The Crux of Crisis
“We were told our house was safe, so don’t worry. Within ten minutes the flames surrounded our house.” The tearful woman stood with her son packing to seek safety as they evacuated.
The California fires raged! Homes burned to the ground and thousands of lives were changed forever.
I watched the devastation and thought about other fires… emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual. I also remembered hearing, “You are strong; you are fine; don’t overthink this.” Then in a seeming moment I experienced the effects of the overwhelming flames.
The news spoke of people grabbing their prepared “go bags” with critical items. The thought “what would you take if you had to quickly evacuate?” comes to mind. People, papers, pictures, and precious items always top the list. But how about go bag preparation for other crises? What needs to be done in case of a physical disease? A retirement plan depletion? A divorce? How do we create a structure to handle these fires?
The primary item in our bag must be faith. The Bible tells us when we follow Jesus we are never alone. Memorizing scripture and keeping it “on the ready” is essential. Spending time before the flames start licking at our life means putting down deep roots.
My Dad always thought through possible experiences – even when they would probably never occur. He and I disagreed on the efficacy of this strategy, but as I aged I began seeing the wisdom. “Brenda, I never want to be surprised, panic, and get paralyzed. If I think it through ahead of time and construct the way to handle it, I can take clear action.” Without living with a doom and gloom attitude, mental and emotional preparation gives stability.
The Bible says, “when you suffer,” not “if you suffer.” It will come. Make sure your go bag is prepared and ready for easy access.
Prayer Network
by Brenda A. Smith, BWFLI.com, BreakfastWithFred.com
“Each year is a gift to be used well. 2025 is full of promise and hope.” Pastor’s comment to youth group.
We customarily wish each other “Happy New Year” for the first week of January, don’t we? That is the expected greeting. Perhaps we should consider expressing the desire that the other uses the gift of time well. As we pray for our well-loved colleges and universities whose missions speak to wholeness, excellence, and Christ-centered living, may our prayers rise faithfully.
We don’t know what 2025 holds, but we have full confidence in our sovereign God. Let’s earnestly pray for students, faculty, administration, and staff as they live out their plans… and give them flexibility and grace to handle each disruption. You are a great God who leads, and loves our educators.
Where Faith is Learned
1 Samuel 17
by Bob Deffinbaugh, Bible.org, BWFLI.com
28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle. . . . 33 Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you” (1 Samuel 17:28, 33-37, NAS).
David’s oldest brother, Eliab, was angry with David for daring to believe that God might use him to defeat Goliath. Saul likewise had his doubts. Both seemed to focus on David’s youth. Eliab sought to convince David to go back to his “little flock of sheep” (17:28), thinking that his task there was insignificant. But note, it is the lessons he learned while keeping that “little flock” which gave David the experiences with God which gave him the courage to go up against Goliath.
May our young students, like David, have experiences with God which embolden them for the challenges of the future.
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Measuring Character
Weekly Thought – January 14, 2025
Fred held a principle firmly in his personal and professional life. In his book, Leading with Integrity wrote:” Leaders with strong character have power, dignity, and integrity. Fortunately, our character can be strong without being perfect.”
Measuring Character
Leaders are measured by their public and private character. Before creating an association or hiring I consider three points:
1) Personality affects the way we react to pressure and desires: the introvert must be drawn out to discover the response while most extroverts must be reined in by themselves or others;
2) Testing the strengths and weaknesses prevents surprise: Knowing others allows the leader to develop strengths and bolster weaknesses.
3) Past history is a predictor of the future: Asking co-workers, family, and friends can be enlightening. Often, they know our character better than they know our talents.
I keep three principles in mind when I evaluate my own character:
1) Find a trusted and valued objective resource: Biblical truth is a valuable yard stick for me.
2) Check for purity of purpose and transparency: An aide to General Robert E. Lee always closed his letters with YTCO which stood for “Yours To Count On.” These words are an indication of strong character.
3) Tongue control, ego management, obedience, and confession are all aspects of a strong character. For me, a healthy character is a sign of emotional maturity which is my goal.
Character strengthens under pressure, suffering, loss, tribulation, and failures. The mind gains experiences and the heart grows convictions. Character is the element that makes us stand when we want to run, to live when it seems easier to die, and enables us to fight for the right – even in a losing cause.
This week carefully consider: 1) What principles do I use in assessing character in others, and in myself? 2) Who is a model of good character for me? 3) When do I have to depend on my own principles to avoid making bad decisions?
Words of Wisdom: “Leaders with strong character have power, dignity, and integrity.”
Wisdom from the Word: “An honorable man makes honorable plans; honorable character gives him security.” (Isaiah 32:8 NET Bible)