September Blog
This month we will discuss:
- Spiritual Leadership in a secular world
- Quotes
- Chesapeake News
Spiritual Leadership in a Secular World
On the first Saturday of each month our church asks all its members to participate in an activity that serves our community. It might mean building a wheelchair ramp, handing out food, cutting grass or simply being with someone. Many of my first Saturday serves have been at the Tuscaloosa County Youth Detention Center. We normally get there about 8:30 AM and some proceed to the kitchen where they will cook a special lunch for the group and others will go to the gym where we play basketball or hang out and talk with the youth. I have never been accused of having Lebron James basketball skills, so I normally wander over to talk/listen to some of the youth.
Gun possession is a problem. Too many of our young men carry a gun. Young people run high on emotion. Throw in a little “you disrespected me” and instead of someone getting punched in the nose, a gun appears and trouble begins.
I also volunteer at Bibb County Correctional facility where I have learned that a gun coupled with a quick burst of temper can mean a lifetime spent behind bars. Normally it takes about 30 seconds to ruin one or more lives. An impulsive thirty seconds. I jumped to Bibb County because if the youth in the detention center do not get their act together, Bibb is in their future.
Earlier this year I was talking with Sam (not his real name). Sam was about seventeen dressed in his orange shorts and tee shirt. “Sam, when you are hanging with your friends on the outside are any of them packing a gun?”
“Always.”
“Why not find an environment where they don’t?” I responded.
Most of our kids do not end up in the Youth Detention Center with a path mapped to the Bibb County Correctional Facility. The reason is that they are in environments and cultures where possession of a gun is not part of the culture. It might be a church group or a football team. I have several wonderful friends who intentionally provide environments that are healthy. These men and women are spiritual leaders in a secular world.
We need more. Can you get involved?
Quotes:
- You cannot make a difference if you are not different. Chris Hodges
- When a godly man works like crazy and prays even harder, the combination can overcome even the worst assault.
- A man can accept what Christ has done without knowing how it works; indeed, he certainly won’t know how it works until he’s accepted it. S. Lewis
- Fire is a test of gold; adversity of strong men. Seneca
- It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his helper is omnipotent. Jeremy Taylor
- How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Psalm 133:1
- All of God’s greats have been weak men who did great exploits for God because they reckoned on His being faithful. Hudson Taylor
Chesapeake News:
We will have the next free Leadership Development Introduction session on August 8th. These sessions will start at 11:30 and end at 1:00. We will be doing them at the Gateway in Alberta City.
- September 8
- October 13
This hour-long overview is the same we give to our executive clients; and it is for free. We will put a limit on the number of attendees as we want to maintain a small intimate class for lots of interaction. The Gateway is a wonderful facility with plenty of parking.
We are doing these sessions as a public service to many who would never have this type of opportunity. We would love for you to take advantage of this opportunity.