Gratitude for Freedom

Weekly Thought – February 15, 2022

Fred, born in 1915, grew up in war time American history. His career flourished in the post war 1950s. His respect for the United States never waned. A childhood injury which left him disabled precluded his entry into the service, but he was extremely proud of his brothers who served. His observations are well worth comparing with today’s environment.

Gratitude for Freedom

I remember the remarkable remembrance of the Statue of Liberty’s 100th birthday. A friend challenged me to consider whether we are making an idol of the Statue. I certainly don’t think so, but we should keep it as a symbol, not an idol.

A symbol is an object used to represent an abstract idea, while an idol is the object of excessive devotion. The Statue as a symbol is all about freedom…the freedom of opportunity to express personal responsibility. I don’t hear anybody saying they came to America because they were irresponsible and want our great welfare system. Constant remarks about opportunity for the family highlighted the celebration. So many made who came made an investment of their sacrifice for their children.

The Statue symbolizes freedom without government oppression. I was impressed how grateful the immigrants were to become Americans. The thought occurred to me “Are we as committed and proud to be Christians?” Chief Justice Burger said, “As Americans we owe exclusive allegiance.” Christ said, “If you would be my disciple, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

A friend once asked me an intriguing question: “If we knew that next July 4th would be the second coming of Christ, would our nation prepare like we did to relight a torch on a statue over 100 years old?”

As I watched that celebration it oiled my old rusty heart. I was reminded that freedom is really a means, not an end. It is an environment which permits the use of personal responsibility. I speak to annual Chambers of Commerce meetings and hear them talking about freedom producing our standard of life. It did not. The free enterprise system could be available to almost anyone but if they were not responsible it would fail. We are seeing this as totalitarian regimes fail worldwide but capitalism doesn’t naturally flourish. It was our Christian, born of Puritan faith, sense of responsibility resulting from the belief that one day we would stand before God and be judged. This was the engine that drove our system.

We are always grateful for the privilege of being an American, but always aware that it is our stewardship of God’s gifts that is the ultimate measure.

Political freedom is a blessing but spiritual freedom has eternal, everlasting significance.

This week carefully consider: 1) How do my thoughts about freedom line up with Fred’s? 2) Are there symbols in American life I have made into idols? 3) What ways do I express gratitude for God’s blessings?

Words of Wisdom: “I was reminded that freedom is really a means, not an end. It is an environment which permits the use of personal responsibility.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NET Bible)

Close Call

Brenda’s Blog – February 8, 2022

“I nearly passed out and didn’t even realize it.”

My friend is the mother of two disabled children who experienced a kitchen fire recently after forgetting a pan on the stove in the midst of intense child care. As she related the story she talked about smoke inhalation and how dangerous it is. “People die from smoke more than from actually being burned to death. It is so sneaky. Afterwards I recognized how close I came to passing out and dying. I was brought out of the house just in time.”

It is made me think about other life experiences. Have you ever found yourself teetering on the precipice of a potentially disastrous decision only to be given a touch of God’s fresh wind which cleared your head and gave you the strength to make a good choice? Sometimes we climb into a boat to calmly float down the river totally unaware of the rough water ahead which overcomes us.

A Facebook post from my friend Ronnie Cunningham on the importance of habits struck a chord. My Dad used to emphasize the critical nature of habits as the raw material for our character. Habits, good or bad, become our autopilot, don’t they? Actually, that is very good that we don’t have to rethink every reflexive action in life. We are blessed to have an inbuilt system for much of daily living. But, if they are bad habits we can nearly asphyxiate without even knowing how endangered we are.

Safety courses always tell us to “be aware of your circumstances… be alert.” Isn’t that good counsel for decision making? Shouldn’t we measure each choice in light of the ramifications and the long range outcomes? Are we walking in wisdom with our eyes wide open?

My friend was caught off guard by an insidious colorless, odorless gas which enveloped her. Thankfully, she gasped for air and ran out the door just as she felt the overwhelming desire to close her eyes. May we live in such a way that the cloud of bad decisions and bad habits not cover us. We want to know how close we are to the edge of the cliff before we succumb. Let’s strive for clean air!

