Evidences of God

Weekly Thought – November 27, 2018

Fred believed in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He stood firmly on the reality of the deity….three in one. He did not spend time arguing with people about God, but he spent much time thinking and speaking about the practical application of the nature of God.

BWFLI boldly stands on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We go to bring glory to God and honor to Fred’s work. We are unashamedly Christian in our approach, but like Fred take our faith into the culture with reason and authenticity.

Evidences of God

I was invited to attend a luncheon of 17 leading pastors including Stephen Olford who influenced teachers and preachers worldwide. His impact was recognized by seminarians, pulpit ministers, and evangelists. During the table conversation he said, “My brothers. I am weary of celebrity religion. You know I have received my share of honors. But if when I die my family does not say, ‘There is something of God in the man,’ I will have failed.”

A holy hush came over this distinguished group. Each attendee considered his own personal situation.

Even though I was invited as a guest and not pastoral participant, I thought then and continually about the evidences of God in a man.

Here are four ideas that come to mind:

1) A quiet center that cannot be panicked is an evidence of God. The Quaker theologian Thomas Kelly called it making a “mental habit of internal orientation.” That is a mouthful! I like to just say those who evidence God have a quiet space that is rooted in Him and immune to permanent disturbance. I think of Christ asleep in the boat when the storm was raging. A physical representation is the eye of the hurricane which is perfectly still while everything around it is reeling and rolling. The very center is quiet.

2) God is evidenced in the way we speak. I think of my friend Bob, raised on the streets of a big metropolitan area. He once said, “When I came to Christ, He cleaned up my dirty mouth and tongue.” Vulgarity gave him a bad taste in his mouth. Profanity turned into prayer. The choice of subjects we talk about reflects our internal base. The things we think about naturally come out in our conversation.

3) Another evidence is the quality and breadth of love in our lives. Unconditional love comes from Christ and is a demonstration of God’s presence. John, the apostle, tells us we can’t be rightly related to God and hate our brothers. Jesus told us our love one for another would let others know we belonged to Him.

4) Another evidence is our attitude toward death. The way we think about dying is crucial to maturity. The assurance of heaven gives us a peaceful acceptance of life with its ups and downs. The fact that this life isn’t the sole experience creates an equilibrium which allows us to reflect an eternal perspective. God in our life reminds us this life is the practice – the real game comes later. I am certainly glad.

This week think about: 1) How do people know I have a relationship with God? 2) What do I want my family to say about me when I die? 3) When do I experience the quiet center?

Words of Wisdom: “The things we think about naturally come out in our conversation.”

Wisdom from the Word: “But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign LORD my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.” (Psalm 73:28 NET Bible)

Personal Day of Thanksgiving

Weekly Thought – November 20, 2018

Fred and Mary Alice hosted Thanksgiving in their home for the family. Cultivating gratitude was a primary goal for them. They encouraged the sharing of thankfulness around the table. And then Fred would pray, bringing everyone before the throne of God. Fred’s writings are particularly poignant because they reflect emotional and spiritual discipline after being bed-bound and on dialysis 3 days a week.

BWF carries on the tradition of appreciation. Your support is deeply recognized. How much you mean to the ongoing work of the ministry. We pray your Thanksgiving Day brings great peace.

Personal Day of Thanksgiving

For quite a long time I believed gratitude was one of the strong antidotes for depression. Consequently, when I woke up at 3:00 one Tuesday morning feeling frustrated and going into depression from my immobilized and restricted condition, I knew I would be awake for hours longer. And I knew I had to get control of and change my mood.

Casting about for a workable idea, I thought about a day dedicated to thanksgiving. Because Tuesdays were spent recovering from dialysis with little or no mobility, I decided this would be the day. It was to be all day, so I had to plan out the time to make the most effective use. I set up five major categories:

1) Spiritual – I recounted my assurance of God’s love and His salvation. Then I thought of the many exhilarating experience I have had through the Spirit, including the people and places connected with these experiences. Next I thought of heaven and named all those who went on before, expressing gratitude for my time with each and remembering their effect on me.

2) Intellectual stimulation – I reviewed all the interesting thoughts I have been given through people, books, and other periodicals.

3) Responsibilities – I listed the website (breakfastwithfred.com), Saturday morning Fred in the Bed sessions, teleconference calls, and personal visits. I am particularly thankful for these opportunities because even bed-bound I can be useful and there is nothing better.

