Breakfast with Fred

SweetJade · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: Breakfast with Fred

In honor to distribute great wisdom in terms of leadership and spiritual mentoring, I would love to introduce everyone to know him, Fred Smith Sr. Last fall, I have been introduced to his finest book, 'Breakfast with Fred,' in my Inner Leader II class at Biola with a highly recommended from our Professor.

Since then I knew that I’ve found a wonderful wisdom for Christianity living via Fred's experiences and observations. I learned so much from Fred about how can I keep God’s perspective in my daily life, how to demonstrate God’s wisdom through my action and word, which I found in each topic and I can't keep them to myself, I would like to share Fred’s wisdom to everyone who is interested in nurturing his/her spiritual concept and improving your Christianity living... with a generosity from his daughter, Brenda, I received a permission to post Fred’s wisdom on TMC web board for the hope that it will be a great resource for everyone [especially for Thai community] who loves to learn and live his/her daily life closer to God’s heart.

I’ll post the first topic to share Fred’s observation and his friend’s response to him weekly… please read the article with a prayerful heart and expects to learn something from God and feel free to discuss each topic with me, this is the way we learn and grow spiritually. In here I would say that none of our opinions are right or wrong… it’s a learning process that we’ll learn together through our suggestions, advises, opinions, and so on… please don’t be too hard if anyone expresses the opposite opinion to another… but also please explain your reasons with humility and respect.

I hope that God’s word will fertilize your soul in the way that you will learn deeper through these articles. And let His Word builds up in your spiritual life and your system thinking to the point that you want to eagerly serve Him and to be prepared to become a good citizen in His Kingdom.

Here is Fred Smith website, please feel free to visit--there is more other topics that are great for using as mentoring lessons, leadership, references, etc. Also, you can sign up to receive an electronic version of weekly newsletter. www.breakfastwithfred.com
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

SweetJade · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject: Living Through Love

Fred's Observation:
Love creates an environment that strengthens the will to live. Love brings joy to our life when there is little to rejoice about. We appreciate being loved so much that we sometimes forget the responsibility that comes with being loved: Those who love us want us to live, not die. We often talk about pursuing a life worth living, and I am convinced that understanding the value of love is a tremendous part of that endeavor. Many tell me that I am too strong-willed to die, but I believe that the realization that I can contribute and I am loved gives me purpose.

Doctors say that many old people who are said to die of natural causes really die of loneliness. Current medical research shows that we can literally die of broken hearts. Conversely, studies show that people who receive care and prayer tend to live longer and richer lives than those who don’t.

Just as God’s greatest gift to us is His love, so our greatest gift to one another should be our love for others—and for Him. Love does not need to be earned; it is given. And so, no matter how incapacitated we are, we can still experience being loved—and loving.

Love is the strongest sustaining emotion we can feel. Acts of love are as important as words of love. One of my favorite times in the day is when my daughter, Brenda, comes in, pats me on the arm, kisses me on the forehead and says, “I will see you in the morning.” When I was pronounced “dying” by my doctor, she said, “No, I will take him home and he will live.” That is exactly what happened. There is power in love.

Even though my bride of 67 years is now in heaven, I still celebrate Valentine’s Day—for her. Now, every day is filled with God’s love.

One Line to Remember:
Love creates an environment that strengthens the will to live.

Scripture on Hide in Your Heart:
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Three Questions to Think About:
1) Whom do I love, and who loves me?
2) What are the responsibilities that come with being loved?
3) How do I recognize God's love in my life?

Cited from 'Breakfast with Fred', Living Through Love, pg 50-52: or website www.breakfastwithfred.com
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

SweetJade · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject: Living Through Love-Reflection

Reflection: Ruth Stafford Peale
Chairman Emeritus of Guideposts, Incorporated
Author and Speaker
Breakfast with Fred, page 51-52

Fred speaks of the “responsibility of love.” One of the secrets to the love that my husband, Norman Vincent Peale, and I shared is that we were both interested in the same things and thought along the same lines in so many situations. We both worked hard at helping people, and I think that is why we were married for more than 60 years. Although we were both always very busy, we recognized that our visions were the same.

We also recognized the unique gifts God had given each of us. In fact, soon after we were married, I discovered that in one respect my husband and I were exactly the opposite. I never had any problem making up my mind about much of anything, but Norman often struggled with decisions. Often he asked for my advice, and I would stop what I was doing and try to listen patiently. Most of th time he just needed me as a sounding board to help clarify his thinking.

