A Daily Load

A daily rate for every day.

2 Kings 25:30 (KJV)

   One staff aids a traveler, but a bundle of staves is a heavy burden. –Spurgeon

Study Skills that will help You in LIFE

This content comes from our sub-ministry A Different Approach to College

 

    There are certian study skills that will make your entire life better. They help you learn faster and function better in the workplace and getting the information reviewed that someone wants you to read, but you really don't have a lot of time to spend on it. CollegePlus taught me these things: Speed Reading and Dynamic Memory Skills in addition to thier student-only course on critical reasoning.

      Speed reading helped me take my 300 words per minute and get up too about 2,000 words per minute. Now, I still read my Bible slowly to really process the Word, but the textbooks, books I'm interested in but don't really want to invest a lot of time in, and numerous work projects can quickly be speed read and understood. Now, I do not endorse all the methods that Howard Berg uses, but the core skill is useful. It will hurt your head though for about 2 months before you re-train your mind to read faster.

     Dynamic Memory and Study Skills is a great course full of memory improving ideas. I do not recommed trying to incorporate them all because they will not all fit you. I personally use only a few that Brad mentions; however, the principles have helped me to improve my memory and spend very little time in study and review for my tests in college and training for various other parts of life.

Access Speed Reading and Dynamic Memory and Study Skills here

Find out more about CollegePlus Here

 

Our Resource: Standing for the Christian Faith in College

 

Institutions that are Cost Effective and Christian Oriented

 

This content comes from our sub-ministry A Different Approach to College

    Are there any organizations out there that are low cost and provide a great education? I know of a few that are solid and Biblical. Liberty Online University, CollegePlus and Seminary Extension.

 

    College Plust is one of the greatest options for low cost degree seekers. It is focused on testing out of general ed, you get your very own life coach, are encouaged to discover your live purpose and begin living it out, and earn your Bachelors degree at your own pace--which is comfortably done for many students in 2 years for an average cost of $15-16,000. Talk about a great deal! To find out more:CollegePlus!

     Liberty University has a history of standing for Biblical Truth uncompromisingly and that is something that they continue to do. Their degrees are typically going to run around $30,000 but will incorporate Biblical studies and a Christian worldview. They are also well known for firmly holding to the literal 6-day Creation describd in Genesis 1--this is an area that many universities at best compromise on, but most are completely silent about or even condemn. To find out more:   Liberty University!

 

      Seminary Extension is a Sourthen Baptist ministry program which allows lay ministers, women's ministry leaders, and full-time pastors to earn a certificates for as low at $500-700 and diplomas around $2500. If you are called to minister, this might be an option to help you keep out of debt and get some solid Biblcal training. To find out more: Seminary Extension!

  

Find out more about CollegePlus Here

 

Our Resource: Standing for the Christian Faith in College

 

Information that will Save you $10,000s on College

This content comes from our Sub-Ministry A Different Approach to College

  This book was the most important and helpful book to me as I launched on the journey of earning a BA in Communications in an "untraditional" manner. The author, a former homeschooler, does a very thorough job of letting you know information that is literally worth $10,000's of dollars because that is how much you can save implementing these "uncommon" methods.

 

Accelerated Distance Learning by Brad Voeller

 

Check out More about CollegePlus here

 

 

Institutions that are Cost Effective and Christian Oriented

Institutions that are Cost Effective and Christian Oriented

Are there any organizations out there that are low cost and provide a great education? I know of a few that are solid and Biblical. Liberty Online University, CollegePlus and Seminary Extension.     College Plust is one of the greatest options for low cost degree seekers. It is focused on testing out of general ed, you get your very own life coach, are encouaged to discover your live purpose and begin living it out, and earn your Bachelors degree at your own pace--which is comfortably done for many students in 2 years for an average cost of $15-16,000. Talk about a great deal! To find out more: CollegePlus!      Liberty University has a history of standing for Biblical Truth uncompromisingly and that is something that they continue to do. Their degrees are typically going to run around $30,000 but will incorporate Biblical studies and a Christian worldview. They are also well known for firmly holding to the literal 6-day Creation describd in Genesis 1--this is an area that many universities at best compromise on, but most are completely silent about or even condemn. To find out more:   Liberty University!       Seminary Extension is a Sourthen Baptist ministry program which allows lay ministers, women's ministry leaders, and full-time pastors to earn a certificates for as low at $500-700 and diplomas around $2500. If you are called to minister, this might be an option to help you keep out of debt and get some solid Biblcal training. To find out more: Seminary Extension!

