As We Go

Weekly Thought – May 12. 2020

Fred had a favorite one-liner: “service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy.” Productivity and contribution were foundational as core values. His definition of a good life would include his life goal of stretching others. This week we explore his thinking on service.

As We Go

We have the responsibility to make life different for those around us.

My friend Dick Halverson was chaplain of the Senate. Dick joined a group of friends who spent 2 or 3 days together with no agenda, just great conversation. It became clear to me Dick’s life was simple: he followed Christ and “went about doing good.”

Christ wasn’t frantic; didn’t follow a hectic schedule, or run from place to place nervously. We never see Him described as someone with an attitude of “I have so much to do, so little time, and I just have to keep on moving.” He just did good wherever He was. Remember when He was on the way to heal Jairus’s daughter and the woman with a serious physical problem stopped Him? He didn’t brush he off, telling her she was a lower priority. He solved her problem then went on. He went about.

I cannot think of a better obituary than to say a person went about doing good, and did good wherever he was. To be a person of good will and eagerness to serve honors the Christ we follow.

Humanly we tend to think about big goods and little goods. If we look at it from a long range perspective those little acts can be seen as seeds which are planted and then grow into something very good. I am convinced those big goods can be mistakenly accomplished by human desire and human energy for wrong reasons. When that occurs, the act shrivels up and bears no fruit.

Our Christian community can be fertile soil for those who strive to be associated with big good. They flit from one project to another, one ministry, one organization to another seeking to dream big for God. Being so focused on good “only God can accomplish,” they lose the miracle of doing good as they go. Clearly I am not discouraging us from joining God where He is working, as Blackaby says, but when the temptation to attach ourselves to only the big name projects makes us ignore the little goods, we have given in to the flesh.

Steve Brown tells a wonderful story about visiting a graveyard looking for hymnist Fanny Crosby’s marker. He couldn’t find it at first, but passed the enormous mausoleum of P.T. Barnum. After searching he found a modest headstone with these words: “Aunt Fanny, she did what she could.”

This week consider: 1) When did I last stop to see a little good I could do? 2) How do I encourage others to make a difference? 3) What can I do to make going about doing good a habit?

Words of Wisdom: “To be a person of good will and eagerness to serve honors the Christ we follow.”

Wisdom from the Word: “So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.”(Galatians 6:9 NET Bible)

Forgive Us Our Sins

Weekly Thought – May 5, 2020

Fred wrote much about maturity – its elements, and processes. Forgiveness is one of the key factors in mature living.

Forgive Us Our Sins

There is no way to live without violating other people or being violated. The way to even the score is not through revenge. Renowned psychiatrists find that revenge is the most unhealthy of all emotions. From a practical standpoint, I think our human nature is to get revenge, to get even. To move past this and begin the forgiveness work takes divine intervention. From my experience, it isn’t a natural trait.

The Christian faith asserts we must forgive unlike other cultures and religions which teach “an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth.”

Forgiving is part of a process: living in the attitude of forgiveness, accepting the request for forgiveness, and then actually forgiving. I have had people say, “Fred, there are people I will never forgive – never!” Naively, they think withholding forgiveness is the best way to repay the hurt. We know the other person will probably never suffer our lack of forgiveness, but it certainly hurts us.

A business associate feuded with his brother 25 years before I knew him. By this time, he could not even recall the details of the estrangement, but he knew and eagerly told me that forgiveness would never be given. I had no idea of the outcome for the offending brother, but my associate developed ulcerative colitis and died a painful death. But he satisfied his aim of never forgiving.

Forgiveness should be one of those reflex emotions we develop. As soon as we realize it is required, we must discipline ourselves to act quickly. Running away from it, or denying it begins a downward slide for us emotionally, and even physically.

Forgiveness is a deep process, and we can’t just glibly say to somebody “oh, forget it!” Humans don’t forget very easily. Asking someone to forget without forgiveness is unhealthy. We tend to stuff it down into our subconscious. I find that full, true forgiveness doesn’t require forgetting.

