tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88386462024-03-14T00:33:17.058-07:00Billy Joe Jim BobNo, I don't really have 4 first names... I only have 3, thank you very much!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-22285460656211543712013-08-23T07:08:00.001-07:002013-08-23T07:25:39.764-07:00Watch This Space!Something is brewing...<br/>
Some ideas are stewing...<br/>
I'll soon be renewing...<br/>
My blog!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-55005562658134275062012-06-27T23:55:00.002-07:002012-06-28T07:13:01.187-07:00Homeschool Discussions<p>A colleague recently answered the call to begin home-discipling her children and asked me for some advice. In the process of suggestions on curriculum, and teaching philosophies, and understanding the laws in her state, and casting a vision for her homeschool, I came across some interviews and presentations I gave (with Amy on one occasion) and shared them with my friend.<p>
<p>It was helpful to me to listen to them again and I wanted to just take a moment to collect them all in one spot. So, here they are:</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-16750/TS-108227.mp3">Ultimate Homeschool Expo</a> with Cindy Rushton - Amy and I talk about the Father-led homeschool.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.dexios.info/radio_mp3/Homeschooling%20For%20Life%20031508.mp3"><i>Homeschooling for Life</i> with David and Kim D'Escoto</a> - Steve Murphy and I discuss the biblical mandate for the training and discipleship of children.</li>
<li><a href="http://media05.sa-media.com/sermons019/1908122742.mp3"><i>Generations with Vision</i> with Kevin Swanson</a> - Kevin and I discuss homeschooling when dads get involved.</li></ul>
<p>I also highly recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00563A1BE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00563A1BE&linkCode=as2&tag=jimbobhoward-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00563A1BE"><i>Homeschooling the Gifted Child</i> by Faithe Thomas</a>, for which I wrote the foreword. Every child is gifted with special strengths and abilities given them by God; pick up this Kindle book for God's instructions on how train them up according to their gifts.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-28657900160899008612011-11-26T06:24:00.000-08:002011-11-26T06:24:38.329-08:00"18 Kids and Counting" Giveaway!"18 Kids and Counting" Giveaway!<br />
<br />
Everyone loves giveaways! Enter to win the complete second season of 18 Kids and Counting on DVD! With over seven hours of family-friendly episodes (including two bonus specials), this three-disc set will provide entertainment for all ages!<br />
<br />
Go to the <a href="http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/18-kids-and-counting-giveaway.html">Duggar Blog</a> to enter!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-84973988637883311502010-02-25T17:21:00.001-08:002010-02-25T17:21:29.434-08:00Coupon question: How do I eat healthy and save?<b>Q: Most coupons are for prepared foods that are truly not good for you. How can I eat healthy and still save?</b><br />
<br />
Actually, most coupons are for non-food items: health and beauty, paper products, over-the-counter medicines, etc. And those are typically your biggest cost items at the grocery store. Slice your spending on those and you'll have more to spend on healthier foods.<br />
<br />
But, as you'll find in the mini-course, the biggest paradigm shift you have to make has nothing to do with coupons, but buying at the lowest possible price and stockpiling. THEN, you stack savings by using coupons, if any, rebates, loyalty cards, and register rewards, etc.<br />
<br />
Hope that helps.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-63770587731794483922010-02-08T03:51:00.000-08:002013-08-24T07:34:23.730-07:00The Secret to Couponing: Buy Low, Use HighI recently received this question from a friend:<br />
<blockquote>
<em>Ok. I <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQNvdKNTZUg">watched this</a>. Seemed rather simple. But I didn’t see anything healthy in her pantry. I saw lots of boxed foods and frozen pre-made food. My biggest expense is fish, veggies, & meat. You are the coupon guru…..<strong>are you able to save on healthy fresh food?</strong> Yes, I saw she got fish. But it was a ¼ pound of various fish, not one type of fish. I want only the healthy fish. </em></blockquote>
<br />
The main key to winning with couponing is NOT using coupons. It is stacking savings. What that means is you want to buy when you can get the product at its lowest possible price—its "rock bottom" price.<br />
<br />
Dollar for dollar, item for item, your goal is to buy as much as you need to last for 3 months (about how long it is between rock bottom prices) when the price gets as low as it will go. For most of your grocery purchases, you can stack savings on top of the rock bottom price by using store coupons, manufacturer coupons, your store card, and rebates. On some items, the coupons are a little harder to come by, but that doesn't change the principle of "buy low, sell (use) high."<br />
<br />
For "healthy fish," you need to watch the flyers and track when it sells for the least and stock up and freeze as much as you'll use in 12 weeks. If it's a certain brand you want to buy, look up the brand online and see if they have (a) coupons on their website; (b) an email newsletter in which they send out coupons; and/or (c) a contact email that you can request coupons.<br />
<br />
<!--Have you taken my mini-course: <a href="http://www.startsavingwithcoupons.com/">Getting Started Saving with Coupons</a>?--> For more, see my article on Frugal Hacks: <a href="http://bit.ly/5xJDCF">Five Secrets to Maximizing Your Coupon Savings</a>.<br />
<br />
Hope that helps.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-9667573726339480742009-09-23T09:15:00.000-07:002013-08-24T07:30:44.825-07:005 Secrets to Maximizing Coupon SavingsI didn’t realize she was talking to me, at first. Undeterred, she tapped me on the shoulder and repeated her emphatic question, “How did you DO that?”<br />
<em>"That"</em> was checking out with two carts overloaded with groceries with an initial total of $498 and then paying only $187 for all of it while receiving a handful of coupons from the cashier.<br />
I looked at my questioner's shopping cart with a few store brand items and then back into her imploring eyes and I knew what she was thinking. I had been there myself only a few months before. But that was before I learned the five secrets to taking home carloads of brand-name products for much less than I used to scrimp and save on generics.<br />
Though I had some dairy products that I needed to get home quickly, I was able to quickly share with this desperate mom a few of the secrets I had discovered.<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>Buy low</strong>It’s the classic investment strategy: Buy low – Sell high. With a slight variation. In this case, you’re going to buy low and USE high, meaning: You will use the products you bought at a low price later, when the price is higher.<br /><br />Every week, grocery stores drop a portion (about 1/12) of their merchandise to its lowest offered price. Over a three-month period, almost the entire store goes to its rock-bottom price. And that’s when you should buy your groceries from that portion of the store.<br />You’ll use it later; when the price has gone back up.</li>
<li><strong>Stack savings</strong>Multiply your savings by using a store coupon in conjunction with the rock-bottom price. Throw in a manufacturer’s coupon for more savings. Use a store loyalty card, store rebates, and manufacturer rebates, to stack on even more.<br /><br />All of these savings can be stacked on one product, making your groceries pennies on the dollar!</li>
<li><strong>Buy more than you need</strong>When you need it right now, you’re willing to pay more for it. But if you can plan head and buy all you can use between rock-bottom trends, when you need it, you will already have it.<br /><br />Known as stockpiling or food storage (though many more items than food can be stored for future use), buying more than you need is simply a continuation of “buy low.” You don’t want to run out of something before that low price cycles back around, so buy more than you need, but not more than you will use.</li>
<li><strong>Use a coupon for every item</strong>Leave no product un-couponed. Even on “free” items, use a coupon. When you’re taking advantage of a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal, you are getting two products; use two coupons. Although it seems you’ve already gotten one item for “free,” what you really have is two products that have been marked down 50%. You can realize additional stacked savings by using a coupon for each item. Alternately, if you have a “save $ on two” coupon, you can use it in a BOGO deal because you have bought two items.<br /><br /><strong><em>Bonus:</em></strong> if your coupon is a manufacturer BOGO and the store is offering a BOGO sale, both items are free. This works because the store marked it down 50% and the manufacturer gave you 50% off, for a total of 100% savings!</li>
