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CHARACTER

1999's Super Bowl was remembered more for "the night before" than for the game itself. On Saturday before Super Bowl XXXIII, safety Eugene Robinson was awarded the NFL's first Bart Starr Award from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for high moral character on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday night he was arrested and charged with offering $40 to an undercover police woman in exchange for illicit sexual favor. Falcon's General Manager had to bail him out of jail. Robinson still started in the game, but the monstrous story may well have contributed to the Falcon's poor performance in their loss to the Denver Broncos. 

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). 

—The Tennessean (1/28/00) Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Ed Rowell

As Super Bowl 44 drew closer, attention focused on the teams involved, the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. The Colts had been in the NFL playoffs, numerous times, as had multiple coaches and players. The one constant over the time frame is the team’s chaplain Ken Johnson. Johnson joined the team under former head coach Tony Dungy and served the team when they won their first Super Bowl a couple of seasons again. Johnson says despite the other changes, the team knows they can confide in him because he has been with the team as long as or longer than most of the players. 

As he prepared to provide spiritual guidance before the big game, Johnson said. “I don’t pray for anything in my life that I don’t want God’s favor. I want a good life with a good foundation.” He told reporters he planned to remind the team that although they have been in the big game before, God still calls for excellence in everything they did. Johnson said his concern goes beyond winning another championship, he added, “The goal is the same – what is the moral compass of each player and how does that help them set a good foundation.”

Colts chaplain maintains continuity, http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=6144 ; February 2, 2010. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Proverbs 11:3 (NIV) “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” 

Jackie Chan said, “I just want people to remember me like I remember Buster Keaton. When they talk about Buster Keaton or Gene Kelly, people say, 'Ah yes, they good.' Maybe one day, they remember Jackie Chan that way.”

-http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jackie_chan.html (accessed: 7/13/2010) Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Wilson Tsoi.

We value people on their outstanding accomplishment, such as Jackie Chan’s success, but we always neglect the deeper desire and the inner character.

Philippians 4:8-9. (ESV) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Most people believe they are good people, with high standards and better than average character. They also believe they have a satisfying lifestyle and an ethic. According to a poll taken by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, 92% of American High School students actually say they are satisfied with their own personal ethics and character. 

These same students say they have cheated on a test during the past year, 59%; stole from a parent or other relative, 21%; say they have lied about “something significant” to a parent, 80%. 

--The Week, February 25, 2011 p. 23 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Most people, including teens, compare their ethics and morality to those of their peers and find themselves adequate. They are just like their friends, or perhaps a little better. Unfortunately, God’s standards are different.

Matthew 5:48 (HCSB) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

Major League Baseball executives say they have difficulty faulting players for trying to gain an edge by using illegal drugs that enhance their performance. Cleveland Indians President Mark Shapiro said, “The mentality to do whatever possible exists throughout society, in any free market system, the greater reward, the higher propensity for violation.” One manager speaking anonymously admitted it would surprise him if he learned seven or eight of his players were using the performance enhancing drugs.

The excuse, “everybody is doing it,” just doesn’t fly. It didn’t work with my mom; it shouldn’t work with MLB. Integrity demands we make the right choice, even if we could get away with dishonesty. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

USA Today, August 17, 2012 p. 1C 

1 Thessalonians 4:6 (HCSB) “This means one must not transgress against and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you.”

Dan Ariely, who teaches behavioral economics at Duke University says that all of us “Cheat up to the level that allows us to retain our self images as reasonably honest individuals.” A team of researchers determined “We want to see ourselves as honorable, but we also want to benefit from cheating.” 

In the list of suggestions for overcoming this dishonesty is the recognition of people who do the right thing. “Hold them up as examples,” he says. Our goal should be to be one of the people who do the right thing, be an example--Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

USA Today, August 20, 2012 p. 4B

Ephesians 4:25 (HCSB) “Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.”

