Shrek the Sheep

 

This is Shrek the sheep. He became famous several years ago when he was found after hiding out in caves for six years. Of course, during this time his fleece grew without anyone there to shorn (shave) it. When he was finally found and shaved, his fleece weighed an amazing sixty pounds. Most sheep have a fleece weighing just under ten pounds, with the exception usually reaching fifteen pounds, maxi

mum. For six years, Shrek carried six times the regular weight of his fleece. Simply because he was away from his shepherd.
This reminds me of John 10 when Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd, and His followers are His sheep. Maybe it’s a stretch, but I think Shrek is much like a person who knows Jesus Christ but has wandered. If we avoid Christ’s constant refining of our character, we’re going to accumulate extra weight in this world—a weight we don’t have to bear.
When Shrek was found, a professional sheep shearer took care of Shrek’s fleece in twenty-eight minutes. Shrek’s sixty pound fleece was finally removed. All it took was coming home to his shepherd.
I believe Christ can lift the burdens we carry, if only we stop hiding. He can shave off our ‘fleece’—that is, our self-imposed burdens brought about by wandering from our Good Shepherd.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Cranky Old Man

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this ‘anonymous’ poem that is spreading across the Internet:

Cranky Old Man:
What do you see nurses? What do you see?

What are you thinking when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice, ‘I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice the things that you do.
And forever is losing a sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse. You’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of ten, with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another
A young boy of sixteen with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at twenty my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-five, now I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A man of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me to see I don’t mourn.
At fifty, once more, babies play ‘round my knee,
Again, we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me. My wife is now dead.
I look at the future. I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own.
And I think of the years, and the love that I’ve known.
I’m now an old man and nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles. Grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass, A young man still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living life over again.
I think of the years, all too few, gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people. Open and see.
Not a cranky old man.

Dr. T on The Ricki Lake Show - Tips To Treating Migraines, Fibromyalgia, and Arthritis

Unschooling Helps Children Achieve Full Personhood By Tammy Takahashi

http://www.lifelearningmagazine.com/0708/unschooling_helps_children_achieve_full_personhood.htm

How to Fund a Passion: 5 Not So Obvious Ways Anyone Can Make an Extra $1,000 a Month

http://liveyourlegend.net/earn-an-extra-1000-dollars-a-month/

What is freedom?

http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/what-is-freedom/

Fibromyalgia Treatments: Use & Benefits

http://www.fmnetnews.com/latest-news/fibromyalgia-treatments-use-benefits

know your kids as they are

http://blog.bravewriter.com/2012/10/23/know-your-kids-as-they-are/

A letter from a dad to his kids now in their 20’s

http://www.prodigalmagazine.com/letter-to-my-20-somethings/

I have been thinking about doing something like this for my kids.  Maybe this winter when I will hopefully have more time at home. 

Love this quote that I read this morning…

Because we were not entertaining. We were empowering. We were not observing. We were experiencing…the Living God, together week after week, day after day.

So, this is where I rest–in knowing that how I am called to “do church” does not look like everyone else. I rest in believing that God has me exactly where He wants me. I rest in remembering His promises, not of a perfect church, but of His presence. There is no such thing as a perfect church. There is only a perfect God and the places He calls us into, created just for us.

taken from this article – “http://www.prodigalmagazine.com/organic-church/”

Open Tabs–Things I want to go back to…

1.  Interest Led Learning - http://christinapilkington.com/2012/10/17/project-based-homeschooling-interview-with-lori-pickert-part-1/

2.  Ooph – for parents of tweens and teens - http://www.ooph.com/

3.  Crockpot breakfast casserole - http://www.allkindsofyumm.com/2011/10/crock-pot-breakfast-casserole.html

4.  Breakfast Casserole - http://www.food.com/recipe/breakfast-casserole-supreme-35775

5.  The problem with distractions - http://scottbrownonline.com/the-problem-with-distractions/

6.  Free prayer cards for your husband and children - http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free-prayer-cards-for-your-husband-and-children/

7.  2012 writing retreat - http://www.unschooladventures.com/trips/wr12/the-2012-writing-retreat-begins/

8.  I had a bad day - http://www.unschooladventures.com/trips/wr12/the-2012-writing-retreat-begins/

9.  Handling discipline as an unschooler - http://www.bohemiantravelers.com/2012/10/handling-discipline-as-unschooler.html?m=1

10.  http://wandrlymagazine.com/lifestyle/barenaked/

11.  John Holt quotes - http://www.sandradodd.com/holt/quotes

12.  Curriculum of curiosity - http://project-based-homeschooling.com/camp-creek-blog/curriculum-curiosity

13.  Reading Program - http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/readingactivities/a/Summer-Reading-Program.htm

I have pondered and discussed this topic before:

Do want to be innocent or relevant?  -  http://www.prodigalmagazine.com/innocent-or-relevant/

something I read this morning…

When bad news comes our way, instead of drowning in it, what if we saw it as an opportunity?
"Every time I go through a difficult season, I am becoming the Incarnation for those around me." http://www.prodigalmagazine.com/five-months-income/

Christopher’s Learning Journey Blog

I have started a blog to keep track of Christopher’s learning journey while he is here.  This will be a good record for our school board and a great way for his parents to see what he is up to.

http://christopherjas.blogspot.ca/