Bearing An Enemy’s Burden

Weekly Thought – February 18, 2014

Fred spent little time holding on to grudges. He understood the proper role of those who are enemies and the power of “staying in the state of forgiveness.” At age five, Fred lost the use of his right hand. Through childhood he was limited in his physical activities and was exposed to taunting. He chose to view his disability as a “fact of life, not a problem” because “a fact of life is something you cannot change; a problem is something you can solve.”

Planning is underway for two Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institutes: Palm Beach Atlantic University in February and Taylor University in April. Please join with us in prayer.

Bearing An Enemy’s Burden

The acid of enmity is a heavy burden. Being commanded to “bear one another’s burdens,” we bear an enemy’s burden of hatred toward us as one way of helping them with their burden…for certainly hatred is a burden.

When I am with a man who dislikes me, I can forget his hatred of me as soon as I leave – but he has to carry it with him always. As I pray for him to have a lighter burden, I pray to have a lighter enemy.

Most of us would like to be more objective in our evaluation of people. We respect those who can truly and sanely differentiate between the strength and weaknesses of others. Nowhere are we tested more in this than in objectively evaluating our enemies.

I remember wartime posters which depicted the political enemy as a demented animal, leering out at us who were clearly God’s chosen people. We forget that the posters in their countries see us in the same evil way. (more…)

Work at Faith

Brenda’s Blog – February 18, 2014

“Splash Kingdom – Family Waterpark”

SEEK THE KINGDOM

Matthew 6:33

The interstate billboard caught my attention. I understand the intersection of faith and work. But, is it possible we sometimes transpose the emphasis? Is this perhaps making faith a marketing tool, instead of making the market a place for our faith?

Certainly, the owners are believers who connect their company with the community of faith. I have taken my grandchildren to their fine establishment, throwing themselves mercilessly down slides and traversing watery canals. I hold no ill will, but wonder about the ad campaign.

Just as the early Christians drew the symbol of the fish in the dust to notify others of their secret meeting places, we have our own Christianese. We speak in lingo, don’t we? We draw ichthus symbols, we wear crosses, we say “bless you,” and communicate in Christian code among ourselves. We think this will add a plus to our business among the faithful.

But do we take the significance of these symbols too lightly? John Peterson, a noted Christian musician once said, “in composing I cannot approach the cross with flippancy. I cannot take this subject lightly.” Perhaps we should think carefully about the way we handle these icons.

There are Christians in business, but there are no Christian businesses. Christ died in obedience to the Father for individuals, not for corporations (or even partnerships or sole proprietorships!) Our faith should be evident, indeed, but should we reconsider the way we market our membership in the most holy of all associations?

Ours is a sacred privilege – to bear the name of Christ and to have access to His Word, and His throne room. Let’s hold this with awe, not aw-shucks!

The Power to Take Hurt

Weekly Thought – February 11, 2014

Fred stressed redemption. He talked of redeeming the time, experiences, and relationships. He wrote in You and Your Network of the importance of enemies. This month the emails feature his thinking on the value of including them in the evaluation of a personal network.

Each week we receive emails confirming the encouragement of Fred’s words. Thank you for your support. And, we certainly appreciate your financial gifts which allow us to continue our work.

The Power to Take Hurt

Through enemies we learn to take hurt rather than give it, thereby redeeming the situation. A young man in the congregation of Peninsula Bible Church (Palo Alto, CA) said, “If I meet a dude on the street and he starts calling me names, I am not going to try to understand him. I am going to make him stop; I am going to grab him and push him into the gutter.” Then he paused, “That is what I used to do, but I don’t do that anymore.” He found the power through Christ to absorb injustice and discovered the truth that a soft answer turns away wrath. This keeps the hostile situation from proliferating but also creates a question in the enemy’s mind: “What gives him the power to do that?” This, then, becomes the witness to the spiritual power for it is not natural to take hurt when you are capable of returning it.

The Catholic monk, Thomas A Kempis put it this way: “It is good that we at times endure opposition and that we are evilly and untruly judged when our actions and intentions are good. Often such experiences promote humility and protect us from vainglory. For then we seek God’s witness in our heart.” (more…)

Your Move

Brenda’s Blog – February 4, 2014

“Kennett, Missouri – home of Sheryl C_OW.” Clearly a mischief maker found great humor in removing the “R.” It made me think about the power of letters.