What is the ethics of stealing? Terry J. Davis at the University of Louisville should be able to look it up for you in the book that he stole from the on-campus library. The title of the book is “Resolving Ethical Issues.” –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

World, August 25, 2012 p. 19

1 Peter 4:15 (NKJV) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 

Accusations are flowing regarding the athletic programs at Harvard. University president Drew Faust says the cheating scandal at the school is not just about athletes. “Harvard announced last month that as many as 125 students in one course were being investigated for sharing answers or plagiarizing their results on an open-book, take-home final exam.”

The Proverbs remind us of the lack of satisfaction in cheating. “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.” Proverbs 20:17 (ESV) –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

USA Today, September 14, 2012 p. C2

Proverbs 20:17 (TEV) What you get by dishonesty you may enjoy like the finest food, but sooner or later it will be like a mouthful of sand. 

Lance Armstrong captured Americans hearts as a cancer survivor who won seven Tour de France titles. Americans love an underdog. His Livestrong foundation has raised approximately $500 million.  For many years he denied the accusations of cheating. The adoring American public chose to believe him.

His fall from grace has been dramatic after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced overwhelming evidence of doping. His sponsors cut ties with him in a matter of days. Lance Armstrong craved the approval of man. He did whatever it took to be a champion, even cheat. –Jim L. Wilson and Tim Hammond

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/17/us/lance-armstrong-doping/index.html (accessed 10/27/12)

Matthew 16:26 (HCSB) What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? 

In Hastings, MN a man found an envelope filled with $1,000 cash. He turned it into the police anonymously, but not before helping himself to 20%. Skimming $200 from the stash, he included a note indicating that he was short on cash and really needed the $200. It is illegal to help yourself to a reward. 

How honest do you have to be to be honest? The finder could have kept the whole amount. Did keeping only 20% make him more honest than if he had kept it all? What about the note? He could have turned it in to the police with no mention of the missing money. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

World, November 3, 2012 p. 25

Acts 24:16 (HCSB) “I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men.”

A study conducted by the Josephson Institute of Ethics has found that the number of high school students who admit to cheating, lying or stealing has dropped for the first time in ten years. The survey is conducted every other year and includes a sample of 23,000 students from around the nation. The number of respondents who said had cheated on an exam dropped from 59 percent to 51 percent between 2010 and 2012, while the number of students who admitted to stealing from a store dropped from 27 percent to 20 percent. Though the overall numbers were good, the institute says the boys were more likely to be dishonest with 45 percent saying that felt a person has to lie and cheat occasionally compared to only 28 percent of women. Founder and President of the Institute Michael Josephson says he thinks the results offer hope and may indicate the beginning of a downward trend. He added, “Changes in children’s behavior of this magnitude suggest a major shift in parenting and school involvement in issues of honesty and character.”
—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Students across the country are displaying more character by Cathy Payne, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/25/high-school-students-cheating/1719297, Accessed November 25. 2012.

Proverbs 2:21 (ESV) For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, 

We should live our lives in such a way that we can serve as a role model for others. Unfortunately in our present society sports figures influence our behavior more than faith leaders. A recent survey by the Barna Group found that 64% of American adults say sports figures have a greater influence on society than clergy or other faith leaders. Only 19% say it is the other way around. 

The role models we choose will be a part of determining the direction of our society. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

The Week, March 1, 2013 p. 17

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV) Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 

The way your desk looks may say a lot more about you than you think.  Results from a new study indicate that people with messy desk may live less healthy, but more interesting lives, while people who keep their desks organized tend to be fit and get all their work done. The research appeared in the journal Psychological Science, and was originally designed to see what effect a messy desk has on people. Researchers put volunteers behind messy desks and clean desks and asked them to perform a series of tasks. Afterwards, participants were allowed to choose a snack, selecting between a healthy option and one that was not so healthy.  Each time, the people who had organized desks choose a healthier alternative snack than those at messy desks. Behavioral scientist Kathleen Vohs from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota lead the study, and said messy desks seemed to lead people to seek novel approaches to their problems, favoring creativity and innovation.  At the same time, these people also tended toward less healthy snacks. Vohs noted that people with organized desks often choose healthier snacks, and got more work done, but they were less creative.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Before You Straighten Up Your Desk, Read This, By Alice Park, http://healthland.time.com/2013/09/20/before-you-straighten-up-your-desk-read-this,  Accessed September 20, 2013.