4) Environment – I expressed appreciation for a healthy atmosphere which supports this sick body, including the physical elements of pictures, music, and supportive care.

5) Relationships – I recognized the freshness of the Spirit coursing through my family and friends as they keep me in the flow and “in the loop.”

Some of my friends have been intensely interested in this idea. I reminded them it is a FULL DAY. Several of them thought they could cover it in 30 minutes. If they diligently attempted the exercise they soon realized the breadth of the endeavor.

After creating my five major categories, I broke them down and ended up with 40 sub categories. If I spent 20 minutes on each, I filled the entire day. Each time I went through them I tried to be more and more specific about the items in each. For example, when I considered spiritual experiences I thought about spiritual songs that have instructed and encouraged me. I named each one and tried to remember as many of the verses as possible.

Another example of a sub-category is hobbies. At 50 I began playing golf, not to shoot a low score, but to make a perfect shot. I only did this once when I made a hole in one without touching the green. It was a combination hobby and obsession. I ended up with 22 sets of sticks, 64 putters, and 25 wedges. I was thankful for the constant challenge. During my personal day I recounted many times of gratitude for experiences on the golf course.

Thanksgiving and gratitude should be down to the microlevel of our lives. There is no experience too small for which we can’t stop and say “thank you.”

This week of Thanksgiving carefully consider: 1) What would my personal day of thanksgiving look like? 2) How could I use this concept with my family? 3) What is my own experience with the positive effect of thanksgiving?

Words of Wisdom: “For quite a long time I believed gratitude was one of the strong antidotes for depression.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give him thanks! Praise his name!” (Psalm 100:4 NET Bible)

Iron and Clay

Weekly Thought – November 13, 2018

Fred could squeeze more ideas out of random situations than a dozen others. He saw principles and illustrations everywhere. This characteristic made him a most interesting conversationalist – and also a bit off center! He loved analyzing life – and we all benefit from his observations.

As the year comes to a end we thank everyone for their enthusiastic support and care. We so appreciate the ongoing support which allows us to keep the website, campus events, weekly thought, and Facebook presence active. The financial gifts are used with diligence and gratitude. Would you please consider BWF Project, Inc. in your year-end giving? Thank you.

Iron and Clay

I was always interested in the reasons people connected – or didn’t. It intrigued me to see which ones had “chemistry,” while others lacked an affinity. For example, I have friends who bond through common interests, even common enemies. There are linkages which look to many as hypocritical and political. I have Christian friends who assure me they can identify other Christians in just casual encounters. This ability to be in sync is often felt in the reverse.

For example, have you ever met someone and felt an immediate irritability? Maybe even wanted to call them by a name other than their own? I realized long ago we can associate others with acquaintances (or family members) who bring negative or positive reactions. I knew a female executive who told me her immediate superior seemed to have an instant dislike for her. When she dug a bit, she reminded him of his ex-wife. “Wearing another’s face” can create warm or cold feelings.

The one that interests me quite a bit is the concept of iron and clay. We all have both elements. Some of us are allergic to clay while others are magnetized by the iron. Some of us are put off by the iron and handle the clay with poise.

I know I am drawn to iron. Some of my friends say, “Smith, you have some of the strangest friends!” Until I started looking at it I was surprised. Then as I took a good look I saw what they meant. For example, one man who a leading contractor in Canada would come into our home and immediately reset the thermostat (without asking permission). I finally asked him why he did this. “You want it right, don’t you?” What was I to say? I didn’t want it wrong, did I? I just put up with his idiosyncrasies and reset it when he left. I saw the iron in the man, not the clay.
One of my relatives never appreciated the collection of friends I accumulated. Finally, one day I simply said, “You have a negative magnetism to iron in personalities. You are able to deal with their clay. I overlook the clay because the iron is where I see their giftedness and their contribution.”
Occasionally, you will run into somebody who seems to be 100% one or the other. When you do, it is imperative you make a studied decision and not just react emotionally to them. Spiritual maturity is also at play in these interactions. We learn to rub the rough edges off as we grow and also learn to appreciate the strengths (and forgive the weaknesses) of each other.

This week think about: 1) What characteristics attract me to others? 2) What personality traits trigger my allergic reactions? 3) How can I better understand my friendships?

