OMISSION

His career as a private detective supplied novelist Dashiell Hammett with much of the material used in his books. On one occasion, the chief of police of a southern city sent Hammett a detailed description of a wanted man, even mentioning the mole on the man's neck. The description omitted, however, the important fact that the culprit had only one arm! 

Today in the Word, February 4, 1993.

Sam Jones was a preacher who held revival services, which he called "quittin' meetings." His preaching was directed primarily to Christians, and he urged them to give up the sinful practices in their lives. Sam's messages were very effective, and many people promised to quit swearing, drinking, smoking, lying, gossiping, or anything else that was displeasing to the Lord.

On one occasion Jones asked a woman, "Just what is it that you're quittin'?" She replied, "I'm guilty of not doing something -- and I'm going to quit doing that too!" Even though she had no bad habits to give up, she wasn't actively living to please God.

Daily Bread, September 6, 1992.