I have seen the "good ole boy network" at its finest and its worst. The absence of the network in a community concerns me because it usually means an absence of leadership. I have been in communities where the "network" was progressive and supportive of anyone who was working hard and trying to "get ahead".
The "network" had chivalrous tendencies and was made up of men and sometimes women who believed like me that the education system was the one way to make an impact on the community/society/world. I worked in a district where the "network" made sure that people were held accountable. Forgiveness was there, but you were going to be accountable for the job you were doing, for your practices around town, and treatment of others.
Likewise, chivalry was not dead. There were men who were men who were not afraid to pick up a sword and defend the weak (a metaphorical sword). Men who really did practice Mark 12:31, "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Men who practiced and displayed: Integrity, Fidelity or Loyalty, Succor, Benevolence, Courtesy, Selflessness, Obedience to authority, Joyfulness, Frugality, Bravery or Fortitude, Cleanliness, and Reverence. Modern day knights per a website that I found...
2Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
A man will practice the art of chivalry if he is indeed in God's word. It doesn't mean that he isn't going to screw up on occasion, but like all of us, it's the admission of error and seeking of forgiveness that sets Christians apart. It's the repentant heart and desire to seek God's will and path.
Now, the opposite of progression is oppression. I have been in communities where the "network" reigns with a heavy handedness blocking out progression to preserve themselves. Sadly, a lot of communities like that are dying because of the leadership. The spirit of control and power are heavy on the "network" and the men lead out of a negative need.
Those men seek to oppress out of the need to control that which they are really not equipped to control. They operate out of scarcity, greed, power, intimidation, fear, disregard for what is Holy and sanctified, and basically bully tactics. Their bravery is not based on personal strength but out of the use of fear, perceived power, and intimidation.
1Peter 3:8-18
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18For Christ also suffered[a] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,"
Men (no offense to our female leaders but this story is not about you), if you are given a position of leadership or claim it, then you are obligated to use the position for good if you call yourself a Christian.
Does it align with God's word? If not, then you may be dealing with another dark knight. I have faith that God is igniting men of courage. (If you have not seen "Courageous", it is a must see!)
The "network" had chivalrous tendencies and was made up of men and sometimes women who believed like me that the education system was the one way to make an impact on the community/society/world. I worked in a district where the "network" made sure that people were held accountable. Forgiveness was there, but you were going to be accountable for the job you were doing, for your practices around town, and treatment of others.
Likewise, chivalry was not dead. There were men who were men who were not afraid to pick up a sword and defend the weak (a metaphorical sword). Men who really did practice Mark 12:31, "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Men who practiced and displayed: Integrity, Fidelity or Loyalty, Succor, Benevolence, Courtesy, Selflessness, Obedience to authority, Joyfulness, Frugality, Bravery or Fortitude, Cleanliness, and Reverence. Modern day knights per a website that I found...
2Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
A man will practice the art of chivalry if he is indeed in God's word. It doesn't mean that he isn't going to screw up on occasion, but like all of us, it's the admission of error and seeking of forgiveness that sets Christians apart. It's the repentant heart and desire to seek God's will and path.
Now, the opposite of progression is oppression. I have been in communities where the "network" reigns with a heavy handedness blocking out progression to preserve themselves. Sadly, a lot of communities like that are dying because of the leadership. The spirit of control and power are heavy on the "network" and the men lead out of a negative need.
Those men seek to oppress out of the need to control that which they are really not equipped to control. They operate out of scarcity, greed, power, intimidation, fear, disregard for what is Holy and sanctified, and basically bully tactics. Their bravery is not based on personal strength but out of the use of fear, perceived power, and intimidation.
1Peter 3:8-18
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18For Christ also suffered[a] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,"
Men (no offense to our female leaders but this story is not about you), if you are given a position of leadership or claim it, then you are obligated to use the position for good if you call yourself a Christian.
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