Developing People

Weekly Thought – April 7, 2020

Fred wanted his epitaph to read “He Stretched Others.” A large part of living that out was through his business career. He identified talent and nurtured it.

Developing People

The thing I enjoy most about being an executive is the opportunity to help people. One of the challenges to me is finding people who can fall either way off the fence. There are those who can fall into mediocrity or with the right shove can fall on the side of productivity.

Of course, there are the highly motivated one who do not need this push. They will fight their way out of a slump, up through an affluent culture with their tremendous drive, and talent… they are exceptional.

But there are many who don’t shine or show out. As youth they fall into the middle (and often muddle). They may end up being routine workers with jobs that have little or no promise. They will be on the same track for their lifetime.

These are the ones I enjoy finding. I see a flicker of a flame that hasn’t been fanned. I see “a lithe in the window because someone is home.” Often it takes very little to get them on to another track. I have been surprised many times by what they can overcome and accomplish.

Belief is critical to this transformation. When I was with GENESCO I spent much of my time in the plants and the various departments. I met a man with an eighth grade education, working in the inspection department. He wanted more, but thought his education deficiencies denied him progress. Today he is the President of a small company in Chicago. What made the difference? I believed in him. He finally saw the artificial barriers he created were just that – artificial and counterfeit. He understood he didn’t have to accept this.

I can repeat story after story of people who had someone believe I them and give them the needed shove. You may call this process mentoring, sponsorship, or in the Christian context discipleship. Helping another shift from one track to another can change their destination.

Consider those around you who could transition from mediocrity with your supportive shove.

Think carefully about: 1) Who first said to me, “I believe in you?” 2) How can I make a difference in a person’s life direction? 3) What motivates me to stretch others?

Words of Wisdom: “I believed in him.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NET Bible)

Growing Up

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)

Excellence in Education

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)

Ten Commandments of Communication

Weekly Thought – March 17, 2020

Fred’s reputation as a communicator extended to writing, consulting, and speaking. He studied the principles and styles throughout his life. His goal was to understand the impact of true communication. His “ten commandments of communication” were used as a weekly eight years ago this week. Fred originally put it on paper in 1987. They may be new to you, or they may be an excellent reminder of Fred’s strong thoughts as a nationally known speaker. Let them be helpful to you this week.

The Jarvis Christian College project is moving well. Please continue to pray for the students, the curriculum, and the influence.

Ten Commandments of Communication

1. Be believable: make sure you demonstrate agreement with your audience with your style, dress, speech patterns, vocabulary, etc. Speak convincingly with authority and experience.
2. Be audience oriented: always have an attitude of a servant, not a master. Show gratitude for the opportunity. Make sure you speak to an audience about a subject, not about a subject to an audience… put the audience first.
3. Be personal: create a one on one relationship. Do not be removed from the audience. Share life experiences when appropriate and tastefully done.
4. Be prepared: always speak from the overflow. Respect for the audience requires proper preparation. come ready to pull from a deep well. Freedom and confidence result from full preparation.
5. Be enjoyable: audiences relate to stories which illustrate points. Be ready to give hope. Bring good news. Each opportunity before an audience is a stewardship. Always recognize they are trading time to listen to you.
6. Be human: there is no room for a messianic complex in a successful speaker, nor an attitude of inerrancy. Humor is a key element in establishing a human connection. A speaker can get laughs with “blue humor,” but will lose respect. Finding stories which bring clean laughter connects the speaker to the audience, moves the points, and breaks down tension.
7. Be empowered: I always remind myself that I am the pipe, not the pump. I am not the Holy Spirit (the generator), but the tube through which He flows. My motives must be clean; my attitude must be ready.
8. Communicate to change behavior: the goal must be to spur the audience to action. A critical rule: never manipulate principles; never play with the truth. Challenge audience to take the next step knowing they will only hear what they can immediately apply.
9. Pray before speaking: ready your attitude. Keep “profitability to the Master” uppermost before saying one word. Listen for “nudges” from the Holy Spirit.
10. Leave them wanting more: create a desire to know more about both the subject and the speaker. Give back time, never go over the allotted minutes. Avoid the “when are they going to stop” atmosphere. The best content has a limited receptivity.
An 11th added years later: “Speak to express, not to impress.”
This week think about: 1) Which commandment can help me in my speaking right now? 2) How can I apply these principles to my home, career, and community? 3) What opportunity for communication is uppermost for me this week?
Words of Wisdom: “Speak to express, not impress.”
Wisdom from the Word: “A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words.” (Proverbs 16:23 NET Bible)

Thanks For Coming

Weekly Thought – March 10, 2020

Fred served on Focus Week teams for over 15 years. This group of businessmen worked with colleges and universities associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In keeping with Fred’s mission of “stretching others” he worked diligently to bring thought-provoking content to the students. This week we will focus on quotes from Baylor students written in March,1960 following a week on their campus.

