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  • Favorites

    “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism’ Acts 10:34 (NIV)

    Aren’t we so fortunate that God doesn’t show partiality towards us? 

    I mean, He doesn’t judge us based on nationality, race, status, political affiliation – or even if someone is a believer in Him or not!

    Sounds like an example we need to show to others doesn’t’ it?!

  • Just Go

    Last week I attended a one-day sales, training, and marketing workshop here in Nashville.

    It was led by someone I highly respect in the mortgage industry – someone who works for a different lender – and most of the people there were from her company.

    It was great!

    I learned a lot.  Took away several things I can implement immediately.  I walked away sharper, more focused, and more motivated.

    But I almost didn’t go.

    Not because I was busy.
    Not because I couldn’t make it work.

    I was scared.

    I didn’t know anyone going.
    It was filled with top producers. People doing way more volume than me.

    I told myself, “I don’t belong in that room.”

    Even though I respected the leader… I still hesitated.

    My wife encouraged me to go.
    My schedule was completely open that day.

    Still – I didn’t commit.

    I even messaged the host directly on Instagram and told her my concerns. She encouraged me to come. She told me I had the right mindset and needed to be around people ahead of me.

    That should have been enough.

    It wasn’t.

    Then I reached out to someone I had heard on one of her podcasts recently. I wasn’t even planning to go – I just wanted 15 minutes of his time to learn from him before the event if he was going to be in town.

    He told me he wasn’t attending… but encouraged me to go anyway.

    Still didn’t sign up.

    Then the next day, he called me.
    Out of the blue.

    We talked for 45 minutes. He connected me with a colleague who had an extra ticket that was attending. That colleague called me. We talked.

    And finally… I said yes.

    And I’m so glad I did!

    You see, a Real Christian Businessman knows that growth doesn’t happen in comfort.  It happens when you step into rooms where you feel outmatched.  It happens when you surround yourself with people ahead of you.  It happens when you’re willing to be uncomfortable long enough to learn something new.

    That room challenged me, pushed me, and made me better.

    And it gave me tools I can use right now to grow my business.

    Fear almost kept me from all of that.

    But fear is a liar!

    “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh 1:9 (ESV)

    So as you go about your week, maybe do something that makes you uncomfortable.

    Go to the meeting.
    Make the call.
    Get in the room.

    Stop waiting until you feel ready.

    Because growth isn’t found in comfort.

    Sometimes the best thing you can do…

    is just go.

  • Today’s The Day

    He is Risen!
     
    Enough said. 🙂

    “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matt 28:6 (NIV)

  • Vacation Guilt

    This past week was spring break for my daughter, so we headed down to Panama City Beach – or as some like to call it, the “Redneck Riviera.” (IYKYK)

    We had the whole crew there – my wife, daughter, in-laws, my brother-in-law, even my son and his girlfriend.  And it was a great trip!

    The weather was perfect too.  We spent time on the beach, Hot Tub, Pool, Beach Games, Dinners out – Just being together as a family.

    Exactly what you want.

    But…

    I still worked some – And that bothered me.

    There were a couple of deals in process that I couldn’t fully hand off. My support team is shared, so certain things still fall on me.

    No one complained.
    No one gave me a hard time.

    But internally?  I felt like I was coming up short.

    Like I wasn’t fully present.
    Like I should have done more.

    And that’s where the battle starts, Because that’s exactly where the enemy steps in.

    As a Real Christian Businessman, He wants us to believe we failed. That we let our family down. That if we weren’t “all in” 24/7, then we weren’t enough.

    But that’s not truth.

    “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.” Col 3:23 (NIV)


    Now, could I have spent more time with my family? Sure.

    But I’m also in a season in my business where I’m building. And part of that responsibility is making sure the business continues to build and to provide for my family—both now and in the future.

    So instead of focusing on what I didn’t do…

    I focused on what I did.

