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Key Bible Verse: But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian (1 Peter 4:16). Bonus Reading:1 Peter 4:12-19

Ben Endres was fired for insubordination after almost nine years as a state trooper. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, a Christian does whatever his employer says," said Endres, a trustee and youth leader at Community Baptist Church. "But it's my conviction to not be involved in any form of gambling."

When Endres started with the state police, there were no gambling boats in northwest Indiana. Now there are five, and area police posts supply 45 agents to serve one-year stints on the boats. When too few troopers volunteered, a lottery system was installed and used to fill a slot at the Michigan City Blue Chip Casino.

"Guess who was pulled out?" Endres said. "We'd decided that if I was called, I wouldn't report. When you work there, your salary comes from the gambling. Some duties involve you directly in the process. I told my boss I'd fill any other position." But he wouldn't make an exception.

So Endres watched them drive his police cruiser away. "My family's been very supportive," he said, "although when (four-year-old) William heard my boss might fire me, he had 'fire' and 'shoot' mixed up. We had to explain that."

—Bill Moor in the South Bend Tribune

My Response: What convictions am I prepared to take a major risk for?

Thought to Apply: I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience.

—John Bunyan (English pastor, 17th century)

Adapted from South Bend Tribune (5/4/00) by permission

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

Father, give me understanding of when I need to stand on principle, and the courage to follow through.

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