Signature Stamp

“You are like a letter written by Christ and delivered by us. But you are not written with pen and ink or on tablets made of stone. You are written in our hearts by the Spirit of the living God.” (2 Corinthians 3:3 CEV)

Back in the day, before everything became digital, my husband had a self-inking signature stamp. It allowed him to sign documents quickly. This little gadget had an image of his signature carved into it. Every time you pressed it down on a surface, his signature appeared.

God’s signature is upon us. The imprint of the Father is carved into Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the ink that reveals everything. Christ transfers the power and essence of God on to our hearts through the Holy Spirit. God is the author. We are His message. Let us remain still in front of the Lord, presenting ourselves like papers waiting to be signed. May our lives be daily posts that manifest holiness, authenticated by the Spirit, and revealing God’s glory.

Playing with Boxes

“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.” (1 John 2:16 NLT)

If you give a toddler a gift in a large box, he is likely to be more interested in the box than what is in it. This behavior may be seen as adorable in a young child but odd in an adult. Unfortunately, most of us spend decades of our lives playing with boxes. We pursue our cravings for pleasure and take pride in our achievements and possessions. We obsess over extrinsic pleasures and validation while remaining oblivious to our intrinsic worth.

We cannot access the internal until we stop obsessing over the external. Wanting to appear significant detracts us from that which is truly significant. The gift of the Spirit is embedded deep within us. The closer we draw to the Lord, the better we know Him. The more we trust Him, the more we are able to surrender. When we allow the Holy Spirit to take over, we are granted strength and understanding, enabling us to operate from the deep reserves of power within us.

Burning Without Burning Out

“We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 MSG)

In ancient days, oil lamps were used for lighting. Simple clay pots filled with olive oil were often used by households. A piece of cotton, often an old rag, would be saturated with oil and used as a wick. When lighted, this wick conveyed the oil from the container to the surface, fueling the flame. This took time. A wick that had not been soaked in oil for hours would burn out quickly.

Our ordinary lives are like clay lamps holding the oil of God’s anointing. These clay pots, no matter how highly decorated, are not worthy of attention. Their true value lies in their purpose--as a container of light. Our souls burn brightly when we are saturated in the Holy Spirit. This takes time, contemplation, and intentionality. A quick dip in a baptismal font does not equip us for service. Our natural talents, skills, and charisma may be enough to kindle an initial spark, but like a wick that is not properly soaked, we will burn out quickly. Experiencing the essence of God can be self-depleting and time-consuming. However, once we discover the anointing of the Holy Spirit within us, we can proceed to access this treasure. We no longer have to depend solely on our own raggedy skills sets. We are fueled by the power of God. The longer we absorb the Spirit, the more we are enabled to make the light of Christ evident.

Eternal

“And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God.” (John 17:3 MSG)

The earth encompasses what we understand about our past, present, and future. It contains all our history, experiences, and expectations. It represents nature, humanity, and all that is tangible. Yet, we sense there is more. Although much of it is beyond our grasp, we know the earth is merely a tiny part of the cosmos. Space and time stretch beyond all that is comprehensible.

What is eternal life?

If you walk outside soon after it rains, you may be able to see a few clouds and puddles of water. You may hear the birds chirping. You may NOT notice that the air is heavier with humidity, but it is. Experiencing God is absorbing the weight of the intangible Spirit that surrounds you and revealing His essence. It is more than the past, present, and future--it is timeless. Nature, humanity, and all that we know of this world are part of it, but not all of it. It is beyond our concepts of matter, space, and time. Eternal life is experiencing and expressing God’s nature, here and now.

Press On

“Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

To ‘press on’ is to continue doing something in a steady, determined way, despite difficulties. This requires concentration and persistence. For example, when I am trying to run at a specific pace, I have to be continually focused, pushing past discomfort. If I allow my mind to wander, it easily fixates on things that detract from the task at hand.

