Hurricane Season Likened Unto the Second Coming

It really is true: All things testify of Christ...even insurance.

The concept of property insurance has been around for thousands of years dating back to the Babylonians and Chinese. Health and life insurance concepts began with the Greeks and Romans. I work for a Fortune 500 insurance company (#34...but who's counting). I recently completed my professional underwriting designation. I eat, breath, and bleed insurance for a good portion of my life each day. And yet, sometimes, I question the need/value of insurance. I fully understand the economic and social values of insurance. I understand its history and purpose. But life insurance for a child? Or laws mandating the purchase of insurance (not just the new health care reform...but auto as well)? Sometimes I question the moral aspects of insurance. (But I'm getting off topic.)

Underwriting departments do their best to avoid adverse selection. The premise is that those who need insurance most are the ones with the greatest demand. Because of this, insurers do their best to provide the lowest risk customers with the best premium and the highest risk customers with a higher premium. If your book deteriorates and you begin charging clean drivers, for example, with higher premiums, they'll leave. To remain solvent in that scenario, actuaries may increase premiums...causing the remaining best customers to leave. It can easily become a death spiral resulting in the worst case scenario that a company is left with the highest risk customers but is unable to charge a high enough premium for the risk. I'll tie this concept into my analogy in a little bit.

Personal insurance may seem like a burden. You may never need it. Despite the peace of mind insurance provides, it could be perceived as a financial loss if you never experience a significant claim (which most of us don't).

But if you work in a claims department, you clearly see the value of insurance each and every day. You follow through on the promise made when the policy was written. You help people recover and get back on their feet. You indemnify them (return them to the condition they were in prior to the loss).

Hurricane season officially began June 1st. If you live on the coast, home insurance is expensive. So expensive that some people choose not to purchase it (if there is no mortgage on the property). Flood insurance is even more expensive. And few people buy it. Then, when a hurricane hits, the non-insured and under-insured find a "good" lawyer (and premiums go up for everyone...again, getting off topic).

As we do the beginning of every June, our Company sent out a memo to all associates and agents regarding binding authority restrictions during hurricane season. If a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is announced, new home insurance cannot be written, deductibles cannot change, coverage cannot be added. Once a watch or warning is issued, insurance can no longer be purchased. The time to prepare is over.

As with most analogies, not all details/comparisons apply. But here are a few for consideration:

1) Like purchasing insurance, preparation for the Second Coming may seem like a burden.

2) Unlike insurance, you WILL eventually need that preparation.

3) In contrast to insurer's goals to avoid adverse selection, the Savior welcomes adverse selection and provides us all an equal "price."

4) There is a 100% chance of a "claim" to be filed.

5) There will never be a "financial loss" for time spent practicing the Gospel and preparing ourselves and our families.

6) The "watch" and "warning" has already been announced, however...

7) Until the Second Coming actually occurs, there is still time to practice and prepare.

8) But there will come a point when our preparatory state is over. And we will account for how we have spent our time and our talents.

9) When that "hurricane" reaches shore, our homes and our lives must be secured and on firm foundation.

10) I'm glad I have Jesus as my "claims adjuster." Because even with the best preparation, my home (aka family) and my life will need more ___ (fill in the blank) than I am able to do on my own. And He will do much more than simply indemnify us.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:1-10)

Be prepared this hurricane season.

Bad Things Happen...

It's an age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people?

I love how easy that question is to answer when one becomes familiar with The Book of Mormon. That question is answered in so many different ways. And I have felt impressed to emphasize the various reasons to my children as often as the scriptures allow.

Our family is reading in the book of Alma currently. And our 10-year old son made a profound point the other morning. His heart and mind were enlightened as he commented that bad things happen to good people, at times, because God wants more of his children to come back to Him.

It was an inspired observation. Let me provide a little context.

There was a group of people (the Lamanites), deceived and hardened by the wicked traditions of their fathers, that had an unfounded and blinded hatred for another group (the Nephites). Through love and service, a portion of the Lamanites came to the knowledge of God and His plan for His children. They repented of their sins and were converted to the Lord. And the scriptures teach us that "they buried their weapons of war, for peace."

That portion of the Lamanites (which included the king) changed their ways, changed their hearts, and even changed their names. The remaining Lamanites wanted nothing to do with this new life and did not want the king to remain in leadership. So they came out in open rebellion and civil war. And this is what we learn:

Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call upon the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword. And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God. Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing by the sword -- Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done.

And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them. And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved. And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people. (Alma 24:21-27)

It's true. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people because God loves all his children...and wants as many as possible to come back to Him.

My Top 10 List

A brief interruption to the political, philosophical, and religious commentary that usually makes its way to this blog.

I completed my Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation last week. It was about 3 years in the making. Every ounce of free time that I've had over the past 3 years has been devoted to studying and stressing over the next exam. But it's done and I have earned back a significant amount of time.

