IndoctriNation

I had a very hard time with this book.

Just being honest.

IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity is a companion book to the DVD by the same title. I have watched it and it is just as disturbing as the book.

Disturbing, however is not bad.

In this book and accompanying DVD, the filmmakers and editor have compiled a combination of first-hand interviews and article/book excerpts into one vast resource regarding the history and state of public education in America.

Learning more about the history of American public education was quite enlightening to me...and disturbing as well.

I am one of the many Americans who has truly no choice (due to poor past financial decisions) other than to send my child to a public school. He has been blessed with great teachers and a great education thus far, but don't think for a minute that I don't have concern for what he hears or will hear in the classrooms he attends - both from teachers and other students. Thus the reason I try my best to diligently #TeachtheTruth in our daily lives in whatever ways God allows and leads me to.

Still, the government-guided school system has my child for more total, undivided time than I do if you factor in all of the other things that go on before and after school.

IndoctriNation brings to light how deliberate my situation is.

No, I do not deliberately choose to let the God-forsaking United States government indoctrinate and mold my child into becoming the kind of humanistic (man-centered) citizen they want to create, but they do deliberately structure our education system in such as way that what I described is highly likely to happen to most children who spend 12 formative years in this government created, government led system. If you don't think that is true, I challenge you to read my review of Already Gone by Ken Ham& Britt Beemer and read that book for more detailed survey results that prove it. Maybe many of the people who work in or have children in this system don't agree with that statement, but just a few pages into the book IndoctriNation will bring to light some things that were put in place many many years ago which have us already socialized in ways we don't even realize.

Again, though, I had a very tough time with this book. Not just for reasons I have described but also because the filmmakers and editor, in their notes of introduction to the book and even a couple of the authors of book portions, conveyed a tone that I did not agree with. I understand their passion for conveying this important message, but in their words some of them seemed to forget about parents like me. They wrapped all parents of publicly educated children into this package group of being "deceived" and lazy / careless about our children's education.

One such statement stands out that I would like to rebut, if I may.

Editor Charles LaVerdiere states, "Previous generations of 'We the People' gladly handed over their children, first to the one-room schoolhouse then to the government, all for convenience."

If anyone in those previous generations was like me, I can say that not all "gladly" handed their children over and likely not so much for "convenience" as much as out of necessity. I struggle internally daily with having to be far less involved with my child's daily schooling than I would like (not even being able to be on campus at his public school as much as I would like due to work obligations). And the public school system is not so much a convenience to me as it is a necessity. Poor financial decisions of my past when I was younger and even single have affected me and continue to affect our family in a way that we are unable to afford living on one income nor can we even afford a private school (not that private schools are the perfect option either).

All that said, I stuck with the book and was very thankful I did. MANY important facts are brought to light in the nearly 400 pages of this book as well as the nearly 2 hours of DVD that accompanies it. You truly should delve into this one if you have children of any age in or near "school days."

Additionally, you can join me and the other MOMS of Master Books for our 2nd "a Book and a Bite" Facebook party this Thursday evening (10/18) from 8-9pm central. Bring your favorite recipe to share, as that is our theme of these new FB parties...food!!! And of course, good books!

Want to read more reviews? Don't just take my word for it...

So...have I got you thinking...?

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

Escaping the Cauldron by Kristine McGuire

Witch, Medium, and Ghost Hunter...

That's what Kristine McGuire once was.

Christian housewife and homeschooling mother...

That's what Kristine McGuire also was prior to and during her time as a Witch, Medium, and Ghost Hunter.

Yes, as a matter of fact, she called herself a "Christian Witch." And she was one among many who call themselves that.

In Escaping the Cauldron: exposing occult influences in everyday life, Kristine shares how in spite of being raised in a Christian home she had a fascination with the occult throughout her life, even as a young child. Seemingly harmless sleep-over games were just the beginning of what turned into an immersion into occult practice later in life.