BWFLI will be joining with Jarvis College for Spring semester to develop a deeper understanding and application of mentoring, networking, and character building. Please pray as the plans go forward.

Thanks For Coming

“Saying thank you seems like such an insufficient way of expressing our gratitude for what you meant to individuals on our campus this past week… by many means we were taught that until one is willing to let the Holy Spirit lead and direct, the results are not what glorify the Lord. We only wish it were possible for you to comprehend the influence you have had on so many young lives. If you could hear the numerous individuals who come to us and sincerely say, ‘Thank you – things are different now.’”

“Fred Smith showed me that God has a purpose in my life and through the challenge of the life of Fred Smith, I was motivated to activate the full potential of my life.”

“I want to say that I am very honored to know you and that the week you were here is the highlight of my college career. I really believe that God had a hand in arranging for me to be your escort at Baylor. It takes a continual stimulus, such as a history course I took last semester, or your visit, to keep me digging for ideas… I like the idea you mentioned about writing to successful people and asking for their stories. The thing you said that intrigued me was that you said I should send them the story of the person I interviewed before them. I am going to do this asking for the main contribution to success.”

“I would like to express to you my appreciation for the inspiration of your presence and words at our recent Focus Week on the Baylor campus. Very seldom does a speaker leave me with the determination to try some of his suggestions… your words seemed to reach the student level; they apply to our lives now, as well as in the future.”

“When you presented your plan for success on that Wednesday night it hit me square in the face. That was what I had been looking for. It was a plan and I had never had a plan. Your plan can be put to use in everything from a plan of reading in one book to a complete plan of life. I have waited to write until I finished the first test in each of my courses in this semester so that I might see some sign of growth and improvement. Perfection never comes, especially overnight. There are still wide places for improvement but not so wide as before I heard you and began applying the principles you set forth. I have decided to let God work through me rather than in spite of me. Thanks again for all that you brought and left at Baylor.”

This week think carefully about: 1) How has Fred influenced me? 2) What has been my role in mentoring another? 3) Where can I plant seeds which will bear fruit in years to come?

Words of Wisdom: “Remember, you are the pipe, not the pump. The Spirit is the generator; we are the channel.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity.” (Titus 2:7 NET Bible)

My Personal Creed

Weekly Thought – March 3, 2020

Fred clarified his thinking by putting his thoughts in writing… a lesson taught him in his twenties. Each year we repost what he called his “personal creed.” We hope it gives you an opportunity to consider your own “credo.”

My Personal Creed

Purpose: To determine what I will become. I will become the sum of my choices, and decisions. The Creed should guide and identify exceptions.

I WILL:

1. I will respect truth by searching for it and accepting it from any source.
2. I will look for the essence of matters as the elegance of life…as Einstein wanted to think God’s thoughts after Him. “For all else is detail.” In problems I will look for the key facts like a logger looks for the key log.
3. I will endeavor to pray honestly about any subject assuming God already knows.
4. I will expect nothing but what I earn, but will accept gifts gratefully.
5. The most valuable thing I can own is myself. Thereby I can contribute my uniqueness to life. I will concentrate on my uniqueness rather than what I like to do or what I would be paid the most to do. If my uniqueness is lost, then there has been no compelling reason for my having lived. I will have failed to contribute my piece to the jigsaw puzzle.
6. I will limit extensive self-knowledge to my most productive strengths and destructive weaknesses.
7. I will construct concepts for my thinking and actions so as to minimize large mistakes and give consistency to my living.
8. I will relax in the sovereignty of God. Service will be expressions of respect and love, not ingratiation.
9. The large issues of life will be decided by faith based on Biblical authority.
10. I will respect money, but as a means and never an end.
11. I will endeavor to accept my rightful responsibility, not because I like it but because it is right, realizing that my acts affect others, and that both good and bad have ripple effects.
12. I will accept human imperfection as a reality but never as an excuse or rationalization.
13. My life will be a confluence from many profitable and interesting areas of life so as to continually broaden my base.

