Huge Market Correction Coming? Oil Headed Lower?

     A few months ago I predicted that the DOW would experience a several thousand point pull back within the next year, and it appears that may be around the corner, as the market dips over 229 points at the time of this writing.  Many are giving reasons such as; the market is getting ahead of itself, or the earnings are good, but not great.  The reality is what most of us know, and feel, and that is the economy has never really recovered to anything that resembles the recent past.  So why would the market surge from just over 6000 to over 15000 during Barak's administration?  Quoting Alan Greenspan, 'Irrational Exuberance'. 

     When we see companies like Cisco laying off workers, and Walmart missing earnings estimates by a couple billion dollars, it is a sign that things are much worse than the market has shown.  Our government has been printing money as if it really did grow on trees, but none of it has made it to the lower-end consumer.  Jim Cramer of CNBC said, "We have to deal with the four walls of the corporate canvas, and they are simply not able to turn this macro positive into micro earnings gains."  This from the former hedge fund trader who is never shy about sharing his opinion.

     If I was to make an educated guess, I would say that the government paper that is entering into the economy through the banks, is actually flowing from the banks into commodities and other hard assets.  The banks have been unwilling to lend to the average consumer, and it is well known that banks don't like to leave money just sitting pat, so oil and other necessities of life seem to be the only good investments.  The chart to the left shows that since Obama took office, when government spending began to skyrocket, the price of a barrel of oil went from $66 in January 2009 to over $107 today.  

     With my own money, I would put it in Gold, Silver, or another hard currency.  The longer we put off the needed huge correction, by voting in huge spenders, the worse it is going to be when we are forced to face the reality.  Think of your kids.

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee

Quote of the Day: Earl of Darthmouth and Samuel Adams

Quote of the Day:
From: Paul Revere's Ride
by David Hackett Fischer

"Keep the measure secret until the moment of execution, it can hardly fail of success...Any efforts of the people, unprepared to encounter with a regular force, cannot be very formidable."

-Earl of Dartmouth to General Gage







"We may all be soon under the necessity of keeping Shooting Irons."

-Samuel Adams to Stephen Collins

Quote of the Day: Charles Stanley

Quote of the Day:

Dr. Charles Stanley

"Colossians 3:15 urges you to 'let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.' Regardless of the pressure you may feel, wait for peace.  You may seek confirmation from others, but be careful that their confirmation is in keeping with what God has said in his Word.  Perfect peace is God's verdict when you have His mind and His way.  Don't budge until you get God's peace.  This is the final confirmation of a wise decision."

Baghdad, Iraq: Not the Peace Obama Promised

     We were told by the incumbent administration that the violence in Iraq was because of the mistreatment by our soldiers and our 'occupation', but the murderous last month in Baghdad would suggest otherwise. Once again, we have Al Qaeda claiming responsibility for 'scores' of deaths achieved through bombing and IED's.  So where is the peace we were promised once we left the region?  Is an Iraqi life worth less, now that Obama said they're living in peace now?

     Once again, as in Egypt, we have extreme Muslims blowing up their fellow countrymen on their holiest holiday.  The Iraqi government will have only one choice, and that is to react to this kind of action the same way as Saddam Hussein did, and it appears they're doing just that.  As one reported writes,"Maliki said security forces had arrested more than 800 suspects and seized large amounts of explosives and weapons since the security campaign started last month."  I'm sure the Iraqi government is going to treat these prisoners the way the American government would, and would never torture them to get information.  Yeah right.

     The Obama administration has made a huge mistake in nearly every action they have taken in the Middle East, and the main reason for this is their lack of understanding regarding Islam.  When facing a militant foe, you must use the same or greater force to contain them.  We in the 'West' will never be able to sit down with radical Islam and negotiate a peace.  The only option is to contain and pray for the second coming of Christ, which will bring the peace we desperately need.

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee

     

Egypt and Radical Islam's Bloody Quest

     As our President Barak Obama touted that he had brought peace to the world, especially Egypt and Libya, the reality is much darker than this.  History has shown us over and over again that when Muslim extremists are empowered, or take power, they will not relinquish it without a bloody end.  This is precisely what is happening in Egypt.

