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The Third Option
Dad loved Jesus’s response to the Pharisees. They often tried to trap Jesus. He frequently faced either/or no-win decisions by them but Jesus offers the third option. Consider, for instance, the woman caught in adultery.
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Decide
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live.” This verse was one of my Dad’s favorites.
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Common Sense
Dad struggled with some forms of common sense—like when he accidentally shot my mom’s dog (no, it did not die) while trying to warn off a woodpecker that was destroying our house.
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Encouragement is Oxygen
At camp, my Dad struggled to help student-athletes understand the necessity of encouragement. Then he compared it to oxygen. Oxygen is necessary for life; the same is true of encouragement.
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Joyful and Triumphant
Merry Christmas to all of you at Words of Hope. I want to share this Christmas story. Tom is my father-in-law, and he and my Dad were close friends.
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Courage Erases Loneliness
How many of our friends and family struggle with feeling alone? My Dad loved the great poet Maya Angelou who said, “We, unaccustomed to courage, exiles from delight, live coiled in shells of loneliness.” Christmas is a time…
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Reborn
My oldest daughter Natalya turned twenty-five Sunday. Dad was there for her birth.
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Release from darkness
I have been praying daily for the Christians kidnapped in Haiti. They were held by a murderous gang who wantonly killed children and adults unable to pay an exorbitant ransom.
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Garment of Praise
Sorrow can feel like a heavy shroud. I sometimes feel suffocated by it if I allow my mind to think of no more time with Dad, no more calls, no more chats by the fire, or surprise trips.…
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Poetry
I wouldn’t say Dad loved poetry when he was younger, but he definitely grew to love poetry. We both found poetry more and more beautiful after knowing my husband, Shann.
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Love must be Sincere
Dad believed fully what Mother Teresa said, “Christ’s love is always stronger than evil in the world… this kind of love begins at home.
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The Incarnation
Shann, my husband, had a book interview last week. His interviewer had respect for Shann’s faith but also incredulity. How could Shann, a learned scholar, researcher of genocide, atomic theory, clinical and neuropsychology, consider the incarnation possible?
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Is
I have been wrestling with language around my Dad’s death. I don’t like to say I lost my Dad because I didn’t lose him. I have full confidence I know where he is.
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A Beautiful Mind
I opened my journal from 2017, where I had listed concerns I had during that time. They seem so trivial in light of my current point of view.
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Relationship Over Rules
Dad disliked rules over relationships. In our home, he cared more that there was love in our hearts for God than if we went to church or read the Bible.
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Perfectly Teachable
After watching thousands of athletes at NBC Camps, Dad said the two most dangerous emotions which hurt any athlete are arrogance and fear. Those emotions are the opposite of humility.
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The Power of Hope
My Dad’s hope inspires me. Dad studied, researched, prayed for, and meditated on the word hope. He knew it was a crucial foundation for life in God. Hope is confidence in the unseen.
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Bedtime stories
Dad was a magnificent storyteller. He could mesmerize audiences at camp with stories of Challenger, our big black lab, or make everyone howl with laughter by a funny face or a silly expression. Dad loved stories.
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The God of All Comfort
My Dad believed fully in Christ and in His resurrection power. He did not fear death but trusted implicitly in the message that the dead in Christ shall be raised.
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Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood
My Dad loved the movie about Mr. Rogers, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. He watched it many times.
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The Human Soul
The day after Thanksgiving was difficult. I found myself feeling quite sad about Dad.
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Psalm 23
Dad and I often talked about life balance. Dad was a juggernaut of energy when he was younger. He was a make it happen person. But as he developed cancer, his ability to power through became harder.
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Love is Patient
My Dad had an abusive father, and so did my Mom. My Mom was born in November of 1941. A few weeks after she was born, Pearl Harbor was attacked.
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Worthy of Imitation
My good friend was in town on a recruiting trip, and he stayed with Shann and me. He loved Dad and considered Dad in many ways a second father.
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Never Bored
Dad hated the phrase, “I’m bored.” He believed great coaching, teaching, and parenting never allowed for boredom. He believed it was the responsibility of the teacher and the student to work together to create exciting learning opportunities.
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Thanksgiving
Dad was masterful at creating meaningful moments. At Thanksgiving, the TV would be off, there would be intentional time for grateful reflection, and there would be great food and laughter.
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People of the Way
Dad hated God when he was young. He vowed he would never pray or cry again after his Mom died. He was filled with anger and turned away from God.
