The level of rude behavior in the USA has been rising over the past few years, and may have reached epidemic proportions. A new study by Public Agenda, a non-profit, non-partisan research group says 79% of Americans agree that a lack of courtesy on the nation's highways and ringing in our collective ears is a "serious national problem."

The study funded by Pew Charitable Trusts randomly sampled more than 2,000 adults in January 2002. The poll found 73% of Americans believe that once upon a time Americans treated one another with greater respect. 64% of the respondents said the problem is getting worse.

Jean Johnson, a senior vice president at Public Agenda, says, "People really do see this, the lack of respect and courtesy, as an issue." She adds most people (69%) confessed they have contributed to the problem. "It's the domino effect," Johnson says. "Someone's rude to me, I'm in a bad mood, and then, I'm not so nice to someone else. There's a sense of contagion."

An etiquette expert who heard about the survey suggested," We ought to be vigilantes for kindness and consideration."

Romans 12:17-18 NIV "Do not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Two would-be car thieves in Denmark recently turned themselves into police to avoid the wrath of the angry victim of their crime. The owner of the car the thieves stole witnessed the robbery. He quickly hopped into another car and began chasing the criminals.

According to a local paper, when the 19 and 21-year-old thieves realized the victim was chasing them, they decided to call police and report themselves. Instead of facing the angry car owner, they arranged for the police to pick them up at a nearby intersection.

—Reuters, Car thieves Call Police For Help, January 12, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

I find it odd that though the thieves feared the police, they recognized that they were more likely to receive mercy and protection from the authorities, instead of the person they had just victimized. In the spiritual realm, it is the opposite. The giver of great mercy is the one we’ve violated with our sin. Yet in grace, He gives us what we don’t deserve—forgiveness, and in mercy, He doesn’t give us what we do deserve—punishment.

Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses—it is by grace you have been saved. "

In the motion picture "How to Eat Fried Worms," Billy Forrester is the new kid at school who didn't want to move and leave his friends behind, but had no choice. No sooner does he start to his new school, than he encounters Joe, the school bully. As a prank, Joe and his gang put worms in Billy's lunch, and begin calling him "Wormboy." Though he has a weak stomach, Billy foolishly boasts that he can eat ten worms. Joe cruelly decides to call Billy's bluff by setting a date and time frame for Billy to eat the worms, or face embarrassment in front of the entire school. To be accepted as "normal," Billy must face the consequences of his actions and a bully who was intent on making him look like a fool.

Billy survived the worst day of his life. He ate ten worms, and defeated the school bully. When Joe's older brother Nigel arrives to see if he won the challenge, he immediately starts demeaning Joe because he failed. Nigel says, "You really are a joke." Nigel says he will also face ridicule because Joe lost the bet about the worms. Instead of standing and watching Joe get what he deserves for being so cruel, Billy jumps in and stands up for Joe. He looks Joe's older brother in eye-to-eye, and demands, "Leave him alone." As Joe watches in unbelief the rest of his gang follow Billy's lead, and stand up to the bully's bully. Instead of returning evil for evil, Billy extends mercy. When Nigel rides away defeated, Billy turns to face Joe. Slowly, Joe admits that Billy won, accepting his defeat. Instead of gloating, Billy offers his hand in good faith, and friendship to the person who treated him badly.

—"How To Eat Fried Worms", Chapter 17—The Last Word, Time: 1:11:18 to 1:13:08. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

When mistreated by others, we can choose how we respond. We can return cursing for cursing, or choose to be a blessing to everyone encounter.

1 Peter 3:8-9 (GW) "Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. [9] Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing."

An elderly customer surprised a 19 year-old Swedish waitress by offering her his Porsche as a tip. She was more surprised when the man actually followed through and gave the keys to the car to her.

Josefin Justin was waiting tables when a man who was dining with a group of friends asked her age. When she told him, the man said she would get his Porsche as a tip. Justin said she was suspicious at first, but when she called him the next day, the man remembered the offer and asked Justin and her father to pick up the car. Afterwards, Justin said the car was a 1979 Porsche 924 worth about $4,000. She added, "It needs a little work, a paint job among other things, but we checked it out and everything was fine."

The man who gave the car asked to remain anonymous. When asked why he gave the car away, he said, "I was sitting there in the restaurant and looked her in the eyes and saw an angel and thought to myself 'The Porsche', she should have it." When asked if he had any regrets, the anonymous donor replied, "No, absolutely not."

