Archive for May, 2008

The Family University Network: Unplugging Institutional Higher Education

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

By James Bartlett Why not build a Christian family enterprise with the energy, funding, and infrastructure that would otherwise build the state or private educational institutions? It is common knowledge today that serious moral problems exist in families, churches, schools, colleges, corporations, and political arena. These problems have academic, moral, and philosophical roots reaching back centuries, and have been promoted by the systematic separation of knowledge from faith in God. The significant amount of teaching required to equip people with the ability to discern the times and apply Scripture by faith to all areas of life, requires diligence in all areas of learning, and at all levels of education. Secular universities are openly hostile to the Christian worldview, and the best of the Christian colleges cannot replicate the family away from home. Nehemiah Institute worldview assessment of 1177 students in 18 Christian colleges over 7 years demonstrated that Christian students are graduating from Christian institutions with a secular humanism worldview, even where their professors have a Biblical Theist worldview. Even the above average Christian colleges are little better than their secular counterpart because the curricula are developed under the same institutional accreditation guidelines, the same text books are used, many of the faculty were trained at secular institutions, and the family learning context is ignored. Even the best of Christian distance education does not purposefully involve the family in the learning process, nor couple with individual family convictions, nor uses the family knowledge base, nor earns family income. It is time to unplug institutional higher education and bring higher education home. The establishment of family universities and networks based on the fellowship of the church is one solution. This can help individuals and families implement the Christian philosophy of education through developing their own family university and complementary business as a part of the dominion mandate (Psalm 8).University education needs to be reinvented with a Biblical understanding to strengthen the family and church. Christian people can easily learn how a family university can uniquely provide the humble, relational, and Spirit led ideal Biblical higher education for their young adults to participate in building a strong Christian family, church and culture. The benefit of a network for learning was forseen by Ivan Illich, philosopher of the 1970s who spoke in favor of home education. He stated that “If the networks I have described could emerge, the educational path of each student would be his own to follow, and only in retrospect would it take on the features of a recognizable program. The wise student would periodically seek professional advice: assistance to set a new goal, insight into difficulties encountered choice between possible methods. Even now, most persons would admit that the important services their teachers have rendered them are such advice or counsel, given at a chance meeting or in a tutorial. Pedagogues, in an unschooled world, would also come into their own, and be able to do what frustrated teachers pretend to pursue today.” Ivan Illich, Deschooling Society, 1970. There is only one such family university network in operation at this time, but the time has come for this concept and therefore this is likely just the beginning of home schooling expanding into home college. Dr. James Bartlett, PhD, PE ret., is President of Bartlett University which hosts the Family University Network with its Christian business incubator. Dr. Bartlett and his wife Lynn homeschool four boys in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota. Dr. Bartlett can be contacted by calling 701-263-4574 or visiting http://bartlettuniversity.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bartlett http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Family-University-Network:-Unplugging-Institutional-Higher-Education&id=15695 auto bad credit loan military instant cash direct payday loan processors using credit card rather then personal loan

How To Balance Your Checkbook Instantly!