Think about the power of an “e” when you decide to be better, rather than bitter.

During my years of care giving I experienced many difficult and challenging moments. There were times when I felt truly overwhelmed. One night I sat at the computer, typing out my emotions. At the end, I realized Mom and Dad gave me the opportunity to see the Lord change “scared into sacred.” Holy transposition!

An old game gives you a word, requires you to shift one letter at a time, and then arrive at a completely new word. There is a great leadership principle embedded in this exercise. Cultural transitions aren’t made by jumping from A to Z. Making incremental steps allows the organization to stabilize before making the next move. They are shifting a letter at a time to complete the change.

Sometimes the word game gets off track because the moves weren’t the right ones. Isn’t this true of organizational morphing, as well? With each step, reassessment and review is necessary to see if the ultimate goal will be reached.

When we play the Scrabble® game of life we want to make sure it doesn’t turn into a Scramble!

The Blessing of Enemies

Weekly Thought – February 4, 2014

Fred was a pragmatist and a realist. He never allowed himself to discount the value of a difficulty. His famous “Never lose the good of a bad situation” emphasizes his analytical nature. Nothing was wasted. When most chose to wall off the influence of enemies, Fred studied their impact…to the good.

The final preparations for the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute events at Palm Beach Atlantic University are moving at top speed. Please check out www.bwfli.com to get a taste of PBA. Continue praying for team members Al Angell, John Begley, Hartzel Black, Ron Cunningham, Krish Dhanam, Marianne Dodge, Jim Hailey, Garry Kinder,Tanya Magnus, Mark Modesti, Jack Murphy, Joe Petersen, JJ Prendamano, Cliff and Marie Shiepe, Keith and Carolyn Stonehocker, Kat Van Dusen, Pat Walters, Dan Williams, and Brenda A. Smith.

The Blessing of Enemies

It is difficult to say, “Thank you for enemies,” but if we are thankful in everything, then we must. There is value in opposition. There is nothing that makes us take stock or do self-evaluation than the awareness someone thoroughly dislikes us. Knowing someone believes the world would be better off without us challenges our faith and our character.

Our command to love our enemies is uncommon. The historian Michael N. Hart says that Christianity enjoys one of its finest distinctives in loving our enemies. In most world religions, revenge is not just supported, but commanded. (more…)

Redemption Lived Out

Weekly Thought – January 28, 2014

Fred never preached. His Christian witness was one of bringing scriptural principles to bear in every situation. The evidence of Biblical truth was strong in his conversations, but he never sought to artificially impose “chapter and verse” on anyone. Buttons showing a duck crossed out by a black stripe were handed out to all the men at a retreat in California after one attendee heard Fred’s comment on living the Christian life — “Don’t duck!”

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Redemption Lived Out

Redemptive living requires discipline:

1) Prayer – Personally, I don’t pray for miracles. I pray for a willingness to join God in His process of working out matters. Prayer isn’t to change God, nor inform Him, nor to convince Him to make me an exception to His process — it isn’t a negotiation process. It is to make me conscious that He is, that He is present, that He Cares, and that His Spirit is available to dedicate us to the rightness of what we are doing.

2) Biblical principles – We bring redemption when we bring the principles of the Bible to whatever situation we are involved in, whether it is business, church, family, or social life. Too often the Bible is used for its stories and its promises, while avoiding and neglecting the principles and commands. We need to be clear in the fundamental principle, not just the story. For example, if we decide the controlling principle as seen in Daniel is “obey God and you won’t get hurt” the story of Stephen invalidates that. The principle is: “Decide to do the right thing and let the consequences follow, whatever they are.” The principle is obedience, not escape. (more…)

Redemptive By Choice

Weekly Thought – January 21, 2014

Fred respected life. He also felt a great responsibility to make his life count. Raised in the home of a Southern Baptist pastor, he learned early on the theological definition of redemption. He expanded it to cover an attitude which he highly regarded. He often quoted the verse which admonished us to “redeem the time.”

The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute at Palm Beach Atlantic University is soon approaching. Would you please pray for the team members, the steering committee, the faculty, students, and administration at PBA, and the favor of God? Thank you for standing with us.

Redemptive By Choice

I have a responsibility to be redemptive when and where I have the opportunity. To be transformed is not just a personal thing; it is a starting point for the transformation of those around us. We can create redemptive atmospheres and environments for those around us.

