Peacherino Monthly: December 2011

Peacherino Monthly

A newsletter for Christian Homeschoolers

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Worldview

When you hear the word "Thanksgiving", what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Stuffing? Cartoon turkeys dressed in black top hats and pilgrim apparel? Perhaps you are looking forward to watching Thanksgiving football later in the afternoon. Or maybe you're excited to have that big family reunion, to see your cousins, uncles, and third cousins twice removed on your mother's side again. Either way, Thanksgiving is a holiday for family, feasting, and good times.

I'm sure we're all pretty familiar with the origin of Thanksgiving. The English settlers, thankful for the bountiful harvest of their year's crops, held a feast, fellowshipping with the Native Americans. The ensuing "celebration" lasted for days. The feast's intention was to give thanks to the Lord for His ever faithful provision. Now, even centuries later, Thanksgiving is acknowledged as a national holiday. But it seems that this day is celebrated a little differently then it was originally. See, originally, Thanksgiving was a day of... well, giving thanks! The pilgrims recognized God for His grace, and thanked Him for it. But perhaps the attitude towards this day has changed of late. Now Thanksgiving seems to be about gluttony (where the calorie intake of one meal equals that of five meals), and bumming around (if you're a parent, perhaps a small nap is in order... well, maybe not small, but...) Is there anything wrong with these things? Well, napping... no, not always. But gluttony? Yes. The Bible speaks out clearly against over indulging in any earthly desire. Romans 13:14, Paul writes "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." Psalm 23:20 says "Be not among drunkards, nor among gluttonous eaters of meat." Clearly, we are to avoid living out our lives doing nothing but seeking to satisfy the "desires of the flesh."

We are also supposed to thank God for all things, "praying unceasingly" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ephesians 5:20, "And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." For all things, every circumstance, good and bad, we are to give thanks. And Thanksgiving is not the only day we are instructed to do this. We are to "give thanks always!" Nothing should stand in our way of doing this... neither football, nor turkey, nor napping...

Now, hold on. This does NOT mean that you are not licensed to enjoy Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving dinner! Just enjoying the things of this world is not a sin. However, when pleasures are sought in excess, that is when the things of this world get in our way. That is when they stand between us and God. Don't let that happen to you.

So grab that turkey! Dig into that stuffing! Just keep in mind, as you enjoy those delights provided for you, to give thanks to the Provider... not only the Provider of delicious meals, but also of eternal life.

Before I Go...

A Quick Blurb
Want to get rid of those pesky toll free callers? Easy. Here are three things you can say next time they phone that'll scare them off for sure.

1. "Congratulations! You've just won the 'Stop Calling Me Now or Die Contest'!"

2. "You see my fist? You see your face?..."

3. "Are you selling fig newtons? Because otherwise, forget about it."

...Or just ask them politely to remove you from their calling list. Either way works.

--By Sam Parker

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Digging deeper into Christmas

Christmas – The wonderful time of year when you get to get to eat scrumptious food, exchange gifts, take in all of the beautiful sights of snow and houses decorated with multiple colored lights (some houses are a bit extreme, don’t you think?), and watch all of your favorite Christmas movies; It’s a Wonderful Life, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jack Frost, Elf… those are just a few of my personal favorites. But what gets neglected so often during this wonderful time is the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

Yeah, everyone knows the story of the angel coming to Mary and telling her the good news that she is going to bear a son – God’s son. Then she and Joseph, who she was betrothed to, went to Bethlehem because of the census. When they got there, however, they found that there was no room for them in any of the inns, so they ended up staying in a stable behind one of the inns. Then Jesus was born, and the Wise men and shepherds all came to worship the new born king. But what I really want to talk about are the little details that aren’t talked about as much. I’m going to talk about what it must have been like from each of the people’s different points of view, and look closer at little things that are sometimes neglected.

♦ Have you ever thought about how Mary felt? I mean, what if this happened to you? She was only about 14 or 15 years old, and she just suddenly finds out she’s going to have a baby. And when Gabriel came to her, she said to him, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). It sounds pretty cool to be visited by an angel, until you realize that no one probably believed her when she told her family what had happened. They probably asked her things like, “How can you have a baby if you aren’t even married?” which, of course, they would not believe her if she said that she had not been with a man. But Mary had done what God had told her to do, and she knew he would fulfill his promise.