You may think you have little to nothing in common with someone who is fascinated by the occult, but much of what Kristine uncovers about occult influences in our everyday life may surprise you. {Yoga, horoscopes, and many more}

As a matter of fact, Christine shares how she felt about her life in the occult in a way that will likely surprise you overall:

I loved ghost hunting. I wanted to be a medium. What I didn't realize was the subtle influence the enemy exerted through my ghost hunting and medium activities. I thought I was following God's will for my life.

He made sure I discovered the truth.

Yes, as Kristine frequently shares, she was not unlike many many other witches and mediums. She truly thought she was helping people and was following God's plan for her.

Kristine shares much of the inner workings of the occult including practical things, such as how she practiced, as well as the vast amount of mental involvement there is in the occult. She also shares from an insider's perspective of how people are drawn away from Christianity and into the occult. Reading this book very well coincided with my recent reading and review of Already Gone which described how and why people are leaving the church so often. Kristine identifies another subset of people who are drawn away from God but often are truly trying to connect with Him in the wrong ways.

Kristine additionally shares very thoroughly yet welcomingly the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power and freedom that comes with surrendering to God and giving up the fight of running from Him and His plan for you.

I suggest in this season of harvest as we are entering fall and as Halloween is on many minds, you should read Kristine's honest, insightful recount of her life and heart as she shares it in Escaping the Cauldron.

This is the season of harvest of souls!

You may discover for yourself the freedom you are longing for and missing. You may also discover ways of connecting with and reaching those who are influenced by occult influences which are drawing them away from God.

Something to think about and share about:  
What interests you most when you think about the subject of the occult and those who practice it?

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Glass Road PR. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

Already Gone by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer with Todd Hillard

Do you go to church?

If not, have you ever gone to church in the past?

If that is the case, when and why did you stop?

There is an epidemic today of people who grew up in church but over the years have stopped going. Maybe you are one of them; maybe you know some of them. Either way, there is a reason for this epidemic and it needs to be uncovered and addressed head-on before it spreads  to the point of no return.

In Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it, Ken Ham and Britt Beemer along with Todd Hillard scientifically research this issue and share not only the results but also dig deep into how to get to the heart of it and stop it.

Ken Ham and Britt Beemer also later teamed up for research, writing, and planning in Already Compromised, which I have reviewed as well. Please check out that review when you get a chance.

The Introduction to Already Gone briefly highlights the fact that Europe has overall become a land of abandoned and repurposed church buildings. Throughout the rest of the book we are reminded of how close America is to doing the same.

But the church isn't a building, right? 

It is the Body of Christ...the people of Christ...right? 

Yes, this is very true. (See Colossians 1:24 & Ephesians 5:29-30) But the place where that body congregates to learn, grow, fellowship together and encourage one another is suffering from a severe, quickly progressing epidemic. As Ham states regarding his and his family's move from Australia to America to be missionaries to America:

"The Bible calls the Church the 'Body of Christ.' Today, over 25 years after our move, the statistics prove that His body is bleeding profusely. The next generation of believers is draining from the churches, and it causes me great personal and professional concern. I've sat in the grand, but vacant churches of Europe. I know where this is headed. Where Europe is today spiritually, America will be tomorrow---and for the same reasons, if the Church does not recognize where the foundational problem lies and address it."

Ham enlisted Britt Beemer of America's Research Group to create, facilitate, and analyze a qualified study that would help to unearth the problem(s). To discover who was leaving, why they were, and what could be done to reverse the trend, the study focused on those who said they had attended church very frequently growing up but rarely if ever do now.

Is that YOU? Do you know that person? 