Probably, the biggest problem we have is the need to forgive ourselves. A lot of residue of guilt is because after we confess, and receive God’s forgiveness we fail to accept that freedom. Many times I see people who refuse to accept their own humanity. Father Hesburgh, former President of Notre Dame, was given three precepts from his predecessor Father Cavanaugh: be right, be human, be humble. So often when we make mistakes, we hold them against ourselves as if we were not human. Frankly, I have never seen any reason to create a habit of forgiving others quickly, but not affording that to myself. I must be clear – this is not rationalizing. First there must be the admission, confession, and when possible restitution. If I won’t let someone else beat me for a forgiven sin, then I am not going to do that to myself.

This week think about: 1) How well do I handle forgiveness? 2) Who needs my forgiveness? 3) Who taught me the value of true forgiveness?

Words of Wisdom: “Forgiveness should be one of those reflex emotions we develop.”

Wisdom from the Word: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7 NET Bible)

Give Thanks

Weekly Thought – April 28, 2020

Fred always remembered those who were influential in his life. He expressed appreciation for men and women who taught him, prayed for him, and opened doors for him to use his gifts. He never took his opportunities for granted and always gave thanks.

In the last few weeks we have received great encouragement from readers of our emails affectionately known as WTs. Thank you for taking the time to email. Each word of support is gratefully received.

Give Thanks

The longer I live, the more I use gratitude as a measure of maturity. I have a friend who is quite ill with cancer. We have a tradition when we talk. I say, “What are you grateful for?” And she always says “I have much to be grateful for.” Notice she does not say, “I had much to be grateful for” No, she says “I have much.” Even in these days of great illness she doesn’t relegate gratitude to the past – it is always present tense for her.

It is easy for people to give you a list of past experiences which generate gratitude, but sometimes it is difficult to express thankfulness for the current season. We need to be conscious that our greed, discontent, and losses can cause a cloud to cover us, hiding what is current. When we have significant difficulties it may blind us to what we have right before us.

As I have gotten older I find many of my friends joining the “used-ta” club. We get together and they talk about “I used-ta do this; I used-ta do that.” I made a deal with my family I would not gain membership in that one. When we fall into this pattern, we lose focus on the good things going on right now. Yes, there were some great highlights, but as I told Mary Alice early in our marriage, “The Best Is Yet To Be.”

A mature person knows the value of gratitude, but this is more than just saying thanks for specifics. It is developing a gratitude mindset. We probably only recognize a small percentage of what should generate appreciation. I think of those things I was protected from unknowingly; those things that were provided without any notice; those times when I was totally unaware… these constrain me to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude.

Billy Graham once told me of two amazements: his selection by God and his preservation by God. Both are so vast that we could never understand the specifics. Therefore, we need to develop a grateful attitude which allows us to walk in thankfulness day by day.

A side thought: When I think about gratitude it occurs to me to ask the question: “Do we pray to fill our tool box, or our toy box?” Are we more grateful for toys than tools?

This week think about: 1) How currently grateful am I? 2) What triggers my gratitude? 3) Who models gratitude well?

Words of Wisdom: “The longer I live, the more I use gratitude as a measure of maturity.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The LORD strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude.” (Psalms 28:7 NET Bible)

Scatterthinking

Weekly Thought – April 21, 2010

Fred once said he captured every valuable idea he heard, read, or considered. He wrote them on napkins, matchbooks, and especially church offering envelopes. He never traveled far from his tape recorder. Margie Keith spent years taking scraps of paper, and voice snippets and putting them into pages of “captured thoughts.” How grateful we are for both who made it possible to archive and utilize his gifts.

Thanks to all who encourage us week by week. Your words expressing how you use these wisdom emails help us. Thanks to everyone who contributes to make this work possible week by week.

Scatterthinking

1. Considerations on loss

Early one morning at a men’s conference I was greeted by one of the participants who attended my session with loss as the topic. “How would you like to lose $50 million, move your wife out of a three million dollar home, and take Chapter 11?” I asked, “Is that your story?” “Yes.”

