Amy Miller is a stay-at-home mom and homeschools her two children, 12-year-old Tony and 10-year-old Lexi. She is the coordinator for High Tower Home School Ministries, a thriving homeschool group based in Southern Oregon. Amy is co-owner of The Writer's Friend, a writing and editing firm that provides pre-publication services for individuals and small businesses. Amy is also a second-year Bible college student and hosts a weekly women's fellowship in her home. Amy enjoys cooking, crocheting, researching and studying Biblical and historical information, and reading expositional books by Christian authors. Amy desires to have a positive impact on the lives of others by supporting and encouraging other homeschooling moms, and living her passion for God and His Word.
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Bible Study Guide - Jeremiah
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Throughout the ministry of Jeremiah, he shed many tears for the people of Judah, knowing that they could not escape destruction without an upright covenant relationship with God expressed by obedience. It was to this end that Jeremiah prayed, interceding for the people, and speaking truth despite the intense persecution he experienced.
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Bible Study Guide - Job
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While Job survived seemingly insurmountable experiences, the true beauty of his story lies not in the terrible tragedies of his life, but that Job passed many tests by remaining faithful despite the circumstances. Job learned true humility and dependence on God through the hard times.
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Bible Study Guide - Joel
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Joel prophesied to the southern kingdom of Judah, during the greatest natural disaster in the history of all Israel. While the exact time of the event is unknown, the effects were devastating and long-standing. A plague of locusts had swarmed the land of Judah and destroyed not only the crops already in the ground, but also the seed for the next planting season. It was like no other event before it, including the plague of locusts that struck Egypt in the days of Moses.
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Bible Study Guide - John
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There are multiple teachings written in John that are not found anywhere else, and there are accounts of miracles and personal encounters that are not recorded in any other book. But no other book co clearly reveals the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the heart of the message of the book, and everything recorded in its pages points to this truth.
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Bible Study Guide - Jonah
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The story of Jonah is often told in Sunday School, but the book of the Bible is an important message for Christians who tend to disobey God. Jonah was to preach to the city of Ninevah, but his hatred for the people had him sailing away, only to be thrown off the boat and into the belly of a whale.
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Bible Study Guide - Joshua
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Throughout the book of Joshua, there are several incredible accounts of God moving in both miraculous and mysterious ways. As the feet of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the overflowing Jordan River, the waters suddenly parted and all of Israel crossed over on dry ground. Upon crossing, Jericho was the first city they reached. After the Israelite army marched around Jericho for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day, they blasted their horns and the seemingly impenetrable walls crumbled to the ground.
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Bible Study Guide - Jude
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It was important for the believers to stay in close fellowship with those who taught the truth given by the Apostles, to avoid being led astray by the craftiness of false teachers. It was also the spiritual responsibility of believers to discern between truth and deception, to avoid false doctrines and even apostasy.
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Bible Study Guide - Judges
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Despite the sins of Israel, God always remembered His promise to Abraham for a nation that would be His special possession. So rather than let them be completely destroyed by their enemies, God sent them a rescuer, a judge, who delivered the people from their oppression.
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Bible Study Guide - Lamentations
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The book of Lamentations is filled with incredible human grief over the suffering of the people of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem. Even after multiple warnings from many different prophets, God's people still chose to turn from Him completely and turn instead to their idols of wood and stone.
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Bible Study Guide - Leviticus
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The responsibility of holy living for the Israelites was serious, and the consequences unholy living were grave. The Israelites were headed for the Promised Land, which was promised to Abraham 430 years earlier. In order to possess it, they were going to have to drive out the Canaanites who lived there. The Israelites greatly needed exact guidelines and instructions for both worship and holy living in order to survive the new land and continue to live in the presence of God.
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Bible Study Guide - Luke
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The book of Luke, along with the book of Acts which was also written by Luke, makes up nearly a quarter of the New Testament. There are events and information recorded in Luke that are not in any other gospel book. But more importantly, the book of Luke was written from a perspective that is not shared by any other gospel book, as revelation from God and from witnesses rather than from first-hand experience.
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Bible Study Guide - Malachi
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God had not changed; He still loved His people, and yet still hated their sin. Because of this, Malachi called the people to repentance, stating that if they returned to God, He would return to them.
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Bible Study Guide - Mark
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Mark is a book full of action, one that quickly moves from scene to scene with everything pointing to a central theme: Jesus is a servant. Each event is given not in chronological order, but deductive order, so that one who reads it would get a clear picture that Jesus had come to be a servant to mankind.
