My wife and I recently endured the movie,” The Day the Earth Stood Still” (shout out to Redbox and “free rentals on Monday nights). To be brutally honest, I think the movie deserved each and every one of the “C” ratings that it received from most of the critics and movie fans that reviewed it. The movie told the story of how alien civilizations came to rid the Earth of Humanity due to the fact that we were not taking care of one the most precious resources in the cosmos…the planet Earth. The aliens took human form and lived among us, observing our behavior and after being provoked by our destructive behavior, they decided that it was time to pull the trigger and wipe us out.
One of the aliens had lived on Earth for roughly 70 years. After living “among us”, he gave a report to Keanu Reeves, who too was also an alien and who had set the plan in motion to kill us. In his report he talked about the destructive nature of mankind and how mankind knows the end result of its destructive behavior, but chooses to pursue this destructive behavior. Choosing to live in a false “reality” and ignoring the truth concerning the consequences of their actions. It was noted that these behavior patterns are passed down from generation to generation and bear the seeds of hatred, anger and death. In contrast, he was burdened by the fact that he had grown to love the humans for inside of them was the capacity to love and to unite in the face of annihilation. As a result of his human experience, the old man “alien” was willing to die with humanity as they were exterminated.
This movie, while I give it two thumbs down, was connected to some of my recent experiences. One was last Friday when I hooked up with my best friend growing up who is now a Pastor (Shout out to Clay). He invited me to join him at a Basketball outreach where young men are invited to play ball at a school gym and in a drama-free, “free from profanity” environment and are also prayed for, ministered to and encouraged to become the men that God intends for them to be. As the night came to an end, Clay issued a challenge to the young men. Simply put, he asked them, “What will your legacy be?”
Far too many people leave the Earth and leave no legacy behind…They walk but leave no imprint on the sands of time. I am convinced that people who don’t leave a legacy are people who don’t maximize the opportunities presented by the Defining Moments of life.
In a recent Bible Study, the discussion leader defined Defining Moments as moments that require a decision on our part and after that decision is made (right or wrong) our lives are never the same. More importantly, a Defining Moment is a moment when you are confronted with a truth about life and you are invited to change the way you live as a result of that truth.
As with the challenges that faced both Humanity (in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”) and the young men (that I met last week at the Basketball Outreach), we are “met-head-on” with Defining Moments. I believe that life is lived between Defining Moments. Many times we don’t want to face the truth about ourselves, the truth about our relationships, the truth about our finances, the truth about God etc., but rest assure that denial and avoidance of the truth doesn’t make the truth less real.
What truth are you faced with today? What reality have you been in denial about? I urge you today to ask God to give you the wisdom to know how to deal with your Defining Moments and the strength to endure until He has made His Truth known to you.
In the face of your defining moment…what will be your legacy?
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
B
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Traders VS Investors
While preparing for work today, I was watching Squawk Box on CNBC. I believe that Squawk Box is one if not the longest running morning business news program and its claim to fame is bringing Wall Street to Main Street, through various commentators and analysts. This morning while talking about the Market moves yesterday, reviewing the earnings releases from the post-market close on yesterday and discussing pre-market news and earnings releases, they had a segment where they interviewed a seasoned market analyst.
During the interview with the analyst, they discussed various topics including the projected length of the recession, the current market rally, historical implications...etc. I was listening, but I was not totally focused on the discussion until the Senior Market Analyst made this statement, “The problem with the market today is that there are too many traders and not enough investors. The traders are driving this market while the Big Money is on the sideline.” He pointed out that the market will stabilize once the Big Money (The Investors) re-enter the market. He later explained that Investors are in it for the long-term. They see the long-term value of the investments, while traders are here today and gone tomorrow. He further detailed that Investors know the true value of the investment vehicles and are more influential in determining the true value of the market asset.
This dialogue led me to take a look at my life. I began to think of my life as a stock and the people that I have met to be either “Investors” or “Traders”. The traders have sought to benefit from me in the short-term. They saw me as an opportunity to further their own objectives and use me to get what they wanted. They were here one day and gone the next….never really taking time to appreciate my value. On the flip side I have had “Investors”. “Investors” are those who saw my potential and invested their resources (time, money, love, etc.) to help me to reach my long-term goals. Investors believe that their success in the long-term is connected to my success long-term. They partner with me. Investors “hold” on to me when I’m up and when I’m down in the short-term, knowing that in the long run, their investment in me will pay off and my “market value” will be much more than it was when they first “invested” in me.
My “Investors” are my true, through thick and thin, up and down, good or bad, rich or poor, sho-nuff friends.