With this new-found freedom, I have recommitted to personal growth and health. And I created a "Top 10 List" of sorts regarding my renewed healthy lifestyle. Here it is (in order):

1) Pray regularly and read scriptures (meditate/reduce stress).
2) Walk/jog 6 days a week for 30-60 minutes (no formal exercise on Sunday).
3) Smile - be happy!
4) Drink lots of water.
5) Eat less but eat 5 times a day - always a protein and a carb.
6) Minimal sugar and no greasy foods for 6 days each week (generally, Saturday will be my "day off").
7) Try yoga?!?
8) Two walks around the office and park as far away as possible.
9) When in doubt, eat salmon and salad!
10) Fiber, sunlight, and vitamin C.

There you have it. This list is not quite as thought-provoking as Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues...but it will help me focus on a more healthy lifestyle. Consider it yet, another perspective.

The Vulnerability of Youth

I've been meaning to blog...really I have. Since Christmas, all of my free time has been spent studying for various professional exams. I have one left out of the eight required to earn my Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. The exam is scheduled for May 5...but I decided to take a few minutes to blog.

Since Christmas, all of the topics I've wanted to blog about have been centered around political events. I wanted to publicly promote my support for Governor Scott Walker. I wanted to share some insight regarding refinancing our mortgage (from our conversation with the lender, it was clear that Obama promotes death, disability, and divorce). We give too much charitable contributions to refinance under his plan without experiencing one of those 3 "D" words.

There have been so many other topics as well. Our involvement with Libya and the budget debate...yep, I wanted to talk about those, too. But I'm finally taking time to share my thoughts on another political topic. I want to briefly discuss President Obama's recent 2012 campaign speech via facebook. I want to start by sharing a few scriptures that came to mind:

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise... (2 Nephi 9:28) I'm not saying Obama is the devil. But I am saying Obama is employing those same tactics that Satan uses. I have an example to illustrate:

I was recently reading in the Book of Mormon when Alma and Amulek were preaching to the people of Ammonihah. There was a lawyer who came forward and questioned Amulek's testimony. "Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good." Zeezrom asked several questions of Amulek. In reference to the Son of God, Zeezrom asked, "Shall he save his people in their sins?" Amulek responded no because for the Savior to save us in our sins would deny the truth that no unclean thing can stand in the presence of God. But the Savior will save us from our sins if we choose him over the world and repent.

Then Zeezrom turned to the people and said, "See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people - as though he had authority to command God."

Zeezrom was deceitful and ommited a key phrase in his response to the people. Amulek never said that Christ would not save his people...he said Christ would not save his people in their sins.

O that cunning plan of the evil one!

Now read what President Obama said regarding Conservatives:

"Their basic view is that no matter how successful I am, no matter how much I've taken from this country... I wasn't born wealthy. I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents. I went to college on scholarships. There was a time when my mom was trying to get her Ph.D. where, for a short time, she had to take food stamps. My grandparents relied on Medicare and Social Security to supplement their income when they got older. Their notion is: Despite the fact that I've benefited from all these investments, somehow I now have no obligation to people who are less fortunate than me."

His statement is completely illogical and deceitful. It is full of anger and resentment. It begins with an unfounded premise, adds a little truth, and then distorts the truth by adding key words. And finally ends with a lie.

Rather than show appreciation for the blessings he was given to achieve his current status in this mortal life, he's ungrateful and even angry that he wasn't born wealthy. His mom had to take food stamps. He never mentioned that in either of his two autobiographies. And he was attending an expensive prep school at the time his mom would have been on food stamps. His grandparents relied on Medicare and Social Security. Never mind that his grandparents were wealthy beyond their means. His grandmother was a VP of a bank and his dad was an executive of an oil company.

If so many of the rich want to pay more in taxes (according to Obama all we had to do was ask), then why aren't the liberals paying their legal obligations NOW? Like Senator Kerry who legally docked his yacht in a different state to avoid higher property taxes...or the President himself who paid only 27% in taxes as opposed to his legal obligation of 35% because his accountants found loopholes.

At the 16-minute mark of the town hall, he actually said that increasing our tax rates would help reduce government spending. What?

Instead of helping Americans look for a brighter day when they can pull themselves out of unemployment and not rely on the government, the President of the United States is applauding welfare as the path to success. He's destroying the concept of work.

He's demonizing his own citizens. He's taking away private sector jobs (i.e.: allows Brazil to drill in the Gulf but still has a moratorium for his own country) and increasing the public work force...which is essentially buying more votes. He's doing his best to make a case for welfare and dependency - not the freedom, liberty and independence that made this country what it is.

And to whom is President Obama speaking?

The youth - the college aged facebook generation. Those who are still "taking" and don't value the freedoms of being an adult because they haven't experienced it yet. Who else appealed to the youth of their generation? Hitler comes to mind first. And I'm not comparing our President to Hitler. I'm comparing his approach and philosophy to that of Hitler, Chavez, Fidel Castro, Mao, and all communist leaders in modern history.

