Got LIFE?

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

Are rocks dead? 

Consider this for a moment. A rock isn't dead, it's simply without life. It is not alive. In order for something to be dead (biologically) it must first have experienced or had the capacity to experience life. Death is not the absence of life, it is the removal of it.

Spiritually, Adam did nothing to earn life. God breathed LIFE into him. He didn't go to church, do twenty good things, or earn it in any way. He was without life, and LIFE came to him without his works involved.

How often do people say: "Well, I'm a good person..."

How does your being a good person help you get LIFE?

You see, Heaven, Hell, and Spiritual things are NOT a matter of Good vs Bad. 

And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. *** Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Genesis 2 (9, 15-17

The Tree of Knowledge (Good/Bad) was a tree that brought death. Being a Bad Person and being a Good Person are both totally irrelevant to the topic of Spiritual LIFE.

LIFE does not come from the tree of Knowledge of Doing.

The Knowledge of Doing (Good/Bad) is what killed us in the Garden, and it's still bringing death to us daily today. Science and Religion are actually the same, sources of death.

LIFE comes from its own tree. It's freely given and must be freely received. 

Before Jesus ever came to earth to walk among us, he was there in the original garden. He was forming Adam. He was giving LIFE freely without merit or deeds or doings or earnings.

Religion tells you to try harder the Knowledge of Good. The Holy Spirit tells you to relax and receive the free gift of LIFE, the restoration of which is paid for by the freely given blood of Jesus.

Selah...

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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Praying for others...

And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers... Romans 1:9

I prayed today, really prayed, for the first time in.... years? Maybe not years. Not sure. Everything before now, that I can recall was shouting & complaining, or some form of that. This was the first time in a long time that I prayed from a place of surrender.

I've been reading Job, off and on, for several years now. Did you ever notice, in Job 42, that it was AFTER Job prayed for his friends (not himself) that God restored Job's losses?

Interesting, eh?

So, that happened.

• Men (and women), when is the last time you prayed for other people? 

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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A Conduit of Blessing, NOT a Reservoir

I've read the book of Job more than any other book in the Bible. I identify with him in so many ways (real or imagined).

As I re-read the closing chapters this morning, I found a theme running through beginning to end, a silver thread hidden among the tapestry of his life.

Self

There are four points through which this thread pulls most vividly:

1. Sacrificing out of fear for his kids, at the start (inward focus, fear of loss).
2. Self-Admiration (I'm so innocent) throughout the book.
3. The counter offered by Elihu > Then God (don't ascribe right-ness to yourself, but to God).
4. Sacrifice on behalf of his friends (outward focus, gain on half of others).

Sacrificing out of fear for his kids, at the start (inward focus, fear of loss).

At the start of his story, we find a man who is self-focused. You might argue that he was focused on his kids; however, he wasn't. He was focused on not losing his kids, which is a self-focus motive. He would make sacrifices from a spirit of fear (what if) rather than a spirit of faith (gratefulness of God).

Self-Admiration (I'm so innocent) throughout the book.

Throughout the book, Job focused on his own predicament. He focused on his own righteousness, or rightness, or right-standing. He said there was absolutely nothing in his life that wasn't perfect and God must be at fault. He started blaming God for his situation and pain.

Haven't we all, at one point or another blamed God for human suffering? But the start of the book shows it was Satan (who the Bible calls the god of this present world/age) who was the orchestrator of pain. 

The God of the universe handed control of earth to Adam. Adam never lost that control, but continually hands that control over to the spirit of influence he bows to at any given moment. Throughout the world, Satan, through men/women, influences the control Adam received. Men, Sin, and a sin-broken earth/environment are the cause of all human suffering. Not God.

The counter offered by Elihu > Then God (don't ascribe right-ness to yourself, but to God).

At the end of the book, God refuses to address the reasons' for Job's suffering. The final friend, the previously silent fourth friend, points out that God is to be praised and magnified. God-Focus, not Man-Focus, is the cure. 

Elihu shows us that by turning our attention from the problem entirely (including its causes and cures) and bringing our focus to bear instead on God's role, ability, and magnitude, we can then tap into that power (instead of little g's power). By developing a relationship with, and covenant with, God (big G) we can over-ride the things of this world and find a greater peace, prosperity, and wholeness. 