     While some in the press want to label today's violence with titles such as the AP's Hundreds reported killed as Egypt smashes protests, the reality is found later on in the same article.  Interviewing a Muslim Brotherhood fighter, on the way to attack the police, the author quotes the combatant as saying,  '"If I have to die, I will die," said the father of one child carrying several bottles of beer he said he intended to use as firebombs.'  FIREBOMBS!  Does that sound like a person who is engaged in peaceful protest?  The news media is in a constant battle to defend the Muslim extremist in a futile attempt to pacify them, but as the protesters once shouted, "We are all Osama, Obama.". 

     The sad, but true, reality is that there can never be peace with someone who's religion will not allow them to live peacefully with other religions.  They may quiet down for a period of time, while methodically planning out their next step, but in the end they will strike again!  

     In the 13th century Marco Polo witnessed the fanaticism that is Islam, when a young Muslim ruler pointed to a man on a minaret tower and motioned for him to jump.  The young man jumped to his death without a second thought.  The young ruler went on to tell Marco Polo that they cleverly brainwashed the young Bedouins into believing in 70 virgins, and a heaven of milk and honey, if they would submit to their authority. So NEVER let the news media trick you into thinking this is a modern development of the Muslim faith, because the reality is moderate Muslims are the exception, and not the rule. 

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee

Quote of the Day: John D. Rockefeller

Quote of the Day:
 John D. Rockefeller

"Sam, we are prospering.  We have a future before us, a big future.  But I don't like Jim Clark and his habits.  He is an immoral man in more ways than one.  He gambles in oil.  I don't want this business to be associated with a gambler.  Suppose I take them up the next time the threaten a dissolution.  Suppose I succeed in buying them out.  Will you come in with me?"

When contemplating going into business with someone you should always take a look at their character and moral virtues.  If they're known to be late, untrustworthy, or prone to bad investments...it is unlikely to change once you start a venture with them. 

Quote of the Day

Quote from an unnamed saint:

"And I may return in faded armor
Full of patches bent and aged.
And my face the heat of battle,
To free the damned and free the slaves.
And I may know both pain and rejection,
The betrayal of my friends.
But the glory that awaits me,
Will make it worth it in the end-in the end."

Failure Can Breed Great Success!

     Failure is something most people experience at least once in their life, if not more.  The crucial factor in this type of experience is whether the person gives up, or continues to fight.  Some of the greatest businessmen of recent history have experienced very challenging times in their lives and were able to overcome.  One simple character trait separates these individuals from the person who gives up in life...Perseverance.

     Rockefeller grew up in anything but a stable family, and had a father that was everything his son strove not to be.  Instead of heading down the same path as his father, Rockefeller dedicated his life to Christ and living a disciplined and frugal lifestyle.  Was it easy?  Of course not!  At one point he was forced to take out a loan for $1000 from the very father he sought to be different from.  It was well placed moments of confidence, frugality, and humility that allowed him to rise above the situation he was born into.

     The apostle Paul is another great example of someone who overcame great odds to achieve his life's purpose.  Whether it be; beatings, shipwrecks, or imprisonment Paul never gave up or quit.  Instead, as with other great men in this life, he doubled down on his beliefs and pushed ahead.  In the end Paul was responsible for writing the majority of The New Testament, the greatest piece of work ever to be pinned.

     When we face a great challenge in life such as; financial, health, or a host of others, it is important that we go through that trial with an eye on the big picture.  Don't cower in fear of what may happen, but rather stand up and resolve to meet the challenge head on.  When we move forward in times of discouragement it shapes our character and moves us to greater levels of success!

Jeffrey Brandon Lee 

Socialism? Really?

     It really boggles my mind when you see all the scandals going on right now, and yet people are 'doubling down' on Obama and socialism. The truth is under this socialist government the top 1% have seen their income go up 300% and the poor have seen their paychecks decrease by nearly 30%. We are sitting on one of the biggest stock market bubbles in history that is about to pop (down to 7000-9000 in the next year), we are empowering another muslim brotherhood led opposition in Syria, unemployment and other numbers are being 'cooked' by the government, while the media stands idly by and lets the facade stay in place. The TRUTH is you can't have a government that takes from the rich and gives to the poor, because you can't legislate morality, and you definitely can't count on a mere man to enforce it. Socialism is the same Utopian idiocy that the left has been pushing for decades and look where it has got us...16 trillion in the hole, but food stamps at an all time high, real unemployment through the roof, stock market bubble, 1 million+ abortions a year, muslim fanatics in charge in formerly secular countries...bad news my friends!