Proverbs 17:17 says: A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
Too often as it is in the business world today, we focus our attention on what the “traders” are doing. We waste time trying to please those who will in reality just stay around for the short-term. If that is your focus, make today the day that you shift your focus to the long-term. A true friend (investor) is going to love us at all times, while traders will flee at just the suggestion of adversity.
With each relationship in your life ask yourself is the person on the other end of this relationship an “Investor” in my success or a “trader” looking to make a quick “profit”? I believe that this mindset is essential to making good life decisions and in setting priorities.
God is your #1 investor (friend) and has a vested interest in your success. He is always there and will continue to “hold you when others have “sold” you and moved on.
We should also be determined to be “Investors” in the lives of others. There are great “stocks” out there that are “undervalued” and “oversold” but have great potential and value. It is time for the “Investors” to get off of the sidelines and to turn this “market” around.
Now is the time to invest.
Be Blessed,
B
During the interview with the analyst, they discussed various topics including the projected length of the recession, the current market rally, historical implications...etc. I was listening, but I was not totally focused on the discussion until the Senior Market Analyst made this statement, “The problem with the market today is that there are too many traders and not enough investors. The traders are driving this market while the Big Money is on the sideline.” He pointed out that the market will stabilize once the Big Money (The Investors) re-enter the market. He later explained that Investors are in it for the long-term. They see the long-term value of the investments, while traders are here today and gone tomorrow. He further detailed that Investors know the true value of the investment vehicles and are more influential in determining the true value of the market asset.
This dialogue led me to take a look at my life. I began to think of my life as a stock and the people that I have met to be either “Investors” or “Traders”. The traders have sought to benefit from me in the short-term. They saw me as an opportunity to further their own objectives and use me to get what they wanted. They were here one day and gone the next….never really taking time to appreciate my value. On the flip side I have had “Investors”. “Investors” are those who saw my potential and invested their resources (time, money, love, etc.) to help me to reach my long-term goals. Investors believe that their success in the long-term is connected to my success long-term. They partner with me. Investors “hold” on to me when I’m up and when I’m down in the short-term, knowing that in the long run, their investment in me will pay off and my “market value” will be much more than it was when they first “invested” in me.
My “Investors” are my true, through thick and thin, up and down, good or bad, rich or poor, sho-nuff friends.
Proverbs 17:17 says: A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
Too often as it is in the business world today, we focus our attention on what the “traders” are doing. We waste time trying to please those who will in reality just stay around for the short-term. If that is your focus, make today the day that you shift your focus to the long-term. A true friend (investor) is going to love us at all times, while traders will flee at just the suggestion of adversity.
With each relationship in your life ask yourself is the person on the other end of this relationship an “Investor” in my success or a “trader” looking to make a quick “profit”? I believe that this mindset is essential to making good life decisions and in setting priorities.
God is your #1 investor (friend) and has a vested interest in your success. He is always there and will continue to “hold you when others have “sold” you and moved on.
We should also be determined to be “Investors” in the lives of others. There are great “stocks” out there that are “undervalued” and “oversold” but have great potential and value. It is time for the “Investors” to get off of the sidelines and to turn this “market” around.
Now is the time to invest.
Be Blessed,
B
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Helping Hand
Anyone who knows my Father, Zachary C. Jeffers, knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is one word that describes him….that one word is Warrior. A warrior is a person that demonstrates great vigor, courage and skillfulness in the face of battle. My Dad is a pugilist, a fighter a soldier in the army of God. He has stepped up and volunteered for many battles and has witnessed first hand the power, love and delivering power of God. He trusts God with an unwavering faith. I have never doubted for one minute that He has ultimately placed his destiny and his life in the care of God. He has seen victories on mountain tops and he has experienced tests/trials through valleys, but no matter whether the situation has called for Him to be up or down, he has allowed the joy of the Lord, the recognition of His Mercy and the acknowledgement of God’s grace to be his strength and sustaining power.
He is an awesome man, father, friend and brother in the Lord.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in December 2006. As part of the treatment for the disease, he has had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. This past Monday, I had the honor to once again be by his side through the infusion therapy. I say honor because while I could never repay him for all that he has done for me over the years or the priceless lessons that I have learned from Him, I do consider it an honor to provide support, encouragement and love to him as we battle this thing together.
