Faith4Business

I once had a close friend who said to me many times, "If you play Boomer Sooner and I don't stand up and clap then you will know I am dead." This was just one of his many colorful sayings. He was one of my Father's closest friends and had worked for him for over 15 years. He was a significant part of my raising from the time I was about 7 years old. Although he was married, he never had children and I know he felt like I was the son he never had. I also know he saved my skin more times and I can remember. He loved to tell the story of the day that he found me in the alley behind my Father's grocery store with a hammer about to smack an aerosol spray can. There is no way I can embellish this story close to the way he could. I know for sure that over the years it certainly got more and more colorful. What I remember most about it wasn't the details of what or how it happened but the way he would smile and laugh as he told it. Simply put, it was rich!  

Given that he worked 80 hours or more a week at the store and I was raised at the family business we grew as close as family. He was loyal, honest and one of the hardest working men I have ever know. As you might imagine we spent many hours over the years in long deep discussions on practically every topic. Every topic... including faith. I specifically remember one conversation when I asked him if he believed in God and if he thought there was a heaven. I recall clearly that he said, "Yes, I do. I believe in God and Jesus, and I think there is something greater than we can imagine. I think there is a life beyond that our words here cannot begin to describe." I remember thinking at the time this was not something that he said without considerable thought. I could tell from the way he answered and the expression on his face that he was serious. He had put time and effort of though in to defining his beliefs to what was a somewhat short but concise response.  

I am grateful today for having had people in my life that where not afraid or embarrassed to discuss and share their faith with me while they were working.

We didn’t know he was sick. He had not told our family. I know that he would not have wanted us to worry and I know that he would not have wanted to cause any grief or stress for my mother. He was sensitive to the fact that she is still processing the loss of my Father. But, I wish I would have known. I would have gone to see him and reminded him of the old times and all of the stories he used to love to tell about my shenanigans. I am sure I could have gotten him to laugh again.  I can only summarize his passing with this. As I recount my life I know that it was richer having know him and I am grateful to have shared so much of life with him.  

I now live thousands of miles away from where his services were held and I was not able to attend.  But, in my minds eye today they played “Boomer Sooner” and he did not stand up and clap. Rest in peace Ted Evans you where loved and cherished.

Placebos are an amazing medicine.  They are highly effective from a purely objective eye in treating everything from Headaches, Bi-polar disorder, Depression and even Multiple Sclerosis.  Many studies show a positive Placebo response rate ranging from 20-40%*. Have you ever wondered why that is?  Isn't this in fact a form of faith?  Over the past 40 years looking at the effectiveness in Placebo across many different study types Placebos have actually shown an increase in effectiveness despite the fact that more patients are now aware that they may be taking Placebo verses the real drug.  You have to scratch your head and wonder what is going on?  One theory is that the quality of care that is given in combination with the study may increase patient’s responsiveness to therapy.  Things like physical therapy, psychotherapy, and more frequent physician and nurse visits. 

Could be? Maybe?  

Another theory is that this is faith at work.  Patients have had an ever-increasing belief that modern science can cure their ills.  There is little dispute that we are a society where a pill is seen as the quick and easy cure for most ailments.  Many patients choose to believe that the doctor will find a way to make their life better and in many cases that is exactly what happens.  But not necessary because of what is in the pill... but rather the faith they are placing in the medical community.  Many people today have faith and many have a lot of it, although they probably don't realize it.

"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour."   Matthew 9:20-22

*Placebo Response in Studies of Major Depression
Variable, Substantial, and Growing 
B. Timothy Walsh, MD; Stuart N. Seidman, MD; Robyn Sysko, BA; Madelyn Gould, PhD

By RUTH SIMON And NICK TIMIRAOS

U.S. banks are resisting efforts by state attorneys general to force them to cut the amounts owed by some borrowers facing foreclosure. Yet mortgage companies already have reduced home-loan balances for more than 100,000 borrowers.

How much larger the number will grow is likely to be at the center of negotiations this week aimed at reaching a settlement to the nationwide investigation of mortgage-servicing practices.