—www.expressindia.com, Stunned waitress gets Porsche as tip in Sweden, August 25, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Ephesians 2:8 (BBE) "Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God:"

The owner of a store in New York thwarted a robbery, and then took pity on the robber by providing some money and food and money. A video posted by a New York Newspaper shows a masked man entering a convenience store armed with a baseball bat, just after midnight on May 21. When the owner of the store surprised the thief by pulling out a rifle, the masked man dropped to his knees and appeared to beg for forgiveness.

The owner of the store, Mohammad Sohail says the man claimed he and no money or job, and that his family was hungry. Sohail told a local V station, “Then, I feel bad for him..I take $40 for him.” Sohail also gave the man some bread, and says he does not plan to press charges.

--Deli owner thwarts robbery, then gives thief money, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090603/od_nm/us_robbery, Wednesday, June 3, 2009.

This is an interesting real-world picture of what mercy is. I hope this man’s life is changed by mercy he received that night. Like the owner of the shop, God offers us underserved favor, or mercy through Jesus.

Romans 5:10 (CEV) Even when we were God's enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son's life.

A Chinese woman has become somewhat of a local hero because of her efforts to find and care for babies she finds on the streets of her city. 88-year-old Lou Xiaoying, suffers from kidney failure, but takes time to rescue children, some of whom she finds in the trash. Since her husband passed away 17 years ago, Lou has kept four children and placed others with loving families. She found her youngest son, who is now seven years old, in the trash when she was 82. Lou took him home and nursed him back to health and named him after the Chinese word for rare and precious. When asked about why she takes time for these children, Lou said, “Even though I was already getting old I could not simply ignore the baby and leave him to die in the trash. I had to take him home with me.” She added, ”I realized that if we had strength enough to collect garbage, how could we not recycle something as important as human lives?” – Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Chinese Woman Saves 30 Babies From Trash, becomes Local Hero, by Steven Ertelt, http://www.lifenews.com/2012/07/30/chinese-woman-saves-30-babies-from-trash-becomes-local-hero; Accessed July 30, 2012.

James 1:27 (HCSB) “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Dogs are often called man’s best friend, but for three-year-old Brianna Lynch, her Great Dane is more than a friend, he is a protector. Brianna suffers from epilepsy. Her family says the best medicine she has is Brianna’s dog, Charlie. The Great Dane has never been trained as a detection dog, but he can sense a seizure up to 20 minutes before they occur. When Brianna suffers a seizure, the dog holds her against a wall to prevent her from falling and hitting her head. He patiently waits for someone to come and help. Brianna’s mother says the dog is nothing short of amazing. She adds, “Charlie is so sensitive to her needs. If the other dogs get boisterous, he will stand by her side to ensure she doesn’t get knocked over. We know when he is acting strange, she is going to have a seizure.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Amazing dog senses 3-year-old's seizures and then protects her,
http://now.msn.com/brianna-lynch-irish-girl-has-epileptic-seizures-detected-by-her-dog-charlie, Accessed October 14, 2013.

Psalm 61:4 (NASB) Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.

Richard Hudgins of Louisville, KY will go barefoot for a year to bring awareness to the need for shoes for the less fortunate. He states, "Millions of children are without shoes and these kids are dying and having their limbs cut off just because they don't have anything to protect their feet." His quest began December 4, 2013, the same day snow fell in Louisville. His response was "Just that first hour-and-a-half, I was like no way. I can't do this. There's no way," However, Hudgins said he was inspired to carry on when the first anonymous $5 donation came in at his website, noshoesforayear.com. --Jim L. Wilson and Ron Williams

-- http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2014/01/20/Man-going-barefoot-for-a-year-to-buy-shoes-for-children/UPI-55211390251926/

Matthew 25:40 (ESV) And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

When authorities discovered that Derk West’s car had been stolen and resold, West decided he didn’t want the car back. West says his 1993 Chrysler had been sitting at his grandfather’s house for about a year before it was stolen. The thief sold the car to an elderly gentleman for $300. The scheme was uncovered because the man signed West’s on the title, but used his own name and Social Security number on the Bill of Sale. The man who bought the car thought the deal sounded too good to be true, looked up West’s information and called him only to discover he had be duped. West visited the man afterwards and decided that the man needed the car more than he did so he allowed the buyer to keep it. West said, “He was out $300 and he was just really upset. I drove the car for several years as a work car. By the time it was over, we worked it out, and I just wound up giving him the car. He needed it worse than I did.”--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Boonville man lets buyer keep his stolen car, By Nick LaGrange, http://www.14news.com/story/25267609/boonville-man-lets-buyer-keep-his-stolen-car, Accessed April 16, 2014.

