The ONG family Homeschool

Thoughts from the David Cloud Seminars.

 

Bro Cloud preaching at Maranatha Baptist Church infront of a green screen for the recording of the History of the King James Bible.

Buy Way of Life materials here.

I'm at a loss for words as to how to begin talking about what I have learned or has been brought to my attention through the course of attending all the various sessions that were conducted over the past few days. Many thoughts....

It was truly a privilege to hear from Bro Cloud in person. I take heed to his warnings about the wide spread apostacy occuring in most churches today because he sees all these first hand and he has been carefully documenting it. Not only  the main stream denominations like the Methodists and other Protestant denominations, even Baptist churches that once used to be conservative and fundamental are falling to a liberal theology and the slide almost always begins with the introduction of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). I am aware, being one of the music people in my church, how important it is to keep our music straight and holy.

The end is near. With each catastrophe which occurs in the world, I feel ever more alert to the fact that anytime, Jesus will catch us up home to heaven. Luke 21:11  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

I feel an urgency in this desperate hour. We cannot play "church" any longer. It is not "business as usual". Unfortuantely, "business as usual" for us has been for too long casual "hi, bye"  and casual talk about what keeps us busy in the week, certainly not about spiritual things or our walk with Christ. I picture myself and my dear church family paddling in a boat on a dark stormy sea. Hundreds upon thousands of other boats have experienced trouble and sunk in the tumulous waters but the end is in sight. Within view is the golden shore. We just need to hold on tight, and paddle hard, even pull others on board to escape the wrath of the raging sea and we will make it to safety by God's grace. May the Lord find us faithful!

And closest to our hearts, naturally, is the desire for our own children to make it through safely this dangerous passage together with us. 

Scriptural Salvation is the Key to Keeping the Kids.

Of course, outside of our own salvation, the most important thing would of course be the salvation of our children, the precious souls that the Lord has given to us. The most important thing I carry away from the Keeping the Kids series is that we ought to seek a scriptural salvation experience for our children and nothing less.

Repentance and then confession. Christianity today in most churches will tell people to ask Jesus into their hearts and assure them that Jesus will save them. This is false. The first pre-requisite is repentance toward God. If a person, man, woman or child, never comes to a place of broken and contriteness before God over their sinful condition, they have not made right with Holy God. It is no wonder that they live no different from the unsaved and really just love all the things the world loves! Even if they have said a prayer!

Please do take some time to read this article by Bro Cloud concerning "Quick Prayerism and the Doctrine of Repentance". It may make the difference between life and death.

Playing chess with the Devil

I had a heart to heart talk with my no. 2 after one of the Keeping the Kids meetings. (certainly, I spoke to no. 1 too! Dear hubby also has had time to talk to them! We are concerned parents!) Anyway, I was telling no. 2, you know, when you play chess, you may move all your pieces deftly, get the pawns to where they ought to be, position your castle and bishops in all the optimum squares on the board, but when your opponent gets your king, the game is over.

We do not play chess with the Devil but for the sake of analogy: we might go to the right church, carry the right Bible, dress right, do all the right "Christ honoring" activities (like homeschooling), but if our children never come to true biblical salvation, it's Game Over. The Devil is a very cunning opponent. He doesn't mind if we keep busy, as long as no one gets saved. He might pull the wool over your eyes and make you confident you are at the top of the game, that you are indeed saved. But Jesus says, on the day of Judgement, many professing Christians are going to have an awful discovery that they are not qualified for heaven.

Matthew 7:22-23  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The only qualification for heaven is biblical repentance and confession.

Family must not become an Idol

The salvation of our children is of utmost importance, yet, too many families are placing family and family time above church. I see this happening, and I am saddened. Single adults who used to be faithful and serving in church start to absent themselves from serving in the ministry because now they are married and now they have a baby and the baby's schedule is more important than being in church!!! How will that excuse hold water when we stand before Christ one day??

Or how about we are homeschooling our children so that they are raised in the right environment to grow them for Christ, and we skip church meetings because we need to do school at home.....Something's not quite right. We cannot esteem our school books higher than God's holy book!

I want my children to see us (their parents) serving God coz that's what I want them to be busy with when they grow! How will they ever develop a love for God's work if they don't even see it in their parents who are so busy "raising them for Christ" (outside of the church)? I do thank God for the faithful families in my church who are making the effort to lug their babies to church for ministry or service. It starts from hearts that have the right priorities: God comes first.

