America is suffering from a melt-down of character. There is no further need of proof of it than the needless killing, the greed and the looting in the areas stricken by hurricane Katrina. Character will be our theme for the month of October.

(Topics May Change Without Notice)

October 2 - JOSEPH, A MAN OF INTEGRITY

The youth of America need a real hero. They have had rock-and-rap musicians, drugged athletes and entertainers exalted to the implied places of gods too long. A word most needed nowadays is "integrity."

October 9 - MOSES, A MAN OF MEEKNESS

Moses is described in the Scriptures as the meekest man on the earth. Yet he was a great man of God, so much so he was blessed with being one of only two men with Jesus on the Mount at the transfiguration of Jesus. Let's teach meekness.

October 16 - BARNABAS, A GOOD MAN

Barnabas is one of only two men whom God describes in His word as "a good man." What an honor to be called of God "a good man!" In our times "goodness" is as of-no-use as Henry Ford's tin-lizzie. Let's restore the value of goodness.

October 23 - ELIJAH, A MAN OF COURAGE

Though he never wrote a book of prophecy as did Isaiah and Jeremiah, Elijah is one of the great prophets of Old Testament times. It was his demonstration of courageous boldness in a difficult period of Israel's history that made him great.

October 30 - PAUL, A MAN OF CONVICTION

We cannot assume our youth believe it is wrong to kill and steal and cheat, or that they know they should obey their parents. They must be taught that, and see it practiced. They must be taught those things, and the best book for that is the Bible.