Karen Stanfield, a paralegal with the firm of Stevenson & Murray in Houston, Texas, sent in a verse for this issue. Karen says she keeps this verse taped to her computer as a daily reminder. Having watched portions of the Republican and Democratic conventions, and listening to the pundits for both sides, she says the verse deserves attention and personal contemplation. It would be great if each political party would make this a part of its platform.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Proverbs 4:29-32

Shane Seaborn, a lawyer with Penn & Seaborn, lives in my hometown of Clayton, Ala. He sent a verse for this issue. Shane is a very good lawyer who works hard for his clients. His firm recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. More importantly, Shane is also a very strong and dedicated Christian who has a fine family.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Pastor Gregory Kelley, who is the senior pastor at First Assembly of God on Bell Road, in Montgomery, Al, sent in a timely verse this month.

The Lord is Good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

Nahum 1:7

Pastor Kelly says it’s a comfort to him that God knows and cares for him no matter what he is going through. He says God is a refuge that he can run to in times of adversity or trouble. He knows that God will safely take him though any storm.

Paige Wetzel, who has been mentioned in the Report, sent in a verse that speaks volumes for persons who have a tendency to worry about things in their lives. Paige clearly knows where her trust must be and as a result she knows how not to worry. We told the story of Paige’s husband Josh last month. I plan on giving an update on his progress in the November issue.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Matt. 6:25-27

My good friend, John Kline, a professor at Troy University, sent in a verse that serves as a pattern for living in this world.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Shanna Malone, who is the Executive Editor of the Report, provided the following verse for this issue. Shanna does a tremendous job in helping me put out the Report each month.

It is written: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29