Monday, May 26th, 2008

By Valerie Mills Do you cringe each month when you see your bank statement arrive online or via snail mail? You can banish traditional checkpoint balancing forever. How? By taking advantage of your banks between statements record-keeping. Its perfectly legit and accomplishes exactly the same goal as statement balancing, but Instant Balancing is faster and simpler. After all, the point of checkbook balancing is to make sure your bank hasnt made any mistakes . . . and/or that you havent. Either way, most people want to avoid bouncing checks or the ever-embarrassing ATM insufficient funds message. HEY! WHAT ABOUT MY BANKING SOFTWARE? You say you have software for balancing your checkpoint? Get rid of it if all it does is balancing. This software compares bank records against its records and then you have to update your written checkbook records. These activities create way too much opportunity for error. WHAT YOU NEED FOR INSTANT BALANCING 1. Your checkbook, the written one. If you insist on keeping the balancing program, then have the program checking account ready to review also. If you only keep your transactions in your software program, make sure its up-to-date. 2. Internet access. A simple dialup connection works just fine. An Internet security program is a must. 3. Access to your checking account ONLINE. Why? Because youll need any time access to do Instant Balancing. If you dont have this access, call your bank and find out how to get it. Usually, you need a web site name and a username and password. WHEN TO DO INSTANT BALANCING How often you Instant Balance depends on how many transactions you generate in a given time frame. The greater the number of transactions, the higher the possibility of errors. A guideline is to Instant Balance 1 to 2 weeks after the last time you wrote a bunch of transactions, like after youve paid the household bills. If your timing is good, you may not have any balancing to do at all! 6 INSTANT BALANCING TIPS 1. Use a calculator for checkbook additions and subtractions. Even if youre a math wizard, youll make mistakes. 2. Because you may be logging onto the internet account infrequently, you may forget your user name and password. Record the information and put it in a safe place. 3. Your bank account internet access may time out after a certain number of minutes. Just log on again. 4. Most internet banks allow you to isolate transactions between certain dates. Use this feature it cuts down on the number of transactions to review. 5. Recent studies shows that 12% of identity theft occurs online. If you are afraid of accessing your bank transactions online because of identity theft, dont do it. Stick with the paper statement balancing routine. 6. Instant Balancing works best when your checkbook is up to date. It will instantly become Frustrated Balancing if you left out a few key postings, like an ATM withdrawal or an automatic deposit. HOW TO USE INSTANT BALANCING Remember the goal - your checkbook balance must agree with the banks balance. The assumption is that the bank has the right number. So, the banks balance wont change, but your checkbook balance might. The steps in the next section may seem a wee bit detailed at first. But, good news theres 3 youre DONEs scattered throughout the steps. If youre lucky, youll be finished after step 2. As with any new process, it may take a few times before youre comfortable with Instant Balancing. The secret to Instant Balancing is timing. If your timing is good, youll finish at step 4. If its great, youll finish an instant after you access your online bank balance. INSTANT BALANCING STEPS 1. Sign onto your banks web site and access your checking account transactions (in date order, latest transactions first. 2. Look at the banks balance and then your checking account balance. If they agree, youre DONE. 3. If they dont agree, figure out the date you last balanced your checkbook. Find the transactions in the banks online records but NOT in your checkbook from that date forward to the present. Record these transactions (checks/debits or deposits/credits) in your checkbook. Do the math to bring your balance up to date. 4. Look at the banks balance and then your updated checking account balance. If they agree, youre DONE. 5. If they dont agree, remember the date you last balanced your checkbook. Find the transactions are in your checkbook but NOT in the banks online records from that date forward. On a piece of scrap paper, ADD the transaction checks/debits to your checkbook balance. SUBTRACT the transaction deposits/credits from your checkbook balance. 6. Look at the banks balance and then your updated checking account balance. If they agree, youre DONE. 7. If they dont agree, either the bank made an error or you did when you Instant Balanced. Try comparing the bank transactions against yours to find out whos in error(s). If this doesnt work, you made a math error. Give it to someone else to check. Disclaimer: The information in this article is beneficial if properly used by the reader. The author cannot be held liable for monetary loss resulting from using Instant Balancing or from failure to take adequate Internet security measures. COPYRIGHT 2005 by Valerie Mills Valerie Mills taught math in public school and college, instructed adults in computer applications, and trained as a financial advisor. She freelances as a sales copywriter/designer (http://v.mills.home.att.net). She recently published the ebook titled Practical Ways to Develop Your Childs Financial Intelligence available at http://www.teachyourkidsaboutmoney.com Contact Valerie by email at parents@teachyourkidsaboutmoney.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Mills http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Balance-Your-Checkbook-Instantly!&id=12841 computer purchasing no credit check loans against personal injury ac tion default on a payday loan in texas nothing will happen no faxing notelecheck cash advances