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Great is Thy Faithfulness
Dad and I memorized Lamentations 3:22-23 together, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fails, it is new every morning- great is His faithfulness.” There is a hymn called “Great is…
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The Age of Enragement
My Dad’s father loved rage as a tool to solve problems. Dad desired to learn to be gentle. He sought out gentle men as mentors to help him learn how to navigate difficulty without getting angry.
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Fun Dad
Dad was a very fun dad. He enjoyed games. He loved playing with my brother and me. When I was little, Dad and I would always have a game of hide and seek.
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The Sin of Criticism
Last December, Dad and I read sections of “The Violence Within” by Paul Tournier aloud to each other. Tournier believed that criticism was a form of violence that burdened the relationship.
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You are a Miracle
Dad delighted in people. Wherever he went, he made lifelong friends. On the day he died, I called many people whose numbers were on his phone to say goodbye. If we missed you, I am very sorry.
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Great Joy
One aspect of Dad’s character I admired was his presence. He carried himself with dignity and power. His voice could fill a room or a gym. Dad met my husband Shann before I did.
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A Godly Woman
Today is my Mom’s 80th birthday. Her courage in caring for my Dad through cancer reveals her reliance on prayer and dedication to serving. Mom is one of the most persevering people I know.
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Friendly Flowers
The other day Mom and I walked through our neighborhood together. We stopped to see a woman planting in her yard.
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Veterans Day
My dad loved veterans and felt deeply grateful for his friends and family who served. One man that he came to know and love fought in the Vietnam war. They were around the same age.
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The Decision of Gratitude
Dad asked our family to be with him when he first received the news he might have cancer. We gathered around the kitchen table to wait with him when the hospital called with his results.
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Dear Parents of Teens
When my daughter Natalya turned fourteen, our relationship didn’t feel the same. I felt like she didn’t want to connect, and I wanted to blame her. I read books about teens.
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No Dis-Aster
The night Dad died, the sky was full of color, the sun was blood red with Hesperus, the evening star was visible.
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Dad’s Voice
I asked my Mom what the most challenging part of her journey right now was, and she paused for a minute and then said, “Not hearing his voice.
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Lean Back
A song comforting me during this painful loss of my Dad has been “Lean Back,” written by Tony Brown, Chris Mcclarney, Nate Moore, and Amanda Lindsay Cook.
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Love Deeply from the Heart
I have talked with many people who felt loved and close to Dad, and they often tell me how much Dad meant.
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Beautiful Faith
Following up on last week’s WOH. I wanted to discuss my Dad’s beautiful love for Christ. He always cherished my faith and did not look at my life with concern or fear.
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Finding Balance
I loved asking Dad his thoughts about parenting and coaching- both are similar. An authoritarian coach or parent who leads with fear and intimidation creates difficult home and team dynamics.
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Forgiveness as a Healing Force
Dad loved servant leadership. One beautiful definition Dad would have loved from Dr.
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The Gift of Mentoring
My Dad believed in the intentional work of mentoring. Many of you reading Words of Hope are testimonies of Dad’s investment in your life. My husband, Shann, is a perfect example of Dad’s mentoring vision.
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Dad the Adventurer
Traveling through Switzerland recently reminded me how much fun my Dad had sightseeing around the world. He loved new places and adventures.
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God supplies our Needs
God shall supply ALL my needs?! What a sentence! Do I live like I believe this? I know this is something Dad wrestled with for a long time.
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Strong Love
Dad loved my mom. They were married for 58 years. He loved to tell the story of when he first saw her at the University of Idaho. My dad consistently spoke well of my mom.
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Focused Feelings
Dad didn’t like it when I asked him how he felt. He instead preferred me to ask what he was learning from God or what he wrote about in Words of Hope.
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The Full Amor of God
One of the passages of Scripture Dad and I memorized is Ephesians 6:10-18. Verse 12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the…
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Detachment
One of the essential life lessons Dad helped me with is the idea of detachment. I am very passionate and opinionated, so the lessons of detachment take me time.
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Generosity
My dad grew up extremely poor. He often told stories of the paper route he had when he was age nine.
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A Loving Dad
A few days after Dad died, my friend sent me a loving text and ended with: You won the “Dad of the century” award.
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The God of Hope
Several people reached out to me after the Words of Hope in which I shared not being able to hear Dad’s voice on the voice message I saved. I wanted to follow up on that story.
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The Discipline of Prayer
Dad died two months ago. It feels like it just happened and conversely that it happened long ago. Dad’s 12 year battle with cancer carried so many thoughts and questions about when his time would be up.
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Grief
Hope, Dad’s dog knew he was dying. She lay by his bed and would rest her head on his arm.