<li><strong>Understand the fine print</strong>Stacking savings is great, but not always allowed. Understanding the fine print on your coupons will let you know when you can—and can’t—stack savings.<br /><br /><em>One coupon per customer</em> means you can only use one coupon, regardless of how many items you purchase, or how many transactions you go through. But, do you have other “customers” in your family?<br /><br /><em>One coupon per transaction</em> means you can only use one coupon per payment. Check with your store for their preferred method of allowing you to make multiple transactions to multiply savings. Typically, you can make multiple transactions during one visit to the checkout counter.<br /><br /><em>One coupon per purchase</em> means you can only use one coupon per item. An individual item is a purchase, not your entire shopping cart, and not everything you ring up in one transaction. If you buy two bottles of shampoo and have two “one coupon per purchase” coupons, you can use one on each bottle of shampoo; each of which is a single purchase.<br /><br /><em>Not to be combined with any other offer</em> means any other “offer” from that entity. In this case, you wouldn’t be able to stack a manufacturer coupon with a manufacturer rebate. But if the store puts it on sale, a manufacturer coupon is still redeemable with the store’s “offer.”</li>
</ol>
Now that I have it typed up, I’m going to print this list and keep some copies with me when I go to the store, for the next person who asks, “How did you DO that?!”<br />
<!--To learn more about maximizing your coupon savings, join me for a class already in progress (replays of missed classes will be provided): Start Saving with Coupons, a 3-part interactive online course, held Thursdays through October 1. Watch a free screencast at <a href="http://www.startsavingwithcoupons.com/GettingStartedReplay">http://www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com/GettingStartedReplay</a>, then join us this Thursday at 8PM Central.-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-87305004742950331062009-08-29T09:50:00.000-07:002009-08-29T13:28:12.611-07:00Putting Christ "Back" in Schools?<strong>To my Facebook friends who have invited me to the Cause: <em>Put Christ Back in Schools</em></strong><br /><br />Dear Friend,<br /><br />Your invitation is one of many I've gotten for this cause and I've ignored them all. I wanted to tell you why, though.<br /><br />Christ <em>is</em> in schools. King David wrote,<br /><br /><blockquote><em>Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.</em> (Ps. 136:7-10)</blockquote><br /><br />The government-run, taxpayer-funded schools are no different. He is there.<br /><br /><strong>Christ <em>Is</em> In the Schools</strong><br />He is there whenever two or more are gathered in His name. He is there in the lives of every Christian who teaches, serves lunch, sweeps the floors, and sits at a desk to learn.<br /><br />But, He is not acknowledged. He is not given His due worship and glory. The State has taken that for itself. And by "The State," I mean: those in authority, those who have elected or appointed them, and those who have—by tyranny and blasphemy—urged those in authority to keep their acknowledgement of God "private," as though God was a concept invented by man, rather than the Creator of the Universe.<br /><br />The government school system has been set up against God. It usurps the authority given by God to parents to train up children in the way they should go. It perpetuates the lie that church and state must be separate; that the state is not subject to Christ; that God is irrelevant and to be relegated to Sunday mornings and secret prayer closets only.<br /><br />Rather than trying to put Christ "back" in schools, we should be encouraging Christians to remove their children from these temples of secular humanism that devote hours on end to teaching our children values training, tolerance, private religion, and the "good of the state."<br /><br />Seventy-five to eighty-eight percent of children of Christian parents who attend government schools turn their backs on Christianity before they complete their teenage years. Do some make it? Sure. But only <em>some</em>.<br /><br />It's true, Christ is not acknowledged in government schools. It's also true that that is cosmic treason against the King and His Son. Should they be worshipped in schools? Without a doubt.<br /><br />But given the fact government-run schools—by official policy—do not acknowledge and worship God, should Christians be giving their children—His children—over to their care?<br /><br />By contrast, if the proponents of another religion set up a "free" nationwide school—let's say it had great academic success, fun extra-curricular activities, and welcomed and recognized students of all religions—would Christians put their children in that school? If once a generation of students had been through that school, what if the leaders decided to stop allowing the outward practice of religions other than their own? Would Christians leave their children there? What if, after another generation, the leaders decided to incorporate their religious beliefs into its daily training, would the Christian graduates leave their children there? After all, "it was good enough for me."<br /><br />Should Christians leave their children in a school that openly recognizes and practices another religion, while working to put Christ "back" in schools?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-53170162793733290822009-06-09T19:10:00.000-07:002009-06-20T19:50:15.666-07:00How do you spell that, again?Teaching phonics and reading to little ones can be so much fun! As they learn the sounds of letters and try to sound out words, it's very satisfying to see them decipher the codes.<br /><br />And lots of fun!<br /><br />Driving to HEB grocery store tonight to pick up a few necessities, but 3yo Cinderella (yes, the one in my profile pic!) asked from the backseat in her cute little bubble voice:<br /><br />Cinderella: "Why are we not toing home?" (She still has lots of words that start with 't'!)<br /><br />Me: "Because we need to get some things from at HEB, Sweetheart."<br /><br />Cinderella: "Oh! Tan we dit some ponies while we're day-uh?"<br /><br />Me: "No, we're just getting what's on the list tonight."<br /><br />Cinderella: "I mean, I want you to white dem down."<br /><br />Mommy: "You want us to write them down?"<br /><br />Cinderella: "Yes. Will you white ponies down on da list, Mommy?"<br /><br />Mommy: "Do you know how to spell it?"<br /><br />Cinderella: "Mmm-hmm."<br /><br />Mommy: "How do you spell 'ponies?'"<br /><br />Cinderella (sounding out the letters, just like we've taught her): "FFffff, PPppp, KKkkk"<br /><br />Mommy (sounding it out, too): "F, P, K?"<br /><br />Cinderella: "Mmm-hm." Pause. "Den a fow-uh."<br /><br />Mommy (stifling a giggle): "A flower?"<br /><br />Cinderella: "Mmm-hm! ...and a song!"<br /><br />Me: "I <em>like</em> the way you spell 'Ponies.' I think we should spell it that way from now on!"<br /><br />I had to write this down, because I know that Cinderella won't be here forever and I'll forget the precious things she says. But, I'm going to spell 'ponies' with a flower and a song from now on!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-15508337103072558852009-05-23T17:52:00.000-07:002009-05-23T18:01:21.953-07:00Advising a New TwitA homeschooling friend on Facebook (who called himself a "New Twit") asked me the other day:<br /><br /><blockquote>Jim Bob, YOU seem to be somebody who actually knows how to use all this social networking stuff. Any tips for me?</blockquote><br />Always happy to assist friends who are new to social media, I answered and began the following conversation:<br /><br /><em>I'd love to give you some tips. ;) There's a lot you can do. Conversely, there's a great potential for what Clay Clarkson calls, "Social NOTworking."<br /><br />First thing to do is set limits on how much you're on.<br /><br />On Facebook, the only applications I installed are Causes and NetworkBlogs. Everything else is a HUGE waste of time. Only check in at regularly schedule times so you can batch what you're doing on FB. I'm check it when I get home from work around 3PM, and that's it, pretty much.<br /><br />More later... And I'm happy to answer any question you have.</em><br /><br /><blockquote>I've seen (and like) Causes... don't know about NetworkBlogs. Will go figure it out...<br /><br />My goal is to revive a lot of my old contacts and develop a fairly steady presence on Twitter/FB/Plaxo and a blog. I have a LOT to do, but much of it is maintenance and/or marketing, so I think I may be able to afford the time it takes to build an "online presence" by turning little snippets of information into "news you can use." <br /><br />Having said that... Twitter looks like a potential black hole for "free time." I just got a note from Rob Schearer (Greenleaf) who says, "Twitter is the internet service for people who wish they had a stalker."<br /><br />On the other hand... it's been a blessing to be able to forward info on Jessica Hulcy's progress or Israel Wayne's speaking tour in Japan. There's room for SOMEBODY to winnow this chaff to share the grain with people who want to keep up on things but actually have a life...