Romans 7:15 (NKJV) (15) For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 

When an employer mistreats an employee, one possible response is to quit. Another possibly would be to convince the entire staff to quit at the same time.  After the manager of a footwear and apparel store in a New York mall was rude to an employee, all three employees of the store quit. They wrote a note in pink marker, explaining why they were quitting, and left it for everyone at the mall to see. To make matters worse, the employees walked out in the middle of the day during the busy back to school shopping season.  Mall officials say the store has since reopened, but the owner was fined for not opening on time.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Store's entire staff up and quits, leaves amazing note for boss,
http://now.msn.com/mall-staff-quits-leaves-boss-epic-note-at-journeys-store, Accessed September 4, 2013.

Philippians 2:3 (NASB) (3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 

Abraham Zapruder accidently took perhaps the most famous home movie of all time. He captured the assassination of President John Kennedy on his 8 mm movie camera. Later that day when reporters discovered that the film existed there was a rush to purchase the film and the rights to it. The competition for the film was won by Life Magazine. 

Richard B. Stolley was the Life reporter who secured the film for his magazine. Years later and after Zapruder was dead, he was told why he was able to get the film. “You were a gentleman,” Zapruders business associate told him. He added, “you didn’t badger Zapruder. . . . you treated Him with respect during our negotiations.” The other reason and the one that “floored” Stolley was the way Stolley treated Zapruder’s secretary. He treated her with respect where others treated her harshly.

Our Christian character should be such that we treat every person as more important than ourselves. In this case it certainly paid off for Life and reporter Stolley. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

“How the Zapruder Film Came to Life,” Time, October 21, 2013, pp. 38-41

Philippians 2:3–4 (HCSB) Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster recently confessed to accepting under-the-table payments while he was in Tennessee, in violation of NCAA rules. It wasn’t an apology, it was a declaration. “There is nothing wrong with it and you are not going to convince me that there is.”

The fact that it is against the rules plays no bearing on the incident for Foster. He believes he was right because the system is corrupt. It is not cheating because the rules are hypocritical and it is not cheating because everyone is doing it.

Foster’s attitude is the exact opposite of the attitude of the Christian we find in Ephesians. In chapter 4 we find Paul’s explanation of a Christian lifestyle. Somehow cheating and justifying it doesn’t fit. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Sports Illustrated, October 14, 2013, p. 68

Mark 7:20–23 (HCSB) Then He said, “What comes out of a person—that defiles him. 21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.” 

People choice a lot of different type of pictures to use for their online profiles. Some people use head shots of themselves, while others use pictures of their spouses, pets, children, or some other symbol. The wide variety of photos being used to represent people on social media, researchers at the University of California decided look at what causes a person to be perceived as attractive. Drew Walker and Edward Vul, who headed the study, said that a photo with friends conveys that a person is amiable and well liked, but that is not what makes a person more appealing. Their research found that individual faces appear more attractive when presented in a group as opposed to being presented alone. This perception driven effect is known as the cheerleader effect, because other studies have found that people perceive cheerleaders look better as a group than alone. Walker and Vul suggest that the effect is a result of the way the brain averages images. In a group, we tend to see individual members as being more like the group and perceive each face as similar to the average of all the faces in that crowd. They found that group size is less important.  While they admit that some of the effect may be due to group scenes conveying social or emotional information, from the perspective of someone else, being part of makes people seem more attractive overall.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

The Cheerleader Effect, By Cindy May, http://news.yahoo.com/cheerleader-effect-123500090.html, Accessed December 3, 2013

John 7:24 (NASB) "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." 

