Arminianism vs. Calvinism...

MaKayla is working through an amazing yet intense American Lit study this year and in turn is reading some great pieces of literature. The book she is preparing to start is 'Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God' by Jonathan Edwards and before embarking on it, she has several prereading activities to complete. As she finished her study work the other day she said, "Mom, I would like you to read over this, think about it and see what you think." That evening I overheard her mention to Kyle, "Dad, I learned about Calvinism vs. Arminianism today and I would like you to read over what I read and see how you feel." Tuesday, as we were preparing to leave my parent's house she hugged my dad (her grandpa whom she dearly loves) and said, "Grandpa, I read something in American Lit today and I would like you to look at it as well and share with me your thoughts about it." I love when our kids are stretched...especially when what they are learning scholastically encompasses spiritual knowledge as well. This is what was contained in her reading:

Calvinism vs. Arminianism: At this time in history within the Protestant churches, two basic systems of belief were in conflict with each other--Calvinism and Arminianism. Calvinism is named after the Swiss reformer, John Calvin, who revived the teachings of St. Augustine, writer of Confessions and the City of God. Calvin's work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion is still studied today in many seminaries. Arminianism is named after the Dutch theologian, Jacobus Arminius who opposed the teachings of Calvin regarding salvation. The differences between the two systems are summarized as following:

Regarding Free Will

Arminianism: God graciously enables every sinner to repent and believe, but He does not interfere with man's freedom. Every sinner possesses a free will, and his eternal destiny depends on how he uses it.

Calvinism: The sinner is dead in sin and is unable to respond to the gospel by himself. Man does not have a free will, but his will is under bondage to sin. The sinner must be regenerated before he can act on God's promises.

Regarding Election

Arminianism: Election of the sinner is conditional upon God's foreknowledge, knowing that certain individuals would choose to accept Christ as their savior. Therefore, the sinner's choosing God is the basis for salvation.

Calvinism: Election of the sinner is unconditional. God chooses certain individuals for salvation based solely on His sovereign will. Therefore, God's choosing the sinner is basis for salvation.

Regarding Redemption

Arminianism: Christ's redeeming work makes it possible for everyone to be saved. However, the atonement did not guarantee the salvation of anyone, since salvation depends upon the sinner's choosing Christ. The Lord's atoning blood only becomes effective if a sinner chooses to accept it.

Calvinism: Christ died for the elect only and His blood secures their salvation. The elect of God is given the gift of faith, which is applied by the Spirit.

Regarding Resisting the Holy Spirit

Arminianism: Since the sinner has a free will, he can resist the wooing of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit does His best to have the sinner choose salvation in Christ; but, ultimately, the sinner must be willing to submit to the grace that is offered by God.

Calvinism: The elect receives a special inward calling that cannot be resisted. The sinner will cooperate and repent and freely come to Christ. God's will cannot be frustrated.

Regarding Eternal Security

Arminianism (or more precisely, a tenet of Wesleyanism): Generally, those who believe are in danger of losing their salvation should they fail to keep the faith.

Calvinism: The believer is secure in his salvation because God's power preserves him.

I would be the first to admit that neither Kyle nor myself have ever really done any research on things such as these however what we read was enlightening. We have always, totally based our faith in Jesus Christ on our interpretation of the Bible through the leading of the Holy Spirit as well as what we have learned and been taught. It especially interested MaKayla because one of her closest quiz friends considers herself a Calvinist however she never really knew what all that encompassed.

It was enlightening yet it doesn't change the basis of my faith... I still see Jesus as the Saviour of the world. I still see Him as the One who chose me. I still see Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life. I still see Him as the One who redeemed my soul and calls me by name. I still see Him as my closest Friend.

I still see Him as Jesus!

I call myself a Christ-follower!

Homeschooling Survey... English Assignment...

