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Winter Break
Hello Miracles! Soon we celebrate the greatest miracle of all, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Delight – Delightful – Delighted, Part 2
Another good definition of delight is “inclination to great pleasure.” Here are some of the many places in the Bible that talk about delight .
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Delight – Delightful – Delighted, Part 1
The three D’s are the ingredients for a joyful, cheerful and fulfilling day! Oh, how we love the anticipation of a fantastic day! This feeling is because life is a gift.
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The It Phenomena
Key Statement: The IT of life is anything and everything that is on our radar screen. The IT demands our time, energy, and attention.
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Legacy Gifting, Part 2
Christmas is that time of the year when giving is celebrated. Yet, I remember when, as a young child, I discovered there was no Jolly Old St. Nick making toys all year in the faraway North Pole.
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Legacy Gifting, Part 1
Children are precious gifts from the Lord. The greatest legacy gift parents can give their children is to live St. Paul’s parenting virtues , especially in his letter to the Philippians.
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The End Game
In my career coaching years, I discovered a valuable premise which, in turn, can be transferred to practical life. I call it THE END GAME . How was it discovered in basketball?
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Contentment
The secret of this attitude. An elegant question from Jay Crowell: Dad, if you could visit one site in Rome what would this place be?
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Valid Identification, Part 2
Recently one of my remarkable sisters asked me this profound question: “What made you become a Christian?” If you remember, dear sis, we both grew up with the assumed ID of not being intelligent and an outcast family.…
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Valid Identification, Part 1
In today’s culture, we are virtually helpless to operate successfully without proper identification. ID’s and passwords have the potential to control our lives. Don’t believe me?
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Pain Produces Change
No discipline seems pleasant at the time but later on, however, it produces a fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it.
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Abound in Hope
What do you see on the cover of the Words of Hope book? The focus is on an ANCHOR .
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The Crowell Beat Cancer Game Plan
This is my personal game plan for dealing with cancer. It is working! My HOPE is it can work for you as you face your possible insults, difficulties, hardships, and persecutions. FROM ST.
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5 How Questions
Be careful how you answer these 5 how questions. Serious reflection may alter the course of your life. For the good! Try to answer each question in writing using 20 words or less.
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Thanksgiving with the Crowell Family
“I will offer to YOU the sacrifice of thanksgiving & will call on the name of the Lord.” Psalm 116:17 Our Special Day dedicated to being extra thankful typically begins in the early morning hours with Susie by…
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A Special Rest
“So, there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.” My beloved Susie asked me an elegant question last week.
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Take and Receive
St. Ignatius’s TAKE AND RECEIVE prayer is one of my most favorite prayers. Multiple times daily these are the words of my mouth. May they be yours as well.
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WHAT YOU APPRECIATE APPRECIATES – Jay Crowell
For a father I’m not sure many joys surpass the privilege of having children becoming lovely, healthy, successful parents. One of Crowell’s teaching principles is, “A son should become twice as smart as his Dad.
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The Check List
When the grind of life is so intensive, the human brain cannot process all that needs to be done without mistakes. A checklist has been proven to be an effective tool.
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World of People and Things
“If you love things more than people you will use people to get things, i f you love people more than things you will use things to help people.” One of my favorite men gave up his high…
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Thankful Beats Unthankful
As in the lyrics of “Ungrateful Eyes,” do we ever stop and watch the stars shine? This may give us a clue if we are thankful or unthankful.
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Therefore Implies Exact Logic , Part 1
One of my favorite places I find the “therefore” logic is in the Bible. St. Paul carefully uses his vast intellect and exceptional educational training to set forth a logical case in Colossians 3 .
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Walk Alone Time
It is not possible to stand or walk in a crowd until you can stand and walk alone. The best gift you can give to those you love is a healthy you.
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The Principle of Active Indifference
“Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, doctor, baker, shoemaker…” This was a chant we used as kids, especially while jumping rope. How to discover what to be!
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Time Is Priceless
Time is the only sparse commodity on earth. Time does not honor, respect or bow to those of personal wealth or fortune.
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The Many Gifts of Creation
Imagine five majestic deer enhancing the Crowell home view of one of America’s best places to raise children and live a peaceful life: Spokane, Washington . It is our seasonal autumn time of the year.