Many times, to my astonishment, I found the next day that the matter ws not settled at all, that he wanted to review it again, that maybe there were angles we had not considered seriously enough. Part of love, for me, was learning to be his ear and to help him talk through his decisions.

I concluded that if God was going to guide our lives, I was going to have to keep my mind open so that Norman and I could use the gifts we had each been given. We were a partnership, each using and developing our own gifts while moving together in the same direction.

I often wondered, Do I have to make these adjustments forever? The answer was a resounding yes, because we never stop growing—even after 63 years of marriage. I came to the realization that only a woman can be a wife, and only a wife can give unique help to her husband. No truth was ever as difficult for me to embrace as this, but the rewards were—and always will be—tremendous.
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

Petch · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:16 am Post subject:

That's very good of you for sharing a very good stuff.

The message sound so perfectly loved. I wonder how many of couple that will have the love such what Fred had.

Thank God for Vee, She offer a unique help to me. Smile

SweetJade · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

I knew...

God sent Vee to be your sounding board... to be your ears and help you talk through your dicisions...

That what KJ is always do as well as myself too. He is always asking me for a second opinion before he makes any decisions and I also do the same. You never know that a second opinion may help you think through things deeper and better... and no one can give you a unique and sincere help or opinion except your own wife/husband.
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

SweetJade · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:38 am Post subject:

Petch, what do you think about the question #2... please share...

P' Jade
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

Petch · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:02 am Post subject:

Responsibilities that come with being loved??? I forgot! I thought it is free will. ha hah ah a. Laughing

What Fred said is true. We offen forgot or neglect the responsibilities that come with being loved. or may I say take advantage of.

My respond to this question is to make our love one worry-less. "Those who love us want us to live, not die." And also support them so that they can love us more effectively like a love of God.

SweetJade · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:41 am Post subject:

Sorry, I have been so busy with my mid-term exam and quizes and such... here is the next wisdom to share!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________

“Principles of High Impact Living for Get It Done People.” Here are the first twenty. it'll be 2 series for this topic:

High Impact People:

• Link their passion and their uniqueness. They understand that who they are and what they do well correlate.
• Minimize religion and maximize spirituality. They know that Christianity is about relationship, not ritual.
• Endure pain to win the gold. They have an answer to the Olympian’s question, “What do you do when you start hurting? High impact people keep going.
• Understand that discipline is not punishment. Correction signifies concern.
• Save, Invest, and then Speculate. They never invert the financial pyramid and never go to Las Vegas with the meal money.
• Control their time. They don’t expect others to spend their time any more than they expect others to spend their money. They understand the power of dramatic moments.
• Focus. They understand that bigger game is brought down with a rifle, not a shotgun.
• Are energetic. They have discovered the power of creative energy --- its source and uses.
• Balance their lives. They stay out of the rat race and off rabbit trails. They integrate all the spokes of their life wheel, so the ride isn’t rocky.
• Nurture their curiosity. They see the magic of life and want to know why.
• Take calculated risks. They put the odds in their favor. They would rather own the slot machines in Las Vegas, rather than playing them.
• Capture the concept of plateauing. They know the rules of growing, assimilating, and growing again. They know when you grow too fast, holes occur.
• Keep stress vertical. They know that vertical stress is positive while horizontal stress causes distress.
• Have and use a sense of humor. They appreciate the fact that “what you cry about today, you will laugh about tomorrow.”
• Don’t take destructive action. They may “think it,” but don’t do it.
• Anticipate. They don’t like and work against surprises. They know how to go “where the puck will be, not where it is” as Gretzky said.
• Work with cause and effect. They understand the principles of sowing and reaping.
• Operate and articulate the meaning of life. They have clear internal dialogue that is purposeful and intentional. They know what real life isn’t about wealth and fame.
• Have emotional control. They have a broad repertoire of emotions and know how to use them. They have a disciplined imagination, are courageous, and eliminate the negative. John Wayne said, “Courage is being sacred to death and still saddling up.”
• Choose their attitude. They adopt Frankl’s observation that attitude can be controlled even when circumstances cannot.
This week think about: 1) Which element of high impact people hits me the hardest? 2) Where do I see need for growth? 3) Who are the high impact people in my life?

Words to Remember:

High impact people know they reap where they sowed.

Words of Scripture Wisdom:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5,6 NET Bible

Cited from: 'Breakfast with Fred': www.breakfastwithfred.com
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

Petch · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:49 am Post subject:

Great P'Jade. I want to meet some high impact people.
They will be a good mentor.

Looking at the quality on the list, I think some of the list is not happen right away.
It takes time to develop into a habit.

