Wisdom-Trek © - Archive 4: Recent Episodes
H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III
Do you desire to gain wisdom, make an impact on your world, and create a living legacy? Through the use of positive/encouraging stories, parables, allegories and analogies we will explore the trails of everyday life in a practical and meaningful manner as we scale towards our summit of life. The purpose of our Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal is to teach you wisdom and discipline, to help you understand the insights of the wise, to teach you to live disciplined and successful lives, to help you do what is right, just, and fair. By obtaining this wisdom then you will be able to create a living legacy for today that will live on and be multiplied through the lives of others.
Wisdom-Trek.com is your portal to all things pertaining to the acquisition wisdom, insight, and knowledge. The Wisdom-Trek platform includes this website along with a daily journal, and a daily podcast on wisdom and creating a living legacy. It is your portal because it is our hope that everyone will share and participate in gaining wisdom, insight, and discernment. As we gain wisdom it is so we can share what we have learned with others. No single person is ‘all-wise’ and when we share with each other that we all gain wisdom. We encourage you to share insights, ask questions, and grow together. Join us today and become part of the Wisdom-Trek team.
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1196 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Does a Disciple Do? – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1196 of our Trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
What Does a Disciple Do?
It might surprise you, but Jesus didn’t command his disciples to do that many things. His vision for loving God and others wasn’t complicated. But the things he did command them to do are profound and life-changing when put into practice. We’ll start with the most important point of being a disciple.
Disciples love God, their neighbors, and each other. We already know how Jesus summed up a life dedicated to God. The greatest commands are listed in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A36-40&version=NLT (Matthew [22:36]-40):
“’Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?
Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’”
Jesus did these things. He told his disciples in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A31&version=NLT (John 14:31), “But I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.”
How did Jesus show he loved God, his Father? He obeyed God. He fulfilled God’s plan for him. He also told them in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A9&version=NLT (John 15:9), “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” Jesus asked his disciples to do the same, as his comments on the two greatest commandments make clear.
Jesus went further by using himself as an example. He told his disciples to love each other as he had loved them. When they did that, they’d be obeying him and pleasing God. He said to them in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A13-17&version=NLT (John 15:13-17,) “‘There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.'”
Love for God and love for each other are, according to Jesus, the fundamental, indispensable marks of his disciples. Jesus did not see these two commands as in any way contradictory. They were not in tension. They were two sides of the same coin. They were inseparable.
But how do we love people? The highest expression is giving one’s...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1195 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Obstacles to Overcome – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1195/ (Day 1195) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Booker T. Washington, and it is, “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
Obstacles to Overcome
What constitutes a truly successful person? So often we only consider financial success, but that is only one portion of an overall successful life. If a person has gained their wealth through inheritance, but did not really work for it, can that person be considered successful?
A successful person is one who is successful in all areas of life. A person who has not only faced obstacles but has also successfully overcome the obstacles and trials of life with perseverance. The true test of an individual is how far they have trekked from their original starting point and what types of adversities that they have navigated through to reach their level of success.
Success is also subjective to each individual. For one person, success may be an intact family and no debt. For another person, they may choose to achieve a large financial portfolio so that they can assist others. Regardless of your definition of success, it is important to remember, ultimate success is achieved when we can have a positive impact on the lives of others through living a positive legacy each day. So ask yourself, “What type of daily inheritance am I providing to those in my world?”https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+20:21&version=NLT (Proverbs [20:21])
An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13:22&version=NLT (Proverbs [13:22])
Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations+3:24&version=NLT (Lamentations [3:24])
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1194 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1194 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Birth Springs from Death – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1194 of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Does the thought of dying scare you and cause anxiety? In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Birth Springs from Death
We are all only one heartbeat away from our own funeral, which from God’s perspective, is nothing to grieve.
He responds to these grave facts with this great news King Solomon wrote in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eccl+7%3A1&version=NLT (Ecclesiastes 7:1,) “A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.” Now there is a twist. Heaven enjoys a maternity-ward reaction to funerals. Angels watch expectantly for the last breath of believers the same way grandparents wait expectantly for the first breath of a grandchild. “He’ll be coming through any minute!” They can’t wait to see the new arrival. While we’re driving hearses and wearing black, the angels are in exuberant celebration. We don’t grieve when babies enter the world. The hosts of heaven don’t weep when we leave it.
Oh, but many of us weep at the thought of death. Do you? Do you dread your death? And is your dread of death robbing your joy of life?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2%3A15+&version=NLT (Hebrews 2:15) tells us that Jesus’s death sets us free as “only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”
Your death may surprise you and sadden others, but heaven knows no untimely death as https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+139%3A16&version=NLT (Psalms 1[39:16]) records:
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
The dread of death ends when you know heaven is your true home. I have had the opportunity to travel many times by plane, and I’ve never seen one passenger weep when the plane landed. Never. No one clings to the armrests and begs, “Don’t make me leave. Don’t make me leave. Let me stay and eat more peanuts.”
We’re willing to exit because the plane has no permanent mailing address. Nor does this world. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A20&version=NLT (Philippians 3:20) reminds, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week, we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1199/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1195/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1193 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Five Steps to Start the Day Early with a Plan for Success – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1193/ (Day 1193) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, I often have difficulties getting going and organized in the mornings. Can you provide me with a plan that will help me to establish habits which will allow me to start my day early and to be more productive?”
Five Steps to Start the Day Early with a Plan for Success
Mornings are a great time for getting things done. Of course, this is spoken from the perspective of a natural morning person. Seriously, though, you’re less likely to be interrupted than you are later in the day. Your supply of willpower is fresh after a good night’s sleep. That makes it possible to turn personal priorities, like exercise or strategic thinking, into reality.
But if you’ve got big goals and a chaotic a.m. schedule, how can you make over your mornings to make these goals happen?
Track Your Time
Part of investing your time better is knowing how you’re investing it now.
Write down what you’re doing as often as you can.
Use a simple spreadsheet, a Word/Pages document, or a pad and pen.
While measuring your mornings, track at least an entire week.
The solution to morning dilemmas often lies at other times of the day.
Observe how you are investing other times of the day that affect your mornings (i.e., interruptions, evening routines, bedtimes, etc.).
Question your assumptions: Is what you do in the morning of highest importance?
Discover what are your top priorities.
Picture the Perfect Morning
After you know how you’re investing your time, ask yourself what a great morning would look like, especially very early mornings, before work starts.
Set aside time for personal growth
Bible study & prayer
Exercise
Personal training & projects
Set aside time for professional growth
Strategize with team members.
Use your mornings to keep the vision of what you want to achieve professionally in your career and your company/organization.
Take time for online training and webinars.
Think Through the Logistics
How could the vision above mesh with your life currently?
Fill the morning hours with the most important activities.
In doing so, it will crowd out the less important time wasters.
Make sure you are clear on what is most important.
Map out a morning schedule (preferably the day before).
What time would you have to get up, and what time do you need to go to bed to get enough sleep?
As for the mornings themselves, what would
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1192 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Time Is It? – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1192/ (Day 1192) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
What Time Is It?
Sam, who was ninety years old, was sitting in his rocking chair beside his neighbor and best friend Joe as they were sipping on some cold sweet tea on a hot afternoon. They were listening to their favorite baseball team as they played a doubleheader game. When the game came to a commercial break, Sam leaned over in his chair and tells Joe, “I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it’s the state of the art…it’s perfect, I can hear much better.”
“Really?” answered Joe, “What kind is it?”
Sam then looks at his watch and says to Joe, “Well, I’ll tell you. It’s two thirty-three.”
I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, please pass that smile on to someone else who may need a smile. Our Thursday thought is “Don’t believe everything that you hear.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13:12&version=NLT (Matthew [13:12])
To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1191 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1193/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1191 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Why Should We Live Like Jesus? – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1191 of our Trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book: ‘What Does God Want?’
Why Should We Live Like Jesus? Last week we discovered there are a lot of reasons to live like Jesus, but earning God’s love isn’t one of them. What are those reasons?
First, sin is self-destructive and harms not only us, but those around us. In my own extended family, I’ve seen the effects of alcoholism, drug addiction, and infidelity. It’s obvious that these things destroy lives. It should be equally obvious that the things the world—the unbelieving culture—offers for pleasure and self-gratification are temporary and have no enduring value. The culture tells us to “live life” to gratify our own “happiness” regardless of the misery our decisions create. It offers no eternal perspective. It beckons us to live only for now. There is no higher calling. The Bible exposes this mindset for what it is in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A15-17&version=NLT (1 John 2:15-17): Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Second, and in many respects the opposite of the first, living a godly life blesses others. The truth is that the way we live and think either blesses other people or curses them. Jesus served people and was a blessing to them. Pursuing a lifestyle driven by self-gratification and self-absorption isn’t fulfilling. Every supermarket tabloid offers examples of that reality. Blessing people not only reflects Jesus, but leads to personal fulfillment. Your life matters when it’s lived in service to others.Third, a godly life allows us to be a consistent witness for the gospel. If people look at our lives and don’t see any distinction from the unbelieving world, and don’t see a life lived in service of others, they won’t find the gospel believable (or at best they’ll be confused). They will see our lives as a contradiction of the message of Jesus. In other words, people will expect us to live like Jesus, the person we say loves them. That’s not unreasonable. The alternative is hypocrisy, and no one appreciates hypocrisy.
Living a godly life isn’t about earning a place in heaven. It’s not about putting God in our debt because of the “spirituality points ” we’ve racked up. Passages like these have an altogether different focus. First let’s look at...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1190 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Learning to Overcome Failure – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1190/ (Day 1190) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is fromReggie Jackson,and it is, “I feel that the most important requirement in success is learning to overcome failure. You must learn to tolerate it, but never accept it.”
Learning To Overcome Failure
Failure is never final, unless you choose for it to be. Success will only come through failure, but only if you learn from your failure and are willing to try again. Trying again does not mean doing the same thing with extra effort to see if it will work another time. It means adjusting your trail, or maybe even taking a different trail completely on your trek of life. It means applying the lessons learned from your failures, in order to pivot your approach until you are able to achieve the success desired.
Yes, we do have to learn how to tolerate our failures, which may be difficult, but it also means that we do not accept the failure as inevitable. Our trek through life will be filled with obstacles, disappointments, and yes, even tragedies at times. We may need to occasionally pause, reflect, reenergize, and then get back on the trail and continue on towards our summit.
It is only when we go through these trials can we fully appreciate the success when we achieve it. It is the refining fires of life which allow us to come out pure as gold. In fact, we are not only to endure these trials, but we should also consider them an opportunity for great joy and then move on and grow through the experience.
James, the half brother of Jesus, describes our trials in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A2-4&version=NLT (James 1:2-4,)“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1189 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1189 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Waiting Prayerfully– Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1189 of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Do you have a problem with waiting patiently? I know that I do at times. It may stem from the fact that we have never learned to wait prayerfully. In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Waiting Prayerfully
The Biblical writer Luke teaches us about the earliest believers waiting prayerfully in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1:14&version=NLT (Acts 1:14,) “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.”
Mark uses the same Greek word here translated “constantly” to describe a boat floating in the water, constantly waiting on Jesus in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A9&version=NLT (Mark 3:9)., “Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him.” The boat was “constantly” in the presence of Christ for His use. So are the Upper Room disciples. One day passes. Then two. Then a week. For all, they know a hundred more will come and go. But they aren’t leaving. They constantly persist in the presence of Christ. The followers were willing to do one thing: wait in the right place for power.
We are many times so reluctant to do what the early disciples did. Who has time to wait? Waiting requires trusting in God. We don’t really like trusting in anyone other than ourselves. We groan at such a thought. But waiting doesn’t mean inactivity—rather it is being in a constant vigil waiting to do kingdom work. While waiting, we pray and trust. Waiting means watching for him. If you are waiting on a bus, you are watching for the bus. If you are waiting on God, you are watching for God, searching for God, hoping in God, trusting in God. Great promises come to those who do. We are reminded of this in one of my favorite verses https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40%3A31&version=NLT (Isaiah [40:31]),
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
To those who still struggle, God says, “Wait on me.” And wait in the right place. Jesus doesn’t tell us to stay in Jerusalem, but he does tell us to stay honest, stay faithful, stay true, and trust in Him.
Do you desire power for your life?
It will come as you pray. For ten days, the disciples prayed. Ten days of prayer plus a few minutes of preaching led to three thousand saved souls. Maybe it is that perhaps we invert the numbers. We are prone to pray for a few minutes and preach for ten days. Not the apostles. Like the boat waiting for Christ, they lingered in his presence. They never left...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1188 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Passing on a Positive Legacy – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1188/ (Day 1188) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, you often speak about leaving a living legacy each day. What are some practical steps I can incorporate into my life that will help me to live and leave a legacy throughout my life?”
Passing on a Positive Legacy
Let me start out with a quote from John Wooden, “There is a choice you make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.”
A legacy is something over which we have control, unlike the shadow that follows us down the sidewalk on a sunny day. Rather, we can choose the way in which our influence impacts others each day and long into the future once we’re gone. Here are a few suggestions for how you can purposefully pass-on a positive legacy daily.
Integrate a daily focus with a long-term perspective.
People who have an enduring influence keep one eye on the compass and the other eye on the clock. That is, they look ahead without losing sight of what needs to happen each day. They give their best to activities and appointments, or the daily living of life, while not forgetting their orienting vision and values.
Establish a direction that is clearly observable.
When your time on this earth draws to a close, people will describe your life in a single sentence. What would that sentence be right now? Be intentional about the sort of influence and impact you have on the world around you each day. I strive to live each day with my legacy statement at the forefront of my mind: “I positively impact the lives of everyone I interact with so that their lives will impact others for the building of God’s kingdom.” Being aware of how I want to be thought of today and remembered gives me perspective on what’s truly important.
Develop a network of meaningful relationships.
Legacy is influence, and relationships are the foundation of creating a legacy. Throughout life, I try to be intentional with those I have the opportunity to impact most. Those closest to me determine the level of my success in creating a living legacy. Perhaps nothing is more predictive of your legacy than the quality of people surrounding you.
Commit to a positive learning attitude that guarantees growth.
Personal growth is linked to a teachable disposition. Again to quote John Wooden, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” I credit my growth as a person to a set of learning attitudes that I developed early in life.
a) Every day, I will learn as...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1187 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Pearly Gates – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1187/ (Day 1187) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
The Pearly Gates
Peter is very busy in Heaven, so he leaves a sign by the pearly gates for newcomers: “For Service Ring Bell.”
Away he goes about his heavenly task, but he barely gets started when BING! The bell rings. Peter rushes back to the gates, but no one’s there. Peter goes back to work when suddenly BING! The bell rings again. He rushes back to the gates, but no one’s there. A little annoyed, Peter goes back to work. Suddenly, BING! The bell rings again. Peter goes back to the gate; again, no one’s there.
“Okay, that’s it,” Peter says. “I’m going to hide and watch to see what’s going on.” So Peter hides, and a moment later, Sam, a little old man, walks up and rings the bell.
Peter jumps out and yells, “Aha! Are you the guy who keeps ringing the bell?”
“Yes, that’s me,” Sam says.
“Well, why do you keep ringing the bell and going away?” Peter asks. “This is really becoming annoying.”
“I can’t help it,” Sam replies. “They keep resuscitating me!”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Death never takes a wise man by surprise; he is always ready to go.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings+17:23&version=NLT (1 Kings [17:23])
Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1186 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1186 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Is Discipleship? – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1186/ (Day 1186) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
What Is Discipleship?
The gospel is intended to be transformative. Anyone who has embraced the gospel has been transformed according to https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A17&version=NLT (2 Corinthians 5:17,) “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” What does that actually look like? You may recall the answer to this question. Earlier I said that a disciple was a follower—specifically a follower of Jesus. I defined “following” as imitating or imaging Jesus. Being “he choose them to become like his Son” is our ultimate destiny (Roman [8:29]; 2 Corinthians [3:18]; Colossians [3:10]).
Our motive for imitating Jesus is not to make God love us so he’ll let us into heaven. God already loved each of us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8) and were God’s “while we were still his enemies” (Romans [5:10]).
We get to heaven—we become part of God s family—when we believe the gospel. On our own, we are lost, in need of a Savior (Luke [19:10]), alienated from God (Ephesians [4:18]). When that was our situation, God loved us. He didn’t wait until we cleaned up our act to love us.
Our motive for imitating Jesus is also not to keep God loving us so we’ll be saved in the end. That which cannot be achieved by performance cannot be lost by performance. Salvation has nothing to do with our own worth or merit. It has everything to do with what someone—Jesus—did for us as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+5%3A21&version=NLT (2 Corinthians 5:21), “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” We can take no credit for salvation. Jesus gets all the credit.
That is why it is important that we are thinking clearly about discipleship. We need to think carefully about how all that applies to discipleship. Because of the performance trap I talked about earlier, we need to have a clear grasp of the fact that salvation and discipleship are not the same thing. Many believers unconsciously begin to add their own works or performance to the gospel because of guilt for their sin. The result is spiritual bondage, not the rich and satisfying life Jesus wants us to have (John [10:10]; 2 Corinthians 1:5; Ephesians [3:20]).
Salvation is a gift given to us by God when we believe the gospel. It is undeserved. Nevertheless, God offers it to us despite our sin and hostility toward him. Discipleship is something we do as a result of believing the gospel. We imitate Jesus to show our love for him and for God. Jesus was the ultimate imager of...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1185 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Art of Creation – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1185/ (Day 1185) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Nikola Tesla, and it is, “I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success.”
The Art of Creation
I believe that everyone has an inherent ability to create. We are imagers of God, who created all things, and thus, those attributes are also embedded within us. We need to seek what pumps our creative juices and pursue a career or hobby that allows us to utilize our God-given abilities and talents to create.
Nikola Tesla was one of the greatest inventors of all time, and he understood the thrill that comes from inventing and seeing the works of your hands and mind result in a successful product or service. Pursue your passions and desires for the creativity that flows through you. No one is born without the ability to create something, it may take some digging, and you may not be able to make a living from it, but it is there. Seek for the wisdom, insight, and understanding that will help you to open the eyes of your heart and allow you to pursue your creative abilities.
God has given us the abilities that we have, use them for His glory as he did for the building of the tabernacle in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+31%3A1-5&version=NLT (Exodus 31:1-5,) “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, an expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!'”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1184 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for Worldview Wednesday!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1184 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom In God’s Presence – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1184/ (Day 1184) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and making sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
How do you live in God’s presence? How do you detect his unseen hand on your shoulder and his inaudible voice in you ear? A sheep grows familiar with the voice of the shepherd. How can you and I grow familiar with the voice of God? In today’s meditation, let us consider…
In God’s Presence
Put first things first. Give God your waking thoughts. Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into his presence. I have heard of a person who makes it a habit to roll out of his bed onto his knees and begin his day in prayer. Personally, once I am out of bed, I read the verse of the day, and share it with others. I begin meditation and listening to God’s Word. I offer God the first moments of my day. The prayer is not lengthy and far from formal. Sometimes I pray for those for whom I am burdened, those who may be going through a trial. Sometimes, it is just thanking God for a new day, a day that He has given me to further His kingdom.
Give God your waiting thoughts. While exercising, I fill my thoughts from His Word, as I listen to Bible passages on my phone. In silence, I wait on God to renew my mind for the new day. The mature married couple has learned the treasure of shared silence; they don’t need to fill the air with constant chatter. Just being together is sufficient. Try being silent with God. Awareness of God is a fruit of stillness before God. Allow Him to be honored as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+46%3A10&version=NLT (Psalms 46:10,) “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Give God your whispering thoughts. Through the centuries, Christians have learned the value of brief sentence prayers, prayers that can be whispered anywhere, in any setting. Imagine considering every moment as a potential time of communion with God. By giving God your whispering thoughts throughout the day, the common becomes uncommon. Simple phrases such as “Thank you, Father;” “Be sovereign in this hour, O Lord;” “Please encourage and strengthen this person;” “Give me wisdom for the decisions that I must make;” or “You are my resting place, Jesus.” When you are in this mindset, you can turn the trek of each day into a pilgrimage. You needn’t leave your office or kneel in your kitchen. Just pray where you are. Let the kitchen become a cathedral or the classroom a chapel.
And last, give God your waning thoughts. At the end of the day, let your mind settle on him. Conclude the day as you began it: talking to God. Thank him for the good parts. Question him about the hard parts. Seek his mercy....
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1183 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Five Vs of Success – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1183/ (Day 1183) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time where we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, I am thinking about starting my own business, do you have some wisdom nuggets that you can provide me that will help me to be successful?”
The Five Vs of Success
All success begins in your mind. What you think about determines your course of life. If you think right, you will take actions that are right, which will lead you to successful results.
Some years ago, I saw a picture in a magazine of a man staring out of a window; the caption read: “Why does this company pay this man $100,000 to look out a window?” The answer: Because the lifeblood of any organization lies in ideas and creative (right) thinking. Thinking is powerful. Flying a plane, air conditioning, cell phones, vaccines, the internet—without right thinking, these would have been impossible. Everything begins with a simple thought.
Ideas are a great moving force of history. We are never free to do what we cannot conceive. Having a Godly mind enlarges our thinking capacity. A leader’s thinking must be shaped by the following:
Vision: What is our dream? Carl Sandburg was right: “Nothing happens unless it is first a dream.” Vision is a process of the mind—it’s mental, not visual. Vision is seeing what everybody has seen but thinking what nobody has thought. What is needed to build a pyramid? One person who can think and ten thousand people who can grunt.
Values: What is important? Values have to do with how we treat people, how we do our work. What is vital and important to us? Values are the standards, principles, and the code of conduct that characterize the organization. It is our integrity. Values aren’t dreamt; they already exist. Leaders shape and form the organization’s values. Some universities decide to pour sidewalks after students have first worn a path. Where are the well-worn paths—the actions, the beliefs, the attitudes—that matter most to you? Those are your values.
Venture: What are we willing to risk? People and organizations that make a difference are willing to think outside the box. For example, a company that was in the well-digging business began to think in terms of efficient and effective means of making holes, and they soon discovered that lasers dug holes better than augers. They achieved the same goal but accomplished it more efficiently.
Vehicle: What will get us there? How can we accomplish our desired outcome? A dream without a strategy is merely wishful...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1182 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Correct Answer – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1182/ (Day 1182) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
The Correct Answer
Miss Smith, the 5th-grade teacher, asked her students which state they thought has the most cows. Little Suzy raised her hand and proudly proclaimed, “Texas!”
Miss Smith said, “That is right, Suzy. Well done; you get an ‘A.'”
Next, Miss Smith asked, “Which state do you think has the most sheep?”
Little Sammy raised his hand and said, “That would be Montana, Miss Smith.” She replied, “Very good, Sammy; you get an ‘A.'”
“Now for the final question, who can tell me which state has the most turkeys?”
Little Johnny excitedly raised his hand and said,”That’s easy; my dad just told me that last night! According to my dad, Washington, D.C., is full of turkeys.”
Miss Smith chuckled a bit and said, “Johnny, that is truer than we would like to admit. You get an A+ for that answer.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Many a true word is spoken in jest.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+126:2&version=NLT (Psalm 126:2)
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1181 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1181 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What The Gospel Isn’t – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1181/ (Day 1181) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word.
On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
What The Gospel Isn’t
In previous weeks, our discussion about https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1171/ (the content of the gospel) makes it clear that the gospel is about what Jesus accomplished on our behalf. Everlasting life, salvation, is a gift given to those who believe in what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.
Our culture tries to muddle this clarity. It offers self-improvement or vague “spirituality” as substitutes. But the biblical description of the gospel defies such things. The gospel (and salvation) has nothing to do with personal enlightenment, “looking within” on a journey of self-discovery. The gospel is not about exploring ideas from a spiritual smorgasbord. These are intellectual or psychological efforts and activities. They aren’t the gospel.
But these sorts of “alternative gospels” are the easy ones to detect and eliminate. There’s a much more difficult hurdle that impedes many people from resting in the simplicity of the salvation God offers.
Dr. Heiser suggested earlier that a lot of people you meet in church struggle with the gospel. The reason is that they are caught in a performance trap. You or someone you know may be able to define the term gospel and perhaps even the content of its meaning. But the idea that believing what Jesus did for you is the sum total of what’s necessary for everlasting life just doesn’t seem right. Surely we have to do something. Otherwise, how could we deserve it?
If you comprehend the Bible’s story and the content of the gospel, you should grasp immediately that we don’t deserve what God offers. And that’s a struggle for many people. We want to feel like we’ve earned the good things we have. We don’t want to be a charity case. It feels wrong to get something good without having worked for it, at least a little.
Guilt distorts thinking in even more subtle ways. It can paralyze our ability to see the gospel as the unconditional gift it is. Guilt is what drives some people to justify a gift by concluding it’s deserved because of something they did for the gift-giver at some point. And if they can’t convince themselves of that, they determine to do something after the fact to make themselves feel deserving of the gift. Guilt blinds us to the love of God shown in the gospel. Ultimately, we must come to grips with how self-centered this thinking is.
That may sound harsh, but hear me out…Working hard to make someone else think you have value requires you to focus on yourself. You can’t be focused on someone else when the goal is to make another person think you are worthy of their attention or love. We want to feel good about ourselves (i.e., we legitimately...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1180 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Don’t Wait for Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1180/ (Day 1180) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Jonathan Winters, and it is, “I couldn’t wait for success, so I went ahead without it.”
Don’t Wait For Success
While this quote from Jonathan Winters, who was a comedian, is supposed to be funny, there is some real truth to it, as there is with most comedy. If we sit around waiting for success to happen, it never will. It is only when we first put in the blood, sweat, and tears over a long period of time will we realize any level of success.
There are times in life when you do need to pause, reflect, and reenergize, but you cannot remain in that state for an extended period of time and expect the results that you wish to achieve. You must keep moving forward, one step at a time. It is not necessarily the pace of progress that you are making, but the fact that you are making progress each day.
So pause and wait if required, just don’t get stuck in that mode. Success will never come to you; it must be pursued. So while waiting for success, move ahead without it, and in time, you will find the success that you desire.
This reminds me of a verse in Exodus, where the Israelites had a decision before them to either cross the Red Sea, which would bring success, or be recaptured by the Egyptians. This is what God told Moses. In https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+14:15&version=NLT (Exodus 14:15,)“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!'”
Sometimes, no most of the time, we just need to get moving.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1179 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for Worldview Wednesday!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1179 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Anger, A Peculiar Yet Predictable Emotion – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1179/ (Day 1179) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Anger, we all struggle with controlling it in our lives. For some, it is easily kindled, and as a result, it is external and very evident. For others, it bubbles just under the surface and comes out in passive aggressive ways. In today’s meditation, let us consider:
Anger – A Peculiar Yet Predictable Emotion
Anger. It’s a peculiar yet predictable emotion. It begins as a drop of water. An irritant. A frustration. Nothing big, just an aggravation. Someone gets your parking place. Someone pulls in front of you on the freeway. A waitress is slow, and you are in a hurry. The toast burns. Drops of water. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.
Yet, get enough of these seemingly innocent drops of anger, and before long, you’ve got a bucket full of rage. Walking revenge. Blind bitterness. Unharnessed hatred. We trust no one and bare our teeth at anyone who gets near. We become walking time bombs that, given just the right tension and fear, could explode.
Yet, what do we do? We can’t deny that our anger exists. How do we harness it? A good option is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23%3A34&version=NLT (Luke 23:34). Here, Jesus speaks about the mob that killed him. Jesus said, “’Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’ And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”
Look carefully. It’s as if Jesus considered this bloodthirsty, death-hungry crowd not as murderers, but as victims. It’s as if he saw in their faces, not hatred but confusion. It’s as if he regarded them not as a militant mob but, as he put it in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9:36&version=NLT (Matthew 9:36), “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Yet, Jesus said, “They don’t know what they are doing.” When you think about it, they didn’t. They hadn’t the faintest idea of what they were doing. They were a stir-crazy mob, mad at something they couldn’t see, so they took it out on, of all people, God. But they didn’t know what they were doing.
And many times, neither do we. We are still, as much as we hate to admit it, as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53:6&version=NLT (Isaiah 53:6,) “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”
There are so many situations in life that will add to the drip, drip, drip that leads to anger. Nearly always inappropriate anger stems because something is stifling or blocking what we...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1178 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom 12 Guidelines to Increase Productivity – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1178/ (Day 1178) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, you seem to remain very productive in all areas of life while I struggle with productivity and feel like I can‘t keep my head above water to complete even some of the basic tasks that I should. What are some wise tips that you can give me that will help to become much more productive?”
12 Guidelines to Increase Productivity
While it may appear that I am very productive, I have to admit, that I too struggle, at times, to remain productive. I am very agenda-driven and attempt to follow my daily tasks list, but when unexpected, or expected, interruptions enter my day, I too can find myself heading down a rabbit trail. Here are 12 guidelines, or rules, that I have found to be helpful, and if you apply them, they should help you also.
Choose the right time. Nearly everyone has times of the day when they are most effective and times when they tend to drag. It’s smart to schedule the most critical tasks for your most effective time of the day. For me, it is definitely between 7 AM and 12 PM.
Toss it. If a task doesn’t really need to be done, just get rid of it altogether. So often we get bogged down with non-essential tasks. They are just fillers.
Get the bad stuff out of the way. Do the unpleasant items quickly and as early in the day as possible. That way they are clear from your mind, and you can stop procrastinating because you know they still need to be done.
Create your task list the night before or at the very beginning of each day. This way, as you begin each morning, you will know what you need to accomplish that day. This can be even more effective when planned the night before. Once you have a sense of direction, you can spend all your time getting things done!
Eliminate all communication. While you’re working, turn off your phone/cell phone, and don’t check your email. Hang a sign that says, “Do not disturb,” if necessary. You don’t have to do this for all your tasks, but at least do it during the more difficult items. There are very few calls or emails that require immediate attention.
Batch similar tasks together. Do all your emailing at one time. Make all your phone calls at another. Open your snail mail during a set block of time. You’ll waste less time doing your work in this fashion.
Set a timer. Even if a task might take hours, starting will seem easier if you simply give yourself 30 minutes to get as much done as you can. A time limit seems to help many people concentrate and...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1177 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Three Envelopes – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1177/ (Day 1177) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Three Envelopes
John, the CEO of a large multi-national corporation, had presented his resignation to the board of directors. In order to facilitate a smooth transition, he met with Phillip, the incoming CEO, and presented him with three numbered envelopes. John said, “Open one of these in numeric sequence if you run up against a problem you don’t think you can solve.”
At first, things went along very smoothly. About six months later, sales took a significant downturn, and the CEO, Phillip, was catching a lot of heat. Then he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read: “Blame your predecessor.”
With this advice, Phillip called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO, John. The press and Wall Street responded positively, sales began to pick up, and the problem was soon behind him.
About a year after the company experienced another dip in sales plus some product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, Phillip quickly opened the second envelope.
The message was: “Reorganize.”
Phillip put a superb reorganization plan in place, and the company quickly rebounded.
After several consecutive profitable years, the company once again fell on difficult times. Phillip, the CEO, went to his office, closed the door, and opened the third envelope.
The message said: “Prepare three envelopes.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Always be prepared, but be ready and willing to work.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+24:27&version=NLT (Proverbs [24:27])
Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1176 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1176 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Why Do We Need the Gospel? – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1176/ (Day 1176) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
Why Do We Need The Gospel?
You might think Dr. Heiser answered this already. He sort of did, at least in a roundabout way. But in light of his experience in Christian circles, he felt he needs to be blunt.
Why do we need the gospel? Because without it, we have no hope of everlasting life with God. Zero. We are estranged from God because of sin. Believing the gospel is the remedy.
The Bible describes our predicament in several ways. Jesus said in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019%3A10&version=NLT (Luke 19:10), “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” In https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A4-5&version=NLT" (Ephesians 2:4-5) we are told, “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” We were “alienated from God” (Ephesians 4:18) and “hostile” toward him (Colossians 1:21) because we were his “enemies” (Romans [5:10]). It’s not a pretty picture.
The biblical story we walked through explains why we are what we are. We aren’t born into the family of God. We’re outsiders. Yet God wants us in the family. Lacking God’s nature, we abuse our intelligence and freedom to get what we want, often harming others in the process. We live in self-destructive ways. When we don’t image God and break his laws and when we violate, manipulate, and otherwise abuse others, we sin. We are, by nature, sinners—self-absorbed and rebellious. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=NLT (Romans 3:23) makes it clear, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
It is easy to read these verses and be depressed or angry. But the good news of the gospel story is that God knew all that and loved us anyway. It’s also useful for the reason that may never have occurred to you. It’s what makes the gospel entirely different than any other religion’s teaching about salvation. Every other religion either denies sin is a problem or says the solution is human performance—repeating rituals, saying prayers, observing religious days, or otherwise being good.
To be blunt, only the gospel is honest about the human situation and human inability to do a thing about it. Other religions in effect “lie to you”— they tell you that you can fix the problem of your own distance from God or that you don’t have a problem. The gospel is the only truth that tells you God had to provide the solution and did. The gospel is transparently...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1175 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Think and Follow Through – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1175/ (Day 1175) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from E.V. Rickenbacker,and it is, “I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through — then follow through.”
Think and Follow Through
Many times while we were growing up our dad would tell us boys as we approached a problem to think through it slow and methodically. So often my brothers and I just wanted to rush through a task or project to get it completed. Dad knew that if we would take time to think through the issue and come up with a method or plan for completing the task before we took action, that our chance of being successful in that task or project would be greatly improved.
While our impatience during those growing up years caused us to ignore Dad’s advice many times, the older we grew, the more we realized that his advice was very wise and that he was training us to be prepared for the many obstacles that we would face in life. His instructions have come back to me many times, and still, to this day, I recognize it is an excellent piece of advice that I continue to apply.
Just as our quote today instructs us, the formula for success is to first think things through, that is to create a plan of action, and then follow through the plan that we thought through. This is truly what we need to do in order to be successful. Think, then follow through. Let us make a habit of this with each task we have to complete, project we are working on, or obstacle that we encounter on our path to success.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21:5&version=NLT;ESV (Proverbs 21:5)
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1174 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for Worldview Wednesday!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1174 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Are You a Victim of Your Thoughts? – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1174/ (Day 1174) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Life does not always go smoothly. At times it seems that we are bombarded by negative influences on all sides. That is why it is so important to be continually renewing your mind. In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Are You a Victim of Your Thoughts?
Life has a way of unloading her rubbish on our doorstep! It is as if the garbage truck backs up to our houses and empties the contents right into the clean living room.
It may be that your spouse works too much and is always tired when he or she is home. It may be that your spouse gripes too much about every little issue. Maybe it’s your boss expects too much and keeps piling more onto your overly busy workload. When you are home, is it that your kids who whine too much?
If you are facing any of these situations, what is the result? Your mind is filled with trash…Loads of pessimism, guilt, anxiety—it all piles up. Your thoughts can become polluted with all the foul trash that is accumulating…unless you continually make a habit of washing it clean through renewal.
Remember this very important concept, “Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions.” Think about what the Jewish leader did at the time of Christ. They killed Christ in their hearts before they killed him on the cross. Could that be why Paul writes in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NLT (Romans 12:2,) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect”? Paul also told us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A4-5&version=NLT (I Corinthians 13:4-5,) “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”
We do have a choice of what we allow to remain in our minds each day. The thoughts may pop into our minds, be we do not have to allow them to take up residence there. Paul says we can get rid of them when he writes in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+10%3A5&version=NLT (2 Corinthians 10:5,) “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” You can proclaim: Negative thoughts, be gone. Selfishness, step back! Envy…get lost! You are not a victim of your thoughts.
If today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions, then what happens when we fill our minds with thoughts of God’s love and continue
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1173 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom 5 Barriers to Success With Solutions – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1173/ (Day 1173) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, even though you have had times of hardship and adversity, you always seem to recover and succeed. What are some wise tips that you can give me that will help to emulate the pattern of success, in spite of failures?”
5 Barriers to Success With Solutions
These five barriers to success are actually easy to overcome, but only when you know they are there. Why do some people achieve their goals while others fail? I believe it’s because successful people manage to overcome five barriers that, in many cases, guarantee failure. Here are those barriers and how to overcome them…
Uninspiring Goals
When most people set goals, they envision a “thing,” such as a particular amount of money, an object (like a new car), or a specific achievement (like writing a book). Unfortunately, these “things I’m going to get or do” goals don’t appeal to the core of what motivates you because they miss the point that what you’re actually seeking in life. It is POSITIVE EMOTIONS, or how you will feel when you are able to obtain those “things” or “achievements.” This is why “vision boards” rarely work.
The Solution: You must know the “WHY” of what you want to obtain or achieve. Ask yourself, “How will I feel when I achieve the goal?” Maybe more importantly, “What will I become, through the process of achieving this goal?” That way, you’ll be inspired to do whatever it takes (within legal and ethical bounds) to achieve that goal.
Fear of Failure
If you’re afraid of failing, you won’t take the necessary risks required to achieve your goal. For example, you won’t make that important phone call, because you’re afraid that you’ll be rebuffed. Or you won’t quit your dead-end job and start your own business because you’re afraid that you might end up without any money.
The Solution: Decide–right now–that failure, for you, is a strictly temporary condition, not who you are. If things don’t go the way you’d like, it’s only a setback that, at most, delays your eventual success. In other words, accept the fact that you will sometimes fail, plan for it, but treat that failure as an unavoidable (yet vital) component in your quest.
Fear of Success
In many ways, this fear is even more debilitating than the fear of failure. Suppose you achieved something spectacular, like enormous wealth. What if it didn’t make you happy? What then? What if you ended up losing all of it? What then? Would your friends start...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1172 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Double or Nothing – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1172/ (Day 1172) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Double or Nothing The IRS decides to audit Grandpa Jones and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor Sam Smith was not surprised when Grandpa Jones showed up with his attorney.
The auditor said, “Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I’m not sure the IRS finds that believable.”