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Letters of Love
I opened Dad’s desk recently and found hundreds of random note cards. Some were covered in images of nature; others were blank white cards or cards printed with words like thank you or I love you.
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The Lord’s Prayer
Dad loved the Lord’s Prayer, and it was one of his favorite ways to pray. Here is how time with Dad praying the Lord’s Prayer together would go. Our Father (I am not an only child!
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Fred Crowell’s Celebration of Life
We would like to invite you to Fred Crowell’s celebration of life ceremony Sunday afternoon, May 29, 2022, at an event center in the greater Spokane-Post Falls-Coeur d’ Alene Metro area.
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RPE4FJC
My brother Jay created RPE (one of my dad’s favorite slogans, which stands for Relentless Pursuit of Excellence) and FJC—my dad’s initials Fredric James Crowell.
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Outside of Time
My Dad left me a lengthy voicemail before he died. I waited to listen to it for a few weeks after he passed, waiting for a time I really needed to hear his voice.
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Wisdom
My dad had wisdom that resulted in practical ways to live. Before he died, I asked him about a parent who had a young child acting out in preschool— hitting others and disobeying the teacher.
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The Daily Examen
Our whole family often jumped into learning what Dad was learning. He was so infectious and enthusiastic; he inspired us to understand what he was learning. One of his favorite spiritual teachers was Ignatius of Loyola.
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Mealtime Conversation
Our family created a ritual around mealtime conversation. This ritual refined through the years, but it emerged from my Dad’s quote he often used, “Great people talk about ideas, mediocre people talk about things, and small people talk…
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Brave
Dad and I loved to go to movies and see them on the big screen. One of our favorite movies was 1917.
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Overflowing with Thankfulness
Dad liked to use a jar illustration to help people diagnose the quality of their thoughts and words. Picture a large glass jar in which you can inspect all the contents.
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Sing for Joy to the Lord
Dad loved to sing, and for a long time, he was not good—so poor people thought he purposely mocked the song when he sang in church. Yet, Dad still sang— in church and in public.
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Full Armor and Prayer
I love history with all my heart, especially World War 2, perhaps because I know Dad loved Winston Churchill, or because I lived in Germany, or maybe because I have always wanted to know why this massive war…
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The Need to be Seen
My Dad noticed people that many do not—people mopping floors, or bussing tables, people who were often unseen or unrecognized. He treated everyone he met as a miracle with infinite value.
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Every Thought Captive
Dad valued quality thinking. For most of us, we assume whatever we think about is reality. A thought enters our head, and we unequivocally believe it.
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Little Things
One of Dad’s favorite sayings was, “Yard by yard, life is hard, but inch by inch, life’s a cinch.” Dad would often counsel me on a project that felt overwhelming to take one step at a time.
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Be Anxious for Nothing
I opened up Dad’s journal from 1987 recently. The year I survived a severe car accident on my way to school.
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Heaven Minded
Dad met with his doctor for the last time in July. A cancer doctor is such a massive part of a cancer patient’s life.
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Not by Might
When I was a young girl in Birmingham, Alabama, mustard became available for purchase in a new plastic bottle.
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Wait for the Lord
Dad was not the best at waiting when he was younger. He disliked waiting in line or at the doctor’s office. With cancer, you spend many hours of your life in waiting rooms.
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You can trust God
I trusted my Dad. He created a very safe space for me to share with him my life and my struggles. He listened well and encouraged me without judgment or shame.
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Find Ways to Laugh
Laughing seems difficult for me right now. I almost didn’t write this though I felt my Dad intentionally gave me this word. Dad loved rocks with words inscribed on them.
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Right Here Right Now
Dad loved to do crazy things, like two-footed hops down the middle of main street Disneyland or teach strangers how to laugh or practice his Qi Gong breathing technique in a crowded elevator.
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Live in Forgiveness
The keyword I wanted to focus on for today is, forgive. I know that as Dad crossed over into eternity, any memories of bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness simply cannot accompany him into the presence of the Lord.
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Creating Your Own Secret Garden
I have felt fairly bereft with dad’s passing, so I have decided to set a daily intention, something he would encourage me to consider for the day.
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From Fred’s Daughter Jennifer
Fred Crowell passed away on Wednesday, August 11, at around 7:40 pm. Fred is my Dad, and I’ve had the unparalleled blessing of being raised by such a devoted and loving father.
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Doing Good
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 Experience tells us when an exhortation is given in the negative, there…
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Special Announcement
Hi All, My dad has taken a very serious turn. We keep hoping it is temporary and he makes a remarkable recovery as he has done in the past.—But he is quite ill.
