The bombing of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 is bringing the best out of most people, and the worst out of others. The rescue workers, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice, inspire me. Democrats and Republicans are getting along with one another, setting aside their partisan bickering to do the Nation's work. I've followed politics for years, and I've never seen anything like it.

The other day I heard a lawyer on one of the morning talk shows talk about how his firm is working pro bono to file the forms to help the victims' families get their death certificates. I was amazed at his generosity. Not only are they not charging for their services, but they've set aside their paying clients to work for free.

Bogus charities are surfacing trying to scam people out of their money. They are making door-to-door appeals, sending spam email messages, and calling people over the phone asking donors to give to the relief effort.

They promise that the money will help the widows and orphans of the tragedy, but they don't deliver on their promises. They line their own pockets with the money. Not only does the money not go where they say, but they are keeping legitimate charities from getting the money they need to operate.

Shame on these con artists who gave their word, but didn't back it up with action. The victims of the bombing, need action, not empty words.

—http://detnews.com/2001/business/0109/23/c01-300544.htm Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

James 2:20 "But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?"

In a recent BC comic strip, daddy ant comes into the room where son ant is attached by wire to the Television Set. “Son, did you really blow your entire allowance on that video game?”

“Yes.” The son admitted. Dad then gives the dreaded lecture.

“You need to learn how to manage your money!”

Without looking up from the game son asks, “Why are you so mad?”

Stomping out of the room Dad answers, “Because now I have to borrow some from your mother.”

I recently heard an older gentleman say, “I am old enough now that it is acceptable for me to say, ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’” I am not sure we ever get to the point where our words speak louder than our actions. But you can be sure about one thing; those who hear us speak are watching to see that our own actions match our words.

--Johnny Hart, B.C. Comics, November 21, 2008. http://www.johnhartstudios.com/bc/2008/11/friday-november-21-2008.php illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

James 2:18 (TEV) “ But someone will say, ‘One person has faith, another has actions.’ My answer is, ‘Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.’"

Many bosses tell their employees how valuable they are, but Leonard Abess Jr. put his money where his mouth is. In November 2008, Abess sold a majority stake in Miami based National Bancshares. Rather than putting the money in his account, Abe3ss took $60 million of his own money form the proceeds and gave the money to people who worked for him. All 399 workers on staff received large bonuses, and Abess tracked down 72 former employees so they could share in the windfall. His generosity gained national attention when President Obama hailed him as an example in his first speech to a joint session of congress.

The bonuses were based on years of service. They ranged from tens of thousands of dollars to more than $100,000. Abess did not publicize what he had done, nor did he show up at the bank to bask in employee’s gratitude when the envelopes were distributed. When asked why he gave away so much in bonuses, Abess said he had dreamed of a way to reward employee for a long time. He had thought about creating a stock option plan before he decided to sell the bank. Abess added, “Those people who joined me and stayed with me at the bank with no promise of equity, I always thought someday I’m going to surprise them. I sure as heck don’t need (the money).”

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/v-print/story/904842.html, Miami banker gives $60 million of his own to employees, February 14, 2009, Miami banker who gave away $60 million is hailed in Obama speech http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/920298.html Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

James 2:17-18 CEV Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!

Suppose someone disagrees and says, "It is possible to have faith without doing kind

deeds." I would answer, "Prove that you have faith without doing kind deeds, and I will

prove that I have faith by doing them."

FAITH AND WORKS

In his book, Dedication and Leadership, Douglas Hyde writes, "Too often, in my experience, Christians give the impression that they talk, that maybe they have all the right answers too, but then often do not follow through by putting these into action.

--Dedication and Leadership 126-127. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Bob Johnson

James 2:17 (NIV) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

A group of tourists spent hours on a Saturday night looking for a missing woman near Iceland's Eldgja canyon. The group was travelling through Iceland on a tour bus and stopped near the volcanic canyon in the southern highlands Saturday afternoon. One of the women on the bus left to change her clothes and freshen up. When she came back, her bus mates didn't recognize her.

Soon, there was word of a missing passenger. The woman didn't recognize the description of herself, and joined in the search. About 50 people searched the terrain by vehicles and on foot. The coast guard was even readying a helicopter to help.

Rescuers called the search off at about 3 a.m. when it became clear the missing woman was, in fact, accounted for and searching for herself.

Sometimes our greatest efforts are without meaning. As sincere as we might be, they come to no account. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/28/missing-woman-unwittingly-joins-search-party-for-herself accessed 8/30/2012

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (ESV) I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Do you ever get discouraged because you are not seeing the fruit of your efforts? Then the Winans, has a response for you in their song, “For We May Never Know,” with a message of working, believing and preaching through discouragement.-- Jim L. Wilson and Marla Harper

-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UweskUxefYM

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.