On this holiday weekend that celebrates labor in all its forms, we turn to the desired character trait of a good work ethic.  To help our pondering, this episode opens with a memory from “The Happiest Place on Earth."

As our summer-long look at desired character traits nears the end, we focus this week on respect. Scripture and Aretha Franklin point the way. 

This week's episode reflects on persistence as a desired character trait. The conversation gets framed by two stories of events occurring at a place designed for justice.  

In the Pledge of Allegiance, we speak of "liberty and justice for all." In everyday events, though, that promise quickly gets complicated to fulfill.  
Even so, it's a goal worth pursing. 
  

An act of brutality at an Orlando nightclub nine years ago. A sermon a week later that sought to make sense of it on the same day as a baptism. Together they combined for a courageous moment of integrity.  

Our summer-long look at a list of desired character traits brings us this week to the subject of honesty. The call and goal is clear.  Acting upon it, however, can quickly get complicated.  

Most of us have been told at some point along the way that life is not fair.  This week's character trait focuses on how things should be instead.  

In continuing our look a desired character traits, we focus today on empathy, a word not found in the Bible.  Yet despite that textual absence, the attribute is frequently seen in the life and witness of Jesus. This episode focuses on how empathy might grow within our heart.  

In continuing the summer series on desired traits, we focus this week on courage. Two children--one ancient and one from the 21st century--reveal how we can become more brave ourselves. 

As we near the 249th birthday of the United States, it seems fitting that the character trait under consideration in this episode is citizenship. The Biblical record has something to say to what it means to be a good citizen, making clear that the relationship does not end with any nation's borders.