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.

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