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Thankful for America
Twenty-five feet above a huge carved rock in the Crowell front yard waves the U.S. flag .
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Consolation & Desolation
“At any given moment you are either in consolation or desolation.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola The idea of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” speaks to the fact that two people do not necessarily see…
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The Wise Parent
The wise parent knows and understands that the ultimate test of successful parenting is the day when their son or daughter has matured to the place the parent(s) is able to say… “Amazing child you now are ready…
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Contemplative Action
A young Spanish soldier was leading a fierce battle against the superior French army. He took a cannonball between his legs in 1521. Because of his valor, he was not executed.
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The Master Within
St. Augustine, a fourth-century theologian, and philosopher was considered one of the most respected followers of the Master of all masters. He influenced his many followers to learn to discover The Master Within .
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FEAR FACTOR, Part 1
Surveys indicate some of our most fearful times are public speaking, heights, the unknown and death. Do you relate?
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How high is high? How low is low?
Unless you know how low is low, knowing how high is high is not possible. My life experience tells me rock bottom is the low of lows. It is impossible to go lower than rock bottom.
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Forgiveness Reality
Forgiveness asking is one of the world’s most important, yet least understood and practiced success principles. What makes it so difficult to ask forgiveness?
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The Sun and the Moon
These exceptional photos of a sunrise on Scout Lake, OR, and a moon-glowing night there as well, are perfect reminders we can count on day turning to night and later night turning to day.
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Authentic Power
Internal combustion – Internal motivation. Gottlieb Daimler is known as the founder of the internal combustion engine. This engine was a game changer in the world of automobiles and trucks.
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Walking in Another’s Shoes
Often we say, “I know exactly how you feel!” But do we really? It takes much connecting with another person before really understanding him or her. That is what empathy is.
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Greater Than Science
The doctors told me I had less than single digit chances to survive the dreaded Whipple pancreatic surgery. My medical team was extraordinary. Medical science could offer me less than 10% success.
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True Friendships vs. Transactional Relationships
If 7 out of 10 calls to me are asking for something, it is not a friendship, it is a transactional relationship. An example of a friendship killer call is, “Hey Fred, Zechariah here.
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Resistance to Self-improvement
During NBC Camps’ summer athletic camps, we are exposed to thousands of campers’ lives. We learn from them, and we challenge them to face their challenges. In fact, FACE YOUR CHALLENGE was our 2018 theme.
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Relationships – Events Perspectives
Have you noticed the difference between genuine relationships and required events? Which would you prefer? Insight says relationships may be more desirable than required events. Here’s why. Wisdom places relationships far above and more important than events.
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Encouragement Is Oxygen II
You can become a true game-changer, someone who makes a big difference. How? By the word ENCOURAGEMENT . Encouragement is giving another person confidence, support, hope, motivation, strength, comfort. E ncouraging words can make a difference .
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Shining Light
Let’s play one of my favorite games. It is called “WHAT IF.” What if you were a lighthouse perched high to warn ships from crashing upon rocks? What kind of light would shine forth from your lighthouse?
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Master the Practice of Dressing Two Times at the Same Time
It is a proven fact a person’s first impression by another happens in the first 30-60 seconds. Once this impression is formed, it is very difficult to change.
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All Things Principle
When I study the lives of Joseph, Esther, David, Job, Daniel, Jonah, Mary the mother of Jesus, John the Baptist, Andrew, Peter, Paul, and other Biblical characters, I see an “ All Things Principle .” When I study…
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The Golden Mouth One
A monk living the aesthetic life for 12 years in the deserts of Syria was assigned to be the Bishop of Constantinople , the leading city of the world earlier in the 14th century BC.
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Psycho-cybernetics, Part 2
Dr. Maxwell Maltz states so clearly in his Psycho-Cybernetics book, “ We must turn to the Bible to discover how to change the self-image .” This is because God is man’s creator.
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Psycho-cybernetics, Part 1
This past summer have you seen a helmsman steering a ship to port? If so, this could remind you that the Greek term “cybernetics” is used to describe “steering .” Psycho-Cybernetics says each human has an innate steering…
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My Prayer
1956 Hit Song by The Platters 56′ and 57′ for the Seahawks. The football team was 53-3 for these two seasons. In 57′ they gave up just 6 points, rolling to an undefeated season.