So, personally, I am really challenged to prepare myself for His return and help others (like my children and my family, friends, loved ones, who ever God would allow me to cross paths with) to do the same. Nothing can be more important than this.

Matthew 25:1-13  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Thank you, Bro Cloud for taking the time to come to Singapore and teaching us. I greatly appreciated it.

Grandpa Cloud had a soft spot for no. 5. But then again, who doesn't? ;)

 

 

 

David Cloud Seminar starts next Friday!

This is either a gentle re-minder or a minder if you missed it the first time....

I can't emphasize enough the importance and scope of this man's publishing ministry among conservative  Bible believers. And he has helped many (many) find the way to biblical christianity. 

If you are not familiar with David Cloud's ministry, I do encourage you to visit his website. http://wayoflife.org/ Recently, there's been a debate going on about CCM. Do take a read!

So, for this seminar, he'll be spending 3 sessions to deal with Keeping the Kids. If you have seen children grown up in Christian homes and yet go the way of the world (or perhaps you are going through it yourself), and you are wondering why and what can be done about it, you need to come and listen to this well researched, bible centred answer.

Music, for Good or Evil... many Christians are not even aware there is an issue regarding the use of the world's music and adapting it in the worship of God. In his own words in the recent article regarding the use of CCM in Lancaster Baptist Church, CA:

For decades I have been warning about the spiritual danger of Contemporary Christian Music and how that it brings a lot of worldly baggage in its wake. It is not just music; it is a philosophy of Christianity that breaks down the God-ordained barriers between the church and the world. Any church today that is not aggressively resisting CCM will eventually succumb to it, and probably sooner rather than later. The evidence is all around us. The pressure toward compromise is too great; the satisfaction that this music offers to the flesh is too intense. The contemporary philosophy in this apostate hour is like a powerful flowing river, and our churches are like small boats. Those that are not paddling fiercely against the current will certainly be carried along by it. I don’t care what else you are doing right; if you allow CCM a foot in the door you are on the slippery slope of compromise.

So, hope you will make the time to come and hear the messages.

 

A Bible Conference & Seminar by Missionary David Cloud

Search online for David Cloud (Way of Life Literature) and you are going to get into some controversy. I have grown much from this man's literature ministry. Just by his writing output alone, you will know he is not an ordinary Christian. To me, he is quite the closest person I know personally who is Psalms 119 personified. He is truly the most hardworking person I know when it comes to studying the Bible and researching about issues that pertain to the Church, church history, the Bible, etc...Prolific, I tell you.

Come, and be blessed, be encouraged, be challenged.

Challenging Preaching and Lessons by Missionary David Cloud

We are pleased to have Missionary David Cloud to here with us from March 11-15 for a series of challenging messages from God's Word on issues families face in the Last Days. Our prayer is that this will be a blessing and encouragement to you. 

Our meetings are open to all but please note the meeting schedule below.

 

Keeping The Kids, 11-13 March

This seminar aims to help parents and churches raise children to be disciples of Jesus Christ and to avoid the pitfalls of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Statistics show that a frightening percentage of children that grow up in Bible-believing churches drop out when they reach adolescence. They either go full-fledged into the world, or they remain on the periphery of church life, or they join a contemporary church that essentially promises them they can have Christ and the world, too. We are convinced that this does not have to happen, because God has given promises in His Word about child training, but winning the battle is not easy and requires complete dedication by the parents. 

Who Should Attend:

Parents

Grandparents

Youth and Teenagers

Youth and Sunday School workers

 

Music, For Good or Evil, 12 March

Music can be used for Good or Evil, but how will you know what to use it for unless you are grounded in the Biblical principles of music? Contrary to contemporary philosophy, music is not neutral and the Christian is accountable to God for its proper usage.

This seminar aims to equip Teens, parents and those serving in any music ministry to under the principles of what constitutes godly and spiritual music and how to discern styles of music.

Who Should Attend:

Youth and Sunday School workers

Youth and Teenagers

Song Leaders, Music ministry workers

 

Sunday Morning Service, 13 March

We are honoured to have Bro. David Cloud to minister to us God’s Word on this Sunday morning. All are invited. There will be nursery and a children’s chapel available during the service.

 

History of the King James Bible, 15 March

This presentation covers the fascinating history of the English Bible from the 15th to the 17th centuries, focusing on the Wycliffe, the Geneva, the Tyndale, and the King James. Brother Cloud has an extensive personal libraries on this subject which includes many rare titles from the 17th to 19th centuries. He has done firsthand research in England, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Israel, and has examined two of the 14th century Waldensian New Testaments.

