LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE WILL GET YOU NOWHERE! "Character is either something you have or are"   Some people try to make something for themselves. Others try to make something of themselves. [Author] Tyron Edwards [1809-1894] said, Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action, actions form habits; habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:1, 'A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.'"   Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success. A good question to ask yourself is, "What kind of world would this world be if everybody were just like me?" You are simply a book telling the world about its author.   Many a man's reputation would not recognize his character if they met in the dark. To change your character, you must begin at the control center, the heart. Spiritual bankruptcy is inevitable when a man is no longer able to keep the interest paid on his moral obligations ...   Let me pose this question to you: Would the child you were be proud of the peron you are? You're called to grow like a tree, not like a mushroom. It's hard to climb high when your character is low. The world's shortest sermon is preached by the traffic sign: KEEP RIGHT. [2003 by Honor Books. "An Enemy called Average" by John L. Mason.]
	"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)
	I was here before the world was born. any questions? ~God

ways we hurt one another:

		1. hate
		2. insults
		3. exlusions
		4. put-downs
		5. sarcasm
		6. lies
		7. insincerity
		8. gossip
		9. envy
		10. pay-back

		1. Read Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12
		2. Have the courage to dream
		3. Think about what opportunities get you pumped
		4. Write downt eh things that friends and family say about your abilities and interests
		5. Then go out and research them.
		6. Tape the Bible verse Ephesians 2:10 to your bedroom door: "For we are God's wormanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
		7. Try something new - you may surprise yourself!
		8. Look for ways to use your gifts and talents at church - singing, leading a prayer group, speaking, drawing, teaching children, running the sound system, planning activities - just be available!
		9. Go on a short-term mission trip; you'll help people in need and learn a lot about yourself.
		10. Take a deep breath and take the first step. Discovery is a journey.

[Did you know?] When God told wise old Solomon in the Old Testament that he would give the king whatever he wanted, Solomon didn't ask for wealth or fame or death for his enemies or a map that would lead him to the fountain of youth. He asked the Lord for wisdom. Then he went ahead and foolishly married 700 women! (2 Chronicles 1:7-12; 1 Kings 11:1-3) {Give it up...}   As Christians, every aspect of our lives should reflect and honor Christ - what we do, what we think, and what we say. How we spend our money, or the value we place on marterial things, is no exception.   The world has its own view of how we should spend our money and what we should consider valuable. Thankfully, the Bible gives us lots of practical answers on how we should handle money and earthly possessions.   James gives one example of how to put your money and material goods into action in James 2:15-17. He says when you see someone in need of things, such as food and clothes, you should do more than talk - you should provide that person with those basic necessities - even if that means giving away some of your own stuff.   Christ made the ultimate sacrifice by dying for our sins. Likewise, God puts opportunities in our life to sacrifice a little of what we have to glory him. James said, "...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).   Taking acare of someone who is less fortunate than you is a prime way to glorify God. When you see a person in need, you can put your money, material things, time and talents to work. Helping others is more then just an opportunity for a warm fuzzy feeling - it's a chance to put your faith into action.   "...God loves a cheerful giver" 2 Corinthians 4:7