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Timeouts Are Vital
TIMEOUTS ARE VITAL Athletics prove time outs are critically important. The mark of great coaches is having the skill to take the complex and make it simple.
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Prayer Can Change Your Life
Dr. William Parker received his doctorate from USC and was known for his group counseling and pathology of speech.
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Life Lesson 101
Be quick to listen – slow to speak – slow to anger. These 3 life skills are as important as a carpenter’s hammer, power saw and measuring tape.
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Almost Works
A leading human performance expert likes to say, “You can’t get enough of what almost works.” Here are some examples. Maybe the next drink will be enough for the alcoholic.
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What’s in the Closet?
Please allow me to invite you into a typical counseling session. You will need to use your imagination. Here is the scenario. A client walks into my office.
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Get Out of Jail Free
Unforgiveness is the number one way to be imprisoned in the Emotional Intelligence Jail. It is holding a grudge against someone who has offended us, leading to unkind and merciless thoughts.
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Sanctuary Home
A house is not a whole lot until it is occupied by people. A house becomes either a sanctuary or a battlefield.
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Destiny Dream Makers
“Why did your father end up living alone with a bottle of alcohol in his hand with no hope?” -Dr. Shann Ferch This question could be asked of every street beggar and homeless person.
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Cry Some – Laugh More
The mature in emotional intelligence can shed tears and also laugh often. Both crying and laughter have a healing effect and seem to cure a “multitude of ills.” Laughter makes the heart glad!
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Be a Giver Not a Taker
This remarkable, majestic, mysterious world in which we live is governed by physical, psychological and spiritual laws which are both seen and unseen. The law of give and take falls under the law of cause and effect.
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Win at School
Millions of USA students enroll in schools across the continent in September with the hope of winning! Unfortunately, far too many will lose the battle to win. Questions: Why so many failures?
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Happy Land Is Not a Destination
Walt Disney grew up an unhappy child. His father did not make life fun for the young Walter Disney. Walter developed a dream.
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Start Where You Are
All too often it is asked, “Where do I begin to change the world?” The simple question demands a simple answer: Start where you are . Dr.
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Covenant vs Contract
The difference between a covenant and a contract is as wide and deep as the Grand Canyon. A covenant is a commitment that can never ever be broken.
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How do you want to live?
A noted clinical psychologist believes if you don’t know the why you can never discover the how . Based on this belief, the why becomes the fundamental crucial question. Why do you want to live?
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Unity
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! – Psalm 133:1 Unity is 10 times more difficult to achieve than disunity.
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I Just Called to Tell You
Stevie Wonder made famous the song, I Just Called To Say I Love You with the popular lyrics, “I just called to say I love you; I just called to say how much I care.” How does it…
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LIFEBALL – Wanna Play?
By far the most beneficial game ever invented in my opinion. Dr. James Naismith invented basketball to give children something to do during cold Massachusetts’s winters with the hope of developing Christian virtue and character.
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Takes Awesome to Recognize Awesome
What’s better than getting a text from a person you highly respect telling you that you are awesome ?
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Position Doesn’t Determine Destiny
When position is more important than destiny the focus needs to be reversed. Research reveals focusing on destiny increases performance and health both individually and within a community. Position focus means: I am the father. Obey me.
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I Can Only Imagine
Nearly 16 million views for the song I CAN ONLY IMAGINE by Mercy Me. That’s a ton of views.
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Holy Hands
“Cling to your faith in Christ & have a clear conscience.” – Timothy Around about 64 A.D, which was 31 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, Paul was imprisoned for the second time.
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Your Body- Living Sacrifice
Your tongue can speak over 130 words a minute. Your mind can think over 400 words per minute.
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Interior Inspection
Accountability without inspection leads to irresponsibility. Responsibility without inspection leads to mediocrity. Inspection is vital to winning. Winning is a choice. Elegant question: Why is inspection commonly rejected? We strongly tend to reject being inspected.
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Survive or Surrender
When tragedy or misfortune strikes there are two choices. The most difficult choice is to survive. The least painful way is to surrender. WIND RIVER it’s a movie based on a true story.