All of us have benefited from God’s generosity and power whether we acknowledge it or not. Knowing God is not the same as knowing about God. It involves more than standing in the path of grace. To know, in the biblical sense, is to experience intimately, to absorb deeply. This requires us to press on--despite difficulties and distractions. And as we steadily push forward to know the Lord, He responds to us unfailingly.

“For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.” (Psalm 117:2 ESV)

First Aid Kit

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19 NIV)

The above verse reminded me of a friend, also named Mary, who shared the following lesson with a group of us women:

In an emergency, it helps to have a first aid kit that is accessible, personalized, and updated. You could go buy a general kit from a store, but it may have too many band-aids and not enough medications. Medicines are specific, and a variety of them are essential. Plus, they expire and need to be updated. Making up a well-stocked first aid kit takes some planning and effort, but it can reduce panic, decrease severity of injury, and prevent infection.

Similarly, it helps to have a first aid kit in a spiritual crisis. There are many generalized options like devotionals and inspirational books. However, a customized trove of scripture verses, quotes, and personalized prayers can be worthwhile. When you read something that makes an impact--perhaps a  verse, a prayer from a devotional, one line from a book or a song--copy it down. Paraphrase it and make it your own. If you get a revelation or insight, write it down. Keep a record of answered prayers. Just make sure all of this is in one place and easily accessible. Treasure these words and ponder them in your heart frequently. Know it inside out, so that you can easily find what you need in a crisis. This is a product of your personal journey with God. Next time you are assailed by fear, anxiety, doubt, or lies--go to this resource. Take out the appropriate parts and apply them to your wounded soul. If you think someone else can benefit from a particular passage in your kit, copy it, and send it to them as a gift. This powerful collection of remedies can reduce panic and severity of suffering in a crisis.

Easter

“They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.’ Then he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:20-22 NLT)

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. In the Western Christian tradition, it is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox. Most of us see Easter like we do other holidays--a time for social eating and merriment. Each culture has a different kind of traditional foods. In our area, Easter is filled with eggs, chocolate, and a glazed ham.

We forget that on the first Easter Sunday, the disciples were meeting in secret, because they feared repercussions for being followers of Jesus. Their leader had just been assassinated, and they were seen as terrorists by the governing authorities. Into this room filled with despair and fear, the risen Christ appears. The disciples are filled with hope, peace, and joy. Just as God breathed life into Adam, Jesus breathes new life into His followers. Just as Jesus was commissioned by the Father, He commissions the disciples to reveal God. He infuses them with courage and boldness through the power of the Holy Spirit. He sends them forth to live the Gospel.

Let us join these early disciples, putting our trust in the Lord. May we be filled with peace, hope, joy, and courage. I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will equip us with everything we need to go forth and live out the Message.

The Gift of Teaching

“If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” (Romans 12:7 NLT)

Constellations are groupings of stars that resemble familiar patterns. In ancient times, farmers used them to determine seasons, and sailors looked to them for navigation. The stars are out every night, but many of us never see them. Even if we make a point to go outside on a clear night and stare at them, we can’t connect the dots to see the pattern. It helps to have a teacher who is skilled at recognizing and explaining these points of light.

I have just enough teaching skills to appreciate teachers who are much more gifted than I am. I have had the privilege of having some truly high-caliber mentors. They see things that I can’t see. They connect the dots and point out the patterns that I miss. They keep reminding me of truths that are evident in the dark, if only I would look for them. They awaken my mind, inspire my spirit, and expand my perspective. They lead by example, showing me how learning never ends. I am grateful to these individuals who take time to understand the mysteries of life and explain what they have learned.

Not My Trash

“The earth turns gaunt and gray, the world silent and sad, sky and land lifeless, colorless. Earth Polluted by Its Very Own People.” (Isaiah 24:4 MSG)

I noticed it a year ago: an empty, crushed, soda can under the wooden bleachers near the track where I coach a group of kids. I usually make the kids pick up their trash, and I go behind them and clean up whatever they miss. I was afraid of getting stuck between the slats, or else I would have picked up the can.  A few of the kids were small and agile enough to squeeze under the bleachers and retrieve it. Last year, I made a general request to no one in particular: “Can someone get that soda can from under the bleachers?”