    Sitting on the beach with my wife.
    Watching the sunset together.
    Morning walks along the water.
    Playing cards with family.
    Working on a puzzle.
    Watching basketball with my father-in-law.
    Going to Zoo World with my daughter (a tradition).
    Playing putt-putt with my son (another tradition).
    And yes—eating at Pineapple Willy’s like we do every year.

    That’s a full week.

    That’s time well spent. 

    And that’s something to be thankful for.

    A Real Christian Businessman understands that Rest isn’t just the absence of work—it’s the presence of peace.

    If working for an hour gives us the ability to truly enjoy the other twenty-three, then that work is serving a purpose.

    Don’t let the enemy twist responsibility into guilt.

    So the next time you have to work while you’re “supposed to be off,” don’t beat yourself up.

    Be intentional with the time you do have.
    Be present when you’re present.
    And trust that honoring your responsibilities is part of honoring God.

    Because guilt doesn’t come from Him.

  • Aboveboard

    “The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight” Prov 11:1 (NIV)
     
    or from The Message version:
     
    “God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard” 


     Just a subtle reminder that we all need to act above reproach in our business dealings.
     
    It may be different than what others do, but that’s the point!

  • Not So Kind

    I closed a loan recently where the buyers were just plain ornery.
     
    Nothing seemed to go right in their eyes. Every issue that came up during the process was immediately someone else’s fault—and someone else needed to pay for it.
     
    During the inspection they discovered the roof needed replacing. The seller paid for it.
     
    The HVAC system wasn’t performing like it should. Again, the seller paid.
     
    Now, negotiating repairs when something major is discovered isn’t unusual. That happens in real estate all the time. But what stood out in this situation wasn’t the negotiation—it was the attitude behind it. 
     
    Every conversation came with confrontation.
     
    There was no calm discussion. No patience. No willingness to work through the issue together. It was always blame first, demand second.
     
    Even toward the end of the transaction, when the closing date shifted slightly, some of the costs changed. That happens in lending—daily interest adjusts when closing dates move. It’s simply part of doing business.
     
    But when I explained the change, they initially expected me to pay the difference!
     
    Not because of a mistake or because of anything I did wrong. 
     
    Simply because something had changed.
     
    A Real Christian Businessman understands something important though – our response to problems says a lot about who we are.
     
    Anyone can blame others.  Anyone can raise their voice.  Anyone can be harsh.  That seems to be the default approach these days.  But we’re called to react differently.
     
    We can respond with patience.  We can speak with kindness.  We can approach problems with humility and empathy – instead of anger.
     

    “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Eph 4:31–32 (NLT)


     Most of the time, the result ends up being the same either way. The problem gets solved.
     
    But I’ve often seen something surprising: the kindness approach actually produces better outcomes than the rude one!
     
    People want to help those who treat them well.
     
    So this week, when a problem comes up (and it will!) let’s pay attention to our response.
     
    We can react like the world does: blame, frustration, and harsh words. Or we can respond with patience and kindness. The problem will get solved either way.
     
    But only one approach reflects that of a Real Christian Businessman.

  • Good

    “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.“  Ps 34: 12-13 (NIV)


     I read this over and over, and kept focusing on the Word “good” for some reason. 
     
    We can have “days”… but these passages tells us how to have days that are good!
     
    I never thought about it like that – have you?

  • Answer Anyway

    I had a deal fall apart this week.
     
    Everything was lined up. We were clear to close. Then—24 hours before closing—the buyers got a survey back on their rural property. Neither their agent nor I knew they had ordered one. We didn’t require it for the loan, but the buyers felt like they wanted to get one anyway.
     
    But once it showed up, it changed everything. 
     
    Because there was a problem.
     
    The surveyor said he needed to go back out and confirm a few things. So we pushed closing to later that day, hoping it would all be resolved.
     
    It wasn’t.
     
    Turns out the house was 14 feet over the property line. Not a fence. Not a shed. The bedroom and a bathroom were over the line! You can’t just move that.
     
