The American culture we live in today is growing increasingly bleak. The economy is decaying and the nation is currently led by a government hostile to God. Morality and restraint are disappearing and threats of shortages, wars, economic devastation, tyranny and persecution loom on the horizon. Understandably, many live in a state of alarm, fearful of what the future holds for them and especially for their children, children just like me, who are members of the next generation praying, planning, and hoping for a future.
So how should we respond, not only as the next generation, but as Disciples of Christ to this gathering storm? Perhaps the current alarm is a providential wake-up call, a call for us to trust in Him alone and depend on Him for all things, including our daily bread and our health care. It is time to realize that our hope and our trust should be in the Lord and not in our circumstances, a standard of living, possessions, or people. It is time for us to cut away the bondage of cultural thinking and the false sense of security that has wooed us into forgetting that God provides us with our very breath and knows the number of our days, and even the number of hairs on our head.
How freeing it is to ponder that God alone is our refuge and strength, and our freedom comes from faithful obedience to Him in all circumstances. The era God has placed us in may look drastically different than that of the prior generations, but our calling transcends circumstances as we seek to stand with Joshua and Caleb and follow God with dedicated hearts in the face of incredible odds and the giants in our land. In the whirlwind of challenge, we proceed one step at a time, laying our hopes and dreams at His feet and trusting Him who directs nations and orchestrates all events according to His awesome plan. May we be faithful to seek God with our whole hearts, stand as children of His promises, fix our eyes on Him, and run with endurance and purpose the race that He has set before us. Now is the time to evaluate what really matters in life so we can set our sights high and live lives of precision focused on knowing God and making Him known.
_____
"Oh, that young and old would turn off the television, take a long walk, and dream about feats of courage for a cause ten thousand times more important than American democracy - as precious as that is. If we would dream and if we would pray, would not God answer? Would He withhold from us a life of joyful love and mercy and sacrifice that magnifies Christ and makes people glad in God? I plead with you. . . set your face like flint to join Jesus on the Calvary road. "Let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:13-14) When they see our sacrificial love-radiant with joy- will they not say, "Christ is great"?" - Don't Waste Your Life, Piper.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tis the Season to be Thankful
Have you ever had those days when you sigh and think "If only I had _______" or "If only I could do __________" and yet by circumstances totally out of your control you realize now is not the time for your dreams to come true?
Now when I say dreams, I'm not referring to little materialistic desires like "I wish I had a Starbucks right now," or "I wish I could buy the latest cell phone." In this case I'm talking about deeper dreams, dreams of salvation for family, dreams of healing for sickness, dreams of hard situations getting easier . . . . I'm sure you could fill in the blanks with your dreams.
No matter where we are in life, we know there are things that we will want to change. Though we may raise our requests to God in prayer, the answer that comes back may be "no" or perhaps "not yet." At that point we have a choice to make, will we accept God's will in contentment or will we continue to pine away for the change we so desire?
Clearly, our Father does not intend for us to fret our lives away yearning for all of our dreams to be fulfilled. Instead He commands us to lay our cares at His feet and to place our trust fully in Him. But not only are we to trust Him, we are to be thankful in every situation. Yes, in everything.
Phil 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Eph 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
1 Thes 5:17-18 "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Consider the flip side for a moment. If we weren't thankful for something what attitude would we be portraying? Would we be second guessing God? Would we be in danger of becoming bitter? When we say that we believe God works all things together for our good, do we truly believe it? Are we willing to let the Potter mold us and shape us through His plans for our lives?
Not only are we to be content in all circumstances (Heb 13:5; Phil 4:11)but we are to be thankful that God in His sovereignty has placed those challenges in our lives. Ultimately, any challenge that presents itself is for our good and His glory. Someday, when we have a bird's eye view of our lives, we will be able to
see how God was there at every twist and turn in the road shaping us and molding us to be more like Him. ~~~
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Now when I say dreams, I'm not referring to little materialistic desires like "I wish I had a Starbucks right now," or "I wish I could buy the latest cell phone." In this case I'm talking about deeper dreams, dreams of salvation for family, dreams of healing for sickness, dreams of hard situations getting easier . . . . I'm sure you could fill in the blanks with your dreams.
