Thanks For Coming

Weekly Thought – March 10, 2020

Fred served on Focus Week teams for over 15 years. This group of businessmen worked with colleges and universities associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In keeping with Fred’s mission of “stretching others” he worked diligently to bring thought-provoking content to the students. This week we will focus on quotes from Baylor students written in March,1960 following a week on their campus.

BWFLI will be joining with Jarvis College for Spring semester to develop a deeper understanding and application of mentoring, networking, and character building. Please pray as the plans go forward.

Thanks For Coming

“Saying thank you seems like such an insufficient way of expressing our gratitude for what you meant to individuals on our campus this past week… by many means we were taught that until one is willing to let the Holy Spirit lead and direct, the results are not what glorify the Lord. We only wish it were possible for you to comprehend the influence you have had on so many young lives. If you could hear the numerous individuals who come to us and sincerely say, ‘Thank you – things are different now.’”

“Fred Smith showed me that God has a purpose in my life and through the challenge of the life of Fred Smith, I was motivated to activate the full potential of my life.”

“I want to say that I am very honored to know you and that the week you were here is the highlight of my college career. I really believe that God had a hand in arranging for me to be your escort at Baylor. It takes a continual stimulus, such as a history course I took last semester, or your visit, to keep me digging for ideas… I like the idea you mentioned about writing to successful people and asking for their stories. The thing you said that intrigued me was that you said I should send them the story of the person I interviewed before them. I am going to do this asking for the main contribution to success.”

“I would like to express to you my appreciation for the inspiration of your presence and words at our recent Focus Week on the Baylor campus. Very seldom does a speaker leave me with the determination to try some of his suggestions… your words seemed to reach the student level; they apply to our lives now, as well as in the future.”

“When you presented your plan for success on that Wednesday night it hit me square in the face. That was what I had been looking for. It was a plan and I had never had a plan. Your plan can be put to use in everything from a plan of reading in one book to a complete plan of life. I have waited to write until I finished the first test in each of my courses in this semester so that I might see some sign of growth and improvement. Perfection never comes, especially overnight. There are still wide places for improvement but not so wide as before I heard you and began applying the principles you set forth. I have decided to let God work through me rather than in spite of me. Thanks again for all that you brought and left at Baylor.”

This week think carefully about: 1) How has Fred influenced me? 2) What has been my role in mentoring another? 3) Where can I plant seeds which will bear fruit in years to come?

Words of Wisdom: “Remember, you are the pipe, not the pump. The Spirit is the generator; we are the channel.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity.” (Titus 2:7 NET Bible)

My Personal Creed

Weekly Thought – March 3, 2020

Fred clarified his thinking by putting his thoughts in writing… a lesson taught him in his twenties. Each year we repost what he called his “personal creed.” We hope it gives you an opportunity to consider your own “credo.”

My Personal Creed

Purpose: To determine what I will become. I will become the sum of my choices, and decisions. The Creed should guide and identify exceptions.

I WILL:

1. I will respect truth by searching for it and accepting it from any source.
2. I will look for the essence of matters as the elegance of life…as Einstein wanted to think God’s thoughts after Him. “For all else is detail.” In problems I will look for the key facts like a logger looks for the key log.
3. I will endeavor to pray honestly about any subject assuming God already knows.
4. I will expect nothing but what I earn, but will accept gifts gratefully.
5. The most valuable thing I can own is myself. Thereby I can contribute my uniqueness to life. I will concentrate on my uniqueness rather than what I like to do or what I would be paid the most to do. If my uniqueness is lost, then there has been no compelling reason for my having lived. I will have failed to contribute my piece to the jigsaw puzzle.
6. I will limit extensive self-knowledge to my most productive strengths and destructive weaknesses.
7. I will construct concepts for my thinking and actions so as to minimize large mistakes and give consistency to my living.
8. I will relax in the sovereignty of God. Service will be expressions of respect and love, not ingratiation.
9. The large issues of life will be decided by faith based on Biblical authority.
10. I will respect money, but as a means and never an end.
11. I will endeavor to accept my rightful responsibility, not because I like it but because it is right, realizing that my acts affect others, and that both good and bad have ripple effects.
12. I will accept human imperfection as a reality but never as an excuse or rationalization.
13. My life will be a confluence from many profitable and interesting areas of life so as to continually broaden my base.

