An attorney named Marty, while working out in a gym, became friends with a fellow who was there lifting weights. The attorney's new friend, Vernon Grounds, turned out to be a professor, seminary president, and counselor.

The attorney's marriage was crumbling. His wife wanted a divorce. After a while he decided to talk with Vernon. As the two discussed things, Vernon had him draw up a list of options on a piece of paper: 1. Stay in the marriage. 2. Separate temporarily. 3. Divorce.

Then, since desperate events had driven Marty to consult his new friend, Vernon urged him to add Number 4. Suicide.

Then he said matter-of-factly, "And, of course, there is murder."

Not many things can shock a practicing trial lawyer, but this got his undivided attention. He began to object. "That never entered my mind."

"Come now, Marty. You mean to tell me that a lawyer, who's spent as much time in the courts as you have, does not know someone who will kill for money? Surely the thought has crossed your mind."

The attorney said later, "Vernon may as well have clubbed me with a baseball bat. He was right—, the name of such a person was instantly in my mind."

"Write it down," he said.

Then Vernon took the list and said, "Can we agree that, as Christians, murder is not a viable choice?"

Marty nodded.

"Can we also agree as Christians that self-murder, or suicide, is not a viable choice?" They went on to discuss the Christian alternatives.

The whole exchange was so shocking that a decade later the attorney reflected, "I was in dire need of a serious dose of reality, and Vernon knew exactly how to deliver it."