No matter where we are in life, we know there are things that we will want to change. Though we may raise our requests to God in prayer, the answer that comes back may be "no" or perhaps "not yet." At that point we have a choice to make, will we accept God's will in contentment or will we continue to pine away for the change we so desire?
Clearly, our Father does not intend for us to fret our lives away yearning for all of our dreams to be fulfilled. Instead He commands us to lay our cares at His feet and to place our trust fully in Him. But not only are we to trust Him, we are to be thankful in every situation. Yes, in everything.
Phil 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Eph 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
1 Thes 5:17-18 "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Consider the flip side for a moment. If we weren't thankful for something what attitude would we be portraying? Would we be second guessing God? Would we be in danger of becoming bitter? When we say that we believe God works all things together for our good, do we truly believe it? Are we willing to let the Potter mold us and shape us through His plans for our lives?
Not only are we to be content in all circumstances (Heb 13:5; Phil 4:11)but we are to be thankful that God in His sovereignty has placed those challenges in our lives. Ultimately, any challenge that presents itself is for our good and His glory. Someday, when we have a bird's eye view of our lives, we will be able to
see how God was there at every twist and turn in the road shaping us and molding us to be more like Him. ~~~
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Work in Progress
This life, therefore, is not righteousness
but growth in righteousness,
Not health but healing,
Not being but becoming,
Not rest but exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be,
But we are growing toward it;
The process is not yet finished
But it is going on;
This is not the end
But it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory
But all is being purified. -Martin Luther
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3
but growth in righteousness,
Not health but healing,
Not being but becoming,
Not rest but exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be,
But we are growing toward it;
The process is not yet finished
But it is going on;
This is not the end
But it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory
But all is being purified. -Martin Luther
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Perspective
Put your anxious mind at rest and just stop. Find true peace and contentment in each and every moment and circumstance of the day. God is still on His throne orchestrating and ordaining our lives. Why should I worry about what comes next? Yes, plan and prepare for the future, but fret about it? That would not be according to the knowledge that God has given me.
I know that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I know that He causes all things to work together for my good. I know that He has ordained my steps and that He cares for me. I know that all of my days are determined and that in Him I live and move and have my being. I know that the light of His gospel has shined in my heart and that I must be anxious for nothing but in everything I must make my requests known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. I know that because God is on His throne and Jesus is there interceding for me I can trust the One who is above all to direct my life, I can stop fretting under a weight that I wasn’t meant to carry and take His yoke upon me because His burden is easy and His yoke is light and in Him I find rest. He is the potter and I am the clay, why should I presume to have a better plan than He?
Furthermore, He who watches out for me neither slumbers nor sleeps. I can go forth and make it my aim to live my life according to the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that I might walk worthy of the Lord pleasing Him in every respect and being fruitful unto every good work walking according to His Truth. Being found in Him according to His righteousness. Knowing that this treasure is in an earthen vessel that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of me. That He who began a good work in me will faithfully complete it. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of my God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Therefore, I will be still and know that He is my God.
I know that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I know that He causes all things to work together for my good. I know that He has ordained my steps and that He cares for me. I know that all of my days are determined and that in Him I live and move and have my being. I know that the light of His gospel has shined in my heart and that I must be anxious for nothing but in everything I must make my requests known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. I know that because God is on His throne and Jesus is there interceding for me I can trust the One who is above all to direct my life, I can stop fretting under a weight that I wasn’t meant to carry and take His yoke upon me because His burden is easy and His yoke is light and in Him I find rest. He is the potter and I am the clay, why should I presume to have a better plan than He?
Furthermore, He who watches out for me neither slumbers nor sleeps. I can go forth and make it my aim to live my life according to the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that I might walk worthy of the Lord pleasing Him in every respect and being fruitful unto every good work walking according to His Truth. Being found in Him according to His righteousness. Knowing that this treasure is in an earthen vessel that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of me. That He who began a good work in me will faithfully complete it. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of my God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Therefore, I will be still and know that He is my God.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My College Journey Part I - Why I Did It.