I WILL NOT:

1. I will not build any unreal image which enslaves me or alienates me from others.
2. I will not sacrifice my old age, but, rather adopt a refinishing method good for all periods in turning experience into knowledge, and knowledge into wisdom. I will live so that “the best is yet to be” by attention to maturity, health, relations, and capital.
3. I will not sacrifice these things for business success: a) self-respect b) health c) family d) relation with God.

Think carefully about these points this week: 1) How would I construct my own personal creed? 2) What are the essentials and non-negotiables? 3) What are my I WILLs, but more importantly, my I WILL NOTs?

Words of Wisdom: “The large issues of life will be decided by faith based on Biblical authority.”

Wisdom from the Word: “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NET Bible)

Lines on Leadership

Weekly Thought – February 25, 2020

Fred learned from his mentor to put his thoughts in writing. He benefited from skilled administrative assistants who understood his style and translated his thoughts to paper. Thankfully, files exist which hold decades of these ruminations. Five pages of onion skin typing paper hold one liners on leadership, written in 1958 when he was 42.

In 2020 the What’s Next Roundtable creates a three session model which will engage students and team members for an entire semester. Please pray for the students who are nominated by their schools, team members who accept this ongoing challenge, and growth for all who participate.

Lines on Leadership

1. Leadership does not mean domination. It seeks effective activity with a beneficent purpose.
2. In every significant event there has been a bold leader, an object, or purpose – and an adversary.
3. A healthy society is one in which opportunities are given for leaders to emerge from all ranks in the population.
4. Marks of a leader: individual craftsmanship, sensibility, insight, initiative and energy.
5. No sluggards need aspire to leadership. There are passive persons who are content to go through life getting lifts from people who wait until action is forced upon them. They are not leadership material.
6. Leaders get out in front and stay there by raising the standards by which they judge themselves – and by which they are willing to be judged.
7. A love of high quality is essential in a leader.
8. The leader carries with him a sense of idealism – a vision of what might be.
9. The leader will take counsel from others, but will act on what his/her mind says is right. A leader is self-trained out of the fear of making a mistake.
10. The leader acts on probabilities instead of certainties.
11. Leaders need to submit themselves to a stricter discipline than is expected of others. Those who are first in position must be first in merit.
12. Leaders must have the force of character necessary to inspire others to follow with confidence.
13. Leadership motivates people to work for you when they are under no obligation to do so.
14. Leaders must see situations as a whole, as well as in the separate parts.
15. The higher leaders go in management, the more they need refilling because they are constantly giving out.
16. If leaders want to attract people, let others know and believe they are willing to find and share a great purpose in living.
17. Leadership cannot be delegated.
18. Leaders understand how much can be accomplished by people when expectations are real. Only when higher performance is demanded, do we realize the extent of our capabilities.
19. Leaders plan the utilization of skills. Sloppy practices set precedents.
20. Policies and plans are more or less useless unless they are known to all affected.

This week carefully think about: 1) How do I define leadership? 2) Who has most effectively modeled leadership for me? 3)Which of Fred’s one liners particularly hits me?

Words of Wisdom: “The leader carries with him a sense of idealism – a vision of what might be.”

Wisdom from the Word: “‘And in the last days it will be,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’” (Acts 2: 17 NET Bible)

Yummy

Brenda’s Blog – February 25, 2020

“Just try it… it is really good… really just try it.”

The chubby little boy in the breakfast room of the hotel earnestly urged his newspaper-reading Dad to take a spoonful of the yogurt. The child was on his third serving, so his recommendation was well founded.

The Dad looked over the paper, half-smiled, shook his head, and resumed reading his USA Today.

The boy loved every bite – and wanted to share it with his Dad.

I thought about the times in life when someone eagerly pulled me toward a most-loved activity of theirs… everything from piercing my ears, to zip lining. Needless to say, I responded much as the Dad. My ears are still without holes and racing down a wire high above the ground remains someone else’s dream.

