Weekly Thought – August 20, 2024

Fred when asked about time pressure responded he rarely, if ever, felt that. Surprised at that response, the friend asked how that could be with all he accomplished. “I know when to say ‘no,’ but more importantly I know when to say ‘yes.’ My God-given uniqueness is the filter… not recognition, or compensation. If I can use well the gifts He gave me I have the time.” Fred outlined in Learning to Lead twenty tactics to use in emergency time crunches. This week we excerpt 10 – the other 10 will come later!

Emergency Time Saving

Most people spend time like they do money. They spend until suddenly they run short; then they seek a way to compensate. The best approach, of course, is a disciplined lifestyle that prevents time (or money) from slipping away in the first place. Books tell us to adopt a philosophy, implement it, and then maintain it as a way of life.

But most people will never be that disciplined. What they need is an emergency checklist to gain a few hours in the week – something to ease the frantic pace, to get them through the crunch.

Here are ten points on my checklist for saving time in emergencies:

1) Clean off the desk. Sweep away everything that I won’t be using in the next six weeks.

2) Stop reading the newspaper. I always ask myself, “What am I getting out of the newspaper that’s worth making my life frantic?” (Editor’s note: Fred would have definitely made the same comment about internet time!)

3) Get up fifteen minutes earlier. Fifteen minutes each morning gives me an extra hour and 45 minutes each week. But I don’t overload my will by telling myself I will get up an hour earlier. We often make resolutions with insufficient will power to carry them out – then discouragement sets in.

4) Delay unnecessary reading. I would postpone all reading that does not directly contribute to what I am doing during this emergency period. Understand this is for the emergency period only. Otherwise, I would starve myself for the rest of my life… this is for emergencies only.

5) Work on the majors only. Not everything in life is of equal importance.

6) Make no radical changes. I want to be careful during an emergency period not to make radical shifts because they require a lot of time to implement. The object of the battle plan is to pick up time, not to change.

7) Avoid the wood-hay-and stubble activities. Things that flatter my ego, satisfy my human ambition, or make me liked are wood-hay-and stubble. If I have time for them, I may include them, but they are not eternal. They use up a lot of time. My emergency time battle plan I assess how much time they are taking and cut them out.

8) Ask permission to say no. When I need to decline something I want to say “no” as simply and graciously as I can. I don’t give complicated answers leading to a decline I simply say, “Let me ask a favor. May I say no?” Generally people give me permission.

9) Deal only with the “driving wheels.” If we know our organizations we can identify the driving wheels and the idling gears. If I am short of time, I deal only with the people who make things happen, who form the opinions. I put the other relationships on hold for the time being.

10) Protect personal energy. During emergency periods, I don’t want to do anything that dissipates vital energy. I eat less and exercise more. I must remember to avoid trying to accomplish more by overworking. A person has only a finite number of productive hours.

This week think about: 1) When do I experience time crunches? 2) What disciplines can I implement to avoid regular periods of running out of time? 3) Which of these 10 points turned on a light bulb for me?

Words of Wisdom: “Most people spend time like they do money. They spend until suddenly they run short; then they seek a way to compensate.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 21. 2023

Fred began his public speaking career as a young man in the personnel department at General Shoe Corporation in Nashville. A call from an industry association to the company as the largest employer in the region was routed to Fred. They wanted someone to address “people issues” at their Tennessee meeting. He accepted the invitation (although he had done no professional speaking, but given much thought to the subject) which then became an invitation to be a key speaker at their National Conference. His reputation as a speaker, consultant, and writer allowed him a lifetime of broad experiences.

Focus on the Audience

Whether speakers, preachers, or talkers, we must think of what our listeners need to hear, not what we want to say. Our material should not be an expression of egotism, our “much learning,” or the things people have given as compliments. Our content should grow out of a careful analysis of the needs of the listeners. I try to remind myself I’m speaking to people about a subject, not about a subject to people. The focus is on the people, not the subject. That may sound like a semantics, but many speakers are authorities on a subject without being authorities on the audience. They feel they have communicated whether the listeners get anything or not.

