Dexter, MO - There is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm during the Fall, as kids return to school, the summer ends and football begins. It's a very special time that brings a community together in so many different ways.

A local group of Bearcat Fans continued the tradition this past Friday night with a pregame prayer prior to the Bearcat's season opener against the St. Genevieve Dragons. This was simply a pause in the busy action of "life" to ask God for the protection of our young people as we watch them on perform on the field throughout the season.

A non-denominational event, the group gathered in a circle around the flag pole at the North end of Charles "Seed" Bland Stadium. The prayer was lead by Pastor Rich Lee, who admitted he was "Volen-told" (or volunteered) to lead in the prayer time.

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From youth to parents to Bearcat Fans, the spirit shared was that there is more to life than football ... but a common theme was that all hoped for favor from our creator for the boys protection while on the field and good sportsmanship. Ultimately, the praying fans always seek a Bearcat Victory just in case the Lord might need a reminder of where the group's loyalties lie on the football field.

We enjoy these Friday nights as we watch kids grow in their spirit of competition, their desires for success and the good things that competitive sports brings into their lives. Life just doesn't seem to get much better than the smiles, the cheers, and especially when your team is winning.

But life is a longer race than a football season. The Bearcats were able to deliver that victory Friday night, but these praying Bearcat Fans know that the true ultimate victory in life is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and "these things pass away."

But in the mean time, life is good in the fall. We are all thankful to God for His blessing of health and the pure enjoyment found in stadiums across America where we can worship Him and relish in the good times of our families and friends.

A unique new concept to help develop leadership in the region will begin right here in the area. It's called the Heartland Leadership Labs. The labs are focused on bringing high-level nationally known leaders to the region to help nurture and develop leadership.

"Strong leadership can impact our families, communities, organizations, and an entire country," says Brad Aycock, one of the organizers. Growing up in southeast Missouri, then starting a business, Aycock saw a shortage of these opportunities.

"Whenever we wanted to learn from the gurus, we'd have to read their books or drive to St. Louis or Memphis for their conferences. Not anymore," Aycock notes. Aycock adds that there are future teachers, CEO's, and Presidents walking the streets of southeast Missouri. Many make it, but sadly some don't.

"We want to be intentional and focused on creating opportunities for all of us to learn from the best in the country, right here in our area, at a very affordable price," says Aycock. Oftentimes conferences can provide energy for awhile, but it sometimes wears off. With the Leadership Labs concept, people will get the frequency needed to make it stick. The speaker lineup rivals any conference you may see in the larger cities. On Sept. 30, Dr. Tim Elmore will teach on Habitudes. Dr. Elmore is the founder and president of Growing Leaders (growingleaders.com) and consultant for Chick-fil-A, as well as many major league baseball and NCAA football teams. He also works with schools across the country to help identify and develop the next generation of leaders.

His latest groundbreaking book, "Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future" has been a major benefit in helping corporations and franchises work with and understand the next generation.

On Oct. 28, Sue Nilson Kibbey will bring her expertise in Strengths based leadership. Kibbey consults with organizations on leading by strengths - based on the best selling book "StrenghtsFinder 2.0." In 2005 she was recognized as one of the top ten non-profit business administrators in America.

On Nov. 18, former St. Louis Ram and future Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams will be discussing the importance of teamwork in an organization. Williams had a stellar NFL career and eventually helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl in 2001. His latest book, "It Takes Respect" discusses how leaders must earn the respect of their peers in order to take the organization to the next level - Teamwork makes the Dream work.

"If a business person, educator, church leader, or civic leader can make it to these labs, you'll see a difference. That difference can have a great ripple effect. Our hope is that these rare opportunities could tap into our potential and unleash a movement to greatly impact our region and the world." says Aycock.

The Heartland Leadership Labs will be held in the Family Life Center at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston.

For information on pricing, speakers, dates, and tickets, visit heartlandleadershiplabs.com or call 573.421.1824.

Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

VIDEO OF THE DAY

I'll never forget the sting of rejection I felt as a shy and insecure seven-year-old when I asked for Elvis Presley's autograph after a small concert in his early days of performing before he hit the big time. To the young singer's credit, he had already given me his "John Henry" earlier, and I had lost it somewhere in the crowd.

He must have remembered my nervous and embarrassed face the second time around because he rebuked me and said, "Hey kid, didn't I already do this once tonight?" After I fumbled a torn piece of paper and a pencil into his hands, he reluctantly scribbled "Elvis Presley" a second time.