Living Simply

Weekly Thought – February 8, 2022

Fred believed in establishing a lifestyle and then disciplining the use of money within that framework. He didn’t adhere to the philosophy of spending to impress, join in, or establish social position. He defined the simple life in more than monetary terms – it was a complete way of looking at life – and living it fully. In this excerpt he quotes from some favorite writers on the subject.

Living Simply

Living a simple life means we come to the point of defining a lifestyle to which we can then apply common sense organization.

Richard Foster says, “Contemporary culture lacks both the inward reality and the outward lifestyle of simplicity. Inwardly, modern man is fractured and fragmented. He is trapped in a maze of competing attachments. One moment he makes decisions on the basis of sound reason; the next moment (decisions are made) out of fear of what others will think. He has no unity or focus around which life is oriented.”

We can see evidences of a simple life around us. What are they? Where are they? I think the Quakers do a better job than most others in fully understanding the dynamics, the beauty, and the elegance of the simple life. Therefore let me quote to you:

“Experiencing the inward reality liberates us outwardly. Speech becomes truthful and honest. The lust for status and position is gone, because we no longer need status or position. We cease from showy extravagance, not on the grounds of being unable to afford it, but on the grounds of principle. Our goods become available to others. We join the experience that Richard F. Byrd recorded in his journal after months alone in the barren arctic, “I am learning that a man can live profoundly without masses of things.”

Francois Fenelon, my spiritual mentor, says it this way: “When we are truly in this interior simplicity, our whole appearance is franker, more natural. This true simplicity makes us conscious of a certain openness, gentleness, innocence, gaiety, and serenity which is charming when we see it near to and continually with pure eyes, o how amiable this simplicity is.”

To paraphrase… we possess natural charm. I was on a television talk show with one of the plainest women I have ever seen. She had a bony facial structure topped with short gray hair. She was wearing absolutely no makeup. I saw no beauty in her face. Yet when she came over to talk following my part on the show, she suddenly was one of the most naturally charming women I had ever met. There was no pretense, no phoniness. She used no studied compliments, no choreographed repartee, no effort to make me like her, and no fear of my disliking her. She had natural charm.

When we have nothing to hide, we can afford this openness. When we have no more need to be a power player, we can be gentle. I like to describe it as being a velvet-colored brick. We can have the innocence I see in men like Billy Graham. It is not naivete; it is a genuine innocence without guile.

We can have the gaiety, the zest of living, and not the pseudo, hyped-up enthusiasm that feels like it is sprayed out of a can. We can have a genuine zest for living and serenity, for we own ourselves and we are not for sale. Even more importantly, we are not trying to buying anyone.

The simple life is more than “simply living.” It takes consideration, evaluation, formulation, and action. When we take the true measure of what really counts we can move toward simplicity. We define our lifestyle and shut out all other voices that would draw us away.

This week think about: 1) How much do I want the simple life? 2) How much do I want the simple life? 3) What assessment should I be undertaking to look honestly at my life?

Words of Wisdom: “We can have a genuine zest for living and serenity, for we own ourselves and we are not for sale. Even more importantly, we are not trying to buying anyone.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Then he looked at wisdom and assessed its value; he established it and examined it closely.” (Job 28:27 NET Bible)

Participation, not Observation

Weekly Thought – February 1, 2022

Fred’s speaking ability gave him access to audiences throughout North America and beyond. His philosophy was: “speak to express, not to impress.” Respect for the audience was foundational for Fred. Preparation and prayer always formed the infrastructure for any address, meeting, or conversation. Thinking about the art and science of speaking intrigued him lifelong.

Participation, not Observation

One way we can improve our speaking skills is by remembering our goal is not simply to have people sit quietly while we talk, but to have their minds actively engaged by the subject matter.