The Vision

The Vision

Of a Simple Life

   Having a $1,000 emergency fund leaves you prepared for a lot of the unexpected events of life.

 

    Dome homes are more energy efficient, require less lumber, and are very economical. One estimate I have heard is that an 800 square foot dome home costs about $10,000 to build yourself (in areas that don’t have building codes). Even if the cost was two to three times that, most Americans could afford in their lifetime to save that amount and have a home debt free.

 

    A few acres will enable one to garden, raise some animals, and have more ability to provide for your family when times are tough.

 

   Hard work is required for anything worthwhile.

 

   Paid for cars are better than new cars. Buy used and save the difference toward more worthwhile goals.

 

   Have $10-15,000 (3-6 months) of livable wages in liquid savings. If you lose your job, you won’t be crushed by next week or next month. You will have some time to find work and make wise decisions and will definitely have significantly less stress than the many who are laid off with no savings.

 

    Stand up in politics. Take a stand for what is Biblically right. Don’t be silent, but be a voice for truth in the nation. Don’t be quiet just because you think you are prepared or doing well. Others need to be defended and justice needs to be preserved by

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.  Ex 18:21-23 (KJV)

 

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 1 Cor 6:1-8 (KJV)

 

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. Ezek 3:17-21 (KJV)

 

The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. Ezek 22:29-31 (KJV)

 

Seek wisdom and truth!

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.         Prov 23:23 (KJV)

 

Have a trust or will or your estate will get eaten up by the government and not go to those you love.

 

Have zero debt.

Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?                                Prov 22:26-27 (KJV)

 

My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Prov 6:1-11 (KJV)

 

Don’t cosign.

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. Prov 11:15 (KJV)

 

My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Prov 6:1-5 (KJV)

 

    Being self-sufficient by owning a home and taking measures to produce your own heating, water, electricity (wind and solar) and FOOD—animals, plants, orchard, garden—is an admirable and even Biblically based goal.

 

     Follow the principle of Ecclesiastes, develop multiples steams of income to be prepared for you know not what evil will come upon the land.

 

     Give generously and sacrificially.

 

      Provide for the needs of your family through multiplying resources: plants, orchards, gardens, greenhouse, animals: goats, chickens, pigs, cows, rabbits.

 

 

Live below your income

    The following portrays a plan of how a husband and life can live debt free on 24K a year. Now actual numbers will vary, and where you live is certainly a factor. In the area of the country I live in, small homes can be rented for $450 and up every month and most apartments are $700 or so a month. While it would be hard to live on this much with children and for one’s entire life, if a man and wife live on significantly less even if they make more for their first 5 years of marriage, they can save a tremendous amount toward buying/building a home debt free.

 

 

Live on $24K a year (assuming this amount is after taxes)

Tithe	$200/mo	$2,400/yr
Rent	$700/mo	$8,400/yr
Own Car	$0	$0
Gas, Oil, tune ups, misc	$250/mo	$3,000/yr
2 Cell Phones	$80/mo	$960/yr
Samaritan Care medical sharing	$200/mo	$2,400/yr
Food and house supplies	$200/mo	$3,600/yr
Misc	$100/mo	$1,200/yr
Car Insurance	$200/mo	$3,600/yr
Disability and Life Insurance	$70/mo	$840/yr

 *(no electricity, water, or trash) assumed that that is part of rent.

Monthly break down of net $2,000

$200	Tithe
$700	Apartment/Small Home rent
$80	Cell phones
$250	Gas and car maintenance
$200	Samaritan Care
$200	Food and House Supplies
$100	Misc (save whatever possible each month)
$200	Car Insurance
$70	Disability and Life Insurance

 

    Side jobs and little things on the side can be done to make money to save in advance for another car. Tip: always buy used and try to spend $4,000 max for a reliable car during your first decade of marriage.

     In addition, having an emergency fund of $1,000 in case the car breaks down and 3-6 months of living expenses or $10,000 in this case is wise and recommended by most conservative financial advisors. God’s Word teaches us very clearly to have something stored up and live wisely for we do not know when evil (trouble, famine, recession, etc) will come upon the land. It is hoped that a man and woman will have the 3-6 months of living expenses saved up prior to marriage.

     If you stick it out for a few years and really watch your finances before you are married and during your first 5 years of marriage, then you can be debt free, likely own a small home and have a bright future simply due to your lack of debt. In addition, some things in this budget can be completely eliminated. For example, rent can be eliminated when one owns a home. Food costs can be offset when a large garden is on land that you own or have an agreement to harvest from. Electricity can be produced by wind, solar, or geothermal power and water can come from a well or purification system via a spring.

