Finish Well

From Goal to Habit with God’s Grace

In “From Goal to Habit with God’s Grace” episode #104, Meredith Curtis talks about those New Year’s resolutions we make every year with a twist. She offers an alternative to making and breaking resolutions. Instead she talks about goals and how to turn those goals into habits that last for a lifetime. Of course, you can’t do it without the Lord!

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

 

 

Show Notes

Happy New Year

New Year’s Resolutions

Is God In This?

My Dreams

God’s Dreams

A Biblical Foundation for my goals

Make Goals Measurable

Nebulous vs. measurable

The blessing of realistic goals

Build the Habit

Start small and build from there

Faithfulness better than a burst of zeal

When I Blow It

Moving on after a failure

Perseverance

Enjoying My New Way of Life

Habits eventually become patterns of living

Rejoicing in our patterns and habits

 

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Resources

Happy Birthday Creator-King

In “Happy Birthday Creator-King,” episode #103, Meredith Curtis talks about birthdays and what makes birthdays special for the birthday person, the family, and the guests. How does the birthday person want to celebrate? As we celebrate Jesus, our Creator-King’s birthday, we can plan our Christmas celebration as a birthday where Christ is the center of all our plans, rather than an afterthought. If you can grasp these principles as a family, it will change your Christmas celebrations forever to be more festive and joyous than you could ever imagine.

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

 

Show Notes

Introduction: Our Favorite Birthday Tradition: The Encouragement Game.

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16 NASB).

What makes a birthday special for the birthday person?

What makes a birthday special for party guests and family?

Christmas is a birthday.

How God the Father prepared for Christmas. Lining up empires, lining up languages, prophetic words, mysteries, angels, a star, birthday party guests,

Genesis to Revelation role of Christ as Creator/Redeemer

God the Father commemorates special events e.g Passover. Commemorate stones crossing Jordan.

When we celebrate His birthday, do we get the Passover meal ready, visit the stones near the Jordan or do we go to the high places?

Is Jesus, the birthday person, the focus of all our preparations or is he on the periphery?

What Jesus likes….

* Worship

* Marriage

* Family

* The Poor, Needy, those in Jail

* Celebrations (e.g. in Nehemiah)

* Prayer

* The Word

* Us to Enjoy what He has given us

* Generosity

 

Let’s throw a party!

Gifts for Baby Jesus

Time set aside for Worship

Romantic Lights

Family Devotions

Family Memories

Reading His Word

Inviting the Lost to the Birthday Party

 

Merry Christmas from our families to yours.

 

Christmas Resources

Pearl Harbor 12.7.41

In “Life Lessons from History: Pearl Harbor 12.7.41” episode #102, Meredith Curtis takes you back in time to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, that plunged America into World War II. What led up to that historical moment? Were we the only ones attacked?  Why was Pearl Harbor such a strategic target? How did the attack arouse a sleeping giant? Meredith answers all these questions and more, letting you in on the decades of preparation by the Japanese. She also shares lessons we can apply to our own personal lives.

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

 

 

Show Notes

“Tora! Tora! Tora!” Lieutenant Commander Mitsuo Fuchida commanded the other pilots. It was time to lay waste to their enemy!

The Surprise Attack!

President Roosevelt’s response.

We’re at War!

There’s always a story. Let’s go back in Time to figure out what happened?

Turn of the Century Japan & relationship with Prussia, Korea, and China.

1910 Japan annexes Korea.

1925, US General Billy Mitchell’s Report

The Japanese Naval Academy final exam question

Japan’s Aggression in the 1930s: Manchuria, Korea, China, Vietnam (French Indochina)

The Pact of Steel

The Strategy behind the attack

After all the destruction, what was left?

What We can Learn

Not what folks say, but what they do!

When we are almost destroyed, we fight even harder

 

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Resources

Thank you to our Sponsor -The Star Movie

 

The Star Is Coming Back To Theaters for a Limited Time!

Experience The Star again December 7 and 8 in select theaters!

Back by popular demand, you and your family can celebrate the true meaning behind the season. Be sure to check out all of the great resources for your family to use this holiday season!

