Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.”
Daniel 6: 3-4 (NIV)

I have an integrity challenge for you and me for today and the rest of this week—  

“Always keep your word, even when it hurts.” (See Psalm 15:4)

What do you think?  

Is there a chance you can do it?  

Every second of every moment, of every hour, of every day this week.

In the important things, and all the other things.  

Like when you promise— “I’ll be right there.”  

Or when you assure someone else— “I promise I won’t tell anybody.”  

Or when someone asks— “How are you doing?” And you respond— “I’m doing great!”

How about when people are relying on you to put the team or the organization first, before yourself.  

In every moment, of everything you face.   

Just one week. Every hour, minute, second. Everywhere, and with everyone.

What do you think?  

I wonder if we can do it. 

Integrity. You either have it, or you don’t. You can’t have a little, or a lot.  

Three men of faith in Jesus Christ, all now in Heaven, did their best to build that core value of integrity (and many other things) into my life.   

Lynda’s Dad, who to this day positively impacts and influences the decisions and direction of my days.  

And two Federal Judges, dear friends, who I was privileged to clerk for following graduation from law school—Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges and Judge William Stafford.  

All three men taught me the virtues of living a life of faith in Jesus Christ, including that of keeping your word, and living with absolute integrity.  

And they did it not only with their words, but with how they lived their lives.

Following their example, and our example—Jesus Christ. Believing that every word of Christ in God’s Word—the words in red—were the truth.  

Those are the lives you and I are called to live. Following the “red letter” words of Christ. Living lives marked by doing the right thing, even when no one was watching. Keeping our word. Standing for others.  

Lives of integrity.  

When integrity is present in our lives it touches every area for good, not just of our lives, but also lives throughout the world, even in places we might never expect.  

Integrity builds lives. Integrity builds institutions, churches which reflect Christ, and organizations whose values honor God.  

When integrity is present, the world is a better place.  

When integrity is not present—well, just pick up the morning paper or turn on the radio or TV, to see the aftermath of lives lived without integrity.  

And, sadly, the world becomes less, and individually we become less.

One week. Good luck.

A suggestion for the challenge—follow the “red letter” words of Christ in God’s Word. The words written in red.  

Words which remind us to keep our word, even when it hurts.  

Always a good approach—living a life following Christ’s words—written in red.

In His Name–Scott

Be lifted and reminded of His love for you as you listen to “I Believe” by Brooks and Dunn, joined by Jelly Roll.