One of the common mistakes made by speakers is trying to create false feelings by over dramatization. Telling sob stories, getting teary, or yelling are tricks which hinder genuine communication. Listeners quickly realize the speaker isn’t depending on the subject matter for a response, but on the theatrics. When people are thinking more about how you are saying something than what you are saying, your effectiveness is lost.

The minute someone starts yelling, people mentally distance themselves. Many preachers think they are doing this for emphasis, but generally it doesn’t work that way – it deemphasizes.

If I want to say something really important, I’ll lower my voice – and people will usually lean forward to hear what I am saying. In a sense, you’re attaching intimacy to a point by lowering your voice. You are saying, “This point means something to me. I’m telling you something from my heart.”

By increasing the volume, often the point comes across as part of a performance rather than a heartfelt point you are making to another person. If you want your audience to fully digest what you are saying – don’t perform. Attempt to be conversational. Audiences tend to connect with the material.

I don’t the audience to be observers. I want them to participate because the whole object of speaking is to influence attitudes and behavior. How do I encourage participation? Not necessarily by being entertaining. If people are listening for the next story or next joke, I’ve become merely an entertainer. I need to be smart enough to know when my material is getting inside them. I may need to make them laugh or I may need a pointed statement. But when they are genuinely listening and understanding, they are participating.

My goal is not to have people say, “Oh, you are such a great speaker.” When I hear that I know I have failed. If they are conscious of my speaking ability, they see me as a performer… they have not participated. My goal is for people to say, “You know, Fred, I’ve had those kind of thoughts all my life, but I’ve never had the words for them – now I do.” I have given them a handle for an idea; I’ve helped them crystallize their thoughts and experiences.

This week think about: 1) What is my goal when speaking? 2) How can I develop my communication skills by focusing on the audience? 3) Who can help me strengthen my speaking skills?

Words of Wisdom: “If you want your audience to fully digest what you are saying – don’t perform.”

Wisdom from the Word: “My soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.” (Proverbs 23:16 NET Bible)

Forever Password

Brenda’s Blog – January 25, 2022

“Access codes are a pain – I am going to use just one and put it on a post-it note on the front of my computer.”

Remember those early days of PCs when being locked out due to forgotten access codes created additional stress? Also do you remember the solution? In our office every enormous desktop computer had a yellow post-it note with passwords listed (often with strike-outs as the company required regular changes…).

As the word entered our vocabulary it made me think about the spectacular relevance of our God and scripture. In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus he brilliantly writes of the work of Jesus the Christ and summarizes: “For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” I can still recall the moment I read that verse in “the computer age” and marveled at the application.

Jesus is our access code, our password, our entry –

In the ancient world access was the permission to enter or the means of entrance. That hasn’t changed since the Spirit led Paul to dictate those words, never knowing the powerful use in the 21st century. To me it is a glorious use of word time travel. God gave Paul words which would translate into cyberspace.

And, this password never changes – it is the “same yesterday, today, and forever.”

So, as you struggle to open your device by digging deep to pull back the letters(upper and lower), numbers, and special characters, think of the gift God has given by His once and for all, never to be lost passcodes. In the gift of Jesus He opened the door for all of us to come into the presence of the Father.

There is no anguish to remember the right words, or effort to attempt multiple combinations… there is one forever access, one and only one name that works: the name of Jesus.

Good Habits

Weekly Thought – January 25, 2022

Fred believed habits were the foundation of character – good and bad. He supported thoughtful consideration of personal and professional patterns, especially when analyzing any needed changes. These excerpts from a 1961 keynote address to the Printing Industry of America shows Fred’s forward thinking.

Good Habits

Nearly every organization runs on habit, just as we do personally. Most of our daily activities are habitual. This is one of the problems in reorganization. When the habit structure is changed it slows down activity. Successful reorganization requires time to rebuild habits.

