<![CDATA[The Inspired Scholar - Living the Inspired Life]]>

<![CDATA[The Inspired Scholar - Living the Inspired Life]]>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:30:04 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[How do you customize your child's English education?]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/how-do-you-customize-your-childs-english-education

As homeschoolers, we are perfectly leveraged to customize our children's education. The sooner you break out of the government school mindset, the better. Your schedule is what you make it. Your curriculum is what you choose. Your pace is what you decide. It's called FREEDOM!

This means that you do not have to follow a traditional path. For example, you might desire for your children to study four years of high school English, but that doesn't have to consist of American Literature or British Literature. or our College Prep Writing class. Although they are worthwhile studies, and The Inspired Scholar does offer those, you could also fulfill a high school English credit with our Intro. to Linguistics class, which we will be offering this fall 2026-2027.

The Inspired Scholar is an unapologetically Christian organization. We have not minimized or whitewashed our lessons to reach a broader audience or for fear of offending. A true education must include God, the God of the Bible. This means that our instruction teaches through the lens of the Word of God.

As Christians, we know that mankind did not develop from apes nor were they un-evolved cave men who could only grunt. God made Adam fully formed with intelligence and speech. The Bible also explains where all the languages came from. Our Intro. to Linguistics class will teach about language through science and the Bible.

A sampling of the fun topics we will explore:

Why do people from the same town sound completely different?
How can one word mean something friendly in one culture—and offensive in another?
What secret patterns do all languages share, from English to ancient tongues?
How do accents form, spread, and sometimes disappear?
Can the way you speak influence how others see your intelligence, confidence, or personality?
How do detectives, historians, and tech companies use linguistics to solve real-world mysteries?
If language is always changing, what will English sound like 100 years from now?

]]><![CDATA[The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: An American Masterpiece]]>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:00:06 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn-an-american-masterpiece

One of the wittiest persons ever to have lived is unquestionably, Mark Twain. It takes great powers of observation and skill with words to be witty. But if you do not understand satire, you might not appreciate his brand of humor. Satire is the poking fun of human weaknesses and foibles. It helps people to see themselves a bit more objectively. The glitch, however, is that some people mistakenly believe that the author doesn't regard problems seriously, or even worse, that the author agrees with some negative aspect of human behavior.

This is what we are up against with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The objection for some to this book is the use of the 'n' word. It is unfortunate that this issue has overclouded the big picture. Readers must always look beyond to the message of the book as a whole. Those who have read this book and Twain's other writings know that he is not encouraging a derogatory attitude toward black people, but just the opposite. As a matter of fact, the most important message of the book is about how Huck struggles with doing what is right in the eys of the law vs. doing what is morally right. Heroically, he chooses to do morally right by helping Jim to his freedom.

So why on earth would Twain use the volatile 'n' word in his book? It isn't as if he sat down one day and thought, "I think I'll write a book that insults black people and makes everyone mad. And if I am really lucky my book will make it to the list of banned books." He was writing a book that was set in a particular time and place. The 'n' word was part of the culture and it was a way for Twain to satirize, or to bring to light, the ugliness of the treatment of black people. It would be like trying to stage a play of The Scarlet Pimpernel but not using a guillotine as a prop, because it killed people. The guillotine was a major factor and part of the setting of the French Revolution!

It is no secret that good writers write about what they know. Twain lived during the Civil War and afterwards. His father kept slaves. Note, that it was his father that kept slaves, not him. In any case, he was intimately acquainted with that way of life and the attitudes of the time. He is qualified to write about it.

Twain skillfully uses satire to help us to see our behavior in a non-threatening way. We must face the truth before we can change it. Yet when people feel attacked they cannot listen to the message. Humor defuses a situation. Twain't story is a most entertaining one.

A person who wants to expand their mind and grow as an individual should not avoid reading Huck Finn. If the only works a person reads are those he agrees with, where is growth going to come from? It is in wrestling with contrary ideas and philosophies that sharpen a person's ability to think, to reason, and to draw his own conclusions. Is this not the mark of a truly educated person? The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an American Masterpiece that should only be shelved in your mental library.

