Something every American Christian should know

[Work in Progress]

Hi Iryssa,

I have a question:  Why should christians be upset when the world hate us as Jesus told us it would?  We are told to rejoice when we encounter trials and tributlation.  Peter says that suffering is good and Jesus says that we should rejoice and be EXCEEDINGLY GLAD when they pursecute us.  Here is another question:  Since when do christians(dead men) have any rights?  If we are living godly lives and loving as Jesus loved us then we can expect the world to try to upset us.

LT

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What you say is true, Larry. (that we should expect persecution and God even told us to rejoice in it), but I would say that we should be upset whenever we are hindered from getting the message out. Because no "See you at the pole", no after school Bible club etc. means less hearing the Word. Yes, we are to expect persecution, but we are not expected to be doormats and I think God would expect us to stand up for the same rights everyone else enjoys, don't you think? Not expect special rights, just the same rights as everyone else enjoys under our Constitution.

Know and excersise your rights - American Center for Law and Justice

(Thanks for posting this, Iryssa. )

[Iryssa]

I agree, Iryssa. That's why I send my children to a private Christian school.

As a Christian I don't want to send my children to the school of enforced humanism/hedonism that is the public school system.

However, kids can maintain their faith through public school, much like Daniel did.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very good idea, and very good point. I'm all for private schools...I just become very concerned about public school kids, because so many parents simply have no option but to send their kids there (these days, so many people NEED to have a dual-income, just to afford the normal things...they can't afford the time to homeschool or the expense of private school). I myself was in the public school system, and I turned out pretty stable (I think )...but it keeps getting harder for kids...

Anyway, I'm babbling. This is one of those issues that gets me a bit worked up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I disagree that most parents "have no option" but to send their kids to the schools of Egypt.

I am by no means wealthy, I make a modest income, I live in California (very high cost of living), and yet my wife does not work and we send our kids to private school.

It takes sacrifice and commitment to make it happen, but it is within reach if you accept the fact that you don't need the big house, two new cars in the driveway, and all of the fancy meals out, etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that it does take sacrifice to make it happen, but still, some people honestly do have no choice...you can't "sacrifice" buying food (not without receiving a less-than-pleasant call from social services, anyway). I'm glad to hear you make a "modest" income, but if you're sending your kid to private school, then I seriously doubt that you're below the poverty line. So many families are. Especially single-parent families (of which there are so many today). I would not exaggerate about such a thing. Until you experience living below or near the poverty line in a family with kids, it's probably very difficult to understand (I have a tough time envisioning it today, and my family has been there). Anyway, just take my word for it.

[Trust & Obey]

I agree, Iryssa. That's why I send my children to a private Christian school.

As a Christian I don't want to send my children to the school of enforced humanism/hedonism that is the public school system.

However, kids can maintain their faith through public school, much like Daniel did.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very good idea, and very good point. I'm all for private schools...I just become very concerned about public school kids, because so many parents simply have no option but to send their kids there (these days, so many people NEED to have a dual-income, just to afford the normal things...they can't afford the time to homeschool or the expense of private school). I myself was in the public school system, and I turned out pretty stable (I think )...but it keeps getting harder for kids...

Anyway, I'm babbling. This is one of those issues that gets me a bit worked up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I disagree that most parents "have no option" but to send their kids to the schools of Egypt.

I am by no means wealthy, I make a modest income, I live in California (very high cost of living), and yet my wife does not work and we send our kids to private school.

It takes sacrifice and commitment to make it happen, but it is within reach if you accept the fact that you don't need the big house, two new cars in the driveway, and all of the fancy meals out, etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that it does take sacrifice to make it happen, but still, some people honestly do have no choice...you can't "sacrifice" buying food (not without receiving a less-than-pleasant call from social services, anyway). I'm glad to hear you make a "modest" income, but if you're sending your kid to private school, then I seriously doubt that you're below the poverty line. So many families are. Especially single-parent families (of which there are so many today). I would not exaggerate about such a thing. Until you experience living below or near the poverty line in a family with kids, it's probably very difficult to understand (I have a tough time envisioning it today, and my family has been there). Anyway, just take my word for it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Iryssa, I do understand.

My brother and I were raised by my [single] mom who worked 10 hours a day/6 days a week to make ends meet. She never took her vacation, rather she would "cash it out" to buy us school clothes every year. She wasn't a Christian, but she sure was/is an amazing woman.

I do know the struggles of single parents, which is why parents need to be all the more vigilant in keeping the vows they make to each other and to God.

So much about society is "me, me, me... am I happy? Are my needs being satisfied?"

But, that is touching upon a different problem. Divorce is indeed a leading cause of poverty. And, divorce is something that people have control over. It isn't just "something that happens to unfortunate people."

[Iryssa]

Iryssa, I do understand.

My brother and I were raised by my [single] mom who worked 10 hours a day/6 days a week to make ends meet. She never took her vacation, rather she would "cash it out" to buy us school clothes every year. She wasn't a Christian, but she sure was/is an amazing woman.

I do know the struggles of single parents, which is why parents need to be all the more vigilant in keeping the vows they make to each other and to God.

So much about society is "me, me, me... am I happy? Are my needs being satisfied?"