Let me just say...you may think you know the answers to the why's and when's and who's, but I think you will be surprised to read what the statistical research unveiled. Such as:

• Many begin to leave as early as elementary and middle school (not just later in college).
• Sunday School is actually currently more harmful than helpful, not for lack of good intention...you really need to read the book for the in-depth explanation of that!
• Music style and amount is NOT the main reason they leave, nor what they say they miss most (and these were people from age 20-30 answering the surveys)---legalism, hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and boredom were highly scored as reasons but poor music was very low.
• They miss worshiping God and they miss the pastor's teaching more than most other reasons given (again, including music).
• Many of them are still firm believers in God and His Word and most say that they don't attend because church is not relevant to them in that they do not feel closer to God there nor is it practical to them.

Those are just some of the results...the tip of the iceberg, really. You need to read this book to glean so much more from it. Excellent research with VERY practical application offered from it. I identified with much of what the results revealed.

Yes, I am one of those who left the church and came back! 

Again, you may be, too...or at the very least you most likely know someone who is.

Ultimately, all in all, Ham and Beemer uncovered that, "Central to this study was the issue of belief. You simply can't explain the behavior without understanding the beliefs behind the behaviors. 'Belief' is invisible." But through intense, well-developed and executed studies like this one, belief and lack-thereof becomes tangible. At least it did for me.

Ham and Beemer help us recognize that we need to do a better job as parents, pastors, and believers in God to help people of all ages realize that "The Bible is not some 'pie in the sky' philosophical book. It's a real book that is really connected to the real world...God's Word stands by itself and doesn't need defending---that is true---but, practically, in this culture we are talking about answering the skeptical questions to uphold the Word and proclaim why we can believe in the Bible's life-giving historical and scientific authority."

According to Ham and Beemer, "We don't need a remodel; we need a complete renovation. We don't need a Band-Aid; we need radical surgery. It's time for a revolution; it's time for a new Reformation in the Church---to call the Church back to the authority of the Word of God, beginning in Genesis."

So, are you intrigued?

Are you uneasy because of the statement that 

"your kids will quit church"?

Please don't let my review be the last you read of the study and revelations of this book, Already Gone.

You actually have a couple of chances to get your hands on a copy of this and others for FREE coming up very soon! Here are the details:

ALL NEW to MOMS of Master Books...

...A FACEBOOK Party!!!

FB Party Theme = a Book and a Bite

The Bite is all about great recipes worth sharing 

because the food is always "Already Gone" 

before you get a chance to have a Bite!

Master Books will share a recipe in advance. Then you can share some of your faves.

FB Party Date / Time = Tuesday, October 2nd - 8-9pm Central

FB Party Event Page = https://www.facebook.com/events/102301796591817/

And, in keeping with our tradition, 

a Twitter Party, too!!!

Twitter Party Date / Time = September 27th - 8pm Central 

Twitter Party Hashtag = #TeachtheTruth

Follow these peeps =  @MasterBooks4u & @mamahall

Come early!!! There will be a pre-party prize!!!

Party Prizes = Books galore and even a few gift certificates

Spread the word and come join us!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

Hurricanes & Holidays

Hurricane Isaac via Air Force Times

As I sit in the laundromat, I am thinking---of all of these people around me, were any of them affected by Hurricane Isaac?

You know, 

why even ask that question?

Most likely all of us were in some way---evacuation, hunkering down, power outage, family/friends/even themselves who lost everything...

Regardless, here we all are---carrying on life in whatever way is our current norm.

Looking back over the past week of post-hurricane life I would say that, yes, life did carry on as usual for many. The holiday that started the post-hurricane week was for many, however, truly fulfilling of its name - Labor Day. As a matter of fact, most of our recent, major hurricanes have ironically coincided with that supposed "labor-free" holiday. For many who are in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac or have been in the aftermath of other hurricanes, however, that day has too often consisted of cleaning debris and trying to get your life and home back to some semblance of normal.

Thankfully Isaac was gentle on my family's things, but I do have some dear friends and co-workers who cannot say the same.

Some lost all. Others lost some.

Many experienced traumatizing emotions at the very least.

And, oh, Tuesday---that first day back to "normal life" after the hurricane and the holiday. A day I do not want to relive, yet for no specific reason other than one word - overwhelmed! I am not sure if others can say the same, but it seemed everything I missed during my evacuation not only waited for my return but brought extra duties and decisions along with it.

