Weekly Thought – June 23, 2015

Fred was acquainted with many Christian leaders, from the outside and inside. He never exposed their weaknesses so was trusted as a friend and confidante. But he recognized their “iron and clay.” He always said he was magnetized by their iron, but neutralized by their clay. He focused on the iron rather than trying to correct the clay. He once commented to a person who disagreed with the friendship between himself and a leader: “I am drawn by their iron and you are put off by the clay… therefore, you cannot see the strength.”

Soul Food

I’m fond of reading the Catholic mystics and saints of old. (The original saints were, of course, Southern Baptists!) In their writings and meditations I see nothing of planning for the purpose of personal significance. They were not motivated by human ambition. The glory of God was their joy.

They were concerned not with God’s plan for their life but His presence in their life. They knew having a guide was always better than having a map. Both Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach have written inspiringly on the constant presence of God.
Occasionally, I speak to a Christian leader who seems hard and metallic. The more ambitious they are, the more metallic their manner. Some with whom I have shared intimate moments seem dry on the inside. It reminds me of the verse “He sent them their desire but with it, leanness of soul.” The soul can’t be fed with ambition, accomplishment, and acquisition. Peggy Lee recorded a song years ago titled, “Is that all there is?” Some of the leaders I have known reach the pinnacle of success – yes, even Christian success as they define it – and find an emptiness. They proved themselves but too often did it in human power. They did not experience the joy of seeing God do what only He could. Their nourishment was man-made.

The soul fed by the Spirit and the words proceeding from God grows for this is the food that truly satisfies.

Values or Virtues

Unless our values are rooted in scriptural virtues, they are not Christian.

Our need is not to return to family values, nor historical values, but to scriptural virtues.

We talk about values because subconsciously we like to be in control and we set our values. Cultural values are fluid.

Virtues hold their authority because they are not under human control, but come from God’s revealed truth. This distinction brings up the key question: “What is your authority?”

Our society could return to the values of our forefathers but we would still have human values. When we return to the virtues of scripture, we are returning to God.

This week think about: 1) What is feeding my soul right now? 2) How do I establish the ultimate authority for my life? 3) When do I sense a dryness in my soul?

Words of Wisdom: “Our society could return to the values of our forefathers but we would still have human values. When we return to the virtues of scripture, we are returning to God.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Look, the one whose desires are not upright will faint from exhaustion, but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness.” (Habakkuk 2:4 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 16, 2015

Fred’s reputation as a communicator remains strong. Regularly we hear from those who say, “I heard Fred speak and what he said really stayed with me. He took a complex idea and made it comprehensible.” Fred likened his speaking style to passing a pot. “An idea needs a handle just like a pot does to successfully move it from one to another.” He used one-liners and illustrations to create this transfer tool. The website breakfastwithfred.com has hundreds of these one-liners in its leadership library.

Sincerity of Communication

When we really want to communicate we must accept our responsibility of using language the other understands.

Non-believers, for example, and particularly those with no Christian background hear much of our revered standard phrases as “pious babble.” Even our tone of voice can turn them off. Without thinking we affect the “seminary brogue” so widely that even when surfing the TV we can tell a sermon with just a word or two. In my day the Billy Graham style dominated most American pulpits. Of course, that has changed, but there is still a rhythm and tempo which identifies many preachers. Opening up clear communication requires we take an inventory of our vocabulary.

Using terms like “blessed hope” or “saved” mean so very much to those in the community of faith, especially the evangelical branch. Outside those circles they tend toward “deer in the head lights” expressions on faces. Using lingo is actually a form of laziness. Committing ourselves to effective communication requires discipline, integrity, and hard work.

We must have enough passion to communicate to motivate us to learn the language of the audience and use it meaningfully. Too often we get frustrated when another’s inability to understand us, rather than accepting the responsibility of being understandable. Have you ever seen an American in another culture try to get someone to understand English? Invariably they speak louder and louder, repeating over and over as if repetition and volume will create understanding.

Sincerity of communication must be a hallmark in any communication, but especially with those of Christian faith. And we must be careful not to use our assumed personal connection with God as a persuasion tool. When someone claims God as their personal source of knowledge and action, I am somewhat skeptical. When someone cannot give me sound thinking other than an emotional, “God told me,” I wait for more substance. Too often, the statements that follow prove hollow and even wrong.

One of my cardinal principles for communication is: Speak to express, not impress.

This week think about: 1) How can I achieve better communication at home, work, church? 2) Where am I lazy and fall back on lingo rather than enlarging my vocabulary? 3) What motivates me to express, not impress?

Words of Wisdom: “We speak to express, not impress.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.” (Proverbs 16:21 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 9, 2015

Fred evaluated constantly. Maturity was his consistent goal. He believed growth came through “association, travel, and reading.” Whenever he was with someone, he tried to learn from them.

His good friend Charlie “Tremendous” Jones was well-known for his assessment: “Except for the people you meet, the places you go, and the books you read, you will be the same person in five years that you are today.” He and Fred certainly tracked well on that idea, didn’t they?

Service on HIS Schedule

Years ago, Dick Halverson, former Chaplain of the Senate, and I conducted a retreat for lay people. He gave me great freedom when he said, “Do you realize Christ did not have a daily planner? He simply when about doing good. When the woman with the lingering sickness stopped Him as He was on the way to raise Lazarus, He stopped and took care of her needs. He didn’t say, ‘Wait a minute, I am on my way to raise the dead and that is more important than your ongoing issue of blood.’ He stopped to touch her.”

Jesus used each opportunity to do good. When we believe God engineers our circumstances, He sets our priorities.

That phrase “Jesus went about doing good” has been a game changer for me. Our Christian service isn’t about setting lofty goals and striving for “maximum Kingdom impact.” Years ago there was a management theory called “Management While Walking Around.” I found the style helpful when I was assessing operations. You can pick up more in the midst rather than ensconced in the corner office. Our spiritual life is the same. We can see God’s hand in our day to day as we “go about.”

As I get older, my perspective on God’s involvement in my circumstances becomes clearer and clearer. I see His engineering in my daily life. When I was young, I was a great planner. I still believe in planning organizational activities. However, I’ve learned to leave great flexibility in my spirituality service. I see instances that seemed insignificant at the time were actually not so unimportant. Conversations that appeared to be casual might have great impact.

I had breakfast with a young professional man and gave him one thought which he wrote down. He later told me “That re-vectored my life.” I certainly wasn’t talking with him with the intent of making that long term impact. But, I was sitting down with him to listen and to respond appropriately.

God wants dedicates, not volunteers. The dedicated person gives us control, saying “I’m available to you. You do what you want with me.” The volunteer signs up for special service. The volunteer makes himself available on his own terms.

Joy in the Christian life comes when we open our hands and start seeing our daily walk as the means of active Christian service. Measuring impact is not our job – faithfulness is.

This week think about: 1) When has God used me in the ordinary? 2) How much do I believe in God’s sovereignty? 3) What will it take for me to give up control of my “spiritual impact?”

Words of Wisdom: “When we believe God engineers our circumstances, He sets our priorities.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I will walk among you, and I will be your God and you will be my people.” (Leviticus 26:12 NET Bible)