♦ Joseph was going to be Mary’s husband, and all of this occurred before they were married. When he found out about Mary’s pregnancy, he probably didn’t believe her story either. He most likely thought that she had been unfaithful to him. Even though he and Mary weren’t married yet, they were just engaged, they would have had to go through a divorce. Joseph knew that a divorce would disgrace Mary, and she could even be put to death because people didn’t believe that she was never with a man. So, Joseph planned to divorce her in secret. But that night, Joseph had a vision that an angel of the Lord appeared before him, and told him that he should believe Mary’s story, and that he shall name the child Jesus. After having seen this vision, he decided not to divorce Mary, and instead to protect and care for her. But imagine how hard it would’ve been for him, to still be engaged to a girl that is said to have been unfaithful to him. But Joseph went ahead with what the angel said, and took her to Bethlehem with him.

♦ When the time finally came for Mary to give birth, she had her son in a stable. And I’m pretty sure that this stable isn’t what many people picture it as. It was filled with animals, so there must have been a horrible smell inside. Also, it wasn’t clean. The straw was probably dry and scratchy. Not a very ideal place for a baby to be born. But none the less, Jesus was born, and greeted by a band of wise men baring gifts, and some shepherds. During all of this, the bible says, “Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) If all of the things that were going on to Mary happened to me, I would most definitely NOT be “pondering them in my heart.” My mind would be racing with thoughts like “Why am I here?” “am I supposed to pay these wise men back, or just keep the gifts?” “What happens next?” I admire Mary, because she simply went with the flow and kept all of these special moments tucked away in her heart.

♦ Wise Men Facts

• They were also called “Maggi,” which means “Wise Men.”

• it was never specified if it was really 3 wise men seeking the new born king. It actually could’ve been anywhere from 2-8 of them!

• They didn’t actually visit Jesus while he was in the manger. The bible clearly says that the Maggi entered a house (Matthew 2:11). They were actually living in Jerusalem, because Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be circumcised when he was 8 days old, as was the custom at that time.

So this Christmas season, try and be thinking about these things, and “ponder them in your heart.”

--by Kiera Sterken

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Bible corner

Strong and Courageous

Many of you have heard the story of Esther. Or maybe you haven't (that's okay). Let me refresh your memory...

There was a king named King Xerxes, and he had a beautiful wife, Queen Vashti. So King Xerxes was throwing this big hoo-rah (a.k.a. party), and on the seventh day of the party (long party, right?), when he was pretty high from the wine, he ordered that his wife come out wearing her royal crown to display (ahem – show off) her beauty to the people and nobles. When she refused, the Bible says that the king “became furious and burned with anger.” (Esther 1:12) Temper, temper! Long story short, Queen Vashti was kicked out (all because she wouldn't flaunt her body in front of people) and never allowed back in, and a search began for a new queen for King Xerxes.

Esther (whose original name is Hadassah) was a beautiful girl who lived with her cousin Mordecai, a Jew, because she had neither a father nor a mother. At the time of our story, a search was taking place to find a new queen. After twelve months of beauty treatment (wow!), Esther was brought into the palace (without telling them her nationality, because Mordecai had forbidden it). The king was very pleased with her, and he chose her as his bride.

Two of King Xerxes' officers were plotting to assassinate the king. Mordecai found out about the plot, and he told Queen Esther. Esther reported it to the king, crediting Mordecai.

At that time, King Xerxes honored an evil man named Haman, and he gave him a seat higher than all the other nobles. All of the nobles bowed to him, but Mordecai would not do so, and this enraged Haman. Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew. Haman didn't want to settle for planning to kill Mordecai only, so he plotted to kill ALL of Mordecai's people – the Jews (God's chosen people)! Haman told the king that there were people who would not obey the king's laws, and that he wished to eliminate them. He did not mention that the people were the Jews or that Mordecai was included in this offing. King Xerxes told Haman to do what he pleased, which much appeased Haman, and the king made a new law against the people, the Jews, to kill all of them – young and old, woman and children – on a single day.

When Mordecai heard about the new law, he mourned. When Esther heard about Mordecai's mourning and wailing and weeping, Esther was greatly distressed. Esther summoned one of the king's eunuchs, Hathak, and told him to go find out why Mordecai was so upset. When Hathak returned, he said that Mordecai told him to go tell Esther to go into the king's presence and beg for mercy for her people. Esther told Hathak to tell Mordecai, “...any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives.” (Esther 4:11). Mordecai sent back the reply, “Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13) Then Esther sent back the reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16) So Mordecai did as Esther instructed.