    So now the title company, attorneys, Real Estate agents and property owners are working through an easement agreement. If all goes well we’ll close in about 10 days.
     
    So what does this have to do with being a Real Christian Businessman?
     
    Everything.
     
    When this all surfaced, everyone started calling me.  The buyers.  Both buyer’s agents (a husband-and-wife team).  The seller’s agent.  The title company.  Even people internally asking, “Why aren’t we closing this loan?”
     
    Everyone wanted direction. Everyone wanted answers. Everyone thought I should somehow fix it.
     
    Now, once we go under contract, the loan officer does act like the quarterback, helping move everything toward the finish line. But in this case, the survey wasn’t required by us. Once it existed, it became a title issue that had to be resolved before we could move forward, not a loan issue.
     
    Still… the calls kept coming.
     
    I could have ignored them.  I could have said, “Why are you calling me? I can’t fix this.”
     
    But I didn’t.
     
    I answered the calls.  I returned the texts.  I listened.  Then I listened some more.
     
    I didn’t have solutions. But I showed I cared. Because at the end of the day, this situation could derail a family getting into their home.
     
    In reality I didn’t want to respond that way. I wanted to step back and let everyone else figure it out and call me when it was done!
     
    But that wouldn’t be compassion.

    “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” — Col 3:12 (ESV)

    As a Real Christian Businessman, we’re called to something different.
     
    Sometimes leadership isn’t fixing the problem. 
    Sometimes it’s simply being present when people are frustrated, stressed, and looking for help.
     
    This week, if you find yourself in a situation you’re only indirectly involved in, don’t ignore it. Take the call. Listen. Show that you care.
     
    Because sometimes people don’t need an answer.
     
    They just need someone who will answer anyway.

  • Shiny New Toy

    “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” Coll 3:2 (NIV)

    How many times do I get enamored by things that are all around me;  That new car someone is driving, the beautiful clothes I see at the store, or an amazing looking house that I drive past… I do it all the time! 

    Instead we need to focus on things above – like love, wisdom, peace, and righteousness!

  • Almost Done

    I’ve been working with a particular buyer for almost two years now.

    As a Loan Consultant, that length of time isn’t unheard of. Some buyers take months. Some take years. But this situation has been a little different than most.

    My buyer was born outside of the United States. She is now an American citizen and speaks English — but with a heavy accent that can be difficult to understand. She understands English as well, but I often have to slow down, reframe things, and explain concepts multiple times to make sure we’re on the same page.

    On top of that, so much of the home-buying process today is electronic. Disclosures. DocuSign. Online education courses. Loan paperwork.

    And that has been the hardest part for her.

    There have been many times I’ve spent hours on the phone — often on FaceTime — walking her step by step through forms, signatures, and required documents just so we could keep moving forward. What takes most buyers minutes has taken us hours. Sometimes days.

    Her credit is great, she has money for a down payment and she has a solid job.

    But her income isn’t high, which has made finding something she both likes and can afford a real challenge.
    And in full transparency I have considered walking away more than once.

    Not because she wasn’t serious.
    Not because she wasn’t trying.
    But because of how difficult the process had become at every turn.

    But she didn’t give up!

    And neither did I.

    After nearly two years of searching, paperwork, obstacles, and persistence… she finally found a home she loves.  We made it through all the requirements (finally!), and we’re scheduled to close this week!

    This story isn’t about me being some amazing loan consultant for sticking it out. 

    There have been plenty of times in life and business where I didn’t persevere the way I should have. This just happens to be one of the times where I did — and it is going to end well.

    It is a reminder of something every Real Christian Businessman needs to hear from time to time:

    Working with people isn’t always easy.
    Doing the right thing isn’t always convenient.
    Perseverance is rarely comfortable.

    Yet that’s often where the greatest fruit is found.

    “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Gal 6:9 (ESV)