Michael Wagner – Page 21

Whose Children Are They?

Part of the series What is Being Communicated?
Written by Léo Gaumont, published on 2013-09-23.

Sometimes a slogan is so good we dare not question it. But does it actually advance what we think it says?

Opinions expressed in this blog are those of the blogger which, although based on personal experience and knowledge of the scriptures, can be in error. No one has a corner on the truth but we should all sincerely be in search of it.

Bible Reference: Eph. 6:4

While on a walk, my wife and I spotted a school sign that got our attention. All it said was “Our Children”. At first brush, this wouldn’t cause much concern for most people as it appears like a collective concern for the educational plight of children in general. However, the LED sign on the school wall provided us with a bit clearer picture. It read “Our Children, Our Future”. Once again, without really thinking about this statement, it has the appearance of nobility, of being concerned for the future, until, that is , we start asking a few questions. If the sign had said “Children: Their Future, Our Future”, it would communicate to me that if we took care of the children, they will take care of us, but that is not what I got from “Our Children, Our Future”. I saw this more as a directive that communicated that if we want to shape the future, we had better shape our children. There is definitely truth to this, but the result will depend on what our presupposition about the future is. Define the future and you have an idea of who these children are and what we have to do to get them to it. If our desire is to have a nation where God is upheld in the highest authority and followed in obedience, we would be directing our children differently than if we wanted a nation where man is central, the determiner of values and maker of rules. For a Godly future, would we not teach them values and precepts as outlined in the Bible? If preparing them for service or conformity to a Godless society, would we use the same resources? Different objectives founded on different values depend entirely on our presuppositions. Believing in God, the authority of His Word and His purpose in creation, or not, will most certainly direct those teaching the children to instill in them different knowledge and values. “Our Children, Our Future” should beg us to question what future “our” children are being prepared for in that school. Our children indeed are our future and we do have a choice on how to prepare them for it. However, we would be wise if we prepared them for one that ultimately extends beyond this life. This future is far too important to entrust to perfect strangers in an institution that may not have the same ideas of what the future should look like or what the children need to learn to get there.

Are We Being Careful To Define The Term?

Part of the series What is Being Communicated?
Written by Léo Gaumont, published on 2013-09-16.

Words can be used to direct others on what to believe (advance a lie) as much as to tell the truth.

Bible Reference: 2 Tim 2:14

Political correctness has changed the way we communicate. In our attempt to not offend anyone words are being redefined, corrected, avoided and/or perverted to no longer have the linguistic effect intended. Terms that once communicated one thing now communicate something altogether different. Some may recall the proper use of the word “gay” which meant to be light hearted and carefree. Some parents even chose to name their daughters “Gay or Gaye”. To be “born again” once described a true Christian who had come to the knowledge of the truth and dedicated him or her self to the cause of Christ (note that himself used to apply to everyone but now we must “include” her in order to not offend!). Some rather unsavory examples of “born again Christians” help pervert the meaning to be equated with hypocrisy. A fundamentalist was a person who upheld a strict and literal interpretation of the Bible, but now has become synonymous with he who is intolerantly opinionated. Words are purposefully twisted and used in such a way as to communicate what we should believe or upload as virtuous, the “pro” in pro-choice, and the “anti” in anti-abortion serve as good examples. A private corporation is often described by the left leaning media as “for profit”, as if making money is less virtuous than the red ink of government mismanagement. Arguments are made against biblical teaching and perspectives by perverting or abusing terms such that Christians try to avoid using those terms in order to not offend or to be numbered among those who misuse the term. One can easily become cynical when considering the use of terms in titles such as Honest Ed’s Used Cars, Solid Rock Foundations or Wisdom’s Ways. Really! What is so wise about this way? What rock are we talking about? Sandstone? When exactly is Ed honest? How many time is the word Christian used in a title when that is the only thing “Christian” about it? Are the terms employed to describe or to mislead? Words can and are used inappropriately, often because of, or to take advantage of the ignorance of their true meaning. However, sometimes words are purposefully misused to advance as true, things which are not. Who would question policy supposedly advanced under the covering of “for the children” or “for our safety” or “in our best interest”? By questioning the presupposed meaning of the words used, and by questioning the unspoken underlying intent of the statement or terms, one can get a much better understanding of what is being communicated or purposefully “miscommunicated”.

Thirty Reasons You Should Not Send Your Children To School!

Written by Léo Gaumont, published on 2013-09-09.

Nobody actually questions what we expose our children to when we send them to school, even though the media makes it obvious!

