El Shaddai

     In the Bible, God is called El Shaddai a total of 48 times. El Shaddai, translated God Almighty in English, "emphasizes God's supreme power and total sovereignty over the creation" (New Dictionary of Biblical Theology). We first see this name for God in Genesis 17 when He makes a covenant with Abraham. "When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between Me and you, and may multiply you greatly'" (Genesis 17:1-2, ESV). God called Abraham to walk in a way that is worthy of God's standards and made a covenant with Abraham, that from him will come the nation of Israel.

     The next time we come across El Shaddai in the Bible is when Isaac, the son promised to Abraham in his old age, is blessing his son Jacob before sending him out. Jacob, renamed Israel, eventually became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 28:3). Through all of this, we see God's sovereignty in carrying out His covenantal promise to Abraham for His own glory.

     Then we come to the book of Ezekiel, which was written while Israel was in the midst of the Babylonian exile. The prophet Ezekiel's ministry focused on two main themes: judgement and restoration (NDBT). The first time El Shaddai/God Almighty is used is during Ezekiel's vision of God's glory. Taking a look at chapter ten, verse five, we find that the name is mentioned during Ezekiel's vision of the glory of God leaving the Temple. "Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the house, when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court. And the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with a cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks" (Ezekiel 10:3-5). God's glory is leaving the temple because of the wickedness of the people, and God Almighty will soon bring judgement on Jerusalem for their wickedness. Again, we see God's sovereignty in how He unleashes judgment on them, and then restore them for His name's sake.

     So, what does this name - God Almighty - teach us about Him? It teaches us that God is sovereign and that He is holy. That He is faithful to fulfill His promises, and also restore for His name's sake. When we look at the life of Job, the book in which El Shaddai occurs most often, these truths about God could not be more evident. Job has lost everything, and yet, God is still powerful and good. "Then Job answered the LORD and said: 'I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. "Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?" Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know'" (Job 42:1-3). In His sovereignty, God restores Job. And He will continue to save and restore those who call upon His name in His perfect timing.

By Sarah Tank

Large Group Coordinator

How to Start Homeschooling

     My husband and I just began our fifth year homeschooling! It is definitely hard work, but we absolutely love it!! One thing I often get asked by other seminary wives/moms is how to even get started homeschooling. Many of them are completely unfamiliar with the idea. Others may just not know how to begin. There are many different reasons why a family may choose to homeschool, but for those who are interest in the how, I hope this post can help give some guidance.

     1) Learn the Laws. The most important step if you're looking into homeschooling is to learn your state's laws. The best resource for this is the Home School Legal Defense Association. This organization provides legal representation to homeschoolers across the US and around the world. Their site has all the necessary information to make sure you are obeying the law for your child's education.

     2) Read up. There are many different educational philosophies that can influence how you teach your children. A few of the most popular schools of thought are: Classical, Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Traditional, Montessori, and Eclectic. Homeschooling can be done in countless ways and each family can choose what's right for them.

My educational philosophy has morphed and changed each year and that's totally okay. Do not be afraid to keep learning. Some favorite books from when I was first learning about homeschooling were: Educating the Whole Hearted Child, The Well-Trained Mind, Charlotte Mason Companion, and For the Children's Sake.

     3) Discuss with your husband. After you've done your research about the laws and possible methods that might work for your family, share your thoughts with your husband. It's absolutely paramount that your husband be on board if you decided to homeschool. It's wonderful and amazing, but it is hard work. If your husband does not want your family to homeschool, you must submit to your husband and his leading of your family. If your husband is on board, move forward with researching and picking a curriculum. The Lord is sovereign over all, including the hearts of our husbands. If homeschooling is right for your family, the Lord will make that clear also to your husband.

     4) Pick a curriculum. If your children are under 5, you really don't need a formal preschool curriculum. Work on reading books aloud, learning the letters, shapes, colors, numbers, crafts, and doing lots of imaginative play. If you have a Kindergartner or older child, you will likely need some sort of curriculum. There are many ways to go about picking what to use. You can purchase an all inclusive curriculum package or piece together the subjects you will teach yourself. I have done it both ways.