I’m a great gambler, and I can prove it,” says Grandpa Jones. “How about a demonstration?”
The auditor, Sam, thinks for a moment and says, “Okay. Go ahead.”
Grandpa Jones says, “I’ll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye.”
Sam, the auditor thinks a moment and says, “It’s a bet.”
Grandpa Jones removes his glass eye and bites it. Sam, the auditor’s jaw drops.
Grandpa Jones then says, “Now, I’ll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye.”
Sam, the auditor, can tell Grandpa Jones isn’t blind, so he takes the bet.
Grandpa Jones removes his dentures and bites his good eye.
Sam, very stunned, now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand, with Grandpa Jones’s attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.
“Want to go double or nothing?” Grandpa Jones asks. “I’ll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, throw that full glass of water into the wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between.”
Sam, the auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there’s no way this old guy could possibly manage that stunt, so he agrees again.
Grandpa Jones stands on the desk and takes careful aim, but when he throws the glass, water covers the man’s desk, jacket, briefcase, and everything around it. In addition to that, the glass shatters on the floor.
Sam, the auditor, leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win.
But Grandpa Jones’s own attorney, John starts sobbing profusely and puts his head in his hands.
“Are you okay?” the auditor asks.
“Not really,” says John, the attorney. “This morning, when Grandpa Jones told me he’d been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and throw water all over your office and that you’d be happy about it!”
Well, I hope that...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1171 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Is the Good News? – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1171/ (Day 1171) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
What Is The Good News?
As we continue on with Dr. Heiser’s book, it may sound odd to ask that question at this juncture. We have invested several weeks walking through the story of the Bible, the story of how God wants us in his family. We join that family by believing the good news, referred to as the gospel.
I’ve discovered that a lot of people who attend church don’t really understand the gospel. Some can’t articulate it. Others who can express it coherently often struggle with truly surrendering to its simplicity. They suffer inside over truly believing that the gospel is all that’s necessary for everlasting life.
Some of you may wonder what I’m talking about. I’m willing to bet, though, that as I explain what I mean, you’ll either see yourself or someone you know in what follows.
We’ll start by defining the gospel. I’ll ask some questions along the way that are important to consider for clarity. We also need to talk about what the gospel isn’t, but we will save that for next week. When we get to that part of the conversation, you’ll see what I mean by the struggle I mentioned.
If people struggle to define it, what is The Gospel?
It’s fairly easy to define what the term “gospel” means. The biblical word “gospel” refers to the message of salvation. The English word “gospel” is a translation of a Greek word (the original language of the New Testament) that referred to a reward given to someone who brought good news. Hence you’ll often hear the term “gospel” equated with “good news” — the good news about the message of salvation.
Let’s think about that. It might feel like we learned something. I suppose we did, but we didn’t actually learn the thing we needed to know. It’s nice that we can now define a term. But we actually haven’t said anything about the content of the message of salvation. We’ve defined what the word “gospel” refers to, but not what the gospel actually is.
So let’s talk about what the gospel means. What is the content of God’s offer of salvation? What are the details of the good news? And why is it good news? The word appears almost 100 times in the New Testament so we ought to be able to figure this out.
The apostle Paul probably talks about the gospel message more than any other New Testament writer. He uses the word “gospel” for the message he preached about Jesus in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Corinthians+15%3A1-4&version=NLT (I Corinthians 15:1-4.)
Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1170 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom True Success Is Balanced Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1170/ (Day 1170) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Zig Ziglar, and it is, “I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.”
True Success Is Balanced Success
Since my college years in the late 70s, I have considered Zig Ziglar one of my virtual mentors, as have thousands of people who have been impacted by his life. Not only did he inspire many in all walks of life, but it was evident that his success in life was rooted in his deep commitment and faith which was grounded in his spiritual walk with God.
His quote that I read today is certainly grounded in the same worldview that I possess. We as image bearers of God cannot be considered successful in life unless our entire being is dedicated to Him. To be truly successful, we need to be successful in all areas of life.
That means that we are whole in the very essence of our lives. We need to focus and obtain success in each of the following seven areas. Spiritual, Family, Physical-Health, Mind-Intellect, Personal-Social, Financial, Work-Career.
As Christ followers, we are to be the very best that we can be by fully utilizing our God-given abilities and talents. You have to BE the right person, so that you can DO the right actions, in order to HAVE the success that you should. In each of the seven areas of life above, ask yourself how you can BE, DO, and HAVE so that you can bring honor and glory to God as you should.
This can be summed up in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:31&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 10:31,) “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1169 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1169 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Are You Listening? – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1169/ (Day 1169) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
In order to restore us to His Kingdom, God had to become one of us and speak to us in our language. God is not only the creator of everything; He also speaks personally to us. In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Are You Listening? God communicates to us in our language, just as He did when Jesus was crucified and caused Pilot to list the three main languages of that day as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19%3A19&version=NLT (John 19:19), “And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'”
The framer of our destiny is familiar with how dull we can be at times. God knows we sometimes miss the signs. Maybe that’s why he has given us so many. The rainbow after the flood signifies God’s covenant. Circumcision identifies God’s chosen, and the stars portray the size of his family. Even today, we see signs in the New Testament church. Communion is a sign of his death, and baptism is a sign of our spiritual birth. Each of these signs symbolizes a greater spiritual truth.
The most moving sign, however, was found on the cross. A trilingual, hand-painted, Roman-commissioned sign.
Every passerby could read the sign, for every passerby could read Hebrew, Latin, or Greek—the three great languages of the ancient world. “Hebrew was the language of Israel, the language of religion; Latin the language of the Romans, the language of law and government; and Greek the language of Greece, the language of culture. Christ was declared the king of the known world of that day.” God had a message for each, “Christ is king.” The message was the same, but the languages were different. Since Jesus was a king for all people, the message would be in the tongues of all people.
There is no language God will not speak, which leads us to a delightful question. What language is He speaking to you? I’m not referring to an idiom or dialect but to the day-to-day drama of your life. God does speak, you know. He speaks to us in whatever language we will understand.
There are times He speaks the “language of abundance.” Did you eat today? Are your bills paid? Got a little bit of change in your pocket? Don’t be so proud of what you have that you miss what you need to hear.
Do you hear the “language of need”? Or how about the “language of affliction”? Talk about phrases we avoid. But you and I both know how clearly God speaks in hospital hallways, sickbeds, and yes, even funeral homes.
God speaks all languages—including yours. Listen to what He said in...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1168 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Self-Motivation – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1168/ (Day 1168) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time where we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, it seems like you don’t have a real problem staying motivated, but staying motivated for me is a real struggle. I am constantly assaulted by negative thoughts and anxiety about the future. Do you have any wisdom to help me stay motivated more?”
Self-Motivation
Staying motivated is a struggle for nearly everyone. Even though I tend to be highly disciplined, I also have to be constantly vigilant so that I can remain on task. I have to admit that our drive is constantly assaulted by negative thoughts and anxiety about the future. Nearly everyone faces doubt and depression, but that doesn’t mean we should give up. What separates the highly successful from the unsuccessful is the ability to keep moving forward.
There is no simple solution for lack of motivation. Even after beating it, the problem reappears at the first sign of failure or discouragement. The key is understanding your thoughts and how they drive your emotions. By learning how to nurture motivating thoughts, neutralize negative ones, and focus on the task at hand, you can pull yourself out of a slump before it gains momentum.
I have boiled it down to three primary reasons we lose motivation.
Lack of confidence – If you don’t believe you can succeed, what’s the point in trying?
Lack of focus – If you don’t know what you want, do you really want anything?
Lack of direction – If you don’t know what to do, how can you be motivated to do it?
First, let’s explore how to boost confidence because the first motivation killer is a lack of confidence. When this happens to me, it’s usually because I’m focusing entirely on what I think I want and neglecting being grateful for what I already have. When you only think about what you want, your mind creates explanations for why you aren’t getting it. This creates negative thoughts. Past failures, bad breaks, and personal weaknesses dominate your mind. You become jealous of others and start making excuses for why you can’t succeed. In this state, you tend to make a bad impression, assume the worst about others, and lose self-confidence.
The way to get out of this thought pattern is to focus on gratitude. Set aside time to focus on everything positive in your life. Make a mental list of your strengths, past successes, and current advantages. We tend to take our strengths for granted and dwell on our failures. By making an effort to feel grateful, you’ll realize how competent and successful you already are. This...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1167 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Suspicious Excuse – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1167/ (Day 1167) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22), “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
A Suspicious Excuse
Joe, a college student, texted Professor Wellborn early one morning and stated that he could not take his seminar final exam that day because of a funeral.
Professor Wellborn texted him back and told Joe that it would not be a problem and that he could make it up the following week.
That week came, and again, Joe texted Professor Wellborn and explained that he couldn’t take the test that day either, due to another funeral.
Professor Wellborn, being a little irritated, but feeling sorry for Joe texted him back once again and said, “You’ll have to take the test early next week, I can’t keep postponing it.”
Joe replies back thanking Professor Wellborn and also said, “I’ll take the test next week if no one dies.”
By now Professor Wellborn was really suspicious. And texted back, “How can you have so many people you know pass away in three weeks?”
Joe texted, “I don’t know any of these people, but I’m the only gravedigger in town, and I have no choice but to be there.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Make sure you understand the situation before passing judgment.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+18:17&version=NLT (Proverbs [18:17])
The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1166 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com.) I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1166 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God’s Forever Family Part 2 – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1166/ (Day 1166) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes, we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
God’s Forever Family Part 2
As we continue our book review, as part of God’s forever family, we will first focus on our everlasting identity with God. Today as part of His Kingdom, we are to be imagers of God. That is, others should see God through us. We cannot fully portray God today, but we will someday be transformed and made like Jesus.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+John+3%3A2&version=NLT (1 John 3:2) declares, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”
The same thought is expressed in different ways in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A29&version=NLT (Romans 8:29), “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A20-21&version=NLT (Philippians 3:20-21) explains, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A18&version=NLT (2 Corinthians 3:18) also says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
Our destiny, which is already in process, is to become completed imagers of God in the manner of the ultimate image of God—Jesus.
The Bible finishes our story with resurrection and transformation. We are raised to everlasting life and given a glorified body, akin to the one Jesus had after his resurrection. Paul refers to it as a ‘‘immortal body” (l Corinthians [15:35]-58).
My favorite passage about our final destiny and glorification is a little more obscure. It’s a scene in the book of Hebrews, where Jesus introduces us to God and God to us. Jesus stands before God and “the congregation,” the heavenly sons of God. He confesses boldly that he feels no shame in having us as siblings in the family and then speaks to God and the supernatural members of the family. This passage is in Hebrews 2:11-12, “So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God,...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1165 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Never An Excuse – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1165/ (Day 1165) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Florence Nightingale, and it is, “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took an excuse.”
Never an Excuse
When we fail at anything in life, the first thing that most of us want to do is to either place blame or create an excuse for why we failed. We have to realize that ultimately, we have to take responsibility for every time we fall short of the mark.
Yes, there may be mitigating circumstances that make failure inevitable in certain situations, but there is no reason to give or take an excuse. Analyze the situation, determine why the failure occurred, and then set out to try again. There are very few situations in life that require an excuse. Just begin again with the wisdom of what caused the failure.
It may be necessary to retry multiple times if success is not achieved. But as long as you learn from each setback and apply your knowledge to the next attempt, then you will continue to move forward with the additional wisdom that was gained on each previous attempt.
Be patient and forgiving with yourself and others. We don’t have control of every circumstance, but we certainly have control over how we respond to each situation. Love what you pursue, be diligent, persevere, and endeavor to continue on.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+13:7&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1166/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1164 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1166/ (Worldview Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1164 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Persistent Prayer – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1164/ (Day 1164) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Prayer…how do you know when you have prayed enough for a particular situation? How many times do we need to ask God for something we desire or for the care and concern of a loved one? What does the Bible teach about continuing to pray? Does God get tired of our prayers? These are questions that we all have about prayer. So in today’s meditation, let us consider…
Persistent Prayer Let’s start our meditation today with the reading of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+62%3A6-7&version=NLT (Isaiah )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+62%3A6-7&version=NLT (62:6-7,)
O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.
How much you pray and what you ask for reveals a lot about your view of God and your relationship with Him. Generally speaking, the more kind and capable you think He is, the more you desire to pray, and the more you will pray honestly, boldly, and expectantly. As I learn more about God and grow closer to Him, the more my prayers become less about what I desire, and the more they become what God desires for me and to work through me. God encourages us to keep praying until His answer is clear to us. He desires us to keep engaging with Him in prayer. As the verses we just read suggest, we should “take no rest, and give the Lord no rest until He completes His work through us.”
Of course, we should not ask selfishly, but for what God desires for us. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A3&version=NLT (James 4:3 )tells us, “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” God, in His wisdom, does not grant us our selfish desires, which would do harm to us or others. This is especially true if what we asked would draw us away from fellowship with Him. He loves us too much to cause us harm. We should ask for what we desire, if we do so with all sincerity. God is able to sort out the good requests, from our misguided requests, and also teach us the difference as we continue to grow in Him.
Think about how children ask for what they want. They may not know the difference between what is good or bad for them in their requests, but as their parents, we should discern the difference and only grant those which are good for them. God is the same with our prayer requests.
God is much more generous than even the best parents. He is not reluctant to bless His children. Our prayer lives should reflect...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1163 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Go Bird Watching – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1163/ (Day 1163) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.
Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, there are so many circumstances and situations that I face in life, which cause me to worry often. Whether it is my family, my job and finances, my health, or a number of other issues, at times I feel impending doom, although nothing, in particular, is wrong at the moment. Do you have some wisdom to help me change my mindset so that I do not worry and fear as much?”
Go Bird Watching
Although I personally don’t have a significant issue with worry or fear, I realize that most people do. If it continues over a long period of time, and it is to the point of paralyzing you from living a normal life, then you may need to seek professional counseling or medical assistance. That being said, there are certain truths that you need to grasp hold of and apply to your life that will help alleviate most of this unwarranted worry or fear.
Most worry and fear is not real and resides solely in your mind. To change that, you need to change your mindset. We are instructed in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12:2&version=NLT (Romans 12:2,) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
This takes time and focus, but it can be done. Once you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own thinking, then the process can begin. Jesus was (and is) The Master Teacher, but we need to be willing to learn. He often spoke in parables or stories, and although they are not always easy to understand, they are told in such a way as to be memorable. They are told to force us to think. They challenge us to believe more, to exercise our faith more, and to trust Him more, regardless of what we may see or feel. You see, worry and fear is not only a mental issue, but wrong thinking also affects our heart, the center of our emotions.
Jesus’ teachings in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A19-34&version=NLT (Matthew [6:19]-34) is a powerful lesson on worry and how to overcome it. Let me read that for you to help us frame a response to worry.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1162 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Value of a Plumber – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1162/ (Day 1162) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
The Value of a Plumber
Dr. Milton was anticipating a relaxing Saturday morning at home after a very long and hectic week. As he headed to the basement, he thought he heard water running. Upon further investigation, he saw that one of the main pipes was leaking and water was spewing into the laundry room. With all due haste, he called Sam the plumber, who was the best plumber in town and also one of his patients.
Sam arrived promptly, unpacked his tools, worked his mysterious plumber-type things and within 30 minutes had the leak fixed, and the excess water all vacuumed up. He then presented Dr. Milton with a bill for $600.
Dr. Milton, upon looking at the bill, excitedly exclaimed, “This is ridiculous! I don’t even make that much as a doctor!”
Sam, the plumber, just smiled at Dr. Milton and said, “Neither did I when I was a doctor.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “There is a huge difference between the cost of a service and its actual value.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+8:11&version=NLT (Proverbs [8:11])
For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1161 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1163/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1161 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God’s Forever Family Part 1 – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1161/ (Day 1161) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
God’s Forever Family Part 1
In last week’s lesson, we ended with a firm grasp on some obvious points. Christ is risen. All those who have put their trust in what he did on the cross and his resurrection as the only means of salvation will have everlasting life. But while we are already members of Christ’s kingdom (Colossians [1:13]), that kingdom has not yet come in its fullness and finality.
The same is true of the defeat and destruction of Satan and various fallen sons of God. It is already in progress, but not yet fully realized. Satan has no claim—no ownership, no power of death—over any member of the kingdom of God. We belong to God through Jesus, and Jesus conquered death so that we might be resurrected to everlasting life with him and God the Father (Romans 6:8-9; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:42-49). Nevertheless, as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A2&version=NLT (Ephesians 2:2,) “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”
Likewise, the powers of darkness have been dethroned. But they have not surrendered. They resist, fighting a losing battle. Every person who embraces the salvation offered by God through Jesus has been rescued, and their freedom purchased already. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col+1%3A13-14&version=NLT (Colossians 1:13-14) says, “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” As the kingdom of God grows, the kingdom of darkness diminishes.
It’s easy to get lost in the still-present evil and suffering of the world instead of looking to the future. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that “Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live,” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+1%3A4&version=NLT (Galatians 1:4).
The Bible doesn’t condemn this dilemma. It’s honest about it in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A19&version=NLT (Romans 8:19,) “For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.”
In what remains of the story, Dr. Heiser focuses on the amazing ending. Every great epic has a memorable ending. The biblical story is no exception. Although, if you’re expecting harps and clouds get used to disappointment.
We tend to process the final act of the Bible’s story in...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1160 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Secret of a Diplomat – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1160/ (Day 1160) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Robert Estabrook, and it is, “He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of a diplomat.”
The Secret of a Diplomat
Being civil with one another seems to be a lost art in today’s divisive world. This is especially true on social media where it is so easy to hide behind the mask of technology. It may be that we just hear from the vocal few who are intolerant on the extreme right and extreme left. With the 24/7 propaganda (i.e., news) outlets, we are bombarded with the same sound bites continually.
Pile on top of that when we include all of the amateur experts on social media, spewing their opinions and hate-filled speech, it fuels intolerance on a much grander scale. We, as a human race, are better than that. Especially if we claim to be Christ followers, we should never become embroiled or participate in such situations.
We will never agree on all issues with others, not even our close loved ones. We need to learn and understand that it is okay if we do not agree on most issues. We need to learn how to disagree, without being disagreeable. We need to restrain our arguments for the sake of love for others. Even if the issue you disagree on is of significant moral consequence, you can still disagree without being ugly about it.
You don’t have to be intolerant to the point that your love for others turns to hate. Our love should transcend our disagreement. We can never reach others for God’s Kingdom if they see us as hateful, spiteful, and unwilling to accept them as a person, even if we cannot accept their viewpoint or opinion. In order to promote and grow God’s Kingdom as His image bearers, we need to show His love to everyone that we meet and impact. We need to be diplomats for God’s good news to bring His enemies to the table of salvation.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+4%3A5-6&version=NLT (Colossians 4:5-6)
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+3:15-17&version=NLT (1 Peter [3:15]-17)
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1159 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Beauty from Ashes – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1159/ (Day 1159) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
There are times in our lives when it seems that our lives are destroyed as with a raging wildfire through the agony of a death of a spouse or close loved one. Or it may be that your life has crumbled like a building destroyed in an earthquake because of the betrayal of a spouse, and now you have to make it on your own as a single parent. When you are in the dark, it is hard to imagine the light that will ever shine again.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Beauty from Ashes
Let me share a story of a time when Dan literally experienced beauty from ashes. On June 26, 2012, a wildfire rolled over the mountains and into the city of Colorado Springs. Spurred on by 65 mph wind gusts and fueled by one of the driest seasons on record, the Waldo Canyon fire crested a ridge and drove into the Mountain Shadows neighborhood. In just a few hours, nearly 350 homes burned to the ground.
Dan, one of 32,000 people evacuated from their homes, watched events unfold on TV in a living room across town. Surrounded by his family and closest friends, he waited to see whether his home survived. It did, but his neighbors were not as fortunate.
When Dan’s family was finally able to return home, only a handful of houses still stood on his street. The devastation was shocking. Dan walked his neighborhood, helping those whose homes had been damaged or destroyed. Charred wood and ash coated the area, giving it an ominous black feeling.
But just a few weeks after the tragedy, Dan saw the greenest grass imaginable growing up through the ashes. Vibrant, hopeful new life peeked through the black destruction. Though it may have been just a few blades of grass, it reminded Dan that God brings beauty from ashes.
God brings good news to the oppressed as spoke through his prophet Isaiah in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61%3A1-3&version=NLT (Isaiah 61:1-3),
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
I look out my office windows and see the great oaks towering above everything, realizing they have withstood many storms over the years and yet they continue to lift...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1158 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Move Away From Anger – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1158/ (Day 1158) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.
Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, I desire to be a patient and kind person, but there are times when it seems my anger gets the better of me, and I lash out, only to feel defeated afterward. Do you have any wisdom to help me control my anger?”
Move Away From Anger
I believe that all of us have an issue with anger. There may be times and seasons when it is harder to control, but it still is possible to live a life in which we control our anger or direct our anger in a constructive and beneficial direction. Some people don’t seem to get angry on the surface, but underneath their calm demeanor is a boiling cauldron of rage that is likely to explode. Others become very passive/aggressive with their anger, which can be just as destructive to those who are on the receiving end of it.
There was a man who tried to defend his bad temper by saying, “I explode, and then it’s over with.” It may be to that person, but just like a volcano, that man does not understand or realize that his anger leaves behind a path of carnage.
As Aristotle once wrote, “Anyone can get angry…but to do this to the right person, to the right extent, at the right time, with the right motive, and in the right way, that is not for everyone, nor is it easy.” I would say that is very true. Few are the persons that can fill all of those categories.
The Apostle Paul teaches us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A26-27&version=NLT (Ephesians 4:26-27,) “And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
God does permit us to be angry on certain occasions. In other words, it is not always sinful to experience or even display anger, but in the same verse, Paul warns us not to let our anger lead us to sin. Anger can be so destructive because actions taken and words spoken in anger cannot be taken back, nor is the damage easy to repair. Anger gives the devil a foothold in our lives that if allowed to continue will destroy us and those with whom we become angry.
We need to allow God’s Holy Spirit, who resides within us to warn us when our anger becomes sinful, so we can avoid those situations. This is usually more obvious to others, than it may even be to ourselves. We may need to allow those close to us to help us with this. Bursts of temper resulting in rage, lack of control, the desire to hurt another person, and profanity are not righteous anger. Far from it.
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1157 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Great Night Sleep – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1157/ (Day 1157) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled:
A Great Night Sleep
Bill always seemed to have the problem of oversleeping. He set multiple alarms, but he was just not a morning person. He continually showed up for work late, and Frank, his boss, was really starting to get irritated with his continual excuses. It got so bad that Frank finally told Bill that he had to either do something to change his ways or his job may be in jeopardy.
Bill pondered this for quite some time because he was concerned about losing his job. Frank suggested that maybe he should go see a doctor to see if he had a chronic sleep problem or possibly sleep apnea. Bill took his advice and scheduled a doctor’s appointment for that same evening. He mentioned this to Frank, who was pleased that Bill was finally taking some proactive steps to correct his sleep issues.
Doctor Phil gave him a complete checkup and determined that it was not sleep apnea, but that maybe Bill was just not sleeping soundly. He prescribed some new sleep aid medicine that had just been released that should allow Bill to sleep soundly and wake the next day well rested.
Bill took the pills as prescribed right before bedtime. That night he slept better than he ever had and woke up even before the alarm! He had a leisurely breakfast and drove happily to work very pleased with the results.
Bill came in all smiles to the office that day and proclaimed to Frank his boss, “The pill the doctor gave me actually worked!”
“That’s fine,” said Frank, “but where were you yesterday?”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Hard work and a clear conscience is the best sleep aid.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+5:12&version=NLT (Ecclesiastes [5:12])
People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1158/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1156 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide,...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1156 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Supernatural Infiltration – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1156/ (Day 1156) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word.
On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
Supernatural Infiltration
Remember in last week’s lesson what happened in Acts 2 about the coming of the Spirit. The arrival of God’s Spirit was the crucial element of a new covenant—a new set of promises God was giving to humanity. Many Christians don’t realize that this also meant God was launching a spiritual war to reclaim not only Jews who had rejected Jesus but also Gentiles, people from the nations he had rejected back at the Tower of Babel. God was in pursuit of his family, and it didn’t matter where his children lived. He wanted them and would find them.
The passage I read last week in Acts 2 tells us the Spirit came with wind and fire. Let me again read https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A2-3&version=NLT (Acts 2:2-3, )“Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.”
Fire and “burning smoke” were common elements in visions of God’s presence in the Old Testament (Exodus [13:21]-22; Ezekiel 1:4, 13, 27). God at times, came in a “whirlwind” (Isaiah 6:4, 6; Ezekiel 1:4; Job 38:1; 40:6). Jews who heard Peter’s message and saw the coming of the Spirit with their own eyes knew the day of salvation had come.
Think about what happened in this scene. Three thousand Jews, living abroad in the nations where their ancestors had been scattered, had come to Jerusalem for a religious feast day. They witnessed the coming of the Spirit and heard about Jesus, the Messiah, and what he had done. They believed in Jesus. They became Christ followers. What do you suppose they did next? They went home.
Why does that matter? Because now the lost, divorced nations had three thousand evangelists planted in them. They were like secret agents, embedded in hostile territory held by other gods. They would be God’s initial means to multiply the size of his human family. They were the first wave. Their mission? The same one Jesus had given to his disciples: the Great Commission. Christians know the verses well as we find in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A19-20&version=NLT (Matthew 28:19-20,) “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
But again, something is missed. That’s the Great Commission all right. But I skipped verse 18, the one that’s usually skipped when people talk about our mission to...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1155 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Rich In Compassion – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1155/ (Day 1155) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Rabbi Mervin Romsky, and it is, “He is a failure as a human being, no matter what his other achievements, whose heart does not hurt for his fellow man. And he is a successful human being, no matter where else he may be lacking, who is rich in compassion.”
Rich In Compassion
Success in today’s age, and probably throughout most of history, has been centered around monetary success and the accumulation of resources. Countries have gone to war over it. Humans are willing to lie, cheat, steal, and murder in order to obtain money and resources.
True success is not based on money or resources, although both can be used as a tool to help others. If a person, including you, focuses on becoming successful, at the expense of the goodwill of others, then that success is worthless and futile. True success is only achieved through money and resources when we use them to help others that are in need of our help.
Riches do not come in the accumulation of wealth, but in the distribution of love. If you are willing to sacrifice compassion for another in order to be successful, then any success achieved is a failure. If you are willing to forego your own success and wealth in order to show love and compassion to another person, then even if you do not achieve the success desired, you are truly successful.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A1-7&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 13:1-7)
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1154 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1154 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom All Work Is Kingdom Work – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1154/ (Day 1154) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
It is easy to get the impression that work done at church or being in a “full time” ministry is somehow more holy or honored than work done in other professions, but that is just not true.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
All Work Is Kingdom Work
The Apostle Peter was tired from a long night of fishing with no catch, but at Jesus’ request, he put his boat out in the water again a bit from the shore. As the crowds came near, the staple of Peter’s livelihood, his boat, became a floating pulpit from which Jesus preached the Word of God.
It’s not just those in what we usually consider “full-time” ministry who are called to serve Jesus at work. As long as your work is not illegal or immoral, then as a Christ follower, your work and career is work for God’s Kingdom. You may need to be more willing to push out a little bit from the shore, but you do have an impact on the world for the Kingdom. All it takes is a surrendered heart, the faith to believe that God is working in and through you, and the knowledge that what you are doing really matters to God. As we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A58&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 15:58,) “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
This refers to what is traditionally considered ministry, but all work is Kingdom work, so thereby all work is ministry work. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A23-24&version=NLT (Colossians 3:23) says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
After speaking to the crowds, Jesus told Peter to go out into deep water one last time for a catch. Peter must have thought, “It is in the middle of the day, and good fishing happens at night when the fish are feeding.” He may have also thought, “I am a professional fisherman, and you are a carpenter…Don’t you think I know what I am doing? On top of that, he had just finished cleaning his nets, which was no small chore.
Instead, Peter was obedient, and his reply is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5%3A5&version=NLT (Luke 5:5,) “’Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’”
To Peter’s credit, he trusted Jesus with his work life, every last bit of it. The result was a...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1153 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Be Faithful with Little – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1153/ (Day 1153) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, I don’t have much in the way of money or resources in my life. What is the best way to make sure I am a good manager of what I have so that it will increase?”
Be Faithful with Little
It is pretty evident in today’s culture that most people are not really good managers with their money. Even among Christ Followers, the lack of good money management is evident, and this has been backed up by many Christian financial counselors. There is basic shortsightedness when it comes to properly managing the money and resources that most people have. Money is important for us to build God’s kingdom, but it is more than just money. It includes our time, our talents, and our treasures.
There are many aspects of our lives that demand good management, which includes our family, work, time, abilities, and resources. Our resources not only include the money that we earn, but also our property and other possessions.
Each of us is responsible for doing our best with what we have materially, while also contributing to the work of God on earth, which includes being generous to those in need. How can we do that if we do not have anything extra to give? Good management of resources is our duty to God, and we must pursue it with diligence.
Here are a few items that should be on your financial management checklist. First, know your financial picture, which includes your checking account balances, all debt including your credit card balances, investments, and all monthly commitments. Second, prayerfully build an accurate financial budget and stick to it. Include all members of your family in the planning process. You must have an agreement with everyone for a budget to be effective. Teach your children and grandchildren that money must be earned; it is not an entitlement. Third, focus on paying off your debt as quickly as possible. Pay off the smaller, high-interest debt first, then work on the larger school loans and mortgages. Fourth, start saving and investing any additional monies that you may have. Fifth, give generously to those who are legitimately in need. Being financially stable is never about how much you make, it is only about how much you spend or invest.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+27%3A23-24&version=NLT (Proverbs [27:23]-24,)
Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1152 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Silence Screams Loudly – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1152/ (Day 1152) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Silence Screams Loudly
Jim, a member of the local church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, Pastor Peter decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. Pastor Peter found Jim at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, Jim welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
Pastor Peter made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, Jim contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, Pastor Peter took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
Jim was a bit puzzled at such a peculiar move, but he watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Then Pastor Peter glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As Pastor Peter reached the door to leave, Jim said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.”
We live in a world today that tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.
I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Listen to silence; it has much to say.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A25&version=NLT (Hebrews [10:25])
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1151 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1151 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God Pursues His Family – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1151/ (Day 1151) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word.
On our Worldview Wednesday episodes, we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
God Pursues His Family
As was mentioned from Dr. Heiser in last week’s episode (Day 1146), the coming of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of the new covenant described by Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jeremiah [31:31]-34; Ezekiel [36:22]-28). The Spirit’s ministry in each believer makes victory over depravity possible. Think of it as a slap in the face to the supernatural fallen sons of God. But it’s an even more direct assault on another set of supernatural villains.
The Spirit’s arrival to dwell within each Christ follower launched an infiltration campaign against the sons of God to whom God assigned the nations he divorced (Deuteronomy 32:8)—the supernatural beings who defected from serving God and became corrupt, abusing the people under their dominion (Psalm 82).
Jesus knew all that. We habitually miss it in our reading of the New Testament books that come after the resurrection starting in the book of Acts to the end, the book of Revelation.
· The Beginning of the End Jesus’s departure put the coming of the Spirit into motion (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; Luke 24:49). While the resurrected Jesus was still on earth, he told his followers what was coming right around the corner in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A4-8&version=NLT (Acts 1:4-8),
Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
If you keep reading the book of Acts, it doesn’t take long to figure out what Jesus was forecasting. Once he leaves (Acts 1:9-11) the Spirit arrives in (literally) a blaze of glory in the next chapter.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A1-4&version=NLT (Acts 2:1-4) reads,
On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1150 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Through Failure – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1150/ (Day 1150) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Gramps, and it is, “Successful people who are also good are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure. Not much wisdom is gained when success comes easy.”
Wisdom Through Failure
Some people who appear to achieve easy success do so by taking advantage of and exploiting others. Some people may achieve what appears to be a success through the hard work and inheritance of others. A truly successful person, who is also a good and wise person, or you might say a person of integrity, achieved that success through wisdom and integrity by working hard and persevering through trials and failures.
Wisdom is more often gained through the lessons of failure, than through the rewards of success. Success that is gained too easily does not provide the valuable lessons needed to appreciate success. Hardships and trials are the foundry of life that allows us to be molded and shaped into people of integrity. A person who is wise is also successful, for gaining wisdom is the ultimate level of success.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+20:21&version=NLT (Proverbs [20:21])
An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A13-18&version=NLT (Proverbs [3:13]-15)
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1149 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1149 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Forgiving Others – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1149/ (Day 1149) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
How easy is it for you to forgive others, especially when the offense was unwarranted? There is a clear example that we can follow, but it is still not easy.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Forgiving Others
For many people, forgiving others is very difficult, and they struggle with it daily. We would much rather see justice and lean towards revenge instead. Jesus clearly taught in what we refer to as the “Lord’s Prayer” that our own forgiveness is tied to how we forgive those who have committed sin against us.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6:12&version=NLT (Matthew [6:12]) says,
“And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”
The actions of others do not determine our role in the forgiveness process. Let me share with you the story of Jesus’s crucifixion and His response to an abundance of unwarranted abuse.
The dialogue that day was bitter. It was what we now refer to as “Good Friday,” although it seemed anything but good.
From the onlookers https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27:40&version=NLT (Matthew [27:40],)
“Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
And in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+15:32&version=NLT (Mark [15:32],)
“Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.”
Bitter words. Sharp with sarcasm. Hateful. Irreverent. Wasn’t it enough that he was being crucified? Wasn’t it enough that he was being shamed as a criminal? Were the nails insufficient? Was the crown of thorns too soft? Had the flogging been too short?
For some, apparently so…
Of all the scenes around the cross, this scene as it plays out in my mind always brings tears to my eyes. What kind of people, I ask myself, would mock a dying man? Who would be so base as to pour the salt of scorn upon open wounds? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain…
The words thrown that day were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt…
Jesus was God wrapped in flesh and had all the frailty of a human as he willingly submitted himself to such ridicule and abuse.
What would your response have been in the same situation? One of Jesus’s closest friends, who had denied Him tells us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A23&version=NLT (1 Peter [2:23],)
He did not retaliate when...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1148 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Muzzle Yourself – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy.
Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1148/ (Day 1148) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, How can I be more careful with the words that I speak, and what I say to others? Sometimes I hurt those I love most because of my careless speech.”
Muzzle Yourself
This is an issue that certainly all of us continually struggle with. James, the half-brother of Jesus, had this to say about our speech in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A1-12&version=NLT (James 3:1-12)…
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
The book of wisdom, which is Proverbs, also has much to say about our speech. For example, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17%3A28&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:28) says, “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
When we say the wrong thing at the wrong time, there can be many consequences. It seems, though, that sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. We need to realize and remember that we are responsible for everything we say. Sometimes we use our mouth to put others down, to reveal confidences disguised as prayer requests, or to build ourselves up in the eyes of others, even if it is a subtle way...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1147 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Give Half to the Poor – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1147/ (Day 1147) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Give Half to the Poor
Pastor Peter, the pastor of the local community church in the village, was preaching a rousing sermon about being willing to give to those in need. As he ramps up on his final point, he emphasized it with this statement, “The trouble with the world today is that some people have too much and others have too little. We must give of ourselves and our worldly goods to help the less fortunate.”
To drive his point home he caught the attention of one of the church deacons Brother John, and Pastor Peter asked him, “Brother John, If you had a million dollars would you be willing to give half of it to the poor?”
Brother John speaks up and proudly said, “Amen, Pastor, I would indeed.”
Excitedly, Pastor Peter then says, and Brother John, “If you had two cars, wouldn’t you give one of them to your neighbor next door if they needed it?”
Looking a bit embarrassed at this, Brother John sheepishly says…“Well, I don’t think I would be able to Pastor.”
Pastor Peter then asked, “And why not?”
Brother John replied, “That’s different, Pastor, I already have two cars.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is…“Give of yourself. Be of service to others. Only what you give can be multiplied back into your own life.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6:38&version=NLT (Luke [6:38])
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1148/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1146 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1146 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God Became Human – Fixing More than the Fall – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1146/ (Day 1146) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God and His Word.
On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
God Became Human – Fixing More Than The Fall
On previous weeks, we learned that the only way which God could rescue us from our fallen state and keep the covenants that He made with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David was to become a human and join His human family on earth. Because God became a man in Jesus, he could die. That was important because death could only be defeated by resurrection. You can’t have resurrection without a prior death.
Since Jesus was also God, he had the power to bring himself back to life in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A17-18&version=NLT (John 10:17-18), “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” Since the death of Jesus was God’s plan, God knew from before the foundation of the world that he would raise Jesus from the dead (Acts [2:23]-24, 32; [3:15]; [10:40]; Galatians 1:1).
Because of the resurrection, our distance from God was bridged. Death was overcome. Those were the effects of the rebellion in Eden. The Adam and Eve problems, caused by the temptation of the serpent (Satan), were solved. Everyone who believes that Jesus’ death and resurrection provided forgiveness of sin and everlasting life will be in God’s family forever (Romans [4:16]-25; [8:10]-11; 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians [6:14]).
Once Jesus rose from the dead, he had to return (“ascend”) to heaven. Jesus ascended to heaven and took his throne next to God the Father (Mark [16:19]; John [20:17]; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 12:2). This was a precursor to sending the Holy Spirit, who would indwell believers (Acts [2:33]; Romans 8:9- 11). Jesus had to leave so the Spirit could come (John [14:25]-26; [15:26]; 16:7; Luke [24:49]).
The coming of the Spirit was the fulfillment of the new covenant described by Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jeremiah [31:31]-34; Ezekiel [36:22]-28). It would be the Spirit who would provide victory over depravity (Galatians [5:16]-17), and whose works would be “greater” than Jesus’s own (John [14:12]).
