Topics: Character; Cheating; Honesty; Integrity; Legacy References: Psalm 41:12; Proverbs 6:16–19; Ephesians 4:25 My alma mater has an honor code that is respected throughout the university. Freshmen pledge to do their own academic work with integrity and to report those who do not to the student-run honor council. Student signatures remain on display in the … Continue reading “CODE
OF HONESTY”
READING CORRECTIONS
Topics: Confession; Honesty; Humility; Hypocrisy; Truth References: Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 5:25–26; James 5:16 The Guardian, a major newspaper in England, has a daily column of “Corrections and Clarifications.” Edited by Ian Mayes, the column breaks the stodgy English tradition of rarely admitting error. Sometimes done with humor at the paper’s own expense, the column averages … Continue reading “READING
CORRECTIONS”
WATERING DOWN THE CHEMO
Topics: Evangelism; Gospel; Greed; Ministry; Preaching; Scripture; Truth References: Leviticus 19:17; Matthew 18:15–17; Luke 17:3; 2 Timothy 2:15 In 2001, a Kansas City pharmacist was charged with diluting the cancer treatment drugs Taxol and Gemzar to make a profit. After pleading guilty, the pharmacist, Robert Courtney, was sentenced to thirty years in prison. Judge Ortrie … Continue reading “WATERING
DOWN THE CHEMO”
YOUR WORTH IN PROMISES
Topics: Accomplishments; Commitment; Identity; Promises; Self-centeredness; Self-image; Self-worth References: Leviticus 19:11–12; Matthew 5:33; 7:16; 12:33 Some people ask, “Who am I?” and expect the answer to come from their accomplishments. Other people ask, “Who am I?” and expect the answer to come from what other people think about them. A person who dares to make … Continue reading “YOUR
WORTH IN PROMISES”
POLICEMAN TICKETS HIMSELF
Topics: Accountability; Character; Conscience; Conviction of Sin; Honesty; Integrity; Truth References: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 14:12; Ephesians 4:25; James 4:17; 1 Peter 5:6 Police chief Richard Knoebel of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, accidentally drove past a stopped school bus with its emergency lights flashing. So Knoebel wrote himself a $235 ticket, docked himself four points on … Continue reading “POLICEMAN
TICKETS HIMSELF”
LOSING OUR PATIENCE
Topics: Patience; Self-control; Self-discipline; Temper; Waiting References: Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11; 3:12; James 5:7 We are not a patient people. A survey of 1,003 adults done in 2006 by the Associated Press and Ipsos discovered the following: • While waiting in line at an office or store, most people take an average of seventeen … Continue reading “LOSING
OUR PATIENCE”
COMPASSION CHILLS ON MOUNT EVEREST
Topics: Ambition; Apathy; Brotherly Love; Caring; Compassion; Distractions; Evangelism; Goals; Golden Rule; Hard-heartedness; Indifference; Negligence; Self-centeredness; Servanthood References: Genesis 4:9; Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 3:27; Matthew 7:12; 22:37–40; Luke 6:31; 10:25–37; Acts 3:1–10; James 2:8; 4:17 In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed the 29,035-foot peak of Mount Everest. Thousands followed, thanks to Nepal’s … Continue reading “COMPASSION
CHILLS ON MOUNT EVEREST”
WHAT THEY SEE IN YOUR HOUSE
Topics: Behavior; Character; Conduct; Example; Godliness; Integrity; Leadership; Lifestyle; Righteousness; Sanctification; Testimony; Witnessing References: Matthew 5:13–16; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:5; Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 3:8–11 The five things most guests notice when they enter our homes: 1. Piles of mail. Keep an empty drawer in the kitchen … Continue reading “WHAT
THEY SEE IN YOUR HOUSE”
PASSING ALONG BAD HABITS
Topics: Adolescence; Character; Children; Choices; Community; Decisions; Drinking; Drugs; Example; Family; Home; Integrity; Teens References: Proverbs 22:1, 6; Romans 14:1–15:13; 1 Corinthians 5:6; 8; 11:1; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 2:21 Many siblings pass along bad habits. A girl with an older, pregnant teenage sister is four to six times as likely to … Continue reading “PASSING
ALONG BAD HABITS”
THE WOMAN WHO CAN’T FORGET
Topics: Circumstances; Consequences; Extremes; Forgetfulness; Forgiveness; Limitations; Memories; Mind; Past; Perception and Reality; Science; Thoughts References: Genesis 41:51; Psalm 103:1–5, 11–13; Proverbs 3:1; Isaiah 43:18–19, 25; 49:14–16; Philippians 3:12–14; Hebrews 8:12 A.J. has the most astonishing memory scientists have ever tested. She can replay decades of her life like a movie. Give her any date, … Continue reading “THE
WOMAN WHO CAN’T FORGET”