Weekly Thought – September 4, 2018

Fred spent his entire life studying communication. He learned from men in all areas, including business, arts, preaching, and medical practice. He was a lifelong learner focusing his attention on principles which he incorporated into his business and professional life, as well as his Christian lay experiences.

On September 1st Fred would have been 103. We are thankful his influence continues and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Discipline of Communication

Every leaders spends a good part of the day in communication. A good many books are written on the how-to rules of communication, but the real problem is the spirit, not the techniques. Almost any two people who want to talk together can. Often people who are unable to converse successfully are hindered by their desire to impress, not express.

Motivation largely depends on communication and the difference between a good team and a great one is the element of inspired motivation. The difference between a poor team and a good one is generally selection and organization. Any organization with the capability of moving to good can take the next step to great with the proper understanding and use of effective motivation.

Most leaders are adequate talkers, but inadequate listeners. The ability to listen creatively and positively depends on the ability to listen on four levels: 1) the meaning of the words, 2) the choice of words, 3) the sounds of the words, and 4) the sight of the words. Most people listen negatively which is akin to staying silent while reloading while the other is shooting. Positive listening guides the talker both in the giving of facts and a display of emotion which permits the listener to evaluate on more than a surface level.

Reading body language, seeing what is between the lines, and the ability to grasp the “question behind the question” as one business consultant puts it are all factors in effective listening. In our culture, talking over with a testy, combative attitude has become the acceptable behavior. Listening quietly signals lack of opinion and power, rather than denoting thoughtfulness and interest.

Communication is mistakenly confused with agreement. I often hear people say our political and relational problems would be solved if we really understood what the other one was saying. Not so. In fact, if we really understood what the other was saying we might see we have even deeper disagreements.

Hearing and understanding the words, intent, and purpose are critical to communication, but not synonymous with agreement and concord.

This week think about: 1) What is my strongest communication skill? 2) How often do I think communication automatically moves toward agreement? 3) When do I struggle being a good listener?

Words of Wisdom: “Listening quietly signals lack of opinion and power, rather than denoting thoughtfulness and interest.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – August 21, 2018

Fred’s ability to assess people and situations enabled him to effectively consult with corporations, ministries, and family businesses. One of his great principles: “Everyone is logical if you understand their fundamental operating basis. Once you have identified this, their decisions make sense.”

BWFLI is moving quickly into the fall season for the What’s Next Roundtable. Teams are forming and preparations are being made by our fine schools. Please continue praying.

Clarifying Expectations

I walked into the office of one of my clients with whom I enjoyed a long time relationship. He was one of my favorite people. I reached over and took two pieces of scratch paper from the pad on his desk. I gave him one piece of paper and I told him, “Sam, write down on that paper the most significant contribution you want me to make to this organization. I will write down on my paper the most significant contribution I am trying to make.”

You have to have a pretty good understanding of a client to do this. Years of trust allow this kind of transparency. It is a very good exercise.

Do you know when we turned the face up they were almost diametrically opposite? The thing that I thought was the most important thing for me to do for him was opposite what he wanted me to do. What he was expecting 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 opposite expectations. Think of the implications of continuing with both of us going full steam ahead with such a lack of understanding. And I could imagine other clients, family members, business associates that I didn’t know as well. How often had I operated assuming I knew exactly what was expected only to find I was traveling in the wrong direction at 70 miles an hour. As I considered this, situations came to mind which were created simply by the failure to clarify expectations.

What is Sam and I had continued to operate with unspoken, but opposing expectations? How often does this occur without our knowledge? How often do business deals fall apart and nobody really knows why? Sadly, how many parent/child or husband/wife relationships falter because each is operating fully thinking they know what the other wants, but without clarifying before going ahead with decisions.

Clarity, not assumption, is the rule for successful relationships whether in business, community organizations, or personal connections.

This week think about: 1) Who needs me to clarify expectations? 2) How can I most effectively ascertain the assumptions of others? 3) What skills do I need to develop to best clarify relationships?