I WILL NOT:

1. I will not build any unreal image which enslaves me or alienates me from others.
2. I will not sacrifice my old age, but, rather adopt a refinishing method good for all periods in turning experience into knowledge, and knowledge into wisdom. I will live so that “the best is yet to be” by attention to maturity, health, relations, and capital.
3. I will not sacrifice these things for business success: a) self-respect b) health c) family d) relation with God.

Think carefully about these points this week: 1) How would I construct my own personal creed? 2) What are the essentials and non-negotiables? 3) What are my I WILLs, but more importantly, my I WILL NOTs?

Words of Wisdom: “The large issues of life will be decided by faith based on Biblical authority.”

Wisdom from the Word: “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NET Bible)

Lines on Leadership

Weekly Thought – February 25, 2020

Fred learned from his mentor to put his thoughts in writing. He benefited from skilled administrative assistants who understood his style and translated his thoughts to paper. Thankfully, files exist which hold decades of these ruminations. Five pages of onion skin typing paper hold one liners on leadership, written in 1958 when he was 42.

In 2020 the What’s Next Roundtable creates a three session model which will engage students and team members for an entire semester. Please pray for the students who are nominated by their schools, team members who accept this ongoing challenge, and growth for all who participate.

Lines on Leadership

1. Leadership does not mean domination. It seeks effective activity with a beneficent purpose.
2. In every significant event there has been a bold leader, an object, or purpose – and an adversary.
3. A healthy society is one in which opportunities are given for leaders to emerge from all ranks in the population.
4. Marks of a leader: individual craftsmanship, sensibility, insight, initiative and energy.
5. No sluggards need aspire to leadership. There are passive persons who are content to go through life getting lifts from people who wait until action is forced upon them. They are not leadership material.
6. Leaders get out in front and stay there by raising the standards by which they judge themselves – and by which they are willing to be judged.
7. A love of high quality is essential in a leader.
8. The leader carries with him a sense of idealism – a vision of what might be.
9. The leader will take counsel from others, but will act on what his/her mind says is right. A leader is self-trained out of the fear of making a mistake.
10. The leader acts on probabilities instead of certainties.
11. Leaders need to submit themselves to a stricter discipline than is expected of others. Those who are first in position must be first in merit.
12. Leaders must have the force of character necessary to inspire others to follow with confidence.
13. Leadership motivates people to work for you when they are under no obligation to do so.
14. Leaders must see situations as a whole, as well as in the separate parts.
15. The higher leaders go in management, the more they need refilling because they are constantly giving out.
16. If leaders want to attract people, let others know and believe they are willing to find and share a great purpose in living.
17. Leadership cannot be delegated.
18. Leaders understand how much can be accomplished by people when expectations are real. Only when higher performance is demanded, do we realize the extent of our capabilities.
19. Leaders plan the utilization of skills. Sloppy practices set precedents.
20. Policies and plans are more or less useless unless they are known to all affected.

This week carefully think about: 1) How do I define leadership? 2) Who has most effectively modeled leadership for me? 3)Which of Fred’s one liners particularly hits me?

Words of Wisdom: “The leader carries with him a sense of idealism – a vision of what might be.”

Wisdom from the Word: “‘And in the last days it will be,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’” (Acts 2: 17 NET Bible)

Money Sense

Weekly Thought – February 18, 2020

Fred developed a reputation for his thinking on money. He taught his children money was “option…that it was a tool, not an idol.” He and Mary Alice lived out those principles. He was asked to address a large Baptist group of laymen on the topic of stewardship. Knowing “stewardship” usually connotes money, he covered three other major areas before even broaching the topic of money. This week’s email is an abbreviated version of his thoughts about giving.

Money Sense

When I was asked to speak on stewardship I know you expected the entire address to be on money, specifically giving money. However, the topic is much broader and I want to spend the first minutes outlining three other areas:
relations, identity, and talents. Then I will briefly give you my thinking on the stewardship of money.

I resent a great deal of the teaching on money. It strikes me that those people who refer to being “blessed” with money would be much better off to say “entrusted.” Those who talk about being blessed give me the feeling they feel God has chosen the right one and He couldn’t have made a better decision. I think it is an affront to the poor.