Just about four and a half years ago I graduated from high school. At the time I was facing the question that nearly every American graduate faces – what do I do next? I knew from the direction that my dad provided that I needed to pursue a college degree but I also knew that my heart was yearning for home. The idea of committing to a full time load, even at a local college, was overwhelming. Before graduation I was accepted to a local Christian college that is forty minutes from my house. But as I learned about this commitment I found that I would basically be gone everyday and that to graduate in four years I would have to carry a substantial academic load that would also be quite expensive. The idea of being that committed brought me to tears as I contemplated the separation that would bring from my family. I remember sobbing my eyes out as I helped my mom paint the kitchen ceiling as I pictured what it would be like to be a full time student. Yet I felt stuck because I couldn’t think of another alternative. However, I also remember that even then my mom encouraged me to remember God always provides. She was so right.
Little did I know at the time that God had an entirely different plan for me and my education. If I have learned nothing else over the past four years, I have learned that God is faithful to direct us as we seek to follow and obey His ways while we make decisions for our lives. He is still teaching me to have the faith that He will provide ways for me to life and follow His ways without compromise.
Now I realize the idea of desiring to be with my family as a home based daughter instead of desiring to be a full time traditional college student, may sound foreign to most. So before I go any further let me explain why I believe it is godly to desire to be a home based daughter. Then I will tell you how God provided for my education.
If you conduct a thorough study of scripture you will find that home-based ministry is the woman’s domain. Notice that I said home-based and not home-bound. The Proverbs 31 woman was active in her community as well as her home. However, it is in the home that her ministry is based and it is from the home that God has designed her, and all women, to impact the world. Even though I am not yet a wife it is my goal to pursue a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 lifestyle so that I will be thoroughly prepared to run a household and stand by my future husband should that be God’s plan for my life. In the mean time, I live in a family and in a community which both desperately need godly young ladies who are willing to serve and fill in gaps as they follow the original pattern of Biblical womanhood.
But, you may ask, what about being independent? Isn’t that an important aspect of life women learn at college? I do not believe that the Bible teaches women to be independent. The normal pattern in scripture shows women as being under the caring protection and nurturing authority of husbands and fathers, except in the case of widows. Women are not designed to be independent or unprotected. Just look at the dearth of the unprotected and independent ladies we have today and notice the heart break and emotional baggage that comes as a result of broken or wrong relationships. How many times do we see ladies in bad relationships and ask, “where is her father, why isn't he doing his job?” How healthy is it to train unmarried ladies to be independent when the Bible says they are to submit to their husbands in marriage? (Eph 5:21-25) An independent spirit does not stop as soon as a woman says “I do” and emotional baggage is carried straight into marriage. Independence is not something the Bible advocates for women and as you look around our culture you can see the fruit of teaching women to be independent.
Please note, that choosing to be home-based and under God-ordained authority does not mean that I advocate sitting around and knitting all day. Far from it. As an unmarried women I am as responsible as anyone to wisely use the time He’s allotted me for His glory. The Proverbs 31 woman is a model for all ladies everywhere. Like her I want to be virtuous, trustworthy, productive, diligent, industrious, strong, and honorable. I want to reach out to the poor and the needy, take care of my family, avoid idleness, make wise purchases and investments for my family, plan for their good, smile at the future and speak wisdom and kindness. Who would not want to be like this woman?
In addition my life should be a picture of the one-another’s of scripture. I have more of an opportunity to reach out to others in the community who need a helping hand because I do not have the kind of commitments as a mother with children. I have time to travel as a companion with my widowed grandmother. I have time to assist my family in accomplishing hospitality as we reach out to others and bring them into our home for evangelism or fellowship. I have time to help bedridden mothers care for their household. Truly, the sky is the limit on how many opportunities I have to minister from home as I work on behalf of my family and my God.
