Weekly Thought – August 11, 2020

Fred respected the office of pastor. His desire to include his pastors in the personal goal of stretching others created long-term relationships. This week we continue our excerpting of Fred’s A Layman Looks To His Pastor. It is our prayer pastors and other ministry leaders in our BWF community experience growth and blessing as they read.

A Layman Looks To His Pastor, part two

(Fred spoke to a pastors’ conference and outlined nine ideas he shared with his pastor. The masculine pronoun is used by Fred. The editor recognizes the role of women in ministry, but did not change it to stay true to Fred’s writing in a different historical context).

4) I would like my pastor to trust me enough to let me be myself around him so that he can be himself around me. Maintaining images can alienate us from one another. A layman recently commented, “I cannot believe how my friends change when they are with the pastor.” Certainly I am not advocating total intimacy and transparency with everyone for this is dangerous. But I do support reality in relationships and wisdom in what is shared and with whom.

5) I would hope my pastor would maintain personal spiritual vitality so that his sure belief would be a candle in any darkness we all face. But also, that he would recognize when I let down on my spiritual disciplines and stopped growing. Spiritual vitality cannot be gained through osmosis. We all want to have associations with vibrant Christians, but we can’t lean on them for our own life of faith. There was a time in my early adulthood I depended on the Christian experience of a friend, even though my own experience was real. I vividly remember when he confronted me saying, “Fred, get off my spiritual back!” I was sucking him dry because my own walk was arid. God doesn’t want us to live through others, but through the Spirit driven relationship.

6) I want my pastor to know truth, not just the facts of faith. Just as information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom, so facts and word studies do not adequate express the truth of the revelation God gave in Christ. Father Hesburgh when President of Notre Dame was asked to sit on the board of Chase Manhattan Bank by David Rockefeller. When Father Hesburgh laughed, saying he didn’t even have a bank account, Rockefeller responded “There will be times when we will need to know the truth and for that we will turn to you.” He accepted the position.

7) I would want my pastor to not act humble, but actually be humble. I have always used the definition of humility as: “not denying the power, but admitting it comes through you and not from you.” My son, Fred, recently gave me another one that I like very much: “Accepting your strength with gratitude.” I like to see my pastor receive compliments with graciousness that bespeaks humility. Francois Fenelon said to his friend “Accept the compliments of worthy people as the blessing of God.”

This week carefully consider: 1) Which idea would be a good conversation starter with your pastor? 2) As a pastor or ministry leader, which point most interests you? 3) How can we use Fred’s idea to truly encourage our pastors?

Words of Wisdom: “God doesn’t want us to live through others, but through the Spirit drive relationship.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility.” (Proverbs 15:33 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – August 4, 2020

Fred grew up as a PK (preacher’s kid). His father pastored small Baptist churches, attending to the spiritual and physical needs of men and women throughout the dark days of the depression. Fred befriended pastors throughout his life. Even in his death he demonstrated his respect as he asked five ordained men to preach his memorial service. For the next weeks excerpts from a piece written with the title “A Layman Looks To His Pastor” will be the selections.

Please pray for Christian higher education. Many of those serving as Presidents retired during the last few years. Those assuming the responsibility of the role are facing great challenges. We need men and women trained in excellence, academically and spiritually.

A Layman Looks To His Pastor

When asked to speak to a pastors’ conference at a large denominational university I was given the title: “A Layman Looks At The Pastor.” I felt this was judgmental, since scripture tells us not to judge another’s servant. Pastors are the servants of God. Sometimes they forget this and behave like they are servants of the laity.
I changed the title and it made a big difference in the tone and content: A Layman Looks TO His Pastor. This is a personal view of what I have shared with my pastors during the years. It is not inclusive, of course, and not a dissertation on pastoral responsibilities to the church at large.