Jesus knew his death and resurrection were key to the new covenant coming to pass. This is why at the Last Supper Jesus told the disciples that his blood was “the blood of the covenant” poured out for them (Matthew [26:28]; Mark [14:24]; Luke [22:20]). Once Jesus ascended back to heaven, and the Spirit descended to earth, humanity was not helpless against depravity.
The bottom line is that for God to clean up the problems with...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1145 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Success Is Not Luck – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1145/ (Day 1145) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…
Today’s quote is from Gramps, and it is, “Good luck is a lazy person’s assessment of a successful person.”
Success Is Not Luck
There is a natural tendency to attribute success in other people to a stroke of fortune, or good luck. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There is no such thing as good or bad luck. What we consider good luck is when opportunity, preparation, perseverance, and hard work meet at an intersection.
Yes, it does appear that some people are just at the right place at the right time, but that is nearly always an illusion. If that person was not prepared to the opportunity that came to him or her, it would be no more noteworthy than any normal occasion that crosses our paths each day. Opportunities are plentiful, but it is only the prepared, the observant, the hard worker, the one who perseveres that is able to take advantage and exploit those opportunities in order to have a chance of success.
Not every opportunity will be successful, but the more opportunities that we prepare for ahead of time and in which we invest the necessary time and resources to take advantage of, the more success we will achieve. This applies to every area of life.
Thomas Edison, who failed thousands of times is attributed to the quote, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” He is a person who is considered one of the greatest inventors of all time, but he also faced thousands of failures along his journey of life, and yet no one considers Thomas Edison a failure. He was prepared, he persevered, he continually worked hard…so when the opportunities crossed his path of life, he was able to take advantage of them over and over again. All of us have the same opportunities if we are prepared.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+24:27&version=NLT (Proverbs [24:27])
“Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1146/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1144 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1144 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Desires of Your Heart – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1144/ (Day 1144) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
All too often we think, or are taught, that God’s will for our lives is something mystical, or difficult to discern, but it is not. God’s will for us is to utilize our God-given abilities for His glory. It most often corresponds to what we already enjoy doing and are qualified to do.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
The Desires of Your Heart
God gives each of us certain talents and abilities in our lives. Through normal or extreme circumstances, God molds those talents and abilities to refine us for His Kingdom. It is no more special to be a pastor or a plumber. What is important is to be using your God-given talents and abilities for His honor and glory to further His kingdom. It reminds me of the parable of the three servants found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=NLT (Matthew [25:14]-30). The amount of money given to each servant was not important; it was what each servant did with the money that they were judged on.
There is a story about a twenty-year-old marine, just discharged from the military and pondering his future. He bore a square jaw, a forearm tattoo, and a common question. He didn’t know what to do with the rest of his life. He shared his story with a wise man, who relayed it to me. Here is the story…
He told me about his uncle, a New England priest…“What a great man,” the ex-soldier sighed. “He helps kids and feeds the hungry. I’d love to make a difference like that.”
I then asked him, “What were some occasions when you did something you love to do and did it quite well?”
He dismissed the question at first and said. “Aw, what I love to do is stupid.”
“Try me,” I invited.
“Well, I love to rebuild stuff.”
“What do you mean?”
He spoke of an old coffee table he had found in a garage. Seeing its potential, he shaved off the paint, fixed the broken legs, and restored it. With great pride, he presented it to his mom.
“Tell me another time,” I prompted.
“This one is really dumb,” he discounted. “But when I worked at a butcher shop, I used to find meat on the bones others threw out. My boss loved me! I could find several pounds of meat just by giving the bone a second try.”
I tested a possibility with him. “You love to salvage stuff. You salvage furniture, salvage meat. God gave you the ability to find a treasure in someone else’s trash.”
My idea surprised him. “God?God did that?”
“Yes, I said, God. Your ability to restore a table is every bit as holy as your uncle’s ability to restore a life.” You would have thought he’d just been handed a newborn baby. As my words sank in, the tough soldier teared up. His natural...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1143 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom I Want It…Later – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living Legacy.
Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1143/ (Day 1143) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
The question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, in today’s instant gratification culture how can I gain wisdom to delay what I want most for what I want right now?”
I Want It…Later
This question has plagued humankind ever since Adam and Eve decided to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They desired some immediately instead of being content with what they desired most, which was to live with God on earth in the Garden of Eden. There is also another story in the Old Testament that greatly illustrates this point. Remember the story of Jacob and his twin brother Esau? Esau wanted some of Jacob’s stew so badly, to satisfy his immediate desire, he didn’t even hesitate when Jacob asked him to trade his birthright for it. Esau’s reply to his brother is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+25:32&version=NLT (Genesis 25:32,) “’Look, I’m dying of starvation!’ said Esau. ‘What good is my birthright to me now?'”
In essence, he said, “I am more interested in satisfying my immediate hunger than I am in whatever promise might be in store down the road.” So without a second thought, even though he knew what the birthright actually entailed, he made the deal. A spiritual blessing, a double portion of the inheritance, leadership in the family…traded for a bowl of stew. Sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, the story of Esau is re-lived by many people, including us sometimes. When we focus our time, energy, and resources on achieving and acquiring what feels good now, we miss opportunities to participate in the promises and purpose of God. Think about that…We can miss opportunities to further God’s kingdom, to join God’s work, in the world.
As we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A16&version=NLT (Hebrews 12:16,) “Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.”
We see in this verse that Esau was not only unwise in his decision, but it was also an immoral decision because it was outside of God’s will for Him. He gave priority to his selfish desires, and by doing so, treated God in a way that was disrespectful. So now I want to ask you a question: Is there an area in your life that you are trading away God’s blessings for something else that you desire right now, instead of delaying it for something that you want most?
A life lived for Christ is a life focused on Kingdom...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1142 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom You Get What You Pay For – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1142/ (Day 1142) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30),“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
You Get What You Pay For
On their way home from church one Sunday morning, Susan commented to John, her husband, “Wow, the choir sounded really bad today, didn’t it?” John thought about that and replied, “Yes you are right, they did sound bad. In addition to that, the pastor’s sermon was way too long and boring. I could barely stay awake.” Susan chuckled and said, “I am not sure you did stay awake.” After a few minutes of silence, little Mary spoke up from the back seat, “Well…you both may be right, but you have to admit, it was a pretty good show for only a dollar.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy+5:18&version=NLT (1 Timothy [5:18])
For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1143/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1141 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1143/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1141 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God Joined His Human Family – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1141/ (Day 1141) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
God Joined His Human Family
Last week we explored how the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, had continually turned from Him in a constant downward spiral. This concluded in their final betrayal when the nation was taken into exile. God still desired an intimate relationship with His human family, so there was only one choice left for Him…to become human and dwell as one of them.
Most Christians know all about the coming of Jesus. They know he was miraculously birthed by Mary, a young girl who was a virgin (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A18-25&version=NLT (Matthew [1:18]-25)). The wider culture is familiar with the image of baby Jesus in the manger, especially in Christmas decorations. Several old, but still popular, Christmas songs celebrate how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about a messiah.
· There’s More to Jesus Than The Cross The entire focus is typically on Jesus being born into the world to eventually die on the cross. He would be the means of forgiveness for our sins, and thus, our entrance back into God’s family (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16&version=NLT (John [3:16])). In other words, when most Christians think about Jesus, they have the cross in mind. That misses something.
The fact that God became a man in Jesus gets a little lost in focus on the cross. Most Christians don’t realize that it was necessary for God to become human for many reasons: to fulfill all the Old Testament covenants and to overturn the results of the supernatural rebellions we discussed in previous weeks.
The hope that human beings could still one day be with God forever was kept alive by God’s refusal to eliminate humanity or scrap the plan. He kept returning to humanity, offering them forgiveness and a relationship with him. God wanted them to believe and show they believed by living in harmony with him and each other. But God’s children rejected him at every turn. It’s as though every time God said, “You can still be with me— believe that and then show me where your heart’s at,” the problem got worse. The Bible uses the analogy of wandering sheep with no shepherd to describe this propensity (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A6&version=NLT (Isaiah 53:6); https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9%3A36&version=NLT (Matthew [9:36])). That’s pretty much on target.
As was noted last week, God’s children needed new hearts and God’s presence to help them believe. They needed a means to be saved from themselves and from a destiny that didn’t include everlasting life with the God who loved...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1140 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Success in Four Short Words – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1140/ (Day 1140) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:
Today’s quote is from A. Lou Vickery, and it is, “Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd; a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more.”
Success in Four Short Words
Little success is based on being talented or gifted in a certain area of life. The most successful people in any area of life are rarely the smartest, strongest, or most talented. In fact, most who are successful come from very modest backgrounds with limited resources or natural giftedness.
There is a secret ingredient found in the most successful people that has nothing to do with their pedigree, their connections, or their intellect. The secret ingredient can be summed up in four short words…‘a little bit more.’
Successful people do all that is expected of them. They complete all that is required, just like everyone else, but then they do ‘a little bit more,’ and it makes all the difference. It is that extra perseverance, that extra push, that extra effort and energy that separates those who are just successful from those who are most successful.
The next time you think you have completed the task enough to be successful, then push forward and lift yourself above the crowd and do ‘a little bit more’ than what is expected. This is not so you will be successful in the eyes of others, but so that you will know that you have done your very best for yourself and for God.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:31&version=NLT (1 Corinthians [10:31])
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1141/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1139 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1141/ (Worldview Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1139 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom It’s a Jungle Out There – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1139/ (Day 1139) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Life is full of twist and turns. At times we can hardly see our way clear, or know what direction to take on our path of life. Life can seem to be an overgrown jungle, and you find yourself lost in all of the entanglements and pressures of life. It reminds me of the theme song for the detective program “Monk” that aired from 2002-2009.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
It’s a Jungle Out There
The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, “Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?!” The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man for several long seconds and then replied, “I am the path.”
We ask the same questions, don’t we? We ask God, “Where are you taking me? Where is the path?” And He, like the guide, doesn’t always tell us. Oh, He may give us a hint or two, but that’s all. If He shows us the entire path, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, like the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself. He tells us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14:6&version=NLT (John 14:6,) “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'”
Does He remove the jungle? No, the vegetation is still thick. Does He purge the predators? No, danger still lurks. Jesus doesn’t give hope by changing the jungle; he restores our hope by giving us himself. And he has promised to stay until the very end. We can be confident of this because Jesus told us in Matthew 28:20, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We need that reminder. We all need that reminder. For all of us need hope.
Some of you don’t need it right now. Your jungle has become a meadow and your journey a delight. If such is the case, praise God for his clear path. But remember—we do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not know where this path will lead. You may be one turn from a cemetery, from a hospital bed, from an empty house. You may be a bend in the road from a jungle.
And though you don’t need your hope restored today, you may tomorrow. And you need to know to whom to turn.
Or perhaps you do need hope today. You know you were not made for this place. You know you are not equipped. You want someone to lead you out.
If so, call out for your guide who is clearing the path as you need it...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1138 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Wisdom of Fools – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1138/ (Day 1138) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are not able to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
The question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, how is it that we can have access to so much information today, but it appears that we are unable to hold onto true wisdom?”
The Wisdom of Fools
In the divisive and irrational world in which we now live, it appears that rational thinking, common sense, and certainly sage wisdom alludes our everyday lives. So many are caught up in circular thinking where few are able to hold to sound logic and doctrine. Theories and hypothesis are taught as scientific facts, and very few people study to determine, or even question, whether the conclusions are logical or sound.
This is permeating most in society, regardless of political or religious leanings. Reading social media posts and watching most newscasts today reminds me of what is taught in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53:6&version=NLT (Isaiah 53:6), “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” It appears to have impacted most Christ followers, as well as deniers. We need to frame all that we take in through the filter of the Bible, so we can stand firmly on a Biblical worldview.
To illustrate how quickly we can lose perspective because we lack ingrained wisdom, let me tell you an old German story that goes like this.
A happy and cheerful man once captured a bird and placed it in a cage. “Give me my freedom, sir!” cried the bird as he shut the door. Startled that the bird was talking to him, the man listened as the bird continued his pleading. “I am no use to you, sir, for I have no beautiful feathers to look at, nor am I able to sing beautiful songs, and I am too small to eat. If, however, you promise to grant me my freedom, I will tell you three wise teachings.”
The man agreed, whereupon the little bird told him, “First, do not grieve over things that have already happened. Second, do not wish for that which is unattainable. Third, do not believe in that which cannot be possible.”
The man thought about these wise teachings for a few moments and replied, “Indeed, these are wise things you have taught me.” As agreed, he opened the door of the cage and set the little bird free. The man sat and pondered the bird’s sayings, and the bird flew up to a branch high up in a tree. After a few moments, the man heard the bird laughing. “Why do you laugh?” he called.
“Because I so easily won my freedom,” replied the bird. “You humans pride yourselves on...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1137 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Demanding Father – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1137/ (Day 1137) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
A Demanding Father
Pastor Jim, a country preacher, is walking down a lane near the Smith farm on an exceptionally hot day. As he is about to pass a hay field, he sees Sam Smith Jr. struggling with all his mite to load a big pile of hay back onto the cart where it had obviously fallen off.
Pastor Jim calls over and says, “You look very hot, Sammy. Why don’t you come on over and rest a moment? I have some fresh cold lemonade, and after you are refreshed I’ll give you a hand.”
“No, thanks,” says Sam Jr. “My father wouldn’t approve.”
“Don’t be silly,” Pastor Jim says. “Your dad is not that harsh, is he? Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of lemonade.”
“No, No,” Sam Jr. protests, “my father would be very upset.”
Losing his patience just a little, Pastor Jim says, “Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him, and I’ll give him a piece of my mind!”
“Well,” replies Sam Jr., “you can tell him whatever you like just as soon as I get this hay off him.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+127:2&version=NLT (Psalm 127:2)
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1138/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1136 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1136 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Downward Spiral and Final Betrayal – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1136/ (Day 1136) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
Downward Spiral and Final Betrayal
· Downward Spiral In last week’s recap, we see that God rescued his family by allowing them to escape the bondage of Egypt. After that, they wander in the wilderness for 40 years because of their betrayal of God. You’d think that after God brought Israel into the land, the Israelites would have felt an overwhelming love for God—that their believing loyalty would be at an all-time high. Not so much. Instead, they decided coexistence with evil could work. They refused to drive idolaters (people who worshipped other gods with idols) out of the land. It’s like the Israelites knew nothing of the past, how rebellion brings disaster. Their disloyalty and lack of love for God led to this demoralizing scene.
Judges 2:1-3 tells us, “The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the Israelites, ‘I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break my covenant with you. For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.'”
God had to judge his people…again. He basically said, “I’m out of here. Let’s see how you do on your own since you don’t want me.” We’ve seen that before. And, as we’ve also seen before, God’s people did very badly without their God being present with them. And since we’re rehashing history, God’s response also looks familiar—he kept coming back to Israel to lift them out of trouble. We all know people like that. Maybe you’re one of them. You stick to helping someone because of love, even to the point that it seems irrational. And if you think about what God was doing, it does seem insane. But God wants a human family even when he’s unwanted. His love defies logic.
The whole biblical book of Judges, from which the scene above was cited, is about a seemingly never-ending cycle of spiritual rebellion, the suffering it brings, crying out to God for help, and God coming back in love. That cycle persisted for a few centuries. It reached a climax of sorts when the people within the nation of Israel demanded that Samuel, a priest, and prophet, anoint a king to rule them.
Not surprisingly, the people’s choice for a king (Saul) was an unmitigated disaster. You know things aren’t going to go well (or ought to know) when your choice for a king has to be dragged out of hiding...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1135 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Four Questions for Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1135/ (Day 1135) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from James Allen, and it is, “For true success, ask yourself these four questions: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now?”
Four Questions for Success
If you desire to be successful in any area of life such as family, ministry, business, health, or any other facets of life, you must have a burning desire to achieve that success. To do so, you must be willing to ask yourself these four crucial questions.
Why do you want to be successful? Strip away all of the common answers and get to the very core.
Why not? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to achieve that success. Is there a line that you will not cross, and what is that line?
Why not me? If others can achieve success in an area of life, what is holding you back from also achieving success? Put aside all your excuses and know that you can do it.
Finally, why not now? Don’t put off your success for a more convenient time. That time will never come. Begin today with the commitment to success because this success is one reason why you have been placed here on earth. Fulfill your God-given calling and know that He has prepared and equipped you for success.
Even the great leader of Israel, Joshua had fears and doubts but this what God told him in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1:7&version=NLT (Joshua 1:7)“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1136/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1134 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1136/ (Worldview Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1134 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Don’t Forget the Bread – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1134/ (Day 1134) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and in praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Some sort of bread is an indispensable part of most people’s diet, especially in the western world. It is served at nearly every restaurant and used to make sandwiches of all kinds. While an overabundance of bread made from highly refined flour is not healthy, whole bread in moderation is a necessity for most. There is, however, another type of bread that we should bring to every meal.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Don’t Forget The Bread
Bread is eaten daily. Some fruits are available only in season. Some drinks are made only on holidays. Not so with bread. And not so with Jesus. He should be brought to our table every day. We let him nourish our hearts, not just in certain months or on special events, but daily.
Bread can meet many needs. Jesus can meet our every need. He has a word for the lonely as well as for the popular. He has help for the physically ill and the emotionally ill. If your vision is clear, he can help you. If your vision is cloudy, he can help you. Jesus can meet each need.
Can you see why Jesus called himself the Bread of Life? He is necessary in order to sustain eternal life.
I can think of one other similarity. Consider how bread is made. Think about the process. Wheat grows in the field, then it is cut down, winnowed, and ground into flour. It passes through the fire of the oven and is then distributed around the world. Only by this process does bread become bread. Each step is essential.
Jesus grew “like a tender green shoot” (http://www.crosswalkmail.com/qvppwhmfpnptmdfbtvqrjtyjmhtdsqqdngmjwwbppvgfmng_lhqdhzzwhkqdrmjjwndqzzz.html?a=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado&b=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado+01%2F19%2F05&c=2808369&d=891429008e1af5f78b8ec1c361bf6bfb&e=490079284 (Isaiah 53:2)). He was one of the thousands in Israel, indistinguishable from the person down the street or the child in the next chair. Had you seen him as a youngster, you wouldn’t have thought he was the Son of God. He was just a boy. One of the hundreds. Like a staff of wheat in the wheat field.
But like wheat, he was cut down. Like chaff, he was pounded and beaten. “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (http://www.crosswalkmail.com/jtfqrfbmqsqwbnmdwthkzwczbfwnjhhnsvbzrrdqqtvmbsm_lhqdhzzwhkqdrmjjwndqzzz.html?a=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado&b=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado+01%2F19%2F05&c=2808369&d=891429008e1af5f78b8ec1c361bf6bfb&e=490079284 (Isaiah 53:5)). And like bread he passed through the fire. On the cross, he passed through the fire of God’s anger, not...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1133 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wounds from a Friend – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1133/ (Day 1133) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.
Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, how should I handle the situation when a friend does something hurtful to me?”
Wounds from a Friend
We may be hurt or wounded by those who are close to us, which makes the situation even more difficult to deal with. We first need to determine why a friend would do such a thing as to hurt us. Next, we need to understand that all of us will eventually hurt those whom we love most, even if it is not intentional. Third, we need to take to heart what was said or done to us and see if it is an area of life where we need to be corrected. Many times the wounds from a friend occur because they have our best interest in mind. It is a little different in the following story, but even so, the principles are good ones to follow.
Peter and Paul, who lived in the Middle-East, were walking through the desert to a nearby destination. At one stage in their journey, they had a serious argument where they were becoming quite vocal on a subject about which they both had strong opinions. Finally, Peter punched Paul square in the face.
To Peter’s surprise, Paul immediately stopped arguing and without saying, another word he wrote in the sand, “Today, my best friend Peter punched me in the face, and it really hurt me physically and emotionally.”
Without saying much more to each other, they continued on their journey until they found a small oasis village, where they decided to have a wash in a local pond. Paul, who had been punched, got stuck in mud and mire on the bottom of the pond and started drowning. Peter immediately swam over to Paul and pulled him to safety, saving Peter’s life. After Peter had recovered from this ordeal and his close brush with death, he wrote on a stone, “Today, my best friend Peter saved my life.”
Paul, who had previously punched Peter and also saved his life, asked Peter, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now, you write in stone, why the difference?”
Peter replied, “My friend Paul, when someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”
Moral of the story: Don’t value the things you have in your life. http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=18938 (Value the relationships you have in your life.)
Today’s Bible verse is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+27:6&version=NLT (Proverbs 27:6,) “Wounds from a...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1132 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Benefits of Yoga – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1132/ (Day 1132) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,)“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
The Benefits of Yoga
Susan, a young woman who was worried about her habit of biting her fingernails down to the quick, shared her concern with her friend Kate. Knowing that Susan was sort of a nervous person that worried about many things, Kate suggested to Susan that she should take up yoga to ease her nervousness. Susan thought that was a great idea.
Shortly after that, Kate saw Susan in town and noticed her beautiful long, groomed nails. Kate asked her if yoga had totally cured her nervousness.
“No,” Susan replied with a bit of a sheepish grin, “but now I can reach my toenails, so I bite them instead.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It empties today of its strength.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+12:25&version=NLT (Proverbs [12:25])
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1133/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1131 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1133/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1131 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God Was Betrayed By His Family – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1131/ (Day 1131) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes, we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
God Was Betrayed by His Family
We first explored what God wanted, which was us as His human family. After that, we explored in-depth three different rebellions involving both His human and supernatural family. We learned last week that God set aside a nation of humankind from which His human family would be manifested. This was completed through the covenant He made with Abraham and Sarah, which became the nation of Israel. The history of biblical Israel was a long, meandering affair filled with both triumph and tragedy. God wasn’t surprised. He knew what to expect with people. He’d always known what he was dealing with.
· Wearing Out Your Welcome God let Abraham know that the future of his descendants was going to be difficult. He was honest. He gave Abraham some bad news, and also some hope in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen+15%3A13-14&version=NLT (Genesis 15:13), “Then the Lord said to Abram, ‘You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end, they will come away with great wealth.'”
Sure enough the descendants of Abraham, now led by his grandson, Jacob, whose name God changed to “Israel,” eventually wound up in Egypt under the thumb of Pharaoh (Exodus 1). They’d gone there with God’s approval to avoid a famine (Genesis 45:5-11). Where they went wrong was that they didn’t return to the land God had given to them after the famine was over. They stuck around in Egypt way too long.
While in Egypt, the Israelite nation grew numerically, so much so that Pharaoh got paranoid about being able to stay in charge of the country (Exodus 1:8-10). He put them to forced labor and exterminated new babies if they were boys (Exodus [1:14]-16). But God intervened and made them grow even stronger (Exodus 1:8-21).
All told, Israel remained four centuries in Egypt under harsh conditions. Eventually, God intervened and preserved the life of a baby boy named Moses. God engineered circumstances so that the baby was raised in Pharaoh’s own house, right under his nose (Exodus 2:1-10). Moses led a life of privilege but one day committed a capital offense, murdering a man in a fight that began as a defense of a helpless Israelite. He fled Egypt to escape justice.
Moses found a new life in a desert place called Midian. God met him at Mount Sinai in a burning bush, an encounter that would change the history of his people and the world (Exodus 3:1-15). God sent Moses back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh. He was to demand the release of God’s people. God promised to protect...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1130 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Hair-Raising Revelations – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1130/ (Day 1130) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is an old but still very timely for today one from Charles Francis Adams, and it is, “Failure seems to be regarded as the one unpardonable crime, success as the all-redeeming virtue, the acquisition of wealth as the single worthy aim of life. The hair-raising revelations of skulduggery and grand-scale thievery merely incite others to surpass by yet bolder outrages and more corrupt combinations.”
Hair-Raising Revelations
Although we might say otherwise, this quote is just as true today as it was in the mid-1800s when Charles Adams penned it. Charles is the grandson of President John Adams and son of President of John Quincy Adams. He had firsthand observation and knowledge of the hearts of men and women who were in the upper echelon of society. He could see firsthand how people truly viewed failure and success. We have to understand that culture’s and society’s views of failure and success do not line up at all with God’s perspective.
Should we strive to be successful in all things? Absolutely. When we fail, is it a crime? Absolutely not! God may permit failures and trials in our lives in order to refine and purify us. Success in and of itself is by no means an all redeeming value. The generation of wealth can be admirable if used to further God’s kingdom. The lack of wealth can also be used by God’s children to also further His kingdom. The generation of wealth should never be our single worthy aim in life. When it is, then it will drive us into all sorts of skulduggery, which means dishonesty, and we will then become thieves on a grand scale. When others of the same mindset see this, it will incite them to be even bolder and more corrupt.
We are warned about this mindset in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+6:12&version=NLT (Micah 6:12,) “The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth.”
Instead, we are exhorted by the Apostle Paul in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy+6:17-19&version=NLT (1 Timothy 6:17-19,) “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this, they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1131/
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1129 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Broken Heart – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1129/ (Day 1129) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Emotionally there is probably no greater pain than that of a broken heart. Whether it is the death of a spouse or close loved one, a failed marriage, or a child that has gone astray as an adult, a broken heart is crushing to us.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
A Broken Heart
We have all suffered from a broken heart, where the night of our soul seems so dark we wonder if it will ever end. Let me take you back to another such night. Go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the darkest and foggiest night in history. The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly…A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night.
Strain your eyes and attempt to look through the fog. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that person? See that solitary figure? What’s he doing? You see that he is face down, flat on the ground. As he picks up his face slightly, you see that it is stained with dirt and tears. His fists are pounding the hard earth. His eyes are wide with a stupor of fear. His long hair matted with salty sweat. As you strain more, you see that his face is spotted. Is that blood on his forehead?
Then you realize that is it Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before the crucifixion.
Maybe you’ve seen the classic portrait of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a big rock. Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven illuminating his golden-brown hair.
Now, I’m no artist, but I can tell you one thing. The man who painted that picture didn’t use the gospel of Mark as a pattern. When Mark wrote about that painful night, he used phrases like: “he became troubled and distressed…and said, ‘my soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.’ He went on a little farther and fell to the ground.” Through the dark fog-shrouded night, we see him lying there, and then his voice pierces the still night air as he cries out, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Does this look like the picture of a saintly Jesus resting in the palm of God? Hardly. Mark used black paint to describe this scene. We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus. We see Jesus as described in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A3&version=NLT (Isaiah 53:3,) “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1128 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom 7 Strategies for Life’s Many Challenges – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1128/ (Day 1128) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time where we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, when God permits us to go through difficult times and struggles in our lives, how can we accept them and still enjoy life to the fullest?”
7 Strategies for Life’s Many Challenges
On both a personal level, as well as on a global scale, we all have to continually face challenges and hardships that test our emotional strength: illness, injuries, grief, unemployment, death, divorce, or even a brand-new venture with completely unknown outcomes. However, despite how brutally life might treat you, there are always a number of strategies that can be employed to help carry you through, and here are seven of the most effective ones.
Turn to face reality.
As human beings, we are masters of avoidance, and very often end up turning away from life’s challenges instead of facing them head-on. However, if you really want to enjoy life to the full, then you’ll need to start getting used to owning up to the truth. Once you learn to stop avoiding each of life’s hiccups, you’ll eventually find that life becomes easier, less scary, and a lot more manageable. Once you start seeing such a positive change in your life, you’ll then have even greater confidence that you can grow even further, and partaking in such journeys of personal growth is the backbone of living a satisfying life.
Embrace the way your life actually is.
The secret to life is not to want what you don’t have, but to actually want what you have. That is learning to be content in all circumstances. There is an immense feeling of freedom associated with taking life as it comes. Once you learn to simultaneously embrace the positive and negative aspects of your life, you’ll then have a real chance to enjoy life to the full and to value everything that the world has bestowed upon you. You’ll find that surrendering to the reality of who you really are truly gives you the opportunity to live up to your potential.
Don’t rush through life.
We’ve all heard the saying “Slow and steady wins the race,” but not many of us realize how important this approach to life really is. By constantly being in a hurry, we actually end up compromising our own success. If we get ahead of ourselves, then we’re bound to make a lot more mistakes. If we cut corners, we’re sure to end up paying a price for it later on. It is only through disciplined and incremental growth that we can make positive...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1127 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Correct Answer – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1127/ (Day 1127) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
The Correct Answer Little Johnny burst through the front door with a huge smile on his face. Since it was shortly after lunch and much too early to be home, his mother was surprised, and asked, “Why are you home from school so early?”
Johnny said, “They let me go early because I was the only one who could answer a tough question.”
Realizing that little Johnny was not the best student in his class, and especially answering hard questions, his mother was very curious, so she asked, “Oh, really? What was the question?”
Well, said Johnny, Miss Smith asked, “Who threw the eraser at the teacher?”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “A person who lives in a glass house, should not throw stones.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8:7&version=NLT (John 8:7)
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1128/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past 1126 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1128/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1126 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Rebellion #3 – Dividing of the Nations – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1126/ (Day 1126) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
Rebellion #3 – Dividing of the Nations
Last week we learned in Dr. Heiser’s book that parts of https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1121/ (God’s supernatural family) also chose to disobey His commands and did not stay in their limits of authority. They crossed over into the human family in a futile attempt to usurp God’s position.
Like the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah’s flood, you may have heard of the Tower of Babel. If not, that’s okay, because even most church-goers don’t realize what really happened there.
The story of the Tower of Babel is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+11%3A1-9&version=NLT (Genesis 11:1-9). After the flood God wanted Noah’s descendants to multiply and spread out over the earth. Like Adam and Eve, they were to be God’s co-workers to maintain creation. Instead of doing that, they gathered at a place called Babel and built a tower to their own glory https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+11%3A1-4&version=NLT (Genesis 11:1-4).
That’s the familiar version of the story, but its real significance is found in two unfamiliar verses in another biblical book. The first is in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+32%3A8-9&version=NLT (Deuteronomy 32:8-9), and it reads:
When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.
“For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession.”
These two verses tell us that one of the judgments at the Tower of Babel was the division of humankind. Up until this point in the story, God was dealing with humanity as a collective whole. That changed at Babel. Human beings would be segregated by language and geography.
Even worse, God divorced himself from humanity. Fed up with human defiance of his will, God assigned the nations of the earth to other members of his supernatural family—the sons of God, or His heavenly court. These sons of God were a different group of his heavenly court than those who transgressed before the flood. God couldn’t kick humanity out of his house again; He had done that already back in Eden. He had promised through a covenant with Noah not to destroy humanity after the flood (Genesis [9:11]), so there would be no repeat of that disaster. So what else could he do? God essentially said, “Enough! If you don’t want me to be your God, I’ll assign you to some of my heavenly assistants.”
The fallout of this judgment took many forms. We aren’t told how long it took, but the Bible tells us that the supernatural sons...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1125 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Don’t Let Success Go to Your Head – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1125/ (Day 1125) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Grantland Rice, and it is, “Failure isn’t so bad if it doesn’t attack the heart. Success is all right if it doesn’t go to the head.”
Don’t Let Success Go To Your Head Failure and success can be both good or bad, depending on how we allow it to affect us. If we take failure to heart and think that it means that we are a failure as a person, then it will attack and may kill us just like an actual physical heart attack. Any severe heart attack takes months or years to recover from, providing that medical care is administered immediately. Otherwise, we will most surely die. In the same way, if we do not take immediate and significant action to overcome and remedy our failures, then recovery will be very difficult, and it may take a serious toll on us. We cannot allow failure to attack our heart, but realize that we need to correct what caused it and be willing to continue on.
In the same manner, success can and should be a very good thing, but if we let success go to our head and think that we are the sole generator of that success, then it is the same as having a brain aneurysm or stroke. It will impair our decision-making abilities from that point forward. Success does require that we are diligent, make wise choices, and persevere, but any successful person will acknowledge that it requires a multitude of others to help us along the way. They may be our parents, our partners, our mentors or others that have contributed to our success. We cannot allow success to go to our head, or we will be rendered brain dead and useless to others and to future successes that we may be able to achieve.
So, do not allow failure to attack your heart or success attack your head, and you will see the good that comes from both failure and success. They are intimately entwined. God is the one that will ultimately permit failure or grant us success, so let us give Him the glory.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+90:17&version=NLT (Psalm [90:17])
And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1126/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past 1124 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1124 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Who Is Your Hero? – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1124/ (Day 1124) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
From sports celebrities to movie stars, to those whom we refer to as superheroes, we all have those who we look to as heroes. Those that we dream of being like.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Who Is Your Hero?
Growing up, and still to this day, I enjoyed watching westerns. In the Wild Wild West, with its vast prairies and towns that are loosely regulated, the symbol of that time was the cowboy. And every young man, it seemed, wanted to emulate that cowboy. The hero of the west to many would be symbolized by a cowboy.
A thousand head of cattle passes behind him. A thousand miles of trail lie before him. A thousand women would love to hold him. But none do. None will. He lives to drive cattle, and he drives cattle to live. He is honest in poker and quick with a gun, hard riding, slow-talking…His best friend is his horse, and his strength is his grit.
He needs no one. He is a cowboy, the American hero.
When you think about the Bible, who is your hero? Possibly King David who killed Goliath, or maybe it is Gideon, who fought thousands of Midianites, with only 300 men armed with a trumpet and a torch. There is another type of person who is the true hero of the Bible…an occupation, like the cowboy, that also involves taking care of animals. Behold the hero in the Bible: the shepherd.
On the surface, he appears similar to the cowboy. He, too, is rugged. He sleeps where the jackals howl and works where the wolves prowl. Never off duty. Always alert. Like the cowboy, he makes his roof the stars and the pasture his home.
But that is where the similarities end.
The shepherd loves his sheep. It’s not that the cowboy doesn’t appreciate the cow; it’s just that he doesn’t know the animal. He doesn’t even want to. Have you ever seen a picture of a cowboy caressing a cow? Have you ever seen a shepherd caring for a sheep? Why the difference?
Simple. The cowboy leads the cow to slaughter. The shepherd leads the sheep to be shorn. The cowboy wants the meat of the cow. The shepherd wants the wool of the sheep. And so they treat the animals differently.
The cowboy drives the cattle. The shepherd leads the sheep.
A herd has a dozen cowboys. A flock has one shepherd.
The cowboy wrestles, brands, herds, and ropes. The shepherd leads, guides, feeds, and anoints.
The cowboy knows the name of the trail hands. The shepherd knows the name of the sheep.
The cowboy whoops and hollers at the cows. The shepherd calls each sheep by name.
Aren’t we glad Christ didn’t call himself the Good Cowboy? But some do perceive God that way. A hard-faced, square-jawed ranch-hand from...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1123 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Obstacle in Your Path – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1123/ (Day 1123) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
The question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, tell me a story about how we should handle obstacles that we face in life?”
The Obstacle in Your Path
We will all face obstacles along our trek of life that is a fact. It is how we respond to the obstacles that makes the difference between success and failure, between a life of satisfaction, and a life of misery. Let me tell you a story that will illustrate this.
In ancient times, a king had his men place a heavy boulder on one of the main roadways leading into the main city. The king then hid in the bushes, out of view from anyone, and watched to see if anyone would move the boulder out of the way to ease the path for themselves and others. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and lords passed by and with much grumbling and complaining, simply walked around the boulder forcing them to come precariously close to the edge of the road where there was a steep embankment. Almost everyone blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none of them did anything about getting the stone removed.
After several days, a peasant came along carrying a heavy load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant looked at the situation and then surprisingly laid down his load and tried to push the stone out of the way. At first, he did not move the boulder much at all. After much pushing and straining, the peasant found a huge limb that he used as a lever, and he finally managed to push the boulder close enough to the edge, and it tumbled down into a ravine.
Moral of the story: Every obstacle that we come across gives us an opportunity to improve our circumstances, and while the lazy and dissatisfied will complain, others create opportunities through their kind hearts, generosity, and willingness to get things done.
We should never begrudge the hard obstacles in life. If we let them, they will refine us and make us better people.
James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Join us again https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1128/ (next Friday) for another question on our “Ask Gramps” episode. Our next trek is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1124/ (Mediation Monday) where we will help you reflect on what is most important in life. So encourage...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1122 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Choose Your Weapon Wisely – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1122/ (Day 1122) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Choose Your Weapon Wisely
Little Jimmy came home from the playground with a bloody nose, black eye, covered with dirt, and torn clothing. It was obvious he’d been in a bad fight and lost. His father saw him running up the walk to the front door with tears streaming down his face. While his father was patching him up, he asked little Jimmy, “What happened?”
Between stifled sobs, Jimmy said, “Well, Dad, I challenged Larry to a duel. As you have taught me, I gave him his choice of weapons.”
“Uh-huh,” said Jimmy’s Dad, “that certainly seems fair.”
“I know, I thought you would be proud of me for taking the high road, but I never thought he’d choose his big sister!”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Be careful that you understand the potential consequences before making a choice. There are always consequence to every choice that we make.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+10:3-5&version=NLT (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1123/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1121 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1121 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Rebellious Supernatural Family – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1121/ (Day 1121) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word.
On our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
The Rebellious Supernatural Family
Last week we learned in Dr. Heiser’s book that God’s human family chose to disobey His commands in the Garden of Eden, yet this choice was a result of the influence of one of God’s supernatural children. This week we move to another time where God’s supernatural family desired to create humans in their image. This is a direct affront to God and His plans for His human family.
You may have heard somewhere along the way that the Bible teaches the world has so much evil in it because of humanity’s fall into sin in the Garden of Eden. That’s only partially true. After the tragedy of Eden, there were two more episodes that plunged humanity further into the depths of depravity and chaos.
The second of these is described in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A1-4&version=NLT (Genesis 6:1-4), arguably one of the stranger incidents in the entire Bible. Dr. Heiser wrote extensively on this topic in an excellent book called The Unseen Realm and a less intense version called Supernatural. Let me read https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A1-4&version=NLT (Genesis 6:1-4,) “Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.’ In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.”
The story is about how some of God’s supernatural children (the “sons of God”) wanted to imitate God by producing their own human children to image themselves. They decided to use human women (the “beautiful women”) for that purpose. This made them rivals to God, their own heavenly father. Rather than be happy with God’s desire to have humans become members of their family, they decided they wanted to be overlords of their own humans. That wasn’t what God had in mind. God wanted a family, not slaves.