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Intent vs. Impact
A well-developed EQ is evident when one knows and understands that intent must ultimately be measured by its impact.
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Five Life Giving Syllables
1. Will 2. You 3. For 4. Give 5. Me 75 years of life experience confirm to me that “will you forgive me” are the four most difficult words for people to say to those that have done…
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Child Inspiration
Fall in love with children and you will be in love with life. Find joy in children and you will always be joyful. Play with children and you’ll always be playful.
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Silence
“He comes to me in the silence.” – Mark Forrest Knock knock Who’s there? Silence, I’ve come to see you because you need me! Please come in, because I don’t know how to experience silence.
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Use Your Eyes
If you have eyes, use them to see both external and internal beauty. How our eyes observe color through tinted lenses is comparative to how our emotional state affects our outlook on life.
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Delight in Delight
The law of attraction means what we attach ourselves to will multiply and expand. Therefore, what we purposely choose to delight in will grow into greater delight. Delight is not on automatic pilot in our lives.
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The ‘Ez’ Button
Today’s culture has an auto-pilot: We do what we know we should NOT do, and we don’t do the things we know we SHOULD do.
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Train to Win
WIN – “To be successful or victorious in a contest or conflict.” – Dictionary To win is a verb; a verb connotes action; action involves work; work is learned behavior. Therefore to win is learned behavior. Fact.
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Shortcut to Increase
Years ago when I was in full-time marriage, family, and personal counseling I had a teenage client who was very defiant towards her parents.
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Prayer Practice – Part 1
Can you name one valuable life skill that does not demand practice? When someone says, “I am good at ….,” you assume that person may be gifted but also has engaged in many repetitions and regular exercise of…
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Dealing with Difficult People – Appreciate Awesome People!
A human flaw is our overpowered magnetic attraction to negativity. Negative people disrupt and influence us more easily than positive people and the beautiful energy force we receive from them. Why is this?
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Prayer Power
1999 was a tough year for many Americans. Political, business and spiritual leaders were forecasting terrible times for our world. They predicted global financial collapse. Due to difficult circumstances, I sought out a spiritual life mentor.
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Biblical Truth Never Changes
RELATIONSHIPS – a gift in life 1) Show how much you care about acquaintances, friends, and family. 2) Talk positively; the way you talk is the way you act.
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3 Skills of Excellence
Life Skills. Imagination. Imitation. If we don’t teach winning, we cheat our students because they don’t learn the skills necessary to win. The life of a deadly serious basketball coach is no different than the diehard Lieutenant.
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Crowell on Second Guessing
The second of two WOH’s on the destructive habit of second guessing oneself. The biggest little word in the English language is the word “if.” Two letters that can make a big impact.
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Breastplate of Righteousness
Break your sternum and you’ll soon realize the reason Paul chose the breastplate of righteousness as a simile for protection of the chest; a vital part of the soldier’s body.
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Living Life Backwards
The ability to see what is not seen is a valuable skill in coaching and teaching. It is discerning the invisible. In the athletic world, imagine there is a slender, tall, clumsy athlete.
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Oxycourage
What is oxycourage? By Fred Crowell’s definition, it is when oxygen unites with the human soul to form internal power and courage . “Oxy” makes it more sharp and acute, abundant when combined with simple courage.
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The Snake Line
A powerful solution to stop worry, fear, self-pity, and other forms of negative behavior. I happened to hear a portion of a sermon about not controlling your thoughts and emotions. Babies can’t control their emotions.
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Bring Inner Strength Under Control
A healthy baby is gifted with incredible inner strength. This internal power is vividly displayed when the baby screams to the point of exhaustion. Try screaming as hard as you can like a baby enraged.
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For Sale
Everybody is selling something. The questions are what are they selling and what is the cost?
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Practice Happiness
If happiness were a tool in a carpenter’s toolbox, it would likely be a pair of needle-nose pliers. Many t imes these specialized pliers are the only tool needed for the mechanical fix.
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Radical Challenges, Radical Choices
In our world, a challenge becomes a need for meaningful exploration. It becomes incredibly important. The late Dr. Scott Peck, psychiatrist, also saw it as perhaps a difficulty. He wrote: “Life is difficult.
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The Silent Yet Deadly Unseen War, Part 2
Each morning in Africa, the lion and tiger wake up hungry. They spend their day hunting for a good meal.
