Peace, Purpose, and Potential: A Source of Encouragement and Guidance for Maturing Christians

By Reed Griffin

Peace, Purpose, and Potential began as a ministry tool for inmates in the state prison system, particularly the ones locked down in the cell blocks. These are guys that Reed desires to disciple but might only see once. It is a collection of things that he wants to share with them from the Bible and things he has learned through his own struggles and Gods faithfulness. For us to improve our life and realize our potential, we must learn to make better decisions. In other words, we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind. As Reed began writing, he realized that a maturing Christian in the prison system is not that different from a maturing Christian outside the prison system, so the focus is not only on inmates but maturing Christians in general of all ages. Chapters 14 address biblical principles; then the focus changes from principles to life application of those principles in chapters 515. The goal of Peace, Purpose, and Potential is to inspire maturing Christians to pursue peace, purpose, and their God-given potential in all aspects of their life!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449725631

Reed Griffin

Reed Griffin is forty-six years old and has worked for a Fortune 500 utility company for the past eleven years. He has also been involved as a volunteer in the prison ministry for the past twenty years. Reed lives in West Monroe, Louisiana, where he, his wife, and daughter are members of McClendon Baptist Church.

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Endorsement

FOREWORD

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Sources

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to my family, especially to my mom, Mary Griffin, and dad, C.E. Griffin. My dad taught me what it means to be a man of integrity and how a man should lead and protect his family. His walk was always consistent with his words, and from his mouth I never heard a foul word. He was truly a lion of a man! Mom, you are always a source of love, support, and encouragement, challenging me to press the limits of my potential. You are truly the wife and mother spoken of in Proverbs 31, and I love you very much!

Thanks for showing me the way so I can now show my own family the way.

I would like to thank my wife, Mary, and daughter, Ansley, for allowing me the time needed to complete this project. I love you both.

Endorsement

The chapter on Forgiveness in Peace, Purpose, and Potential meant the most to me personally and professionally. As a sexual assault survivor, I had to forgive my rapists; as a licensed clinical social worker, I counsel with cancer patients and assist them in forgiving themselves, others, and sometimes even God. The chapter on Forgiveness will help the reader with their emotions on forgiving others and themselves.

Sabrina Cole, LCSW

Author of Tragedy into Blessings

FOREWORD

Peace, Purpose, and Potential was born from a passion to disciple prisoners in a state prison and teach professional development in a corporate setting. Reed Griffin has volunteered for over twenty years in the state prison system of Louisiana. Having led numerous Bible studies and engaged in many one-on-one conversations, Reed noticed the need for a comprehensive resource to help in the discipleship process. Additionally, Reed has taught professional development courses within his company for the last few years. Peace, Purpose, and Potential is Reed’s effort to combine the need he saw for Christian discipleship and the concepts he taught in professional development.

The book covers a broad range of topics including: What is my purpose?; faith; self-discipline; goal-setting; effective communication; conflict management; and finding fulfillment in work. It is written in an easy-to-read style and challenges the reader to think through questions posed at the end of each chapter

One of the most fascinating chapters is Fear, Discouragement, and the Third Choice. Everyone will spend a lifetime making choices. Some choices will be good choices, and others will be bad choices. Every choice will have consequences attached to it; some consequences will be good, while others will be bad. Unfortunately, most of us only see two choices available to us in any situation: a good choice or a bad choice. Or maybe we see a good choice and a better choice. The point is, we typically look at only two choices, regardless of the combinations. It is here that Reed encourages the reader to look beyond only two choices, but to look at the third choice. The third choice causes us to think in ways that lead us to live and experience life as God intended. The third choice is not the easy road. The third choice is, however, the best choice. It calls for us to: set higher standards; develop a healthy sense of self-respect; think; dream; set goals; be passionate, courageous, and self-disciplined. Ultimately, this type of choice, though not easy, will lead to better fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness.

I truly appreciate the opportunity to assist Reed. I believe the book will not only accomplish his goal of being a discipleship resource for inmates but should also have broad usage in the discipleship process of any believer and in the corporate world as a professional development tool.