Then I thought about the wonderful approach the son took. He found something that pleased him greatly, wanted to share the experience, and enthusiastically offered it. His energetic invitation made me want to go over and take a spoonful of his yogurt. He didn’t harangue; he didn’t knock the paper out of the Dad’s hands; he didn’t pout and create a scene – he merely enjoyed it so much all of us wanted to put some on our plates.

Finally, I thought about the Bible verse “O, taste and see that the Lord is good.” Isn’t that the way we share the good news of the Gospel? No Bible thumping, no shaming, no guilting – just an open, sincere invitation to experience the goodness of God. “He is really good – He really is… Just try Him.”

Money Sense

Weekly Thought – February 18, 2020

Fred developed a reputation for his thinking on money. He taught his children money was “option…that it was a tool, not an idol.” He and Mary Alice lived out those principles. He was asked to address a large Baptist group of laymen on the topic of stewardship. Knowing “stewardship” usually connotes money, he covered three other major areas before even broaching the topic of money. This week’s email is an abbreviated version of his thoughts about giving.

Money Sense

When I was asked to speak on stewardship I know you expected the entire address to be on money, specifically giving money. However, the topic is much broader and I want to spend the first minutes outlining three other areas:
relations, identity, and talents. Then I will briefly give you my thinking on the stewardship of money.

I resent a great deal of the teaching on money. It strikes me that those people who refer to being “blessed” with money would be much better off to say “entrusted.” Those who talk about being blessed give me the feeling they feel God has chosen the right one and He couldn’t have made a better decision. I think it is an affront to the poor.

Likewise, I think it is wrong to teach that we can bribe God. Too many feel tithing puts them in a better position with God – that He owes them. I believe the tithe was a scheme to allow the rich to get out of significant giving. However, it is a very good starting point.

I have a good friend who pastors a well-to-do church. A member of his congregation made an appointment to see him with a “serious spiritual problem.” “Pastor, when I was poor I gave faithfully. As my wealth increased my struggle with giving the 10% increased. It has become a severe obstacle.” My friend responded immediately, “Let’s pray.” Eagerly the man bowed his head as the prayer began, “Father, you know how our brother here struggles with the problem of giving from such a high income. Would you please reduce it until he is comfortable giving 10% again?” At this point, the man jumped up, “NO! Pastor – that isn’t what I wanted,” as he hurriedly retreated.

When I was working 6 days a week making $6 I gave $.60. My income has increased many times that, but if I hadn’t given that $.60 I couldn’t give 6 figures now.

Let me give you three points on giving:

1) I never enjoyed giving until I started giving more than 10%. Recently I have been engaged with a friend who struggles with alcoholism. I learned about recidivism and staying sober for 20 years then relapsing. Those who fight for abstinence never reach the freedom of those who reach the joy of sobriety. Those who dutifully fight to give 10% may never enjoy it. Those who give out of love forget about the percentage, net/gross, or any other thing. They have the joy of giving.

2) Giving is the only drain pipe I know for our greed. I am convinced it is the answer to the greediness of our soul. We are fundamentally sinful and I believe God gave us the privilege of giving to detoxify our soul.

3) Giving is the ultimate freedom. My mentor Maxey Jarman gave millions of dollars to Christian ministries. At the end of his life he encountered severe financial difficulties. “Maxey, have you ever thought of the millions you gave away?” “Of course I have, but do you realize I never lost a dime of what I gave away – I only lost what I kept.” Many who are waiting to give money ought to be giving it right now. When we have it in our hands to give, that is the time. We don’t know how fast that money can be gone and we lose the privilege of giving.

This week think about: 1) When I think about stewardship, what immediately comes to mind? 2) How joyful am I in my giving? 3) What gifts should I be making now?

Words of Wisdom: “It strikes me that those people who refer to being ‘blessed’ with money would be much better off to say ‘entrusted.’”

