J. Davy Crockett III

Almost daily, we hear or read about the malfeasance of some trusted individual, whether a key employee at a business or an elected official at some level of local, state or federal government.

"Don't sweat the small stuff – and it's all small stuff." So goes the popular saying. We look for a way to avoid stress and to avoid the consequences of our actions. Yet, when it comes down to it, we are ultimately responsible for our actions – and everything counts.

"A battle cry for Christian reform" blared a big headline in the Charlotte Observer. The article featured a picture of "one of the country's top 25 evangelical leaders" and carried a lengthy interview in which he answered questions about what Christians should be doing in today's world.

"And now for the invocation…" said the mayor of my town as the Town Council began its meeting. I was pleasantly surprised to see this practice has survived in our secular age.

The chamber of City Hall was filled with people, young and old, with business to bring before the mayor and commissioners. Some were there for kudos and awards; others had problems and complaints and were there to seek redress.

Devastation! Wide areas of the beautiful hills and valleys of Southern California are now covered with the charred remains of once beautiful homes. And open areas are scorched and blackened by wildfires that ripped through the tinder-dry brush, fanned by Santa Ana winds that are so prevalent this time of year.

The incredible destruction and the resulting heartache and anguish over the loss of precious possessions experienced by the residents of this once beautiful area, moves all of us with compassion and sympathy for their plight.