The name of that scholarship isn't the Kenny Perry Fund. It's the Simpson County Scholarship fund. "I didn't want my name on it," he said. "It's for the kids."

Do you want to be the salt of the earth? Just be for real. Be pure in heart. Be consistent in what you say, and be humble in how you live. Maybe your impact won't be as significant as Kenny Perry, but you'll make a contribution, and you'll help to illuminate the way to Jesus Christ. "Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God," and others will see God through them.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called the children of God." A peacemaker brings reconciliation between two parties at odds with one another. Jesus is the Prince of Peace so the ultimate peacemaker is one who helps make peace between others and God by bringing them to Christ.

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Sometimes you make peace by stepping in where there is conflict between two people and enabling reconciliation. Do you recall when David and his angry warriors were galloping toward the home of the rancher, Nabal, armed for battle? Nabal had arrogantly refused to pay David's men what was due them. Nabal's wife, Abigail, sized up the coming bloodshed and took action. She prepared a catered meal for David and his men, rode out to meet them, fed them, apologized for her husband's insolence, and pleaded for forgiveness. She defused the hostility and war was averted. David said, "May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day" (1 Samuel 25:33). Abigail was a peacemaker. She was perceptive to the problem. She sacrificed her pride and energy to avoid conflict and she facilitated reconciliation. David was so impressed that when Nabal died several days later, he asked Abigail to marry him.

Sometimes you make peace by avoiding a potential conflict with someone else. Someone insults you, cheats you, or mistreats your child and your first instinct is to get even. But a peacemaker absorbs the hurt and sacrifices self to maintain a positive relationship.

Some of you are peacemakers and it seems no one knows it but you and God. Your marriage is lasting or your relationship with your grown children is harmonious because you've swallowed slights and insults for years. You wisely decide it's not worth the hassle. Your mate doesn't perceive it and your kids don't have a clue. But you're in a permanent, loving relationship today because you've been a peacemaker. You're not a wimp; you're a smart peacemaker. Congratulations! God knows all about what you have done.

Actually, in time, other people see it too. They'll say, "She's a saint living with him all those years." Or, "He's got a straight shot to heaven, putting up with her for 50 years."

I overheard a preacher complain about getting cheated out of a few dollars at a restaurant. He said, "I gave the clerk a piece of my mind. I wasn't about to let her get by with that. I demanded to see the manager. The manager came and returned my money, chewed her out." He said it like he was proud of himself. He has his $10.00. But I'll guarantee you he's lost his right to invite her to church to hear him preach.