Seek Wisdom in Troubled Times

These days, it is easy to get lazy in our thinking. No longer do we watch the news for news, we now watch for analysis. In fact, many entire shows are devoted to analysis of and commentary on the "news." Yes, the analysts abound and we hardly know how to think for ourselves.

If you are careful in your choice of analysts, you will arrive at good conclusions most of the time. But if not...

Now I firmly believe in evaluating writers, analysts, bloggers, etc., and finding a choice few that you really feel represent your approach, viewpoint, and ethic, but don't leave the thinking to them. Don't allow your inquiry to stop there. Don't get lazy. Do your own research. Consider your "advisors." Reach your own conclusions.

Keep learning. Keep reading. Keep thinking! And don't forget to inquire of the Lord as your Chief Advisor. The Bible says He gives wisdom freely to those who ask.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5 (NIV)

It takes wisdom to navigate this world with it's abundance of information so readily available.

As you hear about all the turmoil, remember, the news media is owned almost exclusively by corporate giants interested primarily in profits, not news. They report what sells in the way it sells ("If it bleeds, it leads."). Don't let them tell you what you "need" to know.

One of the results of living in God's Kingdom and seeking His wisdom should be peace (Romans 14:17). And you'll not likely find that in the media, in the analysts' reports, or in the commentary. But if you'll learn, read, think, and seek God's Kingdom first, you might catch a different view of world and financial events. You might find wisdom.

"For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold." - Proverbs 3:14

The article link below is not from a Christian viewpoint necessarily, but is one I found interesting and wanted to pass along for your review as you read, learn, and think for yourself - and perhaps wonder whether civilization as we know it is about to come to an end. Note the date it was originally published. The world didn't end then either.

Economic Chronicles: The Money Mirage

Click here http://www.aier.org/research/commentaries/158-the-money-mirage-an-introduction for original article.

Seasons of Correction

"...[E]conomic conditions influence homeownership. The rate [of home ownership] fell during or immediately following most business-cycle recessions, with the most sizable and lasting decrease taking place after the double recession of 1980-1982. The only recession that did not result in a downturn in homeownership was the recession in 2001, a period of extremely loose monetary policy." (emphasis mine)

- Commentary by Polina Vlasenko posted by the American Institute of Economic Research (http://www.aier.org/research/commentaries/533-home-ownership-in-the-united-states)

I think it is notable that the blowout in the housing market and economy came after the government intervened in the natural course of things in 2001 with "extremely loose monetary policy." People were overspending, buying houses beyond their means, and rather than allow or even encouraging wrong behavior to be corrected, the government did the opposite. So people pressed on in ignorant bliss until it eventually, it all began to fall.

Market corrections are natural. They fix problems that exist in the markets. They clear the incompetence from certain workforces. And they should be allowed to occur (perhaps even embraced). Corrections, pullbacks, and downturns are natural seasons of life. And like the four seasons, each passes with time into a new season. Important things are happening in the process. Lessons are being learned.

If you are expecting the government, or the next president to solve your problems, it won't happen. There are success stories during all economic conditions - and they didn't originate in Washington. Take the reigns of your problems and go to work making a plan and following that plan. Your life should not be governed by the media, economic conditions, or who is in the Oval Office. One of Stephen Covey's Habits of Highly Successful People is being Proactive. Happen to your life. Don't wait for someone to fix your problem.

Opportunities still abound in this great Land. Jobs are still being landed. Businesses are still being formed. Houses are still selling (even in Michigan).

If you have made a big mistake, there may be some consequences to pay. Take the hit, make the change moving forward, and head toward a better and wiser future. It is going to take hard work and exploring lots of options. Apply again. Make some more phone calls. Try a new agent. Keep exploring. Keep trying. Never Give Up! Persistence is the key.

A common list of the failures of Abraham Lincoln (along with a few successes) is:

1831 - Lost his job
1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
1833 - Failed in business
1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)
1835 - Sweetheart died
1836 - Had nervous breakdown
1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
1846 - Elected to Congress (success)
1848 - Lost re-nomination
1849 - Rejected for land officer position
1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1860 - Elected President (success)

You might notice, he never gave up.

Galatians 6:9 (TNIV) says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

As always, if I can help you walk through an issue in your life, please contact me.

Money Reflects Priorities

This week I decided to post this interesting little blurb I received from Rick Boxx with Integrity Resource Center (http://www.integrityresource.org/). IRC works to "restore integrity and faith at work" and is an amazing resource especially for businesses, business owners, and business leaders. Check out all the resources they have to offer on the website. If you need to talk to someone about issues you are facing in your business and what God might think about them, give IRC a call. Additionally, at the website you can sign up to receive these daily Integrity Moments if you wish.

Megamansions: Good or Bad for Business?

Two university professors may have come up with a new way of analyzing stocks. David Yermack and Crocker Liu's unusual study concluded that CEOs with bigger houses risk poor stock performance. In the study, companies of CEOs with megamansions performed 7% worse on average than their peers, whereas CEOs with smaller homes outperformed the S&P by 22%.

But why should it matter? Is there any real correlation between house size and company performance?

Luke 16 offers a parable about a wealthy man, who decided to tear down all his barns and build bigger ones. Jesus warned him, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

The way you spend your money reflects what is important to you. If amassing more wealth is your priority, you may meet your goal, but lose sight of even more valuable things, things that are truly worth pursuing.

Just Do It!

I'm tired. I've been busy. I haven't been as productive as normal. I haven't written my weekly blog for a few weeks. A lot of life has felt out of my control. So what's the problem here? ME!

My attitude, my actions, my discipline, my responses to circumstances and even feelings all have one thing in common. They are mine. I can allow them, adjust them, change them - whatever. It's up to me.

One of the things that slid this month was creating our family budget (I just finished it last night - 8+ days late). I was on vacation (excuse), then I was catching up at work (excuse), and meetings, responsibilities, interruptions (excuse, excuse, excuse)...

Cash flow planning (budgeting) is the fundamental key to success with money. A new budget should be in place and agreed upon by spouses before the month begins. But it is also the hardest thing to implement and maintain - especially when we don't feel like it.

Winning with money is all about BEHAVIOR. That's why it is so hard. If we don't change our behaviors, our finances won't change. If we do change our behaviors, our money situation will change, too. Make a plan and stick to it! Write it down and evaluate it weekly.

When it comes to doing these hard things, I often think back to what Dave Ramsey say in the first lesson of Financial Peace University: what if my child's life was on the line? It was all up to me. Could I find a way to get this stuff done? YOU BET! I could. It's a morbid question but it makes the point--

IT IS POSSIBLE. NO MORE EXCUSES! It is a question of priority and willingness to DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.

I believe there are only two reasons why we have financial distress:

1) We have made a decision that is out of our financial position (e.g., bought a home or car with a payment that throws the fixed expense out of line) or

2) We are not managing our money well.

To fix 1), SELL IT.

To fix 2), BUDGET IT.

But no matter what, in the immortal words of Nike, JUST DO IT!