Brave New Schools  Chapter 8 What Can Parents Do? by Berit Kjos

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"Never, anywhere in the Bible will you find God giving civil government any authority to rear or direct the rearing of children.... God told parents, not the government, to 'train up' their children."[1]

"We have to know how to resist brainwashing. Brainwashing exists in the free world, too.... Communists invented brainwashing too late! Christ had already invented the opposite to brainwashing -- heart-washing. He has said: 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.'"[3] Romanian Pastor Richard Wurmbrand

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

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Elizabeth Franklin listened in silence as her classmates at Mountain View High School discussed The Crucible, an assigned book about the Salem Witch trials.  She had felt uneasy when she read it.  The story about the horrible accusations and hangings made Christians seem really bad.  Sure, the Puritans had made some cruel and irrational decisions back then.  But all Puritans weren't like that, were they?  It just didn't seem fair that her English teacher would use that awful event to put down Christianity.

The discussion ended and the teacher told someone to close the door. Then he invited everyone to gather around his desk.  He showed them a deck of Tarot cards, held up one of the cards, and said, "Focus your energy on the card."  

Elizabeth refused.  She stepped back, found a place at the far end of the room, and sat down to wait and pray. Sensitized to occult dangers through years of Scripture reading and warnings from her parents, she refused to participate in the lesson on witchcraft.

Wayne and Jan Franklin were not surprised by Elizabeth's experience.  They had seen the rising tide of occult teaching, and they had prepared their two daughters.  Concerned about the spiritual safety of other students as well, they began to invite neighborhood families to join them in prayer.  Eventually Jan helped form a local Mom's In Touch[4] group.  Each week she meets for an hour with other moms committed to prayer for their children and schools.  Month after month, God's answers encouraged them to keep trusting.

These praying moms are fighting for the spiritual safety of their children. They know that, without God's intervention, the national/international new-paradigm training and cradle-to-grave surveillance system will affect every American family, whether their children attend public, private, of home schools.

Laura Rogers, the courageous Missouri mother who first exposed the intrusive plans of Parents as Teachers, explains God's pattern for a healthy society. "In His infinite wisdom," she writes, "God established three main structures for society: the home/family, the church, an civil government."[5] To each, He gave a specific set of responsibilities and corresponding authorities:

1. Home and family--the raising or training of the children. He gave parents both the responsibility and the authority to bring up their own children in the nurture and admonition (under the authority) of the Lord.

2. The church--spiritual guidance of the community. It has limited responsibility for training children. It's up to parents to exercise discernment, follow God's leading, and make wise choices on behalf of their children.

3. Civil government--enacts and enforces laws and maintains peace.  It has no God-given right to force families to submit to anti-biblical training. When the government usurps parental authority or when parents surrender that authority, they violate God's order. This violation leads to rampant immorality, social disorder, and  totalitarian controls.[6]  When the government opposes parental rights to train their children to follow God, Christian parents can only say as Peter did, "We must obey God rather than men! (Acts 5:29)  

When the government controls the children, no one will be free. When earth-centered beliefs and global values become standards for graduation certificates (CIM), Christian children will become social outcasts. Painfully aware of these dangers, the Franklins formed the Citizens Alert Connection, a community forum to encourage and equip local parents. Their links to researchers across the country keep them in touch with nationwide plans as well as community strategies. From their home, they encourage families to stand together against the forces of the paradigm shift. No longer can a local principal dismiss a parent's concern with the standard response: "You're the only one who has ever complained about this."

The Franklins model a Christian response that brings success. They may not turn the tide, but they demonstrate practical ways to bring families together, fight for what they believe, communicate vital facts, and show the kind of love only possible for those who follow God.  Their action plan includes five vital steps:

• Pray. Jesus said, "...apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

• Prepare yourself. Before you can outfit your children for spiritual warfare, you need to know and apply everything God provides for spiritual victory.

• Prepare your children.  Equip your children to face an increasingly hostile world--in God's strength.

• Play. The fun times help keep the door open for serious talks.

• Encourage one another.  Work together with other Christian families, supporting and informing each other.

• Persuade. Inform and equip your community.

"...pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Pray!  You have seen the plan for global oneness. Unless God turns the tide and restrains the spreading evil, Christians will be the persecuted outcasts of a totalitarian global society.  Since the forces arrayed against us are far stronger than any of us can face in our own finite strength, we can't join the battle without prayer. Therefore...

• Pray that you and your children will have discernment to recognize deception, strength to follow truth, and faith to persevere through every kind of opposition.

• Pray for a devotion to God that will surpass all pressures to conform to a world that has turned from truth to myth.