“It’s not ours,” they would reply.

I didn’t want to make anyone feel like I was blaming them, so I didn’t press the matter. And the soda can remained under the bleachers for a whole year. When I noticed it again at the start of this season, I knew I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I waited until everyone had left practice and awkwardly squeezed through the slats and retrieved the soda can. I wondered why I had waited so long to do what I knew all along needed to be done!

Most of us wouldn’t knowingly contribute to pollution, but we accept a certain amount of it as part of normal life. We think it’s unfair that anyone would expect us to be inconvenienced by problems we didn’t directly create. If our ancestors cut down trees to develop cities, or pesticide usage in a neighboring state is polluting rivers, or glaciers are melting because of global climate change, we don’t see it as our fault. Assigning blame, devising justifications, and ignoring messes do not solve the problem. It may not be our responsibility to fix it; there may also be others who are better suited for certain tasks than we are. However, if we see a need, and if it’s within our power to do the right thing, it would be an act of graciousness to do so. The earth may not turn gaunt, gray, silent, lifeless, or colorless in our lifetime, but we may be able to give future generations a chance to enjoy God’s creation by our small acts of kindness.

Hucksters

“You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us.” (2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT)

In my house, we have a habit of sniffing the milk before we pour it out of the container. The same applies to juice, ham, leftovers, etc. If something smells ‘off’, my husband and son pass it on to me for confirmation. For some reason, I have been designated as the final arbiter of food quality in our family. Even if the label says it’s still good, it has to pass my ‘sniff test’ before we consume it.

From time to time, we all meet people who seem questionable. When a situation or individual does not pass your ‘sniff test’, it is wise to consult the opinion of someone you trust. Don’t go by labels or external appearance. We often give people who look trustworthy the benefit of the doubt. Those who are well-groomed, articulate, charming, intelligent, and from a similar racial or social background can still be devious. Even old friends, relatives, coworkers, neighbors, pastors, doctors, teachers, bankers, etc., can have their own agenda. Those who seek personal profit--whether in the form of admiration, financial gain, power, or pleasure--are neither sincere nor authentic. Whatever they offer is not safe for consumption.

The Village Inn Prophet

“For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” (John 3:34 NIV)

My husband and I were having a late breakfast at the Village Inn. We were seated in a section that was virtually empty other than one other diner and several servers who were cleaning tables and restocking condiments. The lone diner was an older black gentleman with a distinctive hairstyle; his grey hair stuck straight up. He seemed to be a regular customer, because the servers all knew him and carried on a conversation with him as he ate and they worked. My husband and I could overhear everything they said. They spoke about various subjects, but I noticed that in everything the man said, he gave glory to God. He continually spoke blessings upon the waiters, and that is why they hovered around him finding something to do. I was amazed by his boldness and devotion. As he finished his meal and gathered up his belongings, I couldn’t resist walking over and speaking to him. I told him how impressed I was at his transparent faith. He seemed surprised and momentarily flustered by my compliment. However, he quickly collected himself and looked me straight in the eye. Over the next few minutes he spoke and I listened. I don’t remember everything he said verbatim, but I could sense that there was truth and anointing behind his words. I recognized many verses from the third chapter of the Gospel of John:

‘God gives us the spirit without limit, so that we can speak Truth. We share what we have seen and heard, presenting our life as evidence. We stand beside Jesus, shining the spotlight on him. He must increase, while we decrease. We who practice living in truth come into God’s light, because we want others to know that God is really the one accomplishing everything through us. All glory and honor and praise to Almighty God.’

When he finished speaking, I asked the man his name. He replied: “Neither my name nor my title matters. I am your brother in Christ, and you are my sister in Christ.”

