BWFLI team stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders at East Texas Baptist University

Cliff Shiepe, best-selling author, inspires students

ETBU students gathered at midnight to discuss “What’s Next” and job market tips

Former All-American, All-Pro Bill Glass stirring the athletes

ETBU Steering Committee Chair Emily Prevost and BWFLI President Brenda A. Smith sharing a celebratory moment

BWFLI team stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders at East Texas Baptist University
Cliff Shiepe, best-selling author, inspires students
ETBU students gathered at midnight to discuss “What’s Next” and job market tips
Former All-American, All-Pro Bill Glass stirring the athletes
ETBU Steering Committee Chair Emily Prevost and BWFLI President Brenda A. Smith sharing a celebratory moment

Free Time That Counts

Weekly Thought – November 11, 2025

Fred viewed “goofing off” dimly. His mind worked ceaselessly. The possibility of time before the TV (unless it was golf) as a desirable activity fell into the “spent time, not invested time” category. He believed in refreshing and re-creating, but not in the meaningless waste of time and energy.

Free Time That Counts

Many times our leisure determines whether we are going to be mediocre or successful. A Christian should use leisure constructively to build and not to abuse. Weekend carousal is out. Volunteer work and healthy diversions are in.

Leisure gives us time for reading, studying, traveling, and ministering. We are to invest our leisure, not spend it. I want my leisure time to pay dividends like any other good investment. A good hobby provides relaxation – a lot of spice for life. Recreation should be re-creation. Our pleasures should restore our energy and create pleasant memories.

For many, recreation is the opposite… like the nurse sitting next to me in the adjoining seat from Miami to Chicago. I asked her whether she was coming home or going to work. She said she was returning from a long weekend of partying in the islands. Her eyes looked like two red traffic lights. She was going to have to go home to her job just to recuperate from her leisure! This, certainly, isn’t the Christian’s way. She had made a big payment for this leisure time without hope of any interest or dividends.

My friend Jed Thompson uses his vacation time to work on a boat on the Amazon River, bringing with him dentists and technicians who volunteer their time. They come fully supplied with resources donated by friends. They go up and down the river ministering to the local people… first to their physical needs and then to their spiritual ones. Other friends of mine take part of their summer vacation to go to the poorest areas in the world serving Christ.

Service to others is a pleasure unknown to the selfish. In William Barclay’s prayer he asks for pleasure in his leisure. This only comes through the giving oneself to something greater than themselves.

This week carefully consider: 1) How do I spend my leisure time? 2) When do I feel God’s pleasure in my time? 3) What defines re-creation for me?

Words of Wisdom: “A Christian should use leisure time constructively to build.”

Wisdom from the Word: “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation.” (Genesis 2:3 NET Bible)

Flying With The Eagles

Weekly Thought – November 25, 2025

Fred knew he had no college education, no natural network of influencers, and no financial resources, but he knew he had God-given gifts of discernment, connection, intellectual curiosity, and desire to make a serious contribution… all based on his faith in Jesus Christ.

Flying With The Eagles

I believe I am responsible for my own personal development. Only I know what I want to become. Only I know my real strengths and weaknesses, mu passion and talent. Only I know the price I was willing to pay to become who I want to be. My personal development stands on four legs.

The first leg is mentoring. When I was young I heard the expression, “Birds of a feather flock together. I knew then I wanted to associate with individuals who would serve as mentors and role models. So early in my business career, I chose six qualities I wanted to build into my life. I asked six individuals who personified each quality to send me an autographed photograph. I framed them then hung on my office wall with Hoffman’s “Head of Christ” portrait at the top and a mirror on the bottom of the square. I could look at the wall and ask myself how I was maturing. This was the first step in my development.

Reading is the second leg of my development program. I do prescriptive reading. Just as everyone doesn’t have the same eyeglass prescription, we don’t have benefit from the same reading resources. I read no novels. I concentrate on certain authors who can give me what I need, such as Oswald Chambers, Francois Fenelon, and Peter Drucker. I also read individual chapters in books that are focused on my major reading themes (philosophy, theology, mentoring, psychology, and science).These are areas for which I have a natural affinity.