Officials from Bank of America Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Co., Citigroup Inc. and Ally Financial Inc.'s GMAC unit have been summoned to Washington for a Wednesday meeting with state attorneys general and at least three U.S. agencies, according to people familiar with the situation.

It will be the first faceoff since the five companies, the largest home-loan servicers in the U.S., got a 27-page "term sheet" earlier this month from state attorneys general that would require the servicers to consider more borrowers for principal write-downs.

In addition, some of the financial penalties resulting from any settlement are "very likely" to be used for reductions in loan balances for certain borrowers, said Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, who is spearheading the 50-state investigation. Even among state officials, there are disagreements as to whether shrinking loan balances is a good idea.

The "term sheet's principal reduction proposals may actually foster an unintended 'moral hazard' that rewards those who simply choose not to pay their mortgage," the Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia attorney generals wrote in a March 22 letter to Mr. Miller.

The chief executives of Bank of America and Wells Fargo have questioned the fairness of writing down loans, while claiming the costs could be enormous if widespread principal reductions are triggered by a settlement.

Read More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703576204576226980831330892.htm...%3Darticle 

Wikipedia:

The Troubled Asset Relief Program, commonly referred to as TARP, is a program of the United States government to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions to strengthen its financial sector which was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008. It was a component of the government's measures in 2008 to address the subprime mortgage crisis.

We the American Public saved the banks from their poor investment choices in the subprime mortgage market...  TARP Money...  

100,000 Helped in a nation of 350 Million...  This is exactly why the the TARP bail out did little to restore the economy.  It never got trickled down to the individual.  It just preserved the solvency of the banks.  

How about a percentage reduction for all loans taken out during the time period the predatory loan scams where going on.  After all it was the loose lending tactics that drove the real estate bubble thus causing higher loan balances to begin with...

Via Business Insider, Image Charlie Engle

It is a topic of neverending frustration.

Despite the millions of ridiculous mortgages made during the peak years of the housing bubble, despite the billions of dollars of profits raked in by Wall Street and mortgage firms like Countrywide, despite the ensuing financial crisis that nearly brought the economy to its knees, no one has been held criminally responsible.

With the exception of a couple of mortgage investors on Wall Street, in fact--both of whom were justifiably acquitted--no one has even been charged with crimes.

Well, almost no one.

After an exhaustive investigation that included multiple agents, multiple criminal theories, dumpster diving, disguises, impersonations, and a secret wire, the government has finally nailed one alleged mortgage crook.

His name is Charlie Engle.

He's an ultra-marathoner.

And a homeowner.

A homeowner who may have overstated his income on a "liar loan."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/charlie-engle-2011-3#ixzz1HphaRvUr

"Nothing more clearly shows how little God esteems his gift to men of wealth, money, position and other wordly goods, than the way he distributes these, and the sort of men who are most amply provided with them." - Jean De La Bruyere

In December of 2006 I relocated half way across the country.  This was a good thing because I had accepted a promotion for a new position. During the relocation process my wife and I made several house hunting trips to the area searching for a new home.  Once we found it I went about arranging our financing for a mortgage.  After applying with several banks and mortgage lenders I thought I had found a good deal. I had shopped the rate, points and other closing costs for the best terms.  After numerous phone calls I had a good offer from a promenade national bank and I was ready to lock the rate. That is when a competing loan officer with company X caught me on the phone and I told her about the deal I was about to accept with the bank.  She reassures me that she could beat the deal I was about to make and she did.  I don't now recall all of the specifics but it was a better rate by approximately a quarter of a point with exactly the same terms. She told me that this was a loan with the same 30-year fix rate mortgage the bank was offering.  So thinking I had a better deal I locked the rate with company X.  

Flash Forward One Month:

My wife and I arrived at the closing company excited and filled with anticipation about closing on our new house.  We literally had the moving van waiting at the curb to bring in our furniture.  The closing was a marathon of signatures.  As usual there was a competent assistant that walked us through tons of legal paperwork.  Despite her explanations I try diligently to read as much as possible before signing my life away. Eventually, we got to the mortgage paperwork and the assistant reviewed the terms of the loan quickly.  I paused because the terms she described were not what I had agreed to previously with the loan officer. Instead of the 30-year fixed rate I was promised, the loan they had prepared was a lower monthly adjustable rate mortgage. After expressing my reservations the reply I got was that this was a better loan; the rate was lower and it would save me money every month given the lower payment.  I told the closing company employee that this was not what I had agreed to and I that I wanted the loan with fixed terms per my previous agreement. They explained that this apparent error was in my benefit and to correct it with a fixed rate loan would take several days to prepare. The bottom line, I was left to either accept the loan as it was or to walk and wait several days until the correct loan paperwork could be prepared.  