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Sacred Silence or Selfishness
Written near the end of his life, Soren Kierkegaard gives insights into what we call “infinite resignation.” This is in his book The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air.
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Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness
Something truly amazing happens when we clean when the dirt is removed when clutter becomes neat. Our human spirit is enhanced when we make something better than when we found it.
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World’s Systemic Problem, Part 1
Today’s world lives out the adage, “There is a season for everything.” Solomon said this in his book of Ecclesiastes. In other words, there is a balanced, cyclical nature of life, even for comforts or calamities.
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Mount Never Enough
Looming in the hearts of human “doings” (not human beings) is the majestic Mount Never ENOUGH . This imaginary self-imposed mountain stands taller than America’s tallest Mount Denali and the world’s tallest Mount Everest.
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Ego, Pride, Humility
Recently my brother Larry relayed Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comments to me. Giannis is the shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks that won the 2021 NBA championship.
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Establish the Work of Our Hands
In the Bible, Psalm 90 is a prayer by Moses, full of wisdom. Moses had eight requests in the last part of the prayer.
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Time to Stand
It seems to me there comes a time in everyone’s life when we can either take a stand or remain seated.
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Myelin Protects Hope
You must build hope, for the day will come when it is desperately needed! Myelin is a coating that covers your circulatory neurons. Every time you perform a skill, you are creating myelin.
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Be of Good Cheer
Here in Spokane we have had record-breaking heat in June. Now in July throughout the Pacific Northwest we need rain. Don’t you agree there always appears to be a good and bad side to everything, even weather!
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Not Afraid of Anything
Fear is a dominating emotion that cripples performance and steals success. Is it possible to live without fear? Probably not because there are two types of fear. First the good type of fear.
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Two Most Important How’s
I am convinced the two most important HOW’S in the world are: 1) HOW to be born again, and 2) HOW to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
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Three Stages of Life
In the early days, a baby spends the vast majority of time in a crib. The middle years of life are spent grinding it out for the accumulation of stuff.
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The Word for All
Happiness is watching your granddaughter dance. Possibly one of the greatest joys of being a grandparent is watching grandchildren excel and love life with passion.
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Make Today a Masterpiece
“You pile up enough tomorrows, and you will find you have nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays.
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Have or Have Nots
This is the ultimate difference between contentment and discontentment. Contentment is living in abundance. Discontentment is living in scarcity.
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Stay in Your Lane
Yes, Fred Crowell loves to drive a car! And the better the car, the better I love driving! And how fun it is to drive on a multi-lane highway!
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Happiness a Gift
“Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” This is what Abe Lincoln felt. For some, happiness is a common occurrence.
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Natural vs. Supernatural
One of the great gifts of life is that of choice. Everyone can choose whether they live natural , meaning normal or ordinary, or supernatural , meaning transcendental or superordinary.
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America the Beautiful
It was a fateful Christmas Eve in 1776. General George Washington , also Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, led his men across the Delaware, marching 13 hours to route the cruelest British army.
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Land That I Love
“This land is your land, this land is my land. From California to New York Island, from the Redwood Forest to the Gulf stream waters.
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Comfort in Silence
Years ago, Henry David Thoreau said: “The mass of men live lives of QUIET desperation.” Yet today, I (meaning Fred Crowell) say: “Most people live lives of ACTIVE desperation.” Why?
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Life Is Hard
“Once we admit life is hard, it is no longer difficult.” – Scott Peck It baffles me when people; notably Fred Crowell, think we deserve an easy life.
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Good News – Great News
The Apostle James encourages us to consider trouble when it comes our way, to be an opportunity for great joy.
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The Law of Help
Many of us have heard “HELP!” from a child. Sometimes this means the child is in danger or perhaps just needs assistance or support. Maybe any help will make a situation better or more achievable.
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The Inside Story
Fred Rogers, the famous child inspirational television star, said, “There is an inside story for every outside behavior.” If every teacher, coach, and, most importantly, parents will understand every behavior a child exhibits has an inside story.
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Lamps and Lights
Lamps and lights are favorites of mine, more than the average person. My wife will agree with that. She will tell you how an extraordinary desk lamp at a Spokane home show caught my attention.
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The Climb
When we stop climbing, facing the challenges life presents every day, we lose our mission and purpose . For the toddler, the climb is learning to stand and then walk.
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The In-n-out Phenomenon
One of the most important life principles is the phenomenon of In-N-Out . Coincidentally, an American popular fast-food chain is named In-N-Out, where placing an order necessitates driving in.