But, that is touching upon a different problem. Divorce is indeed a leading cause of poverty. And, divorce is something that people have control over. It isn't just "something that happens to unfortunate people."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Something that DOES "happen to unfortunate people" is the death of a parent, though. Not all parents are single by choice, and a lot are poor despite their best efforts...Even so, whether a parent is single because of a death or a divorce, it doesn't change the kid's situation of being with only one full-time parent. I still agree that private school is a good option, and I do agree that lots of parents just don't want to send their kids there because it would cut in on their lifestyle. I just don't think that every situation where a kid is in public school should be lumped into that category.

[larryt]

 

Hi Iryssa, 

I have a question:  Why should christians be upset when the world hate us as Jesus told us it would?  We are told to rejoice when we encounter trials and tributlation.  Peter says that suffering is good and Jesus says that we should rejoice and be EXCEEDINGLY GLAD when they pursecute us.  Here is another question:  Since when do christians(dead men) have any rights?  If we are living godly lives and loving as Jesus loved us then we can expect the world to try to upset us. 

 

LT 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What upsets me is not necessarily the persecution (though it is upsetting, it's not something I complain about generally). What upsets me is that the public schools acting so self-righteous that they ignore the law they pretend to teach. I would be upset if a Hindu person got in trouble for praying, too (but I've honestly never heard of that happening)! You may not have gone to public school, I don't know, but trust me, they will try (and have tried) to expel people for this! If you don't think that's an issue, fine, but I believe everyone should have a fair chance at an education, and that they shouldn't have to go bouncing across the city or into different school systems to get it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Iryssa,

If Satan is the "god of this world" and is trying to implement his plan to thwart God's plan, why worry about the public schools being hypocritical. We are not to go to the world for our "EDUCATION" but to God who gives wisdom without upbraiding. The whole purpose of the public school system is to indoctrinate the children into the world's way of thinking, and they are succeeding. The ONLY way to change anything is to preach the gospel.(PERIOD) iF PEOPLE ARE CONVERTED THEN THINGS WILL CHANGE. By the way I went to public school and did well until I was saved and then the SCHOOLING was of no use whatsoever. The basics - reading, writing, & 'rithmatic, is the only thing I find useful. By the way YOU are responsible to God to EDUCATE YOUR CHILD, NOT THE "SCHOOL SYSTEM."

LT

[kittylover0991]

Larry, as i said previously, i go to a public school right now, and i completely agree with everything that you are saying. I also agree with everything that has been said previously..

Some might not have that choice about going to a public school or private school because of expenses such as loss of a loved one.. however, no matter what, God will always turn it for good. In the public school i go to, i have met wiccans, unitarian universalists, all sorts of denominations, Muslims, Buddists, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, unitarians, gypsies even... Parents need to be teaching their children how to grow up in the Lord, and if the child doesn't have saved parents, the child church needs to be teaching them(as with parents teachign too of course). The child themselves must, most importantly, be indulging in the word of God daily and learnign from him.

I have to be honest, that when i look at private schools from public schools, the only differnce i see are the harsh rules, the teaching of Christ(is defintily a good thing).. and the fact that everyone professes to be Christian, even if they are not. Don't get me wrong, it is great that htey have that daily opporunity to accept Christ before it is too late.. but i don't see a differnt between the students. Sure, they wear uniforms, and they claim salvation.. but they act just like everybody else.. or at least, from what I have seen.

I have a friend, who by the grace of God, can go to the private school. My odl youth pastor asked for an offering to send her to school there(she is well known in the church ). She loves the school there, but she misses going to a public school so that she can witness to people. She misses handing out the tracks and being able to show Jesus in a dark world.. where people aren't afraid to show who they really are on the inside.

There are many downfalls to the public school... more than a private one if you ask me, but those that are in those public schools, need to be a witness and a light for Jesus Christ... while there is still time.

[Trust & Obey]

Iryssa, I do understand.

My brother and I were raised by my [single] mom who worked 10 hours a day/6 days a week to make ends meet. She never took her vacation, rather she would "cash it out" to buy us school clothes every year. She wasn't a Christian, but she sure was/is an amazing woman.

I do know the struggles of single parents, which is why parents need to be all the more vigilant in keeping the vows they make to each other and to God.

So much about society is "me, me, me... am I happy? Are my needs being satisfied?"

But, that is touching upon a different problem. Divorce is indeed a leading cause of poverty. And, divorce is something that people have control over. It isn't just "something that happens to unfortunate people."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Something that DOES "happen to unfortunate people" is the death of a parent, though. Not all parents are single by choice, and a lot are poor despite their best efforts...Even so, whether a parent is single because of a death or a divorce, it doesn't change the kid's situation of being with only one full-time parent. I still agree that private school is a good option, and I do agree that lots of parents just don't want to send their kids there because it would cut in on their lifestyle. I just don't think that every situation where a kid is in public school should be lumped into that category.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Iryssa, you are 100% correct and I apologize if I "over-simplified" the issue as such.

I didn't take into consideration the "death of a parent" issue and that is a very real situation for some.

[Trust & Obey]

Everyone interested in this discussion should spend some time on the Citizens for Excellence in Education website.

And, spend some time listening to these fine broadcasts regarding Christianity and the public school system.