Category Archives: Bible teaching & study

Children are Important

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:30 — 16.2MB)

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Did you ever realize that at Christmas we celebrate a child? And it is a celebration most especially for children? Children are important. We can indeed, take that lesson away.
The angel indicated this was a great gift. Mary clearly was thrilled. The faithful of Israel were looking for this child for centuries. We should be thrilled too.

We, too, as parents and educators are highly favored and blessed. Let us take this knowledge and encourage ourselves — and reform our culture with it.

How to Think Better: Love the Truth

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:21 — 24.1MB)

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This is our capstone episode in our series on how to think better — although it might not be the last. We have talked about the necessity of realizing that there is such a thing as Truth. Today, we will talk about the necessity of aligning with, pursuing the Truth, even loving the TRUTH.

I have made some argument that I hope and expect that non-believers will understand. Of course, I use some words of Jesus. I don’t assume that everyone who listens is already a Christian believer. I do think they will understand, if they are just patient with my explanations aimed at those who don’t already know Biblical language.

This is really vitally important, but overlooked in the discussion of how to think better, and how to tell what is truth. And that discussion is often overlooked for students with learning disabilities. Look, what is true and false, what is good and bad is not some esoteric subject that only graduate philosophy students can grasp. It is just that they know how important it is, and have language as well as motivation. This is an important subject to all people — if they want to have successful, happy, good lives. So, let’s not overlook it. Let’s directly teach it, especially to students who maybe don’t get it as quickly simply because they are immersed in the tedious aspect of academics!

And surely, if children are not “getting it” then it is time to directly teach it.

Encountering God is the Best of Summer Activities

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:22 — 16.7MB)

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Every year the episode on activities to do during the summer is a popular episode. This year, we are running a little them, with some rebroadcasts of old interviews. Be sure to hear what Becky Fischer told us about children encountering God, not just having a few warmed over stories in the basement. (Guess what her young life was like? Well, not exactly: she was the preacher’s daughter and had to teach the children in the basement when she was young. After a successful business career, she is now teaching teachers and children alike..)

So, this week, Mr. Wisenhutter, then of Austin, a high tech worker, shared with us his youth program, where again, the students encounter God for themselves. Given both opportunity and oversight, youth can go just about what adults can. In this day and hour, it is imperative to give children and youth access to wholesome life change, life affirming, life protective experiences. There is no waiting around!

This is not a dreary drug prevention campaign! This is a real high in Holy Spirit. Check it out.

Bart Once Was Non-Sighted; Now he Sees

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:07 — 18.8MB)

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Finishing up our 3 part series on miraculous healing, we hear the history of “Blind Bartimeus” — or Blind Bart or today maybe Bart who used to be non-sighted. Well, Bart was once non-sighted, but now he sees. He heard that Jesus the Miracle Worker was coming to town. He positioned himself. Then he started calling out — loudly.

Look at the dynamics, because they are typical. He positioned himself and he started calling out, toward where he had heard Jesus was coming. People around him told him to stop. Typical!!!  But Jesus did hear him and called him. Then, the people around him changed their tune and were telling him to go.

He threw off his beggar’s cloak, the label that permitted him to get his beggar’s pittance. Jesus healed him. He walked away, seeing. This throwing off was a faith statement. Jesus said more than once to someone, “You faith has made you whole/well/saved.” (It is all the same word in Greek: sozo.)

Go thou and do likewise. Meaning: position yourself, call out, ignore contradictions, have faith, and walk away victorious. That is the way it works.

It might be easier to learn how to read, how to do algebra, and how to understand philosophy than to believe for sight if you have never seen. So, go for what you need. And by all means, throw off the label!

Also, announcements following in the audio.