      Just think with me for a moment. On the low end of a housing cost ($450-700/mo) you could save over $8,000 in a year by merely setting that aside when you own a small home! In just five years, you could have $40,000 in cash + interest! That amount can build a small home or buy a trailer and your own land. A young man saving $8,000 a year for five years before marriage could be there! The point is don’t get in debt—debt presumes upon the future, that is, that you will have the resources to pay it and you are actually on the losing end of the bargain and don’t “own” anything. But when you live debt free, you can save very quickly and “get ahead.” But just being financially ahead is not the main point. The main point is #1 having some provision stored up for your family and #2 able to give. When you are in debt, you not only have less money, but you tie up resources and tie your hands to being able to truly give because of monthly payments you must make.

   

True Wealth is simply having more than you need today (Matthew 6). Plus, a man is far more well off if he has a loving family, close friends, and a faithful church family than having a bunch of assets.

The Entrepreneurial Vision

The Entrepreneurial Vision

    As Kevin Swanson said in one of his talks at a Homeschool conference, when a large number of successful businessmen where survey as to what attributed to their success it had nothing to do with their credentials or degrees but everything to do with their character. If you are a person of integrity, honest, hardworking, punctual, diligent, and trustable then you are more likely to succeed than those you are not.

 

Sluggard and Slothful

    Work hard. Here are a few Scriptural promises to solidify it:

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Prov 14:23 (KJV)

 

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Prov 20:4 (KJV)

 

A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. Prov 19:24 (KJV)

 

Gold, Silver, and Precious Metals

        While it is not wise to put everything in precious metals, precious metals have always been a sign of riches. In the Bible we see this reflected through Job, David, Solomon and others. Historically, it is seen everywhere. It is wise to save some in precious metals for they are a currency that will stay valuable simply due to the value that is placed on them. Even if money is scarce, precious metals will still have value.

Reproducing Assets

         Animals are reproducing assets as are some investments, but the main point is to not simply hoard your resources. Be generous as well as wise. Save and use your resources (financial, assets, etc…) to grow more. The goal is not to have a mountain assets, but to be a faithful steward.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 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. 22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, 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. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30 (KJV)

 

Financial Instruments (IRA’s, Mutual Funds, etc…)

    If you choose financial instruments as one stream of income (it is not wise to put everything here as many do for their “investments”), it is important to remember to only invest in things that do not oppose Scripture. Many companies that are in stock portfolios, mutual funds and bonds contain pornographic, human cloning, abortion, homosexual, or alcoholic businesses or businesses that support them. Therefore, research the funds you choose. Why would God bless a financial instrument that funds sin?

     From my research and seeking counsel people have told me:

·         Get a Roth (it grows tax free)

·         Invest in Mutual funds

·         Keep your emergency funds in a money market

Websites that monitor for unbiblical companies and provide ideas/portfolios for investing without them:

www.wallstrenegade.com

www.jayperoni.com

www.timothyfunds.com

 

Saving Tips

Tithe 10% to your local church & give above that to godly organizations and ministries

 

Save an Emergency fund—$1,000

 

Save 3-6 months worth of your needed living expenses in a liquid account--$10,000+

 

Save for “retirement”—simply old age, not to live a life of ease (Read Luke 12:13-21 very carefully)

 

Save to reach a giving goal that you have settled in your heart to give (2 Corinthians 9:7)

 

For a house an land debt free

(Look into building your own dome home or a small cabin—it’s really cost effective)

Dominion Mandate

Dominion Mandate

 

 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Provision for food

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:26-31 (KJV)

 

      God designed mankind to take dominion of the earth. We are to subdue it, use it, care for it, and rule over all the creatures in it. The dominion mandate impacts every vocation from farming and husbandry to teaching and entrepreneurship. As we go forward, it is important to have a thorough understanding of what the Dominion Mandate in Genesis 1 means. I encourage you to pause reading at the end of this paragraph and go back and slowly re-read Genesis 1:26-31 and seek the Holy Spirit for understanding of what the passage means and how you are to apply it to your life.