During World War II when we needed to train technical people very quickly, we had a program called Training Within Industry (TWI). One of the basic tenets was “The teacher hasn’t taught until the student has learned.” If an applicant for a welding job went through TWI and came out unable to weld, we didn’t blame the student; we blamed the teacher.

As communicators, if people don’t get what we say, it’s our fault, not theirs. Our job is to influence the thinking and actions of the people who hear us. I am not relieved of my responsibility just by enunciating syllables to show my knowledge of the topic. If I am teaching the Word, I have succeeded only when they understand and apply the scriptural principles.

I used to do some professional speaking with Norman Vincent Peale at chambers of commerce and other civic meetings across the country. I asked him one time, “How do you decide what to say?” He answered, “Fred, on Friday I ask myself, ‘What is the most common problem I ran into this week?’ That helps me decide.” He was talking to people, not to a subject. No wonder he has been so popular throughout his long career.

A singles group asked me to do a retreat with five two hour lectures, followed by discussion. I got there and realized that what I had prepared was not the most useful thing for them. I didn’t deliver a single one of those fully prepared lectures. Instead, we had a tremendous amount of dialogue. Afterward I went back to my room, stayed up all night synthesizing what we had talked about so that I could bring it back in a cogent form at the next session. I left there wobbling on my feet from sleep deprivation. But I received much feedback from people telling me the retreat was one of the best experiences of their lives. I was dealing with their problems, taking what knowledge I have of life principles and applying it to their current needs.

As a speaker I must always remember that the audience is first – I am there to talk to them about a subject, not to have them listen to me discuss a subject.

This week carefully consider: 1) How well do I communicate with others? 2) What is my goal when asked to give a presentation? 3) When do I believe I have expressed my message clearly?

Words of Wisdom: “I try to remind myself I’m speaking to people about a subject, not about a subject to people.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 14, 2023

Fred gained a reputation as one of America’s finest key note speakers during the 50s and 60s. He continued speaking, writing, and mentoring until his death in 2007. His ability to distill information into usable principles gave his speaking a lasting quality. This week we feature excerpts from a key note address to the Printing Industry of America in 1961.

Good Habits

Nearly every organization runs on habit, just as you do personally. Almost everything you have already done today is done habitually. It you didn’t you would be lost in daily living. This is one of the problems of reorganizations – the habit structure is disrupted and slowed down measurably. The successful efforts take the time to reestablish good habits.

Here are eight habits I recommend cultivating in your business.

1) Create a spirit that will be acceptable to challenges. Don’t support people who come in and tell you something can’t be done. Simply say, “Don’t tell me what can’t be done; tell me what we will have to change in order to do it.”
2) Change is okay… status quo is not. Status quo is Latin for “the mess we are in.”
3) Accept ideas. You as a leader will have to accept a new idea before your organization will.
4) Don’t delay failures. I have a banker friend who told me, “Fred. I never delay cutting short a failure that is funded with my own money.”
5) Get management on the offense. Too often management fights back instead of leading.
6) Develop the habit of good work. The President of a pipeline company said, “This is one of the habits I build into my organization – stepping back from a job to say, ‘That’s good.’” I believe there is a firm Biblical basis for this habit. I read of a young man who saved his younger sister from a burning house. When interviewed he told of his Boy Scout preparation. A reporter asked him what he thought about his action. Confidently he answered “I did a good job.”
7) Examine the things that bring pride, but make sure they are still relevant. I recently consulted with a company who listed all their accomplishments for which they were proud. As we examined them, many were from the past and totally outdated. But because they generated pride they held on to them even though they were obsolete.
8) Work smarter instead of harder. My mentor, Maxey Jarman, always told me “Show me the baby, don’t tell me about the labor pains.” Peter Drucker says that results are the only reason for activity.

I know I haven’t told you anything you don’t already know. My job isn’t to tell you anything new. When someone asks me how I make my money I tell them, “I earn my money by reminding people.” I hope I have reminded you that good habits are a key to successful living. Find one that works for you and make it real in your organization.

This week consider: 1) Which habits have become obsolete and need to be eliminated? 2) What will it take to evaluate the habits of my organization, family, church and focus on the effective? 3) Who can help me (and who can I help) establish better habits?

Words of Wisdom: “Develop the habit of good work.”