Who Should Attend:

Pastors, Missionaries, Church Staff and Workers
Parents, Youth, Teens

 

Meeting Schedule Summary

“Keeping the Kids”

11 March, Friday 7.30pm-10pm Part 1

12 March, Saturday 2pm-5.30pm Part 2

13 March, Sunday 1.30pm-3pm Part 3

 

“Music, for Good or Evil”

12 March, Saturday 10.30am-12.30pm

 

Sunday Morning Schedule

Adult Class 9.15am-10.15am

Worship Service 10.45am-12.30pm

 

Sunday Afternoon Schedule

“Keeping the Kids” 1.30pm-3pm Part 3

 

“History of the King James Bible”

15 March, Tuesday 2pm-5.30pm Part 1

15 March, Tuesday 7.30pm-10pm Part 2

 

Note: 

1. There will be nursery provided for Sun morning

2. There will be Question & Answer sessions, time permitting

 

About Way of Life Literature

Established in 1974, Way of Life Literature is a fundamental Baptist preaching and publishing ministry based in Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario. Wilbert Unger is the Pastor of Bethel Baptist. David W. Cloud is the founder and director of Way of Life.

The goal of Way of Life Literature is to stand for the truth of God’s Word without compromise, to preach the Gospel, and to produce well-documented materials to strengthen New Testament churches in these apostate days. We are also church-planting missionaries in Asia.

 

Be STRONG in the Lord!!!

Hubby and I... our hearts are overflowing today! For the first time we had the privilege of presenting a song special in church. Well, it was not our first time singing as a family, (see videos here) but it was the first time that the older two children played their instruments together with me and the younger ones sang. What a blessing! Such a special blessing for us... just very thankful how the Lord is guiding us in the raising of our children, sharpening His arrows.

We don't do much, or enough, to practice our instruments. Much to our shame. But yet the Lord blesses our meagre efforts and mulitplies our talents.

Still, I'm so happy of their achievements today. I'm very happy that I can have a little trio just among ourselves in the family. Hubby was about to cry when the girl started playing her violin. Joy in seeing our children grow. :) I see us moving on to more tricky stuff in the future. And I see a family choir singing in harmony unto the Lord as well!!

We chose this song to encourage dear brethren to remember the prescence of the Lord especially in times of trials and distress. In the end, we ended up encouraging ourselves. :)

Be Strong in the Lord words by Linda Lee Johnson, Music by Tom Fettke

1.Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage; Your mighty Defender is always the same.

Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending; Vict'ry is sure when you call on His name.

Chorus: Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord; And be of good courage, for He is your Guide.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord; And rejoice for the vict'ry is yours.

2. So put on the armor the Lord has provided; And place your defense in His unfailing care.

Trust Him, for He will be with you in batle, Lighting your path to avoid ev'ry snare.

3.Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage; Your mighty Commander will vanquish the foe.

Fear not the battle, for the vict'ry is always His; He will protect you wherever you go.

 

Ephesians 6:10-18  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Also read: my Thoughts about Childhood Music Education

I'm not an expert but I'm sharing from experience. :)

Prodikeys: thumbs up!

Me using the Creative Prodikeys keyboard to write out a piano accompaniment score for choir. 

Now, I don't do a lot of music arrangement, but on occasion (mostly always for church occasions) I do write out music either for singing or our orchestra or piano. Before this prodikeys keyboard, I would click click click note by little note on my noteworthy software. Whoopdeedoo when I can highlight copy and paste repeating parts! :) (Yes, I know there are other music writing software around that may be less tedious....)

But now with this keyboard, I can just play (or type as the case may be) the tune and the notation will show up on my screen! What was my life before this keyboard??? (Oh dear, I'm sooo trying not to sound like a cheap commercial but I'm failing miserably.)

New possibilities have opened up to me now... I can record and save and publish midi files! Whee! Definitely In the pipeline is to write simple piano scores of favourite songs for my children (and 1 student) to play! Yae!!!

And of course, whatever I learn, my children will learn too. ;) This is, afterall, a homeschool.

Time for catching up!

You know I'm busy with real life when I'm posting after such a loooong break! :p

Resurrection Services @ Maranatha Baptist Church

Been busy busy with preparations, rehearsals for our Resurrection Sunday program. Glad to have had a good witness over those 2 days where we had visitors hear about God's mercy and love for them.

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

Choir!