]]><![CDATA[Anchors Aweigh!]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/anchors-aweigh

The Inspired Scholar appreciates our military and the numerous sacrifices the whole family makes. They protect our freedom and our way of life.

America is still the best country on earth! We value life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have the highest standard of living and opportunity. We do not live under kings or dictators, but under a Constitutional Republic with elected representation. It is not perfect, but no place has a perfect system. We do have the best there is. There is a reason people still want to come here.

My father served in the Navy as a medic during the Vietnam War. He has told me many stories, mostly good ones and some funny ones. I don't think he could bear to relive or recount to me the bad ones he lived with.

He once told me that he could not visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washingrton, D.C. because he might see a name he would recognize and it would bring back bad memories.

In honor of my father, who passed away in 2024, I wear this beautiful pin that commemorates 250 years of the U.S. Navy.

To honor all of our military, the Inspired Scholar offers a significant discount on tuition to active-duty military. If you are not sure about what the discount is, just ask!

Email: renee@inspiredscholar.com

]]><![CDATA[Is History Study Needed in an Age of AI?]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:31:46 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/is-history-study-needed-in-an-age-of-ai

The arrival (or intrusion) of artificial intelligence into our daily awareness has us asking all kinds of questions, one of which is: Is history study needed in an age of AI?
Of course, it is, because history is more than just a bunch of random facts. A person needs context. History needs to be anchored in the big picture. It is a story, after all.

In a similar manner, a map gives context, the big picture. I am not referring to the type of map you have in a GPS. When you zoom in for detail the area becomes smaller. Zoom out and you have more space, but less detail. An old-fashioned paper map helps you to see the "lay of the land." You can see where the major cities are and how they are oriented to each other. A study of history is the same.

One event flows from a previous one. A study of history can answer the "whys" for us. Hopefully, we might learn from the mistakes of history as well as giving some guidance for the future.

A STUDY of history causes students to think, reflect, observe, and question. A quick AI answer does none of that.

Furthermore, an AI answer is someone's interpretation of a historical event. AI is not independent; there is a human intelligence behind it. Whose?

The Inspired Scholar teaches an American History class that centers on the Civil War, and the events that shaped and changed the United States and still affects us today in many ways.

]]><![CDATA[What is love?]]>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/what-is-love

God is love. (I John 4:8)
Even non-Christians know that.
But there is much misunderstanding about what God's love is and what it is not.  For example many times I have heard people say, "God doesn't send anyone to hell...because he loves people" or something along those lines. This is true, to a point. Hell was not made for people. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matt. 25:41) Nevertheless, those who are unrepentant and reject Jesus Christ as Savior will find themselves in hell one day.

The Bible is full of examples of how Jesus Christ loves every person and how that love is demonstrated. Love does not mean that he tolerates sin because He loves you. He never tolerates sin. He died on the cross because of our sin. So, no, He does not tolerate what he clearly condemns in Scripture. That would not be loving.

A few verses will demonstrate His great love. He has done everything He can to reconcile us to God IF we will have it. That is up to us.

1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love.

2Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 - But commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I John 4:10 - Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Even in the Great Tribulation, God extends his mercy still. (Revelation 7:14)
There are the two witnesses to the truth (Revelation 11) and some will be saved even then.

These are just a few verses on God's love, but mercy is another manifestation of love. Many verses attest to that, too. One of my favorites is Psalm 103.
v. 8 - The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
v. 11-12 - For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he reoved our transgressions from us.
v. 17 - But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children.

God did not make us to be robots or puppets with no free agency. He INVITES us to repent of our sin, put our faith in Him, and to follow Jesus. Don't delay. None of us are promised tomorrow. The fact that God has given you another day is another evidence of his love. He asks so little to give us so much - eternal LIFE!

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Luke 13: 3 - Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 3: 19 - Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...
2 Corinthians 7:10 - For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all righteousness.

I thought of this song while I was writing this: God Will Make a Way. I hope you enjoy it. Indeed He has made a way (for us to be with Him) because He is love, but we have to do it His way.