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Privilege
Webster writes PRIVILEGE is “a special benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity granted only to a particular person or group.” There was a time in our culture when the average person could not spell or give…
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Sharing Joy
The Dead Sea, bordered by Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, is the world’s lowest point below sea level. Animals cannot live in its water even as it is one of the deepest and saltiest lakes in the world.
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Who Are the Good Guys
An elementary teacher was talking about the subject of good and bad guys. One little boy raised his hand: “Teacher, who are the good guys? “ This is a wise question!
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Wanting More
Very early this morning I asked myself this question: Is my life enough, or do I want more? My reality is while I am in my secret garden, it is a perfect place.
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The Language of Hope
In hopes to offset today’s primarily angry, harsh, rhetorical, judgmental language. The language of Hope seems like an excellent alternative.
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Dying Well
Dying well begins with living well. Nearly 40 years ago, one of my best friends from Seattle called me. His words were: “Fred, I am really afraid.
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Four Foundation Success System
Four is a great number! Why not three? Look at the original ATV (all-terrain vehicle); it had three wheels. Didn’t work – would cause far too many injuries due to rollovers.
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Three Mysterious Miracles
In Proverbs 30, the writer says there are things God has done that are too wonderful to understand. I, too, feel three mysterious miracles are so extraordinary I cannot fully understand.
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Liking & Loving, Not Enough
Coach Crowell, I really like reading your book, Words of Hope!” “Coach Crowell, I love reading your blog, Words of Hope!” Thank you is my usual response. I’m grateful that what I write becomes a special blessing.
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Hope in 1865 – Hope in 2021
JUNE 3 is an important date. June 3, 1865, was the date for the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, as part of the Civil War (156 years ago).
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What’s up People?
Here I sit in my easy chair, at 4 AM, wondering about life. How is it possible, so many diverse thoughts roam through my brain like a river flowing over rocks?
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Most Awesome
The Psalmist wrote, “ The Lord Most High is awesome . “ The word awesome always reminds me of my brother Larry.
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Best We Not Forget
Wise people do not forget those who have gone before and made our lives richer, better, happier, and safer.
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Choosing Great Friends
Pictured above is Jim Harrick – John Wooden – Fred Crowell. Coach Jim Harrick is one of the finest friends any person could ever have in a lifetime.
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The 5 Why’s
If you truly want to know your life purpose, ask yourself the 5 Whys. In fact, asking 5 Why’s may help solve many of your life problems and give you direction, especially in situations where you don’t know…
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Never Lose Your Dreams
The four P’s – Psalms, purpose, prayer & power. Dr. Shann Ferch tells the following story. One day my dad took me to Circle, Montana to visit his dad. Grandpa was living in a small shack.
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Hopefulness
Nestled in the decorative rock among my beautiful rhododendrons, I discovered what looked like trash. To my big surprise, it was not trash! Instead, it was a neatly folded piece of white paper.
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3 Pills, Big Job
Approximately 160 men with metastatic prostate cancer are counting on three (3) daily pills to give them a few more good days on this earth, celebrating each new day.
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AMAZING GREAT PODCAST – Hosted by Ric Hansen
Amazing Greats interviews with well-known actors, authors, artists, athletes, musicians, and business leaders. Authentic conversations about their lives, careers, and how their faith played an important part. Inspiring and uplifting stories of hope, transformation, and triumph.
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Came by Night
One of the closest followers of Jesus wrote of a special man who came to Jesus at night. Why would Saint John want to make this part of his writing in John 3?
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The Law of Did You Know
There are three profound Laws of Life that impacts all of us, whether we are aware of them or not.
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The Pure Authentic Steadfast Light
I like to begin Words of Hope with a story that inspires me. A long time ago, there was a man who said he was not the Light, but he came to show people the way to the…
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Mountains
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” As remarkable and beautiful as Alaska’s magnificent mountains is the notion of God’s promise that He, God reigns.
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World Attitude Championship
View this IMAGINARY CAGE FIGHT: Nemsa vs. Pemsa. In the south corner of the cage, wearing red/orange is Nemsa. He is fighting for world domination of NEGATIVE emotional, mental and spiritual attitudes.
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Crowellians Chapter 1
Greeting from Fred Crowell! This letter from Fred to all who have a special place in my heart.
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Whose Slave Am I?
“You can’t break a bad habit by throwing it out the window. You’ve got to walk it slowly (and deliberately) down the stairs.” When people purchase my book, Meet My Head Coach , I encourage them to read…
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The Imposter Within
Sooner or later in life, we discover we are not who we think we are! We discover there is a difference between who we are and who we want to be.