As we dig into this story deeper, we also find two other passages in the New Testament which refer to this second rebellion. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+2%3A4-5&version=NLT (2 Peter 2:4-5) reads, “For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness where they are being held until the day of judgment. And God did not spare the ancient...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1120 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Failure Gives Success Flavor – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1120/ (Day 1120) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Truman Capote, and it is, “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”
Failure Gives Success Flavor
As summer approaches our minds go to cookouts on the grill where you can hear a plump juicy hamburger sizzling and smell the aroma wafting in the air. While a hamburger itself smells great, the flavor really becomes irresistible when it is seasoned properly with just the right seasoning.
If you ate seasoning all by itself, it would not taste good or be something that you want to consume. When you properly add just the right amount of seasoning to a quality hamburger, though, it mixes with the juices and transforms that hamburger into a delightful meal that you want to devour.
Success is much the same way. While success is desirable and tasty in itself, what really makes success so much better is when it has been flavored with the seasoning of failure. Failure makes success so much more desirable. Failure makes success both smell and taste so much better. Failure, when we are in the middle of it is not pleasant, just like eating seasoning by itself. But when you mix the failure into the juices of success, then the success is one that will be so much more savory.
If seasoning loses its flavor, then the hamburger will not benefit from it. In the same way, if you do not learn the lessons of failure, then any potential successes will be hard to obtain.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9:50&version=NLT (Mark [9:50])
Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1121/ (tomorrow) for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1119 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1121/ (Worldview Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1119 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Life Is Not Fair – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1119/ (Day 1119) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
From the very earliest of ages, a child will proclaim loudly if they do not think that a situation is fair. Not much changes as we grow into adulthood.
In today’s meditation, let us consider…
Life Is Not Fair
We all desire, advocate, and push for fairness in all situations. The problem is that we often forget what may be fair for me will be unfair to someone else and vice versa. The fact is that “Life is not fair.” That’s not pessimism; it’s a fact. It’s not a complaint; it’s just the way things are. I don’t like it. Neither do you. Ever since the kid down the block got a bike and we didn’t, we’ve been saying the same thing, “That’s not fair!”
Where did we get the notion that everything in life should be fair? At some point, and preferably early in life, someone needs to say to us, “Whoever told you life was going to be fair?” God didn’t.
You see, we have a warped concept of fairness. It was not fair that Jesus had to become a sacrificial substitute for our sins against God. It is not fair that we can come boldly to God’s throne of grace when we continually turn our affections away from Him. This world has been tainted, so we should expect that life will not always be fair, at least from our own perspective.
We will have troubles, but our perspective should be one of joy because when we go through those troubles, it helps us to become more like Christ. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A2-4&version=NLT (James 1:2-4) reminds, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” Troubles are part of the package, but so are the blessings of being complete and needing nothing.
When we struggle with the concept that life is not fair, it is because we are viewing life from a worldly perspective. As Christ followers, we are building the Kingdom of God, which has not yet fully arrived. Jesus tells us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18%3A36&version=NLT (John 18:36,)“Jesus answered, ‘My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.'”
When we are tempted to cry and complain that life is not fair, realize that God has already provided an advocate for us through the Holy Spirit as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14:16&version=NLT (John 14:16,)...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1118 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Life Is Like the Morning Fog – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1118/ (Day 1118) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, as a Christ follower, how should we handle it when a loved one or friend has died?”
Life Is Like the Morning Fog
Regardless of the age of one passing, whether child, teenager, or adult, it always seems too soon to say goodbye. When God permits one of his children to die, it is because their purpose in God’s kingdom has been fulfilled. None of us know when that day will be. Within the past week, I have had two dear friends who attend our church die – one from cancer, which was somewhat expected, but the other one was from a very unexpected and massive heart attack.
Regardless if there is time to prepare or not, we all need to be prepared, as we are told in the book of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A13-15&version=NLT (James 4:13-15,) “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.'”
While our salvation is not based on our works, since we are to be an imager of God in the building of His earthly kingdom, we should always be serving others and impacting the lives of others for His glory. Both of these dear friends who died this week showed us an example of how to serve God by serving others. Both were humble, and ready to help anyone who needed it. You might ask, if they were serving others, why did God permit them to die? As humans, with our finite minds, we cannot fully comprehend or understand why, but we do know that it is God’s purpose because it is He who gives life, and it is He who takes us home when our earthly purpose is completed.
What we do to impact others is what we carry on to eternity. We have the capability of impacting many generations to come, by our service here on earth. We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-18&version=NLT (James 2:14-18,) “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well,’ but then you don’t give that person any...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1117 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom An Early Morning Date – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1117/ (Day 1117) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22), “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled:
An Early Morning Date
A category five tornado hit a Kansas farmhouse just before dawn one morning. Farmer John and his wife Margaret were both in a deep sleep. They were elderly, hard of hearing, and had not heard the tornado alarms that were blaring shortly before it hit. The tornado was so violent that it tore off the roof and picked up the bed on which farmer John and his wife Margaret were sleeping. By some miracle, the twister set them down unharmed in the next county over, some 20 miles away.
Once they came to their senses and were fully awake, Margaret started sobbing uncontrollably. Trying to be a comfort to her, farmer John said, “Don’t be scared, Margaret, We’re not hurt, and it appears that it was not our time to meet our maker.”
Margaret continued to cry. Between her sobs, John finally understood what she was saying. “I’m not scared,” Margaret said, as a smile broke out on her face. She then gave John a big hug and continued, “I’m just so happy…this is the first time in 14 years we’ve been out together.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “During this spring time of year, the chance of severe weather is more significant than ever, and I do not want to minimize that fact. That being said, even in the most horrific and darkest of times, there is humor and much to be grateful for. Let us focus on the beauty in the midst of the ashes of life.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61:3&version=NLT (Isaiah 61:3)
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1118/ (tomorrow) for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1116 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1116 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Rebellious Human Family – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1116/ (Day 1116) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. In our Worldview Wednesday episodes we are in a series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book, “What Does God Want?”
The Rebellious Human Family
Last week we learned that Dr. Heiser made the point that God equipped people to image him on earth. He did that by sharing his attributes (his qualities and abilities) with them. As wonderful as that was (and is), it’s where things get interesting, and scary. One of God’s qualities is freedom, what we often call free will. If you’ve ever wondered why there’s evil in the world, here’s the Bible’s answer.
There were three significant rebellions found in the Bible that changed the course of earth and heaven. This week we will look at the first of those rebellions.
When God made the decision to share his attributes with his children, he knew what it meant. God knows everything, so he understood clearly what would happen. God had made the same decision earlier with the heavenly family he had created (whom we think of as angels). They have abilities like intelligence and freedom, too. They got those gifts from their Creator.
Sooner or later God knew that his gifts would be either misused or abused. He knew full well that, though his children (in the spiritual world and on earth) were like him, they were not him. They were less than him. They were imperfect, whereas he is perfect. At some point one (or more) of his children would either make a horrible mistake or act in thoughtless self-interest, rebelling against something God wanted to be done (or not done).
That’s precisely what happened in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve rebelled. They violated God’s command to not eat from one of the trees in the garden. They sinned and lost eternal life in God’s presence. Every human born thereafter was born outside Eden, estranged from God. The apostle Paul summed it up well in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A23&version=NLT (Romans 6:23,) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That tragedy was brought on by an even earlier rebellion. We do not know at what point in eternity past this earlier rebellion occurred, or whether it was because of the jealousy from God creating a human family. One of God’s supernatural children decided to dishonor God’s decision to have a human family by tempting Eve, hoping God would destroy her and Adam. He came to Eve in the form of a serpent (Genesis 3:1-7). The Bible refers to the serpent as Satan and the Devil (Revelation 12:9). He succeeded in getting Eve to sin, but failed when it came to getting rid of humanity permanently.
There are some deep truths here…the first of which answers a question everyone asks at some point in life: Why is there evil in the
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1115 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Failure Is Instructive – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1115/ (Day 1115) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…
Today’s quote is from John Dewey, and it is, “Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.”
Failure Is Instructive
We have many teachers in our lives, and instruction can come from a wide variety of sources. While we would all like to receive instructions in a pleasant and easy manner, the fact is that we will probably learn and retain more if the instructions we receive and our coursework is filled with difficult tasks and challenges. It is the challenging times of our lives that are most ingrained into our mental pathways.
We need to be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared and always ready to learn. We have to think through what is being taught to us and how we can apply those lessons to minimize failures and maximize successes. Don’t be overly anxious or down-trodden when you fail. Instead, let the failures be your teacher and instructor, but be ready to learn the lessons that need to be taught. Apply those lessons, and then keep moving forward towards success that is based on those lessons learned.
When learning takes place, we have to be willing to accept the instruction, regardless if that instruction is difficult or easy.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11:29&version=NLT (Matthew [11:29])
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1116/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1114 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1116/ (Worldview Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1114 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Least of These – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1114/ (Day 1114) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
When you hear about those who are in need, what is your response? Whether it is because they have fallen on hard times financially, have lost a spouse through death or divorce, are ill, or have had an accident, what do you do for them?
In today’s meditation let us consider…
The Least of These
The title for today’s meditation comes from a parable that Jesus taught us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A34-40&version=NLT (Matthew [25:34]-40). Let me read that passage.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
As Christ followers, we are to be assisting the building of God’s Kingdom here on earth. This is not done through piety or fancy sermons. It is accomplished by getting our hands dirty, by living with and doing life with those who are downtrodden, by sharing a meal and other resources with those who are in need…It is comforting those who are ill or have lost a close loved one. It may not include any speaking but just sitting and holding someone who has lost all that they hold dear to them. This is what building the Kingdom of God is all about. Are you willing to do this?
When we are willing to help those who cannot return anything back to us, then we are becoming the disciples that Jesus told us about in this parable.
It is hard for me to “put myself out there” and help others on a close basis, and I suspect that it is difficult for you also. That is not an excuse, though. Sometimes, no many times, we need to step outside our comfort zone, and help those who cannot help themselves.
This reminds me of a time in my life where I was thrust into a situation such as this. A fellow associate who worked for the same company as I did was falsely accused by a couple of people about serious crimes he did not commit. Although he was perfectly legal, he was also not a citizen of the US and was from Central America. He was, from an...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1113 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Word of Encouragement – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1113/ (Day 1113) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, why is it so important to be encouraging to others?”
A Word of Encouragement
It is not always easy to be encouraging to others, especially when the situation is dire, or you feel a bit discouraged yourself. The importance of encouraging cannot be underestimated. With spring in full swing now, listening to the spring peepers and other frogs in the evening reminds me of a story to help illustrate the importance of encouragement.
One cool spring evening the frogs were coming out of hiding from the day, and they started down an old farm road towards a pond that many of the frogs went to at night. Within a few hundred yards there were many frogs that had joined the group, which is referred to as an army of frogs. This army of frogs advanced forward one hop at a time. As they turned off the road toward the pond, three of the frogs that were in the front suddenly fell head first into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw them vanish, the crept up to the edge of the pit to see how deep the pit was. As the remainder of the army gathered all around the rim of the pit, they realized how hopeless the situation was. In their croaking tones, they shouted to the three fallen comrades that there was no hope of ever getting out.
However, the three frogs ignored their comrades and proceeded to try to jump out of the pit. Nevertheless, despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were peering over the edge and still croaking down to their fallen comrades that they should just give up as they’d never make it out.
Eventually, two of the three frogs took heed of what the others were saying, and they gave up, slipping into an even deeper crevice in the pit where they were crushed to death. The third frog ignored the other two and continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the army of frogs at the edged yelled at him to stop the pain and to just give up and die.
He seemed to ignore them and kept his eyes on the upper rim where his remaining comrades continued to plead. With a bit of a run and a giant leap, the third frog jumped harder and higher than ever finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs gathered around their exhausted friend and said, “Did you not hear us?”
With frantic motions of his legs, the saved frog finally was able to explain to them that he was deaf, and that he thought they were encouraging him the entire time, so he was bound and determined not to give up as the other two...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1112 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom It’s a Miracle! – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1112/ (Day 1112) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life -something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
It’s a Miracle!
Leroy, a devout cowboy, lost his favorite Bible while he was mending fences out on the range. He looked everywhere for it, but to no avail. Leroy was beside himself, he had this Bible for many years, and although it was a bit tattered, he was familiar with it, and had all of his favorite passages highlighted. Leroy prayed earnestly that somehow he would find it, as it was the only Bible that he owned.
Three weeks later as Leroy was out again working on the fences, a cow walked up carrying his favorite Bible in its mouth.
Leroy couldn’t believe his eyes.
He took the Bible out of the cow’s mouth, raised his eyes heavenward and exclaimed, “It’s a miracle!”
When he looked down again, he saw the cow staring into his eyes. “Not really,” said the cow. “Your name was written inside the cover.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “This cow was not the first talking animal. It’s okay that you talk to your animals, but when they engage you in a conversation, you might have the Balaam syndrome, and God needs to get your attention.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+22%3A28-31&version=NLT (Numbers [22:28]-31)
Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.
“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”
“But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
“No,” Balaam admitted.
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1113/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1111 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly,...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1111 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God Wanted a Family – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1111/ (Day 1111) of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. Last week we began a new series in which we are covering another detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We are taking a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
God Wanted a Family
Last week we began to explore the question https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1106/ (“What does God want?”) We discovered that the overall answer is simple. He wants you.
Before I became a believer, God was seeking me. I just didn’t know it. He is also seeking you. I know now that God sought me because it’s his nature to seek us. He’s committed to us.
How do we know these things about God? (That’s a question I’m going to ask more than once, so look for it!) Let’s start with ourselves as an analogy. It’s normal—part of our nature—to care about the things we make, especially if they required serious effort or were the result of concerted thought. We are naturally going to be angry or resentful when someone mocks, belittles, destroys, or claims as theirs something we made, achieved, or thought of first. Not feeling those things would be abnormal.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5:8&version=NLT (Romans 5:8)
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
The God of the Bible shares this profile, or should I say, we share His profile. God does what he does to enjoy what He’s done. God didn’t create humanity because he lacked something. He wasn’t lonely, as though He was incomplete or needed company. God needs nothing because… well…He’s God. He created things to enjoy the work of his own hands, so to speak. And the things he cares about most are those He made to be like him, “in his own image” as the Bible says (Gen [1:26]). He is referring to you and me.
Our story—the story of why God wants us—begins with the biblical idea that God is our Maker. Although we can’t completely comprehend that, the bottom line is that we’re here because God wanted us here. God doesn’t act randomly. He acts with purpose. When He created humankind, He wasn’t trying to fill some deficiency in himself. Given the fact that He didn’t need us but still made us, there’s only one rational explanation for why He created us. God wanted us to exist in order to enjoy us (and to have us enjoy him in return).
Because God created us, the Bible refers to him as our “Father” and people from Adam onward as his children. That’s why the Bible uses the language of family to describe God and His relationship to us. That’s no coincidence.
But I’m getting a little ahead of myself. To really understand the context for the family-centered language in the Bible, we need to go back to the time before God made the earth and the human race. It may surprise you, but God wasn’t alone then, either. That’s another reason why we can be sure...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1110 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Choose to Respond – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1110/ (Day 1110) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Michael Hyatt, and it is, “Failure is inevitable, but we can choose to respond in ways that accelerate our journey to success.”
Choose to Respond
Failure in many areas of life is certain, but it only remains a failure if you choose to do nothing about it. If you remain quagmired in your failure through self-pity and despair, then you will never recover. It is when we choose to learn from our failure and avoid repeating the same failure, that we will begin again on our journey to success. Even if we avoid the same failure, it is certain that there will be other challenges and obstacles that we will face. That is a part of life. Here are the best steps to follow to ensure that you accelerate your journey to success after a failure:
Pause
Reflect on what caused the failure
Access what you need to change in order to avoid that same failure
Make the necessary changes to your plan
Begin again more intelligently
As you now move forward once again, when the next failure hits you, repeat these five steps. The key is to choose to respond in a manner that will ensure that you never stop. Failure is not permanent unless you choose to quit when you should continue to move forward. Yes, there are risks in every decision that we make, but push through. What is the worse that can happen? If it does not cause bodily harm or death to you or your loved ones, then even if you do fail, you can recover from all else.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6:9&version=NLT (Galatians 6:9)
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1111/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1109 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1111/ (Worldview Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1109 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Day of Rest – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1109/ (Day 1109) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
In our busy world, it seems like it is almost impossible to take time for quiet reflection. We fill our schedules to overflowing and then wonder why we are sick and tired all of the time. This is not what God has planned for us. There is nothing wrong about working six days each week, but in today’s meditation let us discover the need for…
A Day of Rest
I realize that I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to setting aside a day for rest, regeneration, and reflection. I don’t practice this nearly as much as I should. When God created the world, He rested from all of his activity on the seventh day. When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, and it came to Sabbath rest, His message was clear: If creation didn’t crash when I rested, it won’t crash when you do! You know we need to rest. Just as with farming, for a field to bear a crop in abundance, it must occasionally lie fallow. For you to be healthy, you must rest. When David says in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+23%3A1-3&version=NLT (Psalms 23:1-3),
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
The Good Shepherd knows that if he drives his sheep too hard and long, they will collapse. We need to rest in his green meadows and drink deeply from his peaceful streams. With His own pierced hands, Jesus created a pasture for the soul. He pried loose the huge boulders of sin. In their place, He planted seeds of grace and dug ponds of mercy. Can you imagine the satisfaction in the heart of the shepherd when the work is completed, and he sees his sheep rest in the tender grass? Can you imagine the satisfaction in the heart of God when we do the same? Jesus instructed us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11:29&version=NLT (Matthew [11:29]),
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
We must allow the risen Savior, our good shepherd, to teach us and provide rest for our souls. Even though Jesus was fully God while on earth, He was also fully man and knew the value and necessity for a time of rest and regeneration. Jesus understood this. Just as https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5:16&version=NLT (Luke [5:16]) says,
But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
The closer we get to the heart of God, the more we will understand that we need to habitually set time aside for rest, regeneration, and reflection. This reminds me of the words from the old hymn...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1108 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Why Do We Call It Good Friday – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1108/ (Day 1108) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, the crucifixion of Christ was horrible, so why do we call that day Good Friday?”
Why Do We Call It Good Friday
What is Good Friday and why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus?
For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it this way in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A3&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 15:3), “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.”
On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=1jo+1:10 (1 John 1:10)). It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=ro+6:5 (Romans 6:5)).
Still, why call the day of Jesus’ death “Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday” or something similar? Some Christian traditions do take this approach: in German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday.” In English, in fact, the origin of the term “Good” is debated: some believe it developed from an older name “God’s Friday.”
Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.
In order for the good news of the gospel to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is important to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then the gospel of Jesus’ grace comes and brings us relief and salvation.
In the same way, Good Friday is...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1107 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Easter Bunny – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1107/ (Day 1107) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
The Easter Bunny
Little Susie came home from school one day shortly before the Easter holiday. With major concern on her face, Susie tentatively approached her mother and said, “Mom, some of the kids at school today said that you were the Easter Bunny. Is that true?”
The mom kneeled down took little Susie’s face in her hands and stared straight into her wide eyes and said, “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes,” little Susie replied.
The mother sighed, thinking of the end of the innocence of childhood, “Yes, dear, I am the Easter Bunny.”
Little Susie looked at her in amazement and with excitement in her voice declares, “How do you get to ALL of those houses in just one night???”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “With Easter being celebrated throughout the world, sometimes it is easy to lose focus on the meaning and significance of the most joyous of all holidays. Let us cherish the Risen Christ.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28:6&version=NLT (Matthew 28:6)
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1108/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1106 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1108/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1106 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Does God Want? – Worldview Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1106/ (Day 1106) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word. This week we will begin a new series that will cover another detailed book review from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We will take a deep dive and share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”
What Does God Want?
What does God want? It sounds like a simple question, but if you give it a bit of thought, it’s really not.
Why? Well, for starters, you have to know who’s asking the question. People will ask it for a lot of different reasons. Is it a cry of anger from someone in pain? Perhaps it’s a barely audible whisper that surfaces from deep sadness. Is the motivation curiosity? Or is it just prompted by the desire to reflect and think deep thoughts? It’s not difficult to see that giving the right answer depends on why the question is being asked.
While we all may have motives for asking this question, the answer is the same for everyone, at least in terms of the answer God himself would give with respect to all of us. That is precisely how I’m asking it. I’m asking it to help you think about some important things. When I ask, “What does God want?” I’m really asking, “What does God want when it comes to every person in the human race?” What does God want when it comes to me and my life and to you and your life?
Before I get to the detailed answers from Dr. Heiser, it’s pretty obvious that the question is a religious one. All of our questions about God naturally get filed in the religious folder. I’ve raised the question, and we will explore the answer because I’m interested in God. Most people still are, though they may not be interested in church. It certainly is not a prerequisite to be involved in church to be seeking the answer to our question. As we go through this book, we will find that the answer is going to be a biblical one. That narrows the focus a bit more. The goal of Dr. Heiser’s book is that the Bible would answer the question “What does God want?”
Now for the answer. It’s simple. He wants you.
That might surprise you. You may doubt it. That’s okay. It’s the right answer. To be honest, though, it isn’t enough of an answer. You can’t get a sense of how amazing and profound the answer is by just that one sentence. You need some context to appreciate how much love is behind it. There’s actually a long, remarkable story behind the answer.
Since that’s the case, this book is not only about what God wants, but it’s about things God wants you to know. Yes, he wants you, but for you to appreciate that and (hopefully) feel the same way about God, you need a little context.
That is what we will discover in our detailed synopsis of this book. We’ll start with God’s story. There’s a lot of tragedy in it, but none of that ever changed God’s mind about you (or me, thankfully). Once we are done discovering the story that is contained in this book, Dr. Heiser drills down on some parts of the story that are...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1105 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom It Will Take Longer – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1105/ (Day 1105) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Croft M. Pentz, and it is, “Failure doesn’t mean you’ll never succeed — it will just take longer.”
It Will Take Longer
Failure, we all experience it, otherwise we would not have a basis for success. We can and should make plans and set goals, because that gives us a timeline and milestones to strive toward. We have to realize that at some point during our journey, and usually, for our betterment, we will have setbacks and failures that disrupt the plans and goals that we have set. Does that mean we should quit? Absolutely not! For every failure we experience, there is a lesson to be learned—that in itself is a success. Failures allow us to take pause, reevaluate our circumstances, and ask ourselves these three questions.
Is our goal still what we desire?
If so, what corrections need to be made to the plan to avoid, or at least minimize, the same or similar failures.
Am I willing to continue to make the sacrifices necessary in order to obtain the desired goal?
If we can address these three questions affirmatively, then we need to pick ourselves back up, dust ourselves off, and continue on with our journey. We may need to adjust our timeline to compensate for the failure, but we are still moving forward.
As we make our plans and set our goals, always keep in mind that it is God who directs our steps.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16:9&version=NLT (Proverbs 16:9)
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1106/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1104 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1106/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1104 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom He Is Risen! – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1104/ (Day 1104) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
With the Celebration of Easter this week, today’s meditation has been adapted from Max Lucado’s book When Christ Comes…
He Is Risen!
When Pilate learned that Jesus was dead, he was surprised that death had come so quickly. Perhaps he should have been less harsh with him or listened to his wife’s message. Pilate asked the soldiers if they were certain. They were.
Had they seen the Nazarene twitch, had they heard even one moan, they would have broken his legs to speed his end. But there was no need. The thrust of a spear removed all doubt. The Romans knew their job. And their job was finished. They pried loose the nails that pierced his hands and feet, lowered his body, and gave it to Joseph and Nicodemus to do what they wished. It was one less task they had to deal with.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both Pharisees. They sat in seats of power and bore positions of influence. Men of means and men of clout. They had to witness the unjust trial and convicting of whom they had hoped was the Messiah.
They would’ve traded it all for one breath out of the body of Jesus. He had answered the prayer of their hearts, the prayer for the Messiah. As much as the soldiers wanted him dead, even more, these men wanted him alive.
As they sponged the blood from his beard, don’t you know they listened for his breath? As they wrapped the cloth around his hands, don’t you know they hoped for a pulse? As they finally wrapped the shroud tightly around their Savior’s beaten face, they hoped against all hope that he would revive somehow. Oh, how they searched for one glimpse of life. But they didn’t find it.
So they do with him what they were expected to do with a dead man. After wrapping his body in clean linen, they placed it in a tomb. Joseph’s tomb.
Roman guards are stationed to guard the corpse. And a Roman seal is set on the rock of the tomb. For three days, no one gets close to the grave.
But then, just as the sun begins to rise that Sunday morning, a light appears. Not from the sunrise, but light within the tomb. A bright light? A soft light? Flashing? Hovering? We don’t know. But there was a light. For he is the light. And with the light came life. Just as the darkness was banished, now the decay is reversed. Heaven blows and Jesus breathes. His chest expands. Waxy lips open. Wooden fingers lift. Heart valves swish and hinged joints bend. And, as we envision the moment, we stand in awe. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A5-9&version=NLT (Romans 6:5-9)
Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1103 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Pound of Butter – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1103/ (Day 1103) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
The question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, why is it so important to be honest in everything that we do?”
A Pound of Butter
As I am creating this podcast, we are out of town watching our grandson, so time has been limited. So to answer this question today, I will read a short story that will provide a practical example of why it is so important to be honest at all times. The story is called A Pound of Butter.
Sam was a dairy farmer who made butter from the cream. Every week Sam would sell a pound of butter to John the Baker. On the flip side of this John, the baker, would sell Sam, the farmer, a one pound loaf of bread each week. One day John the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting the right amount, which he wasn’t. John became very angry about this, so he took Sam to court.
The judge asked Sam the farmer if he was using any measure to weigh out the butter properly. Sam replied, “Your Honor, I am primitive. I don’t have a proper measure, but I do have a scale.”
The judge asked, “Then how do you weigh the butter?”
Sam replied, “Your Honor, long before the John the baker started buying butter from me, I have been buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every week when the baker brings the bread, I take it in the back room and put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. I always figured it was a pound, so I never thought any more about it. I guess if anyone is to be blamed, it is John, the baker.”
Moral of the story: In life, you get what you give. Don’t try and cheat others.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16:10&version=NLT (Luke [16:10])
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
Join us again https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1108/ (next Friday) for another question on our “Ask Gramps” episode. Our next trek is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1104/ (Mediation Monday) where we will help you reflect on what is most important in life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1102 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1102 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Murphy’s 17 Laws of Technology – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1102/ (Day 1102) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Murphy’s 17 Laws of Technology
As a person who has been a technology professional for all of my working life, I am certainly familiar with the original Murphy’s Law, but today we want to review 17 lesser known Murphy’s Laws of Technology that have recently been added.
Murphy’s Technology Law #1: You can never tell which way the train went by looking at the track.
Murphy’s Technology Law #2: Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
Murphy’s Technology Law #3: Technology is dominated by those who manage what they do not understand.
Murphy’s Technology Law #4: If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.
Murphy’s Technology Law #5: An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he/she knows absolutely everything about nothing.
Murphy’s Technology Law #6: Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe, and he’ll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it, and he’ll have to touch to be sure.
Murphy’s Technology Law #7: All great discoveries are made by mistake.
Murphy’s Technology Law #8: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.
Murphy’s Technology Law #9: All’s well that ends…period.
Murphy’s Technology Law #10: A meeting is an event at which minutes are kept and hours are lost.
Murphy’s Technology Law #11: The first myth of management is that it exists.
Murphy’s Technology Law #12: A failure will not appear until a unit has passed final inspection.
Murphy’s Technology Law #13: New systems generate new problems.
Murphy’s Technology Law #14: To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer.
Murphy’s Technology Law #15: We don’t know one-millionth of one percent about anything.
Murphy’s Technology Law #16: Any given program, when running, is obsolete.
Murphy’s Technology Law #17: A computer makes as many mistakes in two seconds as 20 men working 20 years make.
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “What is a technologist, anyway? In the broadest sense, a technologist is a Technology Specialist. That is, one who specializes in technology. Say what?”...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1101 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Who Determined the Canon of Scripture? – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1101/ (Day 1101) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me With the Bible.” Today is the last essay in Dr. Heiser’s book, and next week we will begin a new series.
As we explore this final essay today, we will explore information about…
Who Determined The Canon of Scripture?
Dan Brown’s best-selling conspiratorial thriller The Da Vinci Code seems like ancient history now. At its peak of popularity, the novel set records both for sales and for irritating scholars with its view that Jesus and the 12 apostles held to Gnostic heresies. The book’s bizarre plot focuses on Jesus’ bloodline extending through a child born by Mary Magdalene. Within that narrative, Brown asserts that the New Testament canon was determined by the Roman Emperor Constantine, who was not friendly to Gnostic Christianity, at a time much later (fourth-century AD) than any New Testament scholar would endorse. Unfortunately, this myth has since taken on a life of its own.
The notion that Constantine decided which books should constitute the New Testament springs from the ancient Life of Constantine by Eusebius of Caesarea (ad 263-339). Eusebius reports that in a letter written in AD 331, the emperor instructed him to
…order fifty’ copies of the sacred Scriptures, the provision and use of which you know to be most needful for the instruction of the Church, to be written on prepared parchment in a legible manner, and in a convenient, portable form, by professional transcribers thoroughly practiced in their art.
This same Constantine had earlier convened the Council of Nicea (AD 325), famous for its focus on the full deity of Christ against Arianism, which taught that Jesus was a created being. Brown carelessly conflated the two events in The Da Vinci Code to put forth the preposterous idea that Constantine had decided at Nicea which books belonged in the New Testament. But can we be sure this didn’t happen? If not, what exactly did Constantine demand in this letter?
We can be certain that the Council of Nicea did not determine the books of the New Testament at Constantine’s request. The date of Eusebius correspondence tells us that Nicea did not consider the issue of the canon. Today, anyone can read the 20 decisions rendered at Nicea (coincidentally called “canons”). None of them concerns the New Testament Scriptures. In addition, accounts of what happened at Nicea were described by several early church historians and theologians who lived at the time of the event or shortly thereafter. Their testimony is unanimous in opposition to the idea that Constantine determined the books of the New Testament.
So what did Constantine want?...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1100 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom There Are No Shortcuts – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1100/ (Day 1100) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from John Cummuta, and it is, “Everyone who has achieved financial independence will tell you that at least in the early days you have to work smarter and harder. The price of success must be paid in full, and it must be paid in advance. There are no shortcuts.”
There Are No Shortcuts
Financial success can only be achieved by working hard and smart for many years. What most people do not realize is that you must be willing to invest the time, talent, perseverance, and determination before any return can be achieved. There are no shortcuts to success in any area of life, and that is particularly true of financial independence.
Financial independence in itself is subject to the amount you are willing to sacrifice today, in order to reach that independence. I have found over my years of experience and observation that those who are not willing to sacrifice, will never achieve independence. In fact, most people who are able to achieve financial independence, continue to live frugally long after it is required. In that way, they continue to pay the price today for continued independence in the future.
The price of financial independence must always be paid in full and in advance to ensure continued independence. As with all areas of success in life, it goes back to the law of planting and harvesting. It is as true as the law of gravity. It cannot be changed, nor is there ever a short cut. If you desire to harvest in the future, you must plant today and nurture those plants for long periods of time before the harvest will be available.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+126:5-6&version=NLT (Psalm 126:5-6)
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6:7&version=NLT (Galatians 6:7)
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1101/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1099 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1099 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom I Can’t Change – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1099/ (Day 1099) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Change…it may be difficult, yet it is possible. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on whether this statement is true…
I Can’t Change
There is a saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I am not an expert on if that is true with dogs, but the statement is also often applied to people. Especially if we are the ones quoting that axiom, what we are actually saying is that we do not choose to change. So, is it really true for humans that we cannot change?
Here’s some good news. You are not stuck with today’s personality. You are not forever condemned to “grumpy town.” If you reside there, that is your choice. You are tweak-able! So what if you were born a bigot and have a lot of ingrained prejudices? You don’t have to continue to live that way and die one.
Where did we get the idea we can’t change? Where do statements such as “It’s just my nature to worry,” or “I’ll always be pessimistic. I’m just that way,” or “I have a bad temper. I can’t help the way I react,” come from? Who says?
Would we say, “It’s just my nature to have a broken leg? I can’t do anything about it.” Of course not! If our body malfunctions in any little manner, we seek help. Shouldn’t we do the same with our hearts? Can’t we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Of course we can! Jesus can change our hearts! He wants us to have a heart like his!
Here are a couple of Bible passages that we can claim that clearly show that we are responsible for our attitudes and our actions. If we choose to continue to live miserably, then know that it is our choice.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4:21-23&version=NLT (Ephesians [4:21]-23)
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NLT (Romans 12:2 )
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1104/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On tomorrow’s https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1100/ (trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1098 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Little Fellow Follows Me – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1098/ (Day 1098) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.
Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
The theme of this podcast from the very beginning has been to “Create a Living Legacy.” From my very core, this is what drives me. I feel that we all have a Biblical mandate to live a life that is today, and will continue to be, a living legacy. Not to bring attention to ourselves, but to bring glory to God and to further His Kingdom on earth.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, why is creating a living legacy so important, and can you provide us with an illustration of what this means in practical terms?”
A Little Fellow Follows Me
I will turn 63 in August of this year, and the older I get, the more important it is to me to live in such a way that my children, grandchildren, friends, and others who may observe my life will have a positive role model and example which they can follow. A life lived in such a way that others will see and understand how important it is to live a good and godly life each day. As an illustration of this philosophy, today I will read a poem that our oldest son, who is now 38, received as a gift. Although our five children are all over 30 now and have families of their own, this poem still reflects how I desire to live for my children, and also now for our seven grandchildren.
Listen to this poem, and apply it to your life, regardless of your situation, and live in such a way that you will have an opportunity to positively impact all you come in contact with.
A careful man I want to be, A little fellow follows me, I do not dare to go astray, For fear, he’ll go the self-same way. I cannot once escape his eyes, Whatever he sees me do, he tries; Like me, he says he’s going to be, This little chap who follows me. He thinks that I am good and fine, Believes in every word of mine; The base in me he must not see, This little chap who follows me. I must remember as I go, Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow; I’m building for the years to be, That little chap who follows me.
Join us again https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1103/ (next Friday) for another question on our “Ask Gramps” episode. Our next trek is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1099/ (Mediation Monday) when we will help you reflect on what is most important in life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1099/ (Monday) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1097 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1097 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Found Dead or Alive – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1097/ (Day 1097) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled:
Found Dead or Alive
While hiking in the country, Susan and her friend Eve spotted a huge bed of mushrooms that they knew were edible. They gathered a large basketful and sautéed them that night. Susan’s husband Phil refused to eat them, thinking they might be poisonous. Two weeks later, Eve and Susan gathered some more mushrooms. This time, Phil joined them.
“How is it that you’re eating these mushrooms tonight,” Susan asked, “when you wouldn’t touch the ones we brought home two weeks ago? What changed your mind?”
“I thought about it,” Phil explained seriously, “and I figured it would be better to be found dead with you two than to try to explain two dead women in my home.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “Avoid eating mushrooms raw, even if they are on the salad bar that way. Since mushrooms have thick cell walls that break down with cooking, cooking unlocks more nutrients and safely degrades any trace amount of a potentially carcinogenic compound called agaritine.”
Since we are approaching Easter, our verse for today is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28:6&version=NLT (Matthew 28:6,)” “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1098/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1096 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1096 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Perspective Changes Everything – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy.
Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1096/ (Day 1096) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.”
Our perspective about a situation or circumstance creates our reality, which may not sync with actual reality. In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
Perspective Changes Everything
The question many Christians and Bible scholars debate about surrounds eschatology or future events that is the end times. Is the book of Revelation a linear chronology of distant future events, or does the book describe the Roman persecution of Christians and Rome’s destruction of the temple events that occurred in John’s lifetime? The first view opts for a mid-AD 90s authorship (long after the temple was destroyed), the second supports a pre-AD 70s authorship (when the temple was still standing). Each of these readings is complicated by https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+11%3A1-2&version=NLT (Revelation 11:1-2,)“Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, “Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers. But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months.”
Taken literally, these verses indicate the Jerusalem temple still stands—apparent proof that Revelation was written before AD 70. If so, the idea that John is describing the Roman persecution and invasion, empowered by Satan and his hatred for the Church, must be valid. However, while the defense of this view takes this passage literally, most people who prefer to see Revelation written before AD 70 read the rest of Revelation symbolically, matching John’s descriptions to some feature of the Roman Empire and its Caesars.
Those who read Revelation in terms of distant future events often point to the mid-90s authorship. They prefer a symbolic reading of Revelation 11, a departure from their preference for taking the rest of Revelation quite literally. Even to the point of describing futuristic military weaponry in John’s visions.
Who is the literalist now? It’s difficult to be consistent in the book of Revelation.
The early church father Clement of Rome offers us clues for understanding how this passage might be understood. Clement wrote long after the Jerusalem temple had been destroyed, but he used the present tense when speaking of the temple (1 Clement 40-41). He does this to strike an analogy between the orderly worship of the temple in times past with a current concern about worship. The same may be true of Revelation 11:1-2. It’s not unusual for biblical writers to speak of a past event in language that sounds contemporary. In...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1095 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom All Rights Come with Responsibility – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1095/ (Day 1095) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from John D. Rockefeller, and it is, “Every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity an obligation, every possession a duty.”
All Rights Come With Responsibility
There are many in today’s modern culture that propagate that we have various “rights,” but they are unwilling to accept the responsibilities that come with those rights that they desire. It is a wise and mature person who knows and understands that with every right we are granted, there is an equal and offsetting set of responsibilities. For every opportunity that comes our way, we have obligations that are inexplicitly bound to those opportunities. For every possession that we obtain, we have a duty to take care and maintain that possession. There are no free lunches without someone sacrificing, and there are always strings attached to it.
