I am going to rely heavily on Dr. Bill Horton, author and professor, for his wisdom that over the months has been quoted in my Journal many times.

• “People who have any thought of accepting or keeping the mantle of leadership will have to back up rhetoric with daring most of the time and raw guts some of the time.” Horton

• “Days beginning with Your Word are replete with progress and feelings of self-worth, but days absent Your Word are seemingly pointless, characterized by miscalculations, and modest achievements - If I am fortunate.” Benson

• “Too many leaders fail to grasp that there is a point when patience becomes lethargy and indecisiveness.” Horton

• “It is the action quotient that brings projects to a close, not the planning quotient.” Horton

• “I saw a USMC t-shirt that read - ‘None of us almost joined’”. Marine Facebook post

• “If you want to slow the train of progress, give the project to a committee and you get sub-optimal results as a bonus.” The first half is anonymous; the second half is mine.

• “Better to have little, with Godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. King Solomon, Proverbs 16-8

• “Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expedience asks is it politically correct? Egotism asks, would it be the popular thing to do? But integrity asks, is it the right thing to do?” Clifford Dowdy in “Lee’s Last Campaign”

• “The reproach of one’s conscience can be worse than any sanction meted out by senior leaders or governing authorities.” Benson

• “In decision-making, executive insight, initiative, and prerogative trump consensus everytime.” Benson

• “The consequences of accountability are the scarecrows of cowards and the moments of opportunity for great leaders.” Benson

• “If my people will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their nation.” 2 Chronicles 7:14