The cell-phone video of a woman paying for diapers for a cash strapped young mother went viral after another shopper who witnessed the act of kindness and put it on his Facebook page. Carol Flynn had just paid for her purchase and was preparing to leave the store, when she overheard a young woman behind her ask the cashier to price match the price on four boxes of diapers. The young woman was not able to afford all of the diapers because the cashier would only match the price for one box. Flynn went back to the register and used her card to buy the diapers for the young mother. The man who posted the video said he was speechless at the warmhearted and kind act of generosity. When asked about the experience later, the young mother said, “If you ever needed a sign that God’s there for you in the hardships and struggles, this is it.” When asked about her actions in an interview, Flynn said, “You can’t take it with you. I just think we should do things like that.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Video of woman in Walmart paying for young mother's diaper purchase goes viral, By Jay Dillon,http://www.okcfox.com/story/25930122/video-of-woman-in-walmart-paying-for-young-mothers-diaper-purchase-goes-viral, Accessed July 2, 2014.

Colossians 3:12–13 (HCSB) Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.

Caring for others is a character issue. Raymond Burse is the president of Kentucky State University. With a salary of $350,000, Burse is well paid for the challenges he faces leading a major state university. Recently Burse took a voluntary pay cut to $260,000. The $90,000 the university didn’t pay him Burse set up to give $3 per hour raises to all the universities minimum wage workers. When asked why he was willing to do this, he replied, “I did this for the people. This is something I’ve been thinking about from the very beginning.” 

It is one thing to advocate with your mouth that people ought to be paid more. It is another to put your paycheck on the line. Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

--The Week, August 15, 2014 p. 2

1 Timothy 6:17-18 (HCSB) Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. (18) ?Instruct them? to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, 

A woman suspected of stealing someone’s cell phone called 911 to report that the person whom the phone belonged to would not leave her alone. When police responded they found a man and woman waiting for them at a gas station. The woman told police that the man had been napping on a Metro bus and when he awoke he started accusing her and her boyfriend of taking his phone. The man told authorities that he had been on the bus and that the woman and her boyfriend grabbed his phone and ran off. When he chased them, they allegedly punched and kicked him. The man said the boyfriend kept going when the woman stopped to call for help. When officers searched the woman they found the victims phone and some crack. The woman was arrested and the man got his cell phone back.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

--Suspected cell phone thief calls 911 to report that victim won't leave her alone, By Evan Bleier, http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2014/08/12/Suspected-cell-phone-thief-calls-911
-to-report-that-victim-wont-leave-her-alone/6631407864117/?spt=sec&or=on, Accessed August 12, 2014.

Proverbs 17:20 (NASB)  He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil. 

The Brandon Mississippi Bulldogs were beating their rival Northwest Rankin Cougars when the Cougars lost their only quarterback to an injury. Rather than claiming an easy victory, the Bulldogs sent one of their two quarterbacks over to the Cougars to keep the game even. Mason Mathieu, the loaned signal caller, gave it his all and passed for two touchdowns. The Bulldogs did more than win the game, they demonstrated character and sportsmanship. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

The Week, October 17, 2014 p. 2

Psalm 133:1-3 (HCSB) How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! (2) It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard onto his robes. (3) It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has appointed the blessing— life forevermore. 

In his book, Making the Grass Greener on Your Side, Ken Melrose writes, “Each of us has that capacity for self-improvement. As leaders, we have the responsibility to inspire and guide others to live up to their potential. To do that, we have to model the character and behavior we hope to see in others. Leadership is an inside-out thing—what we have internalized, we reflect outwardly in what we do. Lip service accomplishes nothing. No matter what our talk may be, it is our walk, our behavior that reveals our true beliefs.”—Jim L. Wilson

--Making the Grass Greener on Your Side, 13.

