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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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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Suicide: Can suicide send you to hell?

The Blessed Life posted this video (here) "What Happens When You Commit Suicide?". This sparked a long on-going debate with strong feelings on either side. I love Ravi. He's one of the best. I'm kind of surprised he couldn't answer this one simply.

Here's the video, my answer below.

DISCLOSURE: Before reading my answer, please be aware of this. Suicide is a serious thing, with impacts not just for you but for your family, co-workers, and many others. If you are contemplating this, please seek help. 

There are many great resources, watch videos by Dr. BobHamp, seek a pastor our counselor, join a group. Suicide is a sign of depression and isolation. You need, above all else, connection with other believers. Not just to be physically around them, but an actual heart connection. Find someone, anyone, that you can talk to who will love on you with the Grace of God. Someone who can show you that there's NOTHING in your heart that will prevent God and that person from loving on you. 

There's a second group, who don't care about the love, they just want to avoid the pain. The pain is real. Suicide is NOT the answer. Let God heal that pain. Most of that pain is caused by a lie the Enemy is trying to sell you. Ask God: "What lie am I believing right now? What event caused me to believe that lie? And what Truth can you tell me about that?" 

The answers I give are to address a very specific, targeted, theological question. They are not indented to justify your decision to take your life. Seek help, it's out there. If you don't know where to start, contact GatewayChurch in Southlake Texas. They can point you to some resources. 

Finally, if you are actually serious, like right now serious. Call 911 and tell them you are contemplating suicide and need to be taken in. They will help you prevent the action for now until you can get help. 

Check out my Resources page for Overcoming Depression. 

You can also contact: the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255

************

Now for the answer:

The question being asked is: Can suicide send you to hell?

I don't believe this is a complicated question at all. It's nothing to debate or get excited about.

My Short answer: No. Suicide will not send you to hell. 

This very question is based on a simple, common, works-based theological error.

It can be worded in many different ways, here are some of the basics I saw in response. Each of the following commits the exact same theological error. Because they are in error, I'll leave their name off from what they said, and simply address the error itself.

All of the following are responses given using the same theological ERROR:

• ... if you commit suicide you can't ask for forgiveness afterward...there is no second chance to repent. Suicide is a done deal and you're going to Hell !!

• So if the Good Lord chooses to use you to Glorify himself in some manner, yet, you take your own life, in a selfish act of the flesh; you have glorified yourself and not the Lord. Tell to me, why Jesus would grant life to someone who does not want it.

• You can't accept God and then not live by his word or have a relationship with him. Continuing to live in sin after having accepted God is not truly "accepting" Him. A relationship is a two-way street. You must follow God's rules and HE will give you everlasting life. I truly hope this is a learning opportunity for you as per your beliefs you just stated you possibly have been sinning after accepting Jesus. This is no worries though just ask God for forgiveness and I'm sure He will forgive you based on you not really understanding what He meant when He said "accept me"

• ...suicide is sin. All sin is based upon the flesh doing its will. I cannot make the choice to take my life which was given to me by God.

• No dude. Suicide is cowardly. Suicide is not wearing the full armor of God. Suicide is lacking faith in God, in that He wants us to live a life of abundance. Jesus came to give life, not so you or I or anyone else can take it away at leisure. Remember, His ways are not our ways. 

• Everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too. However, the cake was created to pour out on behalf of our brethren.

• God gives life and takes. Murder is a sin. To take your own life is murder. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

• Saved or not saved, if you commit suicide you do not go to heaven. Read Ex. 20:13. Thou Shalt not commit murder. That is exactly what you are doing. Also if you can follow through with suicide than you are lost you aren't saved, those are all lies of the devil.

Correcting the error: "Works" vs "Grace"

These are all reflections of an internal theological error, rooted into the church from day one. The early Jewish Christians made this error with their talk of "circumcision". Then it found its way into the church through other avenues, and it still lives with us today.

ALL (100%) of the above comments have some element of a works-based mentality behind them.

They all say, in essence:

• I'm saved through Jesus if I also.... 

The most common presentation is to hear the idea that "if I commit a sin and can't repent of it before I die, I'm going to hell". Well, that's religious nonsense and garbage. I can guarantee that you've committed sins at some point in your life that you don't remember and therefore cannot "repent" of.

"Asking for forgiveness" after each and every sin is irrelevant to salvation. 

I know, that sounds like heresy, keep reading and you'll get it.

SIN vs sins

There is a common misunderstanding between the condition called SIN and the individual acts called sins. We are in a state of being called SIN. We are born into this earth separated from God. Impure. Imperfect.

Jesus came, died, was buried and resurrected, raised and seated at the right hand of God the Father, and sent the Holy Spirit all for one reason. He is our replacement.

We either stand before God on the basis of our record or we stand before God on the basis of Jesus' record. He is the lamb, we cannot be. We will never be without blemish, and it's foolish for us to try to earn anything ever.

Some twisted version of works-based theology always tries to creep in and this point and tell us that Jesus died for our past sins, but we still have to keep repenting over-and-over-and-over to keep staying clean.

Hogwash.


Jesus died as our replacement. You will stand on His record or yours. Plain. Simple. Period.

What about all the scriptures about repenting and asking for forgiveness?

These have nothing so much to do with Salvation and more to do with our quality of life on this earth, and rewards beyond. No time to go deeper, that's another post for another day.