James 4:6 (HCSB) (6) But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Eight-year-old Cayden Taipalus was upset when he saw a friend denied a hot lunch at school because his account was overdue. When he got home that day, he told his mother how upset he was and that he had decided to do something to help his friend and others who were forced to go without a hot lunch. Cayden began returning empty bottles and cans for cash and asked form donations from family and friends. His story was picked up by a local radio station, which helped bring in even more money from people further away. The money Cayden raised paid off the accounts of students at his own school and then he visited five other schools to pay off lunch accounts for students he didn’t even know. So far, the money raised has paid for over 4,000 reduced lunches for students and Cayden has set a goal of raising even more money to help others get a hot lunch at school.—--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

8 Year Old Pays Off Overdue Lunch Accounts Of Classmates; By Dewey Moede, http://www.fggam.org/8-year-old-pays-off-overdue-lunch-accounts-of-classmates; Accessed April 11, 2014.

James 2:15-16 (HCSB) (15) If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food (16) and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?

Utah Valley University is providing students a lane designated for texting while walking. The lanes are painted neon green on the stairs to the gym and were intended as a light hearted way to brighten up the space and get student’s attention. A picture of the lanes marked for runners, walkers, and texters drew a lot of attention on social media. Students who attend the school say the lanes were not created to curb a problem on campus, but about half of the students who see the lanes actually use them. Spokeswoman Melinda Colton says she doesn’t know of any other colleges that have used them, but it’s not the first time the idea has been tried. National Geographic Television created a similar set-up as part of a behavioral experiment. The lanes attracted attention, but the people using their phones generally didn’t notice them.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Utah school creates 'texting lane' for phone-focused walkers, By Lindsay Whitehurst,
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/utah-school-creates-texting-lane-phone-focused-walkers-190457120.html, Accessed June 18, 2015.

Philippians 2:3 (NKJV) (3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

In an effort to allow a greater range of responses, Facebook has added new emojis for users in some countries to use. In Ireland and Spain, users can now use a throbbing heart for “love,” a fuming face for “anger,” a teary-eyed “Sad,” and others. Facebook calls the new symbols “Reactions” and modeled them after comments and reactions that most commonly used on Facebook around the world. The company has said they are also working on a dislike button, but admits their bigger goal is giving users an opportunity to express empathy. Facebook expects to expand the new feature to more areas soon. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “ If you’re sharing something that is sad, whether it’s something in current events, like the refugee crisis or if a family member passed away, then it may not feel comfortable to ‘like’ that post.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Facebook adds 'Reactions' to Like button feature, By Hope King and Peter Taggart,
http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/08/technology/facebook-reactions-ireland-spain/?sr=cnnifb, Accessed October 12, 2015.

Ephesians 6:2 (HCSB) Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise,

British supermarket Tesco want to help customers get into the holiday spirit. This year, they are adding a unique position. The company plans to hire a person whose sole job will be to untangle Christmas lights. The job listing says the position requires a person who is genuinely passionate about Christmas and has excellent people skills. The advertisement says the person must have the ability to untangle a set of Christmas lights in under three minutes. It also warns that the job is not for Grinches. A spokesperson added, “A typical day could involve untangling up to 60 sets of lights!”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

A British Supermarket Is Hiring Someone to Untangle Christmas Lights, By Benjamin Snyder, http://fortune.com/2015/11/05/tesco-supermarket-christmas-lights, Accessed November 5, 2015

Psalm 46:1 (HCSB) “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.”

MERCY

Even after playing his first baseball game with Arizona Fall League, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow took time to pray for and talk to a fan who suffered a seizure. Brandon Berry had the seizure after sitting in near 100-degree heat for a long time. Another man, Daniel Kelly, said he met Berry early in the game and the two sat together. Kelly was waiting for Tebow to sign a baseball when Barry suffered the seizure. He said he and wife began praying for the man and noticed that Tebow was praying too. He said Tebow talked with Berry about college football and waited with him for 15 to 20 minutes until paramedics arrived. Afterwards Kelly described the event as “An amazing moment.” He added, “It was a miracle moment that happened there.”–By Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Zechariah 7:9 (HCSB) “The Lord of Hosts says this: Make fair decisions. Show faithful love and compassion to one another.”

Chinese police are punishing drivers who they catch not switching to low beams only when other cars approach, and give them a compulsory fine of 300 Yuan and then force them to sit down and stare into the full glare of headlight for a minute. Traffic police in one southern Chinese city have even posted photos of the punishment on their official website. Authorities say more than 900 drivers were caught at 100 police checkpoints within a two hour period. After enduring the full minute, one driver said: “My eyes were dazzled. I will never come to (this city) again.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Full-beam drivers in china forced to stare into car headlights,

Romans 12:17 (HCSB) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.”