Words of Wisdom: “We learn to rub the rough edges off as we grow and also learn to appreciate the strengths (and forgive the weaknesses) of each other.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Indeed, if you call out for discernment – raise your voice for understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3 NET Bible)

Importance of Discipline

Weekly Thought – November 6, 2018

Fred learned by watching and listening to business leaders he admired. One of the common denominators of all was the consistent use of personal discipline. In mentoring high achievers throughout his life he recognized the necessity of healthy habits. In the family he “encouraged” the children to persevere by quoting the poet’s line: “When nothing but the will says go.”

Breakfast With Fred (BWF) is truly grateful for the encouragement. Your messages, your prayer, and your financial support enable us to move forward with the work, both through the website, weekly thoughts, and Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute. Your tax-deductible gifts allow us to continue “stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders… to the glory of God.”

Importance of Discipline

Let’s recognize the difference between punishment and discipline. Many people use the words interchangeably, but punishment is what happens when discipline fails.

For years I have observed the importance of discipline in a person’s area of expertise. Many, particularly in performance, live undisciplined lives but are very rigorous about their art. They compartmentalize their strong habits.

In a documentary about famous tenor Pavarotti, it is interesting to see how perfectionistic he is in his artistry, yet totally unregulated in his eating. Having been known as Fat Fred for decades in years past, I understand being calorically-challenged. I found the disconnect between other disciplines in my life and my love of eating. Exercising physical discipline helped me create continuity.

A film on Elvis Presley pointed out the discrepancy between the high level of discipline in his professional and private lives. A friend who was familiar with his work habits told me how Elvis would sit at the piano working on his phrasing hour by hour until it was exactly right. Even such geniuses as Ernest Hemingway who lived a dissolute and destructive life said, “Every morning at 8:00 I bite the nail.”

Bishop Fulton Sheen spoke to a parish priests’ retreat. During his discussion on impact he made the comment: “People listen when I talk. It is because everyday since entering the priesthood I have spent one hour with my Lord. Even when I only had two hours of sleep, I walked the floor and prayed for one hour.” He felt this spiritual discipline gave him power.

Unfortunately, there are people of superior talent who will not submit to discipline. The result is the lack of fulfillment and full development of their potential. For example, I knew a young man with great running ability. In high school he ran so fast he literally ran through the curves on the track. Coaches saw his world class speed and expected to see a future Olympian. He refused to discipline his talent and leaned just on his natural ability. When that wasn’t enough, he stopped running. He even lost his college scholarship. Failure wasn’t lack of talent, but lack of “paying the price.”

As a young man I discovered a simple formula which has contributed to my progress. The secret of a discipline life is building strong habits which then form positive reflexes which are the foundation of healthy living and success. When discipline becomes the normal pattern, the full use of potential and productivity is possible.

This week think about: 1) Where are my areas of strongest discipline? 2) Who can I encourage to build healthy habits? 3) What has been the most satisfying reward of exercising discipline?

Words of Wisdom: “Punishment is what happens when discipline fails.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Acquire truth and do not sell it— wisdom, and discipline, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23 NET Bible)

Keeping Criticism Helpful

Weekly Thought – October 30, 2018

Fred enjoyed critical thinking, but worked hard to put aside a critical spirit. He analyzed his own motivations and constantly put forth an effort to stay in a “blessing frame of mind.” His perspective on criticism gives us all much to think about.

The What’s Next Roundtable is well into the fall season. Please lift up the team members, the campuses, and the desire for God to be glorified in all that is said and done.

Keeping Criticism Helpful

Recently, I tried to analyze the reasons I criticize. Three of them were negative and one was positive.

Reason one: If before ten o’clock in the morning I have been critical of everything and everybody, I stop and say: “Fred, what’s wrong with you? What are you mad at yourself about?” And generally, I have to go and make a call to apologize to somebody. My environment won’t straighten out that day until I quit being mad at myself and taking it out on everybody else. If I criticize too many, I’m just passing the buck on a self-grudge. Mary Alice used to tell the children to remember when they pointed at somebody else to look at their hand and see that three fingers (and even a thumb) were pointing back at them.

The second reason: To show superior knowledge. How often does some fellow show you a great idea and you are enthusiastic but then suddenly say to yourself: “I can’t be too enthusiastic because he may feel he is as smart as I am.” That drives you to say, “Joe, that is a great idea but…” Many “yeah, buts” come from the desire to show your superiority.