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The Silent Yet Deadly Unseen War, Part 1
An important Emotional Intelligence skill is mastering the ability to see what you don’t see better than what you actually do see. Generally, we foresee on the horizon more battles coming between countries.
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Happiness a Treasured Gift
How many times have you heard: ‘Just do what makes you happy! Don’t worry, just be happy!” We feel if it makes us happy, it must be right.
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Defeating Anorexia Addiction, Part 3
The teenage gal (in Part 2) began this day-by-day Win Life plan, the process of “living a brand new me.” There are FOUR FOUNDATION PILLARS to beat any addiction and all destructive behaviors, including anorexia and suicide thinking.…
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Defeating Anorexia Addiction, Part 2
As a child, when my mom asked me to sweep the kitchen floor, it was most convenient to sweep the crumbs under the rug so they would not be seen.
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Defeating Anorexia Addiction, Part 1
Over the past 49 years of leading NBC Basketball Camps, there have been many opportunities to help student-athletes defeat the dreaded disease of anorexia.
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To Compare Is to Despair
“If you want to feel inferior, look at someone above you. If you want to feel superior, look at someone beneath you.” – Walt King Susie’s dad was a wise man.
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The Reality of Beauty
If we approach life from an inner beauty stance, we see beauty all around us, in all things; whereas if we are living in squalor life isn’t very pretty.
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Prayer Practice, Part 2
Why should I want to practice prayer? My life is full of demands, responsibilities, people. Where is the time for additional practice time? Do you feel that way? I think God knows this.
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Love People or Love Things
In this world of people and things, we can either love people more than things, or things more than people. If we love things more the people, we will use people to get things.
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Your Eternal Impact
Questions: What impacts a person the most? What lasts the longest in a person’s life? The answers may well be different for each person.
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Hopefest
Spokane Hoopfest is the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world. Nearly 6000 four-player teams of all ages and sexes battle on the streets of the River City at the end of June.
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Mirror Management
Key Statement: if you don’t keep your mirror clean, the mirror cannot do its job to tell you the truth about yourself. When you look deeply into your mirror you will be looking at enemy number one.
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Passion and Competency
“Which one comes first?” In reading through Van Gogh quotes one stood out because of the fact NBC Camps hires more than 400 coaches each summer.
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Your Best Investment
This past Thursday the NBA gave us five continuous hours of drafting 60 fine college basketball players for a possible future with its professional teams.
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Second Guessing Is Unprofitable
“We should have won that game.” – New York Mets Terry Collins Reading USA Today Sports , Bob Nightengale’s interview with Manager Collins brought me back to the Royals-Giants game 5.
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Hang on to Hope
Saint Ignatius trained his Jesuit priests to be aware of and to recognize the difference between consolation and desolation.
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Shut up Mode
Key Statement: It’s so simple, yet so hard to do; open ears and mouth shut! Three keys: Slow to speak Quick to listen Slow to anger Telling people to shut up is not acceptable in the Crowell household.…
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Contentment Leads to Life
It seems comparison has crept into every area of our lives prompted by social media and constant media ads. It can reveal a dissatisfaction and a disillusion. It can divide and destroy.
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Comparison Leads to Death
COMPARISON leads to death; GRATITUDE leads to life. COMPARISON leads to depression; GRATITUDE leads to satisfaction. COMPARISON leads to arrogance; GRATITUDE leads to humility. COMPARISON leads to self-degradation; GRATITUDE leads to positive self-assessment.
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Let’s Go Places, Part 2
As a great, successful Spokane entrepreneur, here is Eric Hixson’s story. As a boy, Eric Hixson loved the scouts. To pay for his scouts’ summer camps, he sold lots of candy, more than all the other scouts.
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The Roman Gladius
The sword that conquered the world. From the time I was a small boy I have been fascinated with knives and swords.
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Let’s Go Places, Part 1
Be it Spain, Italy, Arizona, England, Seattle, Greece, New York or wherever, Mrs. C is ready to go places! However, Coach C is not so enthused about going places unless it is in his Toyota Rav 4.
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Paradox: Loss or Gain
If you happen to miss an athletic game, I imagine you would want two questions answered: “Who won?” “What was the score?” The scoreboard would tell us which team won, which team lost.