Words of Wisdom: “Clarity, not assumption, is the rule for successful relationships whether in business, community organizations, or personal connections.”

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)

Weekly Thought – August 7, 2018

Fred once sent his daughter a scrap of paper with just a few words: “Brenda, opportunity is not mandate.” He was trying to succinctly tell her every open door did not necessarily require walking through. Fred considered every decision carefully, rarely letting impulse interfere with the process.

The BWFLI Roundtable schedule for fall is robust. Teams will be in Kentucky, Texas, and Illinois. Keep praying and supporting financially when possible. Each gift is gratefully received and carefully used.

Call or Mandate

There’s a difference between a mandate and a call. A call is personal; it comes to the individual. A mandate is collective, corporate. The mandate is the organization’s reason for being; the call is the individual’s reason for service.

A leader needs to have a sense of call, and dedication, to serve effectively. Prison evangelist Bill Glass emphasizes this in training his prison counselors. “You have volunteered to be a counselor, but you have dedicated your life to personify Christ in this prison.” He goes through a litany of experience that might exasperate, even frighten, a volunteer ( e.g. getting cussed out, having urine thrown at him, or hostile body language shown). The dedicated counselor will hang in and not be driven out by these behaviors.

A call may change. A person might sense a call to a different organization, or a different form of service. Sometimes I think the call may lead someone out of ministry.

Recently I talked with a pastor in Iowa whose primary ministry was in the teaching role in a church populated by older, long-time Christians. I asked him how he was doing and he admitted he was very unhappy. And not surprisingly, so was the congregation. I asked him, “What is your real love?”
“Winning people to Christ” was his quick, passionate answer.

“In your saint-saturated organization,” I said, “there are probably very few who haven’t heard and responded to the Gospel. When you get up to preach you don’t see anyone who needs salvation. By gift, you are an evangelist. Have you considered leaving the vocational ministry and going back to automobile sales where you are constantly in touch with unsaved people?”

“That’s when I was the happiest,” he said.

He let his ego, family demands, and social expectations push him into seminary and the pastorate. I later checked on him. He resigned from the church, went bac into sales, and is extremely happy and effective. His call “to win souls” did not match the organizational mandate to do expositional preaching for mature Christians.

Many I know need to seriously determine if their call and their organization’s mandate are in sync.

This week carefully consider: 1) How did I recognize my call? 2) What is the primary mandate of my workplace? 3) Who in my environment can help me analyze the fit?

Words of Wisdom: “A leader needs to have a sense of call, and dedication, to serve effectively.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Nevertheless, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each person, so must he live. I give this sort of direction in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:17 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – July 24, 2018

Fred valued his friendships and peer relationships. His generosity of time and mental energy endeared him to those around him. He once said he was going to the grave with a lifetime of confidences. He could be trusted to be who he said he would be and certainly trusted to do what he said he would do.

Fall 2018 is quickly filling with What’s Next Roundtable events. The excitement about sharing experiences and Fred’s ideas on mentoring, networking, and persevering grows week by week.

Responsibilities to Our Peers

I see two clear ways we can benefit our friends and peers:

1) Be an individualist. Oftentimes when I am lecturing to college students, I toy with them a bit by asking all those who feel they are non-conformists to hold up their hands. Without fail, nearly 95% of the audience raise their hands. I always laugh, if only to myself.

Actually, a conformist and non-conformist are the same personality types because they are both outer directed. They both form their opinion and behavior by finding out where the “in” line forms. The non-conformist wants to know where the line is, so he won’t be in it, just as the conformist wants to know where the line is to make sure he is first in the queue. They are just two sides of the same personality.

The nature of an individualist is having a friendly attitude, being part of what is going on, while not jeopardizing their values. He hopes the peer group is right and joins them enthusiastically, but removes himself if they are wrong. He takes the responsibility of challenging the peer group.