Wisdom from the Word: “God saw all that he had made – and it was very good! “ (Genesis 1:31(a) NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 5, 2023

Fred valued character, relationships, and faith. He also valued money, but as a tool, not an idol. Growing up extremely impoverished financially, but he was rich in wisdom and life experience. Many sought his counsel as they both built businesses, and rebuilt from financial devastation.

Thinking About Money

Money is one of life’s greatest necessities. To disparage it is to show your ignorance of real life. Money is as important to a functioning life as blood is to the body. It is necessary, but should never be the end goal. We make blood to live, not live to make blood. In the very same way, I make money to live, but never live to make money.

I have explained to our children “money is option.” With it a multitude of choices are possible. Without it our experiences are limited. However, money does not bring with it the sense of responsibility needed to make wise choices and choose the right options. When someone gets into financial, social, or relational trouble, the root cause is rarely money itself, but the irresponsible use of it.

I am sure some of my friends have found a way to through life twice. They seem to think this time they are going to focus on making money and the next time through they are going to enjoy it. In my experience I found we only go through once and I think it makes sense to make it and use it well on the one time we get.

The truth about money has been known for a long time. Aristotle called it “barren” not because it didn’t bring benefits but because the emotions it brought were among the most base and not to be compared to the nobility of love, patriotism, and religion.

The man or woman whose greatest emotions are reserved for money knows nothing of the higher emotional life. Money may buy fun, even happiness at times, but never true joy. It has no potential for elevating the intellectual and spiritual potential.

The love of gold almost blocks the love for all else…certainly those things that are noble. How pale is the struggle for wealth when compared to the struggle for freedom, searching for truth, or the love of family.

This week think carefully about: 1) When I am honest with myself is money a tool or an idol? 2) How important was money when I grew up? 3) Who is a proper model for the prudent use of money?

Words of Wisdom: “The man or woman whose greatest emotions are reserved for money knows nothing of the higher emotional life.”

Wisdom from the Word: “What’s the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom, when his head is empty?” (Proverbs 17:16 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – July 25, 2023

Fred knew how to focus. He used his thinking and examples to help individuals and corporations. When asked about problems in an organization he asked pointed questions of the leadership. Although he thought deeply he limited his serious contemplation to the implications of a few areas on the way we live.

Focus, Focus

To live a focused life we must recognize those things that distract and pull us off course. Some people spend as much time on inconsequential details as they do on the vital parts. Therefore, they become extremely hard workers, but do not become great accomplishers because they don’t understand that every job has vital elements which need to take top priority.

Mother Theresa said she did not plan to accept any more honors, even ones as prestigious as the Nobel Prize. She does not want to be diverted from her mission work in India. Few of us can turn down those kind of ego satisfactions to stay with the job.

One of the questions I always have to ask myself: “What am I really about? What am I trying to do? What is the main concept for the project?” Right now I am working with a corporation that appears to have lost its focus. They are running after numerous interesting ideas, but none of them fit together – there is no synergy or profitable outcome. Because they don’t focus in on what they really are about very shortly without reversing course they will lose their sustainability.

We, and they, need to watch ego satisfaction but also just avoiding the “interesting.” When I am researching I have to watch this. I pick up a book looking for a specific idea and unless I am careful I find intriguing thoughts capturing my attention. I certainly enjoy the time, but it does not achieve the initial purpose.

One of my clients asked me: “Fred, you own your own business. Why do you generally turn down invitations to play golf?” I love golf, but I also know my priorities for my weekly schedule and what it takes to accomplish my goals. I have to keep in mind the focus of my activity and also the schedule of my priorities.

Really effective people learn to pace themselves according to their responsibilities. I think this is a key part of maturity. Whether we call it “setting the vision,” “establishing the mission,” or simply “meeting the deadlines” focused living requires discipline for achievement and accomplishment. As a mentor of mine used to say, “that is the object of the exercise.”

Think carefully about this week: 1) How clear am I on the difference between the vital and not so vital in the parts of my job? 2) What can I do this week to clarify ways to focus for greater accomplishment? 3) Who models healthy focus for me?

Words of Wisdom: “What am I really about? What am I trying to do? What is the main concept for the project?”