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Disciplined Detachment
If your time is spent with any type of media (the internet, television, radio, magazines, newspapers), you realize hardly a minute or page goes by without being consumed by an ad.
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The Talent of Success, Part 2
Success, the favored or the desired outcome will be more attainable if we like ourselves, like what we do and how we do it.
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The Talent of Success, Part 1
“The TALENT OF SUCCESS is nothing more than doing what you can do well, and doing well whatever you do without thought of fame.
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Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
An apocalypse usually leads to a catastrophic event. Dr. John Gottman speaks of four horsemen as metaphors for the destruction of a relationship, especially a marital one. His four horsemen are criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness.
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Finding Hope in a Corrupt World, Part 2
The present world problems do not create anger, vengeful talk, bitterness and aggression in me. This is unlike so many others today. Why? Because I have HOPE as the anchor to my soul.
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Finding Hope in a Corrupt World, Part 1
HOPE is a favorable and confident expectation . Who should not want HOPE? It is light! The opposite is darkness, which is despair. We can also say HOPE is: Gravity to hold us in place.
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Too Late May Be a Tragedy
“I love you Mom!” Oh, how I wish I would have told Katheen Mitchell Crowell these four simple words before her death. However, speaking love was not in our family’s vocabulary. It was not spoken…ever.
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Did So Good
Long ago God had some words to Cain (son of Adam and Eve). God could see in Cain’s heart, seeing his half-hearted motivation and attitude when bringing an offering to God.
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Finish Strong
“Work hard and continue to struggle.” – Timothy Last week a friend sent me a text with this question, “Why do we have to struggle?” Honestly, my first thought was, “why should we not have to struggle?” This…
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Quarrels & Wars = Q & W
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” James, the brother of Jesus, asked these questions in James 4:1.
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Motion Is Lotion
An expert yoga teacher says: “Young people have lots of lotion to oil their joints. The aging process slows down the body’s lubrication process.” The solution to rusty hinges is oil lubrication.
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Human Bridges
Spokane, Washington, is the home of many bridges because of the majestic Spokane River. During its peak season, this river spills over 348 million gallons of water every 24 hours.
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Help Me Help You Help Others
As much as most of us need some help in life, we seem to want to do it all by ourselves no matter what the responsibility. Do you relate?
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Mother’s Day – Honor Women
No other person deserves honor, appreciation and high esteem as does a mother . She continually gives, cares, sacrifices with little thought of anything in return. Why? Because she loves her children and many others!
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Words and the Word
Webster defines Word as a “Single, distinct meaningful element of speech or writing used with other words or sometimes alone to form a sentence.” Words fascinate me.
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Memories
Over 50 years ago Susie king Crowell said to me, “Fred, let’s make great memories for when we are old, all we will have left are our memories.” After two years of courtship and 54 years of marriage…
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Beating the Big C History
Very high chances, you have a person in your life who is fighting MR. C, the dirty player Cancer.
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Analytical – THE LORD’S PRAYER
KEY STATEMENT: What did the Lord mean when He said, “Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”? Many of us memorized this prayer as children.
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The Defeat to Victory Factor
Former NBC Camps student-athlete Jay Huff on April 8th helped the Virginia Cavaliers win the collegiate men’s basketball national championships in Minneapolis. This past season he was ranked as the #15 power forward in the nation.
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Filled with Hope
A recent phone conversation with my sister began like this: “I love you, sis!” “I love you, too.” “Can I ask you a question on this Good Friday?” “I knew you were going to ask me a question.”…
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The Miracle Moment
Sergio “Fred, may I tell you what happened to me two months ago?” asked Sergio Quinonez. For 15 years, Sergio has been our family friend.
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Oceans
The creative genius of the Grand Master’s paintbrush was making two-thirds of our planet, Earth , oceans! How is it possible to be near the ocean, yet never stop to contemplate this miracle?
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House to Home
When does a house become a home and a home become a house? All of life experience is both mystery and fascination to me.
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This Oughta Do
Danny Glover played a rough, good guy in SILVERADO. Glover wore a pair of six-shooters with many bullets on his over-the-shoulders belt.