So the next time that you demand your rights, be willing to step up and be responsible to pay the price for that right. The next time you seek an opportunity, then be willing to fulfill the obligations that come with taking advantage of that opportunity. The next time you choose to obtain a possession, be willing to sacrifice the necessary blood, sweat, and tears that are required to obtain it.
Also, realize that you then have a duty to take care of and maintain that possession until it is no longer yours. It boils back down to the laws of planting and harvesting. If you desire to harvest, you must first invest yourself into the planting and nurturing, or the harvest will not happen.
As we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thessalonians+3:10&version=NLT (2 Thessalonians 3:10,) “Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: ‘Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.'”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1094 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1094 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Let’s Focus on God – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1094/ (Day 1094) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
When we are faced with giants in our lives, do we focus on the giant or how God will help us through? In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Let’s Focus on God
On his father’s instructions, David just showed up to the battlefield completely unexpected. He left his sheep with other shepherds and delivered bread and cheese to his brothers on the battlefront. That’s where David hears Goliath defying God.
Read the first words recorded in the Bible by David in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17%3A26&version=NLT (1 Samuel 17:26,) “David asked the soldiers standing nearby, ‘What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?'”
David shows up discussing God. The soldiers mentioned nothing about him, his six brothers never spoke God’s name, but David takes one step onto the stage and raises the subject of the living God.
No one else discusses God. David discusses no one else but God.
David sees what others don’t and refuses to see what others do. All eyes, except David’s, fall on the brutal, hate-breathing hulk Goliath. The people know his taunts, demands, size, and strut. They have majored in Goliath.
David majors in God. He sees the giant, mind you; he just sees God more so. Look carefully at David’s battle cry in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17%3A45&version=NLT (1 Samuel 17:45,) “David replied to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'”
Let God, train us to walk on His path. Let God teach us to see Him in situations that are dangerous and difficult. Like David, when we are surrounded by overwhelming challenges may our thoughts, and words turn first to God. Rather than discuss the problem, let us be reminded to focus on God. May our first thought in the morning and our last thought at night be centered on God. Rather than worry about the impossibilities, let us major in God’s mighty power. When we are tempted to look at the giants in our lives, let us choose to focus on God.
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1099/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1095/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1093 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Love Your Neighbor – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1093/ (Day 1093) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
We often wonder how best to help others, but are often hesitant when other people look like they have caused their own problems by the choices we make. The fact is that we don’t know what others are struggling with and need to be very careful about judging others and more willing to help.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, I know that the Bible tells us to love your neighbor as yourself, but what does that really mean?”
Love Your Neighbor
· The Young Man “Love your neighbor as yourself” is a commandment of Scripture but is sometimes difficult to interpret. How far does our obligation go? After all, who is our neighbor? Most of us don’t even know our literal neighbors! How can we love them? What do these words really mean, “to love our neighbor”? Listen to this tale that I came across recently, and decipher for yourself!
Early one evening, Jim, a very successful young businessman, took his new Mercedes XLR to the mall to buy his girlfriend a Christmas present. Jim saw on his GPS that his usual route was closed off, so he decided to chance it and go through the crazy-dangerous area of downtown to get there. Jim figured it was a better choice than having to go all the way around the city, thus adding two hours to his journey.
Well, the area he had to cut through was in the north end of the city, which was known for its gang warfare and biker bars. What Jim did not realize is that he had chosen the completely wrong time to go through as young gang members started to gather for their nightly escapades, and certain young ladies went outside to claim their piece of the sidewalk for their nightly business of selling themselves.
At a red light, Jim stopped and found himself in the middle of a gang war. The gang member from one group took a shot at his enemy across the street, and Jim in his Mercedes was the unfortunate barrier between them. The bullet barely grazed his shoulder, but it started to bleed quite a bit, he cried out loudly in sharp pain. Carefully he managed to pull over and stop the car.
Jim got out of the car, intending to go get help, but in his weakened state attracted the wrong kind of attention. A couple thugs looking for some quick drug money noticed his stupor, and decided it would be easier to rough him up, than try to break into a store. They also noticed his car keys were left in the car, and the car running close by, and put the two and two together. Soon, he was out of a car, his cell phone, and his wallet. They...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1092 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Expert – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1092/ (Day 1092) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
The Expert
While working as a radiology technician in a hospital emergency room, Sarah took x-rays of a trauma patient. After she was finished with several complicated x-rays, Sarah organized and cataloged them. She informed Kathy the radiologist they were ready to be analyzed. Kathy invested a long time studying the multiple fractures of the femurs and pelvis.
“What happened to this patient?” Kathy asked in astonishment.
“He fell out of a tree,” Sarah reported.
Kathy was amazed at the amount of fractures there were and inquired what the patient was doing up a tree.
“I’m not sure, Sarah replied, but his paperwork states he works for Bob’s Expert Tree Service.”
Gazing intently at the x-rays for several more minutes, Kathy blinked and finally said, “Cross out ‘Expert’ on that paperwork.'”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is “He who knows the limits of his capabilities will save much embarrassment.”
And our verse for today is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+3:10&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 3:10,)“Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1093/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1091 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1093/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1091 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom 666 – What Does It Really Mean? – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1091/ (Day 1091) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.”
The number 666 in the Bible is recognized by believers and non-believers alike as the “number of the beast.” In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
666 – What Does It Really Mean?
If there’s one part of the Bible virtually everyone has heard of, it’s 666—the “number of the beast.” If there’s one thing no one can agree upon, it’s what that number stands for. We see 666 in Revelation 13:18, “Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.” The wording here is important. John tells readers that the number must be “calculated,” which means there must be a hidden meaning behind it. But how do we calculate it?
· Calculating Symbolism One option for solving this biblical riddle is gematria, the idea that numbers have symbolic meaning. While some have called gematria a tool for speculation, it actually derives from an ancient convention in languages like Greek and Hebrew where letters of the alphabet are used to represent numbers. But gematria is not limited to just Revelation; the New Testament contains several other symbolic figures. The 153 fish of John 21:11 could be interpreted as ancient symbolism for the Church, the body of Christ, and the Old Testament sons of God as analogous to believers in the Church. The Greek word for “dove,” like the dove that descends on Jesus at His baptism, has a numerical value equivalent to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, thus symbolizing the Alpha and Omega as recorded in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+1%3A8&version=NLT (Revelations 1:8,) “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. ‘I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.'”
· Calculating 666 When it comes to 666, one gematria explanation is that the number represents Nero Caesar. The Greek Xeron Kaisar adds up to 1,005, but when the name is transliterated into the Hebrew letters nrwn qsr, the sum is 666. Nero Caesar also would explain the variant number of the Beast (616) found in some New Testament manuscripts. Transliterating the Latin Nero Caesar into Hebrew, nrwn qsr, yields 616, suggesting John may have been thinking of the well-known Nero Redivivus myth when writing about the beast (i.e., that Nero would rise from the dead to destroy Christians).
The gematria solution presents three major problems…It could be viewed as cheating with the spellings (the usual Hebrew spelling for
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1090 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Seeds of Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1090/ (Day 1090) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Napoleon Hill, and it is, “Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success.”
The Seeds of Success
As any farmer or gardener will tell you, for any plant to grow, you must first plant a seed. If that seed remains a seed, it will produce nothing. Only when that seed dies and is destroyed will the plant emerge from its nucleus. What may seem like the seed failing is actually allowing the plant to begin a new life.
So it is with success. Unless we allow failures to die and become the nucleus for new growth, we will never be able to achieve the success that we hope for. Success starts out just like a plant beginning from the seed dying.
First, just a little sprout of green emerges, then with the proper nutrients and water, the plant begins to grow. It must be continually nurtured until it is mature and is able to produce fruit many times more than the original seed that died. It is not different with success. When we take the dying seeds of failure, learn the lessons, and nourish the lessons learned, success will slowly begin to sprout. If we continue to care and nurture the beginning sprouts of success, it will eventually grow to maturity and produce many times the return from the seeds we planted at the beginning. So take your seeds of failure and nurture them so that they will grow into mature successes that will produce many times your original investment.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12:24&version=NLT (John 12:24) – I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1091/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1089 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1091/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1089 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The God of Second Chances – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1089/ (Day 1089) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
There are times in our lives where we really blow it. We mess up and hurt those whom we love most and who are close to us. We usually will have an opportunity for a do-over, but those scars may stay with us for the remainder of our lives. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
The God of Second Chances
Have you ever read a familiar passage in the Bible, then all of a sudden it jumps out are you as if you were reading it for the first time? It nearly explodes in your mind with a new impact that you have never seen before. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+16%3A1-8&version=NLT (Mark 16:1-8) is one such passage. Maybe it is the excitement of the resurrection and the empty tomb that makes another part of verse 7 so easily overlooked.
Let me read this passage to you, “Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way, they were asking each other, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, ‘Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.’ The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.”
Did you catch the last part of verse 7? “Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee.”
Now tell me if that’s not a hidden treasure. Remember that just three days prior to this event, Peter had denied that he even knew Jesus three times. In fact, he even swore his denial in a curse.
What a line. It’s as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall, and it’s as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again. In our modern day vernacular, it would read. “Be sure and tell Peter that he’s not left out. Tell him that one (or even three) failure(s) doesn’t make a flop.” He is not destroyed by this failure. What a relief for Peter!
No wonder they call it the gospel of the second chance. We have the same...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1088 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Carpenter’s Wisdom – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1088/ (Day 1088) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
Events and circumstances that happen to us in life are not always as they appear on the surface, and certainly may not be what they appear to others. We need to keep this in mind and not jump to conclusions for ourselves or others.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, can you tell me a story of a situation where something seemed to be tragic, but looking back at it, there was much good and many lessons learned through it?”
The Carpenter’s Wisdom
There have been many situations in our lives that at the time seemed devastating, but as we look back at them, we know that it was within God’s plan for our lives and have shaped us into the people that we are today. Situations like my mom dying much sooner than we would have liked, a business failure that was financially devastating, our granddaughter being diagnosed with leukemia…There are many more, but I think the story that I read of “The Carpenter’s Wisdom” teaches us a valuable lesson that we all need to learn.
Once upon a time, there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Even the king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before—such was its splendor, its majesty, its strength.
People offered fabulous prices for the steed, but the old man always refused. “This horse is not a horse to me,” he would tell them. “It is a person. How could you sell a person? He is a friend, not a possession. How could you sell a friend?” The man was poor, and the temptation was great. But he never sold the horse.
One morning he found that the horse was not in the stable. All the village came to see him. “You old fool,” they scoffed. “We told you that someone would steal your horse. We warned you that you would be robbed. You are so poor. How could you ever hope to protect such a valuable animal? It would have been better to have sold him. You could have gotten whatever price you wanted. No amount would have been too high. Now the horse is gone, and you’ve been cursed with misfortune.”
The old man responded, “Don’t speak too quickly. Say only that the horse is not in the stable. That is all we know; the rest is judgment. If I’ve been cursed or not, how can you know? How can you judge?”
The people contested, “Don’t make us out to be fools! We may not be philosophers, but great philosophy is not needed. The simple fact...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1087 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Test of Strength – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1087/ (Day 1087) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
A Test of Strength
Jim, a strong young man with a chiseled body, worked at a construction site. Day after day he bragged that he could outdo anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of Fred, an older worker who had worked for the company for nearly 40 years.
After several months of hearing Jim brag every day, Fred had enough. “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is,” Fred told Jim. “I’ll bet a week’s wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that outbuilding that you won’t be able to wheel back.”
“You’re on, old-timer,” Jim braggingly replied. “Let’s see what you got.”
Fred defiantly reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to Jim, he said, “All right. Get in.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone who really needs it. Our Thursday Thought is, “Eventually, you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.”
And our verse for today is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13:16&version=NLT (Proverbs 13:16,) “Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1086 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1088/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1086 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Jesus Is God, The Name – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1086/ (Day 1086) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.”
In our English translations of the Bible, we miss a lot of the meaning of various names in the Bible. This is especially true of the nuances of names in the Old Testament and New Testament with God and Jesus. In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
Jesus Is God, The Name
It only takes a few words to produce dramatic theology. In the short letter we know as 3 John, the apostle is writing to a beloved friend, Gaius (v. 1). He commends Gaius for ministering to fellow believers who were strangers because “they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers” (v. 7). John
doesn’t use the phrase “in Jesus’ name” or “the name of Jesus.” It’s simply, “traveling for the Lord.” Why this phrase? Is John trying to keep a secret?
John isn’t trying to be cryptic. He’s actually drawing on an Old Testament expression. When understood in that original context—and the context of his other writings—John’s wording amounts to a powerful statement on the deity of Jesus.
· The Name in the Old Testament In https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut+12%3A5&version=NLT (Deuteronomy 12:5) God instructed the people of Israel that when they got into the Promised Land, “Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship he himself will choose from among all the tribes—the place where his name will be honored.” God
wasn’t talking about writing His name on a town or a building. He was referring to where the tabernacle, and ultimately the temple, was to be His station. But He wasn’t talking about writing “Yahweh” on that either. Nothing of the sort is ever recorded in Scripture. Rather, God was talking about the place where He would choose to meet Israel personally—His very presence.
The description “the name” actually refers to the presence of God. This presence was at times visibly evident through the so-called “glory cloud” (e.g., 1 Kings [8:10]-11). At other times the name came in human form. For instance, in Exodus [23:20]-23, God tells Moses that He is sending an angel to bring Israel to the Promised Land. God warned Moses that this angel would pardon no transgression since God and the “Angel of the Lord” appear to speak as one.
We learn from Judges 2:1-5 that the angel did indeed lead them to the land. But how could God’s name be in an angel? The answer is that “the name” referred to the very presence of God, His essence. This is confirmed in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+4%3A37&version=NLT (Deuteronomy 4:37). Here,...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1085 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Enthusiasm Powers Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1085 of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and it is, “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Enthusiasm Powers Success
Being passionate and enthusiastic about your dreams and plans is a requirement in order for those dreams to come true and those plans to be fulfilled. No success will ever be achieved without enthusiasm. On the flip side of this coin, though, enthusiasm must be coupled with perseverance and action. Enthusiasm may be the fuel for success, but action is the engine and perseverance is the momentum that will keep you moving towards your desired success. Enthusiasm without action is a storm with no rain. There may be a lot of noise, but nothing good will come from it without the nourishing rains to feed the seeds of success. Be enthusiastic, but then take action, and persevere to ensure success.
This reminds me of what Jesus’s half-brother James tells us about faith in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-20&version=NLT (James 2:14-20,) “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1086/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1084 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1084 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Validity of the Bible – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1084/ (Day 1084) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
I am sure that all of us have doubts on whether we can truly believe the Bible is actually God’s Word at times. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
The Validity of the Bible
Can we believe the Bible? How can we know it is anything more than a collection of sayings and stories? Can we truly believe that the Bible is the Word of God?
Anything that we believe to be true eventually boils down to faith. No doctrine or science can be completely verified because we, as humans, are confined to a very limited perspective within the time and space in which we reside during the few short years that God grants us life. Hebrews 11:1-3 explains it like this, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”
There are many reasons I believe in the Bible and in God. Here are a few:
Composition. The Bible was composed over sixteen centuries by forty authors with one central theme – that God provided a means in which we can be in fellowship with Him through the advocacy and sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ.
The Bible was written by soldiers, shepherds, scholars, and fishermen. Begun by Moses in lonely Arabia, finished by John on lonely Patmos. Penned by kings in palaces, shepherds in tents, and inmates in prisons.
Forty writers, most unknown to each other, writing in different countries and at least three different languages, separated by three times the number of centuries since Columbus discovered America, was it possible for these authors to produce a book of singular theme unless behind them there was one mind, one designer? The Bible is remarkable in composition.
Durability. The Bible is the single most published book in history. The top seller since the printing press was invented over three hundred years ago. Translated into twelve hundred languages by an army of translators. Bibles have been burned by dictators and banished from courtrooms, but God’s Word continues. The Bible’s death knell has tolled a hundred times, but each time the grave is opened, God’s Word continues. The Bible is remarkable in durability.
Prophecy. The pages of your Bible contain more than three hundred fulfilled prophecies about the life of Christ. A substantial biography was written about Jesus five hundred years before he was born. Can you imagine if the same occurred today? Can you imagine if we found a book written in 1900 that prophesied two...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1083 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom How to Make Wise Choices (2) – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1083/ (Day 1083) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
Each day we are faced with a bombardment with decisions and choices that we make. It is not always easy to make sure we are making wise choices. Our ‘Ask Gramps’ question is a continuation from last week so If you did not listen to last week’s Friday podcast, or read the Wisdom Journal for that day, I would suggest listening to it first.
So the question for last week and again this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, when you come to decision points in life, and there is a multitude of choices to make, how do you make sure that you are making wise choices, especially when there are several good options?”
How To Make Wise Choices (2)
We make hundreds of choices each day. Some choices are spontaneous, and of little consequence, like the coffee mug, we choose in the morning. Other decisions carry greater weight and significance, like choosing the person we will marry. In either extreme or with any decision in between, learning how to make wise choices is an important life skill for every believer and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, doing God’s will is really a matter of making the right choices on a consistent, daily basis.
After we have invested time on our own with God to seek His will, it is helpful and wise to run our decisions and thought process by other godly people. Godly and wise counsel can help us avoid any shortsightedness or naivety and help us to consider alternative options that may exist.
If we are afraid or unwilling to hear anyone else’s opinion on a matter, it could be that our motives are impure. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+18%3A1&version=NLT (Proverbs 18:1) tells us, “Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.” If you’re hesitant to ask the opinion of others, search your heart to understand your motives.
When evaluating choices, it’s a good practice to see if any of our options are contrary to the Bible’s description of wisdom. James 3:17 gives a great definition for Biblical wisdom, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
Comparing our decisions to the description of wisdom, we can ask ourselves, “Is this choice pure, peace-loving, gentle, submissive, merciful and good?” Any time we cannot answer “yes” to one of these characteristics, we need to raise a red flag....
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1082 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Don’t Touch Me – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1082/ (Day 1082) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,)“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,)“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Don’t Touch Me
Jim and Janice, an elderly couple were lying in bed one morning, having just awakened from a good night’s sleep. Jim takes Janice’s hand, and she responds, “Don’t touch me.”
“Why not?” Jim asks.
Janice answers back, “Because I’m dead.”
Jim becoming concerned and thinking that Janice must be losing her senses says, “What are you talking about? We’re both lying here in bed together and talking to one another.”
Janice says, “No, I’m definitely dead.”
Jim insists, “You’re not dead. What in the world makes you think you’re dead?”
To which Janice responds, “Because I woke up this morning and nothing hurts.”
I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone else who needs it. Our Thursday thought is “Take life one day at a time, which is all any of us are promised, and make today count.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21:4&version=NLT (Revelation 21:4) – He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1081 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1082/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1081 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God’s Tough Love – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1081/ (Day 1081) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
There are times when we are dealing with our children, or those who are very close to us, where we have to show love in a firm and disciplined manner, called tough love. This is required because it is best for those whom we do love. In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
God’s Tough Love
It’s a common myth that God always brings us back to repentance. This myth is debunked in the first letter of John as John writes in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9&version=NLT (1 John 1:9,)“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
We need to consider, though, that John also tells us that sometimes God never gives us another chance to confess our sins and be forgiven. In https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A16-17&version=NLT (1 John 5:16-17), the apostle gives us the other side of the sin-confession-forgiveness coin,“If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.”
Put simply, there are sins that Christians commit that don’t lead to death, but there are some that do. Is John talking about a divine law of cause and effect, where a specific sin irrevocably results in death? Not exactly.
We can be certain that John has no specific sin in mind because he never names a sin in this passage. John is saying there may come a time when God has had enough of our sin, and then our time on earth is up. We cannot know when such a time might come, so we shouldn’t be in the habit of sinning with impunity.
John had actually seen this happen. In Acts 5:1-11, Luke relates the incident of Ananias and Sapphira who lied to Peter (and to God) about the proceeds from a piece of property they had sold. They were under no obligation to give any of it to the church but pretended that they had given all the money to the Lord’s work. When confronted by Peter, both of them collapsed and died on the spot. Luke writes, “Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened,” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+5%3A11&version=NLT (Acts [5:11].) No kidding, can you imagine the impact?
No doubt this incident left an imprint on John’s mind. But John would have also known that there was Old Testament precedent for “sin unto...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1080 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Honesty Will Drive Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1080/ (Day 1080) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Joseph Sugarman, and it is, “Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure.”
Honesty Will Drive Success
Honesty is not only the best policy, but it is also an imperative policy. Dishonesty may seem like it provides a modicum of short-term success, but it will never last, and ultimately lead to your downfall and failure. Honesty is required for all long-term, lasting success, and it is the foundation upon which a living and lasting legacy is built.
Honesty is an invisible driving force that builds upon itself like a snowball cascading down a steep slope, going bigger and more powerful with each revolution. Honesty begets honesty and has a multiplying effect that by its very nature brings with it success in all areas of life.
Even the smallest of lies will destroy the momentum that success is building upon. So in all areas of life, live a life of honesty, with integrity, so that no one can have a negative word to say about how you live your life. In doing so, you will exude success in everything that you do. This reminds me of two verses in 1 Peter 3.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+3:10&version=NLT (1 Peter 3:10) – For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+3:16&version=NLT (1 Peter 3:16) – But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1081/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1079 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1079 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God Causes Everything to Work Together – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1079/ (Day 1079) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We have our own concept of what may be best for us, but God who is outside of our limited time space knows for sure and has His purpose in mind. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
God Causes Everything to Work Together
Romans [8:28] is one of the most frequently misused verses both within the family of believers and outside. You frequently hear that “everything works together for good.” For most of us it is a coping mechanism for when events or circumstances happen that we do not particularly understand or like. As Christians, we may not always know or understand why certain events happen, but we can know that God is ultimately in control.
Let me read this verse https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A28&version=NLT (Romans 8:28,) “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
We know…There are so many things we do not know. We do not know if the economy will dip or if our team will win. We do not know what our spouse is thinking or how our kids will turn out. We don’t even know “what we ought to pray” as https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A26&version=NLT (Romans 8:6) tells us, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”
But according to Paul in his letter to the church in Rome, we can be absolutely certain about four things. We know…
God causes everything to work together. God is busy behind the scenes, above the fray, within the fury. He hasn’t checked out or moved on. He is ceaseless and tireless. He never stops working.
God causes everything to work together for the good. Not for our comfort or pleasure or entertainment, but for our ultimate good. Since he is the ultimate good, would we expect anything less?
God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God. Observe the benefit of loving God! Make his story your story, and your story takes on a happy ending. Guaranteed. Being the author of our salvation, he writes a salvation theme into our biography.
God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. We are called according to His purpose, not ours. This concept is taken from the Greek word Panta, which is the root for words like “panoramic” or “panacea” or “pandemic.” In other words, “All-inclusive.” God works, not through a few things or through the good things,...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1078 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom How to Make Wise Choices – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1078/ (Day 1078) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
My surgery for removing the rod and screws from my left femur last Friday was very successful, and I am well on my way to recovery. Although it is still quite sore in the four areas that the incisions were made, I can already tell that there will be relief from the irritation that was caused by the rod and screws. There will be some discomfort at least until next Wednesday when the bandages are removed, and I get the staples taken out of the incisions. I am excited about the results.
Each day we are faced with a bombardment of decisions and choices to make. It is not always easy to make sure we are making wise choices.
So the question for this week and next is…
“Hey, Gramps, when you come to decision points in life, and there is a multitude of choices to make how do you make sure that you are making wise choices, especially when there are several good options?”
How to Make Wise Choices
We make hundreds of choices each day. Some choices are spontaneous and of little consequence, like the coffee mug we choose in the morning. Other decisions carry greater weight and significance, like choosing the person we will marry. In either extreme or with any decision in between, learning how to make wise choices is an important life skill for every believer and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, doing God’s will is really a matter of making the right choices on a consistent, daily basis.
All godly wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1%3A7&version=NLT (Proverbs 1:7) tells us, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”To fear God is to reverently acknowledge Him for who He truly is. The result of fearing God is the avoidance of evil. Picturing yourself in the presence of Almighty God as you make decisions can be a safeguard to keep you from making foolish and unwise choices. Start your decision-making process with eternity in mind and with the goal of hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” from your Lord and Master.
When we start our decision-making process by fearing the Lord, we put ourselves in the position of humility before God. It is at this point that our hearts are ready to acknowledge our utter dependence upon the Lord for his guidance, counsel, and wisdom in how to proceed forward.
God wants to guide our lives and decision making and promises such guidance in His Word. In Psalms...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1077 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Travel Much? – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1077/ (Day 1077) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast provides a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Travel Much?
I have had the privilege to travel throughout this country and a few countries outside of the United States. There are many places that I have not been though. So let me ask you, have you been to these following locations…?
I’ve been in many places, but I’ve never been in Kahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Kahoots with someone.
I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.
I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family, and employees.
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump to there, which would require more energy than it seems worth.
I have been in Flexible at times, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.
I may have been in Continent, but I don’t remember what country that was in. It’s an age thing. They tell me it is very wet and damp there.
Well, that is enough traveling, for now, I think I have already gone off the rails for today.
I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone else who needs it. Our Thursday thought is “No matter where you are heading, enjoy your journey.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21:8&version=NLT (Proverbs 21:8) – The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1078/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1076 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1076 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom When Angels Do Time – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1076/ (Day 1076) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
We are often taught or think that the demonic beings in the New Testament are fallen angels that have sinned with Satan, but what does the Bible say? In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
When Angels Do Time
Most Bible study resources describe fallen angels as demons who joined Lucifer in his rebellion against God. But what if I told you that the only place in the New Testament that describes angels sinning, does not call them demons, has no connection to Lucifer, and has the angels in jail? Welcome to the world of 2 Peter and Jude.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+2%3A4&version=NLT (2 Peter 2:4) – “For God did not spare even the angels, who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+6&version=NLT (Jude 6) – “And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment.”
Second Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 are nearly identical in their description of angels doing time, but there are differences that help us figure out “what in the spiritual world is going on.”
Jude 6 defines what 2 Peter 2:4 means by the angelic sin. These sinning angels “left the place where they belonged.” Second Peter doesn’t say they were in cahoots with Satan, or that they did anything in Eden. It tells us they left their designated realm of existence and did something in another realm. But what did they do?
Both 2 Peter and Jude compare the sin of these angels with the Sodom and Gomorrah incident, where the sin involved sexual immorality (2 Pet 2:7: Jude 7). Second Peter also connects it to the time of Noah. There is only one sin involving a group of angelic beings in the entire Bible, and it coincides with Noah and is sexual in nature. That incident is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A1-4&version=NLT (Genesis 6:1-4,) “Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.’ In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1075 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Success Is Your Admission Ticket – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1075/ (Day 1075) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Henry Kissinger, and it is, “Each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem.”
Success Is Your Admission Ticket
Success in any area of life is not the final destination. Yes, we can and should celebrate milestones of success in life, but that is not the end. One success is just a doorway, or ticket, to the next challenge. As long as we are alive and able to make a positive impact on God’s kingdom, then we should be ready, willing, and able to continue moving forward through the difficult times on our journey to the next milestone of success.
We should never rest on the laurels of success for long because as long as we have breath, our purpose on earth is not completed and our journey forward must continue on. There will be more mountains to scale, more obstacles to overcome, and more hurting people to help. Take a rest when needed, and let us not grow weary but continue on utilizing our God-given talents and abilities to do His will in all things. Let us remember a couple of truths found in God’s Word.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6%3A9&version=NLT (Galatians 6:9) – So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40:31&version=NLT (Isaiah 40:31) – But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1076/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1074 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1076/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1074 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Set Your GPS for the Correct Destination – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1074/ (Day 1074) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
A compass or GPS unit can be very valuable if you know how to use it. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Set Your GPS for the Correct Destination
The problem is not that God has not spoken, it is that we are not listening. You might be thinking, when has God spoken?
Imagine that you opened a cookbook and proclaimed, now I know how to set my GPS for my vacation destination or business trip. While a cookbook may give you directions for making a great cake, it will do you no good for directions for traveling in a car. That is not the purpose of a cookbook.
Only by understanding its purpose can I accurately use the cookbook for something useful. In the same manner, only by understanding its purpose can I accurately use the Bible. Its purpose is to teach you the way to go in life.
The purpose of the Bible is simply to proclaim God’s plan to save his children. It asserts that man is lost and needs direction in order to be saved. The Bible is our GPS for life. It communicates the message that Jesus is the God in the flesh sent to provide directions on how his children are to be saved.
Though the Bible was written over the span of sixteen centuries by at least forty authors, it has one central theme—salvation through faith in Christ. The redemption story began through the directions given to Adam and Eve. It continues to Noah on building the Ark. It then was handed to Abraham by giving him directions to a land that was not his yet.
It then passed onto Moses leading the entire nation of Israel through the lonely desert of Arabia. In the New Testament, it continued through the Apostles and was finished by John on the lonely Isle of Patmos. All those directions were held together by a strong thread: God’s passion and God’s plan to save his children. To provide them directions to heaven.
What a vital truth! Understanding the purpose of the Bible is like setting the GPS to the correct destination. Set those directions correctly and you’ll journey safely. If you fail to set your life’s direction according to God’s Word, who knows where you’ll end up.
As we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119:105&version=NLT (Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1079/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1075/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1073 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Are You Afraid Gramps? – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1073/ (Day 1073) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
After investing 31 weeks focusing on the Enneagram, we are switching back to our regular “Ask Gramps” episodes. We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes, but we will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable.
If you have been a long time listener to Wisdom-Trek, you may remember that 19 months ago I fell from a ladder and fractured my femur bone right below the hip ball. The operation to repair it required a rod inserted down the center of my femur through the hip socket with a screw placed in the hip ball and another one right above my knee cap to hold the rod securely in place.
On the day that this podcast originally airs, I am scheduled for outpatient surgery to have the rod and screws removed. Since I exercise a lot, the rod and screws are continually rubbing on my thigh and hip muscles, causing an irritating amount of low-level pain. I could leave the rod and screws in my leg the remainder of my life, but given an option to have them removed, I chose the latter.
So the questions for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, even though your surgery is outpatient and should not cause a problem, are you afraid or fearful to have the operation?”
Are You Afraid Gramps?
That is a great question. None of us like to have our bodies cut open, let alone choosing to have the procedure, when it is not required. I have heard the question before…what is the difference between major surgery and minor surgery? When you strip away all other concerns, major surgery is when it is performed on you, minor surgery is when it is performed on someone else.
Any time you have to be put completely under anesthesia, there is a heightened risk of complications. That is certainly a concern. During the operation the surgeon will need to make three incisions to remove the rod and two screws, and the primary cut for the rod will be about 3” long. That is also a concern, as there is a lot of bleeding and subsequent bruising. On top of these two concerns, I had to also take into consideration that when I had the original surgery, my pulse dropped dangerously low three times. In the emergency room, during the operation, and once afterward. We were told that the surgeon did give me a shot of adrenaline to stimulate the heart during surgery. My low heart rate was partially due to the fact that I was in very good shape physically and do a lot of running so prior to the accident my resting heart rate was only 50 bpm.
So back to the question, Gramps, are you afraid? I have to admit that as I record this podcast, which is the day before my surgery, there is a bit of both excitement and trepidation. I am excited that, after a period of recovery, I will no longer suffer the on-going pain caused by...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1072 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom I Will Grant You Three Wishes – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1072/ (Day 1072) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast provides a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
I Will Grant You Three Wishes
Jim, a sales representative, Sue the administration clerk, and Sam, their manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp in a dark, deserted alley. Curious about it they decide to rub it, and Poof! A genie comes out in a puff of smoke.
The genie says, “I usually only grant three wishes, so I’ll give each of you just one.”
Sue excitedly shouts, “Me first! Me first!” The genie replies, your wish is my command. “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.” Poof! Sue is gone.
In astonishment and amazement, Jim excitedly shouts “Me next! Me next!” The genie once again says, your wish is my command. “I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse and the love of my life.” Poof! Jim is gone.
“Okay, you’re up,” the genie says to Sam. Sam contemplates for a few minutes and then responds, “I want Sue and Jim back in the office after lunch.”
Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.
I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile on to someone else who needs it. Our Thursday thought is “Learn to allow others to go first, even when you are excited.”
Today’s verse is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20:16&version=NLT (Matthew 20:16,) “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1073/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1071 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1071 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Jesus Is God – According to Peter, Jude, & Enoch – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1071/ (Day 1071) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
The question I will ask as we explore today is, “Did Enoch know that Jesus was the incarnate God?” In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
Jesus Is God – According to Peter, Jude, & Enoch
The epistles of Peter and Jude are often overlooked in preaching and Bible study. Not only are they nestled among the more popular letters of Paul and the book of Revelation, but portions of these epistles sound odd to our modern sensibilities. That wasn’t the case in the first century. We can better grasp the meaning of these letters if we understand what they have in common with influential ancient Jewish and Christian writings that were circulating at the time. One of those literary works is known to us today as l Enoch, a book Peter and Jude draw upon in their letters. Jews and Christians of antiquity considered books such as l Enoch important resources for understanding biblical books and their theology. Peter and Jude were no exception. For example, Jude 14-15 draws directly from 1 Enoch.
1 Enoch 1:9
Jude 14-15
Behold, he comes with the myriads of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all, and to destroy all the wicked, and to convict all flesh for all the wicked deeds that they have done, and the proud and hard words that wicked sinners spoke against him. Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
All of the ideas found in 1 Enoch 1:9 can also be found in three Old Testament passages: Jeremiah [25:30]-31, Isaiah [66:15]-16, and Zechariah 14:5. Rather than quote all three, Jude quotes the verse in 1 Enoch that combines them. But the real point of interest isn’t Jude’s succinctness; it’s his interpretation of 1 Enoch, as well as the Old Testament. In 1 Enoch 1:9 it is the “Great Holy One” (God) who is “coming with myriads of holy ones from Sinai (1 Enoch 1:4) and who has promised to come to earth in the day of the Lord for final judgment. For Jude as well as Mark and Paul (compare Mark [8:38] and 1 Thessalonians [3:13]), this event is transformed into the return of Jesus Christ (Jude 17-18). By naming Jesus as the one coming with the holy ones, Jude equates Jesus with the God of Israel. Jude’s citation of 1 Enoch is his efficient strategy for declaring that Jesus is God.
Peter...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1070 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Don’t Be Distracted By Criticism – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1070/ (Day 1070) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Zig Ziglar, and it is, “Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember — the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”
Don’t Be Distracted By Criticism None of us likes to be criticized by others, but it does still happen. Sometime justly, but most of the time, unjustly. If we are doing what is right, just, and fair we still may be criticized, but we can move forward with the realization, that it is not warranted, and we also have to consider the source.
When we succeed in any area of life, there will be distractors attempting to bring us down to their level. It is true that misery loves company, and the more miserable someone is, the more that person will attempt to bring others down. Those who are critical of others may do so because they are jealous. They may realize they do not have the ambition and perseverance to achieve success themselves. It may be, though, that they are hurting inside, so they lash out at others as a desperate plea for help.
Let us never be brought down by the criticism of others, but continue to do the very best that we can do with the abilities and gifts that God has granted to us. Let us never forget to be thankful in all ways. With your success, be willing to reach out and help others, yes, even those who criticize you.
In all ways, let us be like Daniel as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+6:4&version=NLT (Daniel 6:4,) “Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1071/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1069 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1069 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom It’s Your Choice Each Day – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1069/ (Day 1069) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Every day we are faced with a multitude of situations, both good and bad about which we need to make decisions and choices of how we will respond. In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
It’s Your Choice Each Day
IT’S QUIET. It’s early as I wake up at [4:45] AM each morning. I dress in my workout clothes and prepare for my combination exercise and quiet time with God. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
By the time I am finished and have showered and dressed for the day, the morning has arrived. It roars down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn is exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours or more I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. Those choices will be difficult, and there will be times where I feel too weak to make the right choices…But by God’s grace and His power within me, I am free to choose correctly. So I choose.
I choose love…
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive others so that I may live.
I choose patience…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness…
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness…
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children and grandchildren will never fear because...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1068 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 8&8; 8&9; 9&9 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1068/ (Day 1068) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (“Ennea” refers to 9 and “gram” refers to a drawing). I have included a One Page Enneagram Summary created by Beth McCord. If you would like to download this graphic, click on the picture in today’s Wisdom Journal.
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Fourteen weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Eight (the Challenger) with Enneagram Type Eight (the Challenger) What Each Type Brings to the Relationship
As with all double-type relationships, two Enneagram Eights generally bring the same qualities to each other. Therein lies both a main source...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1067 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom To Jump, or Not to Jump – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1067/ (Day 1067) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
To Jump, or Not to Jump
The local cancer society decided to sponsor a “Jump for Cancer” fundraiser to support local cancer patients. They contacted a nearby flight school that had a training course for parachute jumping. Next, they solicited local businesses to sponsor volunteers who were willing to jump. The donation was to be $1 per foot that they were willing to jump, with a maximum of 1000 feet.
Sam, who had several family members that suffered from cancer eagerly volunteered, although he was quite apprehensive. There were three one hour training sessions involved before the actual jump. The first couple of classes went okay, with mostly background information about parachute jumping and how to make sure your parachute was packed properly.
On the final day of training Jim, the instructor, described what it was like free-falling before the chute opened and what to expect once it did open. He then emphasized that the most important part was landing and how important it was to prepare for landing at 300 feet.
“How do you know when you’re at 300 feet?” asked John, another new jumper.
“That’s a great question,” replied Jim. “At 300 feet you can recognize the faces of people on the ground.”
John thought for a while in silence before seriously asking, “What happens if there’s no one there I know?”
I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone else who needs it. Our Thursday thought is “Sometimes we just need that little extra push to get headed in the right direction.”