2 Corinthians 8:21 (NKJV) “providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” 

Gatewood Galbraith was a perennial candidate for governor of Kentucky and even though he died in 2012, Galbraith’s name may be back on the ballot this year. Another man, Terrill Newman, has legally changed his name to Gatewood Galbraith and plans to run for Kentucky Governor as an independent. Newman says he doesn’t expect to win, but wants to run to honor Galbraith’s memory. Galbraith ran for governor five times and gained a following for his wit and stances on controversial issues.--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Candidate died in 2012, but his name might be on 2015 ballot, 
http://news.yahoo.com/candidate-died-2012-name-might-2015-ballot-164705696.html, Accessed April 2, 2015.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 (HCSB) It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. 

An Australian mother who spent several days in the hospital with her infant son returned to find two surprises on her car. She found a parking ticket and a note from a stranger who had paid the fine. The mother, who did not identify herself, posted on a Canberra Mum’s Facebook page to thank the woman who had paid her ticket. She said that after spending several days in the hospital with her son, that she didn’t need a ticket too. She was surprised to see that a woman named Laura left her note telling her the fine had already been paid.  The mom said the woman recognized that what she was going through at the hospital said she hoped things got better. In thanking her benefactor, the anonymous mother said, “I hope that Laura sees this and knows how much I appreciate her support. Thank you so much.”—Jim L. Wilson and by Jim Sandell

Stranger pays parking ticket while mom is in hospital with baby, By Ben Hooper, http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2015/08/17/Stranger-pays-parking-ticket-while-mom-is-in-hospital-with-baby/3861439840395/?spt=sec&or=on, Accessed August 17, 2015.

Colossians 3:12 (NASB) “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;”

CHARACTER

Will Claye thought he had qualified for the 2016 Olympic team in the long jump but when officials ruled that his jumps were wind-aided, he discovered that he did not qualify. He did not give up. Instead, he regrouped and qualified for the team with his performance in the triple jump. He said afterward that he believed that God had something bigger for him. He said he knows his days as an athlete are fleeting and he will move on to something else later. The most important thing he will have done is to make a difference for the Lord. He said track and field and all the blessing on earth could be gone tomorrow. Claye added, “It’s good to excel in sports, but at the end of the day, it’s about pleasing God, and making sure that you are doing right by Him, not just for earthly possessions or things like that, but go to heaven.” —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Olympics: Triple jumper ready for big leap, By Tim Ellesworth, http://www.bpnews.net/47381/olympics-triple-jumper-ready-for-big-leap, Accessed August 12, 2016.

Ephesians 6:6 (HCSB) “Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart.”

REPUTATION

After Leslie Ray Charping, a 75-year-old Galveston, Texas resident died of cancer, his online obituary read, Leslie Ray lived “29 years longer than expected and much longer than he deserved. His hobbies were being abusive to his family, expediting trips to heaven for the beloved family pets, and fishing.”

It is a sad day when you come to the end and your family only has negative things to say about you. Live your life in such a way that you will be missed, for positive reasons, when you are gone. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

The Week, February 24, 2017 p. 12

Proverbs 22:1 (HCSB) “A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.”

CHARACTER

French researchers discovered that people imitate behaviors like laziness, impatience, and prudence from others, which suggest those attitudes have a strong social influence on people. Those traits influence the way people make decisions and often involve delay an action or effort based on taking risks. Researchers found that after participants observed prudent, impatient, or lazy attitudes in others, their own choices changed to match those of the people they observed.–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Laziness Is Contagious, Scientists Find, By Cari Nierenberg, http://www.livescience.com/58477-laziness-impatience-prudence-are-contagious.html, Accessed March 30, 2017.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (HCSB) “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

CHARACTER

A small, isolated town at the edge of the Aleutian Islands had no police protection for several days after all three of its officers suddenly resigned, and the city council voted to fire the police chief. The community was without a police presence for four days, but there were no major calls into the 911 dispatch in that time. One resident said the town was in the summer peak and everyone was hard at work so there were no problems that needed to be dealt with and the temporary absence was not a big deal.—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

No cops, no problem: Alaska town loses police, but not order, by Rachel D’Oro,https://www.yahoo.com/news/no-cops-no-problem-alaska-town-loses-police-194038896.html, accessed august 3, 2017.