So where does education and college fit into this picture? Every Christian should make it their aim to gain wisdom and knowledge throughout life. So whether I am studying for college exams or not, I should make it my goal to learn and grow wiser in the knowledge of God (Prov 1:7). This will help me on an everyday level as I make decisions about life. {2 Tim 3:16-17} The knowledge that I have learned in the process of gaining my degree will help me in my life purpose of ministry from the home. Through my studies on personal finance, I learned how to be a wise steward. Through economics I learned about the way financial systems work (or don’t work) so I can make better educated financial decisions. Through biology I was reminded that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through psychology I contemplated the way the world thinks and saw how God’s ways are better. Through history I saw how the choice to honor God impacts the culture and the future. Through music I saw the hand of God at work in organizing a logical system. Finally, through my work I am now very close to obtaining a four year bachelor's degree. Pursuing this degree fit my life purpose and now I will have it as one more tool in my tool box.
Now to the rest of the story . . . . (But first I must give credit to my friend at TrueFemininity for being the inspiration behind these posts! =)
Little did I know at the time that God had an entirely different plan for me and my education. If I have learned nothing else over the past four years, I have learned that God is faithful to direct us as we seek to follow and obey His ways while we make decisions for our lives. He is still teaching me to have the faith that He will provide ways for me to life and follow His ways without compromise.
Now I realize the idea of desiring to be with my family as a home based daughter instead of desiring to be a full time traditional college student, may sound foreign to most. So before I go any further let me explain why I believe it is godly to desire to be a home based daughter. Then I will tell you how God provided for my education.
If you conduct a thorough study of scripture you will find that home-based ministry is the woman’s domain. Notice that I said home-based and not home-bound. The Proverbs 31 woman was active in her community as well as her home. However, it is in the home that her ministry is based and it is from the home that God has designed her, and all women, to impact the world. Even though I am not yet a wife it is my goal to pursue a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 lifestyle so that I will be thoroughly prepared to run a household and stand by my future husband should that be God’s plan for my life. In the mean time, I live in a family and in a community which both desperately need godly young ladies who are willing to serve and fill in gaps as they follow the original pattern of Biblical womanhood.
But, you may ask, what about being independent? Isn’t that an important aspect of life women learn at college? I do not believe that the Bible teaches women to be independent. The normal pattern in scripture shows women as being under the caring protection and nurturing authority of husbands and fathers, except in the case of widows. Women are not designed to be independent or unprotected. Just look at the dearth of the unprotected and independent ladies we have today and notice the heart break and emotional baggage that comes as a result of broken or wrong relationships. How many times do we see ladies in bad relationships and ask, “where is her father, why isn't he doing his job?” How healthy is it to train unmarried ladies to be independent when the Bible says they are to submit to their husbands in marriage? (Eph 5:21-25) An independent spirit does not stop as soon as a woman says “I do” and emotional baggage is carried straight into marriage. Independence is not something the Bible advocates for women and as you look around our culture you can see the fruit of teaching women to be independent.
Please note, that choosing to be home-based and under God-ordained authority does not mean that I advocate sitting around and knitting all day. Far from it. As an unmarried women I am as responsible as anyone to wisely use the time He’s allotted me for His glory. The Proverbs 31 woman is a model for all ladies everywhere. Like her I want to be virtuous, trustworthy, productive, diligent, industrious, strong, and honorable. I want to reach out to the poor and the needy, take care of my family, avoid idleness, make wise purchases and investments for my family, plan for their good, smile at the future and speak wisdom and kindness. Who would not want to be like this woman?
In addition my life should be a picture of the one-another’s of scripture. I have more of an opportunity to reach out to others in the community who need a helping hand because I do not have the kind of commitments as a mother with children. I have time to travel as a companion with my widowed grandmother. I have time to assist my family in accomplishing hospitality as we reach out to others and bring them into our home for evangelism or fellowship. I have time to help bedridden mothers care for their household. Truly, the sky is the limit on how many opportunities I have to minister from home as I work on behalf of my family and my God.
So where does education and college fit into this picture? Every Christian should make it their aim to gain wisdom and knowledge throughout life. So whether I am studying for college exams or not, I should make it my goal to learn and grow wiser in the knowledge of God (Prov 1:7). This will help me on an everyday level as I make decisions about life. {2 Tim 3:16-17} The knowledge that I have learned in the process of gaining my degree will help me in my life purpose of ministry from the home. Through my studies on personal finance, I learned how to be a wise steward. Through economics I learned about the way financial systems work (or don’t work) so I can make better educated financial decisions. Through biology I was reminded that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through psychology I contemplated the way the world thinks and saw how God’s ways are better. Through history I saw how the choice to honor God impacts the culture and the future. Through music I saw the hand of God at work in organizing a logical system. Finally, through my work I am now very close to obtaining a four year bachelor's degree. Pursuing this degree fit my life purpose and now I will have it as one more tool in my tool box.