Then the time came. Esther entered the king's court, and you know what? He raised his gold scepter to her. King Xerxes asked Queen Esther what her request was. Esther invited the king and Haman to a banquet that she had prepared for them. The king agreed to do so.

When they were dining, the king asked Esther what her request was. Esther simply requested that the king and Haman come to a banquet tomorrow, and then she would answer the king's question.

Long story short, at the banquet the next night, the king once again asked Esther what her request was. She replied, “If I have found favor with you, your majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life – this is my petition. And spare my people – this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” (Esther 7:3) King Xerxes asked Esther, “Who is he? Where is he – the man who has dared to do such a thing?” (Esther 7:5) Esther told him it was Haman. And Haman was killed (won't say how – it's kinda gross!). (To see the complete story and the ending, which I didn't include, see Esther chapters 1-10!)

It probably took a lot of courage for Esther to approach the king, even though she could have been killed. Many of us know that in the Bible God instructs us to be strong and courageous, and we want to be those things, but many times we don't reach out to people, we don't spread God's love, because we're afraid of being laughed at or made fun of or classified as the “Bible thumper” or “Christian kid.” But what if we did take a stand? There are so many people all over the world who are being persecuted and killed for their faith. Compared to that, I'd say we've got it pretty easy (although it's not always easy telling others the Good News of Christ). My favorite verse from the story of Esther is Esther 4:14 (the end of it). Mordecai says:

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

God can make good out of the bad we go through (Romans 8:28). What if you're where you are – school, work, etc. - so that you can be a light for Christ? Even if the situation seems difficult or impossible, how can you see that as an opportunity to be an instrument of God?

Be strong and courageous, knowing that God is on our side and that He will never leave us nor forsake us!

--by Talia DeAndrea

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Things you don’t know about…

Christmas

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Yes. You guessed it, CHRISTMAS! Everyone I know loves this traditional holiday. Whether it is kids (loving the gifts), parents (loving the food), or older sisters (loving the mistletoe), everyone has their favorite part of the Christmas season. You may think you know everything there is to know about this well-known holiday, but did you know that…

~There is a LAW in England that everyone MUST go to church on Christmas day, and on TOP of that they can’t use any form of transportation to get there? (The law still exists, but it is not enforced now.)

~ Instead of throwing away your Christmas tree after the holidays, you can turn it into LUNCH! The needles on the evergreen tree are as edible as any other vegetable. They also contain a lot of vitamin C, so eat up! (yum) :P

~ Gingerbread cookies were first made in Germany. These delectable treats were the first dessert to be associated with the Christmas holiday.

Since the Christmas season is just around the corner, don’t forget the TRUE meaning of Christmas. No, it isn’t the gifts or decorations, it is Jesus’ birthday! Always remind yourselves that the true reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!

--by Emma Campbell

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Happy birthday Kara!

Happy birthday to our short story writer, Kara Siert! We all love you! And here are some little notes from the crew:

Kara,

“Hey girl! Unfortunately, I don't know you very well but I DO know that you are a very nice person!!!! :D I hope you have the best birthday ever! :)”

--Emma Campbell

“HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!!!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FROM KIERA SHAYE TO YOU! HEY!! (that’s my birthday song!!!) Hiya girlie!! You are an amazingly awesome writer and friend, and I absolutely LOVE writing with you!!! Love ya! (: ♥”

--Kiera Sterken

“Kiera's poem was horrible, don't you agree?

I'm blinded with tears now, I can not see.

For the poetry so horrible

it made me weep

I lie awake in my bed

unable to sleep

May that horrible poet's hand be cursed

so hopefully we can be spared

for her writing was so horribly terse

it caused wide-spread despair

If only Kiera could write in verse

but her head has been vilely cursed

Better luck next time, K

good, now we all know it

the horrible Kiera Shaye

is not a poet.

Happy belated birthday Kara! Sorry I'm late. And also sorry you had to deal with Kiera's poetry.”

--Sam Parker

“Whatever. It’s a song, not a poem. I’m sorry my poetry skills don’t live up to your standards (If you can even call a SONG poetry.)”

--Kiera’s reply to Sam’s *ahem* UNRULY poetry.