1) I want my pastor to teach me how to think about God more than just what to think about Him. Plato said the great teachers awaken the teacher within the pupil and then the pupil becomes his own teacher for his entire life. My pastor is not responsible for my spiritual health any more than my doctor is held responsible for my physical health. He is to help and guide me, but I must assume the final responsibility. To transfer that charge to my pastor would be wrong.

2) I would like for my pastor to be my spiritual dietician, based on my gifts, opportunities, and situation When I go to Mayo, the dietician studies my medical records and recommends specific intake which will optimize my opportunities and health. I have tried different “menus” over the years finding what fits. Currently I emphasize: the awe of God, the understanding and use of prayer, and the presence of the Spirit. I stopped calling my morning time “Devotions” and now speak of it as my “Spiritual feeding time.” This includes the Bible, the ancient saints, and renowned preachers of the past. These six or eight sources provide a balanced diet. Not every day is a spiritual high any more than every meal is a memorable one, yet each is necessary and useful. Hopefully, spiritual feeding produces what Chambers calls “conscious repentance and unconscious holiness.”

I am grateful for the pastoral care of those who were concerned for my development, giving me observations, articles, books, and recommendations, all of which nudged me along the right path.

3) I ask my pastor to remind me he is not my agent tasked with making a better deal with God then I can get. Too often we are tempted to ask the preacher to pray because we think God will listen to Him more than He will to us – that is not scriptural. I want my pastor to tell me it is my responsibility. This is good for the pastor to avoid the temptation of subconsciously believing in substitutionary grace or at least tacitly letting followers believe in it.

This week carefully consider: 1) What do I want my pastor to know? 2) Which of these points stands out as applicable to me? 3) How can I encourage my pastor?

Words of Wisdom: “I stopped calling my morning time ‘Devotions’ and now speak of it as my ‘Spiritual feeding time.’”

Wisdom from the Word: “We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 30, 2020

Fred substituted for the Elliott Class of Highland Park Presbyterian Church for years. They were dear friends. He consistently thought about them, constantly keeping notes for the times when he was “up to bat.” This message is excerpted from a lesson taught in July, 1987.

Living In the Christian Context

I believe life should be homogeneous, not broken into individually defined segments where the spiritual is just one. In a life like this there are compartments for business, social, family, financial, etc. I want my life to have a holistic reality. I know when I say that some of you will have their discernment antennae rise. Yes, New Agers have used this word, but it is a perfectly good word and concept. Speaking of misusing words… When my great undiscovered classic “You and Your Network” came out Word Publishing heard from Christian bookstores saying they didn’t want to carry it because the word Network was considered New Age. I think we can show Jesus demonstrated the power of connection and community long before anyone thought of hugging trees and deciding they were God.

We should be able to talk about our heavenly home as easily as many of you talk about your vacation homes on Padre or Pebble Beach. Don’t you find people have no difficulty casually mentioning their weekends on the beach, or in the mountains?

Frankly, I think we should be able to talk about scriptural principles as easily as we discuss the multiplication tables. Both are just facts of life for the believer.

Recently I met the owner of an electrical corporation who said he always tries to work God into the conversation. He paused. I think he was waiting for a “bless you, brother” from me. The truth is I rather resent that mindset for several reasons. In the first place, God is already there even though that may not be recognized. We are not inviting Him in from somewhere on the outside. I do not believe our life should be so segmented we have to shoehorn him into our conversations.

I spoke to a men’s retreat in California. We talked about integrating the spiritual as natural. I told them I am not one to grab someone, slap them with the King James Version, and pray loudly and long in the airport lounge. But years ago I told God if the Spirit opened a way I promised I wouldn’t duck. One of the men in the group caught that phrase. He had buttons produced for the whole crowd showing a duck with a bar crossed through – don’t duck! When I am open it is surprising how natural the conversations occur.

The newspaper tells us about daily happenings, often the negative and over editorialized view. It is their view of life. The Bible also gives us a view of life – but as it should be. As Christians we should be holistic and wholly His wherever we are. Segments are for grapefruits, not Christ’s people.”

