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)

Weekly Thought – May 26, 2015

Fred regularly prayed to be “useful, helpful, and productive.” He strongly believed in the recognition of gifts and the purposeful employment of them. Two of the friends Fred mentions (Torrey Johnson and Ron Glosser) are in heaven with him. They each taught him much about the Lord’s service.

Our 2016 schedule for the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute is nearly complete. Three of the four schools have definite dates. We sincerely covet your prayer support. Thank you.

Used or Using?

I met Torrey Johnson when he first started Youth for Christ. At that time, I was asking certain people I highly admired for their autographed picture. I kept them in front of me, not as a sign of my relationship with them, but as a reminder of their character qualities. Torrey sent one back with the inscription, “To Fred, God’s man in God’s place.” I never felt I could hang it on the wall. I kept it in my desk drawer.

I was always condemned by how seldom I actually felt I was God’s man in God’s place. During the times I sensed He was using me, I felt very small yet very secure. When I was playing for my own team, I felt insecure and uncertain because I was depending on my own strength.

Recently I was talking with my dear friend Ron Glosser, former CEO of the Hershey Trust. He is a truly delightful person. I asked him the usual question, “How’s it going, Ron?” He answered in the best possible way that simple question could be answered when he said, “Fred, I feel God is using me.”

What a wonderful feeling to realize God is using us rather than our using God. So long as we keep that spiritual dimension in our leadership, people will see God in us.

Two great epitaphs come to mind. Steve Brown, great friend and President of Key Life Network, told me he found the small gravestone of Fanny Crosby, the hymn writer. She reportedly wrote 6,000 hymn lyrics. Her music continues to bless the Christian church after all these years. Blind from an early age, she often used words alluding to sight in her writings. Someone once said, “Aren’t you sad you can’t see?” Her answer: “If I had the choice I would choose blindness because that way the very first face I would ever see is that of Jesus!”

Fanny Crosby’s epitaph reads: “Aunt Fanny – she did what she could.” The other epitaph of note is that of great theologian A.W. Tozer which simply says, “He was a man of God.”

Editor’s note: Fred’s epitaph is only three words, but powerfully express his desire for usefulness: “He stretched others.”

This week think about: 1) When do I feel God using me? 2) What do I want on my gravestone? 3) Who represents Godly character in my life?

Words of Wisdom: “What a wonderful feeling to realize God is using us rather than our using God.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5,6 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – January 27, 2015

Fred read and thought about theology, philosophy, and science. He sought to know God, not just know about Him. No one could put him in a doctrinal box because he constantly thought about the relationship, not the rules.

This excerpt from a letter to a theologian friend may be a bit controversial. And, he is not here to defend his thinking, but it is a good delineation of his theological processing.

Thank you for supporting our work. An email to us started out: “I look forward to every Tuesday… ” This is a work of love – for Fred and for our Father God.

Loving God

Oswald Chambers and St. Augustine are two men whose opinions I value highly. As you know, Chambers said we are to live our life with the expressed intent of doing God’s will, letting Him stop us if we are straying from the path. We should not spend our time searching, but rather living knowing He will direct and correct when needed.

St. Augustine said maturely and simply: “Love God and do what you will.”

God says, “Seek my face.” This means an eye to eye relationship. We are told we do all things through Christ, not through a plan. We should never substitute guidance for the Guide. We cannot prove God exists by the guidance. It is God alone in silence or in revelation. (more…)

Weekly Thought – January 20, 2015

Fred enjoyed letter writing. His mentor, Maxey Jarman, stressed the value of thought clarification which comes as ideas are put on paper. One of his spiritual heroes was the Apostle Paul who, like Fred, wrote letters. Often he wrote to expand on a conversation or try out concepts with trusted friends. This Thought is excerpted from a letter sent to a long-time friend with whom he corresponded regularly. The topic is “the will of God.”

Fred used the “key log” as an illustration of problem solving. His close and respected friend Randon A. Samelson authored a new book titled Breakthrough: Unleashing the Power Of A Proven Plan. His dedication to Fred acknowledges him as a mentor and friend. His description of the key log principle will help all leaders. The book will be available through Amazon.com in two weeks.

God’s Will – God’s Way

Life is not all mystical even though there is a mystical quality to all life. There is far less mystery in the things that happen to us as members of the human race following the natural living processes from birth to death. A vast majority of the experiences we have are common to the human race.

Likewise, cause and effect are elements natural and predictable. It is immature to ignore the commonality of these principles and attribute them all to some super mystical, mysterious happening.

Having said that, I want you to understand I accept the spiritual qualities of life as being mystical. The confluence of natural events with the supernatural power of God is more than we can fully comprehend. I do not purport to understand. I believe it by faith and spend very little time trying to adopt some intellectual position to defend it. I am not denying the role of apologetics, but I personally hold faith positions in a category not requiring defense. (more…)

Weekly Thought – January 6, 2015

Fred valued friendship. As he aged many of them preceded him in death. Upon hearing of a passing, he often recounted decades of stories, smiling and laughing. “Cultivate younger friends because your contemporaries will be gone if you live long enough.” One of Fred’s long-time younger ones was Steve Brown of Key Life Network. They met while speaking in Kentucky and made a decision immediately clicked. When Being Good Isn’t Good Enough is Steve’s newest book. According to the author it is “how to stop striving to please a God who is already pleased.” www.KeyLife.org

Step by Step?

(Editor’s note: Fred was asked about his thinking on the specific will of God. He wrote much in a personal letter to a dear friend. This excerpt reflects his position and his straightforward approach).