Gotta get some pics and videos of those days! I'm especially happy because it was the first time that no. 1, 2 and 3 participated in choral singing, sometimes with the adults and sometimes with other children. And under my conductor-ship! That was really special. I'll count that as part of (home)school as well. hahah.

I asked the children what they learned from their experience. They answered: following instructions, staying focused, obedience, etc. What a great learning opportunity! So thankful to God that they had a chance to sing in a choir.

In the course of choir practices and rehearsals, I earned the un-savoury title of "Pharaoh" from my brethren. I wonder why???? :p

Baby has turned 1!

Sigh. Folks were asking me if I baked anything special for her. No, actually, I didn't. Firstly, we don't really celebrate our baby's first birthdays because they won't remember much anyway. And secondly, I was too busy with rehearsals.

Nevertheless, Baby did have a nice day. We sang her Happy Birthday song all through the day, and if you left a comment on Facebook (on the Fan Page as well as my personal page), she got 3 smooshy kisses and 1 squishy hug for each comment, as promised. Actually, I more than exceeded the quota.

She's lengthening out and becoming more toddler already. She's been calling everyone Papa. She's been taking a couple of awkward steps un-aided too! Toddler phase!!! YAE! 

Pinafore Project part 2

I've finally finished sewing no. 2's matching pinafore and I'm soooo happy!!! She loves it too! They look so sweet together wearing matching sister outfits. Will definitely post pics when they're ready. :)

Pics pics pics.... to be up soon! :P

Make Me a Stranger

Time for a music video!

It is a blessing to be able to play music at church with my very dear fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. We call ourselves the Maranatha Baptist Orchestra, or the MBO for short. :O)

Yes, I play the piano. (got my grade 8 when I was 14 yrs old but my fingers are very stiff now. especially my left hand.) Yes, I sing. (sang in school choirs, church choirs and all that.) You know, it's only very recently that I put the two together and tried singing while playing!

All glory to God. You know, He says if we will be faithful in the little things, He will give us greater things to do. So, I've been playing, and I've been singing, now I can do both at the same time! :O) But I need to practice more to get more comfortable at it. You'll see at the start of the video, I was saying, "wait ah...lemme gather my thoughts."

The Lord has blessed my children with musical talents too. This we intend to hone for His use. We've been doing piano and theory. I see my no. 1 writing scores in the future. He has an amazing ear for parts. I've told him it'll be a waste if I didn't teach him music theory so that he could write down all the music in his head.

No. 2 has also been learning the violin. Still learning the basics but I see something good going to grow from this time and money well spent. :O)

I'm so looking forward to a family orchestra! God's gonna do it in His time. I just know He will, if we keep being faithful at the little things.

Matthew 25:21   His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luke 16:10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

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Anyway, for the song in the video, It's entitled Make Me a Stranger. Words and music by Mac Lynch.

It reminds us as christians not to sink our roots too deeply in this world which we are passing through. We ought to have eternity in view in what we say and do, choices we make. We're not going to be on this cursed world forever, yet often we find ourselves too comfortable in the affairs of this world.

Make Me a Stranger

(1) Make me a stranger on earth dear Saviour,

Make me a stranger more like thee

Help me keep my focus on heavenly treasures

And not on earthly things it may be.

Chorus:

Lord lead me onward as a pilgrim

Bound for heaven never to roam

Make me a stranger on earth dear Saviour

Till I reach my heavenly home

(2) Lord I've found myself loving earthly treasures

simple pleasures taking your place

nothing can measure to heavenly treasures

hearing "well done" and seeing Your face.

Words and music by Mac Lynch Performed by the Maranatha Baptist Orchestra as a musical offering unto the Lord on Sunday. 

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Hebrews 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1 Peter 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

God's Refining Fire

A week or so ago when I was finishing a chat conversation with my dear sister in Christ, Isa, she reminded me to "be patient with my illness". This is referring to my daily nausea with the morning sickness that occurs in the late evening/ night.

In my mind I thought like a seasoned pro, no problem, I've been through this and worse before. So I replied her, I will.

Well I've been throwing up and being nauseated for almost one month now, with rare days of respite, and I'm about to throw my hands up in despair and cry. To add to it, we've been host to a stomach flu virus, last week was poor no. 3, this week is baby and today, no. 1 is spending his time on the throne.

Not fun I tell you when you are nauseous and have to deal with a child who is vomiting and diahorrea(-ring).

Yes, while I was at the end of my patience with all this illness, I was reminded of this song I sang in church a month or so back. It was a timely reminder for me to see God's hand in whatever I am going through. Hope the lyrics will bless someone who's going through a difficult time too. (Maybe I'll record it one day...it's a beautiful song.)

