If you’re like me you would have to look across the landscape of America and confess that the level of hate in our nation unfortunately appears to be on the increase. We continue to be deeply saddened at the exposed racial hate that so many demonstrate towards one another. We feel the hurt and pain associated with the deep and bitter hatred some people have expressed toward Jesus Christ and those who follow Him as disciples, the seemingly out of control hate that is expressed through revenge on those that have been identified as the enemy, while all the while lifting hate mongers to positions of authority and veneration.

When the heart is filled with hate it often leads to that which the Scripture clearly forbids...murder.

“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” Matthew 15:18-19 (NASB)

Whenever murder takes place it is something that comes out of the heart...it is not placed into the heart. The book of Exodus records for us that you shall not murder.

"You shall not murder.” . Exodus 20:13 (NASB)

That doesn’t mean you can’t protect your family if someone is trying to hurt or kill. In the very same context of the Ten Commandments we read...

"If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account. "But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. Exodus 22:2-3 (NASB)

It doesn’t prohibit the pursuit of a just and righteous war when necessary to protect the innocent and to stop evil. It doesn’t prohibit the killing of animals...for in the same context we read the instruction that the Lord gives for the sacrificing of animals. We know Jesus ate fish.

“You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.” Exodus 20:24 (NASB)

It also isn’t a prohibition against capital punishment for in the same context the Scripture records the responsibility of the government to protect the innocent from the criminal.

"He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. Exodus 21:12 (NASB)

The Bible does make a distinction between killing and murder. Murder is intentionally taking the life of another person driven by the hate or by the greed or by the lust in the heart. We easily recognize this type of murder that is occurring far too often in our society and across the world. The hate and the anger in our nation are beginning to explode and we see it every night on the news.

But there is another kind of murder that sometimes flies right under the radar and it’s not so easily recognized and yet it is just as wrong. And perhaps you and I have participated. I know that at the very least we’re guilty of murdering Christ on the cross because of our sins. But what about stopping for a moment to consider that whole anger thing that we often engage in?

"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” Matthew 5:21-22 (NASB)

Look, there are some things we should hate in life...the same things the Lord hates...whether it is lying or any other sin that destroys the lives of people and leads to broken hearts and eternal separation from the Lord God. But we are not to hate people or have anger in our hearts towards them because the results are devastating in their lives, our lives, and results in the very tearing of the fabric of our society. Protect the innocent, protect property, stop destruction, stop injustice, and stop the unnecessary rousting...yes! But not with a heart of anger or hate.

What the Lord saying in Matthew 5...if your heart is an evil heart that is consumed with anger toward other human beings, made in the image of God, and you have contempt, or speak with contempt toward another human, regardless of their color, the Lord writes down in heaven, murder! You and I may never be tried in a human court but the Lord sees and the Lord knows what’s in your hearts and mine...and it’s wrong.

The problems in our society today that are brought on by hate, seen or unseen and hidden away, both coming out of the heart of hate will never be solved by the government. They will only be solved by you and by me when we start allowing the love of the Lord Jesus to fill our hearts and flow out of us towards all. It is our only hope. That’s who Jesus is...the Savior...the one who can forgive sin and change a heart and bring reconciliation and restoration to the heart and the land.

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. . Romans 5:5 (NASB)

We can be a part of the problem or work on being a part of the solution and it starts with asking the Lord to take the anger and hate out of our own hearts. You and I can do something to help our nation. Rid the heart of hate and anger.

In Chuck Colson’s book Life Sentence he records a dinner meeting between himself and two new Christians as well as some other men and their wives. Billy Graham had called earlier and asked him if he could begin working with a new Christian, Eldridge Cleaver. Imagine the setting, here you have one Tommy Tarrants, formerly a leader of the most violent segment of the Ku Klux Klan and Eldrige Cleaver, one time leader militant of the Black Panthers. During the dinner those who had gathered shared their experiences with Christ. Colson, fearing that Cleavers wife, who at the time had described herself as a non-believing Jewess, was not eating because she was offended by the spiritual conversations taking place, he walked around to her side and said something to the effect that “you must think we’re all a little crazy?” She replied, “well, if you’re crazy, then the whole world needs to get crazy!” They enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship, the hate and anger was gone...replaced by the life changing love of Jesus Christ. It’s happened before...and it can happen again.