Here are a few good habits to cultivate in your business:

1) Create a spirit that will withstand challenges. Don’t let people come with their reasons why it won’t work. Simply respond, “I know that. Tell me what we will have to change for it to work.”
2) Healthy change is good – status quo is usually no good. I like to think “status quote” is Latin for “the mess we are in.”
3) Accept ideas. You as a leader will have to accept a new idea before your organization will accept them.
4) Don’t delay failure. I have a friend who told me, “Fred, I never delay cutting short a failure that is funded with my money.” Good leaders don’t waste business dollars, either.
5) Get management on the offense. How many times do you see management fighting back instead of leading?
6) Develop the habit of good work. A friend of mine who is President of a pipeline company has developed the habit of training his employees to step back from their job and say, “That’s good.” In the news recently there was a story about a 12 year old boy who saved his sister from a house fire using rescue techniques in the Boy Scouts. The news reporter asked him what he thought. He confidently responded, “I did a good job.” That is a great habit.
7) Evaluate your sources of pride. The other day I met with a company’s leadership team. They quickly told me of accomplishments and sources of pride. On analysis, many of these were obsolete and should have been jettisoned long ago but their pride didn’t allow them to this examination.
8) Work smarter, not harder. Too many businesses brag on employees who are the hard workers. Unless this effort is combined with smart working, I give no credit. Taking time to think through a task, not just spend time working on it is working smart.

I haven’t told you anything you don’t already know. My job isn’t to tell you anything new, but to remind you good habits are a key to successful living. Find one habit and make it work for your organization…and your personal life, as well.

This week think about: 1) What are my most productive habits? 2) How long has it been since I did an evaluation of work (family, faith, friendship) habits? 3) Who can help me do an objective assessment?

Words of Wisdom: “Nearly every organization runs on habit, just as we do personally.”

Wisdom from the Word: “But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching.” (Titus 2:1 NET Bible)

Fruitful Mentoring

Weekly Thought – January 18,2022

Fred knew at an early age he wanted to stretch others. He understood the value of being mentored even though that word wasn’t in the current vernacular in mid-century America. His thoughts on the subject stretch others even 15 years after his trip to heaven.

Fruitful Mentoring

In a healthy mentoring relationship all the cards are put on the table. For that to occur, there must be trust between the two. I am careful to keep confidential anything that is shared with me. I once said I will die holding in confidence years of stories and private conversations. I consider it a privilege and great responsibility to be given that level of trust.

Though I have been mentoring for over forty years, I have never successfully improved anyone’s character – nor have I endeavored to do so. I am convinced the only way to improve character in adults is a spiritual experience. Sophisticated individuals may learn to mask or hide their flaws, but under pressure their character will fail… usually when they can least afford this failure. Dishonesty, laziness, anger, greed, selfishness, and lack of cooperation – all are examples of character flaws.

Another critical aspect of healthy growth is climbing and plateauing. We progress by climbing and then plateauing for assimilation… and repeating this process over and over. Sadly some reach a permanent plateau, seduced by comfort and routine. It is the mentor’s responsibility to see in the mentoree potential unseen by the individual, then motivating the process repeatedly until full talent and potential are realized.

Assisting in the Identification and development of what I call a person’s uniqueness is the clear responsibility of a mentor. Beyond that is the instruction in the joy of accomplishment. I learned this from my mentor, Maxey Jarman. Whenever I get low I immediately start to do something that I feel will be worthwhile. The joy of living returns.

The great operatic star Beverly Sills personified this attitude. One afternoon at a cocktail party held in her apartment one guest said, “We better leave, Beverly has to sing tonight. She protested, “No, I don’t have to sing tonight – I GET to sing!”
I want the mentoree to understand he has control. Sometimes it becomes nonproductive and needs to end. I never question why. Sometimes it becomes unproductive and it needs to end; I accept this as normal.

Mutual respect is crucial. I have never had any success helping anyone I did not respect. I have tried before, but it always failed miserably.

As a young man I recognized my life’s theme was going to be stretching. In fact, I have asked my family to engrave my headstone “He stretched others.” Mentoring has been an effective way of living out that desire.

This week carefully consider: 1) Who are my mentors? 2) What are areas of needed character development?3) What is my uniqueness?

Words of Wisdom: “Character flaws cannot be changed by mentoring – only by a spiritual experience.”

