Faith4Business

Ok… Yet again life is far more interesting than anything I could dream up. This story is both true and sad. It is also a cautionary tale of how our choices may have unintended lasting effects on not only ourselves but others also.

Yesterday after parking in the garage at the hotel that I was staying at I stumbled upon a murder scene. In my 42 years I have seen a few dead bodies but never one that was murdered. It was as I am sure you can imagine quite disturbing.  Actually disturbing is an understatement. I have always been aware that the crime rate was quite high in Puerto Rico.  But, as it turns out the rate of murder on the island is close to 100 people per month. While this is high, I am told most of these deaths involve drug trafficking or domestic disputes. These incidences are commonly reported on the local television but it is rare that a tourist/non-domestic is involved. Given that I walked right up on the scene I was curious to know what had happened. This story is not a happy one, but maybe it should be told for those of us that travel frequently. And, specifically for those that struggle with the temptations of companionship on the road. 

As you might expect the hotel staff was tight lipped about the incident. But given that his room was just two doors down from mine I had the opportunity to ask and get answers to a few more answers than the rest. Apparently from what I could gather the story is a classic love triangle tragedy. However, it has a few twists that will undoubtly leave paths of wreckage for the loved ones left behind. The victim was a married, affluent, North American businessman who traveled to the island frequently. So frequently that he had a female friend with whom he had a relationship. She too was also married and when her husband showed up and caught them together he flipped out, literally. The altercation began in the room. The victim opened the door and when the husband saw that his wife was there with another man he stabbed him several times. The victim made his way to the parking garage via the elevator in an attempt to get to the hospital. Why he did not stay in his room and call 911 is unclear? As we now know he did not make it and died in the parking garage, where I saw him. When I arrived he was on the ground and the girl was being loaded into an ambulance. She is in the hospital and expected to recover. 

The tragedy of this story however doesn’t end there. His wife and family got a phone call last night informing them that their loved one would not be coming home from this business trip.  After the shock of his death has settled they will want answers. The answers they will get will not be easy to hear. Painful! 

I can only imagine that this affair started with an innocent flirtation. I am sure neither party imagined such an outcome. At some point a choice was made to cross a line that it is known should not be crossed. Our decisions in life, although we don’t realize it at the time, have long far reaching effects.  Effects, far beyond what we may realized. 

Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:14-15).

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.

"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.

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

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

This year my children, as did millions of others, got iPod Touches for Christmas. And, since I frequently travel for work my eight-year-old daughter is now inundating me with text messages and emails while I am away. I am flattered at her affections especially that she always does this when I am away and we are physically separated. I also value that her attention is so focused on her relationship with me. I try to make it a point to reply to her in some manor. Today as I sat down to type in a response I longed to tell her that even though I was not there with her today that I am always thinking of her, and that I love her deeply. I wanted to tell her that in almost everything I do even when I am not around that I am acting in the best interest of Her, Her Brother and Mother. I wanted to explain to her that even though we are not physically close enough to see each other that spiritually she is always with me and near my heart. I was struck though before I could get down a word with the thought of how similar this must be to the way God feels about us. He hears our prayers like text messages and emails and he hits reply although we may not always see it. And, even though we may not see him today he is here with us and near us spiritually.

Just a thought for all of those traveling businessmen and women.