I ducked my head in sheer embarrassment and scurried off to find my bicycle and peddle home.

Some people collect Elvis albums like diamonds and even call him "the King of Rock and Roll". To each his own, I guess, but for me, I think that the real King not only gave me His autograph (in blood no less), He actually calls me a family member and re-autographs my page in the Book of Life every time I fall. This is a feat I appreciate more than any other event in my life on this earth! Jesus calls me family. Jesus invites me to dinner every day. Jesus signs autographs just for the asking. As I choose to follow Him, He chooses me to be His son.

Guess what? The same family invitation is yours for the asking!

QUESTIONS:

What does it mean to you to be invited into His family?

Why does He regard His obedient followers with as much regard as His own mother and brothers?

What does it mean when He gives you His autograph each and every day?

LIFELINE:

As each of us in this home are members of God's family, how should we act towards each other?

Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Matthew 8:23-26

23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And behold, there arose [a]a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25 And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” 26 He *said to them, “Why are you [b]afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and ©it became perfectly calm.

She may be one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood, but she is definitely the poorest. She has read dozens and dozens of scripts from wooing directors and producers, but to this date in her young career, she has not accepted one. Every script has suggestive romance. Every script has language. Her response is always the same, "No, thanks. I'll wait for a script my conscience can live with."

Last week, a beer company sought to capture her beauty and offered her $300,000 to take a part in a TV commercial. She definitely needed the money to pay her rent. She immediately called her dad for advice. "No way," was his response. "We don't need money that badly." The actress agreed with relief.

My dear friend, Shannon, has faith that God will meet her needs.

All day long before the big storm in the boat, the disciples had listened to Jesus delivering the greatest lectures on faith ever preached. Now they were in the laboratory. It was time to test their listening skills. Had they really heard the teacher.

"Save us Lord, we are perishing!" Give 'em a big standing ovation. At Kanakuk Kamps we call it giving 'em a big O!

You haven't closed a deal in months. You could lower your standards.

The competition for customers at your sales office is intense. You could stretch your offers to "sell" more than you can deliver.

You turn expense reports in every month, and this month you could use a few more dollars to make ends meet. What will it hurt to bump up your mileage or claim meals that are not work related?

Faith that God will come through. It's the issue of the day isn't it! Storms rose up on the Sea of Galilee in a heartbeat. Storms prevail at school, sports and work that seem to pale the wind in comparison!

A word from Jesus and there is peace.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is your laboratory of faith today?
2. Where is Jesus in your boat?
3. What do you need for peace and calm in your storm right now?

LIFELINE:
In the storms of life, it's the home that points you to the One who brings peace and gives wisdom to the questions that arise when the boat seems to be going under.

Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Matthew 8:1-3: Jesus Cleanses a Leper

1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

I have a lot of great memories from my childhood. One memory from my high school days has never left me

Cathy was the girl in our high school that hardly ever went out or was even noticed by a boy. Cathy had a rare disease as a little girl, which left her neck and her mouth grossly distorted. (I do remember, however, more than once noticing her beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes.) Even though Cathy was as sweet as any girl in my high school, no boy would ask her for a date because of her strangely disfigured features ... that is, until her senior prom.

David was the president of our student council and was about as nice a guy as I've ever met. He not only asked Cathy to prom, but he took her there and treated her like a queen. Cathy looked stunningly beautiful in her baby blue dress with pure white lace. Alfonse was a quiet, but sincere country boy who was also at the prom. He too noticed her hidden beauty. Alfonse took a special interest in Cathy after that dance and eventually asked for her hand in marriage. The loving touch of Christ-through-his young servant, David, "healed" Cathy's quest for love and attention about as beautifully and completely as Jesus might have done had He been in the good ol' Class of '64 with David and Cathy.

The account of Jesus and the leper has always amazed me because as I read it, I picture Jesus with the compassion of love in His eyes that is only known by the father of a daughter in need, reaching His hand out and touching the disfigured leper right in his biggest sore spot on the side of his face. While others backed away and turned their heads in disgust, Jesus reached His hand straight into the heart of the man's greatest need.

QUESTIONS:
1. Why were dramatic physical healings so much a part of Jesus' ministry on earth?
2. What need, hurt or problem gives you "leprosy" today?
3. Describe how you'd like for Jesus to touch you in that need

LIFELINE:
Think how you can be a "David" to a "Cathy" in your home today!