I can only imagine what that day was like for so many others, though. I truly should be thankful rather than complaining and becoming overwhelmed with frustration.

One thing I know, however, is that these precious people I know and love here in South Louisiana will endure. Not only will they endure but they will thrive in a way that few others would. 

I have learned a bit of the secret to 

their undying joy and resolve.

You see, when you prepare for a hurricane---whether it be to evacuate or "hunker down"---you quickly undergo a perspective adjustment that will likely remain with you forever. (It has stayed with me since my first hurricane four years ago.) Suddenly you realize you can't protect everything from potential harm and destruction. If you begin to try, you wear yourself out mentally and physically quite fast. Once you come to that realization an unexplainable peace comes over you (or at least it did me). You begin to realize what---or rather who---matters most. As you recognize that preparing yourself and your family and close friends for safety throughout the hurricane is what matters most of all in hurricane prep, you have then reached the ultimate perspective adjustment. 

All of the trivets you own---big and small, precious and insignificant---all of them are just things. Some may take more work, money, and effort to replace but still they are replaceable.

And most of all, I have seen the way these precious people trust God and lean on Him as their strength in these trying times. So many give testimony unashamedly of how He has protected them, provided for them, and even rebuilt them.

This, my friends, is why I love South Louisiana.

The Selfless Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Can you name more than three signers of the Declaration of Independence?

 I couldn't at one time.

 Come check out my guest post for more at New Leaf Publishing Group's blog by clicking HERE.

 Also, check out this awesome pin created by NLPG inspired by my guest post...and feel free to repin it!

Source: nlpgblogs.com via New Leaf on Pinterest

D is for Dinosaur by Ken and Mally Ham

Remember 

A is for Adam?

Well, now my son & I have the honor of reviewing 

D is for Dinosaur 

which is also 

by Ken and Mally Ham.

So, 

what did we think of it?!

Well, if you go back to my review of A is for Adam, I can tell you that the layout and design of D is for Dinosaur is the same. By that, I mean that it is in the style of a tent and is intended to be read by the parent or adult from one side while the child reads aloud and studies the picture from the other side.

Well, here, let me just show you what I mean. 

As a matter of fact, here is where my son's part of the review comes into play. I will demonstrate with the pages that he said were his favorite. See if you can tell why.

In case you can't tell, he loves this one because the dinosaur is bumping his head on the top of the ark.

Each parent / adult page is structured with sections including one called Let's Read where you can see what your child is reading without having to look at his side. 

Other sections include a brief summary of the main point of that page / picture, some Bible Bits that are tidbits the child can repeat after you, some other points they are told to Always Remember, and a couple of other sections including a Quick Review.

So, with all of those similarities to A is for Adam, 

what makes D is for Dinosaur unique and beneficial 

to have in addition to A is for Adam?

D is for Dinosaur reiterates the important facts of the Biblical creation account 

(as does A is for Adam), however it additionally teaches from the Bible how dinosaurs fit into the six days of creation and beyond. I honestly learned quite a bit myself from it.

Not only does it go along well with A is for Adam, but it is also a perfect accompaniment to Dragons: Legends and Lore of Dinosaurs. 

Both do an excellent job of breaking down the truth about dinosaurs and even dragons into a format that explains their real, literal 

existence to both children and adults.

My little man with his D is for Dinosaur book (and his always present "hand puppet friend")

So, when I asked my son what he liked best about the book, 

he said, "I likeded everything!" (No, that is not a typo..."likeded" is his cute, common form of "-ed" words right now...it will pass, so I enjoy it for now.)

He also specified that he loved the picture of the dinosaur hitting his head on the top of the door of the ark (as you saw above).

When I asked what he did not like about the book, he said, "I likeded it all! Even when they tricked us on the D is for Dinosaur page!" 