Wisdom from the Word: “An honorable man makes honorable plans; his honorable character gives him security.” (Isaiah 32:8 NET Bible)

Decision Time

Brenda’s Blog – January 11, 2021

“HALT!”

Jack Turpin’s open to his Sunday School lesson got our attention. He continued: “Don’t ever make a life altering decision if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.” That was twenty-five years ago and it is still vividly imprinted on my mind.

Little did I know how often I would repeat that command to myself. Even more valuable were the numerous opportunities I had in my management career to pass along the admonition to others. During a particularly difficult time I shared my frustration with a fellow HALTer. As I expressed the desire to walk away he stopped me with an upraised hand in my face followed by “Brenda, HALT!!” That was just what I needed to clear my mind and reset the decision process.

Rarely am I ever truly hungry – we are a culture blessed with abundance. But diverting my work energy and making my way to a Snickers candy bar can reduce my wise decision skills!

Angry is a tough one. Depression is often described as anger turned inward. Decisions made with black clouds hanging overhead are often destructive. The Bible tells us to never let the sun go down on our anger. How wise!

Jack Turpin, the wise mentor, and my Dad were dear friends. At one point when Dad was seriously declining, Jack came to sit by Dad’s bed. Two years earlier he suffered the painful loss of his precious wife. As I walked him to the hospital elevator we talked about HALT. “L is the worst, isn’t it?” I nodded in total agreement. It is a challenge to avoid flawed decisions when we are covered by loneliness.

And tired – oh, how I know the cost of making a last minute, little thought decision because I was weary. A good friend once counseled me to delay any critical projects until mornings. “You will always do better putting the work away and starting in the morning. Staying up all night will just deter the successful completion. You aren’t helping yourself by pushing beyond tired.”

Try it – focus yourself on the discipline to check your attitude and condition before making a life altering decision. It will pay off.

Fruit Inspectors

Weekly Thought – January 11, 2022

Fred served as a mentor to many young men he met during Religious Emphasis Weeks on Southern Baptist college campuses. These men created lifelong friendships with mutual benefit. As they grew Fred enjoyed experiencing their maturity. One of them was Howard Butt, businessman, philanthropist, and Christian evangelist. Howard encouraged Christians to be “fruit inspectors,” not judges of others. In this role he looked for fruit of the Spirit leaving the judging of salvation to God.

Fruit Inspectors

Intolerance has become society’s unforgivable sin. Tolerance is attractive to our society because it is permissive. It is pleasant because it doesn’t require hard thinking. It is non-confrontational. Our society has lost the willingness to confront error in search of truth. We have created a virtue out of weakness and bought into sin. As usual, sin gives the benefit first, and extracts the price later.

I am convinced the way in which society now practices tolerance is a manufactured value that, when practiced to excess, will ultimately prove harmful. This doesn’t mean we are called to be judges of others. Oswald Chambers tells us that we are not to see the wrong in others in order that we might criticize them, but that we might intercede for them.

When we accept tolerance as our rule, we deny discernment as a spiritual value and gift. Discernment is not given to us so we can criticize but so we can coach; it is not given to us to point out weakness, but to help build up strength and avoid error.
Howard Butt, Jr. founder of Laity Lodge and a lay minister, preached a great sermon in his early years, proclaiming Christians to be fruit inspectors rather than judges. We are told in scripture “By their fruit you will know them.” It is one thing to recognize fruit and a totally different thing to be a judge. Fruit inspection is our job; judging is God’s.

Our fruit inspection must always be according to the principles of Scripture. It is the authority under which both we and the person observed exist. When a man or woman holds up the Bible and says, “Thus says the Lord,” it is not pronouncing personal judgment, but God’s. When any of us do this we are the reporter, not the author.

Another reason for fruit inspection is that in seeing sin in others we see our own and seek correction. We are called to discernment, not tolerance. We are to lead with an attitude of self-assessment while examining the quality of fruit. Maturity leads us to a clearer understanding of the subtle differences in our attitudes. But tolerance is not an option for mature Christians.

