In this address, Mike contrasts godly wisdom (which Christians should be trying to follow) and worldly wisdom (wisdom from below) as it relates to specific issues that we all deal with in the homeschool community. He explains that there are two conflicting worldviews or belief systems today, orthodoxy and progressivism. Orthodoxy is committed to an external, definable and transcendent authority for truth. This truth comes from God and is given to us primarily through His Word, the Bible. In contrast, progressivism asserts that moral authority is to be defined by the spirit of the modern age, a spirit of rationalism and subjectivism. Truth tends to be viewed as a process, as a reality and is ever unfolding depending upon the circumstances. He will explain how certain important U.S. Supreme Court decisions have been affected by this new progressive thinking. Mike will then break down how these two differing views are affecting education and specifically, the freedom to home educate. The good news is that truth sets one free. The good news is we know the truth, we simply have to live and battle for the truth. Homeschoolers have demonstrated their willingness to do so, hence our hope for the future.

Parental rights and religious freedom have been the two foundations to establish a constitutional right for parents to teach their children at home. The U.S. Supreme Court some years back weakened the free exercise of religion claim as a foundation for homeschooling so that in order for homeschoolers to claim a fundamental right to homeschool, they must be able to combine the free exercise right with the parental rights claim. In other words, both rights have to co-exist. Currently, this is not a problem, but because of the fragile nature of freedom, moral decay, complacency and apathy, homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. Additionally, since the parental rights foundational claim is an "implicit" right, not an "explicit" right (meaning parental rights is not specifically spelled out in the Constitution) parental rights as we know it today is teetering and could be in trouble in the future. Mike will explain why parental rights are under attack and provide a solution on how we can maintain the current freedoms we have to teach our children at home.

This charge was given to high school graduates at the Graduate Recognition Event of the 2009 OCEAN Conference. The text of the address is found in Micah 6:8: "And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NASB) Mike explains what it means to "do justly", to "walk humbly", and to "love mercy" as we go through our daily living. The aim of the address is to remind graduates of what's important in life and how to evaluate true success.

Almost every father has heard that he is to lead his family spiritually, physically, and in every other way. However, many fathers will tell you that no one has ever told them how to effectively lead their children, especially in the area of spiritual development. Michael Smith presents encouraging and practical tips to fathers for becoming a helpful participant in the home education program and a leader in the home. He provides insight on the mental and emotional benefits to mothers and children fathers can provide through specific activities, and offers suggestions to men on being more effective as husbands. Mike candidly shares his many failures and a few successes. The session concludes with a list of the six things homeschooling mothers have identified as the primary ways their husbands can be more effective in the family's homeschool program.