Today’s verse is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+14:6&version=NLT (Revelation 14:6,)“And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1068/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1066 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide,...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1066 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Spiritual Warfare of Baptism – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1066/ (Day 1066) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
What is the purpose or significance of baptism? In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
The Spiritual Warfare of Baptism
The pastor had been preaching a series of messages through l Peter. When it was time for https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A14-22&version=NLT (1 Peter [3:14]-22) he sincerely announced, “We’re going to skip this section since it’s just too strange.” He was right and wrong that day. As odd as it is, this passage is one of the most compelling in the New Testament, if you understand what it is saying.
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison, those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
The theme of 1 Peter is that Christians must withstand persecution and persevere in their faith. To understand how our odd passage fits with that theme, we need to get our heads around the concept of “types” and typology—a kind of prophecy that occurs in the Bible.
We’re most familiar with prophecies directly from the mouth of a prophet. But a “type” is an unspoken prophecy: it is an event, person, or institution that foreshadows something that will come. For example, Paul tells us that Adam was a type of Christ. He foreshadowed or echoed something about Jesus, namely that His work on the cross would affect all people just as Adam’s disobedience had a global effect (Rom [5:14]).
1 Peter...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1065 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Don’t Be Discouraged By Failure – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1065/ (Day 1065) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from John Keats, and it is, “Don’t be discouraged by failure. Failure, in a sense, is the highway to success because every discovery of what is false leads us to seek what is true. And every fresh experience points out an error which we shall, afterwards, carefully avoid.”
Don’t Be Discouraged By Failure
No one likes or enjoys failure, and many become discouraged and quit at the first sign of failure. This should not be. Failure is no more than a detour on life’s road to success.
If you are driving down the highway on the road to a sought after destination, say to visit your kids or grandkids, and you find the road is closed, and there is a detour, would you give up and return home? No, you would travel the extra miles needed on the detour so that you would continue on your road towards your eventual destination.
The highway to success is filled with the potholes of failure. When you see the potholes coming, you try to avoid them, but you will occasionally hit one dead on, and it most likely is not an enjoyable experience. If the road has many potholes, you become more cautious and learn to watch for them and avoid as many as possible. Every discovery of a pothole leads to you know what the solid highway looks like and what is to be avoided.
In the same manner, every failure on your road to success will allow you to learn what to carefully avoid and give you the confidence to keep moving forward toward your destination. So don’t let the potholes of failure on your highway to success discourage you. Learn from them, avoid them when possible, and enjoy your journey. Keep in mind, ultimately it is God who provides our success.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+8:18&version=NLT (Deuteronomy 8:18) – Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1066/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1064 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1064 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Many Faces of Greed – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1064/ (Day 1064) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Stuff…In our western cultures, and especially in the United States, accumulating stuff has become a national pastime. What drives this fixation we have with accumulating more and more? In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
The Many Faces of Greed
Our obsession with stuff carries a hefty price tag. As a society, we spend 110% of our disposable income trying to manage debt. We are obsessed with accumulating stuff. We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.
We have become a nation of hoarders. We have to build or buy larger homes to store all of our stuff, and when they fill up, we spend even more money renting storage buildings to store the stuff we never use and certainly don’t need. We fill our garages to the brim with worthless stuff, while we let our vehicles costing tens of thousands of dollars sit out in the weather to be ravished by the elements.
The US and most western governments do the same running on deficit spending. Why are we driven to such insanity? Who can keep up? No one can!
Jesus warns in http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dptdpstmdgdftjmnfrkwlfzltsfjhkkjgctlppndhmhdrrh_cqjgmhhjmdqgftcgtqghghh.html?a=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado&b=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado+01%2F19%2F05&c=2623353&d=891429008e1af5f78b8ec1c361bf6bfb&e=490079284 (Luke 12:15), “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Greed comes in many forms. Greed for approval. Greed for applause. Greed for status. Greed to keep up with others. The tenth commandment in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20%3A17&version=NLT (Exodus 20:17) clearly tells us, “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”
Greed has many faces but speaks one language: the language of more. Wise was the one who wrote, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” We could also say, “Whoever loves stuff, never has enough stuff.” We are only caretakers at best of all that we possess in this world. When we depart, it is no longer ours. This old adage is also very true, “The more that we own, the more we are owned by it.”
The only way to feel full is to feel fulfilled. The only way to feel fulfilled is to understand that everything we have comes from God—and he gives us exactly what we need. All of it is on loan! And, someday we’ll have to give it all back, checking it at heaven’s door!
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1063 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 7&7; 7&8; 7&9 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1063/ (Day 1063) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Thirteen weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Seven (the Enthusiast) with Enneagram Type Seven (the...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1062 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Gifts for Mom – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1062/ (Day 1062) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30), “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Gifts for Mom
Three brothers, Milton, Gerald, and Donald all left home after college, went out on their own, and prospered. After many years of hard work, they got back together to celebrate their individual successes. At this reunion, they discussed the recent gifts they were able to give their elderly mother for the most recent Christmas.
Milton bragged, “As you all know, I built a big house for our mother.”
Not to be outdone, Gerald bragged, “That was nice, but I believe my gift was much more practical. I sent her a Mercedes with a driver.”
Donald smiled and said, “I’ve got you both beat. You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can’t see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. He’s one of a kind. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it.”
Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks:
“Milton,” she wrote to her eldest son, “The house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house.”
“Gerald,” she wrote to her middle son, “I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time at home, so I rarely use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!”
“Dearest Donald,” she wrote to her third and youngest son, “You have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken you sent was delicious.”
I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone else who needs it. For our Thursday thought, remember, “Sometimes it really is the thought, not the gift that counts.”
Today’s verse is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+4:10&version=NLT (1 Peter 4:10,) “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1063/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1061 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you so much for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1061 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom God’s Right-Hand Woman – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1061/ (Day 1061) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
While much of the Bible is written from a patriarchal perspective, women certainly play an integral part of God’s redemption story. I don’t think it is by coincidence that when Scripture speaks of wisdom that it is referred to in the feminine gender. In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
God’s Right-Hand Woman Hebrews 1:2 tells us, “And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.” This is also emphasized in Colossians 1:16 and in I Corinthians 8:6. Jesus’s role as co-creator with God is a familiar doctrine. But in Hebrews 1:3 there’s something that’s a bit odd, “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.”
What’s strange about the phrase isn’t its meaning. We get the metaphor. Jesus “radiates” the glory of God; He is a brilliant reflection of what God is like. What’s odd is where the idea comes from, and how startling it would have been to the Jewish Christians for whom the book of Hebrews was intended.
The word “radiates” (apaugasma) occurs only here in the New Testament. To figure out what the writer of Hebrews meant, we have to look at his source. The writer is quoting the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, but the Septuagint included books that many Jews and Christians today do not consider part of the biblical canon, but which some in ancient times considered sacred. The phrase in Hebrews 1:2 comes from one of these books titled Wisdom of Solomon.
Which is different than the book of Proverbs in our Old Testament. How can we be sure? Because the word (apaugasma) is found only one time in the Septuagint: Wisdom of Solomon [7:26]. Sure, the scarcity of the word is curious, but where’s the surprise? Not only is the word extremely uncommon, but the source of the Hebrews 1:2 quotation has a woman as God’s personified reflection. As Dr. Heiser puts it, “welcome to the biblical twilight zone.”
The Wisdom of Solomon [7:24]-26 from the Septuagint from which this word is taken reads as follows:
For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.
For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1060 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Either Failure or Success Can Destroy – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1060/ (Day 1060) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Jose Silva, and it is, “Do not allow the first failure to destroy you, nor success to ruin you.”
Either Failure or Success Can Destroy Failure and success are often times two sides of the same coin. There is such a slight difference between the two. When you fail at something, you may be very close to the desired success. In the same manner, when you succeed, even greatly, you are always precipitously close to failure.
If you let it, failure can defeat you and destroy your desire to continue on. In the same manner though, if you push so hard for success in one area of life, like finances, and you ignore the other areas of life, then success can utterly ruin you. In all areas of life, be balanced and practice moderation.
You can be so focused on gaining the whole world that you lose your soul. You lose the very person of who you are. You lose the relationships that are so important. Invest in being a success in all areas of life – spiritually, relationally, mentally, emotionally, economically and physically. It is then that you will be successful without ruining a part of your life. God’s Word provides us with the guidelines and precepts to achieve true success.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16:26&version=NLT (Matthew 16:26) says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1059 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1059 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Alone With God – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1059/ (Day 1059) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
In our fast-paced, constant stimulus, technology-driven world, we have little time to be alone with ourselves or alone with God. In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
Alone With God
How long has it been since you went off to an isolated place to be with God? I mean really alone? No distractions. No background noise. No mobile phone. Just you and God. How long since you gave him a portion of undiluted, uninterrupted time listening for his voice?
It is very difficult to do so, especially if you have children in your home constantly vying for your attention. It is important that we plan those times in our busy schedules, or it will not happen. We need to set the time aside to commune with God through prayer and to let Him speak to us through His Word. There is no substitute. It is a time of refreshment for renewing of your mind. It provides sustenance for spiritual strength. Is it really that important?
Apparently, Jesus thought so. Although he was fully God, in his incarnation, he was also fully man. As a human in his flesh, he was subject to the weaknesses of body, mind, and soul as we are, and yet without sin. He made a deliberate effort to invest time with God. If you invest much time reading about the life of Jesus, a distinct pattern emerges. He invested regular time with God, praying and listening. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1:35&version=NLT (Mark 1:35 )says, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5%3A16&version=NLT (Luke 5:16) tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”
Let me ask the obvious. If Jesus, the Son of God, the sinless Savior of humankind, thought it worthwhile to clear his calendar to pray, wouldn’t we be wise to do the same?
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1064/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1060/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1060/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1058 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1058 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 6&7; 6&8; 6&9 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1058/ (Day 1058) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Twelve weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Six (the Loyalist) with Enneagram Type Seven (the Enthusiast)...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1057 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom It’s a Dog’s Life – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1057/ (Day 1057) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told inhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,)“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
It’s a Dog’s Life
Sam, a veterinarian, had been called to examine a very ill fifteen-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Duke. The dog’s owner, Ron, and his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Duke and they were hoping for a miracle.
Sam examined Duke and found he was dying of cancer. Sam told the family that he couldn’t do anything for Duke, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As they made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told Sam they thought it would be good for four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, Sam felt that familiar catch in his throat as Duke’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that Sam wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Duke slipped peacefully away.
Shane seemed to accept Duke’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. As Sam and the family sat together for a while after Duke’s death, they wondered aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”
Startled, they all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned everyone. They had never heard a more comforting explanation.
Shane said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life—like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”
Shane, the four-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
I hope that brought a smile to your face today, if so, pass that smile onto someone else who needs it. Our Thursday thought is “love everyone, all the time and be nice to them.”
Our verse for today is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A4-5&version=NLT (Philippians 4:4-5,) “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1058/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1056 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1056 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Is Jesus Waiting For? – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1056/ (Day 1056 )of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Since Jesus Christ ascended to heaven after His resurrection believers have been looking hopefully for His 2nd coming to rule and reign. In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
What Is Jesus Waiting For?
Dr. Heiser shares this story…I recall the traumatic experience of seeing the movie A Thief in the Night as a teenager. The film was about how Jesus could return at any moment—like a thief in the night, a description borrowed from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A2&version=NLT (l Thessalonians 5:2) that says, “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.”
The message of this movie was: If we weren’t believers, we could be left behind by the Lord. The movie didn’t lead to my decision to put my faith in Christ, but it did accomplish one desired effect—it scared me. But the question in our essay today: Is the idea of the imminent return of Jesus biblical?
Jesus warned His followers to be ready for His return; even He did not know the precise day or hour it would happen (Matt [24:36]). Therefore, He would return unexpectedly (Matthew [24:50]). Other passages written after Jesus resurrection suggest that His return could be very soon in that we should be eagerly waiting as we look forward with hope to that wonderful day (1 Corinthians 1:7: Titus [2:13]). The Lord is coming soon, or his coming is near (Philippians 4:5 and James 5:8-9).
Two thousand years have passed since these blunt statements were made, leading many to believe that they have been misunderstood. Additional obstacles to the idea of an “imminent” return emerge from other Scripture passages. The New Testament suggests that certain signs or events would precede the return of Jesus. For example, the temple had to be destroyed (Matthew 24:2), and there would be celestial signs indicating His return (Matt [24:30]: Luke [21:11]).
In three of His parables, Jesus suggested that His return would not be immediate but after a delay (Luke [19:11]-27 & Matthew 25:5, 19)—at least until the death of an aged Peter (John [21:18]). Paul believed, apparently on the basis of Matthew [24:14], that the gospel had to reach all the Gentile nations before the salvation plan of God was fulfilled and Jesus would return (Romans [11:12], 25).
Even I Thessalonians 5, the chapter in which the “thief in the night” phrase is found, suggests that believers will have some sort of inkling about the time of His return. Note how Paul uses nouns and pronouns to distinguish believers as able to discern...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1055 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Discipline Brings Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1055/ (Day 1055) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from George Washington, and it is, “Discipline is the soul of any army. It makes small number formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”
Discipline Brings Success
Discipline in all areas of life will transform your life from being ineffective, small, and weak into a life that is powerful, effective, and larger than life and give you the strength to succeed in any area that you choose. Just like discipline within an army is a requirement in order to be victorious in battle, discipline in your life is required in order to succeed. A life with discipline is a life with a soul that will enable you to accomplish the impossible.
Discipline will make your small efforts unstoppable. Discipline will provide the strength that will bring success and esteem not only to you but to all whom you impact. Discipline in a life is what blood is to the body. It provides the very essence of a life that is both rich and satisfying. One of the main sources of both wisdom and discipline is found in the Book of Proverbs as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1%3A1-4&version=NLT (Proverbs 1:1-4.)
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1056/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1054 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1056/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1054 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom He Faced All The Same Testings – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1054/ (Day 1054) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We all go through difficult times and trials in our lives, and yet in so many ways, we are blessed. We don’t fully understand the trials and temptations that others face and wonder why they must suffer. There is one who does understand fully. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
He Faced All The Same Testings
Why did Jesus grow http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=4&ms=NTgzMTQyMTES1&r=MjgwMDY3MDI2NzcS1&b=0&j=MTU4MDIxMTE1MgS2&mt=1&rt=0 (weary )in Samaria, http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=9&ms=NTgzMTQyMTES1&r=MjgwMDY3MDI2NzcS1&b=0&j=MTU4MDIxMTE1MgS2&mt=1&rt=0 (disturbed) in Nazareth, and http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=11&ms=NTgzMTQyMTES1&r=MjgwMDY3MDI2NzcS1&b=0&j=MTU4MDIxMTE1MgS2&mt=1&rt=0 (angry) in the Temple? Why was he http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=7&ms=NTgzMTQyMTES1&r=MjgwMDY3MDI2NzcS1&b=0&j=MTU4MDIxMTE1MgS2&mt=1&rt=0 (sleepy) in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=8&ms=NTgzMTQyMTES1&r=MjgwMDY3MDI2NzcS1&b=0&j=MTU4MDIxMTE1MgS2&mt=1&rt=0 (sad) at the tomb of Lazarus, and http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=13&ms=NTgzMTQyMTES1&r=MjgwMDY3MDI2NzcS1&b=0&j=MTU4MDIxMTE1MgS2&mt=1&rt=0 (hungry )in the wilderness? Why did He suffer intense https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A44&version=NIV (anguish) in the Garden of Gethsemane? Why? Why did he endure all these feelings?
Because he knew you’d feel them too. He knew you’d be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be sleepy, grief-stricken, and hungry. He knew you’d face anguish and pain. If not the pain of the body, the pain of the soul—pain too sharp for any drug. He knew you’d face thirst. If not a thirst for water, at least a thirst for truth, and the truth we glean from the image of a thirsty Christ is—he understands. And because he understands, we can come to him!
Why did Jesus take on flesh to become fully human while remaining fully God? How can we find solace in His sacrifice for us? It is found in the following two passages.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A5-11&version=NLT (Philippians 2:5-11)
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1053 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 5&8; 5&9; 6&6 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1053/ (Day 1053) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Eleven weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Five (the Investigator) with Enneagram Type Eight (the Challenger) What Each Type Brings to...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1052 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom They Will Put Mommy In Jail – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1052/ (Day 1052) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
They Will Put Mommy In Jail
Karen is a mother of two rambunctious elementary school boys who were complete opposites. Johnny, her older son, loves school, but his younger brother Tommy absolutely hates it. One weekend Tommy cried and fretted and tried every excuse not to go back on Monday. Sunday morning on the way home from church, Tommy’s crying and whining built to a crescendo. Karen was at the end of her rope. She abruptly pulled the car into a store parking lot and stopped the car and explained, “Now Tommy, Honey, it’s a law. If you don’t go to school, they’ll put Mommy in jail.”
Tommy looked at his mom, thought a moment, and then asked, “How long would you have to stay?”
Well, I trust that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass that smile onto someone else that needs it.
Our Thursday thought is “No matter how frustrating children are at times, they are your heritage from the Lord. Live life well.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31%3A28-29&version=NLT (Proverbs 31:28-29) reminds, “Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: ‘There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!'”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1053/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1051 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1053/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1051 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom How Many Times Is Jesus Coming Back? – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1051/ (Day 1051) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
There are few Biblical topics that elicit as much excitement and conflict as interpretations of the rapture and 2nd coming of Christ. In today’s essay, we will explore passages that cover…
How Many Times Is Jesus Coming Back?
Few things in the Bible attract more attention than prophecies about the end times. Even people with only a passing acquaintance with the Bible know that it foretells a second coming of Jesus. Those who study the Bible know the book of Revelation reveals that the second coming brings an end to the reign of the Antichrist (the “beast” in Revelations [19:11]-21). The risen Christ, the incarnation of God, returns to earth not as a suffering Savior, but as the glorious warrior-king. But does the Bible describe an earlier return of Jesus—one that precedes this triumphant arrival?
· The “Rapture” Some Christians believe that https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+thess+4%3A16-17&version=NLT (1Thessalonians [4:16]-17) describes how all believers will be taken from the earth, dead or alive, at an appearing of Jesus before the second coming described in Revelation 19.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
This earlier return of Jesus is called the “rapture” by believers who embrace this idea. The term is derived from the Latin word rapiemur (from rapio, meaning “to carry off”) used by the translator of the Latin Vulgate for the Greek word harpazo translated “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Other Christians, however, reject the idea that 1 Thessalonians 4 speaks of a different event than the return of Jesus to earth described in Revelation 19. For them, there will only be one return of Jesus in the future. So, who’s right?
· Harmonizing The answer to the question is “it depends.” If we were to read all the passages in the New Testament that speak of Jesus’ future return, along with Old Testament passages that speak of a final, climactic visitation by God on earth that will put an end to evil (“the Day of the Lord ”), we would notice immediately that they do not agree on the details or descriptions. For example, 1 Thessalonians [4:16]-17 seemingly has Jesus returning in the air, gathering believers into the clouds, whereas the prophet Zechariah foretold the physical arrival of...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1050 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Beginning Every Fresh Moment – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1050/ (Day 1050) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged.
This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:
Today’s quote is from Mary Anne Radmacher, and it is, “Difficulties impact me, but they do not define me. Challenges mold me, but they do not make me. Praise may encourage me, but it is my own vision that inspires me. Successes may spur me on, but it is my own reward that satisfies me. Pain may permeate, but my heart and hope prevail. Criticism and pettiness may knock, but the lock is on my side of the door. Abundance may pave the road, but it is generosity that lights the way. My way. Beginning every fresh moment, now!”
Beginning Every Fresh Moment
We often want to shift the responsibilities for our decisions and actions to external circumstances that we face each day, but external circumstances do not really control us. We cannot control the external circumstance in our lives, but we can always control how we respond to those external circumstances. We always have a choice, even though those choices may be very difficult.
Difficulties, challenges, praise, success, pain, criticism, and abundance, are all external stimuli, but it is our core values and integrity that controls how we respond to either positive or negative stimuli. We have a choice at any point in our lives to allow our lives to be fresh and new, to live from this point forward guided by core values that are built on the solid bedrock of Biblical integrity.
Our lives are holy beacons of light that should shine the light of hope, love, and joy into the lives of others. Let us always be a light shining brightly because of who we are, not because of our external circumstances, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.
We are instructed in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A16&version=NLT (Matthew 5:16,) “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1051/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1049 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1049 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Fix Our Gaze – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1049/ (Day 1049) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We cannot always see life circumstances clearly when we are in the middle of them. We may question and doubt God’s plan and will for our lives. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Fix Our Gaze
On the wall of a German concentration camp, a prisoner had carved the following words:
“I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine.
I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown.
I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak.”
What hand could have cut such a conviction? What eyes could have seen good in such horror? There’s only one answer. Eyes that chose to see the unseen.
There are many circumstances and situations that we face in life that we just cannot understand. They don’t make any sense. They seem to be so unfair. It may be a spouse or parent that is suffering from cancer. It may be a child who is plucked from your life through an accident. It may be a marriage that has crumbled around you, even though you did all you could to preserve it.
In our lives, it was nearly two years ago when we found out our granddaughter Hazel had leukemia at age 2 1/2. She is still receiving treatments, and the prognosis looks favorable, but we still don’t understand the why of it. We must accept by faith that God ultimately has a bigger purpose in these situations—a purpose that we may never fully understand they why. We can choose to see either the hurt or the Healer. The direction our lives will lead us will determine which we choose.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1054/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1050/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1050/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1048 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1048 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 5&5; 5&6; 5&7 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1048/ (Day 1048) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Ten weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Five (the Investigator) with Enneagram Type Five (the Investigator)...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1047 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Don’t Forget Your Umbrella – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1047/ (Day 1047) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life. Something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Don’t Forget Your Umbrella
One day as he was walking to work, Sam stopped at the local diner that was on his way for breakfast just as it began to rain. It came down in buckets.
Forgetting that he hadn’t brought an umbrella, he reached for the nearest one that looked like his when he got up to leave. Little did he realize that an elderly woman named Sarah was just behind him and was also preparing to leave. With his hand on the door, he suddenly heard Sarah scolding him, as she loudly pronounced, “Hey Mister! That’s my umbrella.”
Sam was so embarrassed at his mistake when he suddenly realized that he had not brought an umbrella that morning. He handed the umbrella back to Sarah and slinked out of the diner. He walked on to his office, but was drenched by the time he arrived.
Once he got to his office, Sam discovered three umbrellas that he had left in the office over the months. Since it still looked like it could rain when he was leaving the office, he decided to bring them all home at the end of the day.
On his way home, he decided to stop once again at the diner for a snack and wouldn’t you know it, he ran into the same elderly woman (Sarah) also at the diner eating her dinner. Sam tried to avoid her stare as he walked past her, but she spotted him and looked at the umbrellas, then at Sam, and tartly remarked, “You did really well for yourself today, didn’t you?”
I hope that brought a smile to your face for today…If so, pass that smile onto someone else. Our Thursday Thought is “be careful about jumping to conclusions without knowing all the details.”
A good verse for today is: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+7:9&version=NLT (Zechariah 7:9,)“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.'”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1048/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1046 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1046 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom When Abraham Met Jesus – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1046/ (Day 1046) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
The father of the Israelites, Abraham, lived 2000 years before Christ came to earth to dwell as a human. How could Abraham have possibly met Christ? In today’s essay, we will explore passages that show…
When Abraham Met Jesus
Some of the most startling things in the Bible are hidden in plain sight. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A8&version=NLT (Galatians 3:8) is a case in point. Amid the predictable focus on law, grace, and the gospel, Paul blindsides us, “What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, ‘All nations will be blessed through you.'”
But Abraham lived two millennia before Jesus. There’s nothing about a crucified Savior in the stories about Abraham. What is Paul thinking? To correctly process https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A8&version=NLT (Galatians 3:8), we need to think about the gospel in different terms.
We typically think of the gospel in terms of the crucified Savior, Jesus, dying for our sins. But the work of Christ was just the means to accomplish what God sought. God wanted a sinless, holy, human family. The sacrifice of Jesus—fully God and fully human—was the necessary mechanism to achieve that larger goal. The gospel is God’s plan to become a man so He could have that holy, human family. Could Abraham have grasped that?
God’s decision to produce His family through Abraham is described in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12%3A1-3&version=NLT (Genesis 12:1-3,) “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.'”
Paul quoted part of that passage in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A8&version=NLT (Galatians 3:8). Paul believed that as a result of that divine encounter, Abraham came away with the knowledge of the gospel that God would become a man to provide the means for a human family. Even more than that, Abraham discerned that he and his offspring—which didn’t yet exist, and which seemingly couldn’t exist—were a critical part of that plan. Was Paul reading a different Old Testament than us?...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1045 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Success From Failure – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1045/ (Day 1045) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Dale Carnegie, and it is, “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”
Success From Failures
Success cannot be fully realized except in the light of the failures that we must go through in order to achieve it. We must learn to develop success from our greatest failures. We must understand that we will become discouraged and, at times, our hope will fade. It is only then that we can recognize and appreciate success when it comes.
Each decision we make, every action that we take is a step toward the success that we desire to achieve. In fact, discouragement and failures are the very stepping stone that we need to navigate over the murky slime that would otherwise engulf us. God never promises us that our path will be clear, nor that we will be free from hardship and anguish. He does promise us that He will guide and direct us. He does promise us that He will give us the strength and courage that we need.
He will see us through the discouragements and failures that we will inevitably face. It is then that we will realize the sweet success that we desire, and also realize that as long as we follow God’s precepts, then He will place the stepping stones along our path that will allow us to live a rich and satisfying life each day.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+8:18&version=NLT (Deuteronomy 8:18) says, “Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1046/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1044 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1046/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1044 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Live Wisely – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1044/ (Day 1044) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
How do you live your life on a day by day basis? Can others look to you as an example of someone who lives wisely? In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
Live Wisely
How you live each day is extremely important, much more important than you may realize. Other people are watching and observing your lives and taking mental note of the decisions that you make and the actions that you take. This includes many people who don’t believe that Jesus took on human form to dwell among us to become our Savior. They make decisions about Christ by watching us. When we’re kind, they assume Christ is kind. When we’re gracious, they assume Christ is gracious. But when we’re dishonest, what assumption will an observer make about our Master?
Courteous conduct honors Christ. It also honors his children. When you make an effort to greet everyone in the room, especially the ones others may have overlooked, you honor God’s children with love worth giving!
Are you creating and living a legacy that points others to Christ? Can others look at your life, regardless if they are a person of faith or not, and say there is an example of a good and godly person. We should be that type of example to everyone, all the time.
Live wisely before everyone so that they may see your life and glorify God. As the Apostle Paul tells us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+4%3A5-6&version=NLT (Colossians 4:5-6,) “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1049/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1045/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1045/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1043 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1043 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 4&7; 4&8; 4&9 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1043/ (Day 1043) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Nine weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Four (the Individualist) with Enneagram Type Seven (the Enthusiast)...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1042 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom One Noisy Hotel – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1042/ (Day 1042) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
One Noisy Hotel
Jim, a bleary-eyed guest, shuffles up to the counter to check out of the hotel. Sam, the guest services manager, noticed Jim’s look and asked him if everything was okay. Jim replied loudly, “This hotel is horrible!” Because the hotel was known for its good reputation, Sam was taken back and asked, “What is wrong?” Jim replied curtly, “I got no sleep. Every 15 minutes this loud banging sound woke me up!”
Sam apologized for the noise and asked if there was anything he could do. Jim replied gruffly, “No, but the next time, I want a different room.” Sam assured him that he would give him a special room the next time and finished checking Jim out of the hotel.
A few minutes later, a young couple showed up at the front desk to check out, looking very tired. Being concerned because of Jim’s experience, Sam asked how their stay was.
“Terrible!” They said. “The guy in the next room was snoring so loudly that we had to bang on the wall every 15 minutes to wake him up!”
I hope that brought a smile to your face for today…If so, pass that smile on to someone else. Our Thursday Thought is always be considerate of others, we only see things from our own perspective.
A good verse for today is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+18:17&version=NLT (Proverbs 18:17,)“The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1043/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1041 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1041 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Charlton Heston Had Company – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1041/ (Day 1041) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
The Ten Commandments have had a huge impact on our world, and our culture. Do we really know all the details of how they came to be? In today’s essay, we will explore a passage that shows…
Charlton Heston Had Company
When we hear “Moses Law,” we think of the story we heard in Sunday school or the scene from The Ten Commandments where Charlton Heston (a.k.a., Moses) gets the two tablets from God. But what if I told you Moses and God weren’t alone?
It may come as a surprise, but the New Testament tells us in three places that the Law was delivered by angels, members of God’s divine council. Here are two of those passages:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+7%3A52-53&version=NLT (Acts 7:52-53) – Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2%3A1-2&version=NLT (Hebrews 2:1-2) – So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.
I was pretty shocked the first time I saw these verses. And I certainly hadn’t heard about them in church. So what passage in the Old Testament were they quoting? That’s the second jolt. There isn’t a clear reference to it, at least not in the Old Testament we use.
The New Testament writers didn’t invent the idea, though. They got it from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+33%3A2-4+&version=NLT (Deuteronomy 33:2-4) in their Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Septuagint more clearly connects angels to the Law than the traditional Hebrew text upon which our English translations are based.
So they were using a translation. We can understand that. But we’re not done. It gets a bit stranger. The third New Testament passage that talks about the Law and angels is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A19-20&version=NLT (Galatians 3:19- 20). And this time, it isn’t just a crowd of angels with Moses and God, Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1040 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Better Person – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1040/ (Day 1040) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Benjamin Franklin,and it is, “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better person.”
A Better Person
If another person would describe you with a single word, what would that word be? Would it be angry, greedy, jealous, hateful, mean, immoral, or selfish? Or would it be lovely, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, or self-controlled? We need to be continually defeating those attributes in the first group and constantly cultivating the attributes in the second group.
I realize that all of us slip into bad traits at times, but we must be fertilizing and nurturing the good character traits in our lives each year. We do need to live at peace with others and each year become a better person than we were the year before.
There are many references and examples in the Bible as to what type of life we should be living, but there is also a distinct list of character traits that we should have if our lives are being controlled by God’s Spirit on a daily basis. This list will overwrite and indeed even fulfill all the law and the prophets and exemplify the person that we should be. That list is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal+5%3A22-23&version=NLT (Galatians 5:22-23,) “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
What type of fruit are you growing?
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1041/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1039 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1041/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1039 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Lord, Prop Us Up On Our Leaning Side – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1039/ (Day 1039) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Do you believe that God provides you with the strength, mercy, and grace to continue on each day? In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Lord, Prop Us Up On Our Leaning Side
Today I want to share with you a story that I read recently that will provide you with a thought that you can meditate on this week. Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old farmer who always prayed, “Lord, prop us up on our leanin’ side.” After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.
He answered, “Well Guthrie, you see, it’s like this…I got an old barn that is out back of my house. It’s been there a long time; it’s withstood a lot of weather; it’s gone through a lot of storms, and it’s stood for many years. It’s still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side of the barn so it wouldn’t fall. Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn.
That barn has been around for a long time, and I realize that it is not too much different than me. I’ve been around a long time. I’ve withstood a lot of life’s storms. I’ve withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I’ve withstood a lot of hard times, and I’m still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to ‘prop us up on our leaning side,’ cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.
Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, learning towards greed, learning towards jealousy, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn’t. So we need to pray, ‘Lord, prop us up on our leanin’ side,’ so we will stand straight and tall again to withstand the storms of life, and to glorify the Lord.”
As the old hymn says we are “Leaning on the everlasting arms of God.”
When God “props us up on the leaning side,” remember the truth found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+73:26&version=NLT (Psalm 73:26), “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1044/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1040/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1038 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 4&4; 4&5; 4&6 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1038/ (Day 1038) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1038/ (today’s) or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1038/ (today’s Wisdom Journal) located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1038/ (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Eight weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
The...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1037 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Professional’s Skills – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1037/ (Day 1037) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30), “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
A Professional’s Skills
We all have the tendency to rely on professionals when we feel that we are not qualified enough in a certain area of life. Quite often we don’t understand the true mastery certain professionals bring to our lives. In today’s humor nugget I will share with you the skill set of 12 different professionals.
A programmer is someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand.
An auditor is someone who arrives after the battle and bayonets all the wounded.
A banker is someone who lends you their umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain.
An economist is someone who is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday did not happen today.
A statistician is someone who is good with numbers but lacks the personality to be an accountant.
A mathematician is someone who is a blind person in a dark room looking for a black cat that is not there.
A lawyer is someone who writes a 10,000-word document and calls it a “brief.”
A psychologist is someone who watches everyone else when a beautiful girl enters the room.
A pastor is someone who tells you how much God loves you while making you feel wretched.
A professor is someone who talks in someone else’s sleep.
A consultant is someone who takes the watch off your wrist and tells you the time.
A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to Antarctica in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.
What type of professional are you? I hope these humorous nuggets put a smile on your face for today.
Our good worker verse for today is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A15&version=NLT (2 Timothy 2:15,)“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1038/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1036 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1036 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Treason & Translation – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1036/ (1036) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Are some Biblical translations treasonous to the Christian faith? In today’s essay, we will explore a passage that shows why certain translations differ.
Treason & Translation
A famous Italian proverb declares “traduttore, traditore,” which means, ”translator, traitor.” Those who assume this is true are unaware of how difficult it is to produce a translation. Every translator at some point invariably discards the meaning of the original text.
A committee of scholars assembled to produce a translation typically adopts an overarching philosophy of translation. In simplest terms, there are two. The first is called “formal equivalence,” which seeks to account for virtually every word in the original text by producing its English counterpart in translation. This is “word-for-word” or “literal” translation. The second is called “dynamic equivalence.” This approach seeks to capture the thought of the original verse in context, and then re-create that thought using whatever English words are most precise. This is “thought-for-thought” translation. But adopting an approach does not mean that all the translators will apply it equally. There is also a matter of interpretation. When the biblical text allows more than one translation due to ambiguity in the context, grammar, or word usage, a translator needs to make his or her own decision, which can lead to controversy.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+7%3A1&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 7:1) is illustrative of the potential hazard.
ESV It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
NASB It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
NIV It is good for a man not to marry.
NLT It is good to abstain from sexual relations.
The most “word-for-word” of these translations is that of the NASB, which captures the literal reading of the Greek words in the verse, particularly the verb “touch.” Other translations move away from the ambiguous “touch” to “have sexual relations with’’ (ESV, and NLT).
The most controversial rendering is the NIV “It is good for a man not to marry.” How is it that the translators could go from a Greek word that means “touch” to these options?
The answer is that the translators factored in what was presumed to be the wider context of the chapter and, ultimately, the writer. In 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, Paul describes himself as single. His advice to the Corinthians in several places is that it would be wiser for those who are not married to remain unmarried (1 Corinthians 7:7-8 & 26-27) because of an undefined “present crises”...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1035 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom New Challenges and New Opportunities – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1035/ (Day 1035) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Michael Josephson, and it is, “Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not, the New Year will bring new opportunities.”
New Challenges and New Opportunities
Every year, in fact, every day, we are continually faced with both challenges and opportunities. They may actually be the same experience. A challenging situation is actually an opportunity.
We must do away with the thinking that challenges are negative and opportunities are positive. Both are actually neutral, and it is how we perceive the situation that makes it a challenge or an opportunity. Every challenge has opportunities embedded in its core, and every opportunity will have many challenges that actually make the opportunity worthwhile.
Regardless of whether a situation is considered a challenge or opportunity, let us be willing and ready to seize the day, work hard, and take advantage of every challenge and convert it into an opportunity. Let us be prepared to face every challenge that is contained within every opportunity.
Let us live by the Spirit’s power the resides within us, as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5:15-17&version=NLT (Ephesians 5:15-17) , “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1036/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1034 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1036/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1034 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Fate vs. Free Will – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1034/ (Day 1034) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
As we have just begun a new year, what do we need to do in order to make it a good and godly year? In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Fate vs. Free Will
In Paul’s letter to his protégé Timothy in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A6&version=NLT (2 Timothy 1:6) he instructs him to, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”
Timothy was divinely given spiritual gifts to assist in building God’s kingdom, but it was up to him to do something with those gifts. Paul encourages him to turn up the heat and do something with the gifts he was provided.
A good explanation for the difference between fate and free will is: “Fate is the hand you were dealt; free will is what you do with that hand.”
We cannot choose to whom, when, or where we are born, that is determined only by God. While we are not responsible for, nor did we have any choice in what gifts and abilities we were born with, we are completely responsible for what we do about discovering and developing these gifts and talents and for how we use them. We are responsible for maximizing our God-given resources.
Furthermore, regardless of our background, which I acknowledge has a profound effect on us, with God’s help and the support of encouraging friends, we can refuse to allow our predetermined past to determine our future, and we can overcome much of our past, develop our talents, learn new skills or upgrade the skills that we already have, become the people God wants us to be, and do what we believe He wants us to do with our lives. We are without excuse as we are encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2:10&version=NLT (Ephesians 2:10,) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
God planned our lives long ago. It all boils down to our choice on what we do with those plans. Either by conscious choice or by default, we all choose what we want to become and do what we choose to do. As another person has said, “Everyone is self-made, even if the successful are the only ones who will admit it.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1039/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1035/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1033 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 3&7; 3&8; 3&9 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1033/ (Day 1033) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Seven weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Three (the Achiever) with Enneagram...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1032 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Exercises to Avoid in 2019 – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1032/ (Day 1032) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Exercises to Avoid in 2019
If you are a long time listener to the Wisdom-Trek podcast, you know that I strongly advocate keeping fit through exercising and eating good, wholesome foods. In today’s humor nugget I want to share with you 17 exercises that we should avoid:
Jumping on the bandwagon.
Wading through paperwork.
Running around in circles.
Pushing your luck.
Playing in traffic.
Spinning your wheels.
Adding fuel to the fire.
Beating your head against the wall.
Climbing the walls.
Beating your own drum.
Dragging your heels.
Jumping to conclusions.
Grasping at straws.