I guess I only have one which is sense of humor! ha haha...

Vee · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

I just got a chance to read the article you posted, P' J. This is very good. I have gone up until the first one. I like where it said "Love does not need to be earned, it is given."

I am writing to answer the questions.
As for 1st Q: Of course, God. If this kind of question is raised, I'm sure everyone will say "God". I don't ususally say love out loud, what I do to show my love is actions. I love God and God loves me. There are lots of people whom I love and love me.

As for 2nd Q: I'm not sure if I understand the Q but my answer is giving back all the love that was given to me.... in any ways....but not just one time return, I will do it forever....

As for 3rd Q: There are tons of ways to recognize God's love in my life. God loves me. He gives me my life. He gives me lovely husband, son, family, and friends. He teaches me how to live my life. Why Dad and Mom teach me all the times how to live my life, because they love me. Why they called me the first day I started working at the new place, because they cared about me and wanted to support me. The same way as God does. God's always there for me.

I will keep reading and answering this P' J. THANK YOU. YOU'RE SUPERB!

Petch · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:13 am Post subject:

Great Nong Vee. Good respond.

SweetJade · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Vee,

Great response!! I'm so glad that you have a chance to read through it and be able to answer those questions.

Do you know, when you are able to answer questions... it means you think through what you just read about.. and it shows that you read them with a comprehensive thinking, which naturally power your spiritual mind to understand God's will for you

Keeping up good work and read some more!!

NOTE: Do not just read about it, but follow its meaning in your life.
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

SweetJade · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:46 am Post subject:

Here is mine:

Three Questions to Think About:

1) Whom do I love, and who loves me?
Definitely 'God' and everything He has given [husband, 2 cats, families, friends, work, school, all creations--tree, bird, etc.] also, all the items He trusts me to take care of such as house, car, money, business, etc. --if we knew how much God loves us, we'll be a good stewardship to whatever He gives us to oversee it. some Christians miss this point, so they focus their heart (love) in those of God's creations/items rather than a Creator-Himself. Don't be deceitful, but open our eyes wider to see His blessings as a gift from His love to us.
Who Loves me? I am definitely sure that 'Love' that I give out to others will resonate His blessings, and I believe that those people recognize the 'love' I give them... and they will response back (or not) and also i believe that they will do the same to others. it's our responsibility to expand God's love in this world, be a good example--God commands us to deliver His love worldwide. (Matthew 28:19-20) --just start where you are.

2) What are the responsibilities that come with being loved?
a) Receive God's love with humility attitude: being loved is a privilege God gives us to response, we should response to His love with a humble heart and know that He will lead us to the spiritual prosperity not adversity (Jeremiah 29:11-13; 30:3)
b) Tell the world of His Love: we have to follow our forefather's footstep to proclaim God's love --easy as just start with the one(s) who close to you [your family members, your friends, your co-workers, your children, your neighbors, etc.] (Acts 1:8 )

3) How do I recognize God's love in my life?
I have never been 'alone' in every situation. He is always with me, leads me and guides me in such the way that I haven't thought that it is possibly to be true.
--Even in the time of 'cold-heart' that I respond to Him, He is still there, never forsaken, stays beside me and knocks at the door in my heart and let me know that He is there whenever i want Him to come in and reunite with His love again.
--Even I go astray, His love is always there to take me back home.
--Even things go wrong, His love demonstrats His mercy for my life.
--Even no one seems to care, His love is always touch my lonely heart and lift up my soul to receive a joyful heart again
---more and more and more... can't even type in this space...
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

Petch · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

P'Jade, It is easier to love God than love man.
I have to admit that love is hard for the one we don't love.

You know we are looking at people by their action.
Being Christian, we tend to be nice or pretend to be nice.
But our character will show whether we do it from the heart or just a word.
Until love is grown in each of us, our church will be one of the best place that people want to come.

SweetJade · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:26 am Post subject:

Completely agree.

That I said, just start where you are at... start in our lives first and let it grows and flows out to others'

However, it's true that to love God is easier than love man... in another side of the fact, we all know that to love God in a difficult situation is harder!!!! how come you love God when He takes away your love one? how could you understand the situation that you lose everything in life over night? this is a crucial situation that we need to learn from Him and stabilize His love in us.

Start to build up God's love in our lives without compare with others, don't try with our own energy to love a person whom we can't love but look at them as you see yourself as a sinner who stand in front of Jesus by the Cross... what would Jesus do? let this question stimulate the desire to love others in your heart, and yet, it can't build up in one night... it takes a life-time to develop 'Christ-like' character in us.
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~