Security vs. Anxiety -Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away (John 6:27) – Bill Gothard by RazingRuth (Note from Ruth: This chapter is about my experience and my life. This is not intended to represent any family but my own or any childhood but my own. I fully realize that the adults involved made choices that were, even if influenced by ATI discipline strategies, in fact, choices. Not all ATI families utilize the same strategies or would implement them in the same manner. In addition, I am not Full post …
Tag: The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth
The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth #7
February 24, 2010
Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness – Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard (Luke 16:10) – Bill Gothard by RazingRuth Six boys in one room and me, sitting like a princess, in my canopy bed. If that’s not a recipe for jealousy, then I don’t know what is. My parents would often go to little “retreats” put on by the QF/ATI crowd wherein they’d discuss the practical issues of living QF. How do you fit seven children in a house built for five people max? How do you feed your quiver? How do you clothe Full post …
The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth #6
February 8, 2010
Meekness vs. Anger -Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God (Psalm 62:5) – Bill Gothard by RazingRuthAfter a year with our family, Kay left…and in many ways, so did my mother. Admittedly, my mom was more organized and seemed to take more control over her wild boys. The housework was being done and Elijah, the oldest, was being homeschooled four days a week. There was a schedule that hung on the kitchen wall and woe to the person who didn’t keep to it. My father came home, when he was in town, to properly prepared and Full post …
The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth #5
February 2, 2010
Gentleness vs. Harshness – Showing personal care and concern in meeting the need of others (I Thessalonians 2:7) – Bill Gothard by RazingRuth From my earliest memories, my mother was a study in contrasts. Our home was chaotic (three boys and a new baby, all under the age of five). After my birth, my parents purposed to begin homeschooling. I say “my parents”, but that just means that dad decided mom would be doing her Christian duty best if she homeschooled. Not to mention the fact that dad’s employer and spiritual advisor had an up-and-coming curriculum that he Full post …
The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth #4
January 28, 2010
“Humility v Pride” – Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life (James 4:6) by RazingRuth Disclaimer: With my father, I have to be careful of the details I give. His place in the movement is easily identifiable with a few key data points. I hope my readers can understand that even though I hate what was done to me, I hate what could be done to people I love even more. In which case, identifying my dad isn’t something I want to do. It’s also unnecessary for Full post …
The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth #3
January 25, 2010
Discernment vs. Judgment – The God-given ability to understand why things happen (I Samuel 16:7) by RazingRuth Two babies in ten months. Samuel came three weeks early. That was my mother’s introduction to parenting. I’m sure she must’ve been over-whelmed. With my father starting to travel on occasion, I’m sure she was lonely. But she had her church friends and they were quick to prop her up when she needed it. They assured her that feeling lonely was normal, but that she should commit herself to prayer and supporting God’s will. Still, when Samuel was six months old, Full post …
The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth #2
January 20, 2010
Deference vs. Rudeness – Limiting my freedom in order not offend the tastes of those whom God has called me to serve (Romans 14:21) – Bill Gothard by RazingRuth Within five months of ‘Elijah’s birth, my mom figured out she was expecting again. It dawned on my mother, on Elijah’s fifth month birthday, that she hadn’t had a period- she chalked it up to nursing -when, in actuality, she was already eight weeks along. She was ecstatic, as was my father. In their bliss, they called my mother’s parents to share the news. It was met Full post …
The 49 Character Qualities of Ruth #1
January 15, 2010
“Orderliness v Disorganization” – Preparing myself and my surroundings so I will achieve the greatest efficiency (I Corinthians 14:40) by RazingRuth If you’re not ATI, you may not understand the quotation before each article I plan to do. I’ll try to explain. Bill Gothard promotes an educational series in which he defines forty-nine “operational qualities” of character. These are the “character traits” you hear the Duggars go on about. Each week, as an ATIer, you are supposed to audit yourself against these character traits. “Are you orderly or disorganized?”, in concordance with biblical principle and scripture. For Full post …
Michelle says, Never enough babies!