Fishing for compliments.
Throwing your weight around.
Passing the buck.
Running with scissors.
Well, I hope that will keep you safe, help to improve your exercise regimen, and put a smile on your face for today.
Our exercise verse for today is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A8&version=NLT (1 Timothy 4:8,) “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1033/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1031 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1033/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1031 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Signed, Sealed, and Delivered, to Satan – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1031/ (Day 1031) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors.
In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.”
Can a Christian be turned over to Satan for destruction? In today’s essay we will explore a passage that may indicate so…
Signed, Sealed and Delivered, to Satan Throughout the New Testament, “family language” is used to describe the relationship of believers to God and Jesus. The Lord’s Prayer instructs us to address God as “our Father” (Matthew 6:9). Hebrews 2:11-12 reveals that Jesus considers believers His own siblings. Paul says Christians comprise “the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). How is it, then, that Paul tells Christians living in Corinth that believers unrepentantly living in sin should not only be put out of the church (1 Corinthians 5:9-13), but also “hand him over to Satan.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+5%3A5&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 5:5) reads, “Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.”
If a person is handed over to Satan, does that mean they then belong to Satan? Does the person lose salvation and have to be re-converted to Christ? Nowhere in the passage does Paul suggest that the believer in question becomes an unbeliever or is without hope of salvation.
After demanding the unrepentant believer be handed over to Satan, Paul notes the goal of such a decision is “so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.” What does Paul mean by “that his sinful nature will be destroyed?” Paul often uses the word “flesh” to refer to the physical body, but sometimes he uses it to refer to self-sufficiency, worldliness, or manner of life. In this passage, it is translated “sinful nature.” Since someone expelled from a church is not going to die as a result, the second possibility is best. Paul is insisting that the unrepentant person be dismissed from the church to live in his or her sin and endure the consequences of their behavior.
Paul’s explanation in verse six helps answer what he means by “his sinful nature will be destroyed,” but it does not explain what the phrase “handed over to Satan” means. For that, we need to look to the Old Testament. The Israelites viewed their land as holy ground and the territory of the non-Israelite nations as controlled by demonic gods. Israel was holy ground because that was where the presence of God resided. The opposite was true everywhere else.
This perspective shifted after the formation of the Church. God’s presence was no...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1030 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Another Fresh New Year – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1030/ (Day 1030) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from William Arthur Ward, and it is, “Another fresh new year is here…another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, to love and laugh and give! This bright New Year is given me to live each day with zest…to daily grow and try to be my highest and my best! I have the opportunity once more to right some wrongs, to pray for peace, to plant a tree, and sing more joyful songs.”
Another Fresh New Year
All of us like new beginnings. A time to strip off the old and put on the new. A time when we can cast off the past and begin with a clean slate. We can learn from the past, and our past does determine our starting point for today. But it does not control our future.
We need to strip off the shackles of yesterday, and press forward to new tomorrows. Anyone can do this, regardless of your past. First, you must determine in your mind, then take action to make it happen. Strip off the clothing of worry, doubt, and fear, and put on the new garments of love, kindness, peace, and gratitude. Many others are traveling on this trek of life with you to live a life that is rich and satisfying. Let us band together for the best year ever. We can be encouraged by the following two verses.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A1&version=NLT (Hebrews 12:1)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A17&version=NLT (2 Corinthians [5:17])
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1031/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1029 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1029 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Begin Again…Anew – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1029/ (Day 1029) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and re-prioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
As we finish this year and look forward to next year with all of its hopes, dreams, and promises on our Meditation Monday I want us to reflect on…
Beginning Again…Anew
One of God’s chosen prophets really got far off course from what God intended for him. That prophet was given another chance, as we all are shared in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+3%3A1-3&version=NLT (Jonah 3:1-3), “Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.’ This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.”
As far as following God was concerned, Jonah failed hopelessly. He defiantly did the opposite of what he knew he was supposed to do. But did God reject him? No. God allowed him to experience failure. Getting thrown overboard and being swallowed by a whale, or some sort of big fish, brought Jonah to his senses real quick. When he was ready to listen, “Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time.”
And so it is with us. No matter how difficult this past year has been for you—whether it is because of the choices you have made—or just completely out of your control, God is still calling you to do His will. No matter how many times we feel we’ve failed or blown it, God will continue to call us to himself. If you have made unwise choices or you feel life has been unkind to you, there is always hope. Regardless, it is much wiser to “listen up” quickly, so we don’t have to get hit over the head with a “4 by 4“, or be swallowed by a “whale of a problem.” God is patiently waiting to get our attention.
So, if you feel you have failed, be encouraged. If life has thrown obstacles into your path that were completely outside of your control, be encouraged. Now is the time to give God a chance to make all things new. It may not be immediately, but He will “mend even a broken heart if you give him all the pieces.” God calls us all to follow him, so why not respond to his call and, if you haven’t already done so, ask him to come into your life as Lord and Savior? Even though life is hard at times and we are saddened and overwhelmed, through your lamenting remember https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations+3%3A22-23&version=NLT (Lamentations 3:22-23,) “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1034/ (Next week)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1028 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 3&4; 3&5; 3&6 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1028/ (Day 1028) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Six weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
The
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1027 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Walking on Water – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1027/ (Day 1027) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Walking on Water
For his entire life Dewey Winthrop, IV was told the story about how his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays.
Feeling that this was his divine destiny to continue with this tradition, on his 21st birthday, Dewey and his younger brother Damon, headed out to the lake. “If they did it, I can too!” he insisted.
When Dewey and Damon arrived at the lake, they rented a canoe and began paddling. When they got to the middle of the lake, Dewey stepped off of the side of the boat…and immediately plunged beneath the surface and nearly drowned.
After being rescued by Damon, a furious and somewhat embarrassed Dewey headed for home.
When Dewey arrived back at the family home very distraught, he asked his grandmother for an explanation. “Grandma, why can’t I walk on water like my father, and his father, and his father before him?”
His sweet old grandmother took Dewey by the hand, then gently held his face and looked into his eyes and explained, “That’s because your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were born in January, you were born in June, dear.”
I hope that brought a smile to your face for today.
Our Thursday thought is “If you intend to walk on water, you must have a firm foundation.”
Our Thursday Scripture Reference is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14:28&version=NLT (Matthew 14:28,) “Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.'”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1028/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1026 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1026 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Female Apostle – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1026/ (Day 1026) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
The culture in which the Bible was written was primarily patriarchal meaning that it was written by and from the perspective that males controlled much of the narrative of the world. While it has changed some in recent decades, this is still not uncommon. A careful reading of God’s Word will expose many women who had a dramatic impact on the world. During Jesus’s ministry on earth, women played a very vital role. The building of God’s kingdom today has also been greatly impacted by women. There are many examples, but today’s essay will explore…
A Female Apostle
Paul’s final greetings to the Roman church seem typical. We might just skim over the list of names without a second thought. But one name within that list has become the focus of controversy and heated debate is Romans 16:7, “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.”
Junia (or Julia) is most likely the name of a woman. When you read the phrase ‘‘among the apostles,” you understand how a simple salutation has become a proof text in the debate over the role of women in ministry.
The evidence that Junia is a woman is compelling. Its Greek spelling (Iounian) could point to either a man or a woman. However, the addition of an accent mark would specify gender—depending on what mark was chosen—Greek has several—and on which syllable the accent mark was placed.
The earliest manuscripts of the New Testament were written in an uppercase Greek script (uncial) that did not include accents. But copies of the Greek New Testament from later periods in a cursive script (minuscule) accent the name as female.
In ancient Greek literature, outside the New Testament, the masculine form of the name has only surfaced once. Ancient Latin texts have also been searched, with some theorizing that Junia might be a shortened form of the male Junianus. Of the 250 or more citations of the name Junia, where a shortening of the name is possible, all have referred to women.
The phrase “among the apostles” can also be translated as “to the apostles,” placing Junia within or outside this ministry category. Either translation is possible within the scope of Greek grammar. External examples, though, statistically favor the female option.
However, there are other issues that are rarely raised in this debate. New Testament apostles, for instance, are not all described on equal terms. The original 12 disciples, along with Paul, were a special group. They were firsthand pupils of Christ, some of whom God...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1025 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Original Christmas Story – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1025/ (Day 1025) of our trek, and since I am releasing this podcast episode on Christmas Day, I am switching today’s wisdom nugget to explore…
The Original Christmas Story
When we think of the Christmas story, we think of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the carpenter, a long hard journey to Bethlehem, the manger, the shepherds, and the wise men. While they make up part of the Christmas story, and there are many other details surrounding this precious day, the original Christmas story is found in the book written by the Apostle John. John does not mention any of the details mentioned above. In fact, John’s book begins when Jesus was an adult, and yet he takes us back to eternity past. This information allows us to see that the Original Christmas Story began then. Let me read https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-16&version=NLT (John 1:1-16.)
In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'”
From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
So from this moment forward, when we think about the Christmas Story, let us go back to the beginning of time, to eternity past, and remember all the other details of the Christmas Story specifically verse 14, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1026/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1024 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1024 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Arrival of a King – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1024/ (Day 1024) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
When a son is born to a king, the finest room is prepared for them, and the entire world rejoices. There is a great celebration and fanfare shouted in the street. There was one king born where the fanfare and celebration were of a different nature. It was there, but in the most unusual places from the most unusual sources. For our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
The Arrival of a King
God had entered the world as a baby.
Yet, were someone to chance upon the sheep stable on the outskirts of Bethlehem that morning, what a peculiar scene they would behold.
The stable stinks like all stables do. The stench of urine, dung, and sheep reeks pungently in the air. The ground is hard, the hay scarce. Cobwebs cling to the ceiling, and a mouse scurries across the dirt floor.
A lowlier place of birth could not exist.
Off to one side sit a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor; perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him—so on this cloudless night, he went to simple shepherds.
Near the young mother sits the weary father. If anyone is dozing, he is. He can’t remember the last time he sat down. And now that the excitement has subsided a bit, now that Mary and the baby are comfortable, he leans against the wall of the stable and feels his eyes grow heavy. He still hasn’t figured it all out. The mystery of the event puzzles him. But he hasn’t the energy to wrestle with the questions. What’s important is that the baby is fine and that Mary is safe. As sleep comes, he remembers the name the angel told him to use…Jesus. “We will call him Jesus.”
Wide awake is Mary. My, how young she looks! Her head rests on the soft leather of Joseph’s saddle. The pain has been eclipsed by wonder. She looks into the face of the baby. Her son. Her Lord. His Majesty. At this point in history, the human being who best understands who God is and what he is doing is a teenage girl in a smelly stable. She can’t take her eyes off him. Somehow Mary knows she is holding God. So this is he. She remembers the words of the angel in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A33&version=NLT (Luke 1:33), “And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
He looks like anything but a king. His face is wrinkled and red. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.
Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1023 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 2&8; 2&9; 3&3 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1023 of our Trek and time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Five weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1022 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Christmas Turkey Story – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1022/ (Day 1022) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
A Christmas Turkey Story Sarah, a new young bride, calls her mother in tears. She sobs, “Richard doesn’t appreciate what I do for him.”
“Now, now,” her mother comforted, “I am sure it was all just a misunderstanding.”
“No, mother, you don’t understand. I bought a frozen turkey, and he yelled and screamed at me about the price.”
“Well, the nerve of that lousy cheapskate,” says her mom. “A frozen turkey is only a few dollars, especially this time of year.”
“No, mother,” Sarah replied, “it wasn’t the price of the turkey. It was the price of the airplane ticket.”
Now Sarah’s mom was really confused at this point, so she asked, “An airplane ticket…What on earth did you need an airplane ticket for?”
“‘Well mother, when I went to fix it, I looked at the directions on the package, and it said, ‘You must prepare from a frozen state,’ so I flew to Alaska to cook it.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Here are Gramps’s Christmas Gift suggestions that will not cost you anything: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.
Our Thursday Scripture Reference is the greatest gift that God gave to all the world https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=JOhn+3%3A16&version=NLT (John 3:16,) “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=JOhn+3%3A16&version=NLT#fen-NLT-26103a (a)] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1023/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1021 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1021 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Destiny and Destination – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1021/ (Day 1021) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
When we read in the Bible about taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth, what was the mindset of the apostles who wrote it, and more specifically Paul? Today’s essay will explore…
Destiny and Destination Paul felt it was his destiny reach the ends of the known world, which made his destination Spain. In https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A23-24&version=NLT (Romans 15:23-24) he expressed this plan, “But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.”
His ambitions are repeated a few verses later in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A28&version=NLT (Romans 15:28,) “As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain.” It’s certainly ambitious for him to be making travel plans. But Paul wasn’t making casual conversation or planning a vacation. He believed that his life and ministry would not end until he reached Spain. We aren’t sure if Paul made it, but he was passionate about getting there. Why? He saw himself in the prophecy of Isaiah 66.
· Day of Salvation Throughout his letters, Paul quotes Isaiah and other Old Testament books to show that the long-promised day of salvation would come during his lifetime. In the Old Testament, the Jewish belief in Jesus as the Messiah was preceded by something Paul referred to as “the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ,” which is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+11%3A25&version=NLT (Romans [11:25].)
In Romans 9-11, Paul says that Gentile (non-Jew) inclusion in the people of God was made possible by the hearts of the Jewish people being temporarily hardened (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+11%3A25-26&version=NLT (Romans [11:25]-26)). Accomplishing the mission of Gentile evangelism would undo this hardening. Only then would Paul’s longing for the Jews to believe in Jesus come to full fruition. Only then would the deliverer (Jesus) come again from Jerusalem or Zion.
Paul was tracking the prophecy found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+66%3A18-20&version=NLT (Isaiah [66:18]-20.)
“I can see what they are doing, and I know what they are thinking. So I will gather all nations and peoples together, and they will see my glory. I will perform a sign among them. And
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1020 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Christmas Hope, Peace, and Love – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1020/ (Day 1020) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…
Today’s quote is from Ada V. Hendricks, and it is, “May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love.”
Christmas Hope, Peace, and Love
Christmas, for most people around the world, but especially for those who hold to the Christain faith, is the most wonderful time of the year. May we be glad to share the Christmas hope to all we meet. May our spirits reflect the peace that Christmas represents. May our hearts be filled with love for one another, regardless of whether we see eye to eye. May this hope, peace, and love flow through us, not only during the Christmas season but throughout the whole year. Let us keep in focus the hope, peace, and love that God provides to us through His gift to us, as He became human through Jesus Christ and chose to live with us. Jesus’s entire human existence represented the very essence of that hope, peace, and love. May our lives also reflect the same.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A6&version=NLT (Isaiah 9:6)
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1021/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1019 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1021/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1019 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Evidence of Things We Cannot See – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1019/ (Day 1019) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
When I ponder the vastness of space with its millions of galaxies in all their beauty in a universe that seems to go on forever, I am left with so many questions that no one has answers to. Is it really possible that we as humans could have possibly evolved over eons of time? Our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Evidence of Things We Cannot See We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+19%3A1&version=NLT (Psalms 19:1,) “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.”
Not so long ago a school district here in the United States was ordered by a judge to remove stickers from biology textbooks that said that evolution was a theory, not a fact.
How interesting is this so-called day of diversity that we allow evolution to be taught as fact but are not allowed to teach that there might be another way to look at life—including Intelligent Design—even if not God!
Even Charles Darwin, considered the father of evolution, said over 150 years ago, “To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree.”
We have made so many advances in understanding the human body since then. Darwin didn’t know nearly as much as we do about the sophistication of the signal processing from the eye and the nose. Not to mention the miracle of birth and millions of other miracles that we live with every day of our life.
There is so much noise and confusion in the world today that it is no wonder why so many people don’t understand the miracles of the smallest of atoms, or the vastness of our universe. How could it possibly have happened by random chance out of an empty void? The fact is that each one of us, for the most part, hears what we want to hear and turns a deaf ear to what we don’t want to hear. We also see what we want to see and turn a blind eye to what we don’t want to see. Belief is basically the same and not based on rational thinking. It’s based on choice. Generally speaking, we believe what we want to believe, what we are most comfortable with, and what we choose to believe.
True, none of us has ever seen God, and many use this as an excuse not to believe in him. I can’t see electrons either, but every time I turn on my light switch, I see the evidence of electrons in action. I can’t see cell signals, radio waves, or TV signals that...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1018 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 2&5; 2&6; 2&7 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1018/ (Day 1018) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time where we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Four weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1017 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Dad Jokes, Christmas Edition – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1017/ (Day 1017) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged.
Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life. We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,)“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,)“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled:
Dad Jokes – Christmas Edition
How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas? Fleece Navidad
What do you get if you deep fry Santa Claus? Crisp Cringle
Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work, and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.
What do you get if you cross an apple with a Christmas Tree? A pineapple
What did the guest sing at the Eskimo Christmas Party? Freeze a Jolly Good Fellow
What did Adam say on the day before Christmas? It’s Christmas, Eve!
If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get? Mistletoe
If Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus had a child, what would he be called? A subordinate clause
What do you have in December that you don’t have in any other month? The letter “D”
Why does Santa have 3 gardens? So he can ho, ho, ho.
Why was Santa’s little helper depressed? Because he had low elf esteem.
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite
Knock Knock Who’s there? Holly Holly who? Holly-days are here again!
Gramps’ Thursday Thought is “You know you are getting old when Santa starts looking younger than you.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Our Thursday Scripture Reference is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+8:21&version=NLT (Job 8:21,) “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1018/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1016 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1016 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Paul’s Lost Letters – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1016/ (Day 1016) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Were all of the books written by the apostles included in the Bible? If not, why not? Today’s essay will explore…
Paul’s Lost Letters
Throughout modern history, there has been a discussion about how particular books were included in the New Testament. Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel and subsequent movie The Da Vinci Code based its conspiratorial plot in part on the notion that other gospels had been eradicated by spiteful church authorities and an emperor openly partial to orthodoxy. The success of the novel and movie prompted many churchgoers to ask whether or not all the books that should be included in the New Testament actually were.
To be sure, Dan Brown took a lot of liberties with facts in his story. But what if we’re not dealing with fiction? The New Testament itself tells us that there were books written by apostles that didn’t make it into in the Bible. Surprised? Let’s take a look.
· 1 Corinthians 5:9 In l Corinthians, Paul himself mentions an earlier letter he wrote to this same church in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=i+Corinthians+5%3A9&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 5:9), “When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.” While some interpreters have argued that Paul was referring to the letter he was currently writing (1 Corinthians), most acknowledge that this explanation is weak. Taken at face value, 1 Corinthians 5:9 tells us that Paul had written to this church before, but that letter has not survived and thus is not part of the New Testament.
· Colossians [4:16] In Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col+4%3A16&version=NLT (Colossians 4:16), he says, “After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.” What was this letter from Laodicea? What happened to it?
The phrase “letter from Laodicea” is a literal translation of the Greek and suggests that the letter came from Laodicea. This is a bit misleading though. The phrase does not necessarily mean that this letter was written by someone in Laodicea to Paul or to the Colossians. Colossians [4:16] tells us that letters to churches were circulated, and so it may be that this Laodicea letter was written by Paul and sent to the Christians at Colossae—like the Colossian letter was to be sent to the believers in Laodicea.
Some scholars have speculated that this letter isn’t actually missing. The region of Laodicea was also identified with the city of...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1015 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Determination and Commitment – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1015/ (Day 1015) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Mario Andretti,and it is, “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal — a commitment to excellence — that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
Determination and Commitment
Yes, we first must have the desire to succeed, but desire is not enough. It is only when we are both determined to succeed and make an unwavering commitment to succeed, regardless of the obstacles which we experience, that we will achieve success in that unrelenting pursuit of our goal. There is never a straight or easy path to success, but as we are committed to excellence and focused, every struggling step forward will bring us closer to that goal. Yes, we do want to reach our goal, but what is more important is the person whom we become in pursuit of that goal. Keep looking forward and always enjoy your journey through the sunshine and the rain.
Be determined and committed as is written in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles+22:13&version=NLT (1 Chronicles 22:13), “For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 11,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1015/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1016/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1014 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1016/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1014 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Effective Communications – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1014/ (Day 1014) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
When we communicate with others, we need to make sure we are clear and unambiguous. On our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Effective Communication
A seminary student turned in his copy of a sermon he had written to his preaching professor for grading. At a later conference, the professor told the student how impressed he was with his sermon and how well it was written but that he was giving him a D. Confused the student asked, “Why a D if it’s as good as you say it is?”
“It’s because of your title,” the professor remarked. “Nobody will want to hear a sermon entitled: ‘The Pericopes of Jesus in Relationship to the Eschatology of the Apostle Paul.’ I tell you what I’ll do. You see if you can come up with a better sermon title and I’ll reconsider the grade. What you want is a title that will reach out and grab people by the heart. Imagine that title on the sign in front of a church making such an impact that if a bus stopped in front of the church and the people on the bus saw the sign, it would be so powerful it would motivate them to immediately get off the bus and run into the church.”
The student said that he would give it his best shot and returned with the title, “Your bus has a bomb on it!”
Wow…from one extreme to another. When seeking to be a witness for Jesus, the words we say (or don’t say) are very important; but of far greater importance and impact is the message that comes from our heart, which is an expression of who we are. This message speaks so much louder than what we say. “People don’t care how much we know but rather how much do we care?” Do we communicate the love of Jesus? If not, our words, no matter how eloquent, may have a boomerang effect and do more to drive people away from Jesus rather than draw them to him.
As another has wisely said, “To win some we need to be winsome.”
Effective communications are so important in all areas of life, but especially as we are working to build God’s kingdom here on earth. That reminds me of the Bible passage found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+14%3A8-9&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 14:8-9),“And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1019/...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1013 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 2&2; 2&3; 2&4 – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1013/ (Day 1013) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Three weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on Type Combinations, answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
The Enneagram Type Combinations Enneagram Type Two (the Helper) with Enneagram Type Two (the
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1012 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Get In the Car – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts.
This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1012/ (Day 1012) of our trek, and time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Get In the Car Wayne was returning home from a business trip, bags in hand, and slowly making his way to his vehicle in the very crowded airport garage. Suddenly a large dark car screeched to a stop in front of Wayne, and the driver pointed menacingly at him and shouted, “Get in! I’ll take you to your car.”
Startled and a bit afraid, Wayne took a step backward. “Ah…no thanks,” Wayne answered. “I can get there myself.”
“No!” the driver barked back as he threw open his passenger side door. “Get in!”
Wayne’s eyes now darted around the garage, hoping to find a security guard.
Just then, the driver’s face softened. “Please,” he said, “I’ve been driving up and down for two hours. I can’t find a space to park, and I want yours.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Our Thursday Thought for today is from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy+4:5&version=NLT (2 Timothy 4:5,) “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1013/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1011 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are all available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1013/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1011 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Great Wizard Meets Philip and Peter – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1011/ (Day 1011) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
When we think about wizards, it brings to mind some of the fantasy novels with Merlin, Dumbledore, or other well-known tales about wizards. Today’s essay will explore…
The Great Wizard Meets Philip and Peter
The book of Acts is a favorite of preachers, so you are likely familiar with the showdown in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Act+8%3A9-24&version=NLT (Acts 8:9-24) between Peter and Simon “The Great Wizard” or “Sorcerer.” Luke tells us that Simon had practiced his magic in a city in Samaria. Listen to Luke’s account in 8:9-11, “A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as ‘the Great One—the Power of God.’ They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.”
Simon heard the gospel preached by Philip and became a believer in Christ, but later, after Peter’s arrival, he tried to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter. His name consequently has not been remembered for any great deeds, but the word “simony” which is the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, for example, pardons or benefices. But is that all there is to the story? Hardly. Don’t look away now or you’ll miss what’s behind the magic.
Let’s look at how a first-century audience would have comprehended the episode in its Samaritan setting. That Simon was referred to by the people of the Samaritan city’ as “the Great One—the Power of God” is significant. That title comes from the Samaritan Targum—an Aramaic translation of the Samaritan Hebrew Bible, known as the Samaritan Pentateuch. In the Samaritan Targum, the Hebrew word el (“God”) is translated hela (“power”). God is then called “great” (rab). Not surprisingly, “the Great One—the Power of God,” was used in Samaritan hymns and writings as a substitute for the divine name, much in the same way orthodox Jews say ka-shem (“the Name”) instead of pronouncing the divine name Yahweh.
But how could the Samaritans speak of Simon as though he were God? Well, Simon was able to do amazing things. We aren’t told if what he was doing was something he picked up learning magical trickery or enablement from demonic power, but the effect was the same. Second, the plural of “power” (helin) was also used by Samaritans of angels. Like many Jews and Christians, Samaritans considered one particular angel—the one in whom Yahweh’s name dwelled (Exodus [23:20]-23), as the embodied Yahweh, known to us as
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1010 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Confidence – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1010/ (Day 1010) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Robbie McLaughlin, and it is, “Confidence comes from knowing that anything you are successful at was and is made possible by the One who is far greater than human ability or understanding. Therefore, you walk boldly in your gift.”
Confidence
A portion of success does come from your ability, training, understanding, and perseverance, but ultimately all success comes from God as we utilize the skills, ability, and determination that He has granted to us. As we become less concerned about personal fame and recognition for the success that we achieve, the more successful we will become.
God ultimately grants success and also permits failure in our lives. It is up to us to recognize this and to bring honor to God’s name in all that we do, regardless of the outcome. For most of us, this is a very humbling experience because we like to take credit for our achievements and be recognized for them. We should be thankful that by God’s grace and blessings we are able to achieve success in many areas of life and that He has granted us the gifts and ability to do so. We can walk confidently, boldly, and humbly before God and others with the realization that yes, we need to do our part, but ultimately God is in control.
Go with confidence as Joshua was told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A8&version=NLT (Joshua 1:8,) “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1011/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1009 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1011/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1009 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom True Value – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1009/ (Day 1009) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
No matter how hard we try, we value different people in different ways. This is not so with God. For our Meditation Monday, I want us to reflect on…
Certainly in most parts of the world, and it even impacts us as believers, how we value a person is usually measured by two criteria: appearance and performance. Where does that leave the ugly or uneducated? What hope does that offer the unborn child? The aged? The handicapped? Not much at all. We become nameless numbers on mislaid lists.
This is man’s value system. But it is not God’s. His plan is much brighter. In God’s book, every person has a purpose and is heading somewhere. We have an amazing destiny.
We are being prepared to walk down the aisle of God’s eternal throne room and become the bride of Jesus. We are going to live with him. Share the throne with him. We do count. We are valuable.
Jesus’ love does not depend on what we do for him. If there was anything that Jesus wanted everyone to understand it was this: A person’s worth is based on the fact that we are God’s creation, simply because we are a person made to be bearers of His image. That’s why Jesus treated people the way he did.
You have value simply because you are! You are God’s masterpiece. You are a child of the king. You are worthy of your calling. You should live a life that reflects His majesty.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A10&version=NLT (Ephesians 2:10) says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1014/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1010/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1008 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1008 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 1&7; 1&8; 1&9 – Ask Gramps Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts.
This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1008/ (Day 1008) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves better and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Two weeks ago, we began a series of episodes on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1003/ (Type Combinations), answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life so differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
Enneagram Type One (the Reformer) with Enneagram Type Seven (the Enthusiast)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1007 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Diving In Head First – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts.
This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1007/ (Day 1007) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life. We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Diving In Head First
John and Sam are out hunting, and as they are walking along, they came upon a huge hole in the ground. They approach with caution and are amazed at the size of it.
Sam says, “Wow, that’s some hole; I can’t even see the bottom. I wonder how deep it is?”
John turns to him and says,” I don’t know. Let’s throw something down there, listen and see how long it takes to hit bottom.”
Sam looks around and says, “Hey, there’s an old automobile transmission over there. Give me a hand, we’ll throw it in and see.”
So John and Sam pick up the heavy transmission and carry it over to the hole. They swing it back and forth a couple of times and then count, one, two, three and heave it in the hole. As they are standing there listening, looking over the edge, they suddenly hear a loud rustling behind them. They quickly turned around, and they see a goat come crashing through the underbrush, run up to the hole, and, without hesitation, jump in head first.
While they are standing there staring at each other in amazement, trying to figure out what that was all about, an old farmer saunters up. “Say there,” says the farmer, “You fellers didn’t happen to see my goat around here anywhere, did you?”
John says, “Funny you should ask, but we were just standing here a minute ago, and a goat came running out of the bushes doing about a hundred miles an hour and jumped head first into this here hole!!”
The old farmer said, “Naw, that’s impossible…I had him chained to a transmission.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Our Thursday Thought for today is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+30%3A29-31&version=NLT (Proverbs 30:29-31,) “There are three things that walk with stately stride — no, four that strut about: the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything, the strutting rooster, the male goat, a king as he leads his army.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1008/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1006 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1006 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Born Again…and Again and Again – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before!
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1006/ (Day 1006) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you also have to have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Many religious systems believe that our souls can be reincarnated into another body, including some Christian sects. Today’s essay will explore…
Born Again…and Again and Again
Was Jesus open to the idea of reincarnation? The question may seem odd, but it is one that many people, even biblical scholars, contend has a positive answer. The idea comes from a passage you’ve likely read dozens of times. This is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9%3A1-4&version=NLT (John 9:1-4), “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. ‘Rabbi,’ his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?’ ‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.'”
Notice the disciple’s question, “‘Rabbi,’ his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?'” Many presume the question indicates that the disciples believed the man born blind really could have sinned before he was born, and that his pre-birth sins caused his congenital blindness. This presumption is followed by another: that Jesus’ answer wasn’t a categorical denial. Since Jesus doesn’t come out and say, “What a silly idea, don’t be ridiculous!” Some have argued that His response means that in this case the man born blind didn’t sin in a previous life, but perhaps that could have happened in another case. Could this interpretation be correct?
Reincarnation is the belief that the soul migrates from one body to another, different body in a long (possibly endless) succession. The idea of the “migration of the soul” cannot be found in the Bible or in other Jewish writers of antiquity, which indicates the disciples were likely presuming something different which may have been: People can do good and evil while still in the womb. Paul addresses this misconception in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+9%3A9-13&version=NLT (Romans 9:9-13) when dealing with the case of Jacob and Esau. Even if a pre-born person could sin in the womb, this does not involve the migration of a soul.
“For God had promised, ‘I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’ This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1005 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Human Connection – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1005/ (Day 1005) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged.
This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Paul J. Meyer, and it is, “Communication — the human connection — is the key to personal and career success.”
The Human Connection
So many of our problems in the world today are caused by a lack of true communication between one another in a face-to-face setting. It is so easy to become inflamed and spout our opinions as facts when indeed we do not have all of the facts. It is so easy to judge and malign others when we don’t really understand what another person may be going through.
If we want to be successful in all areas of our personal lives, in ministry, and in our professional lives, we must realize that all areas of our lives impact and affect each other, and there is no separation between them. We must be willing to communicate with others face to face – to seek to understand before we insist on being understood ourselves. Unless we are willing to walk in another person’s shoes and experience what they are experiencing, then we will never be able to fully understand them.
It is when we walk beside someone else, hand in hand, that we can communicate with them and understand them. Communication requires a dialog in which we listen to each other, encourage one another, and accept one another, even if we do not always fully agree with each other. It is then that we will experience success.
The human connection reminds me of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10:23-25&version=NLT (Hebrews 10:23-25,) “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1006/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1004 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1004 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Being Teachable – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before! Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1004/ (Day 1004) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
It is amazing that our ability to rationalize is so strong that even if something is proven that we still do not change our beliefs. We must be willing to learn from those who are more mature in their faith and knowledge of God’s Word. F our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Being Teachable
Seeing is not always believing. Old beliefs, as well as old habits, die hard. For centuries people believed Aristotle’s opinion that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth.
I am not an engineer, but according to a report I read, in 1589 Galileo challenged Aristotle’s teaching. He invited learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Galileo went to the top of the tower and at exactly the same moment pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight.
Both landed at the same instant, but the professors still wouldn’t believe what they saw. They insisted Aristotle was right.
To move ahead in life and to grow—intellectually, emotionally and spiritually—it is important that we examine all our beliefs, test them, hold to the true, and discard the false. Admittedly, this is much easier said than done, but done it must be if we are to keep learning and growing. Unless we are open to and willing to change, we get set in our ways and cease to grow.
We don’t read much about Apollos in the Bible, but he was a contemporary of the Apostle Paul. He was a very gifted and educated man “with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.” But he only knew about John the Baptist’s baptism. So when Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak, they explained the gospel message to him more completely.
The end result was that Apollos was willing to listen, was teachable, and made the necessary changes in his beliefs and teaching. Let’s read the short narrative about Apollos that is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+18%3A24-28&version=NLT (Acts 18:24-28,) “Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+18&version=NLT#fen-NLT-27546h (h)] and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately. Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1003 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 1&4; 1&5; 1&6 – Ask Gramps Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1003/ (Day 1003) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm better allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram referring to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
For additional insight, I recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Last week, we began a series of episodes on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1003/ (Type Combinations), answering the question, “What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination?” Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks, but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and what type those with whom you interact with each day are.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
Enneagram Type One (the Reformer) with Enneagram Type Four (the Individualist) What Each...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1002 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom One Fast Turkey – Humor Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1002/ (Day 1002) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged.
Our Thursday podcast provides a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life. We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
One Fast Turkey
John, an industrious turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to perfect a better turkey. Every year he was able to breed bigger and juicier turkeys, and his reputation locally grew with each holiday season.
John’s family was especially fond of the huge legs for dinner, but there were never enough for everyone. After many frustrating attempts to make a really superior breed of turkey, John finally had a breakthrough. He was really excited about the possibilities this new breed would have on turkey farming. On John’s next visit to the local general store, he shared the news with friends and other local farmers. “Well, I finally did it. I bred a turkey that has 6 legs!”
Although a bit skeptical, everyone seemed to be excited about the news. Not knowing what to really say, Sam finally asked John, “Well, how did it taste?”
“I don’t know,” John replied. “I can never catch the dang gum thing!”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Our Thursday Thought for today being Thanksgiving in the US is from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+100:4&version=NLT (Psalm 100:4,) “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1003/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 1001 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1003/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1001 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Walking on the Water Really Means – Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1001/ (Day 1001) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
One of the most well-known Bible stories from the New Testament is about Jesus walking on water in the midst of a terrible storm. Most of us miss the underlying significance of this story.
Today’s essay will explore…
What Walking on the Water Really Means
Tales of tempests battering ships have inspired respect for the sea over the eons of time. While on the lake on their way to Capernaum, Jesus’ disciples watched these stories become a reality as the roaring wind transformed the waters around them. As they fought against the waves and wind, they witnessed a miracle as recorded in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A19-20&version=NLT (John 6:19-20), “They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!'”
Appearing in three of the four Gospels, this event inspires Sunday school lessons and has become ingrained in our portrait of Jesus’ life. As spectacular and unforgettable as the event is to us, however, a Jewish audience would have seen in it a profound theological meaning against the backdrop of the Old Testament.
· An Old Testament Symbol In the Old Testament worldview, the unpredictable sea is a common symbol of cosmic disorder which are conditions contrary to God’s design for an ordered world. This symbol for cosmic anarchy is also personified as a sea monster, known as Leviathan or Rahab. The image of chaos as an untamed monster in a churning, erratic sea was common throughout the ancient world. People accustomed to land would naturally view the vast, raging ocean as uncontrollable and potentially deadly, filled with terrifying unknown creatures.
Religions across the ancient Mediterranean often depicted their important deities destroying or subduing the sea dragon, thereby calming the sea and restoring order. In the Old Testament, it is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who conquers the forces of chaos and imposes order in the cosmos (Job [26:12]-13; Psalms 89:5-14). This imagery is applied even to the exodus from Egypt (Psalms [74:12]-17), where God split the sea to deliver His people, thereby conquering the forces of evil that sought their demise.
· Final Victory God’s ultimate victory at the end of the age is also depicted as God dominating the forces of the sea as described in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+27%3A1&version=NLT (Isaiah 27:1), “In that day the Lord will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan, the swiftly moving...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 1000 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Working Together Is Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge…Welcome to Wisdom-Trek! Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy.
Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1000/ (Day 1000) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Henry Ford, and it is, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Working Together Is Success
There is really no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Success requires support, knowledge, and wisdom from many individuals. We need to come together and get started. Then we need to stay together through difficult times as we make progress towards success. Finally, it requires that we continue working together with consistent persistence to achieve the success that is truly awesome.
Success is when everyone that is involved is successful and achieving their goals and dreams. Let us think of ways to motivate one another, to encourage one another, and to spur one another onto actions that are loving, kind and productive. It is then we will experience true success.
Working together reminds me of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10:23-25&version=NLT (Hebrews 10:23-25,)“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1001/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 999 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1001/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 999 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Why Does God Permit Loneliness? – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-999/ (Day 999) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time, to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
If we admit it, all of us suffer bouts of loneliness either for a short period or long seasons of life. For our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
Why Does God Permit Loneliness?
Most of us will try anything to get rid of our loneliness. We fill our lives with busy activities, entertainment, and addictions of all kinds in an attempt to mask our lonely lives. But should we? Should we be so quick to mask this loneliness or try and drop it? Could it be that loneliness is a gift? A gift from God?
We can become lonely when a friend turns away or betrays us. When a job, which we loved, suddenly ceases to be. When we just can’t seem to get our spouses to understand our perspective. When church becomes dull and routine, and we don’t really feel like going anymore.
Instead of feeling like a victim and suffering through it, give thought to the fact that possibly it is God who is removing your dependence on things and others until all you have left is God. Would God actually allow that? We may feel that God is disciplining us for something, but we cannot figure out what. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A6&version=NLT (Hebrews 12:6 )tells us, “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
The real issue is that we have a skewed understanding of what discipline is. Most of us think of discipline as punishment, but it is not. It is the process by which we become true disciples of God. It is a refining process for us. Maybe God is silencing all other noise in our lives so that we can listen to Him. If He must silence every voice, he will. He wants you to discover what David discovered in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46:10&version=NLT (Psalm 46:10), “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Loneliness. Could it be one of God’s finest gifts? We should not fear loneliness, but realize that God may permit it to show His love to us. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4:18&version=NLT (1 John 4:18) says, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”
If a season of solitude and loneliness is God’s way to teach you to hear His love song to you, don’t you think it’s worth it? So do I.
