Our local newspaper, the Charlotte Observer, recently ran an article describing "drive-through" prayers (May 6, 2011). The ministers and church leaders involved said that they were "copying fast food restaurants and drive-through banks."

Many countries have given their people identifying names. New Zealanders call themselves "Kiwis" while the Australians like to be called "Aussies." And the British? Well they have a stoic name for themselves. They call themselves, "Brits." It carries a certain solid, reliable ring to it.

It was the evening of February 13, 2011, and fans of teen sensation Justin Bieber were shocked.  At the 2011 "Grammy Awards"—the annual honors given to artists by the American National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences—many had expected Bieber to receive the "Grammy" award for "Best New Artist." Instead, however, the award went to singer and jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding.

Osama bin Laden—reported dead last May after a United States Navy SEAL team raided his headquarters in Abbottabad, Pakistan—lived by the sword, and he died by the sword (cf. Matthew 26:52). Upon learning of his death, many in the U.S. expressed joy that the wrath bin Laden stored up in his acts of mass murder had finally been delivered back to him.

We all fail, from time to time. But how do we react when failure comes? Do we become discouraged, or do we pick ourselves up and try again? Your Bible gives valuable insights into using failure as a springboard to success!