Bible Reference: Deut. 6:4-9

I always enjoy the first few weeks of “back to school”! Not that I go back or advocate that anyone should go or go back to school. I simply enjoy the entertainment I get from reading the various articles in the newspapers or listening to the “advice” being given to parents and teachers from the endless list of “professionals” who must fail to read their own articles critically. One such article was entitled “Students share more than a class”. After reading the article, I felt that a more appropriate title may have been “Thirty good reasons to teach your children at home”. The article listed many potential issues that should have caused the reader to immediately go to their child’s school and extract them from the potential dangers listed as part of everyday activities. Besides listing homework as an obvious negative, children’s bad hygiene practices, including failing to properly wash their hands, sharing brushes, pillows, hats, cups, food, straws, head to head contact, exchange of respiratory and throat secretions through kissing, led on to list lesions, blisters, scabs, coughing, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, fever, altered mental status and possibly even death as causes or symptoms of communicable diseases including common colds, influenza, strep throat, oral herpes, mononucleosis and meningitis, the article talked of parasites such as lice being an expectation when students spend time in close proximity with each other. Surprisingly, no mention was made of exposing children with allergies to their allergens nor to the possibility of the school building itself being less than an ideal healthy environment! This article only addresses potentially hazardous health conditions, without mentioning physical abuses, anxiety, bullying, social ostracization, peer counseling, teacher neglect, the application of learning disabilities to increase school funding, long bus rides, parent-less homes at the end of the day and a host of other “normal” expectations of a school. However, if this list hasn’t yet convinced you that school children are in danger, perhaps we should give one more consideration some thought. Obviously of greater concern, if this is what can be expected of our children’s physical and mental well being, what do you think is happening to their spiritual well being? Do not be deceived that private schools are any better as most simply bring the public school issues to another venue. The normalization of school has led some, few actually, to take precautions, yet the most obvious answer is to keep the children home where they can be better protected from the danger inherent in schools and properly cared for in every way by the parents that know them best.

What Can Be Expected… For now?

Part of the series Getting Started With Léo’s Blog
Written by Léo Gaumont, published on 2013-09-02.

Having discussed our foundation and our understanding of Godly leadership, we will now describe what to expect in this blog. Since it is indeed a new venture, we anticipate learning and modifying the way things will be done.

(As clearly stated in our web site Disclaimer, Léo’s blog will be presented from a biblically based Christian world view. No apologies are given or expected from those who disagree with or do not subscribe to this world view. The blog is meant to provide possible answers to the classical statement, “What is Truth”.)

Bible Reference: 1 Cor. 10:31

I have been encouraged to share the wisdom I have attained through a lifetime of actively seeking the truth and the nearly forty years of activity within the education arena. I have often been asked to “write the book”, but have largely been prevented from doing so by my inability to “stop the clock and take a picture”, since my understanding changes as I grow older and “wiser”. I am at my best when I minister to individual people with specific information appropriate to the moment. My dear friend calls these “sound bites”. He was the one that planted the idea of including a blog in the new web site where these sound bites could be made available to all, everywhere. Léo’s blog, will therefore be, my effort to share of the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that I have with anyone who wants to hear, but specifically directed to the Christian home educating community. I make the assumption that those who read it also share a sincere desire to come to the knowledge of the truth and are willing to act on the knowledge gained to better equip themselves and others for the cause of Christ. If indeed, I have become “wise”, it is because in my sincere search for the truth, I have learned how precious little I do know in the grand scheme of things. Wise perhaps, because I am fully aware of my sin, failures, inconsistencies, flaws, short comings and imperfections. There is no doubt these characteristics will find their way to the blog. It can’t help it, as an imperfect “blogger” reaching out to an imperfect audience in an imperfect world is bound to run into trouble or opposition. I am, therefore, fully aware that not everyone will agree with what has been said, however, agreement is not as important as giving the information presented some thought and consideration. If you like it, share it with others. If not, let’s agree to disagree and to remain friends, but please send me your comments and concerns. Needless to say, the blog will reflect my understanding and commitment to the Christian faith and biblical world view, and so it will often present thoughts applicable to life in general as well as to my target audience. I will do my best to keep things on a positive note but things may come up that provoke a bit of righteous indignation! I am not going to box myself into a plan or series but this may indeed be how things end up. I will be taking my direction, firstly from the Holy Spirit and from the “Ask Léo A Question” feature of the web site to keep the information fresh and pertinent. More than just a platform for me to express my views, my motivation is to be of service to the home educating community and to provide it with helpful hints and information to confidently train children in the way they should go. I plan to make the blog a weekly event for now and will on occasion have others participate in its dissemination. The public will have three editions available while members will have access to all past blog articles in the Library Archives. I trust this blog will be a blessing to you. In closing, I ask for your prayers and suggestions as we go forth by faith in this new venture. May God bless you richly as you seek and find His wisdom.
Léo Gaumont,
Director,
Education Unlimited

What is Leadership?