Wisdom from Word: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 16, 2023

Fred supported turning experiences into experiments. He used this philosophy to step outside the subjective response to difficulties. He constantly stopped to study what was happening in his life and to craft a set of observations. Reality was hard-wired into his personality.

Getting Ahead of Your Feet

Physical exercise is one of my favorite activities. You look at me and wonder how that can be, right? I didn’t say my own physical exercise. Mary Alice and I live close to the Cooper Aerobics Clinic. On Saturday mornings I stop by my local donut shop, load up, then drive to a convenient parking spot and watch men and women running around the track lap after lap. As I said, I am a fan of physical exercise – theirs!

However, I don’t waste the time because I take my notepad and observe styles of runners, habits of regulars, and even ego patterns. Most who circle the Cooper track are well-trained and consistent. However, every once in a while a new member decides to show out and run faster than their ability – their body gets ahead of their feet – and they fall down.

I see this happening emotionally, professionally, and financially to people who move themselves beyond the fast lane into the one marked “frantic.” They either recognize the problem and adjust, or they break down.

I remember I was driving my sports car along a stretch of highway where the cars were driving maximum speed (and so was I). All of a sudden I threw the lead balance from my front wheel and extreme shaking began. The terrific vibration required I slow down to keep the wheels from shaking the car apart.

Other drivers tried to pass me, dangerously attempting to go around me, and laying on the horn as they probably were making uncivil comments about my driving – and the inadequacy of my British car. I had to choose whether to respond and drive faster with the end result of a car permanently damaged by the vibrations, or to slow down to a manageable speed and irritate all those behind me.

Life gives us those opportunities for decision making. Do we leave the fast lane temporarily until we regain balance, or do we sacrifice to please others? The runners at the Cooper Clinic have the same decision to make? Do they pull over into the right lane, allowing others to pass them while they regain their balance or do they insist on running “with the big dogs,” risking injury and certainly producing frustration in all those behind?

One of the key factors in this decision process is: don’t panic. This is a primary rule for race car drivers. No matter what happens panic dulls reaction time, fogs the brain, and usually results in less opportunity for a positive outcome. Frantic and panic are enemies of effectiveness.

This week think about: 1) What is my built in emotional response to problems? 2) How am I disciplining myself to handle stress? 3) What can I learn from situations which would foster panic?

Words of Wisdom: “Don’t panic.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought-September 27, 2022

Fred met many business people at Cindi’s Deli in Dallas at 6:00am for breakfast. When our project began men were asked, “What do you want to hear from Fred?” Every single one began answering with “When I had breakfast with Fred, he said… ” Thus, the project founded in 2004 was named BWF Project, and the leadership event for Christian higher education became the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute. For thirteen years we introduced students to Fred’s ideas on right thinking.

What is Success?

Let’s define success. Many people misunderstand it.

For Christians, success can never be measured by money. When people say to me, “That man’s worth ten million dollars” that tells me he is wealthy, but it doesn’t prove he’s successful. In some cases it could illustrate the opposite. For instance, if Mother Teresa,(whom I consider a tremendous success) confessed she had personal assets of over one million dollars I would think she was a hypocrite. Money would prove her a fraud, not a success.

Success can never be measured by numbers, regardless of what the numbers are. I know churches which measure budget numbers, membership, and size of the facility. One unfortunate measure is the number of young men and women who enroll in seminaries after being encouraged by home churches. I read 40% of many seminaries are populated with students encouraged to get a theological degree as they search for the will of God.

The measurement of success is simply the ratio of talents used to talents received. This definition encompasses the process of growth through the focused, purposeful development. Are you maturing? Are you clear on your strengths and gifts? What percentage of your talents are you using with intentionality? If you can answer these questions in the positive, be glad — you are successful.

Some of us tend to think “I could have been a success, but I never had the opportunity. I wasn’t born into the right family, or I didn’t have the money for more education.” But when we measure success by the ratio definition it eliminates those frustrations. I have known people with limited resources who maximized their equation, had a great sense of responsibility, a love for God, and other people. Out of all that flowed a full use of talents.