Judging Those Who Face Adversity

     What do you do when adversity comes your way?  Do you stand up and face whatever mountain is in your path, or do you cover your head and beg for it to end?  Many times this simple decision can decide a substantial portion of your life and also your character.  Why we all will usually say 'I would stand tall and rely on God, never wavering', and we tend to judge those who don't when their challenge is at hand.  Easy words of condemnation can have devastating effects on those we deem as failing.

     When we read through the Bible we are told by Paul to gently restore the fallen brother or sister in Christ, but our human tendency is to think 'A little tough love is what they need'.  One question for you to think about...did you ever read of Jesus catching a person in sin and His reaction was to strike them verbally across the face and tell them they deserve the trial they are going through?  The answer is no.  The opposite is actually the case.  When He came across those who were judging (the Pharisees) Jesus would rebuke them and gently restore those who had been humbled.  

     We must remember that we ALL go through trials and tests in this life, and when you're a seasoned Christian you may handle it better than others, but don't let that lead to you thinking you are better than the one who struggles.  God is allowing the challenge to enter into their lives and is there to pick them up when they fall, and that is how we should be.  We need to encourage those who have fallen into sin, or who have a mountain of trials standing in front of them.  So next time you see that homeless person, or person in the back of the church, go up and give them a hug and encourage them to keep fighting the good fight and that God loves them very much!

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee

Aliens Are the Fallen Angels of Genesis?

     I was watching something I don't usually watch tonight, a show on UFO's, and it brought to mind a Christian fiction series I read a few years ago about the Nephilim.  In the series the author (Marzulli) hypothicizes that aliens are the fallen angels of the Bible.  He also asserts that the Nephilim of Genesis 6 are actually the offspring of the 'aliens' and the 'daughters of man'.  The reason I mention this is because the supposed UFO sightings over Israel have increased over the last decade...if we are in the end times, wouldn't this make sense?  Personally, I think the videos shown can be explained, but you should always verify everything because we have NO idea what the fallen angles actually looked like.  The creatures covered with eyes stand in front of the throne of God day and night, so we know they aren't little chubby babies with wings.  I'll write about the more 'normal' subjects again, but every once in a while you have to at least explore the possibilities.

WWNBA: 2013 Playoffs Showcase the NBA's Protected Teams and Players!

     Since America is in the middle of the NBA playoffs I thought it would be fitting to write a few comments on the state of the league.  In the past 25 years the NBA has evolved into the second leading sport in America behind our pastime football, and David Stern has played a major part in this rise to glory, but it hasn't all been good.  As the years go by it seems as is the league is turning into more of a WWE type sport, where whoever is the most popular team, with the best players, will be handled by referees differently.  This has been claimed since the infamous book Jordan Rules.

     If a fan honestly watches a game they will admit that when a player such as Reggie Evans goes to the hole and gets hammered they are far more unlikely to get a foul call then a player, such as, Lebron James.  Even great players like Carmelo Anthony are unable to get the same calls as the great 'King James' or Kevin Durant.  You see the replays and you ask yourself 'How did they miss that?', but you also find yourself asking that numerous times a game.  

     There seems to be a rhythm to the art the is 'refereeing' a basketball game.  You will find that the top teams are called for the least amount of fouls, such as the Spurs being the least penalized for almost a decade, and when they are called for a foul it tends to be on an insignificant player.  I go back to the playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs in 2007 where the NBA's darling, Tim Duncan, was called for 1 foul in 4 games.  When you watched the games it was apparent that there were far more fouls committed by this gifted player.  So why is it that when a team gets a reputation for being a good defensive team, they tend to be called for less fouls?  The reality is that the better defensive teams commit more fouls as they're constantly reaching and slapping wrists, but the NBA turns their heads to protect the teams image.

     The sad reality is that the refs in the NBA are just human and whether they're instructed, which I hope is not the case, or they just get caught up in the emotion of the crowd, David 'the Dictator' Stern needs to clamp down on what is really a foul and what is not.  He said that he was going to fine players for their first flop in the playoffs, but I for one have seen so many flops that have not been called that those are just empty words.  In closing I hope the new commissioner will clean up the NBA and save the sport from the mega star teams and unbalanced calls.

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee

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