Thank You, General Powell, Son Of Immigrants

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 44

November 1, 2021

Thank You, General Powell, Son Of Immigrants

It has been more than a week since the death of General Colin Powell. I was saddened when I first heard the news. I had never heard of him until the First Gulf War and then he became a household name. I was among the first to buy a copy of his book when it was published a few years following the conclusion of that war. After reading it I was even more impressed with him than I had been from simply hearing news stories about him. I am grateful that his parents chose to immigrate to our nation. We are better off because of their decision, and the service General Powell gave to our armed forces.

Years later, when I moved to New Jersey, I met a member of our great consistory who knew General Powell personally. These two gentlemen, had gone to college together, were members of the same fraternity, and both served in our military. They had stayed in contact with one another. Through this man I heard some college stories about General Powell. Each of these stories helped reaffirm my high opinion of him.

One of the things I enjoyed most about Colin Powell’s book was his list of thirteen rules for leadership. No, they don’t come up to the level of the ten commandments, but they contain good wisdom for becoming a good leader. Like the commandments, I will never truly live up to them, but attempting to live by them, I think, makes me a better leader.

If you haven’t heard them I will list them.

1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
2. Get mad, then get over it.
3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position fall, your ego goes with it.
4. It can be done!
5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision
7. You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
8. Check small things.
9. Share credit.
10. Remain calm. Be kind.
11. Have a vision. Be demanding.
12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

Let us all strive to follow the ten commandments from God and the leadership rules from Colin Powell. Also, if we think that immigration hurts our nation, do you think that we would be better off if General Powell’s parents had not moved here?

I pray that God will bless General Colin Powell with the peace and blessing of Christ’s presence.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

#PastorMarkAuthordotcom                                   

#BergenfieldNJ

#GeneralColinPowell                                               #TenCommandments

#ColinPowell’sRules                                                #Immigration                        

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/