At GENESCO I promoted a young man from machine operator to lower management he wanted the challenge. Shortly afterward, he was killed in an automobile accident near Lewisburg, TN. Maxey Jarman, the CEO, wanted to go to the funeral. We drove seventy-five miles each way. On the way back Maxey said, “I believe Bill was one of the most successful men we have had in the company.” I said, “He was an hourly employee and was just promoted to a small managerial job. Why would you say that?”
“Because he used what he had.”

This week carefully consider: 1) How do I measure success? 2) What is motivating me to grow? 3) Who encourages me to maximize my potential?

Words of Wisdom: “The measurement of success is simply the ratio of talents used to talents received.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The LORD grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable.” (Psalm 37:23 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – February 1, 2022

Fred’s speaking ability gave him access to audiences throughout North America and beyond. His philosophy was: “speak to express, not to impress.” Respect for the audience was foundational for Fred. Preparation and prayer always formed the infrastructure for any address, meeting, or conversation. Thinking about the art and science of speaking intrigued him lifelong.

Participation, not Observation

One way we can improve our speaking skills is by remembering our goal is not simply to have people sit quietly while we talk, but to have their minds actively engaged by the subject matter.

One of the common mistakes made by speakers is trying to create false feelings by over dramatization. Telling sob stories, getting teary, or yelling are tricks which hinder genuine communication. Listeners quickly realize the speaker isn’t depending on the subject matter for a response, but on the theatrics. When people are thinking more about how you are saying something than what you are saying, your effectiveness is lost.

The minute someone starts yelling, people mentally distance themselves. Many preachers think they are doing this for emphasis, but generally it doesn’t work that way – it deemphasizes.

If I want to say something really important, I’ll lower my voice – and people will usually lean forward to hear what I am saying. In a sense, you’re attaching intimacy to a point by lowering your voice. You are saying, “This point means something to me. I’m telling you something from my heart.”

By increasing the volume, often the point comes across as part of a performance rather than a heartfelt point you are making to another person. If you want your audience to fully digest what you are saying – don’t perform. Attempt to be conversational. Audiences tend to connect with the material.

I don’t the audience to be observers. I want them to participate because the whole object of speaking is to influence attitudes and behavior. How do I encourage participation? Not necessarily by being entertaining. If people are listening for the next story or next joke, I’ve become merely an entertainer. I need to be smart enough to know when my material is getting inside them. I may need to make them laugh or I may need a pointed statement. But when they are genuinely listening and understanding, they are participating.

My goal is not to have people say, “Oh, you are such a great speaker.” When I hear that I know I have failed. If they are conscious of my speaking ability, they see me as a performer… they have not participated. My goal is for people to say, “You know, Fred, I’ve had those kind of thoughts all my life, but I’ve never had the words for them – now I do.” I have given them a handle for an idea; I’ve helped them crystallize their thoughts and experiences.

This week think about: 1) What is my goal when speaking? 2) How can I develop my communication skills by focusing on the audience? 3) Who can help me strengthen my speaking skills?

Words of Wisdom: “If you want your audience to fully digest what you are saying – don’t perform.”

Wisdom from the Word: “My soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.” (Proverbs 23:16 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – January 25, 2022

Fred believed habits were the foundation of character – good and bad. He supported thoughtful consideration of personal and professional patterns, especially when analyzing any needed changes. These excerpts from a 1961 keynote address to the Printing Industry of America shows Fred’s forward thinking.

Good Habits

Nearly every organization runs on habit, just as we do personally. Most of our daily activities are habitual. This is one of the problems in reorganization. When the habit structure is changed it slows down activity. Successful reorganization requires time to rebuild habits.

