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Key Bible Verse: "Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Your word is enough" (Matthew 5:37). Bonus Reading:Matthew 5:33–37; James 5:12

On the tennis court, Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith were almost equal in ability—Arthur a little quicker, Stan a little more powerful. And they'd become fast friends. Now, before a packed house in Dallas and a worldwide TV audience, they were facing off in the finals of the biggest tournament of the year. Millions of dollars and the title "world champion" rode on the outcome.

As it happened, the match was determined by one dinky shot. Arthur had caught Stan deep in his own back court and beautifully executed a little drop shot barely over the net. It seemed to hit once and sort of die. But Stan, running, lunging, desperately reaching, got to the ball and flicked it over the net past Arthur. Now, the question was whether the ball was still "up" when Stan hit it. The chair umpire asked Stan if the shot was good, still playable, when he hit it. Stan said yes it was, and with that answer Stan won the game, the set, the match, and the championship.

In the post-match television interview, the announcer asked Arthur why he didn't protest and demand that the point be played over. His answer was telling: "If Stan said it was up, it was up."

—Bob Briner in Sheltering Trees

My Response: Could those who know me best say the same about me?

Thought to Apply: There's only one thing finer than a friend you can trust, and that's one who trusts you.

—Isis magazine

Adapted from: Sheltering Trees (Howard,2001).

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Holy Father, help me to reflect Your character with absolute integrity.

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