Wisdom from the Word: “The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NET Bible)

Sign Language

Brenda’s Blog – February 11, 2020

“Love is free; Divorce is Expensive; Choose Wisely”

I laughed as I read the billboard sponsored by a local law firm in Arkansas.

Yes, it caught my eye. Yes, it made me remember. And yes, it made me think about the consequences of decision making. Emotional actions establish patterns which often have long-lasting and costly reactions.

A dear friend of mine left this earth for heaven several weeks ago. His influence lives on. One of the lessons he taught is the value of H.A.L.T. The way he phrased it is burned into my consciousness. Let me share it with you, hoping to give you the help he gave me.

“When you are preparing to make a life-altering decision, HALT! In other words, never make a life-altering decision if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.”

I am rarely hungry (I am always prepared with a snack), but I can recite times when anger, loneliness, and exhaustion provided an atmosphere for bad decisions. The impulse to take control rises under those conditions – the drive to DO SOMETHING outweighs the ability to fully consider consequences.

That is the time to consider the cost of impulsive action. Wisdom says “Wait” when emotion says “Go.”
The billboard made me smile; HALT protects me from great mistakes.

Principles of Life Changers

Weekly Thought – February 11, 2020

Fred mentored others, stretching them and as BWFLI says, “blessing them.” His primary mentor was Maxey Jarman who built a shoe company into an apparel giant with 75,000 employees. Fred wrote an article published in Leadership Journal highlighting principles evident in Mr. Jarman’s life. (Editor’s note: the article fleshes out each principle; space prohibits the full text.)

As we begin another year of BWF activities we thank you for your faithful participation. Organizing Fred’s thousands of pages into brief messages stretches us as we hope it does you in reading them. We appreciate your notes and your recommendations to others. Fred’s earthly life ended in 2007, but his influence continues. Thank you for your support.

Principles of Life Changers

I learned much from Maxey Jarman. He would be embarrassed if he knew I were writing this article, but then he would merely want it to be helpful. This is not an exhaustive list, but key to my development.

1. Maxey thought little about himself. His mind was occupied with opportunities and how he was going to get the job done.
2. Maxey was future oriented. He seldom wanted to reminisce. He was not cursed with the albatross of dragging the past around.
3. Maxey believed in progress, not perfection. He realized the difference between satisfactory progress and whimsical perfection simply costs too much.
4. Maxey read broadly. He read constantly, quickly, and widely, usually 5 or 6 books at a time.
5. Time was Maxey’s greatest “means.” Since time was his greatest limitation, it was to be invested judiciously. He needed to feel at the end of the day he had fulfilled his greatest responsibilities.
6. Effort alone didn’t count. “Results is the best excuse for activity.” He felt many substituted activity for accomplishment.
7. Maxey believed in people’s potential. He preferred for people to pull responsibility to them, provided they would accept accountability for it.
8. Maxey implemented responsibility with a strong, consistent discipline. He thought emergencies were the evidence of poor planning, therefore, he had very few.
9. Maxey was courteous, but still honest. He didn’t want gunslingers in the organization – shooting either for him or against him.
10. Maxey made lists. To live was to improve, and to improve was to make a list for specificity.
11. Maxey accepted his own weaknesses. “Don’t try to strengthen people in their weaknesses; it is less productive than utilizing their strengths.”
12. Maxey never became cynical. He knew to manage a large organization he had to trust his subordinates. The few who failed him or conned him didn’t change this conviction.
13. Maxey was decisive. He had a very open mind before making a decision, but a very closed mind once that decision was made.
14. Maxey was a much better demonstrator than a teacher. He rarely lectured; he showed you. You had to work with him to fully appreciate him. He was not colorful; he was effective.
15. Money to Maxey was a means, not an end. He was “afraid” of accumulating personal wealth. He talked about money’s deception and the evils it brought to those obsessed by it. He proved his conviction by giving millions to Christian causes.
16. Maxey was grateful. Thanksgiving was a great part of his relation with God. He had the humility of gratitude.

This week think about: 1) Who is my mentor? 2) How has he/she contributed to my personal or professional growth? 3) What can I be a more intentional mentor?