</blockquote><br /><em>The great thing about NetworkBlogs is that you can add your blog. And when you post something to it, all of your FB friends will know about it and can go read it.<br /><br />Twitter can be tied to FB and Plaxo, as well, updating your status on both whenever you Tweet. Which is a great feature when you have folks following you on Twitter so you use TwitterFeed to post a tweet about new blog entries so your status on FB and Plaxo is automatically updated.<br /><br />You should be able to revive your contacts that way, though I wouldn't recommend spending too much time on Plaxo. Sign up and accept connections, but I find it's less a part of my regular social connecting that FB and Twitter.<br /><br />Look at each of these for whom they connect you to:<br /><br />FB, you typically want to connect to actual friends. It's easier to post real transparent updates that way. If you're going to use it for "friends" of your business / ministry, then set up a fan page so you can communicate with clients that way.<br /><br />Twitter is for collecting anyone and everyone who might share an interest (any interest, so it CAN be a little less targeted). But, it's also a way to 'eavesdrop' on a public conversation and make new 'friends' that you might not have met otherwise.<br /><br />Plaxo is good for maintaining contact information with colleagues and friends, but FB does quite a bit of that as well. It's a little less invasive to connect on Plaxo and therefore a little safer (relationally speaking). It can let you connect a little easier with folks that might be on the fringe of your acquaintance.<br /><br />LinkedIn is also a great resource for communicating with colleagues and learning what folks are doing professionally. There's limited connectivity to Twitter, but its better benefit is to present a "living" resume of work you're doing or looking for.<br /><br />Many folks I'm connected to, I'm connected on all four. My blog readership is nowhere near what my Twitter/FB/LinkedIn connections are, but that's my fault for not posting enough. ;)<br /><br />And yes, Twitter is a great way to keep up with information about situations like Jessica's and Israel's. The best way I've found (so far) to winnow Twitter is using TweetDeck. It can be a bit of a memory hog, but it is great for creating searches and groups to help you narrow down what actually gets your attention. You can also use TweetLater to send you tweets that match a certain search criteria. It has some other cool functionality which can help with "batching" your social media activities for maximum effectiveness.<br /><br />The thing to think about regarding Twitter is learning how "others" use it. Some aggregate, some only follow select people; some post only business updates and alerts, others post the most mundane things about life; some use TweetDeck and other tools to see what folks are saying; others use widgets to post Twitter streams on their blogs. Figure out how the folks YOU are trying to reach use it, and then participate that way.<br /><br />Hope all that helps.</em><br /><br /><strong>How do <em>you</em> use social media?</strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-91233736330821885632009-05-19T13:14:00.000-07:002009-05-19T13:21:34.014-07:00Update: Jessica Hulcy Awake!This arrived this morning (Tuesday):<br /><br /><blockquote>Dear family and friends, <br /><br />Jessica's Ford Explorer was broadsided in Melissa, TX about 11:30 on Monday morning. We think she was hit by a volunteer fire truck responding to an accident. After a 25 minute extrication process she was Life Flighted as a level 1 (the most severe) trauma case to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. <br /><br />She is still in critical condition. Here is what we know so far:<br /><ol><li>She is still unconscious but is moving all four limbs and attempting to pull the tubes out of her throat which is encouraging to the doctors.</li><br /><li>Major Lung trauma, punctures to both lungs. Both were collapsed. One is now working well and they are still draining the other. Doctors are checking for possible damage to wind pipe and trachea. </li><br /><li>Head trauma. Medium amounts of blood on the brain. Closely monitoring this to see if it improves. Surgery not necessary now, but possible to come. </li><br /><li>As of now multiple broken ribs on both sides, broken left wrist, broken left arm in 2 places. Will require surgery. Possible broken left leg and right wrist. She has undergone 4 hrs of X-rays, over 1000 X-rays taken so far. They are working the broken bones in the order of most life threatening so there is a possibility of more discovery of broken bones.</li><br /></ol><br />We will be sending out another email as soon as we know more. Thank-you for your prayers.<br /><br />Jason Hulcy </blockquote><br /><br /><strong>Latest Update (Tuesday afternoon):</strong> from her son (via Lisa Guidry):<br /><br /><blockquote>I was just in to see her and she was awake. She was squeezing my hand and could show 2 fingers upon command. She has always had a fear of not being able to breathe, more than the average bear, so please pray specifically for her to be at peace with her condition, as much as possible.</blockquote><br /><br />Praise the Lord with me... and keep praying!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-17189016781286927562009-05-18T18:33:00.000-07:002009-05-18T18:34:31.446-07:00Please pray for Jessica Hulcy - Unconscious After Collision with a Fire TruckJessica Hulcy has just been in a traffic accident; she was broadsided by a fire truck. She is alive but badly hurt, in critical condition but stable. Her lungs are collapsed. She has no broken bones. There is some brain trauma but nothing to operate on. She is unconscious. Back in the most challenging days of home schooling there were few options for curriculum. Abeka, BJU or write your own. Two neighbors wrote their own and developed one of the first widely used curriculums written for home education... vs a classroom. Jessica Hulcy, author of KONOS and national speaker... and friend of Texas home school families... Please keep her, the family and doctors in your prayers...<br /> <br />Her husband's name is Wade.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-38946744624331064932009-02-13T10:44:00.000-08:002009-02-13T10:48:25.556-08:00The Whole Point of Social NetworkingPerry Belcher has this whole social networking thing figured out:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zn1cspHx7DU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zn1cspHx7DU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Take 10 minutes to watch and listen. (One caveat, <b>he does drop a couple of bombs</b> as he's talking, so screen before sharing with your children. But those notwithstanding, the philosophy of what he's saying is dead on.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-79091869503588809022009-02-11T07:11:00.000-08:002009-02-11T07:35:01.237-08:00Learn Christian Entrepreneurship at Venture AcademyMy good friend (and writer of <em>Homeschooling Today</em> magazine's "Venture Forth" column) <strong>Wade Myers has a passion for training up Christian <em>employers</em></strong>. Next month, he will be hosting a Basic Entrepreneurship Training Course. My twelve-year-old son and I are making plans now to attend and I hope you will join us.<br /><br />Here are the details from Wade:<br /><blockquote>The Venture Academy Basic Entrepreneurship Training Course is a six-day intensive mini-MBA training course to prepare <strong>Christian entrepreneurs</strong> for entrepreneurship. This is first in a series of courses to be offered by the Venture Academy.<table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3><tr valign=top><td align=right><strong>When:</strong></td><td>March 23-28, 2009</td></tr><br /><tr valign=top><td align=right><strong>Where:</strong></td><td>Camp Marymount, Fairview, TN (book your flight into Nashville)</td></tr><br /><tr valign=top><td align=right><strong>Who:</strong></td><td>Current and future entrepreneurs of <strong>all ages and experience</strong>. Class size is limited to the first 60 students</td></tr><br /><tr valign=top><td align=right><strong>What:</strong></td><td>Lectures and workshops designed for the Christian entrepreneur and aspiring entrepreneur. Whether you already own your own business, or hope to some day, this training is for you.<br><br>Forty sessions will cover <ul><li><em>Sales & Marketing</em>,</li><li><em>Human Resources</em>,</li><li><em>Accounting & Finance</em>,</li><li><em>Technology</em>,</li><li><em>Operations</em>,</li><li><em>Business Plans</em>,</li><li>and more,</li></ul>…using Harvard Case Studies taught by top Harvard MBA, Wade Myers.</td></tr></table><br /><br />Download the <a href="http://www.newventurelab.com/images/blog/Venture%20Academy%20Basic%20Entrepreneurship%20Training%20Brochure.pdf">Conference Brochure</a> (PDF)<br /><br /><a href="https://www.regonline.com/63367_691695J">Register for the Conference</a></blockquote><br />I hope to see you there!