A Woman Who Fears the Lord

By Angela Wittman The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks and answers this question: Question 67 : Which is the sixth commandment? A: The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill . -  Exodus 20:13. Question 68 goes on to ask what is required in the sixth commandment and responds with: The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. Francis R Beattie  (1848 - 1906) in The Presbyterian Standards , chapter 24 , section II, The Sixth Commandment, explains in greater detail what is required of God’s people concerning this command [emphasis mine]: In a general way, this command requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life and the life of others. This is further explained by the Larger Catechism to include resistance of all thoughts, subduing all passions, and resisting all temptations, which tend to the unjust taking away of the life of any . It also requires just defence of life against violence , and

By Angela Wittman ‘Remember those in prison as if you yourself were their fellow prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourself were suffering’ ~ Hebrews 13:3 The Stefanos Foundation describes itself as ‘the rising hope of the persecuted’ and bringing hope to a troubled nation while working for peace and justice.  Some of their featured projects  include widows support , care of orphans , trauma counseling , advocacy / media awareness , and rehabilitation/reconstruction  of burned and damaged homes while providing micro-funding to small businesses and helping to establish self-supporting small businesses. The foundation also provides advocacy and legal aid for those imprisoned and suffering injustice throughout the region. Their goal is to serve God’s Church by speaking as advocates for the persecuted while showing Christian love and compassion to all parties involved. Evangelism efforts include facilitating a radio program  which broadcasts God’s Word to the unreached

By Angela Wittman Illinois home educators are rallying in opposition to SB 3259 which calls for amending the Illinois School Code compulsory school age from 17 to 18 years . Organizations calling for citizens to take action and call their state legislators include ICHE (Illinois Christian Home Educators) and HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). Disagreement concerning SB 3259 stems from the belief that parents are in the best position to know what is best for their 17 year-old children, whether it be higher education or perhaps an apprenticeship to prepare them for employment.  It may not be in the best interest of a young adult at 18 years of age to be forced to remain in school. Home educated children often advance at a faster pace than students in government schools and as a consequence are ready for higher learning or career preparation such as a trade or technical school at an earlier age.  HSLDA states on their Academic Statistics on Homeschooling page under Independe

By Angela Wittman He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. – Psalm 40, verse 2, KJV While the world mourns the premature death of one of its pop music icons, Whitney Houston , perhaps those in the Church should remember their humble beginnings as new creatures in Christ and what life for them was like before they came to know Jesus Christ.  And while we can rejoice in our new status as a redeemed people, set apart for good works in Christ Jesus, let us never forget that if not for the love of God and the sharing of the Gospel by His people, we might still be in a horrible pit, stuck and weighed down in the mire of our filthy sins.As Christians it is very tempting to separate ourselves from the world around us and somehow feel superior to the “pagans” and ungodly people we cross paths with everyday.  But I encourage you to remember that you were also once dead in your trespasses and sins ( Colossians 2:1

Love Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth [1] not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [2] 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; [3] whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we

It has been estimated that approximately 60,000 students were home educated in the state of Illinois with a national estimate of 1,376,804 homeschooled students in 2010/2011 . And in most states the number of home schooled students is growing annually. This article will explore why many parents are opting to teach their children at home and some of the helpful resources available to help home-schoolers. The Illinois State Board of Education states on its Illinois Home-Schooling page : Home-schooling in Illinois is considered to be a form of private education. Parents who choose to educate their children at home are under a legal obligation to meet the minimum requirements stated in Illinois’ Compulsory Attendance Law (Section 26-1 of the Illinois School Code). Parents who choose to educate their children at home are obligated to teach their children “…the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools” and they are further obligated to

By Angela Wittman Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. (1 Chron. 16:31, KJV) I recently entered into a discussion with some well-meaning conservatives about pluralism in America. The general consensus appears to be that they want pluralism and believe that having a poly-theistic nation is desirable. What surprises me is that they say they want America to return to her Christian roots, but also believe that people of all religious faiths should have freedom to worship their false gods. Perhaps I am just an old-fashioned puritan at heart, but this view of “freedom” by honoring multi-gods sounds double-minded to me. My hope and prayer is the conservatives who believe this will think a little harder and dig a little deeper into Scripture and see that their thinking is not founded on the Rock called Christ Jesus, nor is true liberty to be found anywhere but in Christ Jesus alone, who is an exclusive and jealous God. On pag