Then the man asked my husband’s permission before he gave me a hug and walked away--leaving the fragrance of Christ in his wake.

Behind the Scenes

“You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation.” (2 Corinthians 1:11 MSG)

I’ve been watching a fictional television series about abductions. The lead character is a former military operative who fights kidnappers and rescues victims. He is assisted by a tech genius who provides information about the criminals and how to fight them. This tech person does an inordinate amount of the work behind the screens. He collects data and connects the dots--identifying criminal history, tracking money, scanning social media, and reviewing security camera footage.  Although his role is less visible than that of the hero, his tech skills and tools play a part in every rescue operation.

Just as tech support is invaluable in fighting crime, prayer support is essential in withstanding darkness. For example, educators, health-care providers, police officers, social justice advocates, etc., are often on the frontlines of the battle against society’s ills. They need all the help they can get. Each of us can play our part by lifting up every situation to God in prayer. Our concern and assistance may provide some encouragement and strength to those in the field. Sometimes we may be allowed insights which can be useful to a particular crisis. Thus, through supplication and praise, we become a crucial part of the rescue operation. Our role as prayerful supporters may go unnoticed, but it is still an essential part of combating evil.

Usable Fruit

“They have become rotten to the core.” (Romans 3:12 GWT)

Every autumn, the apple trees in our backyard produce plenty of fruit. Most of them are imperfect. Some have slight blemishes; others are oddly shaped; not all are sweet. Yet, most of the fruit is usable. If a fruit has a  external blemish, I just cut that part off and use the rest. The only time I throw out an apple is if it has worms or is rotten from the core. These fruits are thrown in the compost pile to make next year’s fertilizer.

Every season of life, I meet loads of people. No one is perfect, but everyone has value. I try to get to know each person, to understand their essence. I work around their bruises and flaws. Underneath, I often discover empathy, gentleness, humility, wit, self-discipline, kindness, generosity, and sincerity. I try to encourage and emulate these good qualities. Occasionally, I have to deal with individuals who are rotten to the core. They are manipulative and malicious. Ingesting any part of what they offer can be harmful. Instead, these ordeals are only good for compost. These encounters can be useful learning experiences that fertilize growth and wisdom.

Load-bearing Walls

“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2 CSB)

A load-bearing wall is an essential structural element in a building. It bears the weight of the roof and conducts the weight to the foundation. Curtain walls, on the other hand, are not load-bearing. When remodeling a home, curtain walls can be knocked down to open up spaces without any risk of damaging the main structure. In order to tell if a wall is load-bearing, you have to inspect the interiors of the attic space to see which walls are supporting the roof. Most of us have not even stepped foot into our own attics, much less any other buildings.  Thus, we have no clue what is essential and non-essential.

Each of us have characteristics that are fundamental to our structure. These traits may not always be the most noticeable, but they are the most significant. Only those who are willing to step into the attic spaces of our interior may ever discover these integral parts of our being. For example, I have a friend whose most obvious trait is her physical beauty. Yet, even if her looks faded, it would not change her essence. Those of us who know her intimately recognize that there is an essential goodness that holds her up. This is the load-bearing wall that supports all her other traits.

It takes time, patience, and discernment to understand the vital parts of ourselves and others. It is difficult to change these underlying characteristics, but they can be braced and strengthened by faith. Whatever our attributes, the weight of our structure needs to be conducted into the foundations of God, ensuring that our essence is held up by holiness.

Misplaced Messages

“You must give them my messages whether they listen or not.” (Ezekiel 2:7 NLT)

At the entrance of our rural neighborhood is a long row of old-fashioned mailboxes nailed to wooden posts. Our mailman often gets the mail mixed up. Almost every week, we get an envelope in our box that is addressed to one of our neighbors. This happens so often that most of us just sort through our mail while standing next to the row of mailboxes, so that we can put any misplaced mail in the correct boxes.

