Primal

I just finished Mark Batterson most recent book named Primal.

I must say, he has hit another home run. This is a "must read" book for every Christian.

The central theme of this book is for us to love God with all of our heart, soul. mind and strength.

It is about getting back to the basics, taking action instead of sitting on the sidelines. The book is captivating and motivates the reader to reflect on his or her life and what that life is doing to further the Kingdom. It is about caring about the things that break the heart of God and doing something about it.

This book will motivate you to rethink your relationship with our Lord.

Go get this book and read it this week. You will not be disappointed.

Another Huge Winter Storm Causes Huge Problems!

Yesterday, I was going around telling everyone how much I hate Winter. Two huge winter blast this year. As you may know, Raynell and I were stranded Christmas Eve for over 5 hours on the highway. Yesterday and this morning I spent over an hour scrapping my windows and helping others scrap their windows. Lots of reasons to hate winter!

Then it hit me. I am blessed beyond belief! At Christmas Tom O'Keefe and his brother-in-law Doug came to our rescue. They picked us up, took us home in the absolute worst blizzard I have ever experienced in my 57 years. Two days later Bob Frasher picked me up and took me to get a 4-wheel drive vehicle. He loaned it to me so we could get around!

Yesterday, Ken, Luke and Frank were out starting every one's cars, scrapping windows and getting the cars warmed up and ready for the drive! They did this to my car on Christmas eve! If winter had not come, I would not have received these blessing! I guess winter is not so bad after all. We are truly Blessed!

Will Winter Ever End?

I hate Winter!

I moved here in '75 to get away from this snow and ice. I had enough of it growing up in Ohio.
But, things could be worse...I could be in Haiti.

As the Bible says, I need to "learn to be content". Or as the Oklahoma weathermen say, wait 5 minutes and the weather will change! :) :)

For The Record

Sometimes when we hear speeches that sound good we tend to believe what is said. Too often that is a mistake.
FACT:
FDIC records show that 98.5% of the nation's depository institutions are community Banks. fdic.gov

FICTION:
Last night we heard " We can’t allow financial institutions, including those that take your deposits, to take risks that threaten the whole economy".

CLARIFICATION:
AIG is not a Bank. Lehman Brothers in not a Bank. Merrill Lynch is not a Bank. GM is not a Bank. Chrysler is not a Bank.

Nothing but Inspiration!

Have you ever noticed how some people can over come all odds?

Meet Butch Lumpkin - An amazing story Meet Butch Lumpkin Whether you're a golfer or not, this is something to see. Near the end of video watch how this guy tees up his ball.

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/meet-butch-lumpkin-9477/?ref=26000

Banking 101 - Part 2

Banks fuel the economy by providing the capital to buy cars, build homes, start or expand businesses. We make loans.

Some have spoken very disparagingly about bankers over the past year. Some have called us "Fat Cat Bankers". Well, I may be fat, but I am NOT a "Fat Cat Banker".

The vast majority of banks in this country are community banks. These are bankers that live in the community they serve. We know our customers. We know the neighborhood, We know the leaders of the community. We drive on the same streets, eat in the same restaurants, go to the same churches that you do. Our kids go to school with your kids. We support the community in every conceivable way.

It is in the best interest of bankers to serve their community by providing capital to build and expand the community. In other words generally speaking, what is good for our customers is good for the bank and what is good for the bank is good for our customers. In many respects we are yoked together. We care about our communities.

Banking 101 - Part 1

Capital and the availability of capital are critical to operate and build a successful business. Everyone that has been in business very long would not argue that point. In these difficult economic times the availability of capital is even more critical and more difficult to find. I have watched many of 24 hour news stations carry stories about the recession and I have seen business men like Donald Trump state that “the banks are not lending money”. REALLY???

I have been a banker for over 30 years. During my banking career I have come to understand one basic principal about banking. Interest income from loans is the number one source of income for the majority of banks in this country. I sit on two community bank boards I know that both banks are making loans everyday. Most banks are still making loans.

Are we more cautious? YES. Are the terms more difficult? SOMETIMES. Do we need more collateral or more collateral coverage? OFTEN. These are a reflection of the times...a reality. But, we are still making loans.

