Generation to Generation
“I wish I had known your Dad.”
We Smith children hear that a lot after people read Dad’s writings. His wisdom and principle-based thinking still impact people years after his death.
My answer is usually “If you know me or my siblings, then you do know Dad.” His influence permeates our thinking.
We have an excellent Biblical example in David and Solomon. They were both writers who expressed their belief systems – one in a lyrical format; the other in wisdom sayings. David’s Psalm 37:5 says “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Solomon’s admonition in Proverbs 3:5-7 reflects the influence of his father: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge him. And he will make straight your paths.”
We hear the father in the voice of the son.
Have you ever said something and then immediately responded, “Oh, that sounds exactly like my Mom (or Dad)? We are profoundly marked by the lives of our parents, grandparents, and other significant adults during our upbringing. And now that we are the voices the younger ones hear, they are being imprinted by our words.
Who is within your sphere of influence? Who is absorbing your attitudes, your thinking, your belief system? What will their lives represent?
The Bible clearly instructs older ones to definitely speak to the younger ones about the nature of God – His faithfulness, His goodness, and His mighty works. We have our marching orders as elders to implant the truths of scripture, not backing away or neglecting our responsibility.
When somebody says to me, “That sounds just like your Dad,” I smile. My greatest hope is to sound like my heavenly Father.
Prayer Network
by Brenda A. Smith, BWFLI.com, BreakfastWithFred.com
“Higher education is not just about job preparation; there is a moral and ethical element, as well.”
Dr. Philip Boom, President of Emmaus Bible College was interviewed by the Dubuque, Iowa Telegraph Herald newspaper. His thoughts on faith-based higher education emphasized the importance of preparing men and women for a role in community life which displays faith based decision making skills, Christ-like attitudes, and applications of Biblical principles. Today’s chaotic environment requires leaders whose feet are standing on rock, not sand.
Providing excellence in curricula and depth in Biblical ethics and morals is truly the raison d’etre for our Christian higher education institutions even more than at their inception.
Please pray for those who lead, teach, pastor, and study. Now as never before they need our support. May Jesus Christ be praised day by day as He protects and provides.
Proverbs and Choosing the Right Friends
by Bob Deffinbaugh, Bible.org, BWFLI.com
“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip (Proverbs 20:19).”
“Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man (Proverbs 22:24).”
“My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change (Prov. 24:21 NAU).”
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him (Prov. 26:4).”
Proverbs has much to say about choosing the right path in life, and avoiding the path that leads to death (see Proverbs 1:10-37). Likewise, Proverbs has a great deal to say about a person’s character (simple/naïve, fool, sluggard, scoffer, wise).
Our choice of friends has much to do with the path we choose for life. As a new school year begins, and some begin their college career, let us pray that they find those with godly character to be their friends.
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Decisive Actions
Weekly Thought – September 21, 2021
Fred traveled heavily in his consulting and speaking work. Early on he attained lifetime status with American Airlines. He met interesting people and exercised his great skill of question asking. This week’s thought recalls a funny experience during the 1960s on one of those cross-country flights.
Decisive Actions
Decisiveness is a quality of effective executives, but it is indeed a rare trait. Everyone likes to say, “Oh, yes, I am decisive.” Very few really are. They wait until they are forced into a decision or until the decision is made for them.
Lately I’ve been accumulating clever ways people avoid making a decision. And there is no dearth of material. One of the worst offenders is the executive who talks five minutes on both sides of the question and then emphatically announces, “That is what I think.” Oh, no, there is one worse – the fellow who sits next to the him and says, “I agree with Bob.”
Actually, decisiveness is a matter of the will. I think I will illustrate it with a true story.
I was spending a few days with Mobil Oil (one of my consulting clients) on the west coast. Wanting to get home I took the red eye American flight to Chicago and then on to Cincinnati. When I got to the check-in I realized the flight was full. As we loaded people kept coming on the plane until every seat was taken except for the one next to me.
Just before the door closed a 6’3” mountain of a man with big, broad shoulders and a flat stomach came running on the plane and sat down next to me. He shouldn’t have done that. Why should he make me uncomfortable all the way to Chicago as I sat there with my 225 pounds of solid blubber? It was Charlton Heston, the actor.
“Mr. Heston, you are in wonderful physical shape.” “I have to be in my business.” I replied, “I wish I could be, too, but I have to work.” “Well, I have to work but I can stay in this shape on 17 minutes a day.”
He had no right to say that. That was not sociable. I have 17 minutes a day. He should have talked about days under professional training.
For 30 minutes I sat and stewed in my own fat. Then I said, “Mr. Heston, I travel a lot.” “I do, too.” “How do you exercise when you are on the road?” “It’s very simple. I go into the hotel room, sit on the luggage rack, put my toes under the bed, and do back bends.” “What do you do about your shoulders?” “Oh, that is easy. I roll under the bed and push the bed up and down in the air.”
Now what is the difference between Heston and Smith? You recognize it all too quickly. A recent survey discovered the definable difference between successful and unsuccessful people: the unsuccessful say “I should – I ought to- I plan to – I’m going to” but never get around to it. The successful say, “I will.” They make the decision and take action. They do it.
This week carefully consider: 1) As I read Fred’s story, where do I need to make a decision? 2)What is holding me back? 3) Who models decisiveness in my work life, community, and family?
Words of Wisdom: “Decisiveness is a matter of the will.”
Wisdom from the Word: “So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.” ( 1 Kings 3:9 NET Bible)