There have been many news stories on this topic over the last several years. Therefore, I tell this story, one because it is true. Second because it is full of greed and deception both on micro/personal and macro/national scale.  For starters the loan officer who agreed to terms with obviously no intent of selling me the loan I requested.  This was a classic bait and switch move.  Secondly, the closing company and their employees who were likely in some form of collusion given their attempt to facilitate the deal with quick responses to my concerns. But lets take this up the corporate ladder several levels higher to the executives at company X who where signing off on entire books of business that made up loan packages such as these.  Packages that when the rates climbed, as they eventually did, would be un-payable by the mortgagee.  The more money that was put in force or loaned out meant larger bonuses and commissions for all involved. Those executives at the top who were issuing and approving these loan packages were intelligent investors who knew exactly what they were doing.  I cannot help but wonder what justifications were used to convince themselves that this was good sound business. It would seem that they told themselves that if the mortgagees were willing to accept loans with such bad terms then it was not their fault.  Here lies the sin, "Am I my Brother's Keeper?"  But lending money to someone knowing that in time they would not have the ability to repay the debt is unethical and immoral regardless of legality.  

I can't help but picture in my minds eye some executive sitting on the back of their yacht contemplating what they likely would have described as an, "Ethical Dilemma."  This moment, however brief, was the exact moment they put a price tag on their ethics, morals and values.  

I walked. Had I signed the paperwork I would have more than likely lost everything including my house.  As we now know the rates did go up. And many people were not able to make their house payments resulting in the loss of their homes. These defaulting loans set into motion spiraling real-estate prices that has been a driving force behind a massive financial crisis that our economy has yet to recover.  I later found out that many of my neighbors had a similar experience and some fell victim to the deceptive tactics used at the closings.  These monthly adjustable loans were mostly for houses they could not have afforded otherwise.  I personally saw several of these people lose their houses and fall into financial ruin.  One couples marriage even ended in divorce months after the bank had taken back their home. Their financial peril no doubt contributed to the demise of the marriage. They had five children.  

Greed and Deception carry a heavy price.  One that an entire nation continues to bear.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. --1 Timothy 6:10,11

I did not want to name "Company X" who was offering the adjustable loan using such tactics as described above because it was not necessary for the story, but lets just say it happened country wide.

In the book "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand, Louie Zamperini writes a letter to his captor who beat him daily for two years, Mutsuhiro Watanabe.  This is an amazing example of how those that know forgiveness also know how to give it.

To Mutsuhiro Watanabe,

As a result of my prisoner war experience under your unwarranted and unreasonable punishment, my post-war life became a nightmare. It was not so much due to the pain and suffering as it was the tension of stress and humiliation that caused me to hate with a vengeance.

Under your discipline, my rights, not only as a prisoner of war but also as a human being, were stripped from me. It was a struggle to maintain enough dignity and hope to live until the war's end.

The post-war nightmares caused my life to crumble, but thanks to a confrontation with God through the evangelist Billy Graham, I committed my life to Christ. Love has replaced the hate I had for you. Christ said, "Forgive your enemies and pray for them."

As you probably know, I returned to Japan in 1952 and was graciously allowed to address all the Japanese war criminals at Sugamo Prison… I asked then about you, and was told that you probably had committed Hara Kiri, which I was sad to hear. At that moment, like the others, I also forgave you and now would hope that you would also become a Christian.

Louis Zamperini

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand, Random House, 2010, pp. 396-97.

The following is a true story... I couldn't make make this up if I tried.