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-19752046356480941962009-02-09T20:45:00.000-08:002009-02-10T06:03:50.190-08:00Nathan Clark GeorgeWhat a day!<br /><br />I had the privilege of attending the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention in Nashville just for the day today. I met lots of great folks, and reconnected with others.<br /><br />One of the men I met was Nathan Clark George, whose music and family have inspired and entertained many as they travel together around the country.<br /><br />The learn more about the George family, see the Charlottesville VA <em>Daily Progress</em>: <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/lifestyles/columnists/article/keeping_the_show_on_the_road/35423/">Keeping the show on the road</a>. I look forward to knowing him better and hearing more great music from him.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.franklinsprings.com/films/ncgset/"><img src="http://www.franklinsprings.com/images/films/ncg/orderset.jpg" align="right" border="0"></a>Be sure to pick up his CD "Pull Up a Chair" and the DVD documentary of his family by the same name. Both are available from <a href="http://www.franklinsprings.com/films/ncgset/">Franklin Springs Family Media</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-13160758972233469542009-01-27T03:00:00.000-08:002009-01-27T11:38:02.663-08:00The BIG Announcement<p align="left"><strong>The Most Distinctly Christian Home Discipleship Magazine<br /></strong><br><em>Homeschooling Today</em> magazine is my favorite publication of all. I first read it right about the time James and Stacy McDonald bought it and have always loved the portrait it has painted of Christian family.</p><p>It was with great fear and trepidation that I accepted the role of Editor-in-Chief of the magazine when James offered it to me in the fall of 2006. A short three months later, James told me that God was calling him into more and more full-time pastoring in Peoria and that he was looking to sell the magazine.</p><p>Knowing that my good friends Steve and Kara Murphy wanted to purchase a family business that would allow Steve to hand off his construction business to two of his young protégés, I told them that the magazine was for sale. In February 2007, they bought it and kept me at the helm while Steve finished up his last construction/remodeling job.</p><p>Because of the increasing time demands on the McDonalds in the new direction the Lord was taking them, the Murphys inherited a production schedule that was almost a half-year behind. In the following twelve months, we worked very hard and with the Lord’s help published ten "bi-monthly" issues: something even some fans said couldn’t be done.</p><p><strong>Going Strong</strong><br>Now after two years, the magazine is on-track, has undergone a great redesign, just launched a new community-focused website, added a digital edition, and is in more capable hands than it ever has been.</p><p>The redesign is complete and in the talented hands of Erika Schanzenbach. <em>Bookshelf and Beyond</em>, where you can learn about the greatest resources available to homeschoolers, whether they be new books hot off the press, or tried and true standards from years gone by, is now under the close scrutiny of private homeschool librarians, the Cottrill family.</p><p>Instrumental in launching the new <em>HST</em> website, Ken Griffith will continue to tweak and fine-tune it, endeavoring to make it a community portal for all things related to the biblical family. A handful of capable men are making sure <em>Homeschooling Helper</em>, <em>FirstYear</em>, and <em>The Father-Led Home</em> e-newsletters and email blasts keep arriving on-time in your inbox to deliver encouragement between issues, right when you need it.</p><p>I have loved every minute of labor at <em>Homeschooling Today</em> magazine: communicating with writers and potential writers, working with editors and publishers, maintaining and updating the website, training customer service interns, speaking at conferences, and especially co-laboring with my friends, Steve and Kara Murphy. But best of all, I've seen God use the magazine to bless the lives of many: encouraging them in their daily walk to disciple their children, exhorting them to think biblically about curriculum, schedules, organization, college, marriage, government, entrepreneurialism, and so many other areas. I am grateful I have been able to serve Him here!</p><p>Now He's calling me to serve Him elsewhere.</p><p><strong>Parting the Waters</strong><br>During a Christmas trip to Texas, Amy's and my hearts were stirred to return to Texas to labor with the saints there, closer to our siblings and parents, that we may care and provide for them as the Lord allows. Thus, we began praying that He would move us back to Texas "soon." We pictured paring down our belongings, beginning a job hunt, finding someone to whom I could hand off the labor at <em>Homeschooling Today</em> magazine (but also knowing I could do much of the work remotely as long as high-speed internet was available), preparing our house to sell, and looking for new digs as soon as God revealed my next position.</p><p>We arrived home after almost four weeks on the road and began seeing His answer to our prayers the very next morning, when Steve let me know that the long-term plan for keeping the magazine financially strong would require letting me go. This is the second time God has closed employment doors for me here in SW Virginia, which tells me He heard our prayer and was answering our request to return <em>soon</em>.</p><p>Editorial oversight will now rest in the capable hands of Steve and Kara Murphy with the trusty help of long-time friend, supporter, and prayer warrior, regular contributor and former Managing Editor, Marilyn Rockett, who was indispensible to me when I wore the Editor-in-Chief hat.</p><p>And though He closed a door here before He showed us the one He will open in Texas, it is clearly His hand moving us, directing our hearts like a watercourse "wherever He pleases" (Proverbs 21:1). Our response is to trust Him and begin our journey to the land He will show us.</p><p>But, <em>This is a bad time to try to sell a house</em>. And, <em>We’re in a recession</em>. Don't you know that <em>Folks are being laid-off all over the country</em>?</p><p>The waters have not yet parted though we move toward the shore while the river overflows its banks (Joshua 3:14-16) and threatens to wash us downstream. We look forward to seeing Him part the waters, allowing us to cross over on dry ground.</p><p><strong>New Work</strong><br>In addition to the new employment we trust He will show us, God has given Amy and me personal success and a voice to help others save lots of money in these difficult times by using coupons to lower their monthly grocery spending. (See <em><a href="http://billyjoejimbob.blogspot.com/2008/12/in-house-of-wise.html">In the House of the Wise</a></em> for details. And look for an upcoming online training class.)</p><p>For those of you liked <em><a href="http://www.franklinsprings.com/films/inherittheland/">Inherit the Land</a></em> produced by Franklin Springs Family Media (<a href="http://www.franklinsprings.com/">http://www.franklinsprings.com/</a>) and hosted by yours truly, I hope you will be pleased to learn that I am working on a couple of more projects with Ken Carpenter. Both projects are still in the infancy stage but I am very excited about their potential to deliver a powerful message.</p><p>As always, I will continue to be an advocate for home education, writing and publishing where He allows. In that vein, there are some other potential projects in the works that I hope to share with you soon when I have more details and they’re ready to go public.</p><p><strong>Not Forsaken</strong><br>Please join me in praising God and thanking Him for His promises and His provision for my family up until this day and for what He is going to do.</p><p align="center"><em>I have been young, and now am old;<br>Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,<br>Nor his descendants begging bread.</em><br>—Psalm 37:25</p><p><strong>P. S.</strong> Resumes are available on request and a list of my work history and qualifications are available on LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jbhoward">www.LinkedIn.com/in/JBHoward</a>.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-79488653099189773612009-01-23T12:12:00.000-08:002009-01-23T18:39:06.870-08:002009 Master Books Scholarship Essay Contest<p><strong>$3000 College Scholarship</strong></p><br /><p>Just received this from New Leaf Press/Master Books:</p><br /><blockquote><strong>For Immediate Release:<br />January 19, 2009</strong><br /><p>Master Books®,a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, proudly announces a new scholarship essay contest which will award one talented high school student $3000 to go towards funding their college education.</p><br /><p>Master Books, the world's largest creation-based publisher, is committing its resources to encourage students to further their education on a firm biblical foundation.