tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post2161584504840048171..comments2024-03-18T00:53:33.065+11:00Comments on in all honesty: judges with evil thoughtsJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-46826786238447964072008-03-15T14:09:00.000+11:002008-03-15T14:09:00.000+11:00Oh, well, you can't have it all, and most high sch...Oh, well, you can't have it all, and most high schools are geographically distant. It sounds like you will find ways to make it work out and do lots of ministry and evangelism regardless. Go girl! :)Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-38891844476966795002008-03-15T13:39:00.000+11:002008-03-15T13:39:00.000+11:00I quite agree. This is also why I find it very imp...I quite agree. This is also why I find it very important that I help teach Scripture at our local primary school and, in particular, have chosen to be part of the class groups my kids are in. I want to be identified as a Christian mum to the children who are my kids peers and friends and also to the families they represent. I love having their friends over and caring for them and it keeps me accountable too.<BR/>Will have to keep the locality in mind too when sorting out high school as currently it looks like they may end up at a music high school in the city with children coming from all over the place.<BR/><BR/>CathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-56221483493339179082008-03-14T18:42:00.000+11:002008-03-14T18:42:00.000+11:00That's fine Cathy, glad to be of help. Just one mo...That's fine Cathy, glad to be of help. Just one more thought: I think there are incredible advantages in choosing a school down the road - walking distance if possible. Nothing replaces the involvement in the community this provides you and your children! They get to live near their friends; you get to know non-Christian parents in the local area. And you may find you're in and out of each others' homes, especially the kids. What a wonderful opportunity for love and sharing Jesus with them!Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-28698803460399708482008-03-14T10:44:00.000+11:002008-03-14T10:44:00.000+11:00Thanks again Jean - that is really balanced and he...Thanks again Jean - that is really balanced and helpful advice. <BR/><BR/>CathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-42493122107198158912008-03-14T09:50:00.000+11:002008-03-14T09:50:00.000+11:00I don't think there's any "right" or "wrong" kind ...I don't think there's any "right" or "wrong" kind of schooling. God doesn't say we have to use one kind of schooling rather than another, so neither will I! <BR/><BR/>I think the choice of school depends on the individual family and child. Like all decisions, it's important to pray about it, asking for wisdom and insight, and maybe talk to some wise Christian friends or advisers about it. <BR/><BR/>Even within a family, one child may be more suited to a public school, and one child to a private or Christian school. One family with 4 kids I know had at least one child at each kind of school simultaneously! They allowed the children to be involved in the decision-making process.<BR/><BR/>My husband prefers a public school, because he thinks it helps kids learn to relate to non-Christians and people from different backgrounds (I'm less convinced one type is better than the other!) But my husband would consider sending one of our kids to a private (if we could afford it!) or Christian school if they were struggling at their school.<BR/><BR/>There are advantages and disadvantages to any kind of school - private will generally offer a great education, lots of opportunities, good facilities, and a relatively safe environment; public may offer a broader range of experiences, and may help you to relate to different kinds of people when you are older.<BR/><BR/>As a Christian, there will be other things to consider: homeschooling gives you control over what your children learn; a Christian school will (hopefully!) teach Christian truth and values; a private school may be a secure and supportive environment for Christians; and a public school may teach kids to relate to people in the wider world, and the uni/work environment may be less of a shock to them.<BR/><BR/>We should avoid the modern Western tendency to idolise education, as if a good education is the passport to a happy and fulfilled adult life. So sending a child to a private school may have too high a cost if:<BR/>a) both parents must work even when this puts strain on the family;<BR/>b) it involves moving suburbs, away from church and relationships;<BR/>c) it uses too high a proportion of family income, or maybe allows less money for giving;<BR/>d) it reduces participation and service at church, as you suggested.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-23745055947968339492008-03-14T07:48:00.000+11:002008-03-14T07:48:00.000+11:00Thanks for this Jean. My husband and I (wounds lik...Thanks for this Jean. My husband and I (wounds like the Queen doesn't it?!) - Greg and I, rather, having been debating the private/public school choice and it was helpful to read of your reflections of 6 years in the private system. While we can't afford private without severe stress on the family (mum working to pay for it)and of course on our participation and service at church, we like to think we wouldn't go private even if we could do so quite easily. mainly for reasons of elitism and the not so subtle values and messages it would teach our children.<BR/>Do you have a view on this?<BR/><BR/>CathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-1990314734908816962008-03-12T13:06:00.000+11:002008-03-12T13:06:00.000+11:00I have thought a lot about the "sin" of discontent...I have thought a lot about the "sin" of discontentment over the last year. This feeling that raises its ugly head regularly is spurned on by money, material possessions, loneliness, isolation, work, fatigue...a whole plethora of things. But God is good and meets me in my discontentment as I repent and reminds me again of His love and grace.<BR/><BR/>Experiencing what I call "reverse discrimination" at a local church, that is people of lower class/education/money looking "down" on you for having wealth and education, has been a real challenge and eye opener.And this happens, as you say in the school playground even more.<BR/><BR/>It has made me work harder to pray that God's love would allow me to love big, those around me.Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681075586189626101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-14031737231047671042008-03-11T18:06:00.000+11:002008-03-11T18:06:00.000+11:00And I just realised I may not have answered your q...And I just realised I may not have answered your question. Sorry. You were actually asking about mothers. Now there's a hard one. It's got a lot to do with pride, doesn't it, these kinds of attitudes towards others mums? What has helped me is realising how much of my kids' behaviour is affected by personality as well as parenting (a strong-willed child will do that for you) - but I think you've already done that. <BR/><BR/>But I guess there's always some general principles with thought-sins:<BR/>- repenting of wrong attitudes, and<BR/>- replacing them with right attitudes, by<BR/>- reflecting on God's truth (reading, memorising and meditating on relevant Bible passages is one way you can do this)<BR/><BR/>Or there's:<BR/>- soliloquy (arguing yourself out of wrong attitudes)<BR/>- meditation (reflecting on God's truth)<BR/>- prayer (repent and pray for God to change you)<BR/><BR/>Just some scattered ideas! I need to think more about this myself.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-22811590729798447082008-03-11T17:32:00.000+11:002008-03-11T17:32:00.000+11:00Rach, I'm not sure how you overcome such thoughts!...Rach, I'm not sure how you overcome such thoughts! I know that being aware of the problem, repenting before God, and reflecting on the truth about people (that they are made in God's image etc.) will help. And praying for the individual people you feel uncomfortable with will help change your attitude too. Also just biting the bullet and making the effort to approach and love people you feel uncomfortable with!Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-51704296759972010702008-03-11T15:42:00.000+11:002008-03-11T15:42:00.000+11:00Nice one Jean!Nice one Jean!Gordon Chenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07588151868151940982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-35036363547801159372008-03-11T15:32:00.000+11:002008-03-11T15:32:00.000+11:00Thanks Jean for that helpful reflection.I have bee...Thanks Jean for that helpful reflection.<BR/>I have been realising lately how much I compare myself with other mothers and how judgemental I can be. How does a Christian women overcome such thoughts? What helps you?<BR/>RachelRachachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18423926177503674508noreply@blogger.com