Here are a few good habits to cultivate in your business:

1) Create a spirit that will withstand challenges. Don’t let people come with their reasons why it won’t work. Simply respond, “I know that. Tell me what we will have to change for it to work.”
2) Healthy change is good – status quo is usually no good. I like to think “status quote” is Latin for “the mess we are in.”
3) Accept ideas. You as a leader will have to accept a new idea before your organization will accept them.
4) Don’t delay failure. I have a friend who told me, “Fred, I never delay cutting short a failure that is funded with my money.” Good leaders don’t waste business dollars, either.
5) Get management on the offense. How many times do you see management fighting back instead of leading?
6) Develop the habit of good work. A friend of mine who is President of a pipeline company has developed the habit of training his employees to step back from their job and say, “That’s good.” In the news recently there was a story about a 12 year old boy who saved his sister from a house fire using rescue techniques in the Boy Scouts. The news reporter asked him what he thought. He confidently responded, “I did a good job.” That is a great habit.
7) Evaluate your sources of pride. The other day I met with a company’s leadership team. They quickly told me of accomplishments and sources of pride. On analysis, many of these were obsolete and should have been jettisoned long ago but their pride didn’t allow them to this examination.
8) Work smarter, not harder. Too many businesses brag on employees who are the hard workers. Unless this effort is combined with smart working, I give no credit. Taking time to think through a task, not just spend time working on it is working smart.

I haven’t told you anything you don’t already know. My job isn’t to tell you anything new, but to remind you good habits are a key to successful living. Find one habit and make it work for your organization…and your personal life, as well.

This week think about: 1) What are my most productive habits? 2) How long has it been since I did an evaluation of work (family, faith, friendship) habits? 3) Who can help me do an objective assessment?

Words of Wisdom: “Nearly every organization runs on habit, just as we do personally.”

Wisdom from the Word: “But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching.” (Titus 2:1 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 30, 2021

Fred treasured his friendships, nurturing them through the years. In the 1950s he spent hours traveling across the country. Because nonstop flights were nonexistent, he had long hours in airport layovers. Not one to waste time -or connections- he had a file of 3×5 cards organized by city with the contact info on everyone he knew in that town. His secretary would load his briefcase with all the travel necessities including the pertinent cards for the airport stays and a roll of change for the pay phone. These calls kept friendships alive and fertilized his large network. This is an excerpt from a commencement speech.

An Educated Heart

I want to congratulate you on completing your degree. You hear about life-long learning, but just as key is an educated heart. One evidence is a right evaluation of self-worth. I am convinced Christians should understand their identity in Christ without buying into the false emphasis on image and esteem which the current culture emphasizes.

A friend of mine was a professor who came to faith in Christ late in life. During a conversation he said, “True dignity happens when genuine pride and genuine humility unite.”

We in the Christian community think of pride and humility as antonyms when actually they are two sides of the same coin. Don’t you feel that you can be justly proud of being God’s child, a member of His family? A wealthy business friend in Boston and his wife took a girl off the street into their home for a year to help rehabilitate her. Each night after dinner he would go over the catechism he developed for her which began with the question, “Why does God love you?” Her reply was: “Not because I am good but because I am precious.” Then the second question was “Why are you precious?” The reply: “Because Christ died for me.” Once when speaking in East Texas a little 80 year old woman heard this story, and hurried to speak to me afterwards. “Thank you, Mr. Smith. All my life I have wanted to be precious and now I know I am.”

You unite that pride with genuine humility and you have a truly educated heart. True humility is best defined as “not denying the power you have but admitting the power comes through you and not from you.” Denial is lying; attribution is truth telling. Some people develop a false humility by bad-mouthing themselves. This perpetuates a lie. We are to feel good about ourselves when we as a member of the Body of Christ knows we are being used. The power is not ours, but His. In this is dignity and the realization of self-worth, not image driven self-esteem, but God’s self-worth.

Another evidence of a learning heart is a homing sense – a magnetic pull for home. Just as the carrier pigeons never lose the pull of the home pad, the educated heart draws toward the Father…His values, His plan, and His community. In a graduating class this large. Many of you will get lost in the trees as you chase the dollar, fame, or even service. In this lostness, you need your homing instinct to activate driving you back.

I visited recently with a CEO who told me of veering away from his “old time religious principles,” making decisions with faulty foundations. He said he finally had the desire to “come home.” He realigned with the church finding true direction.

The challenge is to remember the lighthouse of your faith which will always shine the way home.

This week carefully consider: 1) If I were speaking to college graduates, what would I say? 2) How do I reconcile pride and humility? 3) What system do I use to nurture relationships?

Words of Wisdom: “Humility is not denying the power, but admitting it comes through you and not from you.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NET Bible)