</p><br /><p><em>"This scholarship opportunity is an example of just how strongly we feel about the importance of a biblically-sound education," said Tim Dudley, president of New Leaf Publishing Group. "We support students with evolution-free education products from an early age and are thrilled to provide one deserving student with the economic boost that may make a huge difference in their college career. It is truly an honor."</em></p><br /><p>The Master Books scholarship is open to any high school junior or senior or the equivalent thereof from any public, private, or homeschool venue. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above. This scholarship is a one-time award and may be used at any accredited two-year, four-year, or trade school withing the contiguous United States. This award covers only tuition and university-provided room and board. the scholarship monies will be forwarded to the college, university, or trade school of the winner's choice upon receipt of a copy of the winner's confirmed admission to their chosen school. <strong>Application deadline is April 1, 2009.</strong></p><br /><p>Students planning to apply for this essay scholarship may download two FREE chapters of the book, <em>Evolution: The Grand Experiment</em>, by Dr. Carl Werner at <a href="http://www.nlpg.com/store/scholarship.htm">www.nlpg.com/store/scholarship.htm</a>. After reading these two chapters, students are invited to write a 500 to 1500 word essay with the following focus:<br /><blockquote><strong>Develop a magazine article based on the information contained in chapters 14 and 15 of the book <em>Evolution: The Grand Experiment</em> addressing the issue of ethics in scientific research.</strong></blockquote><p></p><br /><p>The essay will be judged on creativity, clarity of thought, accuracy, research, grammar, and spelling. The student's essay will be the property of Master Books and may be used as an example or to promote this scholarship. The student winner and his/her parent or guardian will be notified by email of their winning status and then must submit a written acceptance of the scholarship award by no later than July 30, 2009. If the acceptance of the scholarship is not received by July 30, 2009, the monies will be awarded to the 1st runner-up.</p><br /><p>The Master Books Scholarship will be submitted to the winner's accredited school upon receipt of a copy of their acceptance to that school. If the scholarship winner does not complete a full semester at the accredited school, the monies must be returned to Master Books to be awarded to the 1st runner-up. The winner agrees that all of his/her scholarship combined benefits does not exceed the cost of tuition, fees, and university-provided room and board as stated in the institution's cost of attendance.</p><br /><p>Visit <a href="http://www.nlpg.com/store/scholarship.htm">www.nlpg.com/store/scholarship.htm</a>. or <a href="http://www.masterbooks.net/">www.masterbooks.net</a></p><br /><p>Request a scholarship link to post on your website.</p><br /><p>For more information, contact: Janell Robertson · <a href="mailto:janell@newleafpress.net?subject=Master%20Books%20Scholarship%20Essay%20Contest">janell@newleafpress.net</a></p></blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-11987745393132250412008-12-16T09:18:00.000-08:002008-12-16T09:26:42.456-08:00Franklin Springs Essay Contest/Giveaway: "Why I chose to homeschool"I just learned about this from my friends at <a href="http://www.franklinsprings.com">Franklin Springs Family Media</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Franklin Springs ESSAY CONTEST: Why I chose to homeschool (250 words or less.)<br /><br /><strong>Grand Prize</strong>: One essay will be selected to receive the <a href="http://www.franklinsprings.com/films/tenpack" target="_blank">ten-pack collection of DVDs</a> from Franklin Springs Family Media ($199 Value). Send entry to <a href="mailto:contests@franklinsprings.com?subject=Essay%20Contest">contests@franklinsprings.com</a> – Subject "Essay Contest"<br /><br />All Entries must be received by Friday, December 19, 2008. Winner will be announced on Monday, December 22, 2008. <strong>All entrants will also receive a $5 gift certificate</strong> for any film in the Franklin Springs Family Media catalog.</blockquote><br /><br />Of course, <em>both</em> of my readers will use their $5 gift certificate to purchase <a href="http://www.franklinsprings.com/films/inherittheland" target="_blank"><em>Inherit the Land</em></a>, right? I'm just sayin'!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-64962095303794994152008-12-03T11:40:00.000-08:002008-12-03T13:12:28.226-08:00Choose up to three GIFTS from Homeschooling Today magazineChoose up to three free gifts with your paid subscription:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0F-7h2Pw3ks/STbkt4Tdj1I/AAAAAAAAAGU/YPSxs5xMpi4/s1600-h/dvd0830front.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 142px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0F-7h2Pw3ks/STbkt4Tdj1I/AAAAAAAAAGU/YPSxs5xMpi4/s320/dvd0830front.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275655490370375506" /></a><br />THE CHILDREN OF CAESAR (DVD) by Dr. Voddie Baucham, Jr.<br /><strike>$19.95</strike> - <em><strong>FREE</strong></em><br />[<a href="http://www.americanvision.com/childrenofcaesar.aspx" target="_blank">Product details</a>]<br clear="all"><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0F-7h2Pw3ks/STbkuIbpxGI/AAAAAAAAAGc/0QT4u8msGuY/s1600-h/booktree07-cvr-md.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 132px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0F-7h2Pw3ks/STbkuIbpxGI/AAAAAAAAAGc/0QT4u8msGuY/s320/booktree07-cvr-md.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275655494699697250" /></a><br />THE BOOK TREE (2nd Ed.) (280pg PB) by Elizabeth McCallum and Jane Scott<br /><strike>$19.00</strike> - <em><strong>FREE</strong></em><br />[<a href="http://www.canonpress.org/shop/item.asp?itemid=1344" target="_blank">Product details</a>]<br clear="all"><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0F-7h2Pw3ks/STbkumYXj8I/AAAAAAAAAGk/TOm4m6D5YOs/s1600-h/84ac1d23f0361a56b698ade4efba7f84_image_150x113.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0F-7h2Pw3ks/STbkumYXj8I/AAAAAAAAAGk/TOm4m6D5YOs/s320/84ac1d23f0361a56b698ade4efba7f84_image_150x113.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275655502738984898" /></a><br />CURRICULUM ADVICE (2 CDs) by Victoria Botkin<br /><strike>$20.00</strike> - <em><strong>FREE</strong></em><br />[<a href="http://www.firstpacificmedia.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25" target="_blank">Product details</a>]<br clear="all"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.homeschooltoday.com/subscribe/special.php">Subscribe or Renew Now!</a><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------<br /><br />"I've been getting your magazine for a couple of years now. I<br />love it! Whether or not you homeschool, this magazine is a<br />wonderful resource for Christian families."<br /><br />- Twila Paris Christian songwriter and singer<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------<br /><br />HOMESCHOOLING TODAY magazine<br />Still only $21.99 - 40% off the cover price!<br /><br />To learn more about the most distinctly Christian, most<br />comprehensive journal of home discipleship available, visit:<br /><a href="http://www.homeschooltoday.com">www.homeschooltoday.com</a><br /><br />Choose one, two, or three <strong>free gifts</strong><a href="#canada">*</a> from HOMESCHOOLING TODAY!<br /><br />Purchase one year: $21.99 - Receive one free gift.<br />Purchase two years: $41.98 - Receive two free gifts.<br />Purchase three years: $59.97 - Receive three free gifts.<br /><br /><a href="http://https://www.homeschooltoday.com/subscribe/special.php">Subscribe or Renew Now!</a><br /><br /><a name="canada"></a><small>*This non-refundable special is good for US and Canadian (in Canada, add US$10 per year) subscribers only.</small>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-62417151788254946612008-12-02T03:38:00.000-08:002008-12-02T04:04:54.255-08:00Blogger Mom Carrie Evans is the Last American OptimistWriter for <em>Homeschooling Today</em> magazine's <a href="http://www.homeschooltoday.com/newsletters"><em>Homeschooling Helper</em></a> eNewsletter, <a href="http://gremlinwrangler.blogspot.com/">homeschooling blogger mom</a>, and budding photographer, Carrie Evans (aka "Gremlin Wrangler") is the last American optimist. Here is her video commentary on the economy—and what the new administration can do about it—on CNN's iReport.