• Pray that God bring together those who love Him and want His best for their children.

• Pray that God open the eyes of educators to the deceptions they are trained to teach. 

• Praise God for the victory He promises those who follow Him. He says, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16)  When we seek His wisdom to fight His battles in His way, we will win His victory in His time.

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Prepare yourself. We may never see the armies that assault God's people, but we are all engaged in a spiritual war. This war grows more intense each year as America drifts further away from her biblical foundations. Many are blind to the current battles, for our "struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil...."[7]   There is no way we can resist those powers with mere human strength.  

       David, God's faithful shepherd-king, knew the secret of winning tough battles: trust in God's strength, not your own.  "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer," he sang, "My God, my Rock in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon  the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:1-3)

        We, too, can know God as our strength and deliverer.  Using a soldier's armor as a visual aid, Ephesians 6:10-17 outlines the main steps to victory over our enemies.  They include not only the demonic forces that attack us from the outside, but also inner enemies such as weakness, fear, discouragement and anger--which Satan manipulates for his destructive purposes. To win each battle, here is what you can do:

"...be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

    "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

   "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." 

        This "armor of God" brings victory because it is far more than a protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself.  "[P]ut on the armor of light," wrote Paul in his letter to the Romans, "...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ."[8]  When you do, He becomes your hiding place, and shelter in the storm --just as He was to David. Hidden in Him, you can count on His victory, for He not only covers you as a shield, He also fills you with His life.

         "I am the vine; you are the branches," said Jesus.  "If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  (John 15:5)

         Since living in the safety of the armor means oneness with Jesus, we can expect to share His struggles as well as His peace. Remember, God has promised us victory in the midst of trials, not immunity from pain.  So "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ..." (1 Peter 4:12-13)  Christian heroes who have been tortured for their faith continue to testify to the supernatural strength--even joy--that enables them to endure unthinkable pain.  They affirm with Paul that

"in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers.... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:37-39)

       This life in Christ begins with learning, affirming, and trusting in each part of the armor.  The first part is truth--God's revelation of all that He is to us, all that He has done for us, and all that He promises to do for us in the days ahead.  This enduring truth is written in the Bible, revealed by the Holy Spirit, and realized through Jesus Christ.  It cuts through all the world's distortions, deceptions, and compromises. When you study, memorize, live, and follow truth, it enables you to see the world from God's high vantage point.  Putting on the first piece of the armor means feeding on truth through daily Bible reading and making it part of yourself.  

   To put on the "full armor"--and enjoy a daily and eternal love-relationship with Jesus Christ, thank Him for what He has shown you in His Word. Know the Scriptures behind your prayer so that your words and faith are grounded in the authority of the Bible.  (Some of those verses are listed in the chart above.) Then pray through each piece. You can use the following prayer as an outline:

•  The belt of truth: Thank you, my Lord, for showing me the truth about yourself.  Thank you for reminding me that You are the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my wisdom, my counselor, my hope, and my strength.  You are everything I need each day. 

•  The breastplate of righteousness: Thank you for showing me the truth about myself--that on my own I could never be good enough to live in your presence.  Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me your righteous life.  Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with your Spirit.  [Take time for confession] Thank you for forgiving me and for filling me with your righteous life.

• The sandals of peace: Thank you for the peace you give me when I trust and follow you. Show me how to help others find that peace.

• The shield of faith: Thank you for helping me have faith in you. I choose to count on everything you have shown me about yourself--and everything you have promised me in your Word.

• The helmet of salvation: Thank you for promising me salvation both for today's battles and for all eternity.

• The  sword of the spirit, the word of God: Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize.  Please show me which one(s) you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face today.

Filled with His life, you are ready to equip your children.  Now you can use each daily opportunity to establish in their minds a mental framework or world view  based on biblical truth.  When they know God's Word and are trained to see reality from God's perspective, they, too, will recognize and resist deception.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Prepare your children. The educational net has been spread around the world in order to ensnare all children--including home schoolers.  The only safe place is in the arms of the Shepherd, so train your children "in the way they should go."  Consider these practical suggestions:

1. Let your family conversations communicate your trust in God.  Deuteronomy 6:6-7 reminds us to talk about God and His ways when we sit, walk, lie down and get up. When your daily conversations demonstrate your confidence in God's faithfulness and your love for His Word, your children begin to see reality through the filter of biblical truth.  When you show your gratefulness for answered prayer and His constant care, your children learn that God is more real than today's endless parade of counterfeits.  Start early. If the Christian world view is being formed in their minds, they will see New Age practices from God's perspective. But if games and cartoons with occult themes mold their world view, they may reject truth. It wouldn't fit their perception of the supernatural.