]]><![CDATA[The Museum of the Bible and the Advent Jesse Tree]]>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:09:57 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/the-museum-of-the-bible-and-the-advent-jesse-tree

Isn't this just so timely! I received this in my email from the Museum of the Bible today. Here is more information about the Jesse tree.

And...if you have never visited the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., you must! They have five floors of exhibits and they have theatrical events, too. It is a top-notch museum.

I have been recording a devotional for each day leading up to Christmas Day and it is not too late for you to get in on this if you would like. Sign up for my email list.

]]><![CDATA[The Advent Jesse Tree]]>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 21:28:33 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/the-advent-jesse-tree

Read: Isaiah 11:1-2
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the spirit of counsel and might,
    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

I invite you to join me on a 25 day journey to celebrate the birth of Christ! [If you are late to this "party" that's ok, you can still join in and watch the previous videos.]

Each day, beginning December 1st, I will be sharing a video of a devotion only to my email subscribers, so if you want to participate and be blessed, please sign up for my email.

You will need a little tree of some kind, either artificial or even a twig in a pot, as long as it has lots of branches. Next, you or your children will need to make an ornament for each day that represents the topic of that devotion. The list is below. You can be creative and crafty and make something yourself or you can download and color some ornaments.

I do recommend purchasing the book, The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert, as it contains one page with devotions especially geared to kids and the other side (the one I will be sharing) geared to adults. It also has hymn suggestions to sing and the accompanying Scripture verses.

What a great way to start the day!

Day 1 – a globe or picture of the earth

Day 2 – an apple and a snake wrapped around it

Day 3 – an ark with a rainbow

Day 4 – a camel and a tent

Day 5 – a lamb

Day 6 – a ladder

Day 7 – a colorful coat

Day 8 – a tablet with ten numbers

Day 9 – a cluster of grapes

Day 10 – a sheaf of wheat

Day 11 – a slingshot

Day 12 – a scroll or Bible

Day 13 – a stump with fresh shoot or green leaf

Day 14 – a lion and a lamb

Day 15 – a dove and a crown

Day 16 – a lamb and a shepherd’s staff

Day 17 – a cross

Day 18 – a heart with writing on it

Day 19 – a Bethlehem town silhouette with star

Day 20 – a fiery furnace

Day 21 – a brick wall

Day 22 – a star

Day 23 – a candle or light

Day 24 – an angel

Day 25 – a baby in a manger or a nativity scene

]]><![CDATA[July Giveaway: Psalm 119]]>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/july-giveaway-psalm-119

Did you know that Psalm 119 contains 176 verses!

The author of this devotional does not mean for this to be a speed read. Instead, each verse is to be one daily devotion so that you have time to meditate upon it as God's Word tells us we are to do.

Some of the best known and best loved verses are from this Psalm.
Verse 11: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Verse 89: Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Verse 105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Verse 114: Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

I have lost count of the number of times the words "precepts," "judgments," and "testimonies" appear in these verses. David love the precepts and statues of the Lord because they bless him by giving light to the understanding and keeping him on the right path. It can do the same for us.

This book would make a great part of your family's morning time ritual. We are giving away ONE copy in August but you have to sign up to be entered in the drawing.

]]><![CDATA[How to Teach Your Kids Art and Why]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:50:03 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/how-to-teach-your-kids-art-and-why

Last night I had the privilege to drive down to Buchanan, VA for a presentation on the artist Edward Beyer by the Botetourt County Historical Society. It was quite well-attended. On the left is one of his pictures of the Natural Bridge in Virginia. Displayed were prints from his "Album of Virginia" (see picture on the right) and the Natural Bridge is one of many. Unfortunately, the colors here look washed out, but it is not really like that. The colors are much more vibrant.

Edward Beyer was born in Germany in 1820 but spent a few years in Virginia depicting in his paintings the Antebellum South. He was a graduate of the Dusseldorf Academy of Art. Virginians would recognize many of the places he painted, but one of the things I found intriguing was his paintings are like a snapshot of Virginia life then (1856-1857) of places that are familiar to us today and yet not.