Checkout the previous post from this morning "Customer Service" where I posted a picture of a t-shirt that said, "Let me stop everything and solve your problem." My post referred to the fact that while this t-shirt was meant in jest that good customer service is exactly that. Little did I know that had someone at Delta Airlines not taken the time to help me today I would not be typing this on my ipad this evening. This afternoon I flew from Panama City Beach, Florida to Charlotte, NC. During my flight I had my ipad out reading "Enchantment." About half way during the flight I struck up a pleasant conversation with the passenger next to me. During this conversation I put my ipad in the pouch in front of my seat. We talked until the flight arrived at the terminal then I packed up and hurried off to catch a cab. I was eager to get to my hotel to get a workout in and meet my boss to watch a few of the Basketball games this evening. While in the cab I reached to check my calendar on my ipad to see what I had going on this weekend. Yep, you got it my ipad was no where to be found. I checked my backpack twice while all the time knowing I had last seen it when I put it in the pouch in front of my seat during the flight. The worst part of this story is I lost a Kindle 2 years ago in the same manor. My heart sank and I immediately thought of how I was never going to see it again, just like the Kindle. In pure desperation I called the Delta customer service line. I didn't think there was much that could be done because once someone found it they were likely to "wipe" it and have it on ebay within a day or just keep it. Having been through this process before with the lost Kindle I knew that every airport has a Lost and Found. And, I also knew that if it was found by the cleaning crew and turned in that Lost and Found would be the place to check. When I reached the service representative at Delta she gave me the standard scripted response including about checking with Lost and Found. I explained to her that several years ago I had a similar situation and I never received the Kindle. I was begging her to do something to help me find it. She paused for a moment, I could virtually hear her conversation in her head saying, "I don't have time to stop everything and solve your problem." But thankfully that is not what she said. Instead she responded by saying "I don't want to get your hopes up but I will call the baggage department and see if they can send some to see if they can find it." By now it was over a 45 minutes or so since I had landed and I was half way to the hotel. The service rep put me on hold and after 10 minutes she returned and said that they had found it!!!!! She gave me the name of the person to ask for at baggage claim and told me that she would have it there for me. Unreal! I really thought it was gone. So I had the cab turn around and I went back to the airport to retrieve my ipad. I know that the customer service line at Delta gets thousands of calls daily where representatives are asked to do things that are not standard operating procedure. I know what this person did today was well beyond what she is expected or even trained to do by Delta. I know that she probably did not have time to mess with my problem today. But her kindness and generosity with her time to go the extra mile will not soon be forgotten. I am truly grateful and I let her know it.

As if this was not enough as I finally arrived at my hotel the cab meter was over $130.00. As outrageous as this sounds I was prepared to pay it. But as I got out my wallet to settle up with the driver he says, "This is too much I cannot charge you that much." I thanked him and reassured him I was willing to pay whatever he thought was fair. He reduced the bill by about half and I paid him with a tip. As I got to my room I had pretty much forgotten about my post this morning and then the irony of the day hit me and I had to share it. Like I said, I can't make this stuff up....

Sent from my iPad

While the picture above is satire when your customer calls this is exactly what you should do. And, in general to be in service to your fellow man/woman maybe you should actually give it a try. Make it a great day! P.S. I took this photo while running thru an airport in FL yesterday. Sent from my iPad

A Look At The Cynicism Of Christians With Regards To Sin And Grace

Why is it that some people don't want to see other people change? Why is that they find it so hard to believe that someone could go from leading a life based on selfish choices to a life of surrender under Christ?  The reality is that many people from our past that may have known us before our point of surrender don't want to believe the change is real because it forces them to look at themselves and question their choices. They would rather be cynical of our conversion and label Christians stereo typically as hypocrites. They look closely into our lives for any shortcomings we may still have and use them to dismantle and dismiss our faith with a loud cry of "Hypocrisy."  Let me be clear, I have no desire to hold myself out as being without sin, but as soon as you claim Christ publicly many put that litmus on you. This is crazy to me in a way because I became a Christian out of the fact that I recognized my sin and my inability to be free of it. So then, because I have come to this realization and surrendered my self-centered life I am expected not to sin? Nope, that's not how it has worked for me.  If it were in fact that easy I suspect there would be a lot more people following Christ. While I try hard not to sin I realize that unfortunately that I still do.  Most of the times where sin is present in my life today it is not necessarily a conscious effort.  This is not an excuse. Sin today is more of a result of me, "taking my eye off the ball." There are times that I loose my focus on my life as follower and believer. Times where I momentary take back my selfish will and loose the ability to be patient and have faith that God will fulfill me.  This is where I think many of the cynics are completely missing the point of Christianity. I am a Christian because I know I NEED forgiveness not because I think I am doing everything exactly right or without sin.  

