Dear Y.B.M.:
I am writing this letter from Hamden, Connecticut. I trust that you are doing well in these days.
Recently, I was speaking at a church in Orlando, Florida, and I saw a sign on the front of the pulpit that read:
The Main Thing
Is To Keep
The Main Thing
The Main Thing.
In this, my first letter to you, I would like to speak to you about the most important aspect of your life — your Spiritual Life: the Main Thing. Now, you may not now think that your spiritual life is the most important part of your life, but trust me, it is. The longer you live on planet earth, the more you realize that life is more about the inner man than the outer man; for you see, you are not a body with a spirit. Rather, you are a spirit with a body. If your physical body would fall away, you would still exist.
Jesus said: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
—Matthew 4:4
I realize that talking about things spiritual is not popular these days, and it may not be what you wish to talk about at this time. I recall, when I was a child and got sick with what they called the “whooping cough” or some type of flu or cold, my dear grandmother Beaman and/or my great-grandmother Breedlove would give me something that I didn’t like — but needed. It was called “Castor Oil”. Dear Y.B.M., you may not like all that I am talking with you about, or you may not be interested in what I am talking with you about, but being that I have gone the way that you are going, I can say firmly and lovingly that you need it! Before we talk about things that may seemingly be of more interest to you, we must put the horse before the cart. We must put first things first.
Your spiritual life, your relationship with God, should be your number one priority in this life. No, it is not your health, your wealth, or even your education. It is God and God alone! There was a time that we as a race of people put more of an emphasis on the spiritual life than we do now. Today, however, we place more of an emphasis on the body, material things and money. And we wonder why we have the murder, mayhem and madness in our community!
Young man, you can be a part of turning things around for your people. But you must put God first and make your spiritual life priority number one.
Jesus also said: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
—Mark 8:36
Yours For Putting God First,
Daniel Whyte III
___________________________________________________________
Running Commentary
YBM: If you have not begun your relationship with the Lord, may I encourage you to do it today. Put God first in all that you do and you can never go wrong. And Remember:
The Main Thing
Is to Keep
The Main Thing
The Main Thing
_______________________________________________________
More About Letters to Young Black Men
Actually written from numerous historically black colleges, such as Tuskegee, Morehouse and North Carolina A&T, from the very heart of a black Christian minister, who has himself faced all of the perils and problems young black men face today, comes forth this book, written just for the young black man in your life, whether you are a mother, father, grandmother or Sunday School teacher. Letters To Young Black Men is overflowing with “advice and encouragement for a difficult journey.”
Here Are Just Some Of The Beneficial Letters:
• The Main Thing
• Get To Know Your Creator
• Your Roadmap To Real and Lasting Success
• The Importance of Increasing Knowledge
• The Marks of A Truly Educated Man
• Please Learn “Yourself” A Little Etiquette
• You Are Not Inferior
• Learn About Where You Come From
• The Value of Working Hard and Smart
• How To be Really Cool
• Women Folk!
• Think For Yourself!
More about the
Letters to Young Black Men Study Guide
Since the original release of Letters to Young Black Men, many have suggested that the book should have a companion study guide so that church leaders, counselors, and small group leaders could have a resource that would help guide young men through this timely book.
The companion guide for Letters to Young Black Men is made up of twenty sessions and is designed for individuals as well as small groups. Each chapter does the following:
- Expounds on the principles laid out in Letters to Young Black Men
- Provides questions for discussion
- Gives a summary of each chapter
This study guide for Letters to Young Black Men serves as a valuable resource. In it you’ll follow the original book, chapter by chapter, and begin to genuinely progress on the success journey. This study guide features over 100 questions adapted from Letters to Young Black Men in a format that lets you write your answers directly onto its pages. An answer section allows you to check your work.
More about the Letters to Young Black Men Leaders Guide
Since the original release of Letters to Young Black Men, many have suggested that the book should have a companion study guide so that church leaders, counselors, and small group leaders could have a resource that would help guide young men through this timely book.
The companion guide for Letters to Young Black Men is made up of twenty sessions and is designed for individuals as well as small groups. Each chapter does the following:
- Expounds on the principles laid out in Letters to Young Black Men
- Provides questions for discussion
- Gives a summary of each chapter
This study guide for Letters to Young Black Men serves as a valuable resource. In it you’ll follow the original book, chapter by chapter, and begin to genuinely progress on the success journey. This study guide features over 100 questions adapted from Letters to Young Black Men in a format that lets you write your answers directly onto its pages. An answer section allows you to check your work.
