Ebook
“I don’t know of a more important topic now than this, and I
don’t know anyone more qualified to speak on it than James
Merritt.”
—Rick Warren, New York Times bestselling author, The
Purpose Driven Life
Stop Protecting Your Reputation. Start Building Your
Character.
In a world of social media snapshots and cable news sound bites,
we’re often more concerned with our outer image than we are with
our inner make up. But in the end, integrity trumps image. You can
look good on the outside without being good on the
inside.
If you long to commit yourself to what matters most—the content of
your character—join bestselling author James Merritt as he explores
13 overlooked traits that form the bedrock of a godly life and a
good society. Along the way, you’ll encounter surprising role
models—flawed people who failed spectacularly, overcame adversity,
and went on to live lives worth imitating.
In a world that has abandoned the virtues and values that matter,
this book offers a clarion call to return to a simple message:
Character still counts. It always has, and it always
will.
“We no longer value values. At least not like we once did.” (source)
“Integrity is always doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, regardless of the cost or the consequences.” (source)
“The goat going down stepped over his back. The goat then got up and continued his climb” (source)
“Integrity is what you are when no one but God and you are looking” (source)
“the Latin word integer, which means again, ‘whole and complete” (source)
“Not only does James Merritt offer fresh insights into what it
means to be a person of character—and why it matters more today
than ever—but he is a leader and visionary with exemplary
character. The lessons you'll gain from these pages will challenge
and change you in all the best ways. You can’t afford not to read
this book.”
—Margaret Feinberg, author of Taste and See
“One of my consistent prayers is that my gifts would never take
me further than my character can sustain me. I’m so grateful for a
book that not only emphasizes the importance of character, but
helps cultivate it. This book will inspire you, convict you, and
challenge you toward the character of Christ, our highest
calling.”
—Mark Batterson, New York Times
bestselling author of The Circle Maker and lead
pastor of National Community Church
“I don’t know of a more important topic now than this, and I
don’t know anyone more qualified to speak on it than James
Merritt.”
—Rick Warren, New York Times bestselling author of
The Purpose Driven Life
“An important leadership book about leadership’s most important
topic character. Merritt’s insights into the human spirit,
the nature of leadership, and the mores contemporary society are
always insightful, at times breathtaking. Not only does Merritt
give us a clear picture of Christlike character, he shows where
that character goes against the grain of society. This book
glorifies Jesus and will strengthen you.”
—J.D. Greear, PhD, pastor of The Summit Church in
Raleigh-Durham, NC
“This is a must-read book for all aspiring leaders, parents, and
educators. It gets to the heart of the most fundamentally important
aspects of life—that is, the cost of poorly made decisions. Dr.
Merritt talks about those decisions, how to make them, and the
price one pays when you get them wrong. This book is full of
real-life examples of what happens when priorities are misplaced
and reputations are ruined. More importantly, it paints a
crystal-clear picture of how to prevent that from happening. Read
it—it could change your life.”
—Vice Admiral Wm. Dean Lee, USCG (ret)
“Character Still Counts is a necessary chalice of cool
water in the desert of our anything-goes era. Honest,
compassionate, biblically astute and conversational, this book
paints a redemptive picture of how the kingdom of God should work
its way into our hearts and practices. There is always hope.”
—Mary DeMuth, author of We Too: How the Church Can Respond
Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis
James Merritt (PhD) is a pastor, author, past president
of the Southern Baptist Convention, and host of the Touching
Lives television program, seen nationwide and in 122 countries.
As a national voice on faith and leadership, Merritt has been
interviewed by Time, Fox News, MSNBC, and 60 Minutes.
He resides with his family outside Atlanta, Georgia.