This week my English assignment was to do a survey on homeschooling. I had to come up with three questions that asked for a "yes" or "no" answer, but that did not manipulate or persuade an opinion either way. I know that not many people leave comments on the blog, however there are several that follow, so if you would like or feel led to answer any or all of the three questions, I would love to know what you think!

1.) Do you feel that homeschooling is more structured
when there is a room in your household specifically set aside for school only?

2.) Do you feel like there are too many
requirements that children have to meet in order to receive a diploma?

3.) Do you feel that homeschooled children should
be made to have an eight to three school day, as public children do?


~MaKayla

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! :o)

Looking At The Heart...

The past several weeks I have spent multitudes of seconds, minutes and hours reading, searching, praying, evaluating...it's that time of year again...time to choose curriculum for our upcoming school year. What to choose... What to use... What has worked... What has failed... What are the learning styles... What are the interests... What would captivate and stir a love for learning in the heart of our greatest investments... What is God-honoring... What goes against what we believe and hold fast to... SO MANY CHOICES...


Although I know I haven't "schooled" nearly as long as some, the past sixteen years have been filled with successes and failures, good days and bad days, achievements and losses. This past year more than any other before, I see where the Lord has changed my perception and view of what "school" should look like and for that I am thankful as are our girls. Although I do take into great consideration the academic side when considering curriculum, more than ever before I am looking at the heart of those I am teaching. More than ever before I want to choose something that awakens the uniqueness that God has created within those hearts. More than ever before I want to choose something that brings depth and drive to those passions that lie within. I want to feed the heart and soul of our girls as well as the mind. For the first time, I've laid aside what we "should use" and have trusted the Lord to guide me in choosing "what fits"! It's been fun! It's been exciting! And as usual, our 16 year-old as well as our 10 year-old can't wait until the UPS truck pulls up with the box of treasures that we will open day-after-day over the next nine months! The box of treasures that will fill our days with learning and knowledge. The box of treasures that will enhance the desires that our Creator so tenderly placed within the hearts of our two greatest investments!

In saying all of that, I wanted to share a reading that I have read and reread and plan to copy, laminate and hang in our school area this year. An awesome reminder of why we do what we do...

To Be Educated

If I learn my ABC's,
can read 600 words per minute,
and can write with perfect penmanship,
but have not been shown how to communicate
with the Designer of all language,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can deliver an eloquent speech
and persuade you with my stunning logic,
but have not been instructed in God's Wisdom,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I have read Shakespeare and John Locke
and can discuss their writings with keen insight,
but have not read the greatest of all books-
The Bible-
and have no knowledge of it's personal importance,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I have memorized addition facts,
multiplication tables,
and chemical formulas,
but have never been disciplined to keep God's Word
in my heart,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can explain the law of gravity and
Einstein's theory of relativity,
but have never been instructed in the unchangeable
laws of the One Who orders our universe,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus, and species,
and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award,
but have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can recite the Gettysburg Address and
the Preamble to the Constitution,
but have not been informed of the Hand of God
in the history of our country,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments,
and can write music that moves men to tears,
but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the Universe
and worship Him,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I run cross-country races,
star in basketball and do 100 push ups without stopping,
but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to do God's will,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can identify a Picasso,
describe the style of a da Vinci,
and even paint a portrait that earns an A+,
but have not learned that all harmony and
beauty comes from a relationship with God,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I graduate with a perfect 4.0 and
am accepted at the best university with a full scholarship,
but have not been guided into a career of God's choosing for me,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I become a good citizen,
voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right,
but have not been told of the sinfulness of man
and his hopelessness without Christ,
I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it,
and come to know Him,
Whom to know is Life Eternal;

And glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for me,
THEN,
I HAVE BEEN EDUCATED!
~Carolyn Caines~

"Thus saith the LORD,
'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth in this,
that he understandeth and knoweth ME."
Jeremiah 9:23-24

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy or vain deceit,
after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ."
Colossians 2:8

"...Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth."
2 Timothy 3:7

English Paper... Outside My Bedroom Window...Thoughts by MaKayla...