I can identify with our mailman. I, too, often get confused about the messages I am to deliver. I often have random thoughts that I sense may be significant. I wonder if this directive is solely for my own sake or meant to be shared. I am never sure to whom, when, or how to express what is placed in my heart. Unlike the mailman, I don’t have names and addresses printed on envelopes that I can use. Thus, I often repeat whatever pops into my mind to whomever I meet--in case it is meant for them. I speak it, write about it, and incorporate it into my day. Sometimes I hear back from someone that a certain message was relevant to them. This brings me great relief; I feel like I did something right. However, I must remember that it is not up to me whether a message is used. I only have to be willing to obey, even when it looks silly. I may not get every message to the right person at the right time, but I know that God will use others to sort through the messages and pass on what is misplaced.

The Anxiety Barrier

“The Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. But I had no peace of mind...” (2 Corinthians 2:13 NLT)

St. Paul recognized that God had opened a door of opportunity for him, but, because he was worried, he passed up this chance. How often does this happen to each of us--where a door of opportunity opens up, but anxiety prevents us from entering?

Anxiety results from fearing the unknown. For example, I don’t like checking luggage in when going on a trip, so I always pack all essentials in carry-on bags. Vacations can be ruined if luggage is delayed. I also don’t expect flights to run on schedule. If I have to be somewhere at a certain time, I allow lots of extra time for possible delays. I don’t have much faith in airlines to manage scheduling or baggage handling. However, I have a certain amount of trust in  pilots, or I wouldn’t get on a plane at all. This is based on my personal experience. I have dealt with lost luggage and flight delays, but I haven’t been in a plane crash...yet. Instinctively, we trust or withhold trust based on prior experience. Even animals do this: a dog who is always fed on time, trusts his owner to continue feeding him. This is not faith.

Faith is more than an assurance in what we deem reliable based on previous experience. Faith is based on confidence in things unseen. Faith stands on the threshold of fear, looks out into the unknown, and sees the opportunity to learn supernatural trust. Faith is a deliberate commitment, a turning over of everything we value to God.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)

Proving Bread

“Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” (Zechariah 2:13 NIV)

I enjoy making bread--even though it is a messy, time-consuming process.  First I mix the ingredients. Then I let it prove or rest for a few hours. I cover it with a damp towel and place it in a warm corner of the kitchen. This first proving allows the yeast to ferment. The gluten in the flour swells to form a network of fine strands. This makes the dough extensible and gives it structure. After this first resting period, I knead the dough again and shape it into loaves. Then I let the dough prove again. In the next hour, the shaped loaves double in size. The dough is fully formed and ready to be baked in the oven.

A large part of bread making is waiting for the dough to prove. It is in the resting period that the bread enlarges. Similarly, it is in the stillness, in the proving stages, that we grow. Study can be a form of worship. Reflection and mindfulness make us extensible, integrating the physical and the metaphysical. Contemplation allows God’s Spirit within us to rise, forming unseen connections between our neural networks. This results in deeper communion, expansive awareness, and clarity of purpose.  As we wait in reverence and silence, God completes his work in us.

Pursuing Distractions

“It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder...” (Titus 3:3 MSG)

I have a closet under the stairs in my basement. There are no windows,  light bulbs, or even electric outlets in that space, so it is difficult to see anything. Over the years, I have used it as a catch-all space for things I don’t want to deal with--stuff that I don’t use regularly, but I am not ready to part with either. I have thought about taking time to clean up this space, but I always find ten other things I would rather be doing. There are places to go, people to meet, and passions to pursue. To be honest, I am avoiding this space. I bet there are spiders in there--not to mention, old stuff that will bring back uncomfortable memories. I don’t want to sort through this mess, so I distract myself with other activities. One of my cousins turned the space under her stairs into a prayer chamber. She cleaned out all the old junk. She brought in a lamp for light and a fan to improve air flow. She and her family use it regularly as a quiet place for prayer and contemplation.