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The Law of Attraction
Key Statement: People have an internal compass. This compass points in the direction of people who have a compass pointing toward us. We call this the law of attraction. True counseling story.
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Your King
Who is worthy to be called your king? What a profound question! According to Krois’ definition, A king is any person, any object, anything or undertaking that demands 100% allegiance and servitude.
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Death Moment(s) Part 2
Key Statement: Death Moments and death are inevitable. Yet both death moments and death are subject matters seldom discussed except at funerals. Elegant question.
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Death Moment(s)
KEY STATEMENT: If you have experienced a death moment you are never the same. If you have not experienced a death moment, be prepared because you will likely have a death moment experience.
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Clinical Trials
After 12 days with my new Medical Trial by UCLA, I now more fully understand why it is called a Clinical Trial. It is because the prescribed drug is on trial.
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Enough Is Good Enough
“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, I have everything I need, all I really want is God.” – Crowell It’s been said that when John D Rockefeller was asked how much money was enough, he…
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Making Sense Out of Nonsense
Have you considered that NONSENSE MEANS NO SENSE ? It is an indicator of lacking good sense, judgment, or real meaning. Therefore, nonsense becomes foolishness.
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Let There Be Light
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. In basketball language, an excellent metaphor for shooting a basketball is an automobile, where the legs are the engine of the shot.
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So Excited to See You
Young children do it the best! They get so excited to see people they love. They run, jump in arms (confident to be caught!), gleefully screaming with joy.
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Basketball Betrayal
Years ago, a wise college basketball coach evaluated a hopeful recruit with these words: “His body betrays him.” At the time, these were stunning yet insightful words. What in the world was he talking about?
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All in Today?
The crucial question… My daughter Jennifer tells the story of being seven years old. She braved a flight of steps to the high board at the Samford U pool.
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The World’s Greatest Machine
Some would have said Henry Ford’s mass production of the Model T is the world’s greatest machine. While others would have said it was the rocket that allowed Neil Armstrong to walk on the moon.
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My Tribute to a Man Who Changed My Life
My dear, dear Father B: I slept a very rare 8 uninterrupted hours through the night this week. Praise God.
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This Is My Story, This Is My Song
“Old things passed away, all things become new.” – Paul Early this morning in my secret garden, I was thinking of my grandson.
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Laughter
Do you want to live longer? Then LAUGH! Laughter heals the body, decreases pain, protects the heart and blood flow, and lowers blood pressure. Do you want to express your amusement and joy? Then LAUGH!
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The Law of the Secret Place, the Secret Garden
In Psalm 8, David wonders about his micro-self and says, “What is humankind that God is mindful of him?
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Immutable Laws of the Universe
No reasonable person can dispute there are immutable, unchanging laws that govern our lives. There is no escape from them. One such law is the Law of Expectations .
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Wisdom in Laughter
Laughter heals the body Laughter reduces anger Laughter elevates hope Laughter is fun Laughter is caught, not taught Laughter is unique to each Laughter is contagious Laughter is social happiness Laughter lowers blood pressure Laughter is living life…
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Top 10 Characteristics of Being Wise, Part 2
Last Wednesday, we discussed 5 characteristics of wisdom seen in wise people. They were: Personal Admission, Personal Commitment, Personal Trained Behavior, Personal Skills, Personal Diligence.
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Watching People with Wisdom, Part 2
As I inspire myself to love and good deeds, I realize I need to give more thoughtful attention and continuous care to watching over others.
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Watching People with Wisdom, Part 1
People-watching is fun, entertaining and a valuable source of learning. A wise spiritual and life educator taught his students to master three people-watching skills. WATCH THE PERSON .
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Kindness
Just one act of KINDNESS can change a life forever. It is a type of behavior marked by favorable acts of generosity, consideration, and concern. What might some of these be?
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Top 10 Characteristics of Being Wise
For about 100 days, the mysterious and remarkable topic of WISDOM has been on my mind and heart.
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Exit Hell Hallways Enter Peaceful Rooms
Key Statement: “Ex” means to get out, and “en” means to enter. Get out of the hallway and enter rooms of beauty, grace, peace, joy, and love.
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Stuck in the Hallway
Ideas from a sermon about being stuck in the hallway of life. People get mentally stuck in hallways because only 5% of our emotional decision-making occurs in our conscious level of thinking, while 95% of our actions happen…
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Excellent UCLA doctor time
Dear Forever Friends, Once again, the Lord delivers Fred Crowell big time. After 11 intense metastatic cancer years, my cancer is isolated in the bones and not present in soft tissue.