The third leg of the program is writing. Until I started working for Maxey Jarman, chairman of GENESCO, I was a totally verbal person. Once I was telling him about a situation in one of the plants and he said, “Write it.” When I told him I couldn’t write it, he said, “The reason you can’t write it is that you don’t know it. Anything you know you can write.” I later came across this quote from Sir Francis Bacon: “Writing makes an exact man.” I learned to write to burn the fuzz off my thinking.

The final leg of my development plan is travel. It opens wide the window of experience and expands my viewpoint. Growing up in the mill district of North Nashville during the depression afforded me no thought of travel. But a crystal radio used in the attic of a Baptist parsonage allowed me to dream of faraway places. Mary Alice and I knew we wanted our children to love the value of travel – and we succeeded!

This week focus on: 1) What are the key elements of my development plan? 2) Which of the four legs I my strongest? Weakest? 3) How am I helping my family, my organization, my friends develop?

Words of Wisdom: “I learned to write to burn the fuzz off my thinking.”

Wisdom from the Word: “We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28 NET Bible)

Controlling The Ego

Weekly Thought – November 4, 2025

Fred often remarked when questioned about a troubling situation…”Follow the ego.” He had great discipline and self-control. He understood his giftedness, and his responsibility to steward it without an inflated ego.

Controlling The Ego

I remember an embarrassing situation that occurred one night at a business meeting with a group of high-profile executives. One man, who considered himself as an authority all because he read the newspaper, popped off about the energy situation and its easy solution.
Unbeknownst to him, another man in the room had just returned from chairing an international conference of major oil companies. After the first fellow finished spouting off (only proving his ignorance), the second man quietly but effectively exposed him for the fool he was.
I quickly said to myself, “I hope that never happens to me.” I left that meeting determined to make sure in my speaking I always remember that someone in the audience may know a lot more about the subject than I do. The memory of that business meeting has stayed in my mind and tempered many remarks I’ve been tempted to make.

On the other hand, sometimes speakers are too impressed with who is in the audience. One night I was in a church listening to a preacher when I saw a well-known university president slip into the sanctuary. Clearly, the preacher saw him enter, as well, for he changed his style considerably. I could tell he was preaching for the benefit of just that one individual. He went from preaching to giving an intellectual performance, trying to impress with his learning. He seemed to forget the rest of the audience.

Being impressed with ourselves or with the celebrity of another blocks the power of good communication. In our work and in our speech, we should always remember that God is listening and He is our ultimate audience.

It is never far from my thinking that God is present. If He isn’t, we ought to dismiss early!

Carefully consider this week: 1) When I speak is it to express or impress? 2) How well do I understand myself, identifying my ego potholes? 3) How well do I listen before speaking?

Words of Wisdom: “In our work and in our speech we should always remember God is listening and is the ultimate audience.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction; and before honor comes humility.” (Proverbs 15:33 NET)

Has Beens

Brenda’s Blog – November 4, 2025

The old man looked up and said, “People look at me and think ‘has been,’ but I know that my life has been full and I truly “has been.”
In retirement many move to new communities with resources and amenities designed for the aging process. New friends, new experiences, and new locations bring opportunities, but also separate from memories and histories. Often not until we read obituaries do we truly grasp the stories and accomplishments of residents.

Job presents an excellent example of looking back and summarizing a lifetime. He stands and recalls the position he held as counselor, guide, and provider. He outlines the leadership roles and the reputation he had as an elder worthy of respect.

Looking at him sitting on the ground scraping his infected skin, no one would guess at his history, would they?

Recently I read a bio of an acquaintance and was stunned. The accomplishments were startling; the achievements were those of a renowned professional. Yet, this man is now disabled, with physical limitations which hide everything that bio revealed. His cognitive disorder denies him the ability to engage with others. That sterling bio describes someone none of us ever knew.

He has a background which very few rival. He truly “has been,” but time and bad health leave him with so little to share with others.

When we see others, let’s stop to listen to their stories, especially the elderly. Their experiences, their wisdom, their journey has much to offer us. We have much to learn from them. We need their stories; we need their knowledge. We, too, will one day be a “has been,” but God has given us lessons from Him which will strengthen and encourage.