The Funnest And Most Effective Way Of Learning To Make Towel Animals

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

By Leslie Millet Have you ever been on a cruise or visited a nice bed & breakfast and been greeted in your room by folded towels shaped like animals? that’s exactly what happened to my husband and I on our recent Carnival cruise to the Bahamas. They come in all shapes and sizes: hanging monkeys, elephants, turtles, swans, pigs, roses, even dogs. Many were even outfitted with accessories like sunglasses and hats. I must admit…I immediately fell in love with these little creations and found out that they’re a part of a growing trend sweeping the hospitality industry called “towel origami”. It was a fun addition to our trip to go to an on-board class and actually learn how to make these wonderful towel animals. Don’t tell anyone, but I couldn’t wait to get home and show these animals off to my friends! Making them wasn’t too difficult, but a technique is definitely involved. A technique that is much too hard for me to describe in words. Many of these towel artists are like magicians and would rather not reveal their secrets. But if you’d like to learn how to master this craft, here’s some ways to do it: 1. Buy a book on “towel origami” or “towel animals”. The cruise ship we were on (Elation) sold a book for about $15. You can also find them on Amazon.com for around $20. 2. Find diagrams on the internet. Do a Google search on “towel animal instructions” or “how to make towel animals”. The available information is sparse, but you can find it if you search. 3. Attend the live class on your next cruise. That’s a rather expensive way to learn, but you’ll have fun doing it! There also may be free classes available at your local library or recreation center. From my experience, books and diagrams just don’t do this skill justice. It’s much better to have someone actually show you how to do the folding. My recommendation? Skip the book and go to the live class on your next cruise, you’ll pick it up a lot quicker, and have much more fun. Want to have fun making towel animals and impress your friends? Take a quick survey and watch this unauthorized video of a cruise line employee teaching his craft.http://www.EasyTowelAnimals.com Leslie Millet - Easy Towel Animals.com - Chesapeake, VA Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leslie_Millet http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Funnest-And-Most-Effective-Way-Of–Learning-To-Make-Towel-Animals&id=443379 home equity loan with bad credit international personal loan lenders for caribbean countries used auto loan and bad credit international money lenders

Green Tea And Weight Loss- Drink Yourself Slim And Healthy

Friday, May 9th, 2008

By Julia Denham Although it seems too easy, researchers conclude that drinking green tea is an excellent aid to weight loss, as well as being all-round good for you. The research studies used green tea extract, which is a more concentrated form of green tea, but drinking the tea itself in between meals is a great substitute for a candy bar or chocolate. You get the uplift, without the calories. How To Drink Yourself Slim With Green Tea Green tea is an excellent appetite suppressant, and it’s especially useful if you’re trying to cut down on your portions, without going on a strict diet. Aim to drink a cup of green tea before each meal, and in between meals too, if you feel hungry. If you wish, you can add a jolt of skim milk to the tea, and if you’re very hungry, a teaspoon of honey. You’ll find that you’re not hungry until the next meal - you may even forget to eat - but do ensure that you eat three meals a day, and a small snack. This is important to enhance your metabolism. If you skip meals, your metabolism slows, and this means that your body’s adjusting itself into starvation mode, and making your calories stretch. This is dangerous if you’re trying to lose weight. Green Tea Varieties Prevent Boredom While You’re Losing Weight There are many different varieties of green tea, all with a slightly different taste and effect. Archaeologists report that tea has been a favorite beverage for 5000 years. In India, China, Japan and Thailand green tea has been used as a traditional medicine, used to control bleeding, heal wounds and regulate body temperature, as well as control blood sugar and ease digestion. Green tea is especially popular in Japan, where green sencha tea makes up 80 per cent of all tea consumed. It’s a high grade tea, which is steamed to prevent fermentation. So don’t restrict yourself to the green tea brands you find in your supermarket. You’ll find varieties like “Gunpowder” green tea, in which the leaves have been rolled into pellets. Because the tea leaves are rolled, they retain more flavor and aroma. Have fun exploring green teas - make your green tea diet exciting, and losing weight will be fun. Green tea’s many benefits to your health and well-being are amazing - drink a few cups a day, and not only will you lose weight, but you’ll also enjoy protection from life-threatening illnesses. Discover more about green tea at Drink Green Tea Daily site at http://www.drinkgreenteadaily.com/ and the site’s blog, at http://www.drinkgreenteadaily.com/blog/ for green tea news and information. Get weight loss tips at 30 Day Slimmer at http://www.30dayslimmer.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_Denham http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Tea-And-Weight-Loss–Drink-Yourself-Slim-And-Healthy&id=549750 what is project payday at home business unsecured personal loan for bad credit personal loans for less than perfect credit disabled bad credit need lower apr loan to transfer large debt

