Do you like to speak in public? What about in front of many adults? What about speaking in front of your school board? Three students at a local middle school did just that the other night to defend why they thought FCA should be allowed in their school. For three months, this school board tabled the decision to allow FCA to start, but these students stood their ground and continued to pursue the school board until they allowed them to speak. These brave students had to stand tall for their faith.

As I write these devotions, I always try to challenge the readers with the questions at the end. I find myself beginning my final questions with "start today" or "today, how can you start…" In a society that is so goal-oriented, we sure procrastinate a lot. Why do something today that can wait until tomorrow? We say, "It can wait," or "I will have time later to get to it." Is it because we are self-serving, or because we simply aren't willing to do what it takes TODAY to make necessary changes in our lives?

Saying goodbye is a tough thing to do. I have been doing it a lot lately. My two best friends moved on the same day last week — one to New York, the other to Texas. This week, I have said goodbye to a close friend who is moving on to the next level in his sport … the NFL. As I think about my dear friends and the challenges they will face in their new places, I realize that they all will do well. Why? They are all grounded in the truth.