2) Be redemptive. When I have the opportunity, my responsibility is to be redemptive. Transformation isn’t just a personal process designed for me alone; it is a process I participate in for the benefit of my peer group. I am responsible for creating an atmosphere of redemption. The ultimate is bringing God’s power to the people and situations in which we find ourselves. I define redemption as simply evil with good wherever we are.

Being redemptive is played out in the Biblical analogies of salt and light. Chasing away darkness is not the function of light; it is to provide an atmosphere for clear sight. When we are salt, we are a preservative – we preserve the rightness of life. We also bring a constructive attitude to our peer group.

Redemption takes discipline. I do not pray for miracles, but rather a willingness to join God in His process or working out matters. Prayer is not for me to change God, but for me to conform to Him. Biblical principles discipline our thinking and our contribution to our peer group. I believe there is a genuine gift in delineating the principles in order to face the day to day situations with discernment.

This week think about: 1) How am I bringing redemption to each of my environments? 2) What am I doing to clearly hold to my principles? 3) Who models these principles for me?

Words of Wisdom: “Transformation isn’t just a personal process designed for me alone; it is a process I participate in for the benefit of my peer group.”

Wisdom from the Word: “When David finished offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the Lord’s name. (1 Chronicles 16:2 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – March 6, 2018

Fred continues to challenge through his prolific production of ideas. Recently 17 pages of quick thoughts he called “daily warm-ups” were uncovered. For the next few weeks we will be using them to help you stretch.

Thank you for your ongoing support of BWFLI in our Spring season. You are certainly appreciated, and needed.

Stretch Before You Run

Everyone knows the importance of warming up. Athletes warm up before a game. We warm up our engines before driving. I personally warm up for breakfast by eating a donut! But how do we warm up our minds? What do we do each day to prepare ourselves mentally for the game of life?

I have found that nothing stimulates me more than good conversation. Scripture says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Ideas strike sparks when they bump into each other, don’t they?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could jump start each day with some good thought provoking talk with a friend? I have put down a few things that you and I might kick around if we had the chance to have breakfast together. For me, they have been thoughts that have stretched the mind. They have loosened me up so that I could run the race more effectively.

1) What’s Your Mood? Think of your moods and attitudes as either freshening or polluting the atmosphere. Some people can only improve a group by leaving it. Our aim should be to become healthy cells, not poisoning one another but radiating health and happiness, seeds being planted which will bring forth much fruit.

2) Humor in the Workplace. I left the office one afternoon during a snow storm, passing several waiting employees. As I walked by I commented on my size 15 shoes by saying, “The Lord gave me skis to walk on.” One of the employees said, “And from where we are looking He gave you a pillow to fall on, too.” I looked back and laughed. Nothing is worse than a stuffy boss.

3) Tombstone Text. Your epitaph should be a guide to your future. Until you know the trip you want to make you can’t select the way. Decide what you want on your tombstone and live toward that end. (Note: Fred decided in his late 20s he wanted “He Stretched Others…” and that is exactly the inscription.)

4) Subcontracting Sin. Anyone in a position of responsibility who enjoys the benefits of someone else’s wrong doing is subcontracting out his sin. In a business if we know bribery is going on and we make no effort to stop it because there is personal benefit, we are subcontracting our sin.

This week think about: 1) What am I doing to get my mind stretched in the morning? 2) Who is the iron in my life? 3) Where did Fred touch a nerve?

Words of Wisdom: “Ideas strike sparks when they bump into each other.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures,” (Luke 24:45 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – February 20, 2018

Fred greatly admired Albert Einstein’s philosophy of coming to the simplest solution (yet without becoming simplistic). He reduced difficult situations into workable formulas. Although he adamantly eschewed those who would be “formulaic” in his word. The nuances of life were masterfully handled by him.

Please pray for the BWFLI team as they travel to East Texas to introduce the What’s Next Roundtable at Jarvis Christian College on March 2, 3. We appreciate your partnership.

Formula for Understanding

I want to give you a little formula which you can experiment with and see if it will help you like it has helped me.
“First the thought, then the mood, then the rationalized action.” By the I mean, first the thought comes in our mind and if we keep it long enough and endow it with validity, it drops down into our heart, creating a mood. Then the mood rationalizes the action. For example, when we harbor anger as a thought it turns into a mood and it rationalizes a hostile action.

