Direction Matters

Weekly Thought – June 3, 2014

Fred responded to questions about goal setting with the comment: “Direction is more critical than goals. They are the mileposts, but not the destination.” He often asked people, “Are you satisfied with the direction you are going?”

The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute will be hosting conversations with millennials to uncover what they want and need from us. Over these last 10 campus visits in six years we have heard repeatedly, “We need to be with you all.” If you want to engage in these conversations, please let us know. Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email us at brenda@breakfastwithfred.com, or tweet.

Direction Matters

Perseverance in the wrong direction is as foolish as dedicated incompetence. It reminds me of the two men traveling down the road. One said, “Aren’t we going in the wrong direction?” “Yes, but we are making such good time, I hate to turn around,” was the response.

Troubled paths require the right direction. Life issues like a lot job, broken relationship, child with problems, a disease that forever changes the way we face the future all prove we need a strong mind, and a clear direction. They are essentials, not luxuries. But we need to accept direction may be one step at a time, not a bold stride. Forward movement in the proper direction is the goal.

When circumstances necessitate reevaluation, it is key to re-set goals in light of “current reality.” This is one of the crucial principles of my life. I always told our children to keep current on their facts. A map company uses the phrase, “Don’t drive today with yesterday’s map.” Current thinking protects us from “might have been” living. Fantasy and regret are stumbling block for perseverance. We endure and hold strong in the “what is.” (more…)

Back to Basics

Weekly Thought – May 27, 2014

Fred consistently brought our thinking back to basics. He believed in simplicity. His mentor Maxey Jarman taught him the power of the pen for clarifying thoughts. If you can’t write it, you aren’t quite conversant with the idea.

Our Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute season is complete for 2014. We are in preparation for 2015. Please join us in prayer for the teams to assemble, financial and prayer support develop, and the doors open which will promote “stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders…to the glory of God.” As an intergenerational ministry of connection, we see God’s linkage between the millennials and the builders.

Back to Basics

Trouble opens our mind; perseverance opens us to learn. Enduring isn’t natural, but we can train our emotional and mental reflexes. Hanging tough can become a habit.

Tensile strength is the greatest degree of stress possible to bear without breaking apart. The critical dimension of this measurement is the point where the substance still bends, but does not deform. Bridges have load limits and we do, too. Many times we don’t know how much we can handle until we’re called upon to test our strength. Scripture confidently tells us God is with us through the most difficult of stresses. He is the ultimate structural engineer.

We must distinguish between patience and perseverance. One is passive; the other active. Certainly, there are times when we must be patient. There are times when we can do nothing but survive. But perseverance involves action. My friend, All-America, All-Pro Bill Glass, played 22 years of football without serious injury. He attributes this to the fact he was always so aggressive. “The man who gets run over generally gets hurt worse than the guy who is doing the running down,” he says. (more…)

Destruction to Reconstruction

blog-18-destruction Brenda’s Blog – May 27, 2014

“The artist has determined the presence of the Tower has destroyed his work, so it is closed.”

One of the most interesting exhibits at the Nasher Sculpture Garden in Dallas is a building which features a large hole in the ceiling. Visitors, seated on concrete benches, stare through this hole at the sky. “Trending Blue” is the title.

A Dubai-like office tower now looms over the garden and obscures the purity of the artist’s vision. Rather than compromise, the artist closed access to his work. “It is destroyed.”

Gratitude flowed over me as I read those words. Not because the room was closed, but because we have a God who doesn’t post a sign on me saying, “She is destroyed.” There have been towers, strongholds, and fortresses which loom over my life, blocking the view of His face. There have been times when “Trending Black” seemed the appropriate title, BUT, our God reached down past the obstructions and reconstructed.

The second part of the notice says, “The artist is working to design something that will not be affected by the tower.”

Jesus is the way of escape from the terrible tower. Our God created a way for a clear view of His face.

What if my bad decisions had no means of remediation? What if my choices were written indelibly with no possibility of correction? Praise God He doesn’t mark us “damaged goods” and put us on the trash pile.

How do we apply this to leadership? We are called to lead imperfect, flawed, and sometimes aggravating humans. When plans aren’t executed perfectly, is it tempting to take out the “work destroyed” sticker? What strategies are built in for alternative operations? When do you go into reconstruction phase?

Leading with hope is the sign of greatness. Leading with realism is the sign of effectiveness. Towers may loom over us personally or professionally, but there is always a way to adjust and see the sky.

Pressing On

Weekly Thought – May 20, 2014

Fred regarded himself as “delightfully dependent,” in his bed-bound years “I wish I could take a walk” were words spoken without bitterness. He always said, “If you can do something about it, you have a problem. If you can’t, it is a face of life.” His immobility was just that – a fact of life. But he persevered.

The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute is initiating a research project in conjunction with a Southern California group, studying millennials. Research shows that generation connects with those who are 70+. We will begin studying what they want from the connections, best communications systems, and conversational methods.