The chemotherapy on Monday lasted about 5 hours. When I’m with him, I can sense his discomfort at times during the treatment and I often spend time praying for his healing. Upon completion of the chemo this week, we gathered our things and began to start to head out. After trying to stand up, my dad had to immediately sit back down because the therapy had caused his equilibrium to be off. I saw the disappointment and frustration on his face (in my mind I don’t think that he really wanted me to see him struggle in that manner). I assured him that we were in no rush and asked him to take a few minutes to gather himself before we attempted to head out. He rested for all of 10 seconds…”I have to do this…I’m going to give it a shot” he declared. He struggled out of the treatment room. Reaching out and stabilizing himself on every secure object that he could find, he intently made his way to the lobby where he sat down while I retrieved the car.
As I walked with my dad from the treatment room, I tried to help him, but he politely let me know that He wanted to do it by himself. Even though he resisted my help, I still walked with Him every step of the way and I positioned myself so that I could catch him in the event that he fell. As people passed by and gazed at us, I imagined that they were thinking one of two things. “Doesn’t that young man see his father struggling? Why doesn’t He help him?” or “Why won’t that older man let the younger man help him? He definitely looks capable?”
This experience led me to reflect on my relationship with God. There have been many times in my life when I have tried to do things in my own strength. The challenges of life have held me down, but I have tried to carry life’s load on my own. God has been there every step of the way…His hand outstretched…desiring to help me…but prepared to catch me in case I fall. I have often refused His help or discounted the extent of His Love or His ability or willingness to help me. I’m sure that there have been people who have watch me and thought the same thoughts that I imagined that they were thinking at the hospital “Why is God allowing him to go through this? Or Why won’t he allow God to help him get through the situation?”
Well…I am learning more and more each day especially when I’m faced with adversities, challenges and fears to totally depend on God. He has said:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Are you struggling to try to make it on your own? Are you feeling the weight of life bearing down on you? OR Are you so “successful” that you feel like you got it all together and are making it just fine? In either case, I pray that you realize today that God is just a step away. He is willing to help whether or not you want to allow Him too, and even if you choose not to take Him up on His offer and you fall…He is still standing with His hand outstretched to pick you up when you fall.
Help is not on the way…help is here today.
Be Blessed,
B
He is an awesome man, father, friend and brother in the Lord.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in December 2006. As part of the treatment for the disease, he has had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. This past Monday, I had the honor to once again be by his side through the infusion therapy. I say honor because while I could never repay him for all that he has done for me over the years or the priceless lessons that I have learned from Him, I do consider it an honor to provide support, encouragement and love to him as we battle this thing together.
The chemotherapy on Monday lasted about 5 hours. When I’m with him, I can sense his discomfort at times during the treatment and I often spend time praying for his healing. Upon completion of the chemo this week, we gathered our things and began to start to head out. After trying to stand up, my dad had to immediately sit back down because the therapy had caused his equilibrium to be off. I saw the disappointment and frustration on his face (in my mind I don’t think that he really wanted me to see him struggle in that manner). I assured him that we were in no rush and asked him to take a few minutes to gather himself before we attempted to head out. He rested for all of 10 seconds…”I have to do this…I’m going to give it a shot” he declared. He struggled out of the treatment room. Reaching out and stabilizing himself on every secure object that he could find, he intently made his way to the lobby where he sat down while I retrieved the car.
As I walked with my dad from the treatment room, I tried to help him, but he politely let me know that He wanted to do it by himself. Even though he resisted my help, I still walked with Him every step of the way and I positioned myself so that I could catch him in the event that he fell. As people passed by and gazed at us, I imagined that they were thinking one of two things. “Doesn’t that young man see his father struggling? Why doesn’t He help him?” or “Why won’t that older man let the younger man help him? He definitely looks capable?”
This experience led me to reflect on my relationship with God. There have been many times in my life when I have tried to do things in my own strength. The challenges of life have held me down, but I have tried to carry life’s load on my own. God has been there every step of the way…His hand outstretched…desiring to help me…but prepared to catch me in case I fall. I have often refused His help or discounted the extent of His Love or His ability or willingness to help me. I’m sure that there have been people who have watch me and thought the same thoughts that I imagined that they were thinking at the hospital “Why is God allowing him to go through this? Or Why won’t he allow God to help him get through the situation?”
Well…I am learning more and more each day especially when I’m faced with adversities, challenges and fears to totally depend on God. He has said:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Are you struggling to try to make it on your own? Are you feeling the weight of life bearing down on you? OR Are you so “successful” that you feel like you got it all together and are making it just fine? In either case, I pray that you realize today that God is just a step away. He is willing to help whether or not you want to allow Him too, and even if you choose not to take Him up on His offer and you fall…He is still standing with His hand outstretched to pick you up when you fall.
Help is not on the way…help is here today.
Be Blessed,
B
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