Serve by Design

I have become an advocate for the next generation of leaders. You’ve heard it said, “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders!” I like what I see in today’s youth! That’s why I seldom turn down an opportunity to engage and be with them. This past week, I participated in a youth police camp sponsored by the local American Legion and the Illinois State Police. It was on the beautiful campus of Camp Lincoln here in Springfield, Illinois. This was my third year serving as an ISP chaplain and taking part in the camp graduation ceremony! Homemade Blackberry Pie Thanks, Sis!! The State Police Youth Academy was first conducted in July of 1972. Each year since, young men and women are invited and sponsored to participate in an intensive week of physical training, classroom instruction in law enforcement, field trips to interesting sites, and recreation that bonds them with new friends. They learn about discipline, teamwork, and respect for themselves and others. During this year’s ceremony, a ver...

Recently, I returned from a three-day trip with both sons to Minneapolis. We were there to watch our beloved Cardinals play the Twins at beautiful Target Field with its unique limestone facade and mid-tier wooden fold down seats. What a great venue and energized baseball setting! During this short flight up and back, we were surprised to find that Delta had outfitted their planes with several amenities and on-board enhancements. Yes! This is for "plug and play!" These are the conveniences most air travelers expect these days:   Wi-Fi, monitors for movie and television viewing, and charging outlets conveniently within reach. We should have known that with so many of us using our devices like laptops, smartphones, iPads, and wireless earbuds that these changes were going to be routinely implemented no matter what the destination or size of the aircraft! But we did have an issue with the outlet below the seat in front of us. It didn’t look like a standard outlet, but it was! W...