It is so easy to give your kids an education in art. This event was free and I went home with a book about Beyer and his paintings (of course!) Have a conversation with the others present. Have a conversation with your children about what they learned or what stood out to them. By talking to someone who happened to be on the board of the historical society, I learned that the original painting they had on display had been restored (and rescued) because of a flood back in the '80s. I had commented on how well-preserved the painting was considering its age and that is when I learned that it was indeed well-preserved as it had been through water up to the ceiling!

This little outing could be extended by having your children learn more about where the artist got his training and this particular style of very detailed art. Maybe your children could imitate his style?

Why does it matter? Are your kids going to be an artist? Maybe not. But kids need knowledge of the world and this is one interesting way to do it. They need to make connections which only happens with lots of experiences, reading, and interactions with people and places. Foster their curiosity.

In addition, we spent some time traipsing over the historical swinging bridge spanning the James River. There is history behind this bridge, but that's for another day!

]]><![CDATA[Who are the Tuttle Twins and Why do you Need to Know Them?]]>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 20:00:56 GMThttps://www.inspiredscholar.com/living-the-inspired-life/who-are-the-tuttle-twins-and-why-do-you-need-to-know-them8792181

In spite of the many disturbing trends in government schooling today, parents and grandparents can supply missing content in children’s education. No matter whether your children attend public, private, or Christian school, even the best of schools cannot teach everything. Rather than engage in useless complaining, why not get involved to rectify the situation? Where to start?

Let me introduce you to the Tuttle twins. They are fictitious characters in a series of books on economics and law for 5-11 year-old children written by Connor Boyack and illustrated by Elijah Stanfield. Each of the twelve books in the series clearly and cleverly teaches a lesson on history, money, law, or political philosophy in a way that youngsters can understand. Many are based on famous essays or novels. For example, in The Tuttle Twins and the Search for Atlas, which is based on Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, readers learn the results of socialism. What happens when the innovators abandon their enterprises? The Tuttle Twins and the Creature from Jekyll Island, explains what the Federal Reserve is, when it was created, and how it works.   Do you know? You might want to read this along with your children. It was created the same year that the income tax was instituted in 1913.

One of my favorites is The Tuttle Twins and the Miraculous Pencil, which is based on an essay by Leonard Reed entitled, “I, Pencil.” How is it possible that no one knows how to make a pencil from start to finish and yet pencils are a common, everyday object? What about The Tuttle Twins and the Golden Rule? It is heartbreaking how many children have never heard of the Golden Rule, the principle of which is taken right from the Bible. If we would just follow it, many of our problems would be solved.
     Why not establish a once-a-month Saturday club where you invite your children’s friends to join you? Read the book aloud because even though they can read the book themselves, it facilitates greater discussion and provides an opportunity for children to ask questions. To aid in that, the book provides a short glossary and discussion questions in the back. The twelve books divide perfectly into presenting one book a month. Also provided is a downloadable workbook for each book. The books are also available on audio and in other languages.

     In addition to the twelve set of books for 5-11 year-olds, there is a set of four books for high schoolers and there is even a set of books for toddlers! No one is left out. The Tuttle Toddlers: The ABCs of Liberty anyone? E is for Entrepreneur; L is for Loyalists. We all know how much little ones can understand, especially when presented at their level.

     For those who want to dive deeper, they also have a ten-unit Free Market Rules Economic Curriculum that includes a parent teaching guide. You can also subscribe to their monthly magazine for kids to learn about current events. It comes with a swag welcome box with stickers, buttons, and magnets. The subscription is available in print and online along with weekly writing prompts.

     If you purchase the books through my affiliate link, I will receive a small portion and you will not pay anything additional. My main reason for writing this review is to help you discover stellar resources to teach your children what is not being taught. I chose to be an affiliate because I was so impressed with what they have to offer and I don’t want you to miss out!

     Sadly, parents and grandparents are left out of the conversation when it comes to government schooling, but that just means that they should take a more active part in the next generation. If you are concerned about your children being taught falsehoods about our nation’s history and that government is the solution to their problems, then you will want to get these books.

]]>