Words of Wisdom: “I never saw a man so serious about wanting to reach the truth.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation.”(2 Chronicles 1:10(a) NET Bible)

Ultimate Goals

Weekly Thought – February 4, 2020

Fred spoke with insight, wisdom, and elegance. His ability to think was a God-given gift which he treated as a stewardship. In January, 1981 he spoke to an unnamed group in Dallas. The entire speech is powerful, but too lengthy for these brief messages. We hope these snippets stimulate your thinking.

Ultimate Goals

Recently I met an old and prosperous friend who wanted to relive earlier times. Once an active layman, he is now inactive. I asked him if he remembered the verse, “When it is day I long for the night and when it is night I long for the day.” He became quiet and then barely audible said, “Fred, that’s me.”

He needs to reorder his life. Like too many, when given the choice of filling the soul or the pocketbook… he grabbed the cash. His poor soul had been on a stringent diet.

A pastor friend told me of the large industrialist, who owned his town, but was seldom seen and never appeared in church. When he was near death he called the pastor and asked him to visit. “When I came to America I heard there was a pot of gold at the rainbow and I went in search of it. I found the gold, but lost the rainbow.”

In East Texas I first learned of pine beetles. I saw them on the trees and thought they were alive. They looked completely natural, but when I took a closer look, they were hollow. Often I have to remember how possible it is to become hollow while looking alive. The inside seems to go before the outside.

It isn’t easy to keep the inside renewed for sometimes life seems to be a lot of activity and very little being… too much slant and not enough balance. We use up the inside in maintaining the outside.

I truly wish I could help the many bored, frantic, angry, even violent and meaningless people who cross my path – people who need to laugh, to love unselfishly… those who need relief from a social life that has become rote and empty. I see executives whose business life is their only life. We live with family life fractured and scratchy… the home little more than a transfer station. Some of us have let our bodies become little more than clothes racks or display mannequins. We need to help each other on the constant internal renewal of spirit worthy of respect, attention, and affection.

Recently, the President of a large financial institution called “just to visit.” I enjoy those calls. As we talked, I sensed the pace was almost frenetic so I asked, “How are you keeping your head together?” “Work, work, work” was his answer. I highly value work, but there should also be the mystical awe of life.

Malcolm Muggeridge defines life as a mystery to be illuminated not a problem to be solved. When true awe disappears, life becomes boring and repetitive. In America (and particularly in Dallas) I fear we substitute acquisition and entertainment for genuine awe. As a poor kid in the slums of North Nashville I spent hours on the curb looking up at the stars – in genuine awe and amazement. I probably haven’t had many times with better feelings of the bigness of the world and its Creator.

Part of awe is gratitude. I have a dear atheist friend in the oil business who returned from an extremely successful venture in Australia. “Fred, one of the most frustrating aspects of being an atheist is having no God to thank when things go well and you know you are blessed beyond what you deserve. In those times it would be satisfying to have a God.”

Real meaning in life is filling the soul, finding the right perspective, and saying thank you.

This week carefully consider: 1) Have I sacrificed the rainbow for the pot of gold? 2) How healthy am I on the inside despite how good I look on the outside? 3) What triggers gratitude right now?

Words of Wisdom: “We use up the inside in maintaining the outside.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:8 NET Bible)

Perspective

Brenda’s Blog – January 28, 2020

“Convenience with no commitment” was the tag line for the movie theater club program. The promo showed all the benefits of paying $8.99 per month for the listed privileges. Finally, the screen filled with those words: “Convenience with no commitment.” Some marketing genius certainly took the pulse of the buying public.

Sadly, that is the tag line for too much of our culture, isn’t it? A social scientist years ago observed major changes can occur by appealing to two factors: comfort and convenience. We will actually give up our freedoms when driven by these two. It is a subtle transaction, but effective. We buy products which are not only new and improved, but provide ease. We hand over the keys to our lives for comfort. Hardship is not cool!

