Leadership Styles and the Armor of God

Outfitting for the Epic Journey:

The Armor of God

Dinner Topics for Thursday

 “Above all, taking the shield of faith. . .”       

One taking a long journey has more peace of mind if properly outfitted.  Saint Paul outlines the elements best suited for the epic journey called life. (Ephesians 6:11-17)  It is easy to take our feet for granted, until they hurt. Having your feet well shod, therefore, is vital.  Without this preparation, it is futile to expect to walk the long road, or even to be able to stand firmly.

Next is to be girt about with truth, and have on the breastplate of righteousness.  Obedience to God is the habit of a free man.   This obedience makes a good breastplate, because it protects a heart which is soft and teachable, which is humble and submissive to the divine will.

When you put on the helmet of salvation, you are taking on the name of your Redeemer.  If, wherever you go, you always remember Him, the Spirit will never fail you, and you will never forget who you are.

Now, above all, taking the shield of faith.  But with all this, how will we see where we are going when it is dark?

 

Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of earlier days when he worked for the railroad, and he wondered how the engineer, traveling at such a dangerous speed, could see into the darkness. Then he realized it was not one long journey, but rather a constant continuation of a short journey. The engine’s powerful headlight could brighten the way for a distance of up to 500 yards.  The engineer could see to the edge of the light, and that was enough, because that headlight was constantly before him through the night, until the dawn. 

He explains that in like manner we proceed on our eternal journey, one step at a time. We travel into the unknown, but the headlight of faith always lights the way before us.  If our faith keeps that light bright, we will never walk in darkness.   

Epic Stories for Character Education, p.73

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Charles Dickens, Character, and Self Improvement

Dinner Topics for Friday

<--Dickens and his characters

Character Education, Self-Improvement—“By Any Other Name. . .”

In Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Great Expectations, the young boy Pip started out in difficult circumstances, being raised by his older sister, who was very harsh. When he came of age, he was blessed with a considerable fortune from an unknown benefactor. His money caused him to be rather prideful and vain, but his conscience always bothered him. When at length he discovered the source of that fortune, he was humbled. In due time, Pip overcame his pride and vanity, because he ultimately heeded his conscience, felt compassion for many he had once disliked, and developed a sincere desire to do what was right.

Another story from great literature is in the Bible, where Jesus Christ met the woman taken in adultery. After He shamed her accusers, there was no one left to condemn her or throw stones at her. The Savior told her to “go and sin no more.” Although Jesus did not condemn her, neither did He forgive her at that time. There is something she needed to do first, in order to obtain that forgiveness. She needed time to repent. (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.68)

The dictionary defines repent—“to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.”

Character education, self-improvement—what have you—implies the choosing of right over wrong, and making an effort to change for the better, or in other words, repentance. Repentance, by any other name, is still repentance.

People often have negative feelings about repentance. However, honest observations of our current culture compel us to acknowledge that good character leads to a more peaceful, orderly, and happy society. The truth of this principle cannot be ignored.

Parents need not be afraid of holding their children to high moral standards. The atonement of Christ is a safety net in the times of falling short, but it is fastened to repentance. Repentance is not easy, but it is easier in the long run. Still, “it is easier [yet] to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.” (Ezra Taft Benson)

After His suffering was over, Jesus said that if we would repent, or turn from sin, we would not have to suffer for those sins, because He already paid the price. So, at the end of the day, we see that “repentance” is really a message of love, because it is the key to mercy, and ultimately saves us from a lot of unhappiness.

Copyright © 2011 by Christine Davidson