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Key Bible Verse: When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find that they are but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6, NLT). Bonus Reading: Psalm 53:1–6

A few years ago a friend passed along a clipping from our local paper. It seems that "Wally the Wiretapper" had died. The obituary called him a "fabled Chicago felon" who engaged in a "variety of crimes." He freely admitted to tapping phones for his clients, including well-known mobsters. He evidently was good at what he did. During his career, he'd been convicted of, among other things, defrauding insurance companies, posing as a federal agent, and past-posting horse races (like Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the movie The Sting).

I was attracted to his story when I learned his real name—Walter Dewey Pritchard. When Wally was sentenced after being convicted of interstate racketeering, the presiding judge made a telling comment. "I see no redeeming features for Mr. Pritchard at all, except that he's a nice guy." It made me wonder if we don't share the same family tree. "Uncle" Wally and I have more in common than I'd like to admit. The judge, I concluded upon reflection, could have made the same statement about me. From a biblical standpoint, he'd have been perfectly accurate.

—Ray Pritchard in An Anchor for the Soul

My Response: Am I shocked at the sins of others? Considering what I know about myself, should I be?

Adapted from An Anchor for the Soul (Moody, 2000) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

God, You sent Your Son because mankind needed rescuing. I'm ready to admit that I'm no exception, and ask You to take charge of my life.

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