English Paper #5 MaKayla D. O'Riley

Outside My Bedroom Window

Our patio is completely covered in snow and some of the drifts are almost all the way to the top of our glass top table. The grill looks cold and frigid and oh how I wish it were summer so we could crank it up and fix some hamburgers and then sit next to our table out in the warm summer air. Our long wooden clothes line has icicles hanging off of the lines and I can almost smell the clean scent of newly washed clothes swaying to the breeze.

The swings on our hand built swing set are swaying in the wind. You wouldn't want to sit on them now or your rear-end just might be frozen stiff for they as well are piled high with frosty goodness. The cement slab not far from the swing set looks cold and desolate. It is where our chicken coop used to stand, but now it is bare and unsheltered from the cold.

The burgundy red doors stand out on our pure white machine shed amidst the sparkle of the snow. They add a great deal of color to the icy world around us, a color that is greatly welcomed by all, for the rest of the color in the trees and plants seem dead and hopeless. Snow covers most of the skylights in the roof adding a considerable amount of darkness to the interior of the shed, I'm sure.

Not directly behind, but not far from the back of the towering machine shed is our peaceful, serene, frozen pond. It is not big, but provides such a quiet look to the wintry world around us! If you look closely you can see bunny and squirrel tracks in the light snow covering the slick ice.

God's wintry wonderland is beautiful!

A "Now" Word...Salve On An Open Wound...

Let me start by saying that our week has been a "different" one of sorts...one of difficulty and reality.

As I was putting on my make-up and getting ready for the day, Kyle came into the bathroom and in so many words said, "Oswald was just what I needed today. My week is catching up to me and all of the overwhelming dynamics I am facing seem less significant!" I love when God meets us right where we are and speaks a "now" word to our hearts that acts as salve on an open wound. It calms the pain, starts the healing process and cleanses what is exposed.

Kyle's dad has been battling stage 3B adenocarcinoma of the lung since last December. It's been a year of ups-and-downs, good days and bad days. It's been a year of rejoicing and suffering, learning and growing. It's been a year where Kyle has done a great deal of "finding himself" in areas that he has never chosen to or had the courage to face. It's been a year of difficult reality yet a year of spiritual/emotional healing, deliverance and freedom.

Due to some re-occurring complications Kyle's dad was put back in the hospital late last Saturday night/early Sunday morning. All-in-all, the extreme amounts chemo is ravishing his body...as we have concluded so many times, we're not sure what is worse, the cancer or the toxins used to treat the cancer. With every treatment he takes, his body becomes weaker, sicker, more broken down. New complications arise and the ability to "sort through" what is causing what becomes more difficult. It's hard for a son to sit through and watch his dad weaken, struggle, deteriorate. It's difficult for a son to sit through and watch his mom "work through" the mind-boggling realities of keeping a job, learning new meds, hearing various doctors opinions, suffering from exhaustion, being overwhelmed.

Yesterday evening Kyle's parents were able to come home yet they have now put his dad on oxygen full-time so we took dinner over and were there when the medical supply company brought all of the necessary apparatuses. Talk about overwhelming... For Kyle it was another reminder that the situation we have been facing for over a year has taken "another step".

The love-of-my-life went to bed last night sad, hurting, overwhelmed, burdened, consumed...his parents are in a place that he can do nothing to change. A place that no one in this world would choose to be. A place of loneliness. A place of fear. A place of uncertainty.

I find myself in a constant state of prayer over this one that I love more than life and I am so thankful that the Lord is faithful! He brought a "now" word to my "Jesus in the flesh"...a word in due season...a word that nurtured, renewed, refreshed. A word that was like salve on an open wound.

"Look to Me, and be saved..." Isaiah 45:22

Our difficulties, our trials, and our worries about tomorrow will all vanish when we look to God.