2. Help your children put on the "Armor of God."  Read Ephesians 6:10-18 together, then review the chart at the end of Chapter 4.  It shows why the parts of armor will expose and resist all the main lies of New Age and Neo-pagan religions. Memorize scriptures that show the truth about God and His righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. Explain that these verses are scripture swords that counter the main lies of the enemy. Remember, when children know the truth about God, they won't trust popular counterfeits. Knowing the source of their righteousness, they won't believe sanctification without the cross. Knowing God's way to peace and salvation, they won't choose occult paths.

Remind your children that the armor is not like a magic shield they can casually slip on in order to be safe anywhere they want to go.  One day, my youngest son asked if he could see a popular movie with some friends.

            "No. I'd rather you didn't," I told him.

            "Why not?" he asked.

            "Because it makes occultism seem both fun and right.  Even though your friends know it's fiction, the story and images leave the impression that you can win in life by using occult rituals to get supernatural power.  Not only does the Bible tell us occultism is evil, it also shows how it destroys people."  I started to look up Deuteronomy 18:9-13.

            "But I'll put on the armor."

            "It won't help. When you go somewhere that you shouldn't, you disobey God and lose the breastplate of righteousness.  You're never safe if you go somewhere Jesus wouldn't want you to go."

            David got the message and stayed home.  He knew that by himself he was no match for occult forces.  But with God, he was on the winning side.

            To help your children put on the armor, follow the scriptures and outline shown in the previous section. Make sure they know the Scriptures behind the prayer so that their words will be based on God's Word. Then pray through the pieces of the armor, simplifying each part to fit the ages of your children.  

4. Teach your children to examine today's culture in light of God's Word. As a family, read Isaiah 5:20 and compare it with today's values. Discuss Deuteronomy 18:9-13 and guard against the occult practices listed. Talk about the problems mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-13 and 4:2-5. Follow the guidelines in Ephesians 5:1-21. Thank God for the timeless relevance of the whole Bible.

5. Discuss the seductive vision of global oneness.  Outcome-based education (OBE) means that local schools in most states will have to train students to meet national and international standards (outcomes) mandated for all states receiving federal education funds. Children will be tested for global citizenship and work skills which involve respect for all lifestyles and openness toward New Age beliefs that supposedly promote unity. Help them understand the danger behind this tempting illusion. The following questions can help you get started:

• How does this vision line up with God's Word? (See John 17:14-16 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

• What happened in Old Testament days when God's people imitated their pagan neighbors? (See Deuteronomy 8:7-20 and Psalm 106)

• What will happen to us if we conform to the beliefs of the world around us? (See Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 10:6-12; 2 Kings  17:7-22)

• How can we live among pagans and still follow God without compromise? (Galatians 2:20; Romans 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

     Throughout the Bible, God promises to care for His people--those who trust and follow Him.  In Old Testament days, He told His people that they were different and special--set apart from all the rest.  But their special privileges ended when they stopped reading and following God's Word.  Proud of the power and prosperity God had given them, they ignored the Giver and mocked His truth.  Like their pagan neighbors, they turned to "other gods"--and lost their uniqueness.  Finally, God allowed strong enemies to invade the land and enslave His people. The ancient Jewish historians, who carefully recorded the bad along with the good, explained:

"All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God.... They worshipped idols, though the LORD had said, 'You shall not do this...'  But they would not listen.... They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, 'Do not do as they do...' They bowed down to all the starry hosts... They practiced divination and sorcery.... So the LORD was very angry with Israel.... and gave them into the hands of plunderers." (2 Kings  17:7-20)

6. Teach your children scriptures that counter accusations.  God tells us to avoid  corrupting influences, which is difficult when New Age or neo-pagan classroom assignments require participation. Your children need to know reassuring scriptures when accused of violating the "new" social standards. Use the following chart, adapted from Under the Spell of Mother Earth: 

Accusation	When People say...	remember God's truth
Intolerant	"You should be more tolerant of different beliefs and lifestyles."	Eph. 5:3-11, 15-17 "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness...."
judgmental	"You think we're sinners because we don't want your God."	Rom. 3:23. Is. 53:6 "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Arrogant	"You believe your religion is better than ours."	John 14:6. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me."
Narrow-minded	"You're not open to other spiritual traditions."	Deut. 4:39.  "...the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."
Ignorant	"You don't understand the new paths to enlightenment."	2 Tim. 4:3-4.  "They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
Old-fashioned	"You religion doesn't work any more."	Hebrews 13:8.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

7. Don't compromise. Psalm 1:1 shows a downward progression that trap many children today.  Compare those steps with the Scripture below:

The vast majority of students learn to...