The third reason: A root of negative criticism is usually a performer who didn’t make the grade. Those who start well but don’t make the A list often become critics. I have seen failed executives become toxic within an organization because their criticism becomes bitter.

Now the positive reason: A genuine desire to bring improvement in a person or organization. It can be done quietly. True, positive criticism is not done in the earshot of others. Ordinarily those who are operating in a negative criticism mode make it public and loud. Really good positive criticism is specific and directed only to the point that needs correction. When you can positively criticize you are demonstrating emotional stability as a leader.

We often hear this described as constructive and destructive criticism. In my interest to stretch others, I want to be clear about my motivations and I want to focus on keeping criticism positive.

This week think about: 1) What was my motivation the last time I criticized someone? 2) Who has been helpful in teaching me the good use of criticism? 3) How can I shift my focus from negative to positive?

Words of Wisdom: “If I criticize too many, I’m just passing the buck on a self-grudge.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 10:31 NET Bible)

Clarifying Expectations

Weekly Thought – October 23, 2018

Fred’s objectivity allowed him to live without unrealistic expectations. His desire to continually “keep current” on his facts, his relationships, and his environment gave him a healthy advantage. He refused to live as a member of the “used-ta club.” He consistently checked to make sure he was up to date.

BWF thanks you for your financial and prayer support. We know you are knee deep in requests from valuable, Christ-centered ministries. Our ability to continue the weekly thoughts, campus events, and future publishing efforts depend on your tax-deductible support. You are greatly appreciated.

Clarifying Expectations

I walked into the office of a long-time client. We worked together for many years on various projects with great success and deepening relationship. He was also one of my favorite people. The productive work outcomes would suggest we perfectly understood each other’s goals, wouldn’t it? Let me tell you about an interesting experiment and see how you can apply it to your situation.

“Good morning, Sam,” I said, reaching across his desk for two pieces of paper from his legal pad. I handed him one and kept the other for myself. “Write down on the paper the most significant contribution you want me to make to your organization. I will write down on my paper the most significant contribution I am trying to make.”

A word of caution – you have to have a time-tested relationship with a client to do this. But isn’t it a good exercise?

Do you know what happened when we turned the pages face up? The answers were diametrically opposed! The thing I thought was the most important thing for me to do for him was nearly opposite what he wanted me to do, What he was expecting (and paying me to do) wasn’t part of my plan at all.

He was a long time client, as well as a friend, yet we were operating with polar expectations. Think about your clients, family members, friends, associates, church and community committee members. Consider how little you may know some of them, yet assume you know their expectations.

How often do we go full steam ahead sure we are “on the same page?” Consider the outcome of these times when we get down the road only to find out we were operating from different assumptions and desired outcomes.

What is Sam and I had continued to operate with unspoken, but opposing expectations? The consulting relationship and possibly the friendship would have suffered. Clarity, not assumption, is the rule.

Think carefully about: 1) What do I use to clarify assumptions in my work and in my family? 2) How can I identify with Fred’s example? 3) How often do I sit down with my family to make sure we are clear?

Words of Wisdom: “Clarity, not assumption, is the rule.”

Wisdom from the Word: “You must inscribe on the stones all the words of this law, making them clear.” (Deuteronomy 27:8 NET Bible)

Define The Base

Weekly Thought – October 16, 2018

Fred consistently studied human nature. He was invited to join high powered negotiation teams for his skills in discernment and communication. His grasp of human nature, as well as the nature of God, gave him an effective platform.

Planning is underway for the upcoming trip to Greenville University for the BWFLI sponsored What’s Next Roundtable. A team of men and women will engage students in conversations centered around mentoring, networking, and persevering. Pray with and for them. Your financial support is needed to finish out the year. Thank you for donating to the mission of “stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders… to the glory of God.”

Define The Base

Adler, the eminent psychiatrist, helped me with his observation that everyone is logical if you understand the base from which they operate. For example, if you were to go into the mental health facility and see a short man with his hat turned sideways, and his hand in his shirt you might assume he thinks he is Napoleon. Then, if you greeted him warmly with “Good morning, Napoleon,” and he acknowledges the greeting it would be perfectly logical. His base premise would be his identification as the French leader. Architecture gives us another example: the tower of Pisa. We all know it as the “leaning tower.” The building is absolutely square to itself – the base that is tilted.