Likewise, I think it is wrong to teach that we can bribe God. Too many feel tithing puts them in a better position with God – that He owes them. I believe the tithe was a scheme to allow the rich to get out of significant giving. However, it is a very good starting point.

I have a good friend who pastors a well-to-do church. A member of his congregation made an appointment to see him with a “serious spiritual problem.” “Pastor, when I was poor I gave faithfully. As my wealth increased my struggle with giving the 10% increased. It has become a severe obstacle.” My friend responded immediately, “Let’s pray.” Eagerly the man bowed his head as the prayer began, “Father, you know how our brother here struggles with the problem of giving from such a high income. Would you please reduce it until he is comfortable giving 10% again?” At this point, the man jumped up, “NO! Pastor – that isn’t what I wanted,” as he hurriedly retreated.

When I was working 6 days a week making $6 I gave $.60. My income has increased many times that, but if I hadn’t given that $.60 I couldn’t give 6 figures now.

Let me give you three points on giving:

1) I never enjoyed giving until I started giving more than 10%. Recently I have been engaged with a friend who struggles with alcoholism. I learned about recidivism and staying sober for 20 years then relapsing. Those who fight for abstinence never reach the freedom of those who reach the joy of sobriety. Those who dutifully fight to give 10% may never enjoy it. Those who give out of love forget about the percentage, net/gross, or any other thing. They have the joy of giving.

2) Giving is the only drain pipe I know for our greed. I am convinced it is the answer to the greediness of our soul. We are fundamentally sinful and I believe God gave us the privilege of giving to detoxify our soul.

3) Giving is the ultimate freedom. My mentor Maxey Jarman gave millions of dollars to Christian ministries. At the end of his life he encountered severe financial difficulties. “Maxey, have you ever thought of the millions you gave away?” “Of course I have, but do you realize I never lost a dime of what I gave away – I only lost what I kept.” Many who are waiting to give money ought to be giving it right now. When we have it in our hands to give, that is the time. We don’t know how fast that money can be gone and we lose the privilege of giving.

This week think about: 1) When I think about stewardship, what immediately comes to mind? 2) How joyful am I in my giving? 3) What gifts should I be making now?

Words of Wisdom: “It strikes me that those people who refer to being ‘blessed’ with money would be much better off to say ‘entrusted.’”

Wisdom from the Word: “The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NET Bible)

Principles of Life Changers

Weekly Thought – February 11, 2020

Fred mentored others, stretching them and as BWFLI says, “blessing them.” His primary mentor was Maxey Jarman who built a shoe company into an apparel giant with 75,000 employees. Fred wrote an article published in Leadership Journal highlighting principles evident in Mr. Jarman’s life. (Editor’s note: the article fleshes out each principle; space prohibits the full text.)

As we begin another year of BWF activities we thank you for your faithful participation. Organizing Fred’s thousands of pages into brief messages stretches us as we hope it does you in reading them. We appreciate your notes and your recommendations to others. Fred’s earthly life ended in 2007, but his influence continues. Thank you for your support.

Principles of Life Changers

I learned much from Maxey Jarman. He would be embarrassed if he knew I were writing this article, but then he would merely want it to be helpful. This is not an exhaustive list, but key to my development.

1. Maxey thought little about himself. His mind was occupied with opportunities and how he was going to get the job done.
2. Maxey was future oriented. He seldom wanted to reminisce. He was not cursed with the albatross of dragging the past around.
3. Maxey believed in progress, not perfection. He realized the difference between satisfactory progress and whimsical perfection simply costs too much.
4. Maxey read broadly. He read constantly, quickly, and widely, usually 5 or 6 books at a time.
5. Time was Maxey’s greatest “means.” Since time was his greatest limitation, it was to be invested judiciously. He needed to feel at the end of the day he had fulfilled his greatest responsibilities.
6. Effort alone didn’t count. “Results is the best excuse for activity.” He felt many substituted activity for accomplishment.
7. Maxey believed in people’s potential. He preferred for people to pull responsibility to them, provided they would accept accountability for it.
8. Maxey implemented responsibility with a strong, consistent discipline. He thought emergencies were the evidence of poor planning, therefore, he had very few.
9. Maxey was courteous, but still honest. He didn’t want gunslingers in the organization – shooting either for him or against him.
10. Maxey made lists. To live was to improve, and to improve was to make a list for specificity.
11. Maxey accepted his own weaknesses. “Don’t try to strengthen people in their weaknesses; it is less productive than utilizing their strengths.”
12. Maxey never became cynical. He knew to manage a large organization he had to trust his subordinates. The few who failed him or conned him didn’t change this conviction.
13. Maxey was decisive. He had a very open mind before making a decision, but a very closed mind once that decision was made.
14. Maxey was a much better demonstrator than a teacher. He rarely lectured; he showed you. You had to work with him to fully appreciate him. He was not colorful; he was effective.
15. Money to Maxey was a means, not an end. He was “afraid” of accumulating personal wealth. He talked about money’s deception and the evils it brought to those obsessed by it. He proved his conviction by giving millions to Christian causes.
16. Maxey was grateful. Thanksgiving was a great part of his relation with God. He had the humility of gratitude.