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Bible Study Guide - Matthew
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The phrase "kingdom of heaven" is used 33 times in Matthew, emphasizing not only the existence of a government outside of the administration of the priests, scribes and religious teachers, but also that Jesus, who is proven as the Son of David, is the King over that kingdom.
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Bible Study Guide - Micah
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The prophet Micah lived in Moresheth, about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Though a small-town prophet, Micah carried a big message to the people of God, one that had gone sorely unheeded, warning after warning. Israel had been confronted by many of God's prophets, and they were not getting the message. The words continued to fall on deaf ears, and unrepentant hearts.
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Bible Study Guide - Nahum
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Unlike other prophetic books before it, the book of Nahum does not include a message of hope for the one receiving it. But for the people of Israel, it was a message of life and deliverance. To know that God was moving heaven and earth to defend His people, and that their greatest enemy would be crushed brought great joy and celebration.
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Bible Study Guide - Nehemiah
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The book of Nehemiah tells of the courage of one man who withstood relentless harassment and mockery because of his love for God, and for Jerusalem. Nehemiah brought comfort to his fellow brethren by prayerfully pursuing the rebuilding of his beloved homeland.
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Bible Study Guide - Numbers
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According to God's instructions, Moses took a census of everyone 20 years and older who could go to war. The land of Canaan was about to be invaded and it was time for the Israelite troops to be formed and ready. That is how Numbers begins. The book of Numbers does not get its name from the census, however. Rather, the entire book is a compilation of important numbers, many changing the entire course of history.
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Bible Study Guide - Philemon
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Paul chose not to use his God-given, apostolic authority when writing a letter to Philemon. Instead, he appealed to Philemon as a brother and a friend, knowing that only through love, exhortation, and encouragement, true restoration could take place.
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Bible Study Guide - Philippians
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The book of Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul from prison, during the first century. The founding of the church on Philippi is recorded in Acts 16:12-40. Paul's second missionary journey proved to be fruitful, as the believers in Philippi eagerly embraced the message of the gospel.
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Bible Study Guide - Proverbs
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The book of Proverbs contains 31 chapters, all packed with insight, advice, challenges and warnings. But all of this combined is not meant to be a handbook for prosperity and success so much as a guidebook on how to order life around Godly values and morality.
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Bible Study Guide - Psalm
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David was the most loved king of Israel and the author of a majority of the psalms. Other authors included Moses, Asaph, Heman, the sons of Korah, Solomon and Ethan. All of them, especially David, had an amazing gift of expression through words. Each psalm, or song, has a message and a purpose. Some are instructional, others are prayerful. Some call for the destruction of enemies, others meditate on the mercy and goodness of God.
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Bible Study Guide - Revelation
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The overall message of Revelation is clear: Jesus Christ wins, and Satan gets it in the end. Because of this, Revelation should be the most encouraging book out of all 66 in the Bible, given its final conclusion to the seemingly endless battle against Satan and his forces.
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Bible Study Guide - Romans
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Jesus Christ provided a way for man to be freed from the wages of sin. This is the central theme of his letter to the Romans, the truth that believers are justified by grace, and saved through faith.
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Bible Study Guide - Ruth
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Ruth's life did not immediately influence the unruly nation of Israel, nor did it turn them from their wicked ways. But the impact she had on future generations is evidenced by her place in the bloodline of the promised Messiah. The book of Ruth tells a moving story of God grafting a foreigner into the family tree of the Israelites so that all nations of the world could one day be grafted into the kingdom of God.
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Bible Study Guide - Song of Solomon
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With lovesick accuracy, Solomon wrote the most affectionate and attention-grabbing book in the Bible. Ecclesiastes is about a man who would lay down his life for a woman who loves and adores him like no other. This exemplifies God's love for His people, and Christ's love for His Church.
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Bible Study Guide - TItus
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Titus was to set the example of how the believers were to live. By his template of godly living, the believers in Crete could overcome their old rebellious habits, and learn to live and walk in obedience to God.
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Bible Study Guide - Zechariah
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Zechariah was called to speak to the returned exiles in Jerusalem, encouraging them to continue their building of the temple of the Lord despite rising opposition. But his ministry also included affirming God's characteristics and re-establishing His promises to His people.
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Blessed are the Meek -- The Beautitudes
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By being meek and making a habit of considering others before themselves, believers can be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. As a result, they will experience and receive everything that cannot be bought: long-term friendships, reconciliation of broken relationships, salvation of loved ones, and more.
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Blessed are the Merciful -- The Beautitudes
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In the fifth Beautitude, God promises that He will care for the needs of those who set aside their own needs to care for someone else. This kind of attitude comes from a heart that is fully trusting in God.
