As an Eagle Scout there is a saying that goes, “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle”. That carries certain privileges with it, but also certain responsibilities. As an Eagle Scout, one would never want to do something to tarnish the reputation of themselves or other Eagle Scouts. The same is true for those of us who work in ministry. Whether I like it or not, many people will put me on a pedestal. That means that I need to hold myself to a higher standard than I do anyone else. It is like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:13, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” I do not want to do anything to make another person stumble and the only way to ensure that is by holding myself to a higher standard. A good example of this was when I was a smoker. I made sure that I was not smoking within sight of anyone from the congregation I was serving. I began to realize that even hiding it was not a good idea and I finally quit. …show more content…
This also agrees with the idea of maintaining personal habits conducive to good health. It is not easy to be in ministry with health problems. I had some health issues previously that did not allow me to regularly exercise and I put on so much weight that when I was able to be more active in ministry, I found myself tiring easily. I remember one of the things I learned by taking a class with Mike Slaughter while I was in Seminary. The class met for an intensive week “shadowing” Reverend Slaughter and other leaders from Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church. Two mornings that week, we were put through a rather strenuous exercise regiment that left most of us very sore. The lesson we were supposed to get is that we have to be in our best shape ever if we are going to be in ministry because it takes much energy to be actively engaged in ministry. It is a goal of mine to continue working on the weight loss as another step in improving my overall health. Another thing that I learned from Mike Slaughter is that a good leader is always reading something. He embodied this by showing the book he was currently reading from a contemporary colleague. He suggested that we should always be reading and even keep a notebook that you can write thoughts and ideas in when you read something that sticks out to you. While I have not been good about keeping a notebook, I have and will continue to read many new books each year. I also enjoy going to conferences that help me to grow in my role as minister. I plan to continue to do that and look for new opportunities for growth not just in ministry but in my own spiritual growth as well. I believe integrity in all relationships includes the familial relationships. I think this is very important in ministry because I have come to realize that it is not just me that is put on a pedestal but my family as well. They may not be scrutinized individually as much as we are as a family. How we get along and treat one another is noticed by others, both inside and outside the church and we need to be setting an example as a Christian family for others to follow. One way that I show that I committed to social responsibility is that I had switched all the lightbulbs in our parsonage from incandescent to compact fluorescent bulbs to save on energy costs. I have also begun the process of replacing them and some of the other light fixtures to LED lights. The congregation has noticed this and followed my example by converting some of the outside lighting to newer LED lighting. I have begun to be more intentional in the area of growing in the grace and love of God.
In the past, I have struggled in maintaining certain practices of spiritual discipline such as taking time for morning meditation. I started this past Lent of being very intentional about having a morning devotional by using the Upper Room devotionals. I have been able to continue that. I have also begun to practice Lectio Divina a few times a week after teaching about this practice in a Bible Study. I would like to try to find some conferences that will help me to grow more in my own spiritual journey. I will also set aside some time a couple of times a year for a spiritual retreat. This is something that I have enjoyed taking part in through the RIM process and through some conferences that United Theological Seminary has provided. These conferences have been a valuable part of my spiritual life and I plan to continue seeking out retreat and learning experiences in the
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Throughout the books Huckleberry Finn, Othello, and To Kill a Mockingbird certain characters challenge what the status quo was at that time. They go against what the norm was and go against what other characters think. This causes controversy and is a major part of the plot in all three books. The main way that these 3 books challenge the status quo for that time is through race. Many of the characters are against what is viewed as normal and have views that were known as radical at that time. The main way their views are different is certain white characters view black people in the books in a positive way and are willing to associate themselves with them even though that is against what most people thought was right. Throughout each
In “The Importance of being Earnest” the quote by Gwendolen that states “A home is the right place for a man and yes once a man begins to fail in his house duties he becomes painfully feminine or does he? In which makes him attractive.” shows the reversal of gender roles in Gwendolen’s mind. It shows this by turning around the traditional roles of man and women. This tests the ideal’s that say women should raise the children while men work. Instead it shows how women can have jobs or occupations such as men. Thus showing us in this quote how man and women are equal.
“Scout's Honor” by Avi is a realistic short story about three boys going camping in the woods. In the beginning, the three boys decided they want there scout badge. Soon, they were going on a camping trip by them self. In the end the boys decided they do not like camping. This story shows that the three boys struggle with being tough.
Doing the right thing isn't always easy. Instead of standing up for those without a voice, it's easier to stick with the crowd. But even when doing what's right, there are still going to be people who oppose you; there still may be people who continue to ridicule you and everyone else. Your job is to stand firm and be an example of Christ.