We start by keeping that thought out of the heart. As long as we keep it in the mind it will be fleeting. The Jewish people knew nothing happened until they combined the mind and the emotion. They said, “Guard the heart, for out of it comes the issues of life.”

But it is our responsibility to dislodge the thought before it can get to the heart, creating a mood and ultimately rationalizing an action. I am not suggesting we have the ability to completely clear our mind of thoughts, because I know this just isn’t true. But I do believe we can shove the wrong thoughts by replacing it with something worthwhile.

There’s a tremendous danger when we advocate creating vacuums in people’s minds. There are philosophical movements that encourage blank slates. I do not believe this is healthy or even Biblical. Remember the story of the man who the evil spirit and he cleansed himself of that spirit. The evil spirit “hung around” to find another place to inhabit. Finding none, he returned to the original host seized on the opportunity to make a home for himself and many others. Scripture tells us, “the man was worse off than he was before.”

It is important to re-program our minds to exchange the bad for good. The Apostle Paul was very aware of this procedure. In Philippians 4 he directs the church to “think about such things as truth, nobility, rightness, purity, loveliness, admirableness, excellence and praiseworthiness.” We are not called to go around empty-headed.

We grow in our spiritual life by the transformation of our minds. Protecting our minds is the first step in godly action.
I was on the program with Bob Richards, the Olympic pole vaulter and decathlon champion. As he talked the rather portly executive sitting next to me leaned over and said, “I am not a champion on the outside, but I am on the inside.” The disciplines which Bob Richards developed were critical to his athletic prowess – and a good thing. But it is also crucial to recognize internal championship qualities which will last a lifetime. A disciplined mind is a great start.

This week think about: 1) How would I implement Fred’s formula? 2) What guards do I have in place to keep thoughts from progressing to destructive actions? 3) Who models internal championship for me?

Words of Wisdom: “It is important to re-program out minds to exchange the bad for good.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” (1 Corinthians 14:20 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – February 13, 2018

Fred inspired many of his friends to assemble “Fred Smith files.” Recently, Jack Modesett of Houston, TX, and long-time, dear friend of Fred’s mailed us a large folder of items accumulated through 30 or 40 years of friendship. Thank you, Jack. I know others have such files and if you would like to share, please forward any documents to BWF Project, Inc., P.O. Box 574, Hawkins, TX 75765.

This week we will feature one of those treasures in Jack’s file: Fred’s personal creed. This copy is dated 1987.

Personal Creed

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

I will:

1) Respect truth by searching for it and accepting it from any source.

2) 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) Endeavor to pray honestly about any subject assuming God already knows.

4) Expect nothing but what I earn but will accept gifts gratefully.

5) Own myself and the uniqueness I can contribute 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) Limit extensive self-knowledge to my most productive strengths and destruction weaknesses.

7) Construct concepts for my thinking and actions so as to minimize large mistakes and give consistency to my living.
8) Relax in the sovereignty of God. Service will be an expression of respect and love, not used for ingratiation.
9) Decide the issues of life based on faith and Biblical authority.

10) Respect money, but as a means never an end… as a tool, and never an idol.

11) Endeavor to accept my rightful responsibility, not because I like it, but because it is right, realizing that my acts affect others.

12) Understand both good and bad actions have a ripple effect.

13) Accept human imperfection as a reality, but never as an excuse or rationalization.

14) See my life as a confluence of many profitable and interesting areas of life so as to continually broaden my base.
15) Refuse to build an unreal image which enslaves me or alienates me from others.

16) Accept a refining method good for all periods of life turning experiences into knowledge, and knowledge into wisdom.

17) Live believing “the best is yet to be” by attention to maturity, health, relations, and capital. I will not make a junkyard of my old age.

