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DO YOUR DUTY!
So then, each of us will give
an account of ourselves to God."
— Romans 14:12 (NIV)
"Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
— James 1:19-20 (NIV)
In the past 40 years, a shift in American culture has been the rise of "it's not my fault" irresponsibility.
Even when caught with stolen goods, the plea remains, "I'm innocent."
Last week, we discussed justice: we all want it, but only if we're not accountable.
James Madison wrote, “The duty of a virtuous citizen is to maintain the constitution of his country, to guard the republic, and to defend it against any threats.”
Madison highlights the essential role of personal responsibility in upholding the nation’s laws and principles. And seemingly concurs with Adams that our Constitution was created only for a "moral" and "religious" people.
| | For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. --2 Peter 1:5-8 | | |
The Importance of Owning Our Mistakes
Today, it’s easy to make excuses or deflect blame, but Proverbs 28:13 warns that hiding mistakes leads to stagnation. Instead, confessing faults opens the way to mercy and healing. Taking responsibility is vital for spiritual growth and peace. Failing to do so hampers our development.
James 1:19-20 emphasizes the importance of being quick to listen and slow to speak, which requires humility in admitting mistakes. Recognizing our errors allows God to refine us, teach us lessons, and prepare us for greater responsibility.
Building Trust and Growing in Leadership
Personal accountability is the foundation of trust. As teachers and leaders—whether at home, work, or in communities—our ability to model responsibility affects trust. Leadership isn’t about perfection, but rather about honesty, transparency, and a willingness to correct mistakes.
Taking responsibility shows others that it’s okay to err, but it's also essential to learn. Jesus revealed that owning our actions, even taking blame, deepens connections and sets a growth example. Modeling accountability fosters mutual respect and growth. It’s about owning our role in relationships, leadership, and society and striving to improve.
Practicing accountability helps us grow in character, self-awareness, and integrity. Facing our shortcomings allows God to refine us through humility. Romans 14:12 reminds us we will all give an account before God, motivating us to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His character, taking responsibility for our actions and their impact.
Three Action Points for Personal Accountability
- Practice Daily Reflection:
Set aside time each day for self-reflection. Ask yourself: "What did I do today that I need to own?" "Did I make any choices that harmed others or myself?" Then, bring those moments to God in prayer, confessing and seeking His guidance to improve.
- Create Open Communication in Relationships:
Whether at home, at work, or in the community, establish open lines of communication that foster accountability. When you make mistakes, be quick to admit them and apologize. Encourage those around you to do the same, fostering an environment where ownership is valued.
- Model Accountability as a Leader:
As a leader in your home, workplace, or community, demonstrate accountability by owning your decisions, both good and bad. This sets an example for others to follow, encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions as well.
As we practice personal accountability in our hearts, homes, schools, and workplaces, we move toward a life of greater integrity, leadership, and character transformation.
Rick
I am in hot, humid, hazy Houston as I write this line, and have been since Saturday. Yesterday, I delivered a presentation on Dinosaurs, the Bible, and Modern Science for around 30 adults and chiildren at Bay Area Christian Church. Tomorrow I begin three days of workshops for a Preaschool Teacher Adventure Conference in NW Houston. My workshops include: "why kids misbehave," "motivating staff/volunteers," and my newest workshop titled "Generation A.I.R.: Understanding the Post-Covid Generation Born Since 2020."
GOT A QUESTION, RANT, OR RAVE? WRITE ME!
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THE FOUNDING FATHERS
AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
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The Founding Fathers of America, in their pursuit of independence and the establishment of a new nation, held the values of responsibility and duty to God, country, and mankind in high regard.
Figures like George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were not only leaders but also teachers who passed these virtues on to their children and to the generations that followed. Washington, for example, demonstrated immense personal responsibility by stepping down from the presidency after two terms, setting a precedent of selflessness and public service over personal gain.
Similarly, John Adams instilled in his children the importance of duty to their country, encouraging them to serve for the greater good. The Founders believed that personal responsibility was vital to the survival of the republic. Their commitment to moral integrity, public service, and duty to others served as a model for the American people. They saw their work as not just for personal or political advancement but as a duty to future generations, ensuring a free and just society rooted in civic virtue and moral responsibility.
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FOUNDING FATHERS SPOTLIGHT:
George Washington
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"The Battle of Trent"
One of the most defining moments of George Washington’s leadership came in December 1776 during the American Revolutionary War.
The Continental Army was disheartened after a series of defeats, and morale was at an all-time low. Washington, however, felt a deep sense of duty and responsibility, not just to his troops but to the cause of liberty itself.
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With winter setting in and the risk of losing the revolution looming, Washington made a bold decision to cross the Delaware River and launch a surprise attack on the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey.
The risk was enormous, and the odds were stacked against the Continental Army.
However, Washington knew that the fate of the nation rested on this crucial moment. His sense of duty to the cause of independence drove him to make the difficult decision to lead his weary troops across the river, where they achieved a decisive victory.
Washington’s leadership during the Battle of Trenton exemplified personal responsibility—he was willing to sacrifice comfort and safety for the sake of his soldiers and the nation’s future. This moment not only turned the tide of the war but also set a powerful example for Washington to fulfill his duty with courage and commitment.
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NOTABLE QUOTABLES:
FOUNDING FATHERS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
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George Washington:
“I consider it my duty to resign from office in favor of the great interests of the country.” Washington's voluntary resignation after two terms in office showed his responsibility to the republic over personal ambition.
Thomas Jefferson:
“The first duty of government is to protect the rights of its citizens. The second duty is to promote their happiness.” Jefferson believed that leaders must uphold their responsibility to the people, ensuring freedom and happiness.