—William B. Blanton, DEdMin

Associate Pastor of Discipleship

Cedar Crest Baptist Church

West Monroe, Louisiana

Introduction

As a college student back in the late 1980s, I began to ask myself why some people were successful and others were not. Why were some fulfilled and others unfulfilled? I know it sounds strange, but I began to realize that success and failure—and even happiness—lie for the most part in our decisions. But how do we know what is a good or bad decision?

During that time, I was in the process of growing spiritually, which led me to start making decisions based on God’s Word rather than just doing what I wanted to do. I began to realize that there was a purpose for my life, and I began to pursue peace, balance, and fulfillment. After all, when we find true balance in life, we find true fulfillment!

After graduation from college, as I struggled with the idea of what I would do for a living, I knew I wanted something more than just a job. One day, I was sitting in our barn, reading my Bible and trying to figure things out, when I read Ecclesiastes 2:24–25 NIV, which states, A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, this statement is made over and over, so I knew I wasn’t asking too much to seek satisfaction in my work.

My greatest desire in regard to my work was to perform—not just have a job and muddle through each day. No, I wanted to perform! You can take a pro athlete and put him on the field in his particular sport and position, and he will perform for you and love it. You can also take the same athlete and put him on a tennis court, where he may play tennis but not necessarily perform. So I began to seek out conditions in which I could perform—if such a situation even existed.

About that same time, I participated in a statewide prison revival with a friend named Al Cathey. It was my first time inside a prison, but it wouldn’t be the last. A few years later, I felt a desire to return to the prison environment to help those who were not as fortunate as I. As a young person, I had mentors in my life to help me find my way. These were my mom, dad, grandparents, and members of our church. Sometimes I think the older men still don’t know what an impact they had on me by showing an interest in me and living as examples for me. I benefited from positive role models to look to for direction, guides who said, You can do it; you can do better! So, because of my own struggles, I desire to help guys in the David Wade Correctional Maximum Security Prison in Homer, Louisiana, learn how to help themselves—if they are so inclined. I also want them to know that someone cares.

In the early 1990s, at the age of about twenty-eight, I began going to the prison on the fourth Sunday of each month—initially by myself—and I continue my visits to this day. I am now forty six and have several friends who go with me, which is a big help and encouragement. It is nice to serve with men who share the same desire to help others. On the north side of the facility, we have a Bible study, and on the south side we go to the cell blocks, passing out bibles and trying to encourage men to examine themselves to see what they want out of life—including where they will spend eternity. To me, time in the cell blocks is a time when a man doesn’t have as many distractions, when he can study and think about his life—where he has been and where he wants to go.

Often we come upon men who pray to receive Jesus as their Savior. Unfortunately, we may never see them again, and then I wonder who will disciple them. The main reason for writing this book is to have a resource to give the inmates along with the Bible, something that will help them to mature as Christians. I hope this book not only benefits new Christian inmates but maturing Christians in general. After all, we are all participants in life. It is one thing to know what the Bible says, but life application is the hard part, and that is what the bulk of this book is about. As you read, I hope you find it a source of encouragement to pursue your potential.

Prison work is not for everyone, but it is for me. When I am in the prison, I see wasted potential among the inmates, potential that I want to salvage! I believe God sees us all in that same way. Previously I mentioned that I wanted to be where I could perform. Well, I have finally figured out that I perform best when I am promoting the development of potential in those around me. Whether it is an inmate, an innocent child, or a coworker, I simply want to help people reach their potential. Hopefully, by helping others reach their potential, I will reach mine.

The title of this book is Peace, Purpose, and Potential. I chose that title because I believe many Christians struggle in those areas. Many people—whether they are in an actual prison facility or not—are in their own prison. They live unfulfilled lives; they are discouraged and have given up on their dreams. That is not the life God created us to live; that is not a victorious life. And what kind of witness is that to the unsaved people watching us? Why should they want to be like us if we are no different from them? This book is meant to encourage and teach you what is necessary to begin pursuing your God-given potential. We need to live our faith boldly. I guess that is why I chose the lions on the cover; they are a good, visual reminder of what should represent us as Christians.

Life is multiple choice, and we simply have to learn to make better choices if we want to reap better consequences. I believe the basic principles of Christianity provide the direction and road map to a balanced and fulfilling life. God’s principles do not promote failure but rather success, as taught in the book of