This may be best explained by sharing a conversation I had with a friend when I was still new to faith.  We met for coffee and I explained that I had recently re-read the Sermon on the Mount from the book of Matthew.  I explained that I felt that so many of the expectations Christ gave us in this sermon on how to live were still so unrealistic for me.  I felt frustrated and I was wondering if these teachings were really realistic. I love the response he gave and I still think of it often.  Without hesitation he said, "Well, have you considered that this exactly why you need a savior?”  He was dead on and I realized it quickly.  When I became a Christian I knew that I needed and wanted forgiveness for the sin in my life that had accumulated over many years.  And, in time I came to know forgiveness for all of that past sin, but it does not end there.  Grace is an ongoing day-to-day forgiveness that lives with me even while I am trying to live life daily as a believer.  

This is by no means implying that grace is a “blank check.”  It has been my experience that at some point God calls me out on my sin thru conviction in my heart.  And, through this conviction comes a conscience effort on my part to surrender this sin and change my actions or behaviors.  Sometimes this has taken months and even years to occur.  But thru a relentless pursuit that involves study and prayer I have gotten closer to the life described by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, and until the day arrives that I “get it right” I need as much grace everyday as I received on the day I surrendered my life. This was how I began to understand grace as a follower of Christ.  I began to see that by staying close to God even in my imperfections, shortcomings and sin that I have changed over time. Sin that was once pervasive in my life years ago is virtually non-existence in my life today. I now do many things or don't do many things out of love and the pursuit of a relationship with God.  I have come to know obedience out of Love, verses obedience out of discipline, which I could previously never achieve. Spiritual growth is truly a process.  Grace has shepherded me to a new place in life where regardless of what the world thinks of me, or judges me, I know that a Christ like nature is growing in my heart.  I am different.  Not perfect, nowhere near it but certainly a better version of me thru which God can bring glory to his name.  

Therefore, I understand well those that are cynical of Christianity on these topics of sin and grace.  I too felt this way once.  I too used this as a excuse to avoid and dismiss a deeper investigation of faith and instead cling to vices of this world that brought me only temporary comfort.  However, with God's help people change, views change, hearts change, behaviors change, life's change and most importantly eternity can change.  

"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."  Luke 15:7

image via http://www.zazzle.com/hypocrisy+tshirts

Failure in life and in business happens. It is a part of the game. Many times what we at first thought was a great idea eventually turns out not to be. The only thing about failure that will define us is how we choose to deal with it. Failure can be a healthy part of the trial and error learning process. Failure can help show us what we really want. However, failure never happens when our motives are properly aligned with God's will. That's right, because what we might think is a failure today may in fact be apart of a his grander plan. A plan that we do not yet have the ability to see.

Recently, I interviewed for a position within my company and my reason for interviewing was that I thought this position would offer me new insights into our business and broaden my base of knowledge and experience. And, had I gotten thw job it might have. As it turns out I didn't get the position and while I was disappointed I quickly realized that maybe there is a reason that I cannot see today that this was not the right job for me. I don't know this to be true today, but I also don't know that it is not true. Therefore, I move forward and again get focused on the positive possibilities of tomorrow that are soon to come.

There have been other disappointments during my career and some that I have not handled as graceful as this one. But of recent I have a saying or thought that I tell myself over and over. Sometimes it takes weeks of saying this phrase before I can begin to see my life from a grander prospective than just my narrow view of today. It is as follows: "When my motives are honest and not self seeking. There is a future before me that has yet to unfold, in which, God will bring glory to his name thru me." I am not exactly sure where it came from I think it has evolved from several quotes or thoughts I have read and heard over the years. It has helped me tremendously and I hope you find it useful as well.
Sent from my iPad