     Right now with a toddler and baby running around, I find it so much easier to use a complete pre-planned curriculum package for my oldest daughter. We use My Father's World and absolutely LOVE it! This is our third year using their curriculum. Other popular choices for complete Christian curriculum packages are: Sonlight, Memoria Press, and Heart of Dakota.

     If you'd like to piece subjects together yourself, ChristianBook.com is one of the best places to shop online. You can see samples of almost anything you are interested in buying. Also Cathy Duffy Reviews is a great resource to learn more about the many different options.

     5) Talk to other Homeschool Moms. Learn from other homeschool moms about what has or hasn't worked for their family. When I was just starting out a dear friend and mother of nine children helped me get going. It was such a blessing to have an older more experienced mom to answer questions and help me keep the big picture in mind.

     6) Celebrate your first day of school. Once the curriculum have arrived and you have gotten a bit organized, pick your first day of school. Make it exciting and special for everyone involved. Our family celebrates the first day of school each year by having chocolate cake for breakfast! My kiddos love it and it's an amusing way to kick off the year. Whatever you decide, celebrate together! The freedom to teach your children at home is a blessing and one to be celebrated if you decided to go that route.

     Hope this helps make the process a little be easier for those of you considering homeschooling your kiddos. Praying for you seminary moms!

By Lexi Zuo

I Only Have Two Pigs

     This past Sunday the speaker ended his message with the following illustration. A missionary was speaking with a new convert, Pablo, and asked him, "Pablo, if you had one hundred sheep, would you give fifty of them to the Lord's work?"  "Of course!" Pablo replied, "You know I would!"  Then the missionary asked him, "If you had fifty cows, would you give twenty-five of them to the Lord's work?"  Again Pablo replied enthusiastically, "Of course I would!"  Then the missionary asked, "Pablo, if you had two pigs, would you give one of them to the Lord's work?"  "That's not fair," Pablo protested. "You know I only have two pigs!"

     Well, being a seminary wife, I often feel like Pablo. I think, "Lord, I'll give generously to Your work once..." There are too many ways to fill in that blank. "Once I have a full-time job." "Once we've gotten a handle on our student loans." "Once we graduate." The only trouble is that each stage of life has its own "Once." Once we have kids, once the kids are in school, once the kids are in college.

     However, God doesn't call us to be wealthy givers. He calls us to be cheerful givers (II Corinthians 9:7). In fact, we are called to give what each one "has decided in [her] heart" to give without feeling forced. If I sat here and guilt-tripped you into giving even a penny away, I would be in the wrong. So my goal is not to guilt-trip you but to encourage an attitude of generosity.

     It is easy to give generously from imaginary amounts. Just think of the number of people you could help if you won the lottery! That is not, however, what God asks of us when He calls us to give. We are called to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). This means our life now, in this stage, is to be lived sacrificially to the glory of God. God isn't asking us to be generous when He has blessed us with great material blessings. He is asking us to be generous as an outpouring of the rich blessings He has already given to us. God has given us blessings that He wants to share with others. We are called to be generous so that we can be a part of how God is providing for someone else.

     But I understand the thought that comes next. "That's great, but money is hard to come by in seminary." True! But to that I want to say just two things. First, generosity is about more than just money. We have many blessings to share. Through hospitality, we give of our home and our time. Through letters, cards, calls, and texts we can give the gift of encouragement. Seek out your areas of blessing and offer them to those around you. Second, generosity has no minimum amount. A dollar given faithfully once a year is worth more than a thousand dollars with are promised, but never arrive. That dollar says, "I know you have needs, and I care about you." Generosity starts today. This minute. This moment. Remember the greatness of God's gift to you. Turn and share that gifts with a friend. It is the cheerful gift God is looking for, not the flashy expensive one.

By Sarah Price

Crowns Editor