As we begin a new year, perhaps we can stop, do an evaluation of our values, and reassess the importance comfort and convenience play.
The second part of that phrase is unsettling – creating discomfort for me. “No commitment.” Decades ago Glen Campbell sang of the freedom he felt because no “ink stains on a piece of paper” kept him in the relationship. His bedroll stashed behind the couch was a testament to his love for her because she didn’t tie him down. As a “woman of years” I have a simple analysis of this philosophy: HOGWASH!

Until we plant our flag and say like Martin Luther, “Here I stand – I can do no other” we are still children. It takes courage, endurance, and tenacity to boldly persevere. This is true for relationships, jobs, community volunteer efforts, and even hobbies. Gladwell wrote about developing expertise saying it takes a minimum of 10,000 hours to gain mastery of a subject or skill. Imagine how many it takes to forge a healthy, lifelong relationship.

Deep roots are required for tall trees. A subterranean hole as deep as the building is high is necessary for skyscrapers. Commitment which stays the course is a critical element for maturity.

May we exchange “convenience with no commitment” for a true and lasting adherence to standing firm, even when it is uncomfortable, inconvenient, and just downright disagreeable, knowing the reward is great.
At the end of the first month, here’s wishing you “Happy 2020.”

Thinking Devotionally

Weekly Thought – January 28, 2020

Fred had a heart connection with the Elliott Class of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas. His long time friend (and no relation) Jim Smith invited him to substitute when he was out of town. Fred constantly thought about what he would say when he was “up to bat” the next time. Deep friendships developed, and outstanding content emerged from these years. This week is an excerpt from a lesson in June, 1988.

As plans solidify for the mentoring “deep dive” for BWFLI your prayer support is greatly appreciated. We also know how you stand with us in praying for the schools. If you haven’t joined the monthly prayer network, please sign up and pray with us for our network of twelve schools.

Thinking Devotionally

I want to review the five steps of developing a devotional life which counterbalances the stress we all experience in daily living.

1) Contemplation – In this step we establish our understanding of who God is. We acknowledge and participate in the fact of His infiniteness and our finiteness. We experience the awe of God. Until we see our relative position vis a vis God, we are handicapped in our search for peace.

2) Meditation – While contemplation is just between God and ourselves, meditation is generally augmented by the thought and writings of great men and women of the faith. For me, personally, the old saints who help us drive our roots deeper into faith. I learned a great word which covers this – agrapha – meaning spiritual writings which are orthodox, but not in scripture. I like to distinguish between meditation and inspiration. Although there is a place for inspirational writings they do not have the lasting quality of meditation. Think of it this way: inspiration sprinkles the grass; meditation waters the roots. In times of high stress, the well-watered root system better serves us. I am not belittling the value of inspiration, merely recommending the further step of serious meditation.

3) Prayer – the attitude of gratitude is a requirement for healthy prayer. When we say, “Yes, but…” we have not come to the place of gratitude. Prayer isn’t a technique for manipulating God. Until we see that it is to ultimately change us, not God, we are not fully understanding prayer. The opportunity to be in constant communication with the sovereign God puts our situations into perspective.

4) Bible Study – in the secular we learn, then do while in the sacred we do and learn. So many are refusing to obediently do. They hold to the intellectual pursuit of scripture not seeing that it is to be transformational, not just informational. In high stress situations head knowledge unaccompanied by experiential action is of little help. “O, taste and see that the Lord is good.” We study in order to more fully feed on Him.

5) Fellowship – Christianity is not a “loner” religion. It is a community, a body, a fellowship of believers. This concept consists of both giving and receiving. There are those who haven’t matured to the point past wanting to only receive. And those who compulsively give out of egotism are equally unworthy. It is only in recognizing what others need and willingly accept what we need that we experience the inhale/exhale function of fellowship.

Stress and anxiety are part of the human condition. To live in Dallas in the mid-80s without experiencing the push/pull would certainly be living in denial. However, these spiritual disciplines can help counterbalance the pressure.

This week think about: 1) It is not 1988, but stress is still real. What can I do to create a counterbalance? 2) Who can help me develop spiritual disciplines? 3) How can my faith stabilize my work, family, and community life?

Words of Wisdom: “Christianity is not a ‘loner’ religion.”

Wisdom from the Word: “May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NET Bible)

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