<br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="450" height="370"><param name="movie" value="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="menu" value="false"></param><param name="flashvars" value="height=370&width=448&autostart=false&autoscroll=false&showstop=false&showicons=false&showdigits=total&controlbar=34&backcolor=0xFFFFFF&screencolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xDEDEDE&lightcolor=0x00A2FF&logo=http%3A//www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/data/images/ireport_wm.gif&file=http%3A//ht.cdn.turner.com/ireport/big/prod/2008/12/01/WE00157808/319414/Anon1228172909-Kansas505050955269.flv&image=http%3A//i.cdn.turner.com/ireport/sm/prod/2008/12/01/WE00157808/319414/Anon1228172909-Kansas505050955269_lg.jpg"></param><embed src="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="450" height="370" menu="false" flashvars="height=370&width=448&autostart=false&autoscroll=false&showstop=false&showicons=false&showdigits=total&controlbar=34&backcolor=0xFFFFFF&screencolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xDEDEDE&lightcolor=0x00A2FF&logo=http%3A//www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/data/images/ireport_wm.gif&file=http%3A//ht.cdn.turner.com/ireport/big/prod/2008/12/01/WE00157808/319414/Anon1228172909-Kansas505050955269.flv&image=http%3A//i.cdn.turner.com/ireport/sm/prod/2008/12/01/WE00157808/319414/Anon1228172909-Kansas505050955269_lg.jpg"></embed></object></div><br /><br />After watching, go to <a href="http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-156411#postComment">iReport</a> and leave a comment… I did.<br /><br /><blockquote>Carrie, you have a great perspective on the American economy. It is apparent that your commenters fall into one of two categories: <br /><br />1) "The economic 'crisis' was created by the government and the government should fix it, so that I can maintain my current lifestyle." <br /><br />...and... <br /><br />2) "Rising prices mean I need to make adjustments to the way my family and I do things, but we're still alive and we are going to stick together and work through it." <br /><br />I'll join YOU in Category 2. Carry on the good work you have begun...</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-73030074090353922912008-12-01T05:08:00.000-08:002008-12-01T05:49:22.840-08:00Call to Dunkirk<div align="center"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hRGZLSVph3A&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hRGZLSVph3A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Even Christian teachers are forced to leave God out of the teaching of children, deeming Him non-existent or—at <em>best</em>—irrelevant to the indoctrination that occurs in the nation's government schools. <br /><br />The fear of the Lord is the <em>beginning</em> of wisdom and knowledge (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, 9:10), and yet we allow our children to be taught without even the slightest acknowledgement that God is the <em>reason</em> 2+2=4; that C-A-T spells <em>cat</em>; that history occurred the way it did; that Barak Obama is President-elect; that the Platypus doesn't fit neatly into one classification.<br /><br />"Education is the most powerful ally of Humanism, and every American public school is a school of Humanism. What can theistic Sunday School, meeting for an hour once a week, do to stem the tide of a five day program of humanistic teaching?"<br />—Charles Francis Potter, signer of <em>The Humanist Manifesto</em>, a foundational document of today's public school system.<br /><br />"You can't make Socialists out of individualists—children who know how to think for themselves spoil the harmony of the collective society which is coming, where everyone is interdependent." <br />—John Dewey, American psychologist, humanist, philosopher, and educational reformer; known as the Father of Modern education; signer of <em>The Humanist Manifesto</em><br /><br />Learn more: <a href="http://www.exodusmandate.org">Exodus Mandate</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-83045711062853633032008-11-19T05:21:00.000-08:002008-11-19T05:28:12.511-08:00Seats Added to December Log Home Builders ClassFor those who share my desire to <a href="http://loghomehowards.blogspot.com/">build a log home</a> one day, here's some updated information on the December classes:<br /><br /><blockquote>Hi everyone,<br /> <br />We have added a few extra seats to the two December classes. The classes were full, but we managed to add some seats. Space is very limited, and we have no future classes scheduled at this point. <br /><br />There are 2 class dates in December, and you can use the links below for to get additional information.<br /> <br />Choose which class you want to attend: <br /><a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/lhba-membership-class-date-weekend-1262008">December 6th & 7th class</a><br /><a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/lhba-membership-class-date-weekend-12132008">December 13th & 14th class</a><br /><br />These classes are at the beautiful the Wallace Falls Lodge, a local log home bed and breakfast. There are currently two rooms still available for the class on 12/6, if you would like to spend the weekend at the bed and breakfast along with your instructor and fellow students. You can use the link below to get additional information about the B&B option (price, what's included, etc).<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/wallace-falls-lodge-bampb-room-during-class-class-participants-only-weekend-1262008">December 6th & 7th room</a><br /><br /> <br />As always, please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.<br /><br /> <br />Your friend, <br /> <br />Chuck Kerns, membership services (<a href="mailto:info@loghomebuilders.org">info@loghomebuilders.org</a>)<br />Log Home Builders Association <br /><a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org">www.loghomebuilders.org</a></blockquote><br /><br />If you have any questions about the class, what I learned, why I think you should go, or need my help building yours, just ask!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-81681904583915638552008-11-13T09:34:00.000-08:002008-11-13T09:45:57.860-08:00What about college?<em>[The following is an article I wrote in 2004 for the CHEACT newsletter. I have not modified it, so some of the references are specific to that time and place and it far from exhausts options on the topic, but someone recently asked me "What about college?" so I thought some might benefit from me posting this here.]</em><br /><br />The most recent time I heard this question was from a couple in Tennessee. They called me because my phone number is on the front page of the CHEACT website. . . for the dad's breakfast I organized. They're both educators: she's in the public schools, he's a college admissions officer. Turns out, his sister was on her way back home to Texas and was planning to homeschool when she got here.<br /><br />"What type of umbrella program do you have?" the sister-in-law asked.<br /><br />"We don't."<br /><br />"Why not?"<br /><br />"In Texas, homeschools are private schools and are not regulated by the state with regards to schedule, curriculum or teach credentials."<br /><br />"Well, what about college?" She was asking this about her 8-year-old nephew.<br /><br />What ABOUT college?<br /><br />First of all, I don't consider college to be a given for any of my children. It's not always necessary and the benefits are many time offset by many worldly negatives. I'm raising them for heaven, not Harvard.<br /><br />But, that's not what she was asking, so I didn't even go there. Her question was: "When my nephew has `graduated' from homeschool, what university is going to accept him?"<br /><br />The truth is: MANY colleges and universities, service academies and vocational schools around the country are actively seeking homeschoolers. But there are still some things you, as a parent, need to consider.<br /><br /><h4>High School Diploma</h4>Are you planning to issue one? The Texas Homeschool Coalition (THSC) sells a very nice one that you can personalize for your school. As their site says: "In Texas, as private school officials, parents decide the requirements for high school graduation. When met, the student may receive a diploma." See their website, <a href="http://www.thsc.org">www.thsc.org</a>, for more information.<br /><br />Of course, THSC doesn't certify or recognize completion of a course of study simply by selling the diploma. That's up to you. You should keep records of course work, especially the last four years of your child's schooling so that you can create a transcript to show to a college. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) also has some great pointers for preparing for college at their website: <a href="http://www.hslda.org">www.hslda.org</a>. <br /><br /><h4>Accelerated Distance Learning</h4>Brad Voeller, a homeschool graduate, is also a college graduate. Great achievement, to be sure. But what makes Brad unique is that he received his college degree in less than six months for less than $5000. And he wrote a book telling others how to do it: <em>Accelerated Distance Learning: The New Way to Earn Your College Degree in the Twenty-First Century</em>. <a href="http://www.visionforum.com">Vision Forum</a> and other great outlets carry it.<br /><br /><h4>Dual Credit at a Community College</h4>Did you know that most community colleges don't require a high school transcript in order to enroll? Did you know that most universities don't require a high school transcript if a student has 30 hours of college credit?<br /><br />This has long been a popular option for homeschoolers. Simply enroll your child in classes at the local community college his or her sophomore year. It doesn't have to be a full load of classes: just 5 hours per semester. And you can count the coursework toward fulfillment of the high school diploma while your student is gaining college credit and experience.