This week think about: 1) Who is my mentor? 2) How has he/she contributed to my personal or professional growth? 3) What can I be a more intentional mentor?

Words of Wisdom: “I never saw a man so serious about wanting to reach the truth.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation.”(2 Chronicles 1:10(a) NET Bible)

Ultimate Goals

Weekly Thought – February 4, 2020

Fred spoke with insight, wisdom, and elegance. His ability to think was a God-given gift which he treated as a stewardship. In January, 1981 he spoke to an unnamed group in Dallas. The entire speech is powerful, but too lengthy for these brief messages. We hope these snippets stimulate your thinking.

Ultimate Goals

Recently I met an old and prosperous friend who wanted to relive earlier times. Once an active layman, he is now inactive. I asked him if he remembered the verse, “When it is day I long for the night and when it is night I long for the day.” He became quiet and then barely audible said, “Fred, that’s me.”

He needs to reorder his life. Like too many, when given the choice of filling the soul or the pocketbook… he grabbed the cash. His poor soul had been on a stringent diet.

A pastor friend told me of the large industrialist, who owned his town, but was seldom seen and never appeared in church. When he was near death he called the pastor and asked him to visit. “When I came to America I heard there was a pot of gold at the rainbow and I went in search of it. I found the gold, but lost the rainbow.”

In East Texas I first learned of pine beetles. I saw them on the trees and thought they were alive. They looked completely natural, but when I took a closer look, they were hollow. Often I have to remember how possible it is to become hollow while looking alive. The inside seems to go before the outside.

It isn’t easy to keep the inside renewed for sometimes life seems to be a lot of activity and very little being… too much slant and not enough balance. We use up the inside in maintaining the outside.

I truly wish I could help the many bored, frantic, angry, even violent and meaningless people who cross my path – people who need to laugh, to love unselfishly… those who need relief from a social life that has become rote and empty. I see executives whose business life is their only life. We live with family life fractured and scratchy… the home little more than a transfer station. Some of us have let our bodies become little more than clothes racks or display mannequins. We need to help each other on the constant internal renewal of spirit worthy of respect, attention, and affection.

Recently, the President of a large financial institution called “just to visit.” I enjoy those calls. As we talked, I sensed the pace was almost frenetic so I asked, “How are you keeping your head together?” “Work, work, work” was his answer. I highly value work, but there should also be the mystical awe of life.

Malcolm Muggeridge defines life as a mystery to be illuminated not a problem to be solved. When true awe disappears, life becomes boring and repetitive. In America (and particularly in Dallas) I fear we substitute acquisition and entertainment for genuine awe. As a poor kid in the slums of North Nashville I spent hours on the curb looking up at the stars – in genuine awe and amazement. I probably haven’t had many times with better feelings of the bigness of the world and its Creator.

Part of awe is gratitude. I have a dear atheist friend in the oil business who returned from an extremely successful venture in Australia. “Fred, one of the most frustrating aspects of being an atheist is having no God to thank when things go well and you know you are blessed beyond what you deserve. In those times it would be satisfying to have a God.”

Real meaning in life is filling the soul, finding the right perspective, and saying thank you.

This week carefully consider: 1) Have I sacrificed the rainbow for the pot of gold? 2) How healthy am I on the inside despite how good I look on the outside? 3) What triggers gratitude right now?

Words of Wisdom: “We use up the inside in maintaining the outside.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:8 NET Bible)

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