This week carefully consider: 1) How tempted am I to live like a grapefruit? 2) What is my most natural way of talking about God? 3) Who models spiritual integration for me?

Words of Wisdom: “I do not believe our life should be so segmented we have to shoehorn him into our conversation.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 26, 2020

Fred wrote and thought much about relationships. Last week we introduced his thinking on the excellence of them. We continue this week with thoughts about a critical challenge: religious differences between friends.

Thank you for praying as we bring Fred’s wisdom to you.

Faith and Friendships

Religious differences can test our friendships, even to straining the quality of the relationship. It can be the most volatile factor of sustaining a long term connection.

The knowledge of God’s will, the interpretation of God’s Word, loyal ties to an institution, along with traditions of denomination and family combine to create intensity in our beliefs and opinions which affect our relation with others.

It is easy to generalize our unique relation with God into a pattern for everyone else. When our faith walk leads us to believe we know the will of God, we can unconsciously come to apply that knowledge to ourselves, but to others, as well. Young friends of mine used to parody the Four Spiritual Laws of Campus Crusade by saying “I love you and have a wonderful plan for your life.” This can definitely throw a clinker into a friendship.

I have signed many “statements of faith” holding forth the tenets of New Testament dogma. I have never seen one featuring these words: “I am currently living in love with my fellow Christians and will continue to do so as tenaciously as I hold the other points of doctrine.”

Often we find it much easier to fight for the faith than to exemplify it. Our relationships illustrate our real beliefs. The non-Christian world of the first century would say, “Behold the love they have for one another.” Even the keeping of Christ’s commandments was predicated on love: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” In the early days of Christian contemporary music a Catholic priest named Peter Scholtes composed a song which became an anthem for the 1960s Jesus movement: “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” It was sung by long-haired youth, and three-pieced suited businessmen.

The only genuine ecumenism is based on love first before organizational unity. Doctrinal harmony is critical, but making sure it is core dogma and not just preference is an outworking of love.

Often when some of my more ardent doctrinal friends criticize other Christians, I ask them: “Do you think they are going to heaven?” This usually stops them for awhile and even with hesitation they say, “Certainly. Why?” Then I give them my simplistic conclusion: “If they are going to heaven, they are part of the body of Christ and I have no option as to whether or not to associate with them and to love them. We are part of the same family.”

Therefore, excellence in friendships (especially long term ones with diverse religious backgrounds) requires a purposeful effort to practice love, seeing others without personal filters as the only answer (as much as possible).

This week carefully think about: 1) How many friends do I have who hold dissimilar religious traditions? 2) What can I do this week to focus on loving and not judging? 3) When does oneness in Christ become real to me?

Words of Wisdom: “The only genuine ecumenism is based on love first before organizational unity.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” (1 John 2:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – March 31, 2020

Fred unceasingly sought maturity. He outlined principles, discussed with spiritual mentors, and prayed diligently. “Settling” was just not in his vocabulary. Sprinkled throughout his notes are musings about the topic. He believed part of his purpose was to urge others to grow.

BWFLI is beginning a semester activity at Jarvis Christian College. Please pray for us as we seek to drill down with select students, providing connection and relationship.

Growing Up

One of the better measurements of spiritual maturity is lack of vulnerability to diverse temptations. I am convinced the Spirit saturates gradually, rather than instantaneously and with the same degree – a homogeneous operation. As I see it, those areas that have been saturated and remain vibrant and moist more easily resist temptation. Those places in me that are still arid and dry can be set afire by the tempter’s ploys. Perhaps our lives are somewhat fibrous. Maybe they are like wood which can be ignited when dry, but impervious when wet.