"Repentance" has little to do with actions anyway.

Repentance isn't about changing your actions or thoughts.

Repentance has to do with changing your WAY of thinking, your thought process. And this is not a one-time event, or repeated event, or an event at all. This is a way of life. We are to constantly be renewing our mind to God's way of thinking. And by getting his WAY of thinking, we eventually have new thoughts as a result, and then new actions. This is about how we live, and nothing to do with our salvation.

So everyone goes to heaven without needing to accept Jesus?

No. Again, you have a choice. You can stand on your record or His.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3

It's that simple. You either believe and accept that Jesus is your replacement or you don't.

What now?

As I said in my disclosure, if you are struggling with this yourself, seek help.

If any of this is new information to you, you've been lied to by religion and religious doctrines of men. You need Freedom. There are many good Bible-teaching churches that will show you the Grace of Jesus.

I'd also recommend you check out Bob Hamp, Christian Pastor and Counselor (MFT). He has some mind-blowing teachings on Freedom.

His website: BobHamp.com
Facebook: Think Differently: Counseling, Consulting, Connecting
Podcast: BobHamp on CastBox, including a teaching on Depression.


Also, one person in the thread gave a link to John Piper's answer. It's a decent answer and worth checking out.


Email Me@DarrellWolfe.com if you'd like to chat more about this.

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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Pokemon Avatar... Just because I can. LOL

Pokemon Avatar... Just because I can. LOL

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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The Shroud

Shadow enveloped Stephen as he watched the movements below from his perch in the old church bell tower. His cloak danced in the breeze as a proud flag, his face enshrouded under the familiar hood. He watched the events of Ashland, Idaho with a passive interest, until he noticed someone looking at him... directly?

It had been three hundred years since anyone had seen him, really seen him. Could this Captain Ashland be one of them? A seer? Unlikely. Not many were left in the world. Although the rumors of the shadow world claimed they were on the rise, ever since the Azusa Street Revival.

Stephen moved from his perch, pacing left to right. The Captain's eyes followed him. "I must tell the others," he said. "There is an awakening..."

His form morphed into a black whisp of cloud and he floated away from the perch, into the mountains.


***

Ash noticed the figure evaporated into a cloud of smoke. He shook his head. When would these visions ever get better?

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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SIN, sins, and the Promises of God

Recently, I saw this statement (as a snippet of a much larger comment). I agreed with the comment as a whole, but this portion really bothered me for a few days.

If we spoke even one word, negatively or condemning about one person, without taking care of that by repenting and clearing that up, although God desires only blessing, favor and good on our behalf, He must rule on our guilt of sin.

My Response:

SIN vs sins

Individual sins are a result of our inherited SIN nature. Jesus died to take care of SIN, not individual sins. Of course, individual sins are covered in that death, but it was the root He was after. Once you are born again, you will NEVER be ruled guilty of any individual sins, whether you remember to repent of them(it) or not. They are covered under the blood (past, present, and future). They are not irrelevant, but more on that in a moment.

Repentance

Repentance has nothing to do with saying sorry or asking for forgiveness, repentance has to do with changing your WAY of thinking to align with His. Not just replacing your thoughts with His thoughts, rather, it's replacing your WAY of thinking, receiving information and processing information to become like His.

Confession/Profession

Confession has nothing to do with claiming what you want or with confessing your sins, at least not directly. Confession/Profession means to "say the same thing as".

If God's talking to you about your sin, and you say the same thing he's saying, then this would be confession. But if God is talking to you about your Righteousness in Christ Jesus and you are talking about your sin, then you are NOT confessing. You are not saying the same thing as Him.

Likewise, when it comes to the promises, unless God has said it, you can say it all day long and it's not confession, it's wishing.

Vague Promises vs Specific Promises

Written = Vague

God's Written Word provides many promises. They are, on balance, general/vauge about most things. It says he will never leave us or forsake us, that we will live long in the land if we honor our father and mother, that God delights in the prosperity of his servants, that he has a future planned full of hope and prosperity, that if we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts we are saved....

On balance these are specific up to a point. Nothing in the written Word of God will promise you a specific outcome for a specific set of obedience. There are general principles, rock solid Truths, but not very many situation-specific/outcome-specific promises.

Heard = Specific

For these, you must go beyond the Written Word, beyond rote learning, repetition, study... you must HEAR the voice of God speaking into your heart/situation. This gets harder. For this, you must hear. To hear, you must be listening. A myriad of things can hinder your listening/hearing.

You may be distracted by your own sins. Asking for forgiveness here could be a way to help clear your conscience and allow yourself to hear better. This does not mean that God needs you to repent in order to fulfill his promises or blessings, only that your dealing with this will help you clear your own conscience and help you hear. This mostly has to do with a need to renew your mind to His righteousness.

• You may be dragged away by your own desires (James 1:14). You don't WANT to hear. 
• You hear but don't like what you heard. You don't WANT to hear more. 
• You may not have learned how to listen/hear him. Training/Practice 
• You may have heard, but you're not sure how to know it's Him. Training/Coaching from others. 
• Many other reasons you may not hear and/or obey what you hear, thus not receive from God... 

All of these have nothing to do with sins, directly. Sins can play a role in YOUR heart, not in God's response.

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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