Romans 5:3–4 (CSB) “And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.”

CHARACTER

Though he didn’t win the election, New York City mayoral candidate Aaron Commey said he was shocked that so little attention paid to his arrest for trying to highjack an airline in July, 2000. Commey boarded a National Airlines plane in New York and ordered the pilots to fly to Argentina or Antarctica. The plane never took off and no one was injured, but Authorities took Commey into custody.

He was acquitted by reason of insanity and released from a prison mental facility in 2015. Commey told a magazine that is would be reasonable for voters to wonder if he was suited to hold the office. He claimed he is fully recovered and because he has experienced and witnessed injustice, he would be the best person to change the current system. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.yahoo.com/news/candidate-shocked-jet-hijacking-attempt-not-bigger-issue-171205650.html

Romans 5:4 (CSB) “endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.”

CHARACTER

A Massachusetts couple says at first it was fun receiving free mystery packages from Amazon, but now they want them to stop. Mike and Kelly Gallivan said the first the first package arrived in October 2017. Since then, they have continued at a rate of one or two a week. Most contain cheap products such as plastic fans and phone chargers. Amazon told them the items were paid for with a gift card and they do not know the senders name. Experts think the Gallivans are being used in a ruse to manipulate buyer reviews. They think the anonymous sender is writing good reviews of their own product in order to boost sales. Unfortunately, there is no way to trace the sender or stop the packages yet.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

http://www.klove.com/news/2018/02/07/Mystery-Packages-Keep-Showing-Up-And-Receivers-Are-Fed-Up/

Psalm 37:12 (CSB)

The wicked person schemes against the righteous

and gnashes his teeth at him.

CHARACTER

High school senior Kate Wynja won the Class A girls state golf tournament, but then realized she has submitted an incorrect scorecard. She accidentally credited herself with a 4 on the 18th hole, instead of a 5 and knew she had to report it. As a result, she was disqualified, and her team fell from first to second place in the tournament. Tournament director Dan Swartos called the situation ‘awful,” but he had no other choice in the matter. Swartos added, “I have so much respect for Kate to come up and do that. I cannot say enough for that young lady and how much integrity that took, and how proud I am to have kids like that in South Dakota.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

http://www.klove.com/news/2018/06/07/High-School-Golfer-Self-Reports-Violation-Loses-State-Title/

Romans 5:3–5 (CSB)

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

CHARACTER

Georgia authorities suspended two police officers after they used a coin toss to decide whether to arrest a 24-year-old driver they stopped for speeding. The Police dash cam captured the entire incident on video. The driver told them that she was running late and the officers discussed whether they should give the diver a ticket for speeding and arrest her for reckless driving, or let her go free.  They decided to use a cell phone app to make the decision. It was heads, arrest; tails, release. The flip went against the motorist and they arrested her. However, when they played the video at her hearing, the court dismissed her case. Roswell Police Department Chief Rusty Grant said, “I am appalled that any law enforcement officer would trivialize the decision-making process of something as importance as the arrest of a person.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-georgia-police-coinflip/georgia-police-use-coin-toss-to-decide-whether-to-arrest-woman-idUSKBN1K410R

1 Corinthians 15:33 (CSB)

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

CHARACTER

A little girl who lost her stuffed lion on a hike received it back after a community effort to locate her. Hiker Holly Spaman encountered the girl, Audrianna Flores and her family as they descended from a hike to No Name Lake in Oregon.  The girl told Spaman that her stuffed lion had fallen out of her mother’s pack on their trek, but they could not find it. Spaman promised to look, but never expected to find the toy. A few miles later, she found it beside the trial but did not have a number to contact the family to let them know.  Instead, she took a picture and posted it on social media when she got home. Friends forwarded the note until finally reached someone who knew Adrianna, and that person returned the lion to her. The girl’s mother Erin Allen told reporters, “This has been truly amazing –all of the kind people out there in the world.”  —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

 http://www.klove.com/news/2018/07/24/Woman-Reunites-Girl-With-Toy-Lion-Lost-On-Remote-Hike/