100 Homeschool Hacks II

In “100 Homeschool Hacks Volume II” episode #101, Meredith Curtis, Laura Nolette, and their friends share 100 ways to homeschool more effectively, efficiently, enthusiastically, and effortlessly. There were too many tips and advice for one show so we started earlier this month and are finishing up today. Sit back, relax and let seasoned homeschool moms and grads share their secrets of joy and success with you!

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

Show Notes

We wanted to celebrate our 100th show in a special way!

So Laura and I got together with some of our friends to come up with 100 homeschool hacks—tips, ideas, and methods that work to making homeschooling easier and more fun so that you can start strong and finish well.

Below are summaries of each section of the homeschool hacks. Enjoy!

Katie Beth Nolette: 10 Tips for Teaching Preschoolers & Toddlers that will give a strong educational foundation to your children, reaping benefits for years to come! Don’t worry these things are fun and relationship-building!

Meredith Curtis: 5 Ideas for Teaching History the Fun Way before God’s Story (HIS Story) should be exciting, joyful, and awe-inspiring. Shake off the dull routine of memorizing boring facts and dates. Instead, set sail on a grand adventure exploring the past as never before!

Laura Nolette: 5 Methods for Mastering Math that are simple to work into your yearly planning and weekly routines. They will make all the difference no matter when you start!

Meredith Curtis: 10 Tips for Teaching from a Christian Worldview so that our children can have confidence in Jesus and His Word, building their lives on a solid foundation of truth in all things.

Meredith Curtis: 5 Ways to Minister in Your Local Church Together as a Family so that everyone isn’t going off in a different direction.

Laura Nolette: 10 Field Trips that Don’t Cost Money, are closer than you think, and will make fun memories that last.

Meredith Curtis: 7 Tools to Give Lifelong Learners so that they can face every new learning opportunity with confidence and enthusiasm.

 

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Resources

100 Homeschool Hacks I

In “100 Homeschool Hacks Volume I” episode #100, Meredith Curtis, Laura Nolette, and their friends share 100 ways to homeschool more effectively, efficiently, enthusiastically, and effortlessly. There were too many tips and advice for one show so we will start this week and finish up next week. Sit back, relax and let seasoned homeschool moms and grads share their secrets of joy and success with you!

 

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

Show Notes

We wanted to celebrate our 100th show in a special way!

So Laura and I got together with some of our friends to come up with 100 homeschool hacks—tips, ideas, and methods that work to making homeschooling easier and more fun so that you can start strong and finish well.

Below are summaries of each section of the homeschool hacks. Enjoy!

Meredith Curtis: 5 Lifestyle of Learning Hacks to Keep your family on an enthusiastic quest for knowledge and wisdom.

Laura Nolette: 5 Tips on Organization and Scheduling that will make your day flow more smoothly and help you use and store everything you need for homeschooling success.

Katie-Beth Nolette: 5 Tips to Teach Little Ones to Read in a way that sets them up for success and ignites a love of reading.

Marla Stevens: 3 Methods to Raise a Musician that cultivate a gifting so that it can be used with excellence for the glory of God.

Sarah Jeffords: 5 Ways to Build a Home Library including what books to look for, where to keep them, how to find them, and ways to save money in purchasing them.

Meredith Curtis: 10 Helpful Patterns & Habits that will set you and your children up for success. After all, as Charlotte Mason says, “education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” She also says, “The child who starts in life with say, twenty good habits, begins with a certain capital which he will lay out to endless profit as the years go on.”

Julianna Curtis: 5 Ways to Motivate your High Schoolers to Get Their Schoolwork Done that don’t involve nagging, yelling, or stressing the whole family out!

Mary Smith & Meredith Curtis: 10 Ways to Build a Solid Relationship with Your Kids that will last as children grow up into adults with their own lives, careers, and families. Lay a solid foundation now.