This isn't to say we'd never again experience affliction, but that we'd be in covenant with the One who can over-ride it.

Sacrifice on behalf of his friends (outward focus, gain on half of others)

Finally, we see the second sacrifice. Whereas the first sacrifice is made out of a fear of loss, self-focus; the second sacrifice is made on behalf of a request from God for his friends, outward-focus.

God got Job's attention to the needs of others instead of his own needs. As a direct result of that second outward focused event, Job's own situation was handled.

There were times, in years past, where God directed me to pray for others' needs and my own were miraculously taken care of. It's possible there is a principle at work here that transcends the specific events of Job's life.

Perhaps, when we turn out attention from our own wants, needs, desires, to the needs of others; our life's mission and purpose can be more clearly expressed.

Perhaps, we cannot be blessed in and of ourselves but we can be a conduit of The Blessing that flows through our lives to others. We receive "blessings" in the process but it's only when the hose of our life is "turned on" to pour out on others.

We cannot be a reservoir of God's blessing, but we can be a conduit. Darrell Wolfe

Selah.

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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The Rapture Debate

https://bible.org/article/rapture-debate

In this great article, Sid Litke shows that The Rapture and The Second Coming must be different events. There is no other form scriptural stance.

He mentions the less popular view of a Mid Trib Rapture.

In light of a recent video teaching I watched, I'm exploring this as another possible interpretation. Nothing in this article, linked above, would negate a Mid Trib Rapture except the concept of imminence.

Believers are looking to the return of Jesus as the next event that could happen at any moment.

In the event of a Mid Trib Rapture, you can literally set the calendar for the exact day off Jesus' return. This fails the imminence test.

It requires further review and study, but my gut impression is to say anything other than a PreTrib Rapture fails sound scripture reading on the whole.

Still studying though.

Darrell

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I'm A Beaver

I'm A Beaver

Take the test: Here


Hope you enjoyed the Smalley Personality Quiz! Your score report is presented below.  Your dominant personality is your highest score, but you will also notice how strong you are in the other three types.  Your unique personality style is a combination of each type.

Your Result

  Print

The Beaver

Strengths: Beavers have a strong need to do things right and “by the book.” In fact, they’re the kind of people who actually read instruction manuals. They’re great at providing quality control in an office and will thrive in any situations that demand accuracy, such as accounting, engineering, etc.

Because rules, consistency, and high standards are so important to beavers, they’re often frustrated with a mate who doesn’t share these same characteristics. Despite deep feelings for those they love, beavers must learn to communicate their softness and warmth in a way that’s felt and clearly understood by others.

Areas of Growth: Beavers need to accept that it’s all right to make mistakes and that it’s healthy to call for help when they’re struggling.

The Lion

Strengths: Lions are leaders. They’re usually the bosses at work, or think they are. They’re decisive, bottom-line folks who are not watchers or listeners. They love to solve problems. Unfortunately, if they don’t learn to tone down their aggressiveness, their natural dominating traits can cause problems for others.

Areas of Growth: Lions need to learn that meaningful communication takes time. They need to slow down to involve others in decisions.

Your score for each result type

Element	Density
The Beaver	50
The Lion	42
The Otter	27
The Golden Retriever	17

17

How You Compare To Others

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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Starting a business

 Many folks ask me how to start a business, here are the steps, in general.

1. Choosing a Type/Structure:

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has a ton of information about starting, structuring, and launching a business. The SBA.Gov website has a special topic on choosing a Business Structure.

Most Common:

Business structure	Ownership	Liability	Taxes
Business structure: Sole proprietorship (often uses a DBA / ABN)	Ownership: One person	Liability: Unlimited personal liability	Taxes: Personal tax only
Business structure: Limited liability company (LLC)	Ownership: One or more people	Liability: Owners are not personally liable	Taxes: Self-employment tax Personal tax or corporate tax
Business structure: Corporation - C corp	Ownership: One or more people	Liability: Owners are not personally liable	Taxes: Corporate tax
Business structure: Corporation - S corp	Ownership: One or more people, but no more than 100, and all must be U.S. citizens	Liability: Owners are not personally liable	Taxes: Personal tax

2. Entity Filing in Idaho

The Idaho Secretary of State website contains all of the forms one could need to star their business filing. On the left, select Business Entities, the select the entity type you are interested in creating.

