God Loves Peculiar Families and a New Book is being released.    

I have just returned from speaking at the NC homeschool convention. I was encouraged and edified fellowshipping with the peculiar families who were present. Please let me describe a few of these peculiar people.

Friday afternoon, I was wrapping up a one-hour session on “Communication for Families.” I noted that several folks still had questions and comments. Since it was the last workshop of the day, I prayed and dismissed the group but announced that I would stay a little longer.

One family with several children quietly got up to make their way to the exit on my left. As they filed out, I said, “Thank you for coming!” over the loudspeaker. As I did, the youngest child, who was half-way out the door, turned and said in a loud voice, “That was a good speech!” That peculiar child had just finished sitting through a long session and yet had the energy and politeness to bless me as she left. My heart sang.

The next morning, I was walking towards the vendor hall and met a mom holding the hands of her two children, ages 7 and 5. They were using MathUSee and wanted to meet “their teacher.” I shook their hands and asked how they were doing. The youngest, without lifting his head, said he was fine and then asked me how I was doing! I was flabbergasted by his response. I think that may be the first time a youngster had ever asked me how I was doing. How peculiar.

I also met five siblings who came to the conference without their parents. They simply enjoyed the workshops and fellowshipping with others of like precious faith. After my last session on Saturday, the six of us found a piano and sang hymns together. How special. And unique.

Friday afternoon, I had the privilege of meeting a devoted group of men. These husbands and fathers had taken a day off work to learn how to use their God-given authority to build up their wives and children. They were intentional about improving their ability to serve and lay down their lives for their family. What a peculiar group.

Lastly, I was wonderfully blessed meeting the faithful moms throughout the conference. These remarkable women embody Jesus’ teaching about the grain of wheat that falls into the earth and dies, and thus bears much fruit. Their husbands and children are their good fruit. It is always an honor meeting these especially peculiar ladies.

Peculiar
There are a few definitions of the word “peculiar.” When this word is used in the present day, it connotes strange, uncommon, or odd. That is partly accurate. In addition to being uncommon, it also means special, unique, and distinctive.

In the King James Version, the word “peculiar” appears seven times. Here are three verses accompanied by the ESV translation:

“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

“Thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself.” (Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV)

“You are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 14:2 ESV)

“The great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:13-14 KJV)

“Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:13-14 ESV)

Because of Jesus, we have been redeemed, purified, and set apart to be a special people for God’s own treasured possession. We are not seeking to be odd, but in seeking to follow Jesus, we no longer fit into this present world. God has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

We are blessedly peculiar. From the viewpoint of the world, we are strange. But in the eyes of God, we are singularly special, for we have been set apart as His own special treasured possession, who are zealous for good works.

May God continue His good work in our lives and make us more and more peculiar unto Himself!!

Pressing on to know God and be found in Him,

Steve

Stewardship
I read recently that the majority of Americans do not hold to a Biblical worldview. I wrote the Stewardship Curriculum from a distinctive Christian perspective. If you are considering how to teach and learn Biblical principles of finance, watch a few of the thirty-six free videos here. This may be a great way to redeem the summer months for your young adults.

Podcasts
In 2020, I had a request to provide transcripts for each podcast. I heeded this request, and with each broadcast, a several-page document is available. I clean these up and remove rabbit trails. Since you can read faster than you listen, these transcripts are efficient and hopefully edifying.

Podcast 276-277 are on the topic of prayer, while 278-280 explore “God-Centered Parenting” and “Parents as Priest of the Home.” You can listen to them here.

New Book
Come Into His Presence has been released. This book is about how the good Holy Spirit led me to draw near to God based on the principles found in Psalm 100:4. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!” Learn more here.