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The Human Condition, Part 1
Throughout all ages, humankind has debated the innate nature of man. Is man inherently good, or is man inherently evil? This is the crucible life question.
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Boy and Man Brotherhood
King Solomon said in Proverbs 27:17 that “Iron sharpens iron” and “a true friend sticks closer than a brother” in Proverbs 18:24. We become more efficient, we are refined as we sharpen each other.
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Facial Responsibility
One of the many life-giving stories by President Abraham Lincoln is about his decision not to hire a well-qualified man for a cabinet position. Several colleagues questioned Lincoln.
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Home Base (Plate)
“The day basketball season ended, my second love, baseball began. Throwing strikes was my passion.” – Fred Where do you go mentally and or physically when life seems to be sucking the air out of you?
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Esperanza Is Hope
Esperanza is HOPE and EXPECTATION . Wonderful words! The picture has a red balloon with a rope tied to an anchor. The red is LOVE , our positive emotion for life. The rope is our FAITH .
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Falling Three Times
Failure is thought of as a defeat, a lack of success. It is an event, never a person. Yet, failure can be a stepping stone to success . In this respect, it can become valuable.
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Resentment- Palms up Palms Down
Resentment is a signal light telling us to stop or go! Resentment is a gut feeling, telling us something is quite wrong. Resentment ignored turns to bitterness like grapes turn to wine.
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Why We Coach
Do we coach for the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat? Or do we coach for the agony of defeat with seldom a thrill of victory? In my view, competitive sports is like real war.
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Easy to Come Out
While purification is the coming out, it is not the staying out stage. Staying out is much more difficult. It is easy to come out, harder to stay out .
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The Mike Nilson Gonzaga Basketball Story
NEARLY 80,000 VIEWS! On the eve of the Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAA First Round tip-off, I’m reminded that this truly is the greatest sports event in the world. It is called March Madness for a reason.
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The Fred Crowell Story
All things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28) is a true reality for these 77 years of my life!
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Existential Diagnosis of Self-love, Part 3
How does Self-Love work in the midst of a crisis? This is how it works for me. On January 3, 2014, Dr. Anthony showed me my Pet Scan results.
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Catharsis Is Pure, Part 2
C athartic heart surgery can purify the heart physically. There is also a spiritual catharsis that can purify the heart spiritually.
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Catharsis Is Pure
Have you heard the word catharsis? Catharsis is the Greek word for purification . It is a cleansing from unnecessary elements. Emotional catharsis is important for a person’s well-being. A cathartic moment can be a wake-up call.
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SELF-LOVE, Part 3
At times when we look inside, we will feel marred, flawed, dissatisfied, maybe depressed. It may seem we can’t always look lovely!
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Cleaning House, Part 2
It is wise to know inner house cleaning is good for us. It is wise to understand inner house cleaning is good for us. Yet, if we don’t do it, we really don’t know or understand!
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Cleaning House, Part 1
Long ago when Latin was the mother tongue, a linguist used the word FEBRUUM, meaning purification. The English translation is February. I hope you have enjoyed your February month.
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The Mystery of the Fatherhood of God
It is my personal conviction fatherhood loss is one of the most mental and emotional challenges for a child to overcome . How might this loss have occurred in a child’s life?
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SELF-LOVE, Part 2
Self-love is a journey . How wonderful to be able to love ourselves by loving what God loves and forgives.
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SELF-LOVE, Part 1
Today, when we hurt, we hear so often to love ourselves more. But what is self-love? Self-love is the introspective prioritization of my importance and acceptance of my real self – at least my positive self.
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The Finger of God, Part 2
We all need discernment, especially in decision-making. Here are some examples: Between right and wrong, or between my right and your wrong Between left or right path Between winning or losing Between all or nothing (extremism) Between my…
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The Finger of God, Part 1
Today’s culture and government seem to have created a paradoxical polarization. They seem to have created a difficult dilemma for answers. Discussing two different viewpoints often ends up in name calling and character assassination.
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Beg and Plead, Part 2
PURIFICATION, HEALTH, ENERGY, ALIVENESS, PASSION . It seems impossible to experience these five miracle life skills if the body is in poor health. Again, it starts with the body.
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Beg and Plead, Part 1
Briefly, I share with you a true story of a man whose life was saved because another man begged and pleaded. This other man was God’s ambassador to stand in the gap and save his friend’s life.