Let’s get honest and let it start with us. Let’s get crazy! With no hate in the heart or in the home we can be sure that we have done what we should...Left home without it!

I know I shouldn’t mention it, but in about a month the “s” word will start. What “s” word? The dreaded….school. Yes, summer break will end. We will have two in public school (ps from here on out in this post) and two home schooling (hs for short) and four who have graduated, one from Christian school and three from ps. Whew. In today’s day and age, the decision of how to best educate our children is not to be taken lightly. Can Christians send their children to the public schools? If we homeschool them will they miss out on important social growth? Can we afford to pay the tuition to send our child to a private Christian school? These questions and many more come with the decision….so what do we do as Christian parents when it comes to school? I’ve spent plenty of time thinking, researching, and praying over this decision.

When it comes to research on educating children I have exhausted myself. I have read books and blogs and articles and statistics. I have spoken to friend who educate their children in ps, hs, and Christian school. I have talked with teachers and administrators. I have talked with my own children. I, along with my husband, have tried to come up with the very best plan for the education of those we are in charge of. We have prayed for wisdom. We have sought God's will in this matter. In the end, we have worn ourselves out trying to figure out the right/best choice.

At a time when tolerance is a buzzword in our society and we are encouraged to embrace diversity, I have discovered that field of education is one filled with silent judgement. Much of the conservative Christian hs crowd doesn't get how anyone who is conservative and Christian could send their precious children off on the prison bus to the government mind control centers that they believe our public schools to be. They are critical (and rightly so) of Common Core, teaching methods, curriculum content, unbelievable issues such as gender neutral restrooms & locker rooms, and a host of other issues. I too have grave concerns about these issues.

The Christian ps community often doesn't understand the hs lifestyle, They are concerned about the quality of education that can be provided at home. Some wonder about the wisdom of removing the young people from Christian families from local schools and their influence and witness for Christ leaving a dark gaping hole. This can also be a legitimate issue to ponder.

So why the need for a blog post about this issue? I'm not an expert, despite all my research. I'm just a mom. I haven't even figured out the right answer. GASP. This is a huge issue for my Type A perfectionist leaning self. How can I make a decision about this if I haven't figure out the BEST answer yet? This struggle could leave me locked in a cycle of indecision and back and forths that would leave me feeling like a failure. Oh wait, it already has. It's time to stop. Stop the research. Stop the worry about what anyone else will think. Stop the "concern" (there's a church word for you) that my decisions will and have ruin my children's lives if I make the wrong ones. It is time to just STOP.

I believe there is not one right or best answer for every family. I'd go even further, there is not necessarily one right or best answer for each child in a family. In the same way it is important for each couple to determine if both parents will work outside the home or if one will stay home to care for the children, in the same way couples need to wrestle with the subject of birth control and family planning, each Christian family needs to first and foremost seek God and then know themselves and their children and make the best decisions for their family. Then, no matter what school choice they go with, they need to teach their children to love God and love people, to deny themselves and pick up their cross daily and follow Jesus.

I could write many, many words about why this decision is the best one for our kids and our family and me personally right now. I'm not going to, because it doesn't matter. Those things are the stepping stones on OUR path, and it's different from yours. The bottom line is this: I have watched kids grow up in public school and turn out to be young people who love the Lord and make great choices in their adult lives. I have also seen children be led astray by influences in the public school environment, both by their peers and by philosophies. I have seen Christian school graduates go into adulthood with a strong faith and walk, and those that turned away. I know homeschool graduates who are excelling and those who stun their families by plunging themselves into sin. There is no form of education guaranteed to produce children who live exactly as their parents would expect or hope. It doesn't exit. God commands parents to teach their children about Him. No matter what school my children attend, that command stands. My husband and I are given that responsibility. We dare not shirk it, or pass it off to others. While we can (and do) have those who come alongside and support us in this work of parenting, WE are the ones with the responsibility.

So as we, for now, have our feet in what feels like different worlds, I remind myself that they are not really so different. The Christian parents I know all want what's best for their children. Every one of them. My goal is to encourage others who may be struggling with making the best decision for their own children. When you arrive at a decision you agree on and have peace from the Lord about, step forth in confidence. You don't need the approval of others. You might make mistakes. In fact, you probably will. It's OK. Listen to God. Listen to your spouse. Listen to your children. Listen to your heart. Be diligent in teaching your kids about the Lord. Live your life. Be filled with joy. This is your adventure!