Free Time That Counts

Weekly Thought – October 28, 2025

Fred did not “goof off.” His mentor, Maxey Jarman once sent him a leather Eames chair – the ultimate in luxurious lounging. He pulled it out on to the back deck, reclined, and covered himself with a very large IBM blanket emblazoned with the word THINK. He had one of the children capture it on their Kodak Brownie camera and sent a photo to his mentor.

Free Time That Counts

Many times our leisure determines whether we are going to be mediocre or successful. A Christian should use leisure constructively to build, not to abuse. Weekend carousal is not an option. Volunteer work and healthy diversions are positive activities to include.

Leisure gives us time for reading, studying, traveling, and ministering. We are to invest our time, not spend it. I want my leisure time to pay dividends like any other good investment. An excellent hobby can provide relaxation and a bit of spice for life. Recreation should be re-creation. Our pleasures should restore our energy and create pleasant memories.

For many, recreation is just the opposite. For example, a nurse sat in the adjoining seat on my flight from Miami to Chicago. I asked her whether she was coming home or going to work. She said she was returning from a long weekend of partying in the islands. Her eyes looked like two red traffic lights. She was going home to her job so she could recuperate from her vacation. This sounds backwards, to me. As I see it, she made a big payment for this leisure time without hope of any future dividend.

My friend Jed Thompson uses his vacation time to work on a boat on the Amazon River, bringing with him dentist and technicians who volunteer their time. As well, they bring dental and medical supplies. They go up and down the area ministering to the local people – first to their health needs and then to their spiritual ones. Another family I know takes part of their summer vacation to go to the poorest areas in the world to serve Christ. These as well as those who participate in mission projects to erect buildings, put on vacation Bible schools, join in with Habitat for Humanity, and other groups like Samaritan’s Purse understand a way to invest their time and energy, not just spend them.

Service to others is a pleasure unknown to the selfish. In William Barclay’s prayer he asks for pleasure in his leisure. This only comes through the giving of oneself to something bigger.

This week look at your schedule and ask: 1) How well do I steward my leisure time? 2) What comes to mind when I think about the difference in investing and spending my time? 3) Who can benefit from my example of investing time wisely?

Words of Wisdom: “Service to others is a pleasure unknown to the selfish.”

Wisdom from the Word: “O LORD, restore our well-being, just as the streams in the arid south are replenished.” (Psalm 126:4 NET Bible)

The Last Word

Weekly Thought – October 21, 2025

Fred asked questions… Of others and of himself. Their son Fred, too, has the gift of questioning. This week’s thought is based on a conversation between the two of them.

The Last Word

When I was 28 I sat in a cemetery thinking about what I wanted my family to put on my tombstone. “He stretched others” came to mind and it hasn’t changed for my entire life.

Recently our son Fred asked me, “If you had only one more talk to make, what would be the subject?” Intriguing question, don’t you think? As we all face our mortality, we think more seriously about the impact of our speech and our example. We know our time to influence others is limited. Just as Fred asked me, I started asking others. I find it a worthy question.

I was then challenged to describe the process of answering the questions. A good friend said, “Everyone hasn’t thought about these issues as much as you have, Fred. Give me some help on processing my own answers.” So here are some questions that I thought about in forming my own.

1. What one fact do I feel has affected my life the most?
2. What one thing final thing would I say to my children and grandchildren?
3. What is the one statement that most deeply stirs me?
4. What is the one thing I could say that would affect my hearers the most?

Whether it’s one last speech to make, one last song to sing, one last book to write, or one last time around the family dinner table, it makes a difference when you know what you would want your final expression to be. In defining this, you find out a lot about who you are and what your life’s purpose it.

Editor’s note: (In case you were wondering about Fred’s answer to his son… “The nature of God and the nature of man: is man basically good with a tendency toward sin, or basically sinful with a possibility for good?” He added: “The answer to this question influences all human relationships and commerce.”

This week carefully consider: 1) What would I want my last words to be? 2) How would these words impact those around me and others to hear of my death? 3) Who is asking me good questions?

Words of Wisdom: “As we all face our mortality, we think more seriously about the impact of our speech and our example.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I have competed well; I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NET Bible)