Pressing On

We live in troubled times. Trouble takes us back to the basics and opens our minds. Perseverance is one life’s fundamentals.
The composer/musician Rod McKuen wrote: “Talent is never enough in any field. It must be coupled with perseverance and recognition.” Effort varies more than talent. Those who lose their tenacity generally lose their position in life.

The great merchant, J.C .Penney believed,” Self-denial is the basic requirement for accomplishment in any field of endeavor. Success comes only to those who will follow the hard road, rather than the paths of ease and pleasure. The road to success is open to those who persevere.

As a boy, Isadore of Seville struggled with his lessons. Doing badly in school, he ran away. He sat down to rest beside a little spring that trickled over a rock. He noticed the great erosion caused by the small droplets of water. Right there, he decided to resume his studies, knowing even his small drops of water could wear away the big rock of education. He became one of the finest scholars of his day. His biographer said, “Those drops of water gave to Spain one of her greatest historians.” Job 14:19 reinforces this principle: “The water wears away the stone.” (more…)

Reverence

Weekly Thought – May 13, 2014

Fred demonstrated a deep reverence for God. His upbringing in the home of a Southern Baptist preacher gave him a Scriptural foundation which was enhanced by his personal relationship through Jesus. He and Mary Alice instilled great respect for the things of God into their three children.

May is the month of graduation. It is a time to pray for the students, faculty, and staff members of our colleges. We especially remember those who have hosted a Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute event: Houston Baptist University, Dallas Baptist University, Lindsey Wilson College, Alice Lloyd College, Emmaus Bible College, LeTourneau University, Asbury University, East Texas Baptist University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Taylor University. May these graduates take the power of God throughout the world changing lives and workplaces.

Reverence

I was once known as the man who did “crooked thinking on the straight and narrow.” I guess I did “out of the box thinking” before that concept was even created. In this light, I want to offer a verse which seems strange as a basis for reverence: “How can you say you love God you haven’t seen if you don’t love your brother you have seen?”

Here’s the Smith take on this verse. How can you revere the Creator if you don’t revere His creation? I hear speakers pontificate about reverence for the God then turn around and totally disrespect those He created.

One night I was visiting with Norman Cousins. He told me about a visit to Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Lamberene. As they walked up the hill to his modest house, a hen and her little chicks walked in front of them. Dr. Schweitzer took off his hat, bowed, and said, “Congratulations, my dear, I didn’t know it would be so soon.” His reverence for God’s creatures is great cause for admiration. (more…)

Drawing the Line

Brenda’s Blog – May 13, 2014

“Basta, basta, spare me a complete Hakluyt!”

That was my one line in the eighth grade play about new world adventures. I was Queen Elizabeth 1, costumed in velvet, pearls, and heavy wig. Try giving great meaning and depth to those seven words, especially when you have NO idea what Hakluyt meant. I stood in front of the mirror practicing each syllable carefully, striving to look regal and authoritative.

Years later I learned what the Queen was saying. Basta= enough. But Hakluyt? Richard Hakluyt was a geographer, chronicler, and explorer. His efforts to open up the new world, especially the colony of Virginia, were well-known. He was a talker, writer, talker, journaler, and talker!

His reports were particularly verbose and developed a reputation for their length. Thus, long-winded speeches were known as “Hakluyts. Queen Elizabeth was saying to the eager explorer standing before her, “Enough, enough, spare me this tiresomely long report – just get to the bottom line.” Or, as my Dad would say to me, “Brenda, show me the baby, don’t tell me about the labor pains.”

I don’t know all that information would have helped my prize winning performance, but over the years I appreciate more and more her leadership in saying “Enough, enough!”

“What causes you to say enough?” “Where do you draw the line?” “What are your deal breakers?”

These define moral boundaries. Strong leaders answer these questions early in their lives. They lay a foundation upon which they build their careers, family life, and ministry. Effective leaders form answers before they ever confront volatile or compromising situations.

Good leaders don’t like surprises and especially don’t like surprising themselves. Our value structure must operate as a knee jerk reaction. “Basta, basta” is part of a leader’s toolbox. “Basta, basta” is a well-honed and well-used line.

The Necessity of Urgency

Weekly Thought – May 6, 2014

Fred said, “I have never felt pressured by time.” He refused to give in to the press of extraneous demands which took control of his life. He clearly defined his schedule. This did not mean he lacked a sense of urgency. In fact, his ability to prioritize and to take action marked his life. He once asked pro athlete Craig Morton what it takes to be a great quarterback. His answer, “The ability to relax under fire.”

Sharing these bits of Fred-thought each week is a joy and a blessing. Thank you for your continual support and encouragement. We enjoy being part of your Tuesdays and hope the wisdom strengthens you.

The Necessity of Urgency

If you lack a sense of urgency, then you must have nothing important in your life.