Benjamin Franklin:
“We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Franklin’s quote emphasizes the collective duty and responsibility required for a society to survive and thrive.
John Adams:
“Public business, my son, is not the same as private business, and it is more important to do the duty of one’s country than the pleasure of one’s personal life.” Adams emphasized the importance of public service and the nation's needs over individual desires.
James Madison:
“The admission of slaves into the representation when they have no share in the electing of representatives… is unjust.”
Alexander Hamilton:
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.” Hamilton underscores the duty of citizens to act with courage and responsibility, rather than avoiding their duty for fear of difficulty.
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FREE DIGITAL BOOK DOWNLOAD:
THE UNITED STATES: A CHRISTIAN NATION by Justice David Brewer (1905)
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Christian Life and Character could very well be resonsible for the rediscovering of the the truth of America's foundation in Christianity. This book should be the cornerstone of any personal, professional, church, or school library, for as Chaplain Sunderland (1819-1901) of the 37th Congress stated, "It may become the morning star of the mightiest day of national regeneration the world has yet beheld."
Topics include: Sources of Proof to Establish the Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States, The Hand of God in the Settlement of the American Continent, Christian Colonization of the New England Colonies, Statesmen of the Revolution -- Their Views of Christianity and Its Relation to Civil Society and Government, Christian Legislation of the Continental Congress, Christian Ministers of the Revolution, Christian Women of the Revolution, Christian Character of George Washington, and more!!
Download your FREE digital copy of this excellent book, then share with your family and friends. Watch for new books every week and build your digital library.
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WE'RE ON A ROLL! MORE REGISTRATIONS COMING IN! DEADLINE FOR LAST EARLY BIRD IS AUGUST 26...
GREECE & TURKEY
April 27 - May 6, 2026
Join Rick for a 10-day tour of GREECE, traveling through Paul's second missionary journey in the book of Acts. Includes a 3-night Mediterranean cruise. Extend your experience with a 4-day experience in TURKEY exploring the cities of Revelation. $7600/PERSON PRICE INCLUDES ALL AIRFARE (from Chicago), HOTELS, BUS TRANSPORTS, TWO MEALS/DAY, 3-NIGHT CRUISE, EXCURSIONS/ENTRANCE FEES, TOUR GUIDES, AND TIPS!
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Now you can own a whole LIBRARY in your pocket! HISTORY FLASH DRIVES!
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The perfect STARTER library for the Lewis and Clark enthusiast. Features rare and hard-to-find .PDFs of the 1814 (Biddle) ed. of the Lewis & Clark Journals, Eliot Coues "History of the Expedition" (1893), plus two early printings of Patrick Gass's (1847) and Charles Floyd's (1894) journals. AND MUCH MORE! $20 suggested donation to MANNA!
CLICK HERE
TO ORDER!
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Packed with goodies, including Rick's Lewis & Clark slide shows for ALL seven presentations, plus books, articles, and journals relaed to the Lewis & Clark Centennial celebration (1903-1906). $20 suggested donation to MANNA!
CLICK HERE
TO ORDER!
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If you (or a friend) is into Colonial or Revolutionary War history, this flash drive stuffed to the gills with amazing .PDF reprints of classic 19th century writings like Thomas Paine's "The American Crisis" and BJ Lossings's "Biographical Sketches of the Signers of the Declaration," are all here. $20 suggested donation to MANNA!
CLICK HERE
TO ORDER!
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LOOKING FOR THE "WHOLE ENCHILADA?"
This is it. A massive flash drive (32 gigs) filled with dozens of original, hard-to-find books, journals, and other writings. If you're looking for a "starter" historian library, don't waste your time buying books. This starter library carries the basics for a U.S. history book. Already cataloged, categorized, and cleaned up for you.
ORDER YOUR "SUPER DRIVE" HERE
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September 6-19, 2026:
ITALY & FRANCE
(Explore Christianity's
Influence on the Renaissance).
This tour is by train and features stops in Rome, Florence, Bologna, Pisa, Venice (Italy), plus a 4-day extension to Paris, France for more Renaissance castles, museums (The Louvre), and cathedrals (Notre Dame).
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October 4-17, 2026: SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, FRANCE, PLUS ENGLAND
& SCOTLAND!
This is the "ultimate" Protestant Reformation "edu-travel" experience! It's a tour through "modern denominations" and significant religious Reformers since 1500, including John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, Presbyterians, Amish, Mennonites (Switzerland), Martin Bucer (Strausberg, France), Martin Luther, Phillip of Hesse, Phillip Melanchthon, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutherans (Germany), Church of England (Episcopal), Puritans, Separatists, Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, John & Charles Wesley, George Fox, Charles Spurgeon (London, England) and John Knox, Scottish Presbyterians (Ediburgh, Scotland).
| | | MANNA! Educational Service International is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. | | NEED A SPEAKER for your next event or training? | |
UPCOMING SPEAKING DATES:
July 22-25: HOUSTON: Preschool Teacher Conf
Aug 2-9: A.C.L. HARMONY: C/SR "Lewis & Clark"
Aug 9-16: A.C.L. HARMONY: C/SR "Lewis * Clark"
Aug 16-23: A.C.L. HARMONY: C/SR "Lewis & Clark"
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CURRENTLY BOOKING 2026!
Conferences. Conventions. Camps. Church Retreats.
Teacher Training. Special Events.
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MANNA! Educational Services International--founded by Dr. Rick Chromey in 2017--is a non-profit mission organization dedicated to equipping and empowering 21C leaders, teachers, pastors and parents through innovative, fun, affordable and engaging "edu-trainment." It's also a registered nonprofit in the state of Idaho and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.
www.mannasolutions.org
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