I've often wondered how Lucifer convinced one third of Heavenly Father's children to rebel and deny themselves eternal blessings? This speech that Obama gave on facebook made me consider something I never had before. I imagine that Lucifer addressed the younger spirits of Heavenly Father - those who lacked experience. As well as those prideful, angry, self-centered spirits who were learned and thought that was synonymous with being wise. Youth have an excuse...adults do not.

A Carpenter's Apprentice

There's a man in our congregation. One of the most humble men I know. He works tirelessly at two jobs to provide for his family and when he comes home, he serves endlessly. His name is Mark.

Mark is a "jack of all trades." And he's a self-taught expert in all of them. His 72 year old best friend, Johnny, recent fell and broke his femur bone. The injury will confine Johnny to a wheel chair for at least 6 months as he endures physical therapy and allows time for the leg to completely heal. In the mean time, Johnny will need a ramp to his door. And because of the height of his front door, he needs 60 feet of ramp.

Mark has never built a ramp before...but he's built just about everything else. So he took the design provided by medical personnel and improved upon it. Mark is building the "temple" of all ramps. It's U-shaped with four landing platforms and there isn't anything in this natural world that can destroy it. This ramp is solid.

Saturday morning, Mark was given the morning off from work. So I got a phone call and headed over to the house to help with the ramp. Upon arrival, I quickly confessed my inadequacies. But I could follow instructions. Mark had already built the first platform and foundation for the first ramp. He needed the platform secured and the floor boards to be placed and secured on the first ramp. He showed me how to do the first board. Then he handed me the tools and left me to the work.

We talked for a bit while we worked. We took a break and he showed me his workshop that he had built with recycled wood from a 19th century home. I was amazed. And I knew I could learn a lot from Mark. We talked and worked a little more. Then he left for his job where he works at a local prison.

And I was left alone.

At first I felt like the karate kid. :) But, unlike Ralph Macchio, I knew what this service was preparing me for. And I was grateful for the chance. I don't have many opportunities to provide service that really benefits someone else. I can sing...and I can give a good Sunday school lesson...and I can teach someone about basic insurance and risk management...but I'm not a doctor, I'm not a scientist, I'm not an engineer, I'm not a lawyer, I'm not a car mechanic...

But Saturday, I was a carpenter's apprentice. And I thought that was quite fitting for December. I wish I could share the mental picture I took as I paused from putting the next floor board down and looked out across the yard. It was heavily wooded with 3 guinea hens off in the distance, some chickens, a turkey, a few dogs, some rabbits, a landscaped pond with a small cascading waterfall, and a pleasant December temperature with sunny skies. I enjoyed the solitude.

And I thought, "This is what Christmas is about." I don't often have opportunities where I can truly help someone through service...do something that really does make a difference. If this was the only reason we moved to Virginia, I would be satisfied. It has made it all worth it. There is only one true Carpenter. And He is building me into who I need to become. He is providing me with experiences and opportunities that I need. I love being the Carpenter's apprentice. I have so much to learn.

So this December is turning out to be a very special one. For the next 3 weeks, the wood I will be working with will be a constant reminder for me. I hope it makes a lasting impression.

Walking Straight Can Turn Into a Mystery

I'm a social and fiscal conservative who loves listening to NPR while I drive in to work. Did you hear the segment about humans inability to walk straight this morning? It was fascinating...and the producers probably don't even know why it was so fascinating.

They've done these studies...80 years worth of studies...of placing a blindfold on someone and challenging them to walk straight. The first 20, 30, 40 feet are good. The subject walks relatively straight. But inevitably, the blindfolded individual begins to turn. And then they turn some more and some more and some more. Until, eventually, the subject is walking in circles. In one study, the person actually ended up where they began after making multiple circles.

If you haven't clicked on the link above, go back and do it. The audio version is less than 4 minutes. And the video is about the same length of time. Seriously...go listen and/or watch and then come back...

At one point in the story, the commentator states that there is a "profound inability in humans to go straight unless there's something in the environment you can see and focus on." He later states, "There is something in us that makes us turn."

What a perfect segway to the scriptures. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit... Mosiah 3:19 Without a fixed object we can focus on, the natural man can only go in circles. We can never progress without divine strength and assistance...or grace. There is a profound inability in humans to progress if we are "blindfolded." In scripture lingo, that blindfold is the natural man.

Of course, the "something in the environment you can see and focus on" is Jesus Christ. O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him...
2 Nephi 9:41

Christ's example showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path. Follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
2 Nephi 31:9, 12, 18, 20

Fascinating. Now, if only I could stop walking in circles.

Why I Didn't Sleep In

It's a Saturday. But I knew I wanted to get up and head to the lake. It took mental preparation to get up early on a Saturday, but it was worth it.

I've gone to the lake many mornings since we moved here. It's an opportunity to enjoy the beauties of the earth and reflect on life. I'm sure my perspective has changed as a result.