Ephesians 5:9 (CSB)

for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth—

CHARACTER

In 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey writes, “It is character that communicates most eloquently.” —Jim L. Wilson

--7 Habits of Highly Effective People, p. 30

Proverbs 11:3 (CSB)

The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.

CHARACTER

A waiter at a New York City pizzeria returned a cashier check for $424,000 to a woman who accidentally left it behind but failed to leave him a tip. Armando Markaj did not find a tip, but did find the check as he was cleaning the table at the restaurant.  It had been left behind by Karen Vinacour who stopped to have lunch with her daughter before going to purchase a nearby condo with the money.  Markaj said Saturdays at the restaurant are busy and he typically just cleared the table and threw everything away, but he noticed the envelope and found the check inside. He turned it over to the manager because he knew he had to do the right thing with almost half a million dollars.  When she returned, Vinacour was so relieved to find the check waiting that she began to cry. She said, “I’m so grateful that the insult that we gave him did not prevent him from doing the right thing.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2019/05/11/NYC-waiter-returns-424K-check-to-customer-despite-no-tip/2741557593990/?sl=5

Psalm 25:21 (CSB) “May integrity and what is right watch over me, for I wait for you.”

CHARACTER

The Donegal County Library in Ireland confirmed that a copy of the book, The White Owl, by Annie M.P. Smithson had been returned nearly 82 years after it was checked out. The library shared photos of the book and the library stamp on social media. The stamp indicated the book had been checked out July 23, 1937 and was due 14 days later. No one knows what happened to the book over all those years, but a local paper reported a relative of the person who checked it out found the book as they cleaned out their relative’s home. The book is considered a classic and the library was thankful the person decided to return it rather than keeping it or throwing it away.   Irish public libraries ended overdue book fines in January. Before that the average fee was five cents a day. That means the fee for the book would have totaled a little over $1400.

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2019/05/21/Rare-book-returned-to-Irish-library-almost-82-years-overdue/8111558452800/

Psalm 97:11 (CSB) Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart.

CHARACTER

Evidence from a study conducted at Ohio State University suggests the best way to discover a person’s true nature is to put them in a time-critical situation. Researchers found that an individual’s traits become more noticeable when they are forced to make a quick decision. Results of the study revealed that when individuals are faced with time pressure, they tend to stick with what they have done in the past. When they have more time to think about their options, the same people are more likely to move beyond their established patterns. Researchers said patterns such as selfishness or pro-social behavior was most readily recognizable among the participants. Co-author of the study, Ian Kiajbich said “People start off with a bias of whether it is best to be selfish or pro-social. If they are rushed, they’ll tend to go with that bias.” Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.studyfinds.org/your-true-personality-shows-when-faced-with-crunch-time-decision/

Romans 5:4 (CSB) “endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.”

CHARACTER

An Arizona police officer went beyond the call of duty to help an elderly woman who had been scammed and abandoned in the Phoenix area. Officer Adam Walicke met the woman at a department store where she had been sitting for almost a full day. She told Walicke that she had spent the last of her money to fly to Arizona to meet the man of her dreams, but found out she had been scammed and now had nowhere to go.  Walicke learned more about her plight and contacted her son in back n Chicago. He took her to the airport, and bought a one-way ticket to Chicago, where her son picked her up.  Walicke said he knew he had to help when he heard the woman had flown in from Illinois with the expectation that she was meeting a man, building a new relationship and starting a new life. It was obvious she was part of an elaborate scam.  He said, “This could have been anybody’s grandma.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

 https://abcnews.go.com/US/elderly-woman-scammed-money-stranded-country-saved-cops/story?id=68960259&cid=clicksource_4380645_15_comic_strip_sq_hed