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Blessed are the Poor in Spirit -- The Beatutitudes
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Jesus emphasized the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven as a benefit for those who are humble enough to admit their dependence on God. In truth, this is the first step to salvation: acknowledging sin and the inability to self-save. Without this kind of humility, salvation is not available.
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Blessed are the Pure in Heart -- The Beatutitudes
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Those who keep their hearts pure have the promise of seeing God, that is, the promise of truly knowing and understanding who He is and what He wants to accomplish through them. As described in the sixth Beautitude, God will reveal Himself and make His presence known.
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Blessed are those Who are Persecuted for Righteousness Sake -- The Beautitudes
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To be rejected by the world means to be accepted by Christ, and honored by the Father just as Christ was honored for His obedience.
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Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness -- The Beautitudes
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There should be no question of the necessity of spiritual food. Nor should one neglect their need for fulfillment. Instead, God desires for them to cry to Him and allow Him to generously provide for their need, just as He promised in the fourth beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
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Blessed are Those Who Mourn -- The Beatutitudes
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Regardless of the source of sorrow, those who mourn will not be left without comfort. They may experience the pain, but it will not be forever.
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Born of a Virgin -- Old Testament Prophecies of the Messiah
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Those who choose to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are elevated to an eternal right standing with God. This was the purpose for the contradictory life of the illegitimate son of Joseph, and the Son and Servant of God, Jesus Christ.
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Broomball for Youth Groups
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Broomball is typically a winter sport played on ice, although it can be played any time of year at an indoor rink. It is a sport that combines both hockey and soccer, and is played by two teams of six to eight competitors.
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Building a Solid Homeschool Curriculum Foundation
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The task of selecting curriculum for the homeschooled student is an important one. It may take several tries and many changes before creating a successful and efficient educational experience.
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Christian Learning Centers Offer Educational Support
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Christian learning centers are becoming a viable educational option for parents wanting to personalize their child's education. Learning centers are in between homeschooling and charter schools, so they offer support and guidance to parents with busy schedules or for those with children requiring more in-depth assistance.
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Christian Valentines Events for the Family
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Love is a large part of marriage and family life, especially those with young children. Kids need to know they are loved just as much as the adults. Valentine's Day presents an opportunity for families celebrate love in fun and unique ways.
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Christian Valentines Fundraising Banquet
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Godly marriages are an inspiration to those who either desire to be married or are just beginning their marriage journey. And it is the Godly marriages of the church that will be able to teach both natural and spiritual children about the importance of an “until death do us part” covenant relationship.
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Christian Valentines Marriage Seminar
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A way to honor the love of married couples within the church is to hold a marriage seminar. While this may sound like an over-used cliché, the heart of a marriage seminar can take on a fresh meaning for those who desire to present such an event with a spiritual purpose.
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Christmas Traditions of the Nativity
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It is true that the Nativity scene represents more than just a religion. It memorializes the birth of Jesus Christ. It captures that single moment in time when God, because of His mercy, sent the Savior of the world.
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Christmas Traditions of Blended Families
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While God never intended for families to be broken, His grace can bring blended families out of the brokenness into peaceful acceptance of each other. With time, the relationships can even grow into unity and fellowship where division and anger once ran amuck.
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Christmas Traditions of Food
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Next to Thanksgiving, Christmas is perhaps the biggest food-producing holiday in America. From candies to casseroles, and from homemade cinnamon rolls to roasted chestnuts, everyone’s palate can be tantalized by the tastes of Christmas.
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Christmas Traditions of Gift Giving
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People all across America look forward to giving and receiving gifts wrapped in bright and glittery paper and ribbon. There’s something about the way the Christmas tree looks when beneath its branches lies a mound of shiny gifts of all sizes.
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Christmas Traditions of Santa Claus and Trees
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It is almost unheard of for a home to not have a Christmas tree. Likewise, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa Claus. The two just go together, there’s no doubt about it.
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Creating the Church Newsletter - The Concept
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For something that seems as basic as a newsletter, it is important to keep in mind that it is something worth investing in, and it’s worth doing with excellence. This part of the two-part series on creating a church newsletter will offer basic instructions and tips on the overall planning and the publication of an informative and professional-looking newsletter.
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Crown of Thorns in the Passion of Christ
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As a last act of humiliation against Jesus, the Roman officers twisted a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. Taking up the reed they had given him as a mock scepter, they repeatedly struck Jesus in the head with it. Then they bowed in mockery to the King of the Jews, and led him away to be crucified.
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Cutting Personal Expenses
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Personal grooming can be a great way to do something special for oneself. It also can add up quickly. During times of financial upheaval, take the time to evaluate how much is spent in the area of 'extras.'
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