Governing God's Way with Dorothy Burton

All of life is seasonal, even our work. Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven..." Christians In Public Service was founded in 2013 by public servants for public servants in a season for a time and purpose. That season as with all seasons has given way to a new season. This episode introduces the new season and you will learn how to know when a season in your life has ended and God is calling a new one into existence. 

Jesus said in John 9:4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night comes, when no man (or woman) can work."  We must do the same. We can retire from our job - perhaps even quit or get fired from our job. But we can neither quit nor be fired from our work. There is a difference, and  this episode explores and explains why we should never look forward to "retiring." When it comes to our work, there is no such thing.

What does this kind of revolutionary leadership look like? How can we lead as effectively and impactfully as Jesus? As his ambassadors, it should be easy. But for many it not only is not easy, but something to which many in leadership give little to no thought.

God knows how to make everything succeed. Even your leadership! Check out Part One of my new podcast series... "Leading In Leadership Like Jesus." Jesus didn't do religion. Neither do I. He's a King not a Christian.

This is the first in the series, "The Power of Compassion."  The power of Jesus rests in the power of his people. The series is designed to help you identify the power that is yours and how to use it to change for the better, the lives of those you lead, serve and represent.

Just as Jesus did!

We all have adivsors – as leaders we need them. But if when given advice or briefing about another person, persons or situation and it causes you to immediately react in anger and defensiveness – beware. It could be a trap set unbeknownst even to your most trusted advisors whose tongue Satan could be using to advise you to your detriment. Remember, our fight is not against flesh and blood but against demons. And they don’t fight fair.

Instead, double check before you double down. Otherwise, the consequences could be deadly.

If people follow you because they are paid to follow you, you're not a leader but a paycheck. Great leaders? People will follow them to the moon and back even if they didn't receive a dime because what they receive in return, money could never buy. The greatest leaders throughout history could never afford to pay the thousands who followed them. Yet, together, they changed their world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a great example. David hid out in caves, had no money to pay his men, yet hundreds of men followed him from the cave to the kingdom. What endears people to leaders? What will endear them to you? This podcast tells you. And it has nothing to do with money.

Satan is real. Satan hates you. And when it comes to taking out God's people -- especially those in authority, his plan is sure. His plan has worked since the beginning of time. And many if not most are completely unaware of how he works, when he works and how his brilliancy outshines, outmaneuvers and outlasts the best of leaders. No leader - no matter how many degrees on the wall, endorsements behind their name, years of serving and leading, wealth or pedigree - no leader since the original, Adam, is off-limits. He even tried his tried-and-true plan of takedown on Jesus in the wilderness. But Jesus had his number. This podcast will equip you the same.  If you lead, take heed -- you have a diabolical, crazy smart adversary who knows you better than you know yourself --- get to know him the same so that you can fight back and win.

The Honorable Ron Kirk is the first African American elected as Mayor of the City of Dallas. He led the amazing transformation of a sleepy downtown Dallas to a city within a city - brimming with a bustling nightlife, parks, trendy restaurants and attractive downtown living. Unheard of before his term as Mayor. He led major expansion of thoroughfares, led the effort in pulling off what many said could not be done - bringing together voters and populations long at odds, divided by race and socio-economics, across the north/south divide; and, with tremendous opposition winning by a hair, the referendum to build the American Airlines Center, Victory Park --- resulting in a domino effect of economic development, business relocations and the Dallas that many have come to love today. Catching the eye of President Barack Obama, the President would name Mayor Kirk as U.S. Trade Representative.

Ambassador Kirk shares with us techniques and tools, attributes and skills necessary to lead well - especially needed in the tumultuous political climate today. 

An intriguing conversation on what it takes to lead, connect and motivate.  A conversation every public servant leader would do well and be blessed to listen. It doesn't get any better. What it takes to lead and finish well.

From Texas to Georgia to Arizona to DC. School boards, churches, city councils, state legislatures what is going on in American government today? With politicians and policymakers?

Christian nationalism is playing a major role in policymaking today. It's not just Republican v. Democrat. It is an insidious and perverted theo-political philosophy that is a cancer eating away at Christianity. A majority of white evangelicals are complicit and it is having a negative impact on Christianity in America.

For the first time, Christian nationalism has major influence on public thought and policymaking.

As a leader, as a voter, as an American, listen to what Amanda Tyler and Frank Schaeffer, two sought-after speakers on the topic have to say about this important topic and movement that not only presents a threat to our democracy but to Christianity itself in America.

Not hyperbole. Fact.

A conversation with two power couples in Texas politics - Jim and Chief Justice (Ret.) Carolyn Wright-Sanders, former Chief Justice, Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas; and Aaron and Honorable Erleigh Wiley, Kaufman County District Attorney.

An inspirational and informative conversation for our time.

Marriage. What it takes to be the strong spouse of powerful women always in the spotlight and the need to sacrifice so much.

Leadership. Overcoming unimaginable challenges and odds out of the eye of the public while still maintaining the professionalism and commitment demanded in high-profile positions. 

The value and rewards of finding and walking in your purpose. The absolute faithfulness of God. 

Public servant leadership at its finest. 

Listen and come away in awe of how God really does order our steps and meet seemingly the most impossible need in the most improbable ways.

Helen Giddings is President of Multiplex Inc., a specialty concessions company, which she founded in 1989.  

Ms. Giddings served in the Texas House of Representatives for 26 years.  During her last term she served as Vice Chair of the State Affairs Committee and member of the House Appropriations, and the Calendars Committee.  For three terms, she chaired the Business and Industry Committee. The Speaker of the House appointed her to the Texas Legislative Council Governing Board, the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, and the Joint Interim Committee on Alzheimer’s Disease.  She is the past Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and currently serves as Honorary Consul for South Africa.

With a profound interest in the arts, Ms. Giddings has served on many boards including the African American Museum, Dallas Symphony Board, Dallas Summer Musicals, Dallas Historical Society, and the Dallas Theater Center.  Her contributions led to the African American Museum naming a room in her honor and the City of Lancaster naming its Amphitheater for her.

Strongly committed to public service, she has served as the Board Chair of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chair of the Dallas Transit Board, member of the Dallas Planning Commission, State Bar Grievance Committee, and the Dallas County Grand Jury.

Ms. Giddings serves as Chair of Black Women Empowering Black Women, which is a committee of the Western Area of The Links, Incorporated.  Additionally, she chairs the Women’s Leadership Summit, and serves on the Methodist Health System Board.

Ms. Giddings has been featured in Black Enterprise and has been recognized by Ebony Magazine as one of the 100 Plus Most Influential Black Americans.

Public servant leadership at its finest. A trailblazer. Listen and be encouraged. Never quit. Never doubt yourself. Never fear.