Our ability to create fire doors against temptation can vary. These may be decisions we make. They may also be actions we take. Sometimes people have a lack of exposure to the work of the Spirit. This may be through their church backgrounds, or their newness as believers. In my upbringing, the Spirit’s activity was not fully explained or celebrated. I am glad there is more emphasis on the availability. My friend James Packer wrote a terrific book Keeping In Step With The Spirit. Right away he admonishes the reader to understand and address the Spirit as “he,” not “it.” He is the third person of the Godhead.

One of my long-time friends believed in Jesus, participated actively in his church, and led a Godly life. However, he had no idea the Spirit could permeate and saturate every area of his life. He lived without exposing certain areas of his life to the power of the Spirit – not out of avoidance, but ignorance. He just didn’t know.

He and his wife joined a Bible study group and were introduced to Major Ian W. Thomas and his book, The Saving Life of Christ. The key verse was “Christ in me, the hope of glory.” It changed their lives. “I had no idea the living Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit was available to us.” Now their fibrous being grew saturated like a sponge with the Christ life.

As we are saturated, we certainly are not free from sin, but the power to stand against temptation increases. The desire to sin diminishes. The allure of the world dims. I would be less than honest if I told you it completely disappears, but the alternative is so much better.

This week think about: 1) Do I sense a growing aversion to sin? 2) How do I define spiritual maturity? 3) Who is the Spirit in my Christian walk?

Words of Wisdom: “One of the better measurements of spiritual maturity is lack of vulnerability to diverse temptations.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God. (Hebrews 6:1 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – March 24, 2020

Fred supported the value of education, especially Christian higher education. He was unable to attend college due to financial constraints. However, he dedicated much time to students of Christian colleges and universities. He was also given two honorary doctorate degrees which he highly prized.

Excellence in Education

Dr. Walter Hearn, the Yale bio-chemist, commented that every night our learning of the day has so expanded the areas of our ignorance that it would be easier to “ignorize” the world than to educate it. Our ignorance will expand beyond our knowledge.

Christians understand that human knowledge is incomplete. It is constantly changing and can be current, but yet inadequate. The Bible says “we see in part… we see through a glass darkly, but then hall we know.” We understand that man will never unveil all mysteries, but that it will one day be accomplished.

An advantage for the Christian is an understanding that there is a finite effect of education on life. Often the secular community believes life can only be improved through education. For example, the scientist puts full faith in scientific endeavors; the politician stands on political strategies for the way to a perfect life. The Marxists hold that their system leads to abundance. Yet, no perfect answer comes from a scientific or governmental system.

We Christians are happy to accept the benefits of science, education, politics, or any other human agency. But we understand that the truly abundant life must be built and maintained through faith, not through human disciplines.

Christian education also has the additional advantage of integrating spiritual reality (not just ritual) into all areas of life. It can bring Christian life into harmony with itself. It provides the theme – the key. It must keep the bridge open between the soul and the mind. The mind separated from the soul can become a dangerous power. United in building character there is clarity of motivation and established restraints. The mind may clearly see possibilities, but the heart puts on the brakes. The mind needs the heart to recognize what is noble, true, and high.

An additional force in Christian education is the opportunity to identify the power of God. Dr. John Goodenough, Lincoln Professor of Electronics at MIT, said after her became a Christian he valued the verse “Now you have the power to become.” He said he had always known what was right and wrong, but he had never had the power to do it. When Christ came in, then he had the power of God to do what he had always known he should do.

Christian education affords an opportunity to ground and train our young minds, sending them into the world as mature Christians who will make a significant difference in the times ahead.

This week think about: 1) How can I pray for Christian schools? 2) Who do I know in Christian education I can encourage this week? 3) What support can I offer in terms of volunteering, or financial giving?

Words of Wisdom: “But we understand that the truly abundant life must be built and maintained through faith, not just through human disciplines.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.” (Proverbs 9:9 NET Bible)

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)

Weekly Thought – January 21, 2020

Fred told people he read selectively. He chose topics and authors carefully. This week’s message is an answer to the question, “What book has most significantly influenced you?” This response was written in 1983. Several other authors became favorites, but Oswald Chambers never lost his prominent place.