To the average citizen, Semper Fidelis is just another Latin term they overheard, but also one they do not know enough about to even care. However, this term means everything to a Marine; it represents their loyalty to their country, to their fellow Marines, and to the task at hand. It is the reason they joined the Corps, for there has never been a feud among Marines because of how The phrase represents the brotherhood that the U.S. Marines share with one another. It shows that they will not only fight against the enemy with the man or woman standing beside them, but that they will fight for them. “Honor, courage and commitment are the values that guide us—Semper Fidelis is the motto that bonds us. To guard our nation is to guard its principles,
Standing for what you believe in, knowing what you are risking, makes you have courage and bravery. It is important to stand for what you believe because people need to hear what you need to say or see the change you want to make.
Thrilling and captivating the book To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel that deals with many different issues going on in a small southern town. Racism being the main issue is covered and shown in detail in certain circumstances. In the book The Chosen, the issues are more about secular and religious views and the way it effects peoples lives. I personally like the book To Kill a Mockingbird better, Because of the issues and how they deal with it and the setting of the story. Thrilling and unique both in their own ways.
This quote happened after the burning of the lady in the burning house, she had burned herself with books. He was confused and intrigued to make an explanation for this madness. He at first wondered if there was a reason for her acts, and thought about how there’s always a man that wrote that book and put time into that book. He now began to try to understand books and he started to make a passion out of it and learn about books. He finds that there is something good in the nooks and it should not be burned rather preserved because of the importance.
“I do believe in the old saying, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' Our experiences, good and bad, make us who we are. By overcoming difficulties, we gain strength and maturity” (Angelina Jolie). That is exactly what happened to Scout the protagonist in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. The author, Harper Lee, tells about the growth of Scout Finch utilizing Scout’s childhood experiences in the town of Maycomb. The innocent Scout matures the most in the novel because of her adventures in the southern town of Alabama. At the beginning of the novel, Scout is an immature child who doesn’t have much knowledge regarding the world, but as the novel progresses, she loses her innocence and slowly becomes a matured
The quote “embracing that which makes you different, is what makes you most powerful and strong” was said by Darren Criss. Criss stated this quote at an interview about A Very Potter Musical in 2009 about up and coming stars. He was talking about doing something different, a parody musical on a popular franchise. Criss belonged to a theatre group ,Team Starkid, which was very different from other theatre or comedy groups. The quote means that showing what makes people different and not giving up knowing they’re different is what makes them the most powerful and strong. The quote goes along with society today because individuals try to hard to please society instead of what is successful for them. Many people have lived according to this quote
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV) We should follow and love God with everything we say, feel and do. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul teaches of entire sanctification, and how Christ followers’ should live throughout life. The holiness code gives laws for believers to follow. This teaching should be as important for people today as it was for those in the times of the Bible. We should encourage others, and share this teaching through the churches. Churches these days seem to sugar coat the teachings of Paul, and in most instances, it seems that holiness and entire sanctification are not as crucial in Christ followers lives.
I would not want to take pills for stirrings. An example of textual evidence is, “You’re ready for the pills, that’s all. That’s the treatment for Stirrings.” (Lowry 36) In my perspective, taking pills for a dream is not necessary. “Now he swallowed the small pill that his mother handed him.” (Lowry 37)Jonas had to take a pill and he didn’t want to, and I wouldn’t want to either. A quote from the novel is, “Pedaling rapidly down the path, Jonas felt oddly proud to have joined those who took the pills.” (Lowry 37) In my opinion, I feel the opposite of him, I would be ashamed that I took a medication for a dream.
In 1837, in a speech given by Ralph Waldo Emerson called the “ American Scholar “ he made a remark about books. He stated, “ Books are the best of things, well used; abused among the worst.” Within this quote, he stated the importance of book within a society, about its use and impact. However, he spoke about the subject in a very distinct manner, causing the rise of many ideas and interpretation of the quote. To a certain extent this quote is true, books are one of the best tools that one can utilize to do almost anything when it is used properly. Otherwise, it can cause the rise of different useless ideas and at times also cause the misdirection of a population.
It's easier for people to bring you down than for you to bring people up. When you surround yourself with negativity the chances of you seeing things from a negative light are pretty high. Growing up my mother always told me "you take on the traits of the people you call friends". Meaning, whether on purpose or subconsciously, when you spend time with a person or a group of people you begin to act like them. Now it's all up to you what you want your actions and attitude to reflect about your character, but the way I learn was that if you want to be known as someone who has good moral standings and a positive attitude then you need to surround yourself with people who want the same thing. It's always easier to do someone thing when you have the support of people. Just as it's easier get drunk every night and get into trouble when you find a group that gets drunk every night and can get you into trouble. I completely understand thinking that you can change people from the latter into someone who is a "good person" but taking on the whole group at once is asking for trouble. So be the example for others to follow, but be sure you aren't following the wrong example yourself.
I.As a minister we are responsible for making sure we warn believers as well watch over them. The bible speaks of this to the pastors saying that he would give us leaders after his heart. This is a verse for every minister to hide and heart. That as God has charger us to lead and shepherd his people we have a responsibility to groom them and watch over them in the affairs of the natural & spiritual welfare and empowering them holistically in areas of their