday with a partial response on my thoughts on, well - at least the first of the series. I planned to do more of the study today and get e-mail you another response, but I've had some responsibilities to take care of (ironically).

I just want to say though - you guys do a good job with keeping up on the news, trends, and today's culture. The only thing I see a problem with is the "filtering" and approach sometimes. I'm not usually this "tough" on bloggers or on web forums - but you stated that you are presenting the "truth", and I believe somewhere else that you are "Christians," which would seem obvious to most considering your family's "reputation."

God bless and we'll see if we can do this soon,
Richard
Richard Sees | Homepage | 11.11.05 - 8:36 pm | #

Hey Richard - thanks for the comment. The reason I respond here is just to say that, yes, Brett and me are emphatically, positively, all-out, no-holds-barred, born again believers. I would hope there would be no mistaking that fact.

We did receive your email, and we appreciate the constructive criticism. I don't know if I agree with your conclusion -- though I'm not exactly sure what it is -- but I acknowledge the truth of many of your premises. Thank you. I look forward to hearing more from you, and hopefully, clarifying our position, as time permits.

God bless!
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 11.11.05 - 10:00 pm | #