Part of the series Getting Started With Léo’s Blog
Written by Léo Gaumont, published on 2013-08-25.

Leaders are born and not made. They are called and when they obey, are trained and then chosen to fulfill God’s will through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

(Léo’s blog will be presented from a biblically based Christian world view. No apologies are given or expected from those who disagree with or do not subscribe to this world view. The blog is meant to provide possible answers to the classical statement, “What is Truth”.)

Bible Reference: 1 Tim 2:4

To make a difference in this world, one has to be different. To lead with a difference, one has to be a leader of a different kind, for to lead others to do what everyone else is doing is not leadership as much as a form of specialized “followship”. People can be fooled by one’s ability to do things well, but doing things well is not the same as doing things right and most certainly not the proper measure of true leadership. Scripture tells us that “God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”. There are two parts to this statement, the first being God’s plan of salvation, already taken care of through His son, Jesus Christ. The second part is our part, our individual responsibility and corporate purpose. God-ordained leadership informs, directs and equips others so they can come to this knowledge of the truth, which should in turn provide the needed direction in their lives. Leadership should follow the Lord’s directive to make disciples of all men. First to bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ , then to grow in their knowledge of the truth. It most certainly is not something that “blends” with the worldly wisdom that advances a plurality of truths and personalized versions of what faith means or is. We know that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable but we are also told that many are called yet few are chosen. Those who are chosen are commissioned to do the work of the Lord through the leading of the Holy Spirit. This should be evident by the fruit, which should not be in opposition to the scripture. We should therefore quickly disqualify leaders that use worldly tactics or are willing to enable people to do things that would not be supported by the Bible. God’s truth is universal, no matter what people think. He was, after all the One who created us and not the other way around. We should be looking to leaders who do not contradict the directives found within the Bible. Leaders who are “peculiar”, different from the rest, sincere, courageous, uncompromising, willing to risk coming into conflict when advancing the truth. Leaders who would do whatever is needed to change the world rather than capitulate to its secular image. It is with these thoughts and motivations that Léo’s Blog was conceived. Not everybody will agree with its contents, but to the best of our knowledge and ability we will be directing home educating families to the knowledge of the truth, being prepared to quickly apologize for and to fix error when discovered.

The Foundation

Part of the series Getting Started With Léo’s Blog
Written by Léo Gaumont, published on 2013-08-18.

This blog has been a long time coming and a new experience for us all. The first “episodes” will attempt to explain what can be expected from this new web site feature.

Bible Reference: Matt. 6:33

Every once in awhile I feel so strongly that something should be done that I wonder if it is of me at all! I felt this way when I was compelled to do something about the admission of unaccredited home educated students in post-secondary institutions. Rather than accept the way things had always been done, I set out to change the way home educated students were evaluated for admission when they arrived without accreditation. When no one else wanted to expose the fallacious and fraudulent advancement of blended programming, not even the organizations that existed ostensibly to protect home educators, I did, and at no small personal cost. I felt strongly that we had to be involved in a ministry to the poor in Mexico, something that just came without previous consideration. The urgency that most concerns me today is the deplorable state of the western Christian church and the normalization, advancement and “Christianization” of secular humanistic philosophy in all aspects of daily Christian life. A great number of the programs, teachings, tools and strategies advanced as “biblical” today, would not only fail the Bible test but would simply be dismissed as heresy by our forefathers and third world Christians. Only within a culture obsessed with immediate gratification and instant formulas could we find ready acceptance of this foolishness. Is the pursuit of truth and a willingness to follow God our foundational motivation or is our personal well-being of greater importance? The problem is largely based on a ubiquitous lack of knowledge of scripture and the will of the Lord. It may come as a shock to many, but the Lord never promised us happiness or comfort and Christianity is not simply about being nice, using the right words and doing “Christian things”. The Christian walk is hard work, usually rewarded with persecution when “done” appropriately. It should be evident by our love for our fellow humans and a sincere desire to please God rather than man, no matter what the cost. What does this all have to do with home education? Everything! If we are not solid in our foundation we cannot build a lasting house. Most parents are convinced that God requires them to train and make disciples of their children but quickly get fooled into thinking that this responsibility is to become the best teacher and to outperform the world in the world’s game. I have long been convinced that home educators needed a place that would inform them of the truth and not perpetuate the worldly wisdom that takes us back from which we came. This was the compelling reason for the creation of Education Unlimited in the first place and the reason this blog was created.