God's Refining Fire

O Lord, we pray "Thy will be done" or "Master, here am I."
We pray You'd do a mighty work That to the flesh we'd die.
And when the answer comes to us In form of trial and test,
We fail to see Your loving hand, Refining fire is best.

God's refining fire, God's refining fire,
May it purge me now and make of me what You require.
O Lord, feed the fire, Your refining fire.
Now as gold and silver must be tried,
Lord, may my heart be purified.
Lord, send Your great refining fire.

That I may stand when You appear, Abide till Your return.
O place the fire perfectly That all the dross be burned.
Whether furnace of affliction, Lord, Or unfulfilled desire,
Bring forth a vessel pure and tried By Your refining fire.

God's refining fire, God's refining fire,
May it purge me now and make of me what You require.
O Lord, feed the fire, Your refining fire.
Now as gold and silver must be tried,
Lord, may my heart be purified.
Lord, send Your great refining fire.

Words and music by Mac Lynch

Thoughts about Childhood Music Education

Would love to hear how you teach your kids music...I'm struggling with an unwilling learner and since I have no background so it makes it all the more difficult..

Hi Alice! Sorry it's taken a while to reply this qn... First week of school will be my excuse. :OP

My Own Music Background.

I started piano lessons since the age of 4. Finished off at the age of 14 with grade 8 in piano and the yr later, I completed Grade 8 in Theory of Music. I also did Music as an O level subject and enjoyed it thoroughly. Went with my then-fiance and now husband for Grade 5 Vocal. Have dabbled in guitar and cello.

I must say, growing up, piano lessons were a pain and more of a discipline than enjoyment. I went through the whole rigormarole of practicing for scales, exactly three exam pieces and aural for years and years just to get past this year's exam and move on to the next.

Scales, scales, scales. Up and down. Up and down...It's a bitter and tedious process and the child needs to be prepared to work at it. But do encourage the child that like memorizing multiplication tables, this is but the foundation of the whole process. The fun part will come when these foundations are well rehearsed.

I only started enjoying music and my instrument (piano) when I started to play for church at 14yrs. That was when I learned to improvise music, as in play the tune of a song plus come up with the chords by ear without the score. That was when all those years of grinding the piano with scales and arppegios paid its due. That was when I could take the song and run with it, without labouring too long, and enjoy the music I create.

I have dabbled also in writing (scores) simple 4 part arrangements for church music for small group ensembles as well as for voice.

Haha, that's more than you need to know. :O) But that gives you a bit of background knowledge as to where I'm coming from, now as I write about teaching music at home. I'm not a trained music teacher but I do have some experience in that as well.

Which Road To Take?

So, usually, in Singapore, when you send your child for music lessons, it will be lessons that will prepare him/or her for the ABRSM exam. Your child will learn technique and various aspects of musicianship, but not improvisation. And usually sight reading (playing a new score without practice) suffers because the main marks go to the three exam pieces and only a few marks go to the sight reading component. (Might differ from teacher to teacher..)

But then what you will end up with is a pianist who can only play only those few set pieces, and that does not a true pianist make.

For my children, I do see the ABRSM exams somewhere in the pipeline. I do see the importance of getting a certificate as something they can add to their CV. Afterall, if they've worked hard and learned something, why not have a cert to show for it? How we're going to get there is another problem which will settle itself when the time comes....

However, the main objective that is pushing me to teach my children piano (the older two at this point, 8 yr old and 6 yr old) is because I see it as an important tool for the church ministry. Piano is an important instrument in church service and I see that someday, they may be able to use this talent for the Lord.

So what I'm aiming to teach them at this point is note reading, finger dexterity, scales, chords.. these to help them in hymn playing soon. Classical music training and the ABRSM can wait till the right time.

What's a Good Age to Start Music Lessons?

I'll throw this commonly asked qn in. I stand corrected, but I think it's Japanese school of thought to start the child as early as possible. For me, I feel that this can be frustrating for the child if he's not properly developed and ready to understand what will be required of music education.

Counting is very important. And there are many things to count! Timing, beats, even your fingers are assigned numbers... these can be very confusing to a young child.

Also the child needs to know simple addition, like 1 + 1 + 2 = 4. This is regarding notation and how many beats in a bar.

If the child can do this, he's ready for lessons. He will feel the success of getting it right and that will be encouragement to keep at it.

