How to Learn

            A young boy once approached his father to ask, "Dad, why does the wind blow?"

            His father responded, "I don't know, son." 

            "Dad, where do the clouds come from?"

            "I'm not sure, son." 

            "Dad, what makes a rainbow?"

            "No idea, son."

            "Dad, do you mind me asking you all these questions?" 

            "Not at all, son. How else are you going to learn?"

            Let’s hope that father, and those of us who are parents, do a lot better job when our children ask the question, “Why should I follow Jesus?”

“I’ll Be Different from my Parents”

           All of us who are parents would love to have the admiration of our children. Unfortunately, that proves to be very difficulty.

            As an example, let me share with you an essay that my friend’s son wrote when he was in the fifth grade. The city newspaper got a hold of it and ran it in the Sunday edition. I think you may find the letter humorous:

            I have four ways I’ll be different from my parents and here they are.  First I will not be as strict.  Second I will let my kids do anything except watch some rated R movies. Third I will have a different occupation and be more adventurous.

            The reason I picked not to be as strict is because all parents are strict but they never admit it.  Also kids don’t like strict parents.  I will let my kids watch some rated R movies because some are historical like Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line.

            My third reason was I will be more adventurous.  I would like to bungee jump and I would also like to climb a mountain unlike my parents.

            Also, I will have a different occupation than my parents because my Dad is an accountant and my Mom is a teacher.  I haven’t decided what I want to be yet, but I think I want to be something a little more exciting!!

            Aren’t you glad God did not call us to be admired by our kids? That would be a tough job! Instead, he called us to love our kids, serve our kids, and train our kids in the ways of the Lord.            

            That we can do.

Living by the Inner Scorecard

            Back in 1999, one of the world's richest men, Warren Buffett, appeared to be losing his touch. Numerous newspapers and business magazines were asking, “What's wrong with Warren Buffett?”

            His mutual fund was trending downward; meanwhile, technology stocks were soaring upwards. He received much pressure to surrender and purchase technology stocks, which he considered to be poor buys for the future.

            Warren Buffett did not surrender. He chose instead to follow what he called his “Inner Scorecard.” (See my post of 6/13/12.)

            Buffett said he was the type of person who, were he painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, would have ignored advice from passerby’s. It was HIS painting, and he would work on it for the rest of his life because, in his mind, it would never be finished. That would be living life by the Inner Scorecard.

            Buffett would ultimately look like a genius. The technology boom turned to bust, but Buffett’s trust fund grew in value. Buffett was spared loss and humiliation because he followed his Inner Scorecard.

            The Bible is full of people who followed their Inner Scorecard. Here is how the writer of Hebrews chapter eleven puts into his own words the concept of the Inner Scorecard: But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Heb. 11:16.) NLT

Source: THE SNOWBALL WARREN BUFFETT AND THE BUSINESS OF LIFE by Alice Schroeder

The Inner Scorecard

            The world's richest man, Warren Buffett, says there are two types of people in this world: those who follow their Inner Scorecard, and those who follow their Outer Scorecard.

            Buffett himself follows his Inner Scorecard. He explains his reasoning with the question, “If the world could not see your results, would you rather be thought of as the world's greatest investor but in reality have the world's worst record? Or thought of as the world's worst investor when you were actually the best?”

            Buffett would prefer to be known as the worst… and in reality be the best.

            Buffett applies this to parenting. He says that parents, when their children are at a very early age, emphasize one of the two. Those who emphasize concern for what the world thinks will cultivate an Outer Scorecard in their children—and vice-versa.

            I believe we parents should cultivate an Inner Scorecard within our children. It should be a scorecard directed toward God, and not bound by what anyone in the world thinks.

            I believe this concept lies behind these words in Deuteronomy 6: 6 Memorize his laws 7 and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning. 8 Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them. 9 Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates. CEV

            

Source: THE SNOWBALL WARREN BUFFETT AND THE BUSINESS OF LIFE by Alice Schroeder