 

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Resources

7 Amazing World War I Heroes

In “Life Lessons from 20th Century History: 7 Amazing World War I Heroes” episode #099, Meredith Curtis introduces you to 7 heroes from World War I that you may never have even heard of. Not only are they amazing people who did extraordinary things, but their faith in Jesus shined through! “The Great War” did not prove to be the war to end all wars, but it was a proving ground for these men and woman who showed bravery, fortitude, and courage. In their stories, is a life lesson for us all.

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

 

 

Show Notes

Background on World War I.

Why World War I was so challenging

* Family fighting family

* Trench Warfare

* New weapons like machine guns

* Dog fights

* Chemical warfare/gas masks

* Wiped out a generation of men

* Wiped out many European cities

King Albert the First of Belgium

Belgian Neutrality

“Belgium is a nation, not a road!”

Highest Ranking Noble on the battlefield

Nurse Edith Clavel

English nurse stationed in Belgium

“Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone”

Executed as a spy by German Army

Herbert Hoover

Orphaned Quaker boy who became a millionaire

Private Charity to feed starving Belgians

In charge of rebuilding after the War

Eddie Rickenbacker

Race Car Driver who drove General John J. Pershing

Dog Fights—26 kills

Life of heroism & service

Sergeant Alvin York

Dramatic conversion, Christian leader, Pacifist

Greatest Civilian Soldier

William Donovan

Many men fought in WWI and went on to serve the nation like Douglas MacArthur, Truman, Eisenhower

Father of the CIA

“Wild Bill”

William Harold Coltman

Sunday School Teacher & Gardener

Most Highly Decorated British soldier in WW1

Never fired a shot

Life Lessons

This life is not all there is

Faith carries us through

You were born for a time such as this—example of Esther

God will never leave you

We are saved for a purpose

 

 

World War I & 20th Century Resources

 

The Blessing of Enrichment Courses for All Ages

In “The Blessing of Enrichment Courses for All Ages,” episode #098, Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette talk about how enrichment courses have been such a blessing to their children in rounding out their education, cultivating talents, and exposing them to new things that can turn into lifetime hobbies. Best of all, enrichment courses are fun for everyone, including Mom!

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

 

 

Show Notes

Enrichment Courses have been such a blessing to our children, to our home school, especially in the high school years, and to us and moms.

Why are Co-op Enrichment Courses Such a Blessing?

* Round Out Their Education

* Learn Life Skills

* Cultivate Gifts & Talents

* Cultivate a Lifelong Hobby or Sport

* Exposure to New Things

* Other Moms Teach Things We Cannot Teach Well

* Opportunity for Friendships

Core Enrichment

Science Labs

Math Club, Math Counts

Drama Enrichment Courses

First Assisted a Drama Major—so Intimidated.

Music Enrichment Courses

Chorus, Band, Appreciation, History, Music Lessons, Worship Team, Sound

Bible, Apologetics, Worldview

Worldview/Thinking Like a Christian courses

Mike’s courses at Co-op & Church

Character/Life Skills courses

Dave Barton Videos

Drive Thru History Videos

Art

Art Appreciation

Watercolor, Acrylics

Foreign Language

Florida Co-op

Spanish Class at Co-op

Online with Florida Virtual School & Community College

PE Enrichment Courses

Bonnie’s Health Course

Working Out at the Y

Swim Team

Dance

Ballet Lessons at a Dance Studio

Dance Camp

Dance Classes at Community School

Public Speaking

4H Courses

Leading Meetings at 4H

Co-op Course

Community College Course

Sewing & Needlecraft

Phoebe’s Sewing Days with Grandma.

4H Sewing Workshops

Leanne’s Knitting Classes

Culinary Skills

Steve’s Classes with His Kids

Cooking our Way through Time and Around the World

Letting Kids Loose in the Kitchen

Cake Decorating

Joanne’s Courses

Sarah’s Classes

Where Can We Take These Courses?