• Follow the counsel or advice of teachers and peers with contrary values

• Condone the beliefs and imitate the behavior of the crowd. 

• Join those who mock God and truth.

"Blessed is the man [any person] who does not...        walk in the counsel of the wicked or        stand in the way of sinners or        sit in the seat of mockers. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.... For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (Psalm 1:1-4, 6)

8. Prepare your children to face persecution. Through most of Church history, persecution has been part of the normal Christian life.  As Jesus told His disciples: "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you." (John 15:20)  The two hundred years of religious freedom in America is an anomaly in the history of time--and it may soon end.  When nations turn from truth to myth, persecution of non-conformists naturally replaces justice.  1 John 5:19 explains why. Satan and his demonic forces hate God's people: "The whole world is under the sway of the evil one."    But for those who refuse to conform to the world's values, God will more than make up for the pain.

            Persecution seems remote to most  children. When they face it in their schools, many feel confused, hurt and angry. To help them understand how God uses suffering to strengthen their  faith, discuss scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 1:3-9; 1 Peter 1:6-7 and 4:12-15.  Remember,  that "it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him...." (Philippians 1:29)

            To help your children appreciate the courage, faithfulness, and godly vision of those who were persecuted for their faith, you may want to read some books and stories together.  All of us would be enriched by a deep look at the lives of Biblical men and women who were willing to give their lives rather than betray or dishonor the God they loved: Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Ruth, Paul and Stephen. Some of their stories have happy earthly endings, but many of the heroes and heroines in God's hall of fame died for the One they loved.  (Look at Hebrews 11, especially the last two verses.) They and other giants in the faith have, throughout history, modeled an eternal perspective that puts far greater value on eternity with Jesus  than on temporary riches here on earth. 

            "Blessed are you," said Jesus to His friends, "when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven...." (Matthew 5:11)  Are you willing to walk with Jesus in the hard places here on earth, so that you may share His happiness for all eternity?

            Cathy Warncke, a teenager from Oregon, asked herself that question. Confident that her answer is "yes", she says,

When I consider the possibility of Christians being persecuted in  this generation, it's a little frightening. But, in a way, it's also exciting and adventurous. Whenever I start feeling scared, the Lord remind me that He's in control. He's planned it all from the beginning. He determined that I would be born and live in this age. He chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world, and He lives in me to accomplish His purpose for  my life. I can wait and trust in Him, looking forward to the day when His work on earth is finished and I stand before Him complete and pure, able to truly know, love, and worship Him for eternity.[9]

9. Share God's love with everyone. Jesus provided the only way to oneness across cultural and racial barriers: the cross. Pray with your children that His life in them will touch the hearts of the needy in their school. When they become His special missionaries, they won't become a mission field for the New Age.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.... Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25)

play with your children.  Demonstrate the excitement of being God's children together. Sure, the warfare continues. That's all the more reason to set aside plenty of time for family games, sports, reading, and other fun activities. Some, such as hiking and fishing, are great for relaxed, heart-to-heart communication. But when those are not viable options, an after-school snack of fresh cookies may work just as well.

Encourage each other. The more opposition we face, the more we need to stand together, encourage each other, and demonstrate God's wisdom and love to others.  The Greek Word for both fellowship is koinonia. Whenever it refers to communion, community and intimate relationship, it is translated fellowship. 

            See koinonia in God's context. Look up 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 6:14 and 13:14; Philippians 2:1-4 and 3:10; and 1 John 1:3-7. 

            "I thank my God every time I remember you," wrote Paul. "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:3-6)

            Fellowship means far more to Christians than to others. First, it should remind us that our fellowship is primarily with Jesus Christ,[10] our Lord Himself,  who understands all the problems we face far better than we.  Second, it means fellowship with other believers who know Him and share His concerns.  Pray that God will lead you to them.  When we are joined together in a biblical unity based on His Word, inspired by His love, and strengthened by His power, we are ready to reach out into our schools and community.   

"...be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:2-6)

Persuade. Help your community understand the Share your information about our schools with parents, local newspapers, educators, pastors, business leaders and everyone else God puts in your path.  These facts open doors to sharing our only real hope for peace and safety: Jesus Christ.  He said, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4)

            Many educators will hate you for resisting their plans for your children.  Since Christian politeness and courtesies have faded along with moral standards, don't expect gentle criticism and polite discussion. Today, like in earlier times, human nature reigns without disciplined restraint, so be ready for slander, malicious vandalism, overt hatred and persecution.  Some will ignore you, some will hate you, but a few will believe and support you.  Together in Him, we may be able to slow the spreading tide of totalitarian controls and lengthen our time of freedom--if God so wills.