Most common are:

• Assumed Business Name (ABN) / Doing Business As (DBA)
• Corporation (INC)
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)

You will print out the form, sign it, and send it by mail with a check for the filing fee ($25 or $100, typically). The Secretary of State in Idaho takes FOREVER to complete the filing. Could be two weeks, could be six weeks. Could be longer.

 3. EIN / Tax ID

If you are any type of business except a Sole Proprietor using your name or an ABN/DBA, you'll need to have a Tax ID (EIN). Simple, easy, and Free process. Just go to IRS.Gov, select "Apply for an Employer ID Number (EIN)", under step 3 select Apply Now, then select Begin Application. Follow the prompts and make sure to save the PDF at the end before closing the screen.

 4. Opening Your Business Accounts

Once the Secretary of State shows the filing on their website, we're ready to open accounts. We can pull that paperwork directly from the site, so you just bring your ID, opening deposit, and EIN/TaxID.

DarrellWolfe 

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Debt Disputes: What to do with collections, charge-offs, and unknown items on your credit report.

Quite often, over the years, I've worked with people who had old items on their credit reports. Sometimes they don't even know what the items are for. Other times they disagree with the legitimacy of the report, or the reason the company says they still owe money. 

The following is my advice for any such individuals. Take it for what it is. I'm not an "expert" but I've been a loan officer for over 12 years and I've seen quite a bit. 

• Step One: Debt Validation Letter
• Step 2.1: Debt Validated/Settle
• Step 2.2: Debt Not Validated/Still Not Removed.

Step One: Debt Validation Letter

See TheBalance.com , I borrowed their letter and made it better. Here's my revised template:

Date

Your Name
Address
City, State Zip

Debt Collector’s Name
Address
City, State Zip

Re: [insert account number]

This letter is sent in response to an item showing on my credit report. I am requesting that you provide validation of this debt. A validation of this debt includes a signed copy of the contract, statements, and notices.

If you are unable to comply with a debt validation, you are required to remove this debt from my credit reports. Please provide me a letter confirming this was completed.

If you do not comply with this request, I will may seek remediation through filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and/or the Idaho Attorney General’s Office (ID AG). Civil and criminal claims may also be pursued.

Sincerely,

Your Name

CC: ID AG
CC: CFPB

********

Step 2.1: Debt Validated/Settle

If they validate the debt, and you are satisfied that you owe it. Work on settling the debt for less than you owe.

• Dave Ramsey Article on Debt Settlement
• Letter Templates

Sample Lump Sum Debt Settlement Offer Letter::

Date

Acct Number: [insert account number]
Credit Card Company Name
Company’s Address
City, State and ZIP Code

Re: Requesting Payoff of my Credit Account

Dear [insert company name]:

This letter serves as my official offer to pay my past due balance of [insert type of product] with your company [list the name of the card company, account number Account Number]. As you are aware, I am unable to pay the full balance, however, I am able, at this point in time, to gather an amount that I believe will be an agreeable payoff amount.

I would like to request that if I pay the amount of [insert total amount here], my account will be considered paid in full.

If this is agreed upon, I would also request the following:

My account be closed and no further interest or penalty charges would be applied.

A written confirmation of your agreement to this proposal be sent to my address below.

After agreeing to this proposal and receipt of your written confirmation, I will pay the amount of LUMP SUM AMOUNT via certified check within 10 days of receiving your letter.

After you receive and post the payment, I request the following:

An official letter indicating that my account is closed and my balance is $0.

The account status as reported to the Credit Reporting Agencies be “CLOSED BY REQUEST OF CARDHOLDER” or “PAID IN FULL”

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me by mail at the address below, by phone at the telephone number, or by email.

I look forward to resolving this matter.

Sincerely,

Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Phone
Email
Address
City, State and ZIP Code

Step 2.2: Debt Not Validated/Still Not Removed.

If they do not validate the debt, or they do and you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may file a complete. The two best resources are the CFPB and ID AG.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
File A Complaint: Here

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office (ID AG)
File A Claim: Here

Office of the Attorney General
700 W. Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0010
Phone (208) 334-2400
Fax (208) 854-8071

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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