CITY LIGHT

What we do for ourselves dies with us - what we do for others remains  and is immortal.  Albert Pike Three years ago I began this ongoing dialogue about fatherhood and my thoughts about it. I shared my reflections of fatherhood after the death of my father Arto Sr. April 2010. I noted that my enduring legacy as a father will be based upon three questions: How will I lead? How will I overcome  adversity? Am I Running ?  Two years ago, I noted that we all need "many  fathers" to help us to become the men and people we are to become. If you look at the previous post I noted the significant men that helped mold me. As the Apostle Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 4:15 that we need "fathers" to help us mature and develop as people. This year I enlisted the help of a few fathers I admire to share the blessing of fatherhood and conveying that blessing.  Here's what they said about their greatest opportunities, challenges and the legacy...

MOTHER'S DAY 2012 Mothers work, not upon canvas that shall perish, nor marble that crumbles into dust, but upon mind , upon spirit, which is to last forever, and which bear , for good or evil, throughout duration, the impress of  a mother's plastic hands. George Washington With so much emphasis of the crisis in families our society fails to celebrate those brave mothers and fathers who shape our communities and the eternal destinies of their families. There is an overabundance of stories of mothers who abuse and discard their children and marriages.  Single motherhood is almost discussed as a plague. I work in the inner city with young mothers who are diligently raising their children, working and doing the best with the resources they have. It is hard for one day of celebration to erase the stigma of negative news stories and images that confront today's mother. I pray my small tribute inspires young mothers to persevere. This Mother's Day 2012 I salute three m...

An Ode to Fathers Heavy the load you carry Tho daily you work and toil without recognition You face each task with unwavering temerity Your impact and fruitfulness only the future knows Persevering you face each challenge and day with hope And increasingly the strength of your character and courage shows That you a singular man Solely committed to your children and family Is focused on developing and nurturing them according to God's plan An Artoriginal June 2011 As we celebrate the contribution of fathers this year I recognize not only my birth father and the one for who I am named, Arto Woodley, Sr. I recognize the "fathers" in my life, those men who have had a significant impact on the path of my life. While many young men mature without fathers or significant male influences, I was abundantly blessed by men of different races who nurtured the spark God ignited in my heart. This diverse group of men helped fashion me as a leader and man. In order ...

Today I shared at Freedom Room Ministry and Port Charlotte International Church that when God called Adam in Genesis 3 after he and Eve disobeyed God said, "Where are You?" http://www.box.net/shared/srtvyq6xvp God was not wondering where Adam was located but rather He was speaking to him for a heart check. Today God call each of us by checking our hearts and asking us where we are. Often we respond like our forefather Adam and run from the consequences in our lives or shift blame for our actions. I know from personal experience that these heart checks enable us to learn valuable life and spiritual lessons if we allow ourselves to learn what God is trying to teach us. When God challenges us to check our hearts there our four actions that can realign us to His purpose and call for our lives: 1. Get your heart back-Face your fears and wounds God wants to heal you 2. Know the attack is coming-Be ready and prepared 3. Learn and know how to fight-Get connected to men/women that ca...

This Father's Day is the first without my father Arto Woodley, Sr. It caused me to reflect on the message I shared at his funeral two months ago. I was inspired by God to talk about, What Is The Measure Of A Man. Many roles and positions are confused today; none more than the role of men in our society. We have moved from the stoic providers of homes to marginalized and oft ridiculed as husbands and fathers. In this current haze of misunderstanding we have young men and boys growing up not really sure what they should be. Their roles as fathers, husbands, leaders, priest, providers and protectors are all up in the air. When I remember Daddy ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_IKORQWXrQ ) I think of his Shop, Woodley Auto Repair. The smell of oil, gasoline and sawdust was surrounded by various cars that needed starters, motors, or thermostats. The phone was always ringing with next customer or someone who owed a bill and trying to make payments. I think of men of the Shop, Lucky, J...

This is dedicated to the memory of my Mother Patricia Elaine Woodley and Grandmother Virgie Lee Jones. A Matriarch is an older woman worthy of respect and honor . Recently I was asked to briefly share what is a matriarch. Immediately, my mind reflected on what does God's Word says in Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 concerning women and mothers. As I thought more deeply I meditated on my own mother and her mother (which was the only grandmother I knew) and I drew conclusions not only from scripture but also from experience. Some of this experience is colored by older women in the church of my youth and what I remember from my great grandmothers. Why does this matter? Girls should care because they need to know see through all the conflicting messages about women. Boys need to know to gain insight into the type of girls they choose as friends. Young women need to know so they can have a goal in their womanhood. Young men need to know what character traits and qualties to look for in a woman....

When I shared today at Port Charlotte International Church I delved into what do you do when you experience extreme, physical, emotional or situational pain. I believe God began healing in the lives of some of the people there. Job in the Bible points the way to how we might respond when as Christians you are found in deep difficulty. The truth is you, me and most of the people we know believe we are doing God a favor by attempting to be righteous. When we face difficulty we wonder, why me? How do I know this? I know it because I have found myself saying the same thing. If we are truly honest, our efforts have earned us nothing. There is nothing good within us save the redeeming work of Christ. Until He returns we will experience pain because of evil in the world, our own sin, and for the cause of righteousness. In the message the Problem of Pain I noted from C.S. Lewsis's book of the same title that: " GOD WHISPERS TO US IN OUR PLEASURES, SPEAKS TO US IN OUR CONSCIENCE, BUT S...