The world is full of diversions. We can spend our entire lives chasing distractions and avoid facing our inner selves. We can continue being ‘stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder’--or we can deal with the scary mess in the dark chambers of our mind. Cleaning out the deep recesses of our psyche takes intentional focus, self-discipline, time, patience, and detachment from a world that values diversion. Once purified, we cannot go back to the old ways of doing things; otherwise, it is just a matter of time before our inner selves get filled with different junk. Just as there are plenty of people who can show us how to constantly seek amusement and approval, there are also role models who exemplify godly lives. Let us use the latter as inspiration, bringing in light and truth, sorting through the mess, clearing anything that is useless and impure, and dedicating our lives to honoring God.

“We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now.”  (Titus 2:11-12 MSG)

Spiritual Illness

“I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 NLT)

Before the scientific revolution, humans often relied on religious beliefs and superstitions to make sense of suffering. We tried to figure out ways to avoid pain by appeasing God. We blamed everything on the supernatural. These days, the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. While science is useful to diagnose and treat physical and mental illnesses, it has its limits. There will always be some things that are beyond human comprehension.  

Spiritual illness is hard to explain. It cannot be diagnosed by screening tests or imaging. Symptoms are vague--perhaps a general feeling of fatigue, hopelessness, or apathy. Since these symptoms are also common in mental illness, patients are often misdiagnosed and medicated. Unfortunately, medications cannot reach deeply enough to treat soul sickness. Only the breath of God can revive a comatose spirit. We must call on the Lord to heal those who are demoralized, those who find life meaningless, those who are desperate, and those who have given up hope.

“The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:17-18 NLT)

The Long Way

“God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land.” (Exodus 13:17 NLT)

My husband and I were going to see a new piece of land that our family friends had purchased. They drove ahead of us, and we followed behind in our own car. We didn’t know exactly where this land was, and there was no address for us to enter into the GPS. As we drove out on unfamiliar, gravel roads, we stuck close. We trusted that they knew where they were going, although we had no clue.  We turned when they turned. We slowed down when they slowed down. We sped up when they sped up. The drive was longer than we anticipated, but we finally got where we were going.

When God led the Israelites out of bondage into a new way of living, He led them the long way. He did not take the main road--the popular, well-traveled path with access to many conveniences. Instead, He took them through the deserted wilderness. This didn’t make any sense to the Israelites, but God had His reasons.

As followers of Christ, we are often led through pathways that make no sense to us. When the journey takes longer than anticipated, it is natural to lose patience and feel discouraged. Yet, it is imperative to keep up, precisely because we don’t know where we are going! Neither our wits, experience, nor worldly tools are of any use. It is wise to slow down when He slows down, speed up when He speeds up, and turn when He turns. We have to trust the One who leads us. We can count on Him to guide us along the best paths.

"The LORD says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

Virtuous Character

“And endurance develops strength of character,” (Romans 5:4 ESV)

A person of virtuous character does what is right even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, or unprofitable. There was a time when these traits were considered noble. Nowadays, a person like this would be deemed foolish and unlikely to succeed. Endurance, honor, integrity, and kindness are no longer valued commodities; instead, greed, self-promotion, immorality, and indulgence are prized, promoted, and elected. We justify pursuing our agenda by any means, even if it means hitching our wagon to indecency, injustice, and indifference.

Societal values, slowly but surely, seep into our psyche. It’s like living near a contaminated water source. The toxins permeate the soil, well water, pipes, appliances, clothes, dishes, and utensils--poisoning our families, pets, livestock, and crops. The consequences may not manifest themselves immediately. Like malignancies, they are often undetectable in the initial stages.

While it may be comforting to indulge in nostalgic memories of the ‘good old days’, when we white-washed prejudice and ignored inequality, these regressive beliefs do not lead to growth. The development of virtuous character takes intentional movement away from habits, attitudes, and individuals who embrace standards of depravity. It takes perseverance to move forward rather than backward. This endurance leads to strength of  character--the fortitude to do what is right and good, no matter what the circumstances.