This week think about: 1) How uncomfortable am I with Biblically based intolerance? 2) What standard am I using for fruit inspection in others and myself? 3) Who models discernment for me?

Words of Wisdom: “When a man or woman holds up the Bible and says, ‘Thus says the Lord,’ it is not pronouncing personal judgment, but God’s… we are the reporter, not the author.”

Wisdom from the Word: “So that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects – bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God,” (Colossians 1:10 NET Bible)

Personification of Greatness

Weekly Thought – January 4, 2022

Fred believed in heroes and their role in a successful personal network, as well as professional sphere. In his book, You and Your Network he devotes one chapter to the importance of them. This is a peek into his thinking on the subject. Happy 2022 to all. May you be stretched and blessed during this year.

Personification of Greatness

Defining the heroic quality is important in building a complete understanding of heroes. As I give examples remember they are illustrations, not recommendations. They draw a picture for me. I have chosen each for an outstanding trait which would ennoble my own life as I emulate a particular characteristic.

1) The apostle Paul: total dedication. He went through Oswald Chambers’ term “the white funeral in which he died to himself long before the “black funeral” which is physical death. He is one of the few men I feel I know just from studying him. He made up his mind and found his magnificent obsession, his lodestar, and the race that was his to run.

2) Gandhi: sacrificial unselfishness. He found a love for his people who deserved justice. The spark of greatness was ignited when he was thrown off an Indian train in a racial incident. It was a galvanizing event. He represents the desire to sacrifice and be subservient to something bigger than we are. He believed he could influence change. To me, he personifies the values needed to find answers, not just ask questions.

3) Abraham Lincoln: strength and gentleness. He did his duty as he saw it, even though it tore his heart in two as he did it. I don’t think he appears to possess a superior gift, but a superior spirit that matched his opportunity. He represented flexibility without changing course or values. He lacked personal happiness, but had abiding joy.

4) Albert Einstein: humility. Few people choose him because we rarely choose a hero who is so far above us that we cannot identify with them. Einstein is one of my heroes, not for his intellect, but for his humility. His was a natural state, not acquired or disciplined. Einstein seemed to be devoid of arrogance, self-centeredness, and conceit – for these ignoble trait had been replaced by a mental and spiritual temper which let him see his ignorance much more than his knowledge – and is gratitude far beyond his rights.

5) Leonardo DaVinci: principle-based thinking. His broad perspective didn’t drive him to mount campaigns to change life. He was relaxed to see it as it was. He understood the unifying themes of life: science, art, music, mathematics, or philosophy- they were all facets of life experience with man as the hub. Because he understood principles his mind could range indefinitely, creating sketchy ideas of such magnitude that it would take hundreds of years before they were usefully adapted. To me, he is an intellectual hero. His serenity is a personal reproach to our hurry, scurry, activist culture. He helps me remember I am a small dot in a very big picture – God’s eternal universe.

6) Abraham: vision and faith. He was willing to risk all on the unseen, transcendent God. He went out not knowing where he was going, but trusted the direction of God. He ventured into the unknown because the known was his reality. He obeyed and moved beyond the expected. Without vision we settle on too low a plateau. Without vision and faith we never experience more than the mundane.

7) Edison: persistence and perseverance. Edison is a practical hero. Each failure showed him something that didn’t work and didn’t disturb his intentional efforts to find one that did. There are times in our lives when we need someone to personify the will to survive, the refusal to give up.

8) Ben Hogan: consistency. He paid the price. While he is recognized for his tenacity and coming back after an accident and overcoming handicaps. He was willing to consistently study the golf swing until he could make it repeatable. He personified the secret of good golf.

This week carefully consider: 1) Who are my heroes? 2) What characteristics are important for personification? 3) How can I more carefully study the development of heroes?

Words of Wisdom: “Heroes personify characteristics needed for successful living.”

Wisdom from the Word: “His acts are characterized by faithfulness and justice; all his precepts are reliable.” (Psalm 111:7 NET Bible)

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