18) Refuse to sacrifice these things for business success:
a. Self-respect
b. Health
c. Family
d. Relation with God

This week think about: 1) What does my personal creed look like? 2) Which of Fred’s points can be a fire-starter for me? 3) How can I communicate my creed to my family, friends, and colleagues?

Words of Wisdom: Editorial note: This week pick your own and concentrate on it.

Wisdom from the Word: “For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6 ESV)

Weekly Thought – January 23, 2018

Fred grew up in the home of a Baptist pastor who emphasized the value of Biblical truth. Even though Fred did not quote “chapter and verse” when he spoke, his ideas were always principle-based. He knew how to take scripture and put it in everyday language which could be readily applied.

These mentoring questions are part of hundreds which appear on the website www.breakfastwithfred.com He was asked to give quick answers by his daughter and these pithy responses reflect his ability to distill profound subjects into manageable ideas.

Thinking Deeply

1) Do I believe that human nature is basically good or evil? Many operate from the premise human nature is fundamentally good and all that is needed for peace is education. They think sin is an anomaly and can be worked through. I believe mankind is born basically flawed whose tendency is downward with potential for upward progress. Only a Christian experience can give us the power to overcome sin. But, I don’t think we should overemphasize the downward trend, totally ignoring the upward potential.

2) How do I view bad experiences? I am known for my one-liners. For example, “wait to worry” has been quoted by speakers and writers throughout the country. Another one is “never lose the good of a bad experience.” The story of Joseph in scripture is a clear example of this principle. As his brothers recognized him, they expected retribution for their despicable treatment of him as a young man. However, he responded, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” We can never deny the reality of bad situations, but we must endure them and look for the good. And, often we need time to see the outcome and the good.

3) How do I differentiate between problems and facts of life? A simple definition I started using years ago is: “A problem is something you can do something about; a fact of life is a given.” To spend time trying to change facts of life is foolish. It is wise to focus on problems and solutions.

4) Do I drag experiences from the past into the present? Certainly the past can become a real drag on the future. The past is often checkered with human mistakes and sins. The human mistakes we can do our best to correct. The sins must be confessed and then forgiven by God. It is a difficult but worthwhile discipline to view our past this way. The Apostle Paul gave this advice, “Forgetting the past I press forward.”

5) Do I motivate or manipulate others? Of course, the definition of each forms the answer. I have a basic rule that motivation is recognizing mutual interest and manipulation is focused only on what is to my advantage. Many times leaders will assert they are motivating, but in truth, they are manipulating for selfish purposes instead of serving the other person. I know of a writer who said he was writing a book on motivation titled, “How to get others to do what you want.” That was not motivation; that was manipulation.

This week think about: 1) What good in past bad experiences have I been missing? 2) How do I make sure I continue motivating and not manipulating? 3) What do I believe the Bible teaches about the nature of man?

Words of Wisdom: “Never lose the good of a bad experience.”

Wisdom from the Word: “As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.” (Genesis 50:20 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – January 16, 2018

Fred valued right thinking. His respect for mental clarity allowed him to live in the “current reality,” as he put it. He had no place for the wish ethic – his life focused on the work ethic in thought and action.

The 2018 BWFLI season brings events on at least four campuses. We are introducing the What’s Next Roundtable which focuses on mentoring, networking, and persevering. Fred’s writings and the experiences of our team members will deliver messages of hope and help.

Keeping Our Minds Charged

Mentoring questions asked by Fred and quick answers given by Fred in a “lightning round format.”

1) When do I have time for myself and how do I use it? Just as I want to handle my finances so I can have some discretionary income, I like to schedule myself so I can have some time to myself. Sometimes it is a walk in the park, a leisurely drive through the country, a telephone call to a friend, or a time listening to music, these provide alone time to recharge. It can be a few minutes of meditation on the blessings of God which give me that valuable time of refreshment. We must remember that recreation is to be re-creation. These moments are like stops at the gas station to fuel our car.