I love you so much! You are truly something special. I hope you had an amazing birthday, and it was SO COOL to meet you. You are truly inspiring and an encouragement to me. I love you a ton!

--Talia DeAndrea

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SHORT STORY

After escaping from a crumbling castle, Meredith wonders where the King of Meriel is…

“We always believe in the King,” an older woman finally said, stepping forward with trembling hands.

“We just…know,” a young woman added, shrugging.

“Yes,” a little boy piped up. “We just trust him.”

“But why?” Meredith exploded. Her logical mind demanded answers and these ridiculously naïve people didn’t seem to have. She grabbed Tanya’s hand. “Come on, let’s go to the shelter you mentioned… so much for your so-called king.”

The people followed in an uncomfortable silence, stopping as Meredith directed, when the waves of grass came near them. The farther they traveled away from the castle, the less frequent the waves became, until they could only feel a slight rocking of the ground every once in a while. Even though they were safe from the earthquake, they now found themselves in an open grass plain, unprotected from the coming army.

“We’re traveling east,” Tanya told Meredith. “Audemar and Remondin are coming from the east as well, coming towards us. If we reach the shelter before they do, we can gather arms and gather needed food. But if they reach it first…we’ll be trapped.”

“What are we to do?” Meredith asked. “These people are on foot…I’m sure A and R’s army will be on horseback at least.” (She had long ago grown tired of saying, “Audemar and Remondin”, and abbreviated their names to “A and R”.)

The people had walked all day and longed to take a break. Soon they were begging and pleading Meredith to stop; before long, some of them simply plopped themselves down onto the ground and refused to go any farther.

As the group of former castle dwellers prepared to spend the night in the soft grass, Meredith paced up and down, jumping at every sound, her nerves tense. “Will A and R’s army stop for the night as well?” she asked. “If not, they will reach the shelter before we do…”

“The people there will put up a good fight,” Tanya said, “but I doubt they can win without our men to help them.”

The two girls stared up at the moon, wondering what tomorrow would bring.

* * *

They awoke the people as soon as the sun peaked over the green hills. The children cried and complained for lack of food, and adults particularly grim as they continued their long walk. Tanya encouraged them, naming off all sorts of delicacies that the shelter would serve – cakes, pies, apples, pears, bananas, oranges, beef, cheeses, milk, water, wine… the list went on and on until Meredith’s head swam with the different pictures of food each jostling each other for the foremost place in her mind.

Then, one of the children cried out, “Look!” She pointed to the distance, where a huge grey building with a thatched roof stood, stark against the green grass and blue sky. The distance between the people and the building was great, but the stone palace gave the people hope. Before long, they were running – running! – to their source of food and weapons.

“We don’t need a king,” Meredith muttered. “All we need are food and swords.”

But as they neared the building, and some of the children ran up to its wooden doors, something seemed wrong. No smoke came from the chimneys that surely would’ve led to kitchen fireplaces. No happy shouts or even the clash of soldiers practicing their swordsmanship came to Meredith’s ears.

“Wait,” she called out. “Wait!”

But many of the people had already pulled open the huge wooden doors to the building. Meredith found herself trapped in a throng of people, racing toward the entrance. A large, strong, and very tall man standing in front of her blocked most of her vision.

“Excuse me!” she called. “Let me through!”

Suddenly, a scream came through the air, followed by a child’s wail.

Meredith pushed her way to the front, only to see the huge crowd of people racing back out of the building in a terrified stampede. “Wait!” she called out. “What –”

Her words died in her mouth as a huge horde of soldiers emerged from the building like ants from an anthill… only much worse than six-legged insect. They came swinging their swords and carrying their shields…racing onto a group of people who were helpless to defend themselves.

Mothers clutched their children; fathers stood, ready to fight to defend their family.

Meredith grabbed Tanya’s arm. “What do you we do?”

“The only thing we can do,” Tanya replied. “We must ask the King for help.”

Meredith couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “No! We need an actual plan to save these people!” She grabbed a small child in one arm and motioned to Tanya to take another. She glanced at the horizon, but all around her, stretched hills and hills of green grass…and a forest. “There,” she said. “We must get the women and children there!”

But as she spoke, the ground rippled yet again.

“Oh no,” she muttered. “Another earthquake? Really?”

But no…this time it was much, much worse…

To be continued.

--by Kara Siert