It would have been easy to have told him to read the book of Job and put him on my prayer list. That may have been the proper approach for some, but for me it would have been sheer hypocrisy. It would have been irresponsible. Be clear – I am not saying scripture and prayer are the wrong response. But in this situation, I knew I was to offer something I was gifted to give – my business experience and strategic thinking.

We spent two hours going through his situation and considering the options. Often loss causes a cloud to settle in, limiting the ability to effectively think through the problem and possible solutions. In our time together we began the process of navigating through the cloud, finding suitable outcomes.
The book of Proverbs tells us when we have something in our hand to give another, it is wrong to withhold it. My training, my gifting, and my experience prepared me to sit down with him and begin a conversation that would lead him out of the fog.

We identified one option which would begin his way back. Two years later he contacted me telling me he had cleared Chapter 11 and was working his plan.

2.Mental Discipline

Benjamin Franklin assembled a list of character traits he wanted in his life. These virtues were considered part of a mature, successful life: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. He established a plan to focus on each one week by week, studying them four times during the year. Even today I meet leaders who frame copies of this system and hang them on their office walls.

This practice made me think about not only putting on, but putting off. I asked myself “what habits would I like to break?” I put that question to you. What one, two, or three commitments would set the direction for change? Take one commitment in each major area of life (e.g. career, family, community), write down the desired outcome, and begin an intentional plan of action.

This week carefully consider: 1) How can I use my gifts and experiences to help in problem solving? 2) What do I do when the cloud of loss descends? 3) When do I do my best thinking?

Words of Wisdom: “Often loss causes a cloud to settle in, limiting the ability to effectively think through the problem and possible solutions.”

Wisdom from the Word: “How great are your works, O LORD! Your plans are very intricate!” (Psalm 92:5 NET Bible)

The Human Condition

Weekly Thought – April 14,2020

Fred thought for fun. How odd that sounds, but it is true. He marveled when people would tell him they never thought at all. Everything he saw, read, or experienced started him down an exploratory path of contemplation. In his files are hundreds of pages labeled M-M. No one to date has deciphered the meaning, but they are one or two paragraph observations on diverse subjects. We are serving up two of these delights this week.

As Fred frequently pointed out, we are in constant flux. No one feels this more than college students. Please pray for those we touch each year with a message of hope, and help. Your encouragement and financial support are greatly appreciated.

The Human Condition

Part of our condition is caused by living in a secular world. Too often our religion takes on the flavor of the secular, as well. We live in a competitive world where winning and losing are key. We live in a high-energy world with image fighting reality, with the media too often doing the defining. We recognize and appreciate individualism while needing community.

Peers are more important to the youth than parents. Materialism is more prevalent and more highly valued than spirituality “Now” is overshadowing interest in the hereafter. Science has put faith on the defensive. Authority is being questioned. Institutional religion and denominations are in disfavor.

And yet, there is a memory of what used to be, a faint recollection of a certain otherness. There is a yearning for true reality. In this vacuum there is a longing for meaning.

Transition to What?

Historians have labeled these times as “post-modern.” They say we are in a transition period, not yet knowing what we will become. We are like a trapeze artist who has left the security of one swing and has not yet reached the certainty of the next. I think we are in the period between trapeze and chaos.

Management books are written on managing these times. When we want to go back, we realize we are the trapeze performer caught between swings. It would be foolish to think we can stand still and let the world come back to us. We must move forward.

Our confidence as believers is in the fact that Biblical have no time frame, no relevant situations. Any transition is from one era to another knowing God is always there.

This week think about: 1) What do I think about when I alone? 2) What changes am I anticipating? 3) How well am I balancing Biblical principles in a secular world?

Words of Wisdom: “ ‘Now’ is overshadowing interest in the hereafter.”

Wisdom from the Word: “All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.” (James 1:17 NET Bible)

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)

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