Some of my retired friends tell me a problem they face is the flattening out of their priority list — everything becomes equally important. One of the great motivations of life is that things have to be done at a certain time and in a certain way… you develop urgency around them. Without this, you lose zest in life. The study saying executive men have a life expectancy of 19 months past retirement reflects the lack of urgency. Retirees who engage in activities which allow them to insert urgency and prioritization into their lives out live the charts.

It is critical to discipline our urgency. This is the difference between healthy drive and panic which is one of the unhealthiest of our emotions. My entire life I have tried to live with the maxim: “Don’t panic.” This allows me the freedom to operate in tight situations with clarity.

I remember having prepared very intensely for a talk to the Texas Bankers’ Convention. The evening before, I reached into my briefcase for the presentation. To my horror, there wasn’t a single piece of paper in there. I realized I left the file in the trunk of my car which was at the dealership for repair and totally unavailable. (more…)

Getting There

Brenda’s Blog – April 29, 2014

“You are here” were the words under the big orange dot.

I stood at the directory board examining all the stores while waiting for my friend to meet for lunch. Then I started laughing to myself… isn’t that the way I want God to communicate with me? I want a great big map with everything lined out and then a big orange dot telling me just where I am on the chart.

Where would faith be if we followed the bouncing orange ball? How could we grow in the knowledge of a sovereign God if the next steps were as predictable as those from Corner Bakery to Neiman’s?

However, we can check out our progress. “Are you satisfied with the direction of your life? Are you pleased with who you are becoming?” My Dad would occasionally ask me these questions. There was one more, but I can’t remember… these two are brain-twisting enough.

NorthPark Center in Dallas has a map which marks a walking path. I can know exactly where I am and how far I’ve gone at all times. I can tell myself when I have taken shortcuts and cheated myself out of the complete path. I can also do an extra lap or two and know how loudly to congratulate myself.

On those days when I want orange dot living, I stop and think about the wonders of wondering and wandering, even. I think about the excitement of knowing the person I want to be, but not knowing where that person is going to go in 1 year or 3 years, much less five years. I love trusting in a God who loves me and has a plan for my life – a plan which is more than I could ever imagine.

So when I stand at that directory the next time I will laugh again because He is SO MUCH BETTER than a big orange dot.

Wonderment

Weekly Thought – April 29, 2014

Fred never tired of learning. He stayed open to seeing life. Even in his older age, he constantly asked questions, pursued wisdom, and explored the corners of his universe.

These Weekly Thoughts are part of our legacy which is the BWF Project, Inc. We began as a way to “relevantly communicate the lifework of Fred Smith, Sr.” The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute is an extension of that mission by focusing on those coming behind. We thank you for your consistent support.

Wonderment

Early one morning I listened to Carlos Fuentes, the South American novelist. He described the heart of a novel as “amazement.” I stay open to this concept all the time – I call it wonderment. It means looking openly at those things which cause within me a sense of awe and worship. Someone has said that the true mark of genius is not creating awe in others, but in being awed.

Most of us have a tendency to be cynical, closed-minded, disinterested, even bored. Concentrating on our knowledge rather than our ignorance, we lose our sense of awe. I like to think of “making friends with my ignorance.” What I do not know is my future playground. I don’t need to compare what I know to others; I need to compare what little I do know to the vast amount I do not. The more we learn, the more we realize we have to learn.

The more you look for wonder, the more you see. It’s a discipline. Too many people get jaded and say, “so what?” That is not the Biblical spirit. The Apostle Paul didn’t say, “so what?” – he said, “so THAT.” Paul had a vision and a sense of wonder in what God was doing. (more…)

Lilt For Life

Weekly Thought -April 22, 2014

Fred saw humor everywhere. He loved word plays, puns, “corn” as well as sophisticated wit. In his later years of incapacitation and immobility, he entertained himself by running a mental catalogue of punch lines. He had hundreds which he held in his stunning memory. He thought of humor as life’s lubricant. He believed too many people were running without enough oil to keep the friction down and the RPMs up.

The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute at Taylor University is April 24, 25. Your prayer support for the men and women who bring wisdom, joy, and love for Jesus is greatly appreciated.

Lilt For Life

Life needs continual aeration. When it gets heavy, it settles down on us and needs to be lightened up. People should find inspiration and joy in their faith, not just new layers of guilt and condemnation. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life.” True, Christ came to convict of sin, but the Christian paradox is that in this chaotic, tragic world, we can enjoy a life of adventure and excitement.

Many people live with deep troubles. Someone estimated that about six out of ten of those who sit in church pews have major hurt in their lives. Therefore, I appreciate those speakers, teachers, and pastors who lift people’s spirits with genuine, inspiration and hope. Of course, spiritual aeration must be the “blessed hope.”

The message of God’s grace lets us know we are forgiven, we are free, we have the fellowship of the body of Christ, and an inheritance immortal soul. (more…)

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