The ultimate in redemptive action is to bring God’s power to the people and situations in which we find ourselves.

There is a sense in which redemptive simply means replacing good with evil. That can be done philosophically by men of good will. Bringing God’s power into play is the true definition of redemption. (more…)

Watering It Down

Brenda’s Blog – January 21, 2014

The weather news said, “Flooding in Craighead County – roads covered with water.” It didn’t mean much to me as I traveled through driving rain in Arkansas — until I passed a “welcome to Craighead County” sign. Life is sometimes like that, isn’t it?

Shortly after entering the flood zone I noticed another sign: “Road dangerous when under water.” The rain was coming down in buckets, but the cars were coming from the other side, so I assured myself it was passable. And, it was only 15 miles – how bad could it be? At the “8 miles to Jonesboro” marker I felt like I had been driving for hours. Seeing the water rise out of the boundaries on each side and lap against the road made me harken back to “when under water.”

It was barely light, the cars from the opposite direction were noticeably fewer, and then I saw water creeping across the highway. I could see the road in between and knew I had enough room to pass through on pavement, so I proceeded, but not without thinking about being the “foolish old lady” who ignored warnings.

God was good — as it got dark and the water came up over the road, I turned on to a US highway and made the last 5 miles on “higher ground.”

To the dismay of my children (grown though they may), who groan when I begin with “life lesson,” I saw some very distinct principles illustrated:

1) When Craighead County says their roads are dangerous under water, don’t ignore it. There are times when we are given distinct, discernible warnings and we choose to look the other way;

2) Tunnel vision in achieving a goal can blind us to precarious choices we may make on the way;

3) Stupidity and perseverance are not synonymous; and

4) Always remember! We have a God who knows our weariness, sees the water creeping over our roads, and never leaves us.

Owing Our Peers

Weekly Thought – January 14, 2014

Fred took seriously his responsibilities to his friends and peers. He refused to slide when it came to making a contribution to a group. He believed our gifts were given to be helpful – and to be developed.

Part of Fred’s uniqueness was his ability to distill information into pithy, punchy “one-liners.” We now call them Fred Saids. On the breakfastwithfred.com website over 300 are archived. If you are a twitter fan, would you join our volunteer team of tweeters by choosing your favorites and sharing them with your followers? Thanks so much.

Owing Our Peers

I have a responsibility to my peers – to be an individualist.

Oftentimes when I am on college campuses, I ask how many consider themselves non-conformists. Typically, 75 to 95% raise their hands. Laughter usually breaks out. Very few admit to being a conformist because it is socially acceptable to think “outside the box.” When people uphold their right “to be me,” it has a connotation of revolutionary, but conformist.

Actually, the conformist and non-conformist have the same personality type for they are both outer directed. They both work to discern where the “in” line is — one to stand within and the other to stand without. I once knew a young executive woman who told me she loved boundaries. This surprised me for her personality didn’t reflect compliance. Then she explained, “Boundaries show me where the outside is.” She and her more rule-oriented associates are actually closer than either would admit. (more…)

Pressured by Peers

Weekly Thought – January 7, 2014

Fred enjoyed studying social patterns; He also enjoyed swimming against the stream. In his later years comfort won out over style. He attended breakfasts at the Dallas Country Club attired in his plaid flannel pajamas. He focused on what he had to offer, not on winning “best dressed awards.” Fred separated himself from image, function, and status.

Thank you to all who continue to support our efforts. The distribution list for the Weekly Thought grows. Would you recommend our wisdom and leadership email to friends this week? Help us expand the reach.

Pressured by Peers

Peers come in groups. Seldom are they developed individually. We move into neighborhoods, join a Sunday School class, associate with a business group, or join a social network…all come with a collection of peers. And each establishes its own set of values and mores.

We like to think of peer pressure as something applicable to only teens, but we never move totally away from it. Here are a few examples:

1) We change the way we handle being “in” and being “out,” but the definitions still exist. Political organizations punish those who oppose them when they are in power. Social groups create membership parameters based on who belongs.

2) Clothes are a measure of peer acceptance. My family believes I missed this social gene. While on vacation in Colorado at a restaurant we regularly frequented, the friendly waitress greeted me with, “Well, Mr. Smith, I see you dressed yourself today!” Too often we are constrained to dress like our peers. (more…)

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