Chrissy Marie is looking for Jake, the person who took one of her wind chimes. The Washington woman said he left a note which explained that he took the chimes because they reminded his sister of their mother who had passed away. Jake left $5 and said it was all the money he had. He asked Marie not to be mad at him. Marie said she is not mad and would like to find Jake to give him his money back and give him his own wind chime similar to the one they took, because she wanted each of them to have a reminder of their mother. She said, “It’s not right that he stole, or his sister stole. I’m not sure which one it is, but he did try to make things right and I do forgive him.” She added, “I lost my mom when I was five and my dad just almost six years ago. It’s just hard at any age. People grieve in different ways.” –Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Psalm 116:1 (HCSB)“I love the Lord because He has heard my appeal for mercy.”

Police in Corpus Christ, Texas say an ATM technician accidentally locked himself in a room and tried to contact people using the machine for help. He left his keycard and cell phone in his truck. He could not leave the room or notify bank employees, so he decided to try ask people using the ATM for help. He passed notes to customers telling them that he was trapped inside and asking customers to contact his boss. Authorities say many people thought the notes were a joke, until someone heard the man calling from inside the machine. He contacted police and an officer kicked the door in and freed the man. A senior police officer, Richard Olden, said, “Everyone is OK, but you will never see this in your life, that somebody was stuck in the ATM, it was just crazy.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Psalm 91:15 (CSB) “When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.”

When an Arizona grandmother accidentally sent a text to a wrong number, she went ahead and invited the stranger to Thanksgiving dinner. Jamal Hinson said he received a text from someone who told him Thanksgiving dinner would be served at 3PM on the holiday. The person sending the text identified themselves as “your grandma,” but he wasn’t sure who it was. He asked her to send a selfie, and then told her that she was not his grandma. Even so, Hinson texted her back and asked if he could get a plate. Unfazed, the woman responded, “Of course you can. That’s what grandmas do…feed everyone.” Hinson said he knew the woman’s grandson, who assured him that he was welcome for Thanksgiving dinner. Hinson said, “Any other person would probably blow me off, and be like, ‘No, never text my number again,’ but she was really pretty nice and sweet about it. There really are still nice people out in the world.”

Grandma's wrong-number text ends in thanksgiving invite for teen stranger, by Ben Hooper, http://www.upi.com/odd_news/2016/11/18/grandmas-wrong-number-text-ends-in-thanksgiving-invite-for-teen-stranger/2051479478976/?spt=sec&or=on, accessed November 18, 2016.

Hebrews 13:2 (CSB) “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.”

Chicago Cubs fan Karen Michel went to Game Six of the 2016 World Series hoping to get an extra ticket. Michel discovered the game was sold out, but she didn’t give up. While she was thinking about what to do, Michel spotted comedian Bill Murray, who is also a Cubs fan. She began following him, and before long, the celebrity turned around and offered her a ticket for the game. Michel got to sit next to Murray, among other celebrity fans. She said she spent the special evening chatting about everyone’s experience rooting for the Cubs. Michel said it was also special because Chicago won the game and then their first World Championship in 108 years the following day. —Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

Zechariah 7:9 (CSB) “The Lord of Armies says this: ‘Make fair decisions. Show faithful love and compassion to one another.”

Animal welfare officials and police in Fort Wayne, Indiana say a puppy found by a trash collector in the back of a garbage truck was adopted within hours. The trash collector found the 5-month-old female Pitt Bull Terrier mix after his finished his route along one street. He wasn’t sure where he picked up the can the dog was in, but he was glad he could save the puppy. The dog named Pearl, suffered some injuries when she was dumped into the truck, but was expected to make a full recovery. The shelter publicized the incident and within hours Pearl had a new home. Authorities said they are working to find the person who dumped the dog, and they are happy that Pearl was saved from a horrible fate.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

When police officer Jason Smith saw a kitten stranded on the barrier wall of the freeway, he immediately stopped to rescue the cat. Footage from his body camera shows Smith removing the cat from the wall and bringing it into his patrol car, where it quickly calmed down and stopped making distressed cries. Smith had the animal checked by a vet and then decided to adopt it. Smith said the kitten’s frightening ordeal had a happy ending because the cat, which they named Bella, now has a safe new home. –Jim L. Wilson and James Sandell.

Minnesota state trooper Brian Schwartz could have ticketed Dr. Janjua when he pulled her over. Instead, he gave her a warning and a lecture, telling her it was “irresponsible” for her to be speeding—she could have gotten into an accident and would not be available to help her patients. What he did next brought the doctor to tears. He gave her five N95 masks from his personal supply. —Jim L. Wilson

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.