<br /><br />By the time they graduate from high school, they'll have 30 hours of college credit and can transfer to the four-year college of their choice as a sophomore.<br /><br />With just a little forethought and planning, your homeschooled student will be well on his or her way to a college degree, should the Lord take them in that direction.<br /><br /><em>[For a list of colleges that actively seek homeschoolers, see </em>Homeschooling Today<em> magazine's <a href="http://www.homeschooltoday.com/resources/colleges">College Locator</a>. —JBH]</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-36455442814174385072008-11-12T09:34:00.000-08:002008-11-24T14:14:28.917-08:00STOP Homeschooling!As the Editor-in-Chief of <a href="http://www.homeschooltoday.com"><em>Homeschooling Today</em> magazine</a>, I am often asked questions about getting started homeschooling.<br /><br />I was recently asked this question by the father of a young lady who has been diagnosed with ADHD and is not doing well in the government education system.<br /><br />After encouraging this loving dad to pray for wisdom and look up his state's homeschooling laws at <a href="http://www.hslda.org/">HSLDA</a>, I felt led to offer a paradigm shift in the way he might be looking at homeschooling. The rest of this post contains that recommendation.<br /><br /><h3>Looking at it differently</h3>Once you've done those two things [pray and contact HSLDA], take a step back and try (it's going to be hard, but it's worth it) to forget everything you know about institutional education models: classes, curriculums, schedules, credentials, grades, expectations, etc. The common term for what you're talking about doing is "homeschooling," but it's a misnomer: neither does your child learn <em>only</em> at home, nor is what you're doing <em>schooling</em>. <strong><em>Schooling</em></strong> is a completely different animal from learning, education, and discipleship. Those three things <em>can</em> happen in the midst of schooling, but they really aren't the same thing.<br /><br />Like most parents, your goals for your daughter probably don't match up with the school system's goals for her. <em>They</em> want to her to be socialized, which means to be worked into her proper place in the social system. <em>You</em> want her to be a responsible caring adult who enjoys life, liberty, and happiness. Again, those two <em>can</em> go together, but not always.<br /><br /><h3>Train up a child in the way he should go</h3>Before mandatory high school after WWII, no one was diagnosed as ADHD. Not that no one <em>should</em> have been diagnosed, but today's classroom can exacerbate the symptoms, leading to more diagnoses. Ask yourself this question: "What is it that ADHD students are required to pay <em>attention</em> to that they show a <em>deficiency</em> in? And since <em>hyper</em> is a comparative prefix, "They're <em>hyperactive</em> compared to what?" Some of the activities your daughter is engaging may not be "normal," but the institutional environment she is in may be part of the problem. And if you think about it, <em>no one</em> is normal. Every single person is an individual and has inherent value for the way God created them.<br /><br />The institutional setting—for all practical purposes—requires every person born within a one-year window to behave the same, learn the same subjects at the same rate, dress the same, enjoy the same things, etc. But the truth is that some children excel in math, some excel in language arts, others excel in art; some do well in athletics, some in chess, some in auto shop, and others in music; some excel in mercy, some in love, some in giving, others in administration, and still others in leadership and/or service. Each one has infinite worth as an individual, and yet each one also has his limitations. Above all else, your daughter needs your love, your exhortation, your discipline, and your caring. In addition to that, she needs to be able to balance a checkbook, understand chemical reactions in the kitchen, write a letter of complaint when a product or service is deficient, and take care of the things she has. Most of those things are useful and needful in our society. And only a few are taught through <em>schooling</em>.<br /><br /><h3>Don't homeschool</h3>Back to the <em>homeschooling</em>. A curriculum is only part of what you need, and it doesn't have to be purchased from anyone. Many that try to be "complete" and one-size-fits-all, are rather incomplete and one-size-fits-none. If you are in a state that enjoys freedom of schedule, my advice is to pull your daughter out of the institutional setting she is in and don't do any curriculum until you and your wife and your daughter have spent some time together just being a family. Define who you are as a family, but remove the stress of having to take "schooling" home.<br /><br />The Founding Fathers of our nation are considered by most to be <em>the</em> most literate, well-read, and well-informed generation the world has ever known—before or since. (Thomas Jefferson conducted a survey which revealed a literacy percentage rate in the high 90s.) And most of them had very little formal schooling, if any. Those who did, didn't go to school until they were at around age nine or ten. If they went to "university," they did so at the age of fourteen-to-sixten. That's why you'll often hear that so-and-so had "no more than an eighth grade education." What they really had was only three or four years of <em>schooling</em>, and eighth grade was as high as it went. After that they were working, building a business, learning a trade, running the farm. They were not dunces who <em>only</em> completed the eighth grade and then dropped out.<br /><br />So, all that to say, removing your daughter from that situation can be a major paradigm shift in the way you look at education. <em>Their</em> way may have (a) been the standard by which she was considered abnormal, and (b) exacerbated the manifestation of the problem. Don't pull her out of that just to keep her home to do it the same way. She may be acting out because she's bored with a subject she has already mastered. She may be acting out because she can't keep up with her classmates academically, so she tries to do it socially. It may be a combination of those two, or more.<br /><br />But don't stress about her not getting enough <em>schooling</em>.<br /><br /><h3>Baby steps toward a family culture of learning</h3>If she has strong friendships, don't break those up right away (even if they're somewhat unhealthy) or she is likely to rebel against everything you are trying to do. The move to family discipleship needs to be the first step. When she knows that you care about her and love her and that is why you are doing what you are doing, then it will be easier to reason with her about further changes you want to make: whether that involves letting some friendships go, or accelerating some subjects she does well in, or stepping back a few steps to get back to her pace on other subjects, or spending less time on subjects and more on service or music or art or giving or a family business. Each step take <em>together</em>. You and your wife may have to adjust your strides a bit for all of you to stay together, but the rewards are worth it!<br /><br /><h3>Don't do it alone</h3>Back to my first suggestion. If you and your wife are not Christians, perhaps a lot of what I said is completely foreign to you or sounds impossible. I can tell you that in my home, were it not for Jesus Christ, all of what I mentioned above would be a shabby, weak façade that would not stand up against any kind of pressure. I would be glad to discuss that further, too, if you would like.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-57111822317537562032008-11-11T07:30:00.000-08:002008-11-11T04:39:35.282-08:00Why we don't have health insurance…It started when I changed jobs and went from being a W2 employee to a 1099 contractor without benefits. We learned fairly quickly that insurance costs everyone a lot more than it should. Let me explain:<br /> <br />Whenever we would have a doctor's visit and inform them that we were "self-pay," they would usually cut the bill in half. So, while we were paying more than a co-pay would have been, the doctor's office was not paying as much for claims processing and was able to return that savings to us. But insurance for our family of six would have cost us a minimum of $300/mo.—a great deal more than the extra we were paying at the doctor's office—and not covered co-pays, have a deductible of $5000, and give us only the tiniest discount on prescriptions. To get any real "benefit" from health insurance coverage, we would have had to pay $800 or more a month, which is more than our mortgage payment! We decided that we could put that $3600-9600/year to better use:<br /> <br />1. Because we know we are going to have to pay more out-of-pocket when we visit the doctor's office, as parents, we strive to improve our children's (and our) nutrition by eating foods as close to "whole" as we can. Because we ingest few preservatives and processed foods, we are not sick as often. (Not spending as much time in the doctor's office waiting room also cuts down on our exposure to colds and flu.)