Matthew 5:41 (CSB)

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

GROUP THINK

In their book, No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, Reed Hastings, Erin Meyer write, “There’s a funny candid-camera-style video that shows three actors riding an elevator with their faces turned toward the back, away from the door. A woman enters the elevator and, at first, she looks confused. Why are these people facing the wrong way? But then, slowly, although she obviously thinks what they are doing is weird, she also starts to turn around. Humans are much more comfortable when going along with the herd.”

—No Rules Rules, 141

Matthew 7:13 (CSB)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.

CHARACTER

Luke Maye, whose game-winning shot propelled the Tar Heels into the 2017 Final Four doesn’t just excel on the court. In 2018, Coach Hubert Davis said this about him, “[he] really is an example on the court and off the court and you always want to be an example of Christ in the way that you walk and everything that you do. And that’s what Luke does, he witnesses through everything.”

https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/basketball/2019/02/20/magazine-north-carolinas-luke-maye-is-headlining-the-heels/

1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB)

Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

CHARACTER

The owners of a Michigan butcher shop were horrified when they realized they had misplaced an envelope containing all the day’s receipts. Tim Sobie, owner of Sobie Meats said he and his wife were frantically searching for the misplaced deposit bag after they dropped it somewhere inside or outside the store. They had retraced their steps and looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. They were sick inside, because losing the money meant the loss of an entire day’s pay for them and their employees.  Sobie said he felt relieved when a man came in just before closing and handed over the deposit bag he had found outside the store.  Security footage later revealed the man had been driving past when he saw the bag and stopped to pick it up. Sobie said, “He had never been in the shop before and he was doing an act of kindness like that. So that was pretty phenomenal.” He added that he gave the man a gift card as a reward. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/07/13/Sobie-Meats-Walker-Michigan-bank-deposit-bystander/3011626207720/

Psalm 26:11 (CSB)

But I live with integrity;

redeem me and be gracious to me.

CHARACTER

Waste collection workers in Ohio were able to find and return $25,000 cash that a family accidentally threw away while helping their grandmother clean her home.  Officials said they got a call from the family when they realized the money had accidentally been thrown in the trash just before the truck picked it up. The family was cleaning out the refrigerator and freezer and threw out bags of garbage before their grandmother could warn them there was money hidden in the freezer. The trash company detoured the truck to a recycling facility before it reached the landfill and found the envelope after 10 minutes of searching. Dan Schoewe, operation manager at the recycling center said It felt good to provide a happy ending for the family. He added, “It can be very, very difficult. It’s rare that we can find something for somebody. So, this is like the biggest one I’ve seen in 30 years.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/06/Republic-Services-Oberlin-Ohio-waste-workers-find-grandmas-lost-cash/7511628280470/

2 Corinthians 2:9 (CSB)

I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything.

CHARACTER

Massachusetts resident Chris Robarge was surprised when a former landlord contacted him asking for his current address. He was even more surprised when he received a letter from his former landlord with a check for $2500 inside. His former landlord told Robarge he had sold the house and explained that he wanted to share the profits he earned with former tenants who helped him pay of the mortgage.  The letter explained that the former landlord recognized the contributions of tenants over the years, and he wanted to share the profits with them. Robarge said he planned to use some of the surprise gift to fix his car, and then give the rest away to help others. He said, “All I can say is that there are people who talk about their values and there are people who actually live them, and the reason I wanted to share this is that I want to encourage us all to actually live our values. Do it off the clock, do it when no one is watching, do it always.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

 https://www.timesnownews.com/the-buzz/article/viral-news-landlord-sells-home-shares-profit-with-former-tenants/800436

Psalm 25:21 (CSB)

May integrity and what is right

watch over me,

for I wait for you.