2) Have I accepted who I am? In order to accept ourselves we must understand how we are wired. This requires time and effort but it is a critical exercise. We must understand the specifics of our personality. This takes honesty and recognizing we tend toward fantasy, not reality. I have a uniqueness which is the piece God gave me to steward. In order to do this well, I must pay the price to study to know myself.

3) Am I realistic about the current reality? This is one of my favorite phrases. It can be general or specific. It isn’t an automatic or easy posture. It requires an objective viewpoint not an emotional one. It disallows the tendency to live in a mindset of what we wish life were. But progress isn’t made in hiding from what is. I find it is very helpful to ask a friend with a clear mind for their analysis of what I am facing. It is freeing to see life in a true perspective not colored or shadowed by false thinking.

4) Who are the authorities in my life? The Bible is my greatest and final authority. When I was inclined to reject the totality of scripture and question certain passages I stopped to think about it. What I realized was that the portions I wanted to delete were the ones which spoke to behaviors and decisions I didn’t want to agree with. I wanted to leave out the obedience sections which convicted me. An authority doesn’t consider your desire, but the reality of your need. Certain individuals are an authority figure for me because of their specialized knowledge and expertise. For example, one friend is always helpful to me in social situations. Another, is my theological touchstone for his knowledge and faith experience. One friend I respect his authority because he has great decision making abilities. An important thing to note is that although these are respected and considered authorities they have limited power. I bear the final responsibility for carrying out the issue at hand.

This week think about: 1) How do I continue to operate in the current reality? 2) Who are authorities in my network? 3) What work am I doing to further understand myself?

Words of Wisdom: “It is freeing to see life in a true perspective not colored or shadowed by false thinking.”

Wisdom from the Word: “So now Pharaoh should look for a wise and discerning man and give him authority over all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 41:33 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – January 9, 2018

Fred believed in self-knowledge without diving into self-obsession. He wanted to identify his constructive strengths and his destructive weaknesses in order to optimize his giftedness. At the beginning of each year he devoted time to the review of the year past and looked forward to the year to come. His mentoring questions were one way he did self-inspection.

In this year the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute is introducing the “What’s Next Roundtable.” Students frequently answer our question: “What keeps you up at night?” with “What’s next.” Therefore, we are establishing a format to focus on mentoring, networking, and persevering – three themes of Fred which are necessary for success in taking the next steps. Please pray. And if you can, please support us financially as we develop this new endeavor.

Internal Musings

1) How do I keep my life themes clear? I find that the major themes of my life must be reviewed periodically or they slip out of my conscious memory. I keep them fresh by finding illustrations and reading articles on them. For example, I have a continual accumulation of material on communication. I am interested in all forms of communication – from body language, gestures, and verbal expressions. Also, I must review what I have learned in order to keep it.

2) What recurring dreams do I have? Strange to say, most of my recurring dreams are of the failures in my life – both the situations and individuals with whom I had poor rapport. I believe I dream in color. Rarely do I remember the details when I awaken. I try to give my subconscious mind material to work on while I am asleep. I have found this to be a helpful strategy.

3) Do I have a high need for approval? I feel blessed that my need for approval involves a few, and not the many. The approval of the few is very important and these few serve as channel markers in my journey. When speaking I pay very little attention to the applause, but am very concerned with the comments by the few whose evaluation I seek.

4) Do I prefer using persuasion or fear? Persuasion is always better for the total situation than fear. Yet some people can only be motivated into taking right action through fear. A leader must know when and how to use each.

5) When do I feel free? I feel free when I have most nearly fulfilled my responsibilities. My friend, Mason Roberts who was President of Frigidaire had this saying on his calendar: “Having done my best today, it will be easier to do better tomorrow.” This is a great expression of freedom. By the way, I have known him to get ready to leave the office, read this statement, take off his coat, finish some work, and then go out the door. He wanted to make sure he had done his best.

This week think about: 1) How do I know when I have done my best? 2) Whose opinions count for me? 3)What are my major life themes?

Words of Wisdom: “At the beginning of each year he devoted time to the review of the year past and looked forward to the year to come.”

Wisdom from the Word: “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NET Bible)