Who Do You Look Like?
The elevator door opened to the large convention crowd who rushed in and immediately took a vow of silence. That is, until the door reopened and a woman stepped into the car. In the far back a voice was heard addressed to the newcomer: “You look like one of the presenters”… no response. We arrived at the lobby and the door opened. For just a moment the latecomer held the door back and said, “I do look like the presenter… Because I am her!”
It was an enjoyable moment in the middle of a highly-scheduled, people-packed conference.
I thought about it and wondered…who do I remind others of? What do they see in the way I speak, dress, walk, smile, treat others, or as my Mom would say “carry myself?”
On Father’s Day I posted my favorite photo off my Dad done on his 90th birthday by the premier photographer, David Edmondson. A friend mentioned it to me by saying, “I didn’t know your Dad but you look just like him.” I often want to say, “What of him do you see in me?” It could be our distinctive “Smith nose,” or our high foreheads, perhaps. Of course, I want it to be the eyes which reflect his wisdom, kindness, and intensity.
A Christian organization once named a building after Dad and commissioned a sculptor to do a bust of him for the foyer. I received a call from the group saying the sculptor just couldn’t get his nose right from the photographs but heard mine was just like his and would I go to his studio and sit while he finished? Accompanying my nose to the sitting was an interesting and intriguing experience.
As children of the living God we have the joy of bearing His name and identity – hallelujah. When others say, “you look like a Christian you can respond… yes, I do, because I am.” Yay, God!
Prayer Network
by Brenda A. Smith, BWFLI.com, BreakfastWithFred.com
“Thank you for praying for Christian higher education. We appreciate your support as we strive to prepare men and women for lifelong impact.”
In July our national holiday focuses on the freedoms we enjoy for generations. Our schools face great obstacles in a secular society which pushes against their values. We have the privilege of praying for them to be strengthened in their academic and faith endeavors. During the summer time students can be separated from their Christian friends and influences. Please pray for them to be encouraged and used as reflections of Jesus during this month. Give them opportunities to share their testimonies of what God is doing through Christian higher education.
This is a good time to send notes of support, financial gifts, and invitations to visit. Thank you for your faithfulness as you stand with schools which honor and glorify our great Triune God.
Simple Service
by Bob Deffinbaugh, Bible.org, BWFLI.com
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. 5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded (John 13:1-5, NAU).
There is a great deal of emphasis in Christian circles – too much in my opinion – on striving for great things. Any form of service which seems to fall short of greatness or “significance” is often likely to be disregarded. And often, in waiting for something significant to do, we overlook simple service, which our Lord highly regards. Our Lord washed the feet of His disciples, a task normally delegated to a low-level servant, a task which the disciples felt was below them, and certainly below Jesus. And He did this as an example for them, and us, to follow. Opportunities for this kind of service are prevalent.
Let’s pray for the college community (students, staff, faculty), that God would grant all the spirit of a servant, a spirit like that of our Lord. And in so doing, may our Lord be honored, and may many needs be met.
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Keeping the Engine in Gear
Weekly Thought – July 15, 2025
Fred understood the gifts God gave him. He called them his “uniqueness.” He challenged others to identify and nurture their own. He firmly grasped the concept of rhythm in life and leadership writing and speaking about its effective use.
Keeping the Engine in Gear
During times when we have no great career accomplishments, it is important to have outside achievements. This is the way to re-attach our ego and grow again.
A friend came to see me after selling his company. He was experiencing the “what’s next” low. I suggested he find satisfaction through a non-career endeavor. Several months later I saw him. To my surprise, he was 40 pounds lighter and walking with a distinctly positive gait.
“Fred, I took your suggestion. Not only have I lost the 40 pounds I carried around for so long, but I am the club doubles tennis champion.” He rediscovered the joy of achievement.
Every career has its dead spots. Inevitably, there are idling times as we hit plateaus on the climb. It is critical to remember we haven’t failed – just our plans have. Rather than throwing us off track, we can redirect our productive energies in an avocational direction. For example, we can channel our drive into ministry, or community leadership. It is important to acknowledge the value of productivity.
The lull in the career won’t extinguish the proper use of ego gratification. Of course, it is key that these ancillary accomplishments don’t become an escape. Recognizing that they are part of career rhythm should always be uppermost. Running away and hiding is not the healthy use of avocation during vocational valleys.
The overriding principal: keep on experiencing a productive rhythm in life in order to contribute. Accomplishment and achievement are the mature use of our God-given uniqueness which is to be used for the good of others.
If we miss the opportunity to grow in the plateaus we end up simply going round and round without forward progress. The proper use of these times is to refocus, clarify, and strengthen in order to keep climbing.
The mature man or woman recognizes achievement breeds achievement.
This week carefully consider: 1) How do I satisfy my need for accomplishment? 2) What strategies do I use in the plateau times? 3) Where are my avocational as well as vocational growth areas?
Words of wisdom: “Running away and hiding is not the healthy use of avocation during vocational valleys.”
Wisdom from the Word: “Then they will realize this is your work, and that you, LORD, have accomplished it.” (Psalm 109:27 NET Bible)