<br /><br />2. Because we are not spending as much on insurance, we were able to increase our grocery budget, allowing us to afford the more healthful, closer to natural and whole foods, which keeps us healthier, and therefore needing less medical services/coverage.<br /> <br />3. Because we have chosen to take responsibility for our own health, my employer also doesn't incur the cost of paying for my health/lifestyle choices, and can use that money to invest in the business, including being able to pay me more for the work I do!<br /> <br />So, our reasons for making the "deliberate choice" were a matter of finances and adjusting the way we eat and buy groceries. A by-product of this choice is that we also don't contribute to medical coverage that we disagree with. Insurance, in many cases, has the practical effect of "wealth distribution" and "rewarding" those who don't take care of themselves by providing them with medical care to fix the problems they incur from unhealthy living.<br /> <br />As Christians, we believe that every person is imbued with value—whether they are healthy, productive adults or preborn children or aged and infirm. So, rather than planning to put our parents in a nursing home (another expensive option insurance-wise) to "run out the clock" when they can no longer take care of themselves, we are planning to provide housing and care for them. In fact, we have already brought my mother-in-law into our home to live with us, BEFORE she can't take care of herself.<br /> <br />Additionally—and not surprisingly—we are pro-life regarding preborn children. Our research (and that of friends in the industry) has shown that of all the insurance companies in the country, there are only a dozen insurance underwriters (the organizations that finance—and profit from—the insurance industry). While an individual company may not cover abortion, their underwriters most likely do. An industry professional was able to interview nine of the twelve underwriters: all nine they were able to contact pay for abortions. So, everyone who pays an insurance premium (unless one of the other three doesn't cover them) is paying into a fund that pays for abortions. That's not something we want to be a part of.<br /> <br />We do recognize, however, that there are real medical needs that others don't have the money to pay for and we should be willing to take on the burdens of others as we are able. That's part of the reason we are making plans to take care of our parents as they age. But, we also learn of needs through our church, through friends, and through people God brings into our lives. Rather than sending a check off to an unknown company that will then send a check to cover someone's expenses, we believe we are supposed to be more involved in people's lives than that. Someone who is suffering a painful and/or life-threatening ailment or injury needs more than money to cover their expenses: they need love and caring. I can't provide that to every person who receives a portion of my insurance premium. But, I can provide that to the specific people God brings into my life. My family can bring people into our home to share a meal; we can visit people in the hospital and pray for them; and we can take a meal to families who are celebrating a new life in their home and are resting after childbirth. The healing process is usually much more rapid when a personal touch is included with the care, rather than just relieving the monetary burden. It's a blessing when we're given the opportunity to provide both!<br /> <br />Fortunately, it's actually more cost-effective and healthful to eschew health insurance and take personal responsibility for our own family's health. And more loving and personal to take care of individual needs rather than handing off the responsibility to a claims process.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838646.post-46528561417036418442008-11-04T09:24:00.000-08:002008-11-11T14:02:48.633-08:00Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!In light of today's elections in the United States, I want to draw your attention to God's work in the town of Nineveh in the days of Jonah. Many look at today's elections and are fearful that we are going to get a leader who will oppress us. Others see that whichever of the front-runners wins, it will be judgment on our country. What we need, they say, is a miracle.<br /><br /><h2>No Guarantees</h2><br />Talking vegetables notwithstanding, most folks know the story of Jonah. They know he was swallowed by a big fish for disobeying God. But most do not realize that Jonah was not sent to Ninevah with the message: "Stop sinning."<br /><br />God's message for Nineveh was "Nineveh shall be overthrown." Jonah did <em>not</em> call them to repentance. In fact, chapter four of Jonah tells us that he did not want them to repent. He wanted the city to be destroyed for its crimes.<br /><br />But, God turned the hearts of the people of Nineveh. They <strong>believed</strong> God, and fasted and prayed and grieved over their sin, "from the greatest to the least of them." <em>After</em> the people repented, the king of Nineveh heard and called for a fast.<br /><br /><blockquote>"Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?" —Jonah 3:7b-9</blockquote><br />The king had no word from God that there was any hope for mercy on Nineveh. But he chose to lead the people to spend their "final days" in prayer and fasting, denying themselves, and turning away from evil.<br /><br />But God DID relent.<br /><br /><h2>God Judges Nations</h2><br /><blockquote>"He makes nations great, and destroys them;<br><br /> He enlarges nations, and guides them." —Job 12:23</blockquote><br />Throughout the times of the Judges and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, godly and ungodly leaders reigned. Some were magnificent; some were cruel. But the judgment pronounced on the nation was that the people did what was right or wrong in God's eyes. If they followed the practices of an evil leader, judgment came as a result of the people's actions, not the leader. (The leader suffered the consequences of his own sin, to be sure. And causing others to stumble carries a hefty penalty.)<br /><br />When judgment comes on a people, it comes because the people have forgotten God. They have done what is right in their own eyes. They have followed in the sins of their fathers.<br /><br />Our fathers, a generation ago, made the murder of the most helpless of society a right. But, that stemmed from generations prior disbelieving God when He said that children are a blessing, and a reward from Him.<br /><br />Around that same time, women began to throw off the safety and responsibility of hearth and home, choosing different chores instead. In the name of equality, they have devalued themselves, so that now they are no longer protected within the home, but are expected to place their lives on the line for their country.<br /><br />And our country <em>is</em> under judgment. Consider the divorce rate; look at the crime rate; see how heavy is our tax burden; think of the laws that restrict our very lives. "Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. Blocking out the scenery and breaking my mind. Do this, don't do that. Can't you read the signs?"<br /><br /><h2>Removing the Log</h2><br />In Economics, the Law of the Commons tells us why whales are endangered and cows are not. It comes down to ownership. Cows are the private property of the rancher. He takes responsibility for his cattle, for their health, their survival and multiplication. Whales belong to no one. If one whaler doesn't kill all he can, another whaler will. There is no incentive (or protection) to save some to protect the species. They're succeptible to "just one more" until there are no more.<br /><br />Judgment is the same way. As long as we point to other people's sins and THEIR responsibility to do this, don't do that, we sin "just one more" time. "It's just a little white lie." "My employer won't miss one box of staples, one pen, one marker, one minute of my time." "It won't hurt if I just take one peak at that internet site." "I'll place one vote for the lesser of two evils; next time I'll fight for more righteousness." <em>Ad infinitum.</em><br /><br />Yes, pray for miracle; pray for deliverance. But, first pray for a heart of repentance. I have no word from the Lord that our destruction is coming in forty days, but given our current course—as history shows us—bondage and captivity are coming.<br /><br /><blockquote><em>Lord, teach us to loathe our sin. Remove our hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh that cry out, "Abba, Father." We are children caught with our hand in the cookie jar. We need your forgiveness; we need your righteousness. We dare not ask for your justice to be poured out on your enemies, for we know that we would perish in its wake, were it not for the blood of Christ alone. Rend our hearts over our own sin, and help us not to commit "just one more" sin against you. Thank you for your grace and mercy upon us. Amen.</em></blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02038713225742735363noreply@blogger.com2