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  • Don’t Take It Personal

    I recently closed a loan that I thought would never close. 

    Not because I couldn’t get it done…
    But because the client kept switching lenders in the middle of the transaction.

    I first picked up the file after she had already been denied by another lender. She was under contract and had less than 20 days left to close when she came to me.

    So my team and I went to work!   We pushed the file to the top of the priority list. Worked hard. Moved quickly. Explored every option possible.

    But eventually we hit a wall.

    Her debt-to-income ratio just didn’t work. I tried different programs that I had available, and we still couldn’t make it happen.  That’s when she switched lenders again.

    And that bothered me.

    While I was still trying to figure out a different loan solution for her, she was already shopping somewhere else. After all the time, effort, and energy we had invested, it felt personal.

    So I wrote the deal off and moved on (kinda – it still hurt!).

    Then something unexpected happened.

    Lender number three didn’t work out either… and she came back to me.  But this time, I approached things differently.

    I stayed professional.
    Kept communication strong.
    Worked the process.

    But emotionally, I kept my distance because I fully expected her to leave again.

    Still – we kept moving forward.  And eventually… we got it done.

    At the closing table, she looked right at me and thanked me sincerely. She told me no one else had shown her that level of care and commitment, and that without my help she wouldn’t have ever gotten the house.

    And in that moment, it reminded me of something important.

    A Real Christian Businessman can’t allow hurt feelings to dictate how we treat people.  That’s hard for me sometimes because I’m a “feeler.” I care deeply about people, and when I feel used or overlooked, it can stick with me.

    But business is still business.  And we’re still called to treat people with kindness – even when they don’t return it the same way.

    “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” Prov 11:17 (ESV)


    Kindness isn’t weakness.
    Professionalism isn’t passivity.

    Sometimes it means setting our feelings aside and simply doing the job we were called to do.
    And often, the outcome ends up better than we expected.

    This one certainly did.

    -I wrote a book! Real Christian Businessman: 30-Day Field Manual Vol 1
    -I’m featured in this book! iWork4Him: Change the Way You Think About Your Faith at Work

    RealChristianBusinessman.com

  • Ax

    “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” Ecc 9:10 (NIV) 

    When was the last time you sharpened your ax?  

    It’s a lot harder to get things done when it’s dull isn’t it?!

    Let’s remember to sharpen up from time to time so we don’t end up working so hard – we have the skills yet we have to preserve our strength and be smart about how to use it!

  • Stay Steady

    A job as a advisor can be boring.  I mean – how exciting is it to talk about interest rates and loan terms all day with people? I do everything I can to make the process smooth and stress-free for my clients… but “fun”? That’s a stretch.

    It’s not like when I worked in the music industry. Back then, there was always something exciting going on. New Artists just coming on the scene.  Stories to tell. People to introduce. Energy.

    People react a little differently when you’re introducing them to the lead singer of an up and coming band versus explaining the parts to their monthly mortgage payment. 

    But here’s what I’ve learned:  

    Success in the Mortgage Business isn’t built on excitement.

    It’s built on consistency.

    -Consistent calls to past clients so you stay top of mind.
    -Consistent communication with referral partners – not just asking for business, but adding value.
    -Consistent follow-up with leads.
    -Consistent updates to clients under contract.

    Day after day.
    Week after week.
    Nothing flashy.
    Just steady.

    And yes-it can feel repetitive.

    But a Real Christian Businessman understands this truth: the “boring” work is often the most important work.

    Because if we don’t prepare…  If we don’t follow up…  If we don’t stay disciplined in the small things…

    It shows.

    You can’t skip writing the sermon and expect to deliver a great message.
    You can’t skip researching a guest for your upcoming podcast and expect the interview to go well.
    You can’t skip preparing to give a presentation at a meeting and expect it to go off without a hitch.

    Consistency is what separates those who last from those who fade.

    “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1  Cor 15:58 (ESV)


    So this week, let’s not chase excitement – but instead chase consistency.

    Let’s make the calls.
    Let’s send the follow-ups.
    Let’s do the small things well.

    Even when it feels repetitive.

    Because what feels “boring” today…

    is often what builds something great tomorrow.

  • 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?