And as I mentioned earlier, there are different disciplines when it comes to playing an instrument, not just classical pieces that the exam requires. Some children can do that very well, play their pieces perfectly but not excel at other things like improvisation because they just can't hear the chord or get the beat right.

I've found that people who are not so musical can still work out their fingers to play and memorize pieces right if they will practice and practice. There can be enjoyment there. :O) So any child can learn music and an instrument, I believe.

What Instrument?

I might be biased, but I would say piano is the best instrument for a child to start with. It's not as difficult as violin, having to learn to hold the instrument properly, each hand doing completely different things. Might be more expensive, but these days, the digital pianos are so good like the real thing. The touch is very very important. (Buying a good instrument, another topic altogether...)

And with the piano, the white keys and the black keys are all laid out to see. This makes it very much easier to understand the gaps between notes, like doh to re, re to me, me to fah... this you can't see on other instruments.

So playing the cello or guitar (chords), I will still picture the piano keyboard in my head and then I can work out the notes or chords from there.

Can Someone Who Has No Background in Music Teach?

Well..... I would say, yes, to a certain extent, but you would have to learn ahead, learn faster and practicing harder than your student. You can learn certain basics through books and other available resources.

But I would caution that it is important to get the right technique as practicing with the right technique will mean the child is enforcing and re-enforcing the right thing. If the child is playing with the wrong technique, the child is enforcing the wrong habits which will be hard to correct.

Such is the case with my cello playing. I am self taught in cello and I know that my finger technique is not there and I just can't progress from my current standard. That, and my terrible lack of practice, of course...One day, some fine day, when I'm more able to leave the house, I'll take up proper cello lessons...
Like my sis, fellow homeschool mom! Her kids are older now and she's taking up violin lessons with her daughter. So nice...but that's another story...

Another aspect that is important to the child learning an instrument is someone they can watch and model after. As a learner, I love to see how others play and learn from them. I often play to show my children what their piece is supposed to sound like and they watch how my fingers move and co-ordinate.

I tell people, music is my other language. It's true. It really is like learning a language and you really have to take the time to learn and practice before it is fluent to use.

So, personally, I would say for beyond basic music education, it would be safer to get someone who is trained in music to teach the child. :O)

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Hope that helped! Any other thoughts or burning questions I might be able to help with? (Other than recommendations for good piano teachers, I don't have any...apologies...)

Song: Lord Bless Our Home

My dear sis was around this morning, so I grabbed her to play piano for me. Thanks jie! :O) Sorry for the bad recording, though... we (or I) sound like something from out of the '40s. (Might sound better with the headphones...)

We recorded this song, Lord Bless Our Home by Ron Hamilton, a song that is a cry to God to help us keep our families strong and happy. "Fam'lies all around us are crumbling everyday..." Isn't it so true? :O(
And Christian families are not immune to the onslaught of this world's excesses. But Praise be to God, He has given us the victory, if we obey His word and follow His precepts, we can overcome.

Joshua 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

This song doesn't talk about loving our children more. No. Never allow your children to become the third party in your marriage.

At the heart of every family is the love between the husband and wife. Husbands who will lead bravely and lovingly, wives who are lovingly submitted, serving their husbands as if serving Jesus Himself. And this is God's prescription neatly packaged in Ephesians 5, the Christian marriage is a picture of Christ's love for the Church (and the Church's reciprocal love for Christ. )

Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:23-24  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

When this is in place, we have the foundations of a strong Christian family.
I have found that everything just doesn't make sense anymore, all that I do for the family, if my relationship with my husband is not right. I thank God that I have a husband who fears God and this is one of the rules of our marriage:

Ephesians 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

We try to make sure we go to sleep not angry anymore. Keep short accounts with each other and the Lord, amen?

May the Lord bless your home.

Lord Bless Our Home
words and music by Ron Hamilton. Sung by Suwei Ong, Accompaniment by Jill

1. Fam'lies all around us are crumbling ev'ry day,
Yielding to the enemy and throwing life away.
Bind our lives together, Guard us with Your truth;
When the struggle seems too great, Lord, keep our eyes on You.

Chorus: Lord, bless our home, protect our home;
Let it be a refuge in this world of sin. Lord, reign within,
keep us strong and true; And when we need You most,
Lord, draw us close, committed to each other. Lord, bless our home;
We give our home to You.

2. Thank You for Your goodness; our love was in Your plan.
Help us face the future always trusting in Your hand.
Keep us warm and tender; Keep us clean and pure.
Drive us to each other's arms, and make our love endure.