(You'll see what he means when you get the book if you so chose.)

Now that you have read my son's opinions as well as my synopsis, I will say that I definitely recommend D is for Dinosaur as an excellent resource to help you #TeachtheTruth to children.

If you have found yourself even the least bit curious about this book, 

please please please come and join us for a 

#TeachtheTruth Twitter Party 

coming up on 

Thursday, August 23rd at 8pm Central. 

Who knows?! 

You just might win your own copy of this book!!!

Giveaways & FUN Galore!

Date: Thursday, August 23rd

Time: 8pm Central (lasts between 30 minutes & 1 hour)

Hashtags: Use #TeachtheTruth (throughout entire party) 

to follow the conversation & answer questions for a chance to win PRIZES!!!, 

Use #tttrollcall to check-in & say Hi when you first join the party.

Who to follow on Twitter: @MasterBooks4u & @mamahall

Prizes include: Welllll...I think you need to come join us to 

find out what exciting prizes you might win! 

Spread the word and come join us!

If you don't have a Twitter account, 

it's easy and FREE to get one.

(Click HERE to read Michelle's post that gives 

a great description of how to participate in a Twitter Party.)

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

Evolution Impossible by Dr. John F. Ashton

Could it be?

Could someone an actual scientist and adjunct professor of biomedical sciences and applied sciences actually be claiming in a book that evolution is impossible?!

Yes, it could be and actually is the case.

Though I have done a fair amount of study on this subject myself (some of which is mentioned in former review posts like Secrets of the Sixth Edition and The Case of the Missing Mountain), I have nowhere near as thoroughly and scientifically studied it as Dr. John F. Ashton as well as many other scientists he references.

Could widely accepted evolution truly be an 

impossible explanation for the origin of life on Earth? 

How so, if science has supposedly proven it? 

The truth is that many unproven pieces of the evolution theory cause it to easily be discounted if one has an open mind enough to at least consider the scientific proof against the theory of evolution. Many prominent scientists of our day and days past have uncovered and spoken of this same truth. Dr. John F. Ashton is just one of many, but has taken the time and effort to put his and others' research and conclusions into this book called Evolution Impossible: 12 Reasons Why Evolution Cannot Explain the Origin of Life on Earth.

In the foreward to this book, Emeritus Professor Warren Grubb, PhD (of the School of Biomedical Sciences of Curtin University in Perth, Western Austrailia), makes a statement that I highly agree with though I hope even my skeptical readers will prove this wrong. He says:

If one accepts that there are difficulties with the evolutionary process then one must look at other interpretations, and Dr. Ashton has proposed alternative interpretations of the evidence. Unfortunately, many people will look at the title of this book and dismiss the book without even opening it. This book is not for those who have already made up their minds but for those who have an open mind and are willing to look at alternative interpretations in their quest for truth. It is to these people that I recommend Dr. Ashton's book.

I will not try to quote from the book in order to convince you of the need to reconsider this widely and often blindly accepted theory of evolution. If I start quoting from the book, I could go on all day. Evolution Impossible is FULL of scientific proof and disproof regarding creation by an Intelligent Designer versus evolution with no said Designer involved.

In Evolution Impossible, Dr. Ashton has done an impeccable job of bringing to light many of the accepted "proofs" of evolution and showing how they are actually not proven as they have been presented and accepted to be. As a matter of fact, he has given such thorough scientific explanations of his own and of other scientists in this book that some of the reading is---well---very scientific. I, for one, did quite well in Chemistries and Biologies as well as my other sciences in high school and college, so I was able to follow the majority of it fairly easily. However, if one does not have as heavy of a science background as I do, then some of the reading may be a little difficult. Don't let that shy you away, though.

Go for it! 

Take the challenge! 

Ignore the part of you that wants to say, "Yeah, yeah...whatever! Those idiots don't know what they're talking about."

Be open-minded. Read this book.

Then, if you wish, please come back here and tell me what you thought of it...one way or another.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.