Some young people questioned our son as to how they could know God’s plan. Rather than answer, he asked them why they wanted to know. Their answers were revealing. One wanted to follow the plan because he didn’t want to have God mad at him. Another assumed the plan must be wonderful, and he didn’t want to miss what God had for him. Another felt God needed his work, and therefore, if he didn’t do it, it wouldn’t be done leaving God’s plan incomplete.

It was easy to see these young people were really talking about works and not grace. They had a clear self-interest in God’s plan. When they spoke of wanting a plan, it meant happiness, prosperity lack of trouble, love, and acceptance.

Egotism seems to creep into their perceptions. They assume God has something big in mind. They cannot imagine ordinary lives of ordinary people. (more…)

Weekly Thought – December 30, 2014

Fred appreciated year’s end. He used the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day to analyze the past year. He encouraged others to do audits which included financial and spiritual. He acknowledged the power of God to lead in his life.

As this year closes, please know how very grateful we are for the work God has given us to do. And for your support. We commit ourselves to stretching and blessing through the weekly thoughts, the leadership institutes, and our blogs. May you experience the love and light of Jesus as 2014 ends.

Does Success Trump Saintliness (Conclusion)

Woven through everything I’ve said in this letter is the firm belief that each of us is a unique creation of God. In His love and providence He has engineered into us the capacity to live full, rich, and successful lives. I believe that God’s principles are like interwoven cables which provide structure and support yet give flexibility.

In Dallas there is a business which features an unusually tall flagpole holding an exceptionally large American flag. Because of its height, it is exposed to the winds of downtown Dallas. Upon inspection, you see a set of springs which give the banner some flexibility. If it were tightly harnessed to the pole, the winds would tear it apart.

I see God’s principles for living the same way. They are supporting, undergirding, and holding all things “by the power of His might.” But they are designed to work without being hammered down into a box. (more…)

Weekly Thought – December 23, 2014

Fred had a business principle: Be colorful, but not showy. On Christmas he crossed his own line. He waited until the entire family assembled then appeared in a red velour shirt, red sweatpants, and red socks. The group groaned appropriately, but looked forward to the next “faux Santa” occasion.

This is the last excerpt from the letter to the young man who wondered if he could be a Christian and still be successful.

May you experience the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ during this season celebrating His incarnation. May you continue to strive for maturity and connect with others as you journey.

Does Success Trump Saintliness? (Part 6)

As I outlined my thinking on business success I gave you twelve recommendations of things to implement in your planning. I am confident you need to have an attitude of forward motion. You will not do well if you stay in a defensive posture. You have heard me talk about constructive strengths and destructive weaknesses. It is important to look at both the principles of “do,” and those of “don’t.”

Here are four don’ts to consider as you build your strategy for career development.

1) Don’t ever give up. A person should never spend time thinking about reasons for giving up, slowing down, or stopping. This is why the follow through in business, just like in sports, is so critical. In golf we talk about the high follow through. Good golfers don’t begin to slow down before hitting the ball. When a person develops the habit of winning, you won’t quit at a crucial time, either consciously or unconsciously. (more…)

Weekly Thought – December 16, 2014

Fred loved talent… recognizing it, developing it, and encouraging it. He thought analytically and created strategic outlines for “making progress.” In this letter he thinks about ways to enable a young man to grow professionally and personally.

Thank you for your ongoing encouragement as we bring Fred’s archived wisdom to you. He sought to stretch others and our desire is for his thinking to spur you to maturity.

Does Success Trump Saintliness? (Part 5)

I want to share out of my own experience twelve do’s and five don’ts that I think are particularly applicable to the young person who wants to move well in a corporate environment. These are generalities, of course, and there will always be exceptions and variations.

1) Do accept the job as an individual and complete challenge in itself – not just as a stepping stone toward the next level. Master the job so completely you will be able to devise new and better methods for achieving the best results.

2) Do locate and cultivate someone above you (as high as possible) who can be your sponsor. It is critically important to recognize sponsorship must be built on merit and mutual respect, not just friendship or social connections.

3) Do focus on making a good first impression. For example, this can be done by: asking intelligent questions, being a good listener, being colorful but not showy, understanding your area of genius and developing it. (more…)

Weekly Thought – December 9, 2014

Fred readily acknowledged those who influenced his thinking. For example, he often referred to Oswald Chambers as his daily theologian. As a lifelong learner, Fred’s antennae were always alerted to those who clarified or introduced ideas. In turn, he did this for many.

The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute and the Breakfast With Fred Project are based on 2 Timothy 2:2 in which Paul encourages his young protege to find men and women who will continue the passing on of truth.

Does Success Trump Saintliness? (Part 4)

E. Stanley Jones greatly affected me when he said that the difference between Christianity and other religions was based on the fact that in Christianity “the Word became flesh but in other religions the word remained word.” Frankly, I believe the greatest witness a Christian can ever have is to allow the Word to become flesh.

Personally, I’ve never been a very vocal witnessing Christian in the business community. There was a time when I became concerned about this. Then I began learning about the functioning of the Holy Spirit. Up until that time I hadn’t realized that my only job was to sow seed under the direction of the Spirit.

I had been intimidated by the compulsive witnesses. In a mood of honest experimentation one morning I told God, “Today I won’t duck.” By that I meant that if the subject came up I wouldn’t duck it, but at the same time I would not feel any responsibility for bringing up the subject with anyone. And each morning since then before leaving for work I’ve prayed to not duck. I have had some of the most interesting opportunities to witness – along with some fascinating temptations to duck. (more…)