Please pray for BWFLI as we craft an in-depth mentoring program for use in 2020.

Book Shelf

I find no difficulty in naming my most significant book. It is My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. This book has influenced my thinking and convictions more than any other book authored by man.

In December 1955 Grant and Orean Howard of Phoenix gave Mary Alice and me our first copy, thereby starting a chain of gifting that continues to this day. My friend and mentor Maxey Jarman wrote me in 1975: “I’ll always be grateful for the introduction you gave me to Oswald Chambers.” We plant seeds when we give vital books. After all these years we are seeing a fruitful and delightful harvest among our friends who read right along with us.

His thinking has become part of my reflexive thought. I quote him often both as an authority and the author of a shared experience he first coagulated for me. He has taken up residence in my mind.

Let me illustrate with five thoughts that continue to shape my attitude toward life which come from Chambers:

1) “Sit loose to things.” I recently received a phone call which informed me of a significant financial loss. I was able to think “sit loose…” I told myself “enjoy them, work for them, use them, but sit loose to them.”

2) “Lust says ‘I must have it now.’” Lust is often a matter of timing rather than possession. Psychiatrists tell us the most common evidence of American immaturity if the inability to delay gratification. Even in our emotions we refuse to take the long term vies. We hurry up to fill up our emotional valleys and holes with poor substitutes. We want relief NOW! Chambers showed me lust is much broader than I originally thought. It is refusing the normal rhythm of life, and failing to mature in it.

3) “So often we sharpen a verse of scripture and jab another with it.” I see too many who know chapter and verse, using it to intimidate the less instructed. Sadly, it is possible to sign most statements of faith and then live with an unloving attitude, injuring one another.

4) “We will not stand in large matters if we fail in smaller ones.” He constantly attacks my spiritual arrogance by pointing this out. It is easy to think we would be true and courageous in the weighty matters when in truth we are making exceptions for ourselves in smaller ones.

5) “The white funeral.” He calls us to truly die to self before we go through the black funeral of physical death. Too many of us have not completely died and been through the “white funeral.” Out of this experience comes the complete resurrected life, unhampered by the problems of human ego and self-righteousness. Dying to self and living in Christ gives life meaning.
I am happy to recommend the thinking and writing of My Utmost For His Highest. It is not entertaining, nor even exciting. It is compelling.

This week carefully consider: 1) What book has significantly influenced me? 2) How good am I about giving books to others? 3) Which of these life lessons strikes a chord with me?

Words of Wisdom: “His thinking has become part of my reflexive thought… He has taken up residence in my mind.”

Wisdom from the Word: “It must be with him constantly, and he must read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and observe all the words of this law and these statutes and carry them out.” (Deuteronomy 17:19 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – December 17, 2019

Fred’s influence on those in his employ encouraged many to deepen their spiritual lives. His personal goal was to stretch others… and this meant in all ways, professionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Two stories which illustrate this connection with others make up the weekly email.

The academic year ended for the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute. We are grateful for those whose lives were stretched and blessed to the glory of God. Next year will introduce a deeper event focusing on constructive conversations on key topics and intense follow-up. Your friendship and financial support is appreciated. Your donations, prayer, and encouraging words strengthen our leading.

Spiritual Reality

I received an essay from a former employee. I took it home to see if Mary Alice could guess at the authorship; she couldn’t determine the writer. She was as amazed as I had been when I first read it. The woman was a professional who adopted a cynical attitude about the church and faith. She continued to go through habit, but without a vital relationship. However, difficulties changed all of that.