In 2009 Bank2 alone made 1,039 loans totalling $181,510,000. The next time you hear President Obama, Senator Dodd, Congressman Frank, Donald Trump, or others on TV say banks are not making loans you might want to remember they are using a very broad brush when they make those comments. They certainly can NOT be talking about Bank2.

Haiti Gifts Tax Deductable for 2009

New Law to Allow Taxpayers to Claim Haitian Donations on 2009 Returns

A newly passed bill will allow taxpayers who make charitable contributions to Haiti relief programs before March 1, 2010, to claim those contributions on their 2009 income tax returns. The Senate and House of Representatives have both passed the bill; the president is expected to sign it into law.

Compassion Part 2

On Friday, I asked our employees and directors to give to the Haiti relief effort by giving to Compassion International efforts in Haiti. As I explained to our staff the need is greater than any of us can imagine. The loss of life is substantial, the injured number well into the 10's of thousands and the loss of homes, business, infrastructure and churches are too numerous to count. All of this pain and need in a country where the average family's income about $200 a month.

Our people responded with a huge outpooring. I was taken back by their generosity. It was heart warming.

Have you helped? Did you respond to my earlier appeal? Did you respond to the world wide appeal on TV last night? $59 million dollars were donated last night alone.

I was out and about today, in several stores and people were spending money like there was no crisis. The people of Haiti need our help. They are our neighbors and neighbors help neighbors. It is scriptural to help the poor. God wants us to help.

If you have not helped, I strongly encourage you to help. Your gift will provide hope to the people that are desperately in need to of help. No gift is too little, no gift will be enough, but every gift will provide hope and encouragement.

www.compassion.com

Connector

This has been an interesting week for me. I have been connecting people all week long. I enjoy introducing people and trying to help people succeed. Many times I don't see or know about immediate results. This week has been different. I have seen immediate results and it has been fun. A huge blessing. Helping others, giving hope, connecting people it is all good.

Who can you help get connected? Helping people build better lives is as good as it gets.

Compassion

"To know to do good and not do it is sin".

The events of the past week in Haiti are heart breaking. Some have asked about the picture of me holding the baby on my blog. It is a picture of me on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic. I was there as a guest of Compassion International and Giant Experiences. It was a life changing experience. The people of the Dominican Republic are wonderful people. I fell in love with them instantly. My heart went out to some of them because of the living conditions they must endure. Now, their neighbors in Haiti are in much worse shape. We must respond. We must help. We have so much and they are in need of so much. Right now you can feed an entire family for a week for $30.34. My wife and I spent that on dinner tonight for just two people. Please help!

One fantastic agency you could help is Compassion International. They have over 6,000 kids they sponsor in the affected area. They have some huge needs right NOW. They are the real deal, consistently rated as the one of the top charitable organization in the country. The money you send them will go to Haiti.

Check out www.compassion.com

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did one of the least of these you did one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me"

Making Decisions

You know how difficult it is to make decisions sometimes. You have options, which option is best? The greater the finacial risk the harder it is to make a decision.
I believe that once you boil things down to simple terms it can still be difficult to make some decisions.

What do you do next to make a good decision?

I believe you sit down and examine the options, pray over the situation and ask God to show you the next step. When you do, doors will open or close and the correct decision will become obvious.

God promises to give wisdom in abundance when we ask for it. Proverbs 16:9 tells us "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps".

Is Your Life Complicated?

Have you ever noticed how sometimes we tend to make things too complicated. I believe this tendancy produces confusion, frustration and stress in our lives. Instead, we should boil things down to the simpliest equation. Simplicity produces clarity. With clarity it is much easier to decide what, when and how we are going to accomplish something. As an example, should I buy a new home? The first question should be, "why do I need a new home?" Followed by, "how much more can I comfortably pay?" Then, "can I buy what I need for what I can pay?" These are easy questions to answer. The Bible calls it "counting the cost".

Want a better life? Boil things down to the basics and make decisions based upon simple truths. You will make better decsions and life will be far less stressful.

Making a Difference

Most of my life I have wanted to make a difference in the world. I want my life to count, Author Mark Batterson said in his book
"In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day" that "a dream becomes a reality one opportunity at a time". This blog is an opportunity for me to make a difference in many lives. I hope to share insight from my life and my 30 year banking career that will be meaningful to you. I want this blog to help you build a better life.