I’ve had labor relations situations where this understanding has been extremely helpful. I was involved in an imminent strike situation in which the employees were determined to engage in a long, bitter strike. This would have resulted in catastrophic financial loss to the employees, but their minds were set.

I asked the negotiating lawyer if they mentioned the company’s making money from the strike. This assumption was mentioned more than any other complaint. The employees truly believed the company would benefit financially from a strike. “They repeat this more than anything else,” was his response. I recommended to the owner he call the employees together and explain to them in believable language the truth – the company was NOT going to profit from the threatened strike. The employees accepted his word and avoided the strike. When each party understood the basic operating premise, an environment for resolution could occur.

When an organization or individual differed with me, I used to assume they were unreasonable. But when I started practicing this principle of logical premise, it made a big difference. I started looking for their base. It was an effective change in my thinking.

As a parent I was given the opportunity to practice this regularly. When I couldn’t make sense of a child’s decision and was tempted to strongly challenge them, I stopped to say “What is their operating base?” I can’t say I always took the time to work this out before reacting to what I saw was foolishness, but I got better. We see this so very often in the political arena. We see our politicians pushing and pulling in a seeming illogical manner. When we stop to analyze the premise of each argument, we can more often understand their position. It doesn’t mean we have to agree, but we can create a ground for communication.

Logic is an outgrowth of the operating system. Properly understand the base and you will understand the logic. It may not be a pleasant behavior, but it follows the underlying assumption.

This week think about: 1) Who seems illogical to me that might serve as a learning lab? 2) What assumptions are part of my operating system that confuse others? 3) When do I expect understanding to result in agreement?

Words of Wisdom: “Properly understand the base and you will understand the logic.”

Wisdom from the Word: “He has filled him with the Spirit of God—with skill, with understanding, with knowledge, and in all kinds of work,” (Exodus 35:31 NET Bible)

A Flexibility Born of Faith

Weekly Thought – October 9, 2018

Fred’s support of the local church, Christian ministries, and particularly spiritual leaders began early in his life as the son of a Southern Baptist pastor. He taught his family to provide friendship, guidance, and support to vocational Christians. Serving on numerous national boards, several as chair, gave him an opportunity to use his gifts of wisdom and discernment to further the Kingdom. He was known as one who spoke unvarnished truth. It was always with no personal agenda, but with concern for the welfare of the organization. These words from the late 1980s are absolute on target today.

A Flexibility Born of Faith

As I think about spiritual leadership, I become convinced the key is the Holy Spirit’s energizing and directing the leader’s uniqueness and gifts by giving him or her a vision that creates a passion. I have never known a lazy or confused leader who had a clear sense of passion.

For twenty years I’ve been writing for Christian leaders. I’ve spoken to many groups, large and small. I realize it is a difficult time to be a Christian leader in an almost totally secular society. There is renewed interest in spirituality which is cultish, not Christian.

Faith-based leaders have lost much of the respect hey once had in society. Burnout is common. Depression is almost epidemic. And stress is exploding. Immorality and divorce rates are increasing within the faith community. Short tenure in the pastorate and ministry leadership is too common. More and more preachers and teachers are faced with the demand for entertainment in their message and excitement in their programs.

Could a major part of the problem be that leaders have lost their vital identification with the Lord? Have they become convinced they work for the church rather than for God? Those who feel they work for a church board surrender their authority in spiritual leadership.

I believe there is a flexibility in spiritual leadership that is based on faith in God’s provision and direction. It is a calling, not a career. I have great respect for a prominent minister who privately says, ‘I would be glad to get out of the ministry if God would let me off the hook. In fact, if He doesn’t keep me in, I would be out.” His calling from God wasn’t a business decision – it was an “I can do no other” response to God’s call.

It is possible, even probable, that some in Christian leadership are misplaced. Leaders who are not endowed with gifts energized by the Spirit become easy prey to the human methodology of leadership. This opens them to the temptation of power, prestige, and money.

Those who operate from a gifted calling seem to have a flexibility born of faith. They didn’t manipulate their way into leadership, nor do they play politics to remain there. They have a calling to fulfill, not a profession to pursue. They have a strong feeling of stewardship but little feeling of ownership. Their greatness is in serving; they joy is in Kingdom work.

This week think about: 1) Who do I know in ministry who needs my encouragement? 2) What can I do to stand behind my pastor? 3) How can I strengthen my own vision and passion for the Kingdom?