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World’s Greatest Artist
Is it Rembrandt, Picasso, Michael Angelo, Chagall, Van Gogh, or is it GOD? Susan Stricker, high school math teacher, lover of beauty, declares to any and all, “God is the greatest artist!” One of my thousands of joyous…
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Walk Circumspectly with Wisdom
The idea of walking with 360-degree vision seems absurd, yet this is a Biblical challenge. Dr. Thomas Jones told 120 truly good kids at an NBC-Alaska basketball camp there are three ways to listen .
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No Taxes?
I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethoughts of grief. – Wendell Berry No taxes – no future fears? No takes – no worries for tomorrow?
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Will and What?
Two extremely important, yet uncommon questions that bring relational healing. Will you forgive me for; now call the offense by name.
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Wisdom Checklist
The value of a wisdom checklist is to prioritize each vital activity necessary to complete the task with great success. After choosing major projects, it is wise to have a daily checklist.
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You Make Me Brave
CRUCIAL QUESTIONS Are you brave? If yes, how? Are you brave? If no, why not? Football legend coach Vince Lombardi said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Aristotle said, “If you want to be brave do brave things.”…
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The Ides of March
March 15 became a famous day known now as “THE IDES OF MARCH” relating to Roman history. We can learn three lessons from Roman incidents of that day.
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99.9% vs. 100%
“Fred, how do you do it? How do you have such peace and joy going through the challenges you are facing? Four times in the past few days, this has been the question asked of me.
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Pain Comes in the Night
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING I BELONG TO JESUS JESUS IS MINE As boys Father Crowell trained us to not shed tears.
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Wisdom Checklist
The invention of the checklist is one of the all-time great discoveries! It can also be called PLOTTING THE COURSE. It is a reminder list of required things to do or points to be considered.
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The Gift of Choice
Three choices; two usually poor ones! As a young coach at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks my college president taught me a lesson for life. Years later I discovered choice was God’s unique gift to humankind.
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Story Collisions
The tendency is to believe the first story told and forget there are two sides to every story. The late Dr.
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My Life Meaning
A good Friday to you, dear friends! Let’s start today’s Word of Hopefulness with two inciteful, elegant questions, answering Yes or No. Do you know why are you alive?
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God Is Good… Always
The giant enemy of the human spirit is self-pity! Years ago, one dark emotional day at an NBC Camps clinic for the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Washington, the self-pity engine engaged my mind.
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Wisdom’s Origin
Wisdom is the design of the one and only true Creator. Without the existence of God, there is no wisdom. There are only opinions, people’s viewpoints.
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People Watch You
People watch what we are doing, how we do it, and how it makes them feel.” – Derrick Sebastian “May I have another cup of coffee?” Asked the person at the counter.
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Laughter – Good Medicine
“Laughter is a fascinating subject to study because each person has a unique way of laughing.” F Crowell In my years of empirical research I have come to the conclusion that one who easily laughs was raised in…
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Oxicourage
Today is Day 57 in our 2021 Words of Hope. May I politely ask a favor of you? I really need your help. This is so you, in turn, will help others.
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Sleep Is Precious and Priceless
“I think of you through the watches of the night because you are my help.” After three full, long days at a camp, the 75-year-old body was ready for sleep. I slept 12 hours in one day.
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Initialism
Wisdom is doing the right thing at the right time. W – Want it! This is the first step in being wise. See Matthew 6:25-33 . I – Integrity. Do as you say. See Psalm 1 .
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The Law of Seeing, Hearing, and Giving
To SEE means I have seen. In essence, I cannot help others see the value of something if I have not seen its worth. Growing up, I learned my values by watching my mother, Kathleen Mitchell Crowell.
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Principle of Problem Solving
Albert Einstein believed you could not solve a problem with the same level of consciousness that created it.
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My Hope
My dear friends, I write this Word of Hope from Cabo, San Lucas. This is a wonderful place, especially when Spokane is experiencing bitter coldness – still winter!
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Solution to Poor Character
Do you desire freedom from quick temper, anger, and personal conflicts? The Apostle Paul is truly a remarkable writer. I marvel as I read his many books. Around 57 AD he made a difficult decision.
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Knowing I Am Not Wise
Wisdom begins knowing I am NOT wise . There is a circular presupposition: To be wise is to know; if you don’t know, you can’t understand; if you don’t understand, you cannot be wise.
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Easy to Start, Hard to Finish
Each New Year resolutions are made with high hopes and firm resolve. By the year’s end, these well-intended resolutions will have been abandoned.