Now to the rest of the story . . . . (But first I must give credit to my friend at TrueFemininity for being the inspiration behind these posts! =)
My College Journey Part II - How I did it.
So now that you know a little bit more about my calling in life, let me continue the story of my college education. . . .
Graduation came and went. Even though all I had to do was enroll at our local school, I still was not comfortable with that choice. I deferred my enrollment to buy more time. Then it happened. Low and behold God sent CollegePlus! into my life! At the time, I was on Vision Forum’s website and I found a link to a company they endorsed called CollegePlus! As I explored CollegePlus!’s website I discovered a way to do college at home! Leave it to my Father in Heaven to provide an out of the ordinary way to get my degree just when I needed it. He knew my homemaker’s heart and He also knew exactly what I needed. By the end of August I was enrolled in their coaching program and ready to tackle my degree.
So how did I do it? Well, I found four major allies. They were CollegePlus!, Thomas Edison State College, CLEP tests and DANTES tests . . . read on to follow my journey.
CollegePlus! is a Christian company that is mainly a degree planning and coaching organization. They helped me plan my degree template and told me exactly which classes or tests I would need to get a B.A. in History. After I finished the preliminary work with the degree planner I was assigned a personal coach. My personal coach would call me about every two weeks to keep me accountable and to be available for any questions I might have. She would also email me study guides for each CLEP along with a recommended reading list. I stayed with them for two years and then branched off on my own since I had learned the ropes and could continue on my own.
Thomas Edison State College (TESC) is a school that grants degrees for credit obtained through CLEP, DANTES, and any other accredited sources. They also offer various internet classes, exams, and ways to obtain credit by life experience. My degree planner figured out that TESC would be the best place to obtain a degree and he gave me a list of CLEP and DANTES tests that would satisfy the requirements. Enrolling at TESC is the largest single sum of money I spent on my degree. However I did not enroll until I had accumulated nearly all of my transferable units. Enrollment is currently about $2600 and then there are fees for individual classes should the student choose to take them from TESC. They have a couple of different tuition plans depending on how many classes are needed from TESC. I am transferring in all of my 120 units and I will not be taking any classes directly from them.
CLEP or the College Level Exam Program is possibly the greatest thing invented since sliced bread. =) Ok, maybe not quite. These tests are designed by the College Board (the same body that oversees the SAT) to give credit for knowledge learned outside of the traditional classroom. There are 34 exams which have a broad range of subject matter. Some of the tests are worth six units and some of them are worth three. They currently cost $72 per test plus whatever administration fee the local testing facility charges, mine charged $30. So for $102 dollars I earned credit for a mere $17 dollars per unit (6 units) or $34 dollars (3 units).
All CLEP tests are multiple choice with the exception of the English Composition exam which includes an essay. I would typically read a text book on the subject (CollegePlus! would send a recommend reading list for each test) and take notes on what I was reading. Whenever I reached the end of my studying goal (usually the whole book) I would take a practice CLEP test and as long as I got 60% on that I knew that I would pass the real exam. The great thing about CLEP is that it is pass or fail. The perfect test score is 80 and the just passing score is 50. So I could basically invest a minimal amount of time on subjects like psychology and just pass the test or I could spend more time on a subject that is very interesting (economics) and pass with a higher score and a deeper knowledge of the subject.
DANTES tests are very similar to CLEP they were designed originally for military personal but are now available to the public. There are almost 2000 colleges and universities that grant credit for passing scores. There are 37 tests available and they are $80 dollars each (plus the administration fee). The great thing about DANTES is that Thomas Edison recognizes some of them as upper level units. I was able to satisfy most of my particular upper degree requirements through DANTES. The DANTES website also provides a free recommended reading list and study guide for each test. I would usually research the books and pick the one or two that looked the best to me.