Words of Wisdom: “Those who feel they work for a church board surrender their authority in spiritual leadership.”

Wisdom from the Word: “You must follow the LORD your God and revere only him; and you must observe his commandments, obey him, serve him, and remain loyal to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 NET Bible)

Our Legacy to the Next Generation

Weekly Thought – October 2, 2018

Fred thought deeply from a young age. He confused his parents with his need for a quiet, “thinking place” which he found in the attic. He also took his responsibility to those coming behind seriously. Although he was not considered a social activist, he devoted much time and energy to the stretching of younger leaders. On March 3, 1954 he wrote a speech memo (notes to himself for future talks) about the legacy of his generation. Ironic that we are living out generations later the legacy he foresaw. This is an unusual Weekly Thought because it exists in a list of thoughts, but the implications generate great thought. Fred was born in 1915 and wrote this piece to those born in 1940 and beyond.

As the year closes we need your financial help to sustain the BWFLI programming. We have one additional What’s Next Roundtable at Greenville University in Greenville, IL. If you can donate to our operating funds, we will greatly appreciate your tax deductible gifts.

Our Legacy to the Next Generation

We have given the next generation (editor’s note: now known as builders or the silent generation):

• Religion without conviction
• Science without conscience
• Kinsey without marriage
• Excitement without achievement
• Security without effort
• Knowledge without wisdom
• Nightmares instead of dreams
• Techniques without principles
• Precepts without examples
• Freedom without responsibility
• The present without promise
• The future without fruition
• Marching orders without marching songs
• Education without motivation
• Prosperity without peace
• War without reason
• Art without beauty
• Brotherhood without Godhead
• Songs without souls
• Enterprise without enthusiasm
• Fission without feeling
• Fusions without faith

Editor’s Note: Fred’s speech memo developed the negative side of legacy. Even though there are no memos which list the positive, be assured he believed in the “faith of the fathers” which passed strength and trust down to the next generation. Perhaps it is our task to write the other list.

This week think carefully: 1) Which on this list makes me stop and think? 2) How has my generation years later solved any of these dilemmas? 3) What am I leaving for the next generation?

Words of Wisdom: This week take a moment and reread the list

Wisdom from the Word: “Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.” (Ecclesiastes 7:11 NET Bible)

Keep On Climbing

Weekly Thought – September 25, 2018

Fred maintained keeping longer goals was one of the secrets to vitality in the aging process. He said, “when you start shortening your goals, you are giving yourself permission to die.” He laughingly told of getting new carpeting in their home and insisting on a 30 year guarantee. He and Mary Alice was were in their late 70s at the time. Even when physical limitations curtailed much of his activity, he kept on stretching mentally.

Keep On Climbing

So many people settle for a lower, comfortable plateau than they could attain by maintaining attention to achieving a higher plateau. High achievers rarely are deterred by the desire for comfort. The force that pushes you forward can be seen as 1) the tension between where you are and where you should be. This is negative tension for it produces guilt. Or, 2) It can be seen as the tension between where you are and where you could be. This generates excitement.

True achievement is not a straight line upwards, but one with staggered steps. It is a process of forward movement and then plateauing for assimilation. This process is repeated over and over and continues throughout a productive life.

In the Christian life most of us settle for a lower level than we should. I asked one of my favorite theologians, Ray Stedman, “what are you going to teach Sunday?” He replied, “I am going to tell my people to stop praying for what they already.”

In business I have seen the sad case of very talented individuals who aren’t discovered until too late. In a major corporation the President was regretting that the talent of one of the middle managers was not seen early enough to move him into top management. Some motivational speakers say, “It’s never too late!” The fact: in my experience, it can be too late. Young people should be encouraged to start as early as possible on their upward climb. It is always more profitable to work now and play later.

Unfortunately, our society has encouraged young people to waste the richly productive years in pleasure. If they could understand the value of deferring leisurely gratification, the payoff would be much more robust. And if they could see the benefit of pressing on without settling for comfortable plateaus, they would accomplish much higher levels in the climb.

This week think about: 1) Where am I in my climb? 2) What keeps me from stepping out on the next ascent? 3) Who can I encourage to put aside comfort and press forward?

Words of Wisdom: “True achievement is not a straight line upwards, but one with staggered steps.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Now David achieved success in all he did, for the Lord was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:14 NET Bible)

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