Wake yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you, be determined to push them aside and look to Him. "Look to Me..." Salvation is yours the moment you look.
~ Oswald Chambers

No matter what you are facing in life this day...God is enough when you look to Him!

Traditions...

Christmas Traditions

MaKayla D. O’Riley Christmas 2009

With the Christmas season rapidly approaching, I decided to do some research on our holiday traditions, especially the Christmas tree. This custom is very special in my family, as it is a fun project to work on together. We do not go out and cut down a live tree, but we do decorate an artificial one with lights, ribbons, and ornaments. This is a special time that I especially enjoy and it is also a way for our family to develop traditions of our own, such as my sister and I getting a new ornament each year!

As I did my research, it was very interesting to see how the practice was started and the different ways people celebrate. I hope that by the time you have finished reading this paper you will have a better understanding of how the Christmas tree custom came to be!

Although decorating an Evergreen tree is a symbol of the holidays and is a modern ritual of today, it originated long ago in early B.C. There has been and continues to be much controversy as to the use of these trees among different peoples and religions, due to the fact that pagans were the first to use them in their superstitious worship.

This fact led me to research what “pagan” commonly means and its main definition is “ All non-Christians or those who participate in Satanic practices”. Many people disagree about this topic as well, but this is the most widely accepted view.

The pagans would go out and cut down an Evergreen tree and place it in their homes as an idol. They then adorned it with metal ornaments and replicas of their gods. To them the trees represented life and freshness. They thought the tree had magical powers because although all other living plants died and lost their color, it remained green. They also viewed it as a sign of fertility and reproduction as they thought it increased sexual potency due to its “power” to sustain life. To them it was a promise that spring would come and a symbol of hope. The Bible has proof of this pagan worship in Jeremiah 10: 2-4.

Thus saith the Lord, “Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They deck it with silver and with gold: they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it will not move.”

Eventually, word of this pagan practice reached all religions and each began this custom as well, yet each had their own reasons for doing so. For some it was used as an idol, for some Christians it was a sign of the birth of Jesus Christ and a symbol for the promise of eternal life in Him. For still others, it became just a sign of the Christmas holiday and the traditional festivities.

Because of its origin there is still much disagreement today over whether or not it is right for a Christian or any non-pagan to participate in this pagan practice. Most consider it just a part of Christmas and because even the pagans view it as a sign of hope, there is nothing wrong with this tradition.

I believe that this is an area in which God wants us to look at the motives of our hearts and each person decide for themselves how they will/should celebrate. Although I do not necessarily see this custom as “wrong” if you do it with the right heart and do not allow the tree to become the focus during Christmas, I do think that it is important for us a Christians to see what we allow to define our holiday traditions. I know that I am very guilty of seeing “Christmas” as shopping, decorations, family, gifts, and traditions. I allow those things to define a time of year that Christ desired to be set apart for Him.

So, I encourage you this season to examine your heart. Look where your focus is at, as I have done, and see what you will allow to define your Christmas this year!

A few of my Favorite Things...

As mom and I were talking about my next post she came up with the idea for me to do a blog on a few of my favorite things. When I sat down with a piece of paper to write them out I was surprised at how many I had so I decided to do them in two posts. :-)

My Favorite Things ~ Part One

* Ladybugs
* Dove/Hershey's Dark Chocolate
* The Color Red
* Cousin Bri
* My Family ~ Best Friends Mom, Dad & Mal

* Scrapbooking
* Playing Piano
* Bible Quizzing
* Pearl Earrings From Hawaii
* My Bible
* My Utmost For His Highest ~ Oswald Chambers
* Pumpkin Pie
* Willow Tree Angels
* Fall

" For you created my inmost being; you knit me together
in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful. I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14

As mom and I looked at my list we talked about how a lot of times who we are reflects our favorite things. The things that we like and do can either produce fruit or blight. This verse says that we are uniquely made; each different then the other, but special in our own way! I praise you Father God, that I am uniquely and wonderfully made in Your image!