Obtaining my degree this way allowed me to be creative with my education. (Depending on what degree is chosen, it may be completable from home or it may require classes on a campus.) Thomas Edison also recognizes credit transferred from community colleges so I chose a few classes I wanted to take in person. I took three music theory classes and a nutrition class at my local junior college. I also took Microsoft Excel, Quick-books, Intro to Accounting, Kinesiology and Fitness, California History and Latin America History online from three different California community colleges. The last two history classes (which I’m taking this semester) are fulfilling the last six units of my degree.
The Price Tag: All told (not counting books) my degree cost around $9,000 spread out over four and a half years. CollegePlus! is currently calculating that it will cost between $10,000-$15,000 to obtain a degree, depending on which major is selected.
Here’s an approximate break down of expenses:
18 CLEP tests = $1836.00
6 Dantes test = $630.00
9 Community College Classes: $1000.00
Thomas Edison Enrollment and Application Fee: $2675.00
CollegePlus! (two years at previous tuition rate): $2849.00
Grand Approximate Total: $8990.00
A Few Extras:
-Highschoolers: Another great way to earn credit is to take CLEPS while you are still in highschool. As you study subjects like government, history, economics, or literature . . . consider taking a clep as your final project. They really are not to advanced for highschool.
-Another invaluable resource was INSTACERT which is a quiz engine designed to help students practice for CLEP and DANTES.
-Books I obtained most of my textbooks from used book sites online for good prices. My favorite search site is http://www.dealoz.com/ (I think my best purchase was my Principles of Management book that I spent less than a dollar to buy. =)
-CLEP Book Suggestions
So to sum it all up my journey has been a great one and a blessed one. I have cherished the flexibility that comes from taking a test whenever I was ready for it and being able to travel, serve, and study at the same time. Because I wasn't required to be in class every day, I had the flexibility to participate in family events and most importantly I have been able to minister and serve from home. May I never doubt God's ability to provide for every need, great or small.
Graduation came and went. Even though all I had to do was enroll at our local school, I still was not comfortable with that choice. I deferred my enrollment to buy more time. Then it happened. Low and behold God sent CollegePlus! into my life! At the time, I was on Vision Forum’s website and I found a link to a company they endorsed called CollegePlus! As I explored CollegePlus!’s website I discovered a way to do college at home! Leave it to my Father in Heaven to provide an out of the ordinary way to get my degree just when I needed it. He knew my homemaker’s heart and He also knew exactly what I needed. By the end of August I was enrolled in their coaching program and ready to tackle my degree.
So how did I do it? Well, I found four major allies. They were CollegePlus!, Thomas Edison State College, CLEP tests and DANTES tests . . . read on to follow my journey.
CollegePlus! is a Christian company that is mainly a degree planning and coaching organization. They helped me plan my degree template and told me exactly which classes or tests I would need to get a B.A. in History. After I finished the preliminary work with the degree planner I was assigned a personal coach. My personal coach would call me about every two weeks to keep me accountable and to be available for any questions I might have. She would also email me study guides for each CLEP along with a recommended reading list. I stayed with them for two years and then branched off on my own since I had learned the ropes and could continue on my own.
Thomas Edison State College (TESC) is a school that grants degrees for credit obtained through CLEP, DANTES, and any other accredited sources. They also offer various internet classes, exams, and ways to obtain credit by life experience. My degree planner figured out that TESC would be the best place to obtain a degree and he gave me a list of CLEP and DANTES tests that would satisfy the requirements. Enrolling at TESC is the largest single sum of money I spent on my degree. However I did not enroll until I had accumulated nearly all of my transferable units. Enrollment is currently about $2600 and then there are fees for individual classes should the student choose to take them from TESC. They have a couple of different tuition plans depending on how many classes are needed from TESC. I am transferring in all of my 120 units and I will not be taking any classes directly from them.
CLEP or the College Level Exam Program is possibly the greatest thing invented since sliced bread. =) Ok, maybe not quite. These tests are designed by the College Board (the same body that oversees the SAT) to give credit for knowledge learned outside of the traditional classroom. There are 34 exams which have a broad range of subject matter. Some of the tests are worth six units and some of them are worth three. They currently cost $72 per test plus whatever administration fee the local testing facility charges, mine charged $30. So for $102 dollars I earned credit for a mere $17 dollars per unit (6 units) or $34 dollars (3 units).
