PrincipledMom™

In my studies recently I happened upon a type of "notebooking" that was fascinating. It combines two of my favorite things--notebooks and traditional books (which I happen to be passionate about making!). I am such a book geek that I had to learn more.

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines it as:

Commonplace-book, a book in which are registered such facts, opinions or observations as are deemed worthy of notice or remembrance, so disposed that any one may be easily found. Hence common-place as used as an epithet to denote what is common or often repeated, or trite; as a commonplace observation.

It's taking a topic, such as sewing, literature, a branch of science or cooking and creating your own special book about it. It may include tables or charts, definitions, clippings, quotes, measurements or your observations. Some well known commonplacers included Thomas Jefferson, John Locke and Ben Franklin.  Jonathan Edwards also kept a commonplace book. 

Read more here here and here.

Some modern uses for commonplacing may be for remodeling your home, landscaping or gardening, scrapbooking, reading an important literary work, fiction writing or Bible study. They can be invaluable resources for a life full of learning. And they can become treasures that your kids can fight over after your funeral!

 And of course, I will endeavor to make some commonplace books that are uncommon. If you are interested in a unique commonplace book customized to your special topic, please contact me for details and I'll make a one of a kind commonplace book you will treasure for years to come. anna at annahawthorne dot com

Anna Hawthorne Studios

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Not sure when I'll be back to blogging. My sincerest apologies about the history study, I just can't take on what I thought I could. Things are changing (for the better) with my homeschool and it is taking my time and energy, along with nursing a newborn and my domestic duties. There are just not enough hours in the day and I often bite off more than I can chew. This is one of those times.

I am tending to family things right now. Thanks for understanding. Enjoy everyone else's blogs. Renae and Dana especially say things much more eloquently than I can.

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As of now I will only post once a week on this topic. If I can I will post more. My children (especially my 4yo son) are still trying to find their new place in our growing family. My priorities lay with them and their lessons. With a newborn to tend to I have precious little time for outside interests. Thanks for understanding. I am still commited to this study, I am simply consolidating my posts. Have a blessed weekend!

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I am not going to list all the questions from T&L here because it is copyrighted material. I will list my answers and discuss ideas but I am not going to copy and paste all the lessons. That wouldn't be ethical (or legal!). It is up to you to go through these lessons yourself and answer the questions and do the reading.

What is a Leading Idea?

It is an idea that leads the reader down a certain line of thinking, toward a Biblical Principle. Leading ideas get you to think and not simply regurgitate facts. They help you to form your own thoughts on a topic.

Thoughts From the Leading Ideas

America is associated with the "principle of individuality" because we were founded upon Biblical principles, this being one. Without a Christian basis, the "principle of individuality" goes away. It is a distinctly Christian idea, so if the basis is removed the idea of the individual is replaced with a socialist one.

The socialist form of government is oppressive and over reaching as it demands conformity, redistribution and dependence upon the state in lieu of individual responsibility. This is what the founding fathers understood and worked to avoid. Their knowledge of God's Word and His plan for human government helped the founding fathers to form a government that would maximize the potential of the individual without exploiting him for the state's benefit.

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To begin our study of America's Christian History we must discuss some basic ideas.

The Christian Idea of Man

The Christian idea of man is the basis for our form of government. It is also the foundational principle that the other 6 principles of America's Christian History and Government. It is the idea that man is created in God's image as a unique individual. All men are therefore created equal with independent value. This is a wonderful principle to meditate on. If we are unique, equal and have value, then the state is servant to us and not master.

The Purpose of Government

The state was created for man, not the other way around. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are rights from God and the responsibility to keep them is delegated to the state. Today this weighty task is not respected by federal government, but rather it is becoming more and more irrelevant. Our government (state and federal)  is moving more toward a pagan idea of government.

The Pagan idea of Man

To the pagans (pagan meaning those who are not Christians) is that man has value as related to the state. The state has all the power to control, not protect, our liberty. We also have a society that looks to the state as keepers or even dispensers of liberty. It is a socialist idea that pervades our society today. Our citizens have not been educated on the Christian idea of man so we should not expect anything different.

I will go into more detail on the Leading Ideas (step 2) in the next post.

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