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17 Minutes – 17 Seconds
17:17 is now my magic number! It replaces 15:00. Why is it magic? It is my ALONE TIME within a personal private place. It is my stop-everything time to bring every thought under control with deep breaths.
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Know the Enemy, Part 2
Here is a personal example of facing the No. 1 spiritual enemy. One night I had a horrendous dream. It was so intense and real.
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Know the Enemy, Part 1
The art of knowing is a difficult skill to master because it demands exceptional focused attention, intense study and deliberate action. KNOWING is the first crucial step in winning!
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The Christ System
It is my personal conviction that Christianity is the greatest of all philosophical, psychological and theological systems . Unfortunately, this miracle system is possibly the poorest taught and least understood.
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SEARCH ME – Part 2
Reality Truth : If you accept the message, you will value the messenger; whereas if you reject the message, you will reject the messenger.
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SEARCH ME – Part 1
When you seek personal excellence, self-scrutiny is welcomed, not rejected. Is the truth, not a lie, really your goal? Search Me!
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Kiss the Edge
Recently, my yoga instructor had her class members in semi-pain as they held a position.
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The Christ System: How It Works
There are many brilliant thinkers historically. To name a few, there are Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Einstein, Augustine, Ignatius, Edison, Franklin. Yet, there is an additional man who deserves strong consideration.
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NBC Basketball Camps Coming to Stebbins, Alaska
FEATURING COACH JOYCE WALKER30+ YEARS BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE, 3-TIME KODIAK ALL-AMERICAN, HALL OF FAME HONORS IN THE FOLLOWING: NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL, WASHINGTON BASKETBALL, LSU, AND SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPORTS.
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The Plain Pain Truth
Mother speaking to her distraught daughter says, “Sorry, honey we can’t teach pain to stop hurting.” A little boy falls in the bathtub; cuts his forehead; cries out, “Stop the pain, mommy, I’ll be good!” The Pain Truth…
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Thank You African Americans
Fifty-four years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr., paid the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity. Yesterday we celebrated his life.
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Not Ashamed
Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. In recent years race relations have become a daily news event. Some believe the USA is at an all-time low in race relations. For some, this is a true statement.
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Who Do You Say I Am?
The most important question ever asked of me was in September 1966. “Coach, before I leave, can I ask you a question?” “Yes, of course,” I answered.
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Hello My Name is Anger Part 3
Reviewing my past decades of experience serving under men with global influence, almost all of them systematically built their foundation. Then it is perplexing to see the foundation subsequently decimated their own dreams.
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Hello My Name is Anger, Part 2
I thought it would be good for my readers to know more about myself and my past history concerning anger.
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How Much Does It Cost?
Everybody is selling something. What’s for sale and are we willing to pay the price are critical questions. Years ago, Susie and I pulled into a car dealership to look at cars, not to buy.
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Old Man’s Story
Everyone loves a story, especially children! Here is an incredible ancient man’s story. This man’s name is John… John the beloved. Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there lived a boy named John.
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Memories
Over 50 years ago Susie King Crowell said to me, “Fred, let’s make great memories because when we are old, all we will have left will be memories.
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New Year New Tools, Part 2
In Part 1 of New Year New Tools the solution given for 2019’s potential problems and pitfalls is being REBORN . Some call it being born a second time, or being born again.
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New Year New Tools, Part 1
From the beginning of time, we all inherit genetic and character traits as part of our lineage. The four primary character traits given to us at inception are: fear, inferiority, guilt and anger.
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Finishing Is Harder Than Starting
Three excellent ways to finish a day, a week, a month, and a year; Gratitude is the best attitude. Gratitude increases performance. Dress your mind in gratitude.
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The Smart Start
Is it possible that 2019 could be the best year ever in your entire life? Even if it were remotely possible why not go for it? What do we have to lose? CROWELL’S 2019 GAME PLAN!
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Neuro Plasticity
The human brain is the greatest miracle of all creation . There is nothing to compare to it. Modern scientific research is uncovering remarkable new data about its functioning.
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Hope – to Help Others!
In my mid-20’s during a powerful training session, a respected leader presented a strong case that words matter . It was then my philosophical and psychological views dramatically changed.