She wrote: “When troubles came, my strength which I felt was so great began to crumble. It started slowly then finally disintegrated. Despair began to fill my life. Because I had grown up in the church I began to turn to prayer. My communication with God was no longer the ritualistic process I had always followed… it was real. Talking to God about me, my problems, and my life because ‘me’ was a good place to start. I knew something was wrong there that needed to be straightened out before we started to even work on my problems. For a long time I knew there was something missing, and I was secretly, yet constantly searching. There was a gnawing in my stomach that was ever present. I now know the feeling was a result of a lack of peace within. Now I have an intangible presence which is very difficult to convey in words, but it is as real as anything I have ever known.” Her essay on faith was a multi-paged piece on peace.

She moved from depending on a social and personal reservoir of strength to spiritual reality.

The letter began, “Fred, the Lord and friends have been more generous with me than I could ever deserve. I have just returned from Switzerland, Austria, and several South American countries where I have been doing medical lectures. I’m working full time and my practice has exceeded all my expectations. Currently I am working on a contribution to a medical textbook.”

This may sound like a typical success story. But when I first met him he was coming out of a battle with alcohol which had immobilized his practice, and his personal life. Through this struggle he found the reality of faith. And even more, he found not only sobriety, but a caring nature which has replaced his cynicism. He came out of a life depending on his ability to make it to the understanding of the reality of God.

This week think about: 1) Where is my strength? 2) Who is in my realm of influence can use a word of hope? 3) How can I expand the reach of the Gospel in my life?

Words of Wisdom: “She moved from depending on a social and personal reservoir of strength to spiritual reality.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power” (Ephesians 6:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – December 10, 2019

Fred’s prayer life was personal. He never raised his hand to be the “public prayer expert.” His prayer was part of his private devotional life. His daughter Brenda commented on seeing her Dad kneeling by his bed nightly during her childhood at home. “To see this strong man humbly coming before the Lord marked me.”

Thank you for supporting the team at Palm Beach Atlantic University last month. Ongoing reports from President William Fleming and other campus leaders reinforce the effective ministry of the What’s Next Roundtable.

San Angelo Prayer Breakfast

(Note: Fred was invited by his friend Max Hulse to be the initial speaker as San Angelo, Texas established their annual Prayer Breakfast, inspired by the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. This newspaper article written by Ron Durham covered the event. Fred’s thoughts in the 1980s still speak to us today.)

“Despite indications that the nation is in the Dark Ages morally, there are enough true believers acting out their commission as ‘the light of the world’ to prompt optimism,” Dallas businessman Fred Smith told an audience Thursday.

The remarks from Smith, a businessman, author, and inspirational speaker, was received enthusiastically by the approximate 600 people attending San Angelo’s version of the National Prayer Breakfast. This was the first-ever event.

“Prayer is a relationship that unites us instead of a doctrine which divides us.” At another point he said “moral problems require spiritual solutions.”

Acknowledging that “these are turbulent times because we are between Christian and non-Christian ideas.” He compared these times to a trapeze artist letting go of one bar and flying through the air reaching for the next swing.

Citing others who agree that the nation is in moral decline, Smith referred to Russian dissident Alexander Solzhenitszyn’s remark “the West is spiritually weary.” He quoted newsman Ted Koppel’s observation that “the ten commandments have become the ten suggestions.”

He also observed that the culture’s materialistic bent only points to a hole in the soul. “Many people have means but very little meaning.”

Smith posed a blunt challenge to members of churches and synagogues to live up to the claims of their faith. He referenced a recent study which said only 10% of church and synagogue members showed any significant difference in their lifestyle from non-members.

On the brighter side, he spoke of strong ministries growing and flourishing. He cited prison ministries and others focused on professional athletes which are the reason for optimism. He observed what he is seeing in the number of people who are verbalizing their desire to move from success to significance.

This week think about: 1) How can I apply Fred’s words from the mid-80s to my life today? 2) Which quote is particularly applicable to me? 3) If I were asked to address a prayer breakfast, what would I say?

Words of Wisdom: “Prayer is a relationship that unites us instead of a doctrine which divides us.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1 NET Bible)