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The Climb
Today is the 43rd day of the year 2021. Wow! At least 10% of the year 2021 has already evaporated!
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Encouragement Is Like Oxygen
Every life form is starving for a drop of encouragement. Some examples: The cactus in Arizona cries for just one drop of moisture.
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Train to Win Wisdom
TRAINING TO WIN is far superior to trying to win. Trying is not sufficient. We fail because we don’t train. Trying is not enough.
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Win Is a Choice
The win begins with the decision to know you can and will win. A win is in the preparation. Preparation builds confidence. Confidence promotes high-level performance.
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Heaven on Earth
One of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. A profound request! Who else should be asked! His instructions were condensed to 70 words to pray with sincere humility and faith.
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The Principle of Life
I hope you are enjoying the 416-page, hardcover Words of Hope book. The book helps us discover how hope heals, elevates the spirit, and brings energy and purpose. Yet, hope lost makes the mind and heartsick.
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Sanctuary Home
“If your faith does not work in the home, your faith does not work.” – Howard Hendricks Vividly the bird sanctuary at the San Diego Zoo is framed in my memory bank.
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Detachment Life Principle
Crowell’s Fourth Spiritual Pillar Detachment Truth is the 4th foundation of St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercise Theology. Every Jesuit priest is taught to exercise this foundational principle in their life, daily.
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Personal Letters & Delicious Omelets
Dear FRIDAY WITH FRED Friends, Today’s communication is to lift your spirit and inspire you to positive caring, life-giving, yet enjoyable actions. Personally, one of my delightful actions is reading and writing letters .
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First and Lasts
Briefly, why do we idolize being first and disfavor being last ? Often last trumps first . Here are some real-life examples depicting in the end first does not matter.
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Probe for Wise Counsel
Solomon has given us this advantageous bit of wisdom in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no advice, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety (or security).” Wow!
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Guard Your Heart & Mind
“Defense is the best offense in basketball and in lifeball” – Fred Crowell One of my father’s passions I inherited was a clean car.
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Life Experience
“Experience is a term used to name our mistakes.” – Oscar Wilde Four pillars form the foundation for my meaning and purpose in life. Life experience is the fourth and most vital.
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A Written Letter
A WRITTEN LETTER can be an effective way to communicate. Francis Bacon said: “Reading makes us full, speaking makes us prepared, and writing makes us exact.” A letter is from one person to others to be read.
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Heavy Heart Therapy
Imagine a valentine heart shape burdened with a heavy backpack running to jump and clear a high bar.
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Making Wise the Simple
To review, we have looked at WISDOM along with four negativities to avoid, mainly people who sap us of our real meaning of life and joy. This will determine whether we are really wise.
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Principle of the Iceberg
What you don’t see is far more important than what you do see. Imagine the excitement 2224 of the richest people in the world and some emigrants hoping for a new life were feeling the day in Southhampton…
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Tough Minds Soft Hearts
A tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. How many coloreds are you going to play at a time in the game tomorrow night?
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You Are Enough
My Dearest of Friends, When St. Paul wrote his many letters from his Roman prison cell, I am sure he did not know they would reach his friends, let alone be read.
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Hello, My Name Is Anger!
Within arm’s reach is a ping-pong-ball-sized red light button. It is your anger button! Press it and anger flows or possibly explodes like a volcano.
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The Wisdom Discipline Link
King Solomon combined WISDOM and DISCIPLINE in his Proverbs writings. In fact, he advised us to not despise them or treat them with contempt. It intrigues me to question the close linkage between wisdom and discipline.
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Obsolete Tools
Imagine a farmer plowing a field with his hands hanging tenaciously to a plow pulled by two hefty horses. Then, out of nowhere, a brand new, bright green, “John Deere” pulls up beside the tired farmer.
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The Battle for Your Heart
What do you hold most dear? What do you want to be most known for? Whatever the answer, G od’s intent for contacting us is for us to know and be known by the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Fridays With Fred
I am writing to all who call Fred Crowell brother and friend. I want you to know I love and appreciate you.
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Words of Wisdom for 2021
Let’s explore what it means to be wise. We know the decisions we make determine our destiny.
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Wisdom Wednesday
Each 2021 Wednesday, Words of Hope will focus on the personal skill development of being wise . It will be designated WISDOM WEDNESDAY. The first Wednesday of 2021 is January 6th.
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2021 Letter from Fred
WARMEST GREETINGS TO MY DEAR FAITHFUL FRIENDS: The year 2020 had the earmarks of a very unique year. For too many, it was the worst of years, especially financially.