 

Land, Crops/Plants, and Animals

 

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Proverbs 12:11 (KJV)

     It is wise to have a little land if at all possible and to work it. If you live in an apartment or the city there are still many ways to grow some food—for example window boxes. However, the main point is that God has commissioned us to be stewards of what we have. If you have some land, produce some food on it. Gardening is not the only thing I am referring to. Berry bushes, fruit trees, nut trees, vines, and such are great items to research and invest in on your property. They have the potential to produce large amounts of food for your family. Plus the return on your investment is very great when you also grow more plants from the ones established. These can be a source of either furthered fruition on your property or income in your pocket for others desiring your species.

      Animals are likewise a very good investment when managed well. We see in Scripture that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Jesse and many others where farmers! Joseph was praised for his wisdom in managing livestock and crops when he stored up enough food to survive the 7 year famine in Egypt and the surrounding area. Many animals reproduce quickly as well. Rabbits can have a litter every six weeks or so I’ve heard and chickens live will eat almost anything and give you eggs and meat.

     Joel Salatin in one of his audio messages talks about how he has taken dominion on his farm by spreading corn out on the pasture. The cows come and eat the grass and stomp the corn down which doesn’t interest them. A few days later after the cows have moved on, the pigs are brought in who burrow into the ground for the corn and thus till the ground up. After the pigs move the chickens are brought through and they pick through all the manure left by the cows and pigs and spread it finely all over the place. This is an example of leveraging God’s design of creation to ease the burden of your own work and effectively taking care of your soil so that crops can be planted and harvested.

         I will not go on in detail of all the ways that animals, land and plants are useful, but I encourage anyone preparing for the storm to include them as much as possible for they are valuable assets if another great depression hits, plus they can be a secondary stream of income as they increase beyond filling your needs.

 

Businesses and Enterprises

A business or enterprise is simply creative resourcefulness.

      Businesses are perhaps one of the most tax beneficial and fun parts of one’s time spent preparing for the storm. Most millionaires in this country, according to The Millionaire Next Door, have businesses. Most millionaires are “simple” folk who watch their money, have worked their way up from the bottom by hard work and own their own companies. Owning a business is beneficial when it comes to taxes because any genuine business expense is a tax write off. A company car or truck can be written off if you own the business, likewise, internet expenses, cell phone (business line), office supplies, postage, computer, software, and more!

      The fun part about businesses is that they offer the ability to be creatively resourceful. Look at what you have. How can you turn it into something to fulfill a need around you or to help others? As Doug Phillips of Vision Forum relays the principle, he asked his family what they could do to start generating a little extra income from something that was common to them. Well, they got thinking and realized that they had thousands of clam fossils in the backyard because they lived in Texas. His sons started digging them up—all sizes!—and generating $100-150 in clam fossil sales alone at each conference Vision Forum was at.

     Work is enjoyable! While work is harder than it was before the fall, it is still the place that man derives much of his fulfillment for God created him to work. Enjoy work. Get creative! Seek God! And enjoy the fruits of frugality, wisdom, and resourcefulness.

        In college, I took a number of business courses as electives. Business law I and II, Microeconomics, Marketing, and Intro to Entrepreneurship and they pretty much taught one main thing: money can’t be earned for nothing and you have to leverage debt to be successful. What a lie! You can earn money for “nothing.” I have cleaned out the basement on Ebay and look at what Doug Phillips’s sons did. The point is don’t go out trying to spend to make money. Look at what you have. What skills do you have? I did not have very many, or so I thought, at sixteen, but I began to use what I did know: cutting grass, odd jobs, blowing leaves, spreading mulch, and manual labor. In time I developed more skills such as power washing, staining, painting and more by simply taking the opportunity to do work I wasn’t as familiar with and learn it. Running a “business” isn’t that big of a deal. Seek God, be honest, work hard, and have fun and may God bless your enterprises to bless others!

    I encourage you to start by finding ways to simply make a little bit of money/resources with the things that are already in your life. You could recycle aluminum cans, aluminum foil, various metals and electronics or start a garden, or make niche items to sell or do services for cash. You could clean out your attic, basement and garage through online selling. You can resell old clothing to resell shops or donate it to charities. You could recycle paper by the ton and get paid…or collect all your neighbors recyclables (with their permission of course) and collect the profits. You could haul off appliances for $5-$10 a pop and make a profit from the scap yard when you drop them off too. You can sign up for Bing Rewards and earn gift cards or donate to charities as you accrue points for doing what you already do: searching the internet… There are a number of options; and you’ll have to do some research but I believe that the Biblical Principle is to not keep “all your eggs in one basket.” May God bless you as you diversify your income like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Jessie, Paul, and many more in the Scriptures did!