Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three Jewish leaders among the Chaldeans under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. Their story can be found in the book of Daniel.

A decree went out stating that whenever the people heard the sound of a musical instrument, they were to bow down to worship a golden statue.

The three Jewish leaders did not follow this decree of the king. They refused to bow down to worship any gods. They remained faithful to the one true God. As a result, it was determined that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to be put to death.

Sounds pretty harsh, doesn’t it? But take this into consideration: Have you ever watched preschoolers play on the playground? Even among the youngest, a leader emerges and the others follow this leader’s example.

This little leader can work for good, helping the others play safely and follow the rules, or you can watch as the leader decides to run up the slide and swing upside down. In seconds the whole class is in complete chaos!

To be a leader, whether you want to be or not, is to have power. How that power is used can mean the difference between unity and chaos. People will follow the example set.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were leaders. The king appointed them to lead in the area of Babylon.

So, when King Nebuchadnezzar learned of his chosen leaders not setting the example he had in mind, you can imagine his rage. He knew the power that comes in leading, and he knew that others would follow as their leaders led.

Those three leaders also knew the influence they had and they chose to remain faithful to the one true God. By their example, and by the power of God, hearts and minds were changed. Others came to know the God of the Israelites and started to live in the light of his love.

You are a leader, too. By being a disciple of Jesus Christ you have chosen a life that represents him through your words and actions. You have the ability to influence others around you. What kind of example are you going to set?

By the way, to find out what happens to the dynamic trio, check it out in Daniel, chapter 3. It’s amazing.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Leaders have power, set an example

The young ladies from the Fort Walton Beach Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled to Camp Kolomoki in Blakely, Georgia, this year where they experienced their varied activities and testimony meetings. The theme for this year was More Fit for His Kingdom.

This is an opportunity for them to get to know the young women from the other 10 congregations in the area.

To help with the teaching and monitoring, the older girls, called Laurels, go early and receive training to prepare them to do the duties assigned to them. Also, before their adventure, the guidelines as to dress and behavior are sent to all and talked about in their classes.

Some of the classes offered were yoga by Ashley Liufau and Katie Bingham and also lessons on healthy eating and following the Church’s Word of Wisdom, which cautions against drugs and tobacco and other addictive substances.

Some activities they enjoyed were decorating sunglasses, writing in their journals and drawing scenes on canvas. The Laurels were assigned to supervise classes in water safety, fire and avoiding poisonous plants. There was a lake in which they could kayak and paddle board and also use slides.

Some service projects were arranging flowers for the dining hall, cleaning the trails and relabeling the trees and changing the wood on the benches. All the girls agreed these projects gave them a special feeling of satisfaction.

The lip-sync routines are always a favorite. “ I Don’t Dance” was presented with bats for a baseball routine by one of the groups. Another crowd-pleaser was “ Make a Man of You,” a group line dance; and “ “Living On a Prayer,” complete with 80’s costumes. After the lip-sync routines, they did a glow stick dance.

Zoe Racz felt that the event was a real testimony builder and she appreciated the chance to get closer to the girls in her ward. Her sister, Mia, went for the first time and she expressed how spiritual and fun it was, how much she enjoyed the crafts and how much like a big family it seemed to her.

Karen Jones is the Young Women president for the stake; Lori Stotts, along with assistance, was the director for this camp experience; Ashley Liufau and Merama Divine were the youth leaders; and Emmy Stockman was the kitchen manager.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Latter-day Saints celebrate Girls’ Camp in Georgia

Light is a very important aspect of life. It helps us to see, to find our way when darkness is all around us, provides life, and so much more.

D. L. Moody told the story of a passenger on an Atlantic steamer who lay in his bunk with a severe case of seasickness during a raging storm. Suddenly he heard the cry, “Man overboard!” The ill passenger thought, “May God help that poor fellow, but there’s nothing I can do.”

Then he thought, “I can at least put my lantern in my small window,” and with an effort he did so. The man was finally rescued. In recounting the story the next day, the rescued man said, “I was going down in the darkness for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole. It shone on my hand, and a sailor in the lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in.”

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world …. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 (NRSV)

The faith of a Christian is to be strong. With Jesus Christ at the center of who we are, we are called upon to provide hope and guidance to a hurting world. The light of the faith we have in him is to shine out.

Far too often people see faith as a private affair. “Jesus and me” is the motto that is heard far too often. But when we keep our faith in Jesus Christ a private matter, we are doing a grave disservice to our Lord and to a hurting world.

The phrase that needs to be put forth is “Jesus and we!” People all around us are hurting, drowning in a sea of fear, anxiety and uncertainty. In Jesus Christ, we have been given the kind of hope, assurance and peace that passes all understanding. Therefore, we can be the beacon of light that helps direct others to the Author of that hope and assurance.

When it may seem as though there is nothing you can do to help someone, simply remember that you can let the light of your faith in Jesus Christ shine forth. You may provide the only illumination in an otherwise seemingly hopeless situation.

As Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NRSV)

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Let the light of your faith shine

Last weekend was the 50th anniversary of humanity’s first step on the moon.

It was a historic event. As Neil Armstrong said, “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.” Apollo 11 made history. But so did Apollo 8.

On Christmas Eve 1968, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders, the crew of Apollo 8, were orbiting the moon. On the fourth orbit, they looked up and saw something they hadn’t expected to see because they were preoccupied with photographing the cratered lunar surface below. It took their breath away.

What they saw was Earth rising. In awe, they took the historic photo of it.

Frank Borman, the expedition’s commander, later described it this way: “It was the most beautiful, heart-catching sight of my life … It was the only thing in space that had any color to it. Everything else was either black or white, but not the earth.”

Jim Lovell echoed those sentiments, and then added: “It was the most beautiful thing there was to see in all the heavens. People down here don’t realize what they have.”

To look at Earth from afar — it is so small compared to the rest of God’s magnificent universe; it is so inviting, so beautiful.

So why do people fight over territory? Why do people fight over natural resources? Some will say it is their God–given right to exploit natural resources for their own gain, to grab as much territory as possible.

I wholeheartedly disagree. This is not a God–given right, but a practice adopted by generations of humanity fallen from God’s grace because they chose to ignore God’s intentions for life. We have simply convinced ourselves this is the way it is supposed to be.

Let me encourage a change of perspective.

For a moment, imagine yourself out in space looking at this tiny blue marble we call Earth. It’s beautiful! God absolutely knew what he was doing when he created it. Land, sea, blue sky, clouds, living creatures.

Humanity was created to live on Earth, to “subdue” – govern, tame – it, not conquer it, not own it, but to care for it and everything in it.

Why? Because, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.” (Psalm 24:1-2, New Revised Standard Version)

I wonder what will happen if and when we realize this, change our ways, and realize we live in God’s world.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The earth belongs to God