* Co-op

* Support Group

* Church

* Online

* Community College

* Clubs

* Business/Community Courses

* Camps

* Workshops

 

 

Co-op Enrichment Resources

 

Healing From Sexual Abuse

In “Healing from Sexual Abuse,” episode #097, Meredith Curtis examines a horrible side of life in the 21stCentury with honesty, compassion, and truth. She offers hope from the Word of God to define sexual abuse and to process what has happened to you. She also explains why certain lies are often believed by victims, how to reject them, and how Jesus brings healing to the brokenness that often results from sexual abuse. There is healing and freedom, but it is a process. To all those who have been wounded, my heart breaks for you and I am praying that you know the precious love of Jesus that can heal you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Warning: This show contains sensitive material

 

 

 

Show Notes

Purpose of Childhood

Purpose of Womanhood/Manhood

Care Giver’s Role: Protect Innocence/Provide Safety/Allow children to develop intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe, pure, and loving environment

God’ Heart toward Those Who Have Been Sexually Abused: Matthew 18:1-6 & I Peter 3:7

What is Sexual Abuse?

A Wide Range Often Progressive

* Sexual Jokes, Crude comments

* Terminology, etc. that is too adult for victim

* Pornography, Exposing,

* Inappropriate Touching

* Forcing Children to Participate in Sexual Acts

* Rape

Sexual abuse exposes children/teens to deviant behavior that damages them emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

I Thessalonians 4:3-12

Why Do Abuse Victims Often Feel Guilt & Shame?

* Process of Grooming (manipulation by abuser) See Radio Show here

* Sense of Powerlessness (control and fear instilled by abuser)

* Separation of sex from loving intimacy—creates a hunger for love & intimacy

* Body betrayed them—felt some pleasure—only because body parts worked, not because they wanted it

St. Augustine in City of God: No guilt, no loss of purity when you are not a willing participate

NO guilt! Reject lie!

How is Sexual Abuse Related to the Demonic?

Revelation 9:18-21

Ephesians 4:17-19

Demon worship, pagan religions, witchcraft includes sexual acts, prostitution, and “sacrifice” of virgins

How Sexual Abuse Changes People

Heartache

Physical Ailments

Trouble trusting people/feeling safe

Fall into patterns with predators

Can feel like “less of a man” or “less of a woman”

How to Process Sexual Abuse

Ephesians 5:11-17

Evil Sin

Crime/Abusers Keep Abusing/Report Abusers to Police

You were a victim, an unwilling participant

Acknowledge that Sexual Abuser did an evil thing—don’t make excuses for him/her

Anger

Mourn the Loss of Innocence/Protection

Reject Lies: “This is my fault”, “I should have stopped it”, “No one is safe”

From Brokenness to Wholeness

Isaiah 61:1-7

Christ bore our brokenness on the cross and offers healing & wholeness

Stay Safe & Protect Others

Build patterns in your life that are protective and keep you and others safe.

What Teens Can Do

* Pray for the Lord to Protect You & Give You Wisdom

* Don’t hang out with people your parents don’t approve of and don’t build private relationships. Friendships should be inclusive, not exclusive.

* Don’t spend time with someone who “gives you the creeps”

How I Teach English in High School

In “How I Teach English in High School,” episode #096, Meredith Curtis shares the life skills she invests in her children during the high school years along with the classic literature they read and kinds of writing they do each year. Meredith actually teaches high school English for 5 years starting in 8thgrade. Her teens learn to work with original documents, give a decent speech, analyze literature, create stories, write excellent essays, write a novel, edit writing, and read a wide variety of classic literature. Sounds overwhelming? Not at all! Everything is broken down into bite-sized pieces in courses that are fun to teach and learn.  Be inspired to relax and enjoy high school while investing life skills your children will use in the decades ahead.

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

 

 

 

 

Show Notes

Common question: “How do you teach English in high school?”

5 years instead of 4 to get all the skills and books in!

Classes taught in no particular order. Each one stands alone. A senior might take an English course with a freshman. Learning together is more fun!

In each course, I teach specific writing, research, and speaking skills. We also read classic literature, essays, and short stories.

Each time I teach these courses, they are a little different because they target specific needs and interests of the one or two of my teens taking the course.