Xbox Murder

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

By Jason A. Martin It happened on August 6, 2004. A gruesome murder. At approximately 1am, six individuals were stabbed and then beaten to their deaths. The murdered victims were Michelle Ann Nathan, 19; Erin Belanger, 22; Francisco Ayo-Roman, 30; Anthony Vega, 34; Roberto Gonzalez, 28 and Jonathan Gleason, 17. Most of the victims were asleep when the attack occurred. According to reports, the victims did not fight back. What in the world could have caused the heartless criminals to violently kill the aforementioned and two small dogs? The shocking answer is a Xbox game. The murderers were squatting at one of the victims grandparents vacant home. When the Xbox game and some clothing were removed from the home, where they were staying illegally, the boys became enraged. A clerk at Wal-Mart told investigators that the band of criminals was joking and laughing about killing people. The crew bought baseball batsthis was just two days before the heinous crime. What happened next was simply gruesome. That was almost two years ago. The trial, which had to be moved due to excessive media coverage, is about to get underway. The prosecution is adamant about seeking the death penalty if the defendants are convicted. To bolster their case, they managed to get one of the crew to flip. His name is Robert Cannon, 19, and hes going to spill the beans about the destructive events on that fateful August morning. In exchange, Cannon will serve a life sentence. The other three are Troy Victorino, 29; Michael Salas, 20 and Jerone Hunter, 20. The group is facing six counts of first-degree murder, five counts of mutilating a dead human body and many other felony offenses. Troy Victorino has been labeled as the ringleader. Just before the fatal attacks, he was arrested for beating his friend in the face with a walking stick. Victorino was released on a pitiful $2,500 bond. He was now free to coordinate and strike again. Due to the bloody evidence in the prosecutions possession, one can assume that the defendants stand a very good chance at receiving capital punishment if convicted. Since Robert Cannon flipped, the prosecution has a very good case. It will be an uphill battle for the defense. The trial is expected to last about two months. This trial was moved, due to the overwhelming media coverage, to St. Augustine. Jason A. Martin is a journalist for CriminalJusticeJournalist.com, which is a Criminal Justice website. To have professional articles written, like this one, for promotion, visit the Promotional Articles website at promotionalarticles.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_A._Martin http://EzineArticles.com/?Xbox-Murder&id=237396 payday loan advance with savings account same day no fax payday loan high risk unsecured personal loans where can i make a paycheck stub for free

Hot Dating Tips For Men #22/28

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

By Scott Holland Hot Dating Tip #22: Be slow. Women like a slow build-up. Take your time. If all you are looking for is casual sex and you don’t much care whether or not she has a brain or a personality, then stuff about ’shared values’ and ‘compatibility’ will not be of any great interest. But if you are looking for something a bit more serious and long-term, take your time getting to know her before getting into boyfriend-girlfriend behaviour. Women like to be wooed, not jumped on. They like to get to know you and trust you before getting down and dirty. By skilful use of certain NLP-style rapport techniques, you can help her to have that feeling of knowing and trusting you pretty quickly, but you do need to put in the hours developing those skills - like anything worthwhile. Once you have developed a comfortable connection, create some space. Back off. Give her room to move towards you. If she’s really interested, she will. Like a magnet. Same goes for sex. Take it slow. Don’t be in a hurry to start or to finish. Women take longer to get aroused than men, but once they are up there they can stay hot for way longer than most men can. If you want to have the self-confidence to approach any woman you choose and the self-esteem to brush off the occasional rejection without a second thought, take a few minutes to visit my web site. Scott Holland is the author of “How to Overcome Shyness and Find the Woman of Your Dreams”. See http://www.dreamwoman.co.uk for details and free download: Six Myths About Women and Sex - and why they are all wrong! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Holland http://EzineArticles.com/?Hot-Dating-Tips-For-Men-22/28&id=146787 best debt consolidation program md bad credit lending free credit score and report on line credit reports