Meals are an important event at my house. Not just because we love food, but because we love being together. There is a special feeling about joining hands around the dinner table, giving thanks, and sharing stories about the day while partaking in a wonderful meal Melissa’s prepared. “How was work today?” the kids will say, or I’ll ask them, “What’d you learn in school?” It’s how I was raised. It’s how I want my children to grow up.

His name is Travis Keese. He paints. In fact, he has become one of the sought-after wild life artists around. He is interesting. He is in love with the Texas hill country. Best of all, he is a Christian.

Jesus is “the Word” (John 1:1). He has explained (1:18) the Father, the invisible God, to us. When the Word became flesh and dwelt among men, He taught “as one having authority” (Matt. 7:29), for He authored the very message He spoke. That makes what Jesus said important.

I “rendered to Caesar” today. Our property taxes are late after January 31, so I sent in the payment to avoid the penalty. I didn’t enjoy watching the mailman take that check away, but there are some things in life you just do out of necessity. I suppose paying your taxes is one of them.

Sadly, some people see their service to God in the same way. It’s a matter of “have to” instead of “want to.” There is no joy or happiness involved in it, only a mere going through the motions. To them, discipleship itself has become a tax or a burden rather than a blessing.

Character is the accumulation of qualities that distinguishes one person from another. Character is not just one single trait, but the accumulation of all a person is, the sum total of all his traits.

Someone has suggested that reputation is what others think us to be, character is what God knows us to be.

How does a person develop and maintain a good character?