            Consider these practical steps:

1.  Know the facts. The agencies and newsletters in operation at the time of this writing may have been replaced by the time you read this book. With that warning in mind, try to take advantage of the following sources of information:

    Your State and County Office of Education. At the time of this writing, your County Office of Education must make current frameworks and curricula available to parents  upon request. 

    "Update," a free monthly Goals 2000 news bulletin from the U.S. Department of Education.  Call 1-800-USA-LEARN to request it.

    Other concerned parents and researchers. Exchange information across the country.  Since some states have implemented certain parts of the new system ahead of others, we need to share information across state lines.   (To connect with distant researchers write to The Iowa Research Group, Inc., P.O. Box 17346, Des Moines, IA.)  To keep up on monthly changes across the country, subscribe to the monthly magazine, Christian Conscience, available at the above address.

2.  Be involved with your children's school. Whether your children attend public or private schools, do your best to know what is happening in their classroom.  If possible, help the teacher on a regular basis.  Even so, the new classroom computer technology and individualized learning programs will hide many of the teaching strategies. In the end, your main source of information may be your own children and their peers, so take time for daily after-school talks.  (Good snacks usually help.)

     Remember, many of today's teachers are trained to be parent substitutes. They know strategies for making classroom discussions more intimate and revealing than do most parents. Many of their classroom group sessions end with the admonition, "Don't tell your parents!"   According to your children's maturity, warn them that this could happen in their classroom. As simply as possible, explain to them the new goals of education.  Help them to understand some of the deceptive tactics and misleading promises.  Then, when it happens, they will recognize and resist the classroom strategies. You could compare these deceptions to the tempting promises made to Pinnochio and his friends: Come to Pleasure Island and play all day! No more drills and homework.  Eat all the cake and ice-cream you want....

       Remember what happened? The boys turned into donkeys--just like the rest of the foolish children on Pleasure Island. They had become the frightened slaves in the tyrannical master's workforce.  Pinnochio, who grew long ears and an embarrassing tail, barely escaped with his life.

       Be careful that you don't yield to the new deceptive terminology used to bring parents into the planned community partnerships. Don't forget that the promising words used by the educational planners in your community are designed to win supporters, not tell the truth. 

3.  Know who serves on your local school board--if you still have a school board.  Become familiar with their stand on key issues and be ready to share facts with them in a non-confrontational way.

4. Serve on local committees. If that is not God's place for you, perhaps another member of your local team can serve on one of these: Curriculum Committee, School Board, Site Council, or new community partnerships.  But, as you saw in chapter 7, these committees are usually led by a facilitator trained to ignore opposing voices in order to demonstrate consensus.  So be wise--and careful.

5. Avoid demeaning labels and emotional appeals.  While such dishonest and irrational tactics are often used in educational propaganda, we need to build our answers on factual foundations. 

6. Remember the enemy behind the scenes. Our battle is not against teachers, principals, superintendents or the national educational establishment.  As you saw in Ephesians 6:12, the real battle rages in the spiritual realms. Our "struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil...."  Few change agents know whose purpose they serve. "Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)  

God tells us to "fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience." (1 Timothy 1:18-19)  Our main weapons are truth, faith, love and prayer. Perhaps you want to join a nationwide army of Christian parents and teachers who pray--counting on God's promises--each Friday for their children, schools, government and nation.  Many fast until 3 PM and call this special day each week the Fabulous Fasting Friday.

7. Stand on God's victory promises. Remember, as our world grows increasingly hostile to God and His truth, our only safe place is in Christ.  He doesn't promise to make us any more comfortable than He was here on earth, but He will make us "more than conquerors" when we choose to walk with Him.  To find peace in the middle of the coming storms, memorize encouraging scriptures like the two below.  Make sure you and your children are ready to hold them up as the "swords of the Spirit" whenever the battle gets tough.  Remember, with God, you are on the winning side!

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) "...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

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[1]Proverbs 22:6. Laura Rogers, "Societal Structures vs. Restructuring," sent directly to me by author.

[2]Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1963), 22.

[3]Richard Wurmbrand, "Preparing for the Underground Church," The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc., (918-337-8015); 13.

[4]Mom's in Touch

[5]Laura Rogers.

[6]Romans 1:18-; Deuteronomy 8, 11, 28.

 [7]Ephesians 6:12

[8]Romans 13:12, 14

[9]From a personal letter from Catherine Elizabeth Warncke.

[10]1 Corinthians 1:9