Here are the Skills I Teach:  

Write a Excellent Essay, Give a Decent Speech, and Write a Effective Thesis Statements

Essays:wide variety, crafting workable thesis statements, using the thesis statement effectively, communicating clearly, making the essay enjoyable to read, having something worth saying, editing, rewriting

Speech:comfortableness in front of an audience, make it lighthearted. Speeches from reading picture book aloud all the way to persuasive speech with a dabble in debate.

Reading:Essays, Classic Literature

Listening:Speeches by Excellent Speakers

My Course: Communication 101: Essays & Speeches

 

Research, Working with Original Sources, Classic American Literature

Research Skills:Using a Library, Using the Internet, Citing Sources, Working with Original Documents (original sources from Age of Reason—Yikes!), Summarizing, Paraphrasing, Starting with a Research Question, Using Quotes, Outlines, Thesis Statements that can guide a paper, Writing Paper, Presenting Paper

Writing:Paraphrase, Précis, Thesis Statements, Essay, Articles, Research Paper. The step-by-step research and writing a research paper begins with weekly meetings to read research and notes aloud and share ideas.

Reading:Great American works from histories and poetry to adventures and humor

Reading Aloud Together:Sermons, Scenes from Plays

Book Club Discussions:Style of writing and change of writing over time. We often are studying American history at the same time so discussions can often end up intertwining American history.

My Course: American Literature and Research ​

 

Literary Analysis, Ancient Literature

How Sexual Predators Groom Their Victims & What to Do About It

In “How Sexual Predators Groom Their Victims & What to Do About It,” episode #095, Meredith Curtis talks about the cunning and manipulative process pedophiles use to target their unsuspecting victims and their parents. Grooming breaks down the natural barriers that protect children and teens from becoming victims. She explains how to recognize toxic behavior and protect your children and teens from this evil.

 

 

 

Show Notes

When you are uncomfortable with a relationship.

Some statistics say that 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 5 boys are sexually abused before they turn 18. Most of these abusers are family members or close family friends. Some are church members.

Examples.

These men and women all groomed their future victims before touching them. Grooming takes time and involves a step-by-step breaking down of natural barriers.

Predators target a victim and gain that victim’s trust by filling a void in the child/teen’s life, creating a special bond, and isolating them. They often desensitize them little by little before abusing and after maintain control with blame and shame.

Pedophiles are usually friendly, good with children, good-natured, and likeable. They are hard to spot.

And here’s something that makes it even harder. Sexual predators often befriend parents and caregivers.

A Predator’s Goal is to Gradually Increase Access to the Child/Teen so They Can Engage in Sexual Activity with Them. This is a Premeditated Crime!

Process (Not Necessarily in Precise Order)

* Pay Special Attention to a Child or Teen to make them feel like honored

* Provide a Listening Ear to lonely teens/children or teens/children who are not getting along with parents

* Compliment, Exhibit Interest in, Learn Child’s/Teen’s Habits & Likes & Dislikes, Pretend to Share Common Interests

* Isolate

* Involve Child in an Activity that Requires them to be Alone Together

* The First Physical Contact Between a Predator and his Victim is almost always Non-Sexual

* Cross Boundaries

* Introducing Sexual Content

* “Acceptable Touches” linger and eventually Involve Private Areas or Seeing One Another Naked.

* Will Treat Child as a Co-Conspirator—This Behavior is Why Victims Blame Themselves

And remember, sexual abuse is a crime and should be reported. Sexual abusers always move on to the next victim.

Online Grooming

Online grooming occurs on websites, computer games, social media sites, and other places online. A predator appears kind and helpful. He/she initiates and cultivates a friendship with the child/teen that eventually results in taking/sending sexual photos, sexting, meeting in real life to engage in sexual activities, or trafficking.

Online grooming follows the same pattern of filling a void, making them feel special, and isolation. Boundary testing is an additional aspect of grooming online. They will actually gauge the level of threat from the parents by finding out how devices are monitored.

If your child is secretive about online activities, check it out! Fast!

Don’t allow computers, phones, etc. behind closed doors.

The apps favored by online predators have the following things in common:

* The ability to send and receive messages

* The ability to track the location

* The ability to exchange photos and videos

* The ability to stream live video

* The ability to hide content