All CLEP tests are multiple choice with the exception of the English Composition exam which includes an essay. I would typically read a text book on the subject (CollegePlus! would send a recommend reading list for each test) and take notes on what I was reading. Whenever I reached the end of my studying goal (usually the whole book) I would take a practice CLEP test and as long as I got 60% on that I knew that I would pass the real exam. The great thing about CLEP is that it is pass or fail. The perfect test score is 80 and the just passing score is 50. So I could basically invest a minimal amount of time on subjects like psychology and just pass the test or I could spend more time on a subject that is very interesting (economics) and pass with a higher score and a deeper knowledge of the subject.
DANTES tests are very similar to CLEP they were designed originally for military personal but are now available to the public. There are almost 2000 colleges and universities that grant credit for passing scores. There are 37 tests available and they are $80 dollars each (plus the administration fee). The great thing about DANTES is that Thomas Edison recognizes some of them as upper level units. I was able to satisfy most of my particular upper degree requirements through DANTES. The DANTES website also provides a free recommended reading list and study guide for each test. I would usually research the books and pick the one or two that looked the best to me.
Obtaining my degree this way allowed me to be creative with my education. (Depending on what degree is chosen, it may be completable from home or it may require classes on a campus.) Thomas Edison also recognizes credit transferred from community colleges so I chose a few classes I wanted to take in person. I took three music theory classes and a nutrition class at my local junior college. I also took Microsoft Excel, Quick-books, Intro to Accounting, Kinesiology and Fitness, California History and Latin America History online from three different California community colleges. The last two history classes (which I’m taking this semester) are fulfilling the last six units of my degree.
The Price Tag: All told (not counting books) my degree cost around $9,000 spread out over four and a half years. CollegePlus! is currently calculating that it will cost between $10,000-$15,000 to obtain a degree, depending on which major is selected.
Here’s an approximate break down of expenses:
18 CLEP tests = $1836.00
6 Dantes test = $630.00
9 Community College Classes: $1000.00
Thomas Edison Enrollment and Application Fee: $2675.00
CollegePlus! (two years at previous tuition rate): $2849.00
Grand Approximate Total: $8990.00
A Few Extras:
-Highschoolers: Another great way to earn credit is to take CLEPS while you are still in highschool. As you study subjects like government, history, economics, or literature . . . consider taking a clep as your final project. They really are not to advanced for highschool.
-Another invaluable resource was INSTACERT which is a quiz engine designed to help students practice for CLEP and DANTES.
-Books I obtained most of my textbooks from used book sites online for good prices. My favorite search site is http://www.dealoz.com/ (I think my best purchase was my Principles of Management book that I spent less than a dollar to buy. =)
-CLEP Book Suggestions
So to sum it all up my journey has been a great one and a blessed one. I have cherished the flexibility that comes from taking a test whenever I was ready for it and being able to travel, serve, and study at the same time. Because I wasn't required to be in class every day, I had the flexibility to participate in family events and most importantly I have been able to minister and serve from home. May I never doubt God's ability to provide for every need, great or small.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Portraits of Light
One of my favorite aspects of photography is capturing the light that illuminates the world, making it incredibly beautiful. But light in and of itself is insignificant until you consider that the greatest sort of Light comes from our Savior and the light that He brings from His justice and truth and love and grace for "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Therefore when I see light I want to remember that it is a reflection of our sovereign God. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. Ps 104
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light. Ps. 36
"...because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79
Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Ps 97
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Ps 119:105
Ps 118:27 God is the LORD, And He has given us light;
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?The LORD is the stronghold of my life;of whom shall I be afraid? Ps 27:1
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Ps 119:130
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me;let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Ps 43:3
He Who is the blessed and only Sovereign,the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Who alone has immortality,
who dwells in unapproachable LIGHT,
Whom no one has ever seen or can see.
To Him be honor and eternal dominion. 1 Tim 6:15-16
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