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1004/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-1000/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 998 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram Type Combinations – 1&1; 1&2; 1&3 – Ask Gramps Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (Day 998) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm allows us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool call “The Enneagram.” The tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller, in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
I would also recommend the book “The Road Back to You” written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
We have concluded our deep dive into the nine types which are https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-973/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Enthusiast,” ) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Challenger,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (“The Peacemaker.”) Starting this week, we begin a series of episodes on Type Combinations. What are the potential relationship benefits and issues with each combination? Covering all of the 45 different potential type combinations will take several weeks but will be valuable in understanding each other, regardless of what type you are and those with whom you interact each day.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram Type Combinations
Enneagram Type One (the Reformer) with Enneagram Type One (the Reformer) What Each Type Brings to the Relationship
As with all double-type relationships, two Enneagram Ones bring the same general qualities to each other. Therein lies both a main source of the attraction as well as one of the main pitfalls of this pair. Two Ones will be concerned...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 997 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Amen Pharaoh – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-997/ (Day 997) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Amen Pharaoh
A small country church had a visiting preacher who was a friend of the pastor, so he was invited to speak in place of the pastor one Sunday. The pastor introduced his friend, and he was well received prior to the service starting. It was soon evident the visiting preacher was really getting wound up in his message, and it was obvious that he was becoming very long-winded. To make matters worse, every time he would make a good point during his sermon and a member of the congregation responded with “Amen!” or “That’s right, preacher!” he would get wound up even more and launch into another lengthy discourse.
Finally, the host pastor started responding to every few sentences with “Amen, Pharaoh!” The guest minister wasn’t sure what that meant, but after several more “Amen, Pharaohs!” he finally concluded his very lengthy sermon.
After the service concluded and the congregation had left, the visiting preacher turned to his friend and asked, “What exactly did you mean when you said, ‘Amen, Pharaoh’?”
The pastor replied with a smile, “I was telling you to let my people go!”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Our Thursday Thought is from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A37&version=NLT (Matthew 5:37,) “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 996 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-998/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 996 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Who Took Verse 4 Out of My Bible? – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-996/ (Day 996) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Most of us are aware that the original and most copies of the scriptures did not have chapter and verse references because they were added much later. We have certainly come to depend on them in today’s culture to locate the passages we are interested in. But there are occasions where there are verses missing.
Today’s essay will look at one of those instances and find out…
Who Took Verse 4 Out of My Bible?
Most of us have read John 5:1-10, the story of the blind, paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda, many times, but I’ll bet there’s something that escaped your attention. While I usually remove the verse numbers, I will leave them in the passage for today.
1Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A1-10&version=NLT#fen-NLT-26179a (a)]with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A1-10&version=NLT#fen-NLT-26180b (b)] 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”
If you read closely, you’ll notice that verse 4 is missing! Start at verse one, and you will realize that verse four is not there.
Verse 4, which is included in some versions like the NASB, tells us, “for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.”
The verse is not just missing in the NLT; the situation is the same in the NIV, ESV, NRSV, CEV, and the NET Bible. If you use the NASB or NCV, you will see the verse, but it’s been placed inside brackets, whereas the KJV and the NKJV contain verse 4 without any notation or demarcation. So what’s going on here? Who took John 5:4 out of certain versions of the Bible and why?
If you’re using a study Bible that doesn’t have verse 4, you will likely see a note at the end of verse 3 or the beginning of verse 5 explaining why it isn’t there. This is a textbook case of a disagreement between manuscripts of the Greek New...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 995 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Character Development – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-995/ (Day 995) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Helen Keller, and it is, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.”
Character Development While all of us desire to achieve success with ease, this is not possible. Success can only be achieved through ambition, strength, and development of character. Development of that character comes through experiences which are difficult. The trials and sufferings of life should strengthen our soul, refresh our resolve, and give us the inspiration and ambition to keep moving forward.
It is through these times that we must learn the lessons that life is teaching us and also learn to enjoy our journey, regardless of how difficult it may appear at the moment. If you truly desire success, then you will be willing to accept the trials and sufferings that are part of the very path to success.
If Helen Keller, who was blind, could not hear, and was barely able to speak audibly, realized these truths then each of us must resolve to persevere toward success, regardless of the limitations that we may have personally. It is possible to achieve success if we are willing to traverse the difficult path that lies ahead of us each day.
This lesson is also taught to us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james+1%3A2-5&version=NLT (James 1:2-5,) “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-996/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 994 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Podcast so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-996/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 994 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Does God Really Care? – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-994/ (Day 994) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Life is difficult at times, and we feel that pressure is so much that we are unable to continue. We may question ourselves, our relationships, and even our God. Jesus came to dwell among us – to be one of us, His creation. Jesus also understands us fully, especially when we are too weak to carry on under our own power. In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
Does God Really Care?
I bet all of us have wondered whether God really cares for us. Does He understand what we are going through? How could He? That is one reason that God sent His one and only son, Jesus, to become one of us. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+4%3A15&version=NLT (Hebrews 4:15) tells us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” He also became one of us to bring us salvation and freedom from eternal death.
Does this promise matter? If you ever wonder if God understands you, it does. If you ever wonder if God listens, it does. If you ever wonder if the Uncreated Creator can, in a million years, comprehend the challenges you face, then ponder long and hard the promise of the incarnation. Jesus is “able to understand our weaknesses.” How can He? “Because He faced all of the same trials as we do.”
The One who hears your prayers understands your pain. He never shrugs or scoffs or dismisses spiritual, emotional, and physical struggles. He had a human body. He had a human mind. He was intimately spiritual.
Are you troubled in spirit? Jesus was too. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A27&version=NLT (John 12:27) reads, “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But this is the very reason I came!”
Are you so anxious you could die? Jesus was too as he shared with his closest friends in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+26%3A38&version=NLT (Matthew 26:38,) “He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'”
Have you ever prayed with loud cries and tears? Jesus did too. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A7&version=NLT (Hebrews 5:7) says, “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.”
God knows what you are going through. God grieves with you. When you are at the bottom, look up to Jesus “for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Call out to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage you. God knows, understands, and provides. Trust in Him.
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-999/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 993 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Nine Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is Day 993 of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the sixteenth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” If you have missed any of our past thirteen Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. So far we have taken a deep dive into https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-973/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Loyalist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Enthusiast,” )and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (“The Challenger.”) This week we will explore the final type Number Nine “The Peacemaker.” Next week we begin a series of episodes on Type Combinations and what the potential relationship benefits and issues are with each combination.
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Nine – The Peacemaker
9 – THE PEACEMAKER Enneagram Type Nine The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring Agreeable, and Complacent
· Type Nine in Brief Nines are accepting,
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 992 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Gramps’ Wisdom – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-992/ (Day 992) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Gramps’ Wisdom Little Susie was sitting on Gramps’ lap as he read her a bedtime story from the Bible about God’s creation. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. At the same time, she would stroke her own cheek. Gramps loved little Susie and enjoyed their time together. Finally, Susie spoke up, “Gramps, did God make you?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” he answered, “God made me a long time ago.”
“Oh,” she paused, “Gramps, did God make me too?”
“Yes, indeed, honey,” he said, “God made you just a little while ago.”
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, “God’s getting better at his creation isn’t he?”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Our Thursday Thought is from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8:20-22&version=NLT (Romans 8:20-22,)“Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 991 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-993/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 991 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Healing Serpent – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-991/ (Day 991) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me With the Bible.
Just like the modern day medical symbol with snakes wrapped around the pole, both Greek Mythology and Old Testament references are tied to this symbol.
Today’s essay will explore…
The Healing Serpent
Many people can recite John 3:16, but how many know what John 3:14-15 says? Jesus words in these two verses have generated confusion and controversy. Here is what is written, “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. ‘For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.'”
John [3:15] presents no problem; it declares the gospel—that Jesus, the “Son of Man” in this passage, is the true object of faith for all who would have eternal life. The difficulty lies in verse 14, where Jesus compares His destiny on the cross to a serpent “lifted up” in the wilderness.
In this analogy, Jesus draws on Numbers 21:4-9, one of many incidents in which the Israelites complained about their circumstances on their journey to the Promised Land. God punished their impatience and lack of faith by sending venomous “poisonous snakes” into the camp. After many fatalities, the people begged Moses to intercede with God on their behalf. God relented and instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone bitten by a serpent would be healed by gazing at the bronze serpent.
Although the parallel between the serpent on the pole and Jesus on the cross is apparent, the incident raises questions. Why didn’t God heal the people directly? Was the bronze serpent an idol, and thus a violation of the second commandment? Wouldn’t the Israelites have recoiled at the association of healing with a serpent?
· Not Out of Eden We might incorrectly link the serpent on the pole in Numbers 21 and the serpent found in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), but the only similarity between these two passages is the word “serpent,” Hebrew word nachash. The nachash of Genesis 3 is a figure acting independently of—and in opposition to—the will of God. In Numbers 21 the biting serpents are God’s instrument of judgment for sin, and the nachash on the pole is God’s instrument of healing for those punished for sin.
· Maybe Magic In part the answer to “why a serpent?” is found in the ancient practice of sympathetic magic, the idea that a person afflicted by an object can be cured or delivered by an image of that same object. In the absence of sophisticated medical knowledge, ancient cultures sought cures for physical ailments or perceived curses by such means. We can find several examples of this ancient medical approach in other places in the Old Testament.
For example, the Philistines fashioned five golden objects that corresponded to an...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 990 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Building a Successful Life – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-990/ (Day 990) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Guy Kawasaki, and it is, “Building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint, but even a marathon begins with a few steps.”
Building a Successful Life
In order to be successful in any area of life – whether it be in business, family, ministry, or your personal life – you must understand that success is achieved with taking small incremental steps towards that success. You can never prepare for, or run in a marathon, without taking those first crucial steps. As in a marathon, you have to slowly and gradually prepare for each race by first walking and then running much shorter distances. Once you have achieved those small milestones, then you will add to that each week and month until you are able to reach the finish line of success.
If you push too hard at that beginning, you will never prepare properly to finish the race completely. With every decision that you make each day, if you make it wisely, you will lay a solid path from which you can advance. You are responsible for each decision that you make and the lessons that you learn as a result of those decisions.
While we can and should learn from our past, we must not dwell there, but continue on toward that finish line of success in that endeavor or season of life. Press on one step at a time. Make it a habit of making wise decisions which are based on the precepts that are found in God’s Word, and then you will achieve success in business, family, ministry, and indeed all areas of life. Realize, though, that as we achieve success in an area of life, or for a season of life, ultimately our race is not over until we cross that finish line to invest eternity with God.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3:12-14&version=NLT (Philippians 3:12-14) – I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 989 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 989 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Lord Is My Shepherd – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-989/ (Day 989) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We all have a tendency to wander away, either in our minds avoiding important obligations, or with our lives physically wandering away from our God-given responsibilities. Like sheep, we need a faithful shepherd to keep us in the fold. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
The Lord Is My Shepherd
We must realize and understand that sheep aren’t smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy, and they drown. They have no sense of direction. They need a shepherd to lead them to calm water. So do we! We, like sheep, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour. Peter warns us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+5:8&version=NLT (1 Peter 5:8,) “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Also, we are reminded in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53:6&version=NLT (Isaiah 53:6,) “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”
We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us. Jesus is that Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The Shepherd who protects, provides, and possesses his sheep. The Good Shepherd is described in…
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+23&version=NLT (Psalm 23)
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
The imagery is carried over to the New Testament as Jesus is called the good shepherd of the sheep in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A14-15&version=NLT (John 10:14-15,) “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”
Each day, let us listen for the shepherd’s voice and follow Him. He will take care of us and protect us.
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-994/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-990/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 988 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Eight – The Challenger – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (Day 988) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the fifteenth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” If you have missed any of our past thirteen Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (“The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” )which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. So far we have taken a deep dive into https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-973/ (“The Investigator,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Loyalist,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (“The Enthusiast.”) This week we will explore type Number Eight “The Challenger.” Next week we will focus on the final type number Nine “The Peacemaker.”
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Eight – The Challenger
8 – THE CHALLENGER Enneagram Type Eight The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational
· Type Eight in Brief...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 987 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Wise Suggestion – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-987/ (Day 987) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
A Wise Suggestion
Frank was driving through the Sahara desert by himself when out in the middle of nowhere his jeep broke down. Thinking that he would not be out for long, he failed to bring any water. As the noon-day sun became increasingly intense, Frank became desperate for water. He started out on foot toward what he thought might be a good direction. After walking a couple of miles when he saw something, far off in the distance. Hoping to find water, he walked toward the image, which now appeared to be a tent. When he reached the tent, he found a little old lady sitting at a card table with a bunch of neckties laid out on it.
Desperately Frank begged, “Please, I’m dying of thirst, can I have some water?”
The woman replied “I don’t have any water, but why don’t you buy a tie? Here’s one that goes nicely with your outfit.”
Frank shouted, “I don’t want a tie lady. I need water!”
Calmly she replied, “Okay, don’t buy a tie. But to show you what a nice person I am, I’ll tell you that over that hill there, about four miles, is a nice restaurant. Walk that way, they’ll give you all the water you want.”
The dehydrated Frank thanked the woman and walked away toward the hill and eventually disappeared.
Three hours later he returned crawling back to the tent where the old lady was still sitting behind her card table full of beautiful ties.
The lady asked, “I told you, about four miles over that hill. Couldn’t you find it?”
Frank rasped from his parched throat, “I found it all right. They wouldn’t let me in without a tie.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face today. Our Thursday Thought is from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+107%3A8-9&version=NLT (Psalms 107:8-9,) “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-988/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 986 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 986 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Satan Falls Like Lightning – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-986/ (Day 986) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Lightning can be beautiful to watch, and yet it is quite destructive and dangerous. In the New Testament, there is another entity that falls like lightning, which may seem beautiful but desires to destroy us.
Today’s essay will explore…
Satan Falls Like Lightning
In one of the more mysterious verses in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells His disciples in Luke 10:18, “’Yes,’ he told them, ‘I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!'”
The question isn’t about the “what” of Jesus’ statement. It’s clear that Satan is under judgment. Rather, the confusion is over the “when” of the statement. It might sound like a reference to when Satan became Satan, before the Garden of Eden, abandoning his status among God s heavenly host, but that conclusion would be too hasty.
We basically have three options when it comes to figuring out the timing of Satan’s fall: before, during, or after Jesus own time. Many people have offered opinions. Perhaps the most common interpretation is that Jesus is seeing or remembering the original fall of Satan. This option makes little sense in context. Prior to the statement, Jesus had sent out the disciples to heal and preach that the kingdom of God had drawn near to them (Luke 10:1-9). They return amazed and excited by the fact that demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus. Luke 10:17 says, “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, ‘Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!’” Jesus replied to their proclamation, “’Yes,’ he told them, ‘I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!'”
There is a connection between the kingdom, the defeat of demons, and Satan. But if Satan’s fall in Luke [10:18] speaks of an event in the remote past, why wasn’t the kingdom established then? Why was Satan still powerful when Jesus showed up on the scene? Even with the kingdom of Israel under David and the presence of God in the temple, the power and influence of Satan is evident on nearly every page of Old Testament history.
The view that Jesus was referring to Satan’s fall during his own ministry is better, but it is not without problem. We don’t read anywhere in the Bible of anyone casting out demons prior to Jesus ministry. That display of power, as well as the announcements of the kingdom and the ruling authority of God on earth, is unmistakable. This is consistent with what Luke writes in the next chapter.
This is where Luke identifies Jesus as the one who handles the ”strong man.” It is Jesus who binds Satan. With Jesus having bound the strong man (Satan), He and His disciples can plunder Satan’s realm. This seems to tie in with what Jesus says after His statement about Satan where He grants the disciples power over the forces of evil. Luke 10:19-20...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 985 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Belief in Oneself – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-985/ (Day 985) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Lynda M. Child, and it is, “Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.”
Belief in Oneself
If you don’t or can’t believe in yourself, how can you ever expect others to believe in you? No person is self-made, and in order to be a success, you need the support and resources of others. Since that is the case, others will find it very difficult to support you and provide you with the resources needed to be successful unless you first believe that you can and will succeed.
Belief in yourself is the very foundation stones of success in any area of life. If you do not believe in yourself, then any success that may be achieved will soon crumble because the very bedrock, those foundation stones, will crumble and your success will come crashing down. In the same manner, if you do not love and believe in yourself, it is impossible to love and believe in anyone else.
Our love and belief for others will only be as strong as the love and belief we have in ourselves and in our God-given abilities. God created you to be a bearer of His image and God is successful and true in all that He does. Should we expect anything less for His precious children who are designed to be a bearer of His image? I think not.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter+1:3&version=NLT (2 Peter 1:3) – By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-986/ (tomorrow) for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 984 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-986/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 984 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Learning a Little Each Day – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-984/ (Day 984) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
You may wonder how you can gain additional knowledge of God’s word and what precepts we must follow to grow in Him. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+11:33&version=NLT (Romans 11:33) tells us, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
Learning a Little Each Day
Will I learn what God intends? If I listen, I will. Little Suzy returned from her first day at school. Her mom asked, “Did you learn anything?”
“I guess not,” Suzy responded. “I have to go back tomorrow and the next day and the next day…”
Such is the case with learning. And such is the case with Bible study.
Understanding comes a little at a time over a lifetime. The Bible tells us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A25&version=NLT (James 1:25), “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
The Bible is not like reading a newspaper or skimming a light book, but rather it is like digging for gold in a mine. Proverbs 2:4 says to gain wisdom, insight, and understanding, we are to “search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.”God has given us a blueprint for growing step by step in our faith in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A3-8&version=NLT (2 Peter 1:3-8.)
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We need to follow this blueprint today, and the next day, and the next… until we are in His presence in heaven.
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-989/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-985/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day....
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 983 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Seven – The Enthusiast – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (Day 983) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the fourteenth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” If you have missed any of our past thirteen Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. So far we have taken a deep dive into https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,”)https://wisdom-trek.com/day-973/ (“The Investigator,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Loyalist.”) This week we will explore type Number Seven “The Enthusiast.” Next week we will focus on type number eight “The Challenger.”
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Seven – The Enthusiast
7 – THE ENTHUSIAST Enneagram Type Seven The Busy, Variety-Seeking Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Acquisitive, and Scattered
· Type Seven in Brief Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 982 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Broken Bones – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 982 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Broken Bones
One of the local schools took their kindergarten students on a special tour through our hospital so they would be familiar with the fine medical services that are available. They went through the various areas, and all the kids seemed mesmerized by the doctors, nurses, and various pieces of equipment.
When they came to the x-ray department. Little Suzy seemed extra interested in the x-ray machine. She was asking many questions and then Karen, one of the x-ray technicians, asked her, “Suzy have you ever broken a bone?”
“Why yes I have,” said little Suzy.
“Did it hurt?” asked Karen.
“Well, no, not really,” was Suzy’s reply.
Karen, surprised by her answer asked, “Really? Which bone did you break?”
Looking down a bit, Suzy said quietly, “My sister Mary’s arm.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know, and I will continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
For our Thursday thought, remember we have a great God who heals us as we read in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+147:3&version=NLT (Psalm 147:3,) “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 981 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-983/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 981 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom New Testament Misquotes – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-981/ (Day 981) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors.
In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Sometimes when a New Testament writer quotes the Old Testament, the two passages do not match precisely. Is the New Testament writer misquoting the Old Testament? Or is there another explanation?
Today’s essay will explore…
New Testament Misquotes
Luke records that when Jesus began His ministry, He went to the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath Day. When He stood up to read the Scriptures as recorded in Luke 4:17, he said, “The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written.”
Jesus read the description of a climactic arrival of the anointed one from Isaiah https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61%3A1-2&version=NLT (61:1-2), excluding the last half of verse two. That omission is understandable, but if you look at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A18-19+&version=NLT (Luke 4:18-19) and Isaiah https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61%3A1-2&version=NLT (61:1-2) side by side, several dissimilarities in what Jesus read are readily apparent.
In the original Old Testament passage, there is no reference to making the blind see. Conversely, Isaiah speaks of “binding up the brokenhearted,” a phrase absent in Luke. Since Luke is clear that Jesus was reading from a scroll, the divergence is not due to Luke (or Jesus) quoting from memory and messing up the passage! What’s going on here? Let me read both passages from the New Living Translation.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A18-19&version=NLT (Luke [4:18]-19)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61%3A1-2&version=NLT (Isaiah 61:1-2)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
Most of the time when a divergence occurs between a New Testament quotation and the Old Testament, the answer is the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. It often does not match the Hebrew text from which most Old Testaments were translated. Jesus apparently either read from a Hebrew text that reflected the Septuagint, or Luke fills in the quoted passage with the Septuagint. (And since Luke was not Jewish and spoke Greek, the Septuagint would have been his Bible.)
The Septuagint version of Isaiah 61:1-2 reads in
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 980 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Concentrate on Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-980/ (Day 980) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Terry Bradshaw, and it is, “Being gifted intellectually is only a small part of the equation of success. Concentrate on the factors you have more control over: persistence, self-discipline, confidence. Far more failures are due to lack of will than lack of ability.”
Concentrate on Success
While natural abilities and talents have an impact on whether a person is successful in various areas of life, it is a much smaller impact than most of us realize. I have known far too many people who have the ability to succeed but lack the desire to succeed. All success requires persistence, self-discipline, and confidence. All three of these traits you have complete control over.
If you desire to succeed, then you must be willing to exchange the easy path of today for the rewarding path of the long term. No success can ever be achieved by talent alone, but by using your abilities, regardless of how limited they are, and coupling those abilities with the confidence that you can succeed.
In addition to that confidence, you need the self-discipline to work through the difficult times, and the persistence to keep moving forward, even when you are weak and tired and feel like giving up. Nothing is ever gained in our lives without an equal and offsetting amount of effort, that is except for our salvation through Christ.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13:4&version=NLT (Proverbs 13:4) – Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-981/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 979 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-981/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 979 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Leading in God’s Kingdom – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-979/ (Day 979) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
What qualifications are required to be a good leader in God’s Kingdom? In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Leading in God’s Kingdom
On an occasion, following a great victory, Napoleon was asked how he made his army cross the Alps, and he replied, “One does not make an army cross the Alps; one leads it across.”
Whether a boss, a parent, a teacher, or a friend, the most effective way to lead others, to teach others, to motivate others, to train our children, and/or to influence others is by example –that is, by who we are, by what we do, and most of all by how much we care about them. In other words, we need to model what we want others to learn and do. We need to lead the way, not by being demanding or controlling, but by showing through both our caring and our doing—by example not by telling.
Furthermore, “People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care,” and as Carl Jung stated, “Where love rules, there is no will to power, and where power predominates, love is lacking. The one is the shadow of the other.”
Jesus gives us the ground rules for leading in God’s Kingdom in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Matthew+20%3A26-27&version=NLT (Matthew 20:26-27,)“But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.”
The Apostle Paul in his letter to his protégé Timothy specifies the qualities that a leader should have within the church, which is God’s platform for building His Kingdom on earth. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+3%3A2-5&version=NLT (1 Timothy 3:2-5) instructs, “So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?”
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-984/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-980/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 978 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 978 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Six – The Loyalist – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (Day 978) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the thirteenth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.”
If you have missed any of our past twelve Friday series, I would recommend going back and listen to them or read the Wisdom Journals. As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing).
Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (“The Enneagram At-A-Glance,”) which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how the Enneagram system works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. So far we took a deep dive into https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist,” )and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Investigator.”) This week we will explore type Number Six https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (“The Loyalist.”) Next week we will focus on type number seven “The Enthusiast.”
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Six – The Loyalist
6 – THE LOYALIST Enneagram Type Six The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious
· Type Six in Brief The committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 977 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Luggage Travels – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-977/ (Day 977) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Luggage Travels
A traveler got to the airline counter and presented her ticket to New York. As she gave the agent her luggage, she asked, “I’d like you to send my green suitcase to Hawaii and my red suitcase to London.”
The confused agent said, “I’m sorry, we can’t do that.”
“Really? I am so relieved to hear you say that because, that’s exactly what you did to my luggage last year!”
If you have ever traveled extensively, you may be able to relate to this story, and I hope that it brought a smile to you today.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know, and I will continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
For our Thursday thought, remember we never need to be concerned about being lost for eternity. Jesus told us this in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19%3A9-10&version=NLT (Luke 19:9-10,) “Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.'”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 976 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-978/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 976 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom My Guardian Angel – Wisdom Wednesday
Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-976/ (Day 976) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Do we really have personal guardian angels? What does the Bible have to say? Today’s essay will explore…
My Guardian Angel “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”
These are familiar and fondly remembered words for those of us who make a holiday tradition of watching the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. The angel Clarence helps George Bailey discover the unseen but tremendous significance his mundane life played in the lives of others. It’s a heartwarming story, full of hope and encouragement. But what about its theology? Are guardian angels—like Clarence—really biblical?
Jesus’ words in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A10&version=NLT (Matthew 18:10) suggest the answer is yes, “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” The passage affirms that children have angels who represent them before God. Where did Matthew get such an idea?
In https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+5%3A1&version=NLT (Job 5:1,) angels are presented as mediators between God and people. Job’s friend Eliphaz challenges him, “Cry for help, but will anyone answer you? Which of the angels will help you?” Eliphaz presumes that angels would act as mediators between God and Job.
This understanding was common in the biblical world. Ancient Mesopotamians, for example, believed that humans had “personal gods” who could appeal for them before the assembly of gods. We no longer need a mediator. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus now intercedes on our behalf before God as found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+2%3A5&version=NLT (1 Timothy 2:5), “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” But the New Testament still describes angels as having an immediate ministry to believers, as demonstrated by https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1%3A14&version=NLT (Hebrews 1:14), “Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”
Also, the narrative in Acts 12 shows us a continued connection between angels and people. After an angel frees Peter from prison and execution, Peter goes to the house of his fellow believers (Acts 12:6- 10). Those inside don’t believe the servant girl’s report that he is at the door. They reply in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+12%3A15&version=NLT (Acts 12:15,) “‘You’re out of your mind!’ they said. When she insisted, they decided, ‘It must be his angel.'”
This statement testifies to the early Christian belief that humans had angels who acted as a kind of celestial double, attached to a person for their welfare.
The concept of angelic guardianship and activity in our lives is something we have often left to the imagination. Apparently, Hollywood gets some biblical things right. God’s...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 975 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Behind Every Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-975/ (Day 975) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Rick Beneteau, and it is, “Behind every success is a succession of failures.”
Behind Every Success
When we observe the success that some people have achieved, we do not see the entire picture. It appears that successful people are just in the right place at the right time. While there is a timing factor involved, success is primarily based on the fact that a person has prepared over many years and persevered through many failures. This allows them to be ready and take advantage of opportunities when they became available.
I do not know of any person who has achieved success in any area of life without going through many obstacles and failures from which they have learned and applied that knowledge to. If you desire to be successful in life, then you must be willing to have failures, hardships, and obstacles in order to achieve a level of success. If you are not willing to persevere during the difficult times, then don’t expect success in your life. Plan, prepare, and persevere through the hard times, and when the opportunity comes, you will be in the right place at the right time.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21%3A5&version=NLT (Proverbs 21:5) – Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-975/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 974 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-976/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 974 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Power of a Touch – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-974/ (Day 974) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We have all experienced times in our lives where someone has come along beside us, and with a few words or small act of kindness been able to encourage and touch our lives in a meaningful way. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
The Power of a Touch
The power of a Godly touch…Have you known it? The doctor who treated you, or the teacher who dried your tears? Was there a hand holding yours at a funeral?
Haven’t we known the power of a godly touch? Can’t we offer the same?
Some of you use your hands to pray for the sick. If you aren’t touching them personally, you’re writing notes, calling, baking pies…You’ve learned the power of a touch.
But others tend to forget. Our hearts are good; it’s just that our memories are bad. We forget how significant one touch can be.
We fear saying the wrong thing, or using the wrong tone or acting the wrong way. So rather than do it incorrectly, we do nothing at all.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A17-18&version=NLT (James 2:17-18) – So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-979/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-975/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 973 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you https://wisdom-trek.com (tomorrow)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 973 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Five – The Investigator – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-973/ (Day 973) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the twelfth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.”
If you have missed any of our past eleven Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals. As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it.
I have also included a copy of https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (“The Enneagram At-A-Glance,”) which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. So far we have taken a deep dive into https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (“The Individualist.”) This week we will explore type Number Five “The Investigator.” Next week we will focus on type Number Six “The Loyalist.”
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Five – The Investigator
5 – THE INVESTIGATOR Enneagram Type Five
The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated · Type Five in Brief Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 972 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Customer Service – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-972/ (Day 972) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30), “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Customer Service John enters the department store in search of some new clothing. After browsing for nearly 30 minutes without anyone even offering to assist him, John located Sam, the manager and asked, “Excuse me, sir, but are you looking to hire any help at present?”
Sam, a bit annoyed at the unsolicited request promptly replied, “No, we already have all the staff we need.”
To which John countered, “Then would you mind getting someone to assist me?” I think we can all relate to this experience, and I hope that it brought a smile to you today.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know, and we will continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
For our Thursday Thought, remember to always be ready to help those who in need as https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+20:35&version=NLT (Acts 20:35) reminds, “And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-973/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past 971 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-973/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Read Full Transcript
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 971 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Jesus Declares War – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-971/ (Day 971) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
While reading or listening to most news today, you would think that the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Too many of us forget that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is prevailing, even today. Today’s essay will explore…
Jesus Declares War We’ll start our essay with familiar verses for both Protestants and Catholics, but we will dig much deeper into the cosmic meaning behind this verse. Matthew 16:17-18 says, “Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.'”
The “powers of hell”? Why did Jesus respond to Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16, “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'”
· The Powers of Hell in Cosmic Geography When we read “hell,” we naturally think of the realm of the unbelieving dead. But the Greek word translated “hell” (hades) is also the name for the Underworld—Hades, the realm of all the dead, not just unbelievers. The Hebrew equivalent to Hades is Sheol—the place “under the earth” where all went after this life ended.
Sheol is a place of no return (Job 17:16) in which “ropes trap its inhabitants” (2 Samuel 22:5-6), preventing any escape (Job 7:9). Both the righteous and the unrighteous went to Sheol. The righteous believer, however, could hope for deliverance and eternity with God as Psalms 40:15 reads, “But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.”
While the imagery associated with the Underworld would have unnerved the disciples, Jesus’s reference to the gates (powers) of Hades would have jolted them for another reason. If they knew their Old Testament well, they understood that they were standing before those very gates or powers as Jesus spoke.
· The Gates (Powers) of Hell in Terrestrial Geography Matthew 16 takes place in Caesarea Philippi, situated near a mountainous region containing Mount Hermon. In the Old Testament, this region was known as Bashan, a place with a sinister reputation.
According to the Old Testament, Bashan was controlled by two kings; Sihon and Og, who were associated with the ancient giant clans: the Rephaim and the Anakim as described in Deuteronomy [2:10]-12 and Joshua 12:1-5. The two main cities of their kingdom were Ashtaroth and Edrei, home to the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 3:1, 10-11: Joshua 12:4-5).
These cities and their Rephaim inhabitants are mentioned by name in Canaanite (Ugaritic) cuneiform tablets. The people of Ugarit believed the Rephaim were the spirits of dead warrior-kings. They also believed that the cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei were the entryway to...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 970 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Growing Yourself and Growing Others – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-970/ (Day 970) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Jack Welch,and it is, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”
Growing Yourself and Growing Others If you desire to be a leader and successful, then you must first work on growing and improving yourself. Once you have gained the wisdom, insight, and maturity by growing yourself, then you start to become a type of person who can lead others. Once you are in a place of leadership, in order to continue to be successful and have others follow, you must assist others in their growth.
With this realization, as you foster growth in others, you will continue on your path of overall success in your life by helping others become successful also. Don’t pursue honor and recognition for yourself, but for those whom you are leading. When they receive honor and recognition, then it will also reflect on you through them.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A1-2&version=NLT (Romans 15:1-2) – We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-971/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 969 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-971/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 969 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Facing Your Lions! – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-969/ (Day 969) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
When trials and persecutions face you, do you fight them and try to avoid them? Although none of us like to go through difficult times, just as Daniel did, we need to trust that while God may not take them away, he will help us persevere through them. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Facing Your Lions!
So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+6%3A16&version=NLT (Daniel [6:16])
Most of us are familiar with the story of how Daniel, supposedly because of his religious beliefs, was thrown into a den of hungry lions. No question, Daniel got a dirty deal. He was set up by jealous, lesser men who wanted him out of the way. It seemed as if they were about to succeed except for one thing…they overlooked Daniel’s trust in God.
The interesting thing, however, about Daniel being thrown into the den of lions is that God didn’t deliver him out of the den before Daniel first found deliverance in it.
Imagine if Daniel had fought against being thrown into the den (which he would have been justified in doing), and gone into the den fighting against it every inch of the way. Chances are the lions would have torn him to pieces before he hit the floor of the den. But Daniel didn’t struggle. He accepted his lot, and trusted his life to God who shut the lion’s mouths.
On more than one occasion when in a very frustrating situation, I have asked God that if I am not going to be delivered out of my “lion’s den,” would he please help me find deliverance in it.
Sometimes God has a lesson for us to learn through a difficult situation, and before he delivers us out of it, like Daniel, he delivers us in it. It is also important not to base our beliefs and actions on the way we feel. Keep in mind that it is the Word of God, the Bible, which is our final voice of authority—not the way that we feel. We need to find deliverance in it. The good news is that once we learn the needed lesson, we don’t have to go through the same experience again.
Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-974/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-970/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 968 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast and Google Podcast so that each day’s trek
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 968 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Four – The Individualist – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (Day 968) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the eleventh episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.” If you have missed any of our past ten Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. So far we took a deep dive into https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (“The Reformer,”) https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (“The Helper,”) and https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (“The Achiever.”) This week we will explore type Number Four “The Individualist.” Next week we will focus on type number five “The Investigator.”
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Four – The Individualist
4 – THE INDIVIDUALIST Enneagram Type Four
The Sensitive, Introspective Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental · Type Four in Brief Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 967 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Mom’s List – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-967/ (Day 967) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30), “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
Mom’s List
MOM’S LIST OF THINGS SHE DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR
1. I swallowed the goldfish.
2. Your lipstick works better than crayons.
3. Does grape juice leave a stain?
4. The principal called…
5. But DAD says that word all the time!
6. What’s it cost to fix a window?
7. Has anyone seen my pet snakes?
8. Look, I painted your shoes pretty!
9. The dog doesn’t like dressing up in your underwear.
10. I’m running away from home. (Well, maybe some days…)
If you’re a mom or dad, I hope that brought a smile to your face today.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know, and we will continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As a father of five kids and seven grandkids, I know that sometimes parenting certainly has its challenges, but take heart as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+22%3A6&version=NLT (Proverbs 22:6,) “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 966 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-968/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 966 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Answers From The Dead Sea Scrolls – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-966/ (Day 966) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.”
While there were many fragments of manuscripts available from the Old Testament previously, newly found manuscripts last century opens our understanding more fully of the ancient times. Today’s essay will explore…
Answers From The Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered between 1947 and 1956, transformed biblical studies. Found in a series of caves near an archaeological site on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea known as Qumran, they contributed to research on ancient scribal practices and the history of the Hebrew language. But beyond this research, the scrolls also directly affected an issue that has long been debated—the Old Testament canon. Did this find solidify what should or should not be included in our Bibles?
The word “canon” refers to the collection of books considered sacred and authoritative by a religious community—in this case, Judaism and Christianity. Historical evidence reveals that within the Jewish community, there was still uncertainty about some books such as Esther and the Song of Solomon, or portions of books, specifically Ezekiel 40-48 after AD 100. The question of whether Jewish leaders of earlier centuries had similar doubts—or different ones—was shrouded in mystery before the discoveries at Qumran.
Fragments of all the Old Testament books in the current Protestant evangelical canon have been found among the scrolls—all except the book of Esther. However, its omission by the Jewish community at Qumran does not indicate much about its canonical position today.
The omission of the book tells us nothing about how the Qumran community actually felt about Esther. The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in modern times are only a fraction of the material originally stored at Qumran. The ravages of time have left us an incomplete picture, nullifying such a definitive conclusion.
In addition, the Jews at Qumran were one sect of Judaism among several. Even if there was evidence that they had rejected Esther, that position would have represented only a segment of opinion. Even today, major segments of modern Christendom do not agree on the canon. That certain books meet approval or disapproval provides no guidance as to which opinion is correct.
Beyond this, Qumran scribes often indicated a book’s sacred status by citing the book as authoritative for some point of belief or practice in their community documents. They also indicated a book’s sacred status through produced commentaries. However, not every biblical book of today’s Old Testament canon meets this criterion. For example, Judges, Jeremiah, and Job are never cited in community documents; they have not been the focus of a commentary. The incomplete nature of the discovery makes this no surprise.
Conversely, the scribes at Qumran considered some books canonical that were not included later in the Old Testament canon by...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 965 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Before Success… – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-965/ (Day 965) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Napoleon Hill, and it is, “Before success comes in any person’s life, they are sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps, some failures. When defeat overtakes a person, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That’s exactly what the majority of people do.”
Before Success…
The true measure of success for a person is based on the levels and magnitude of obstacles, setbacks, temporary defeats, and even outright failures that they face in their pursuit of success. Any time we have a setback or failure, the natural inclination for all of us is to quit and give up. While that indeed may be the easiest course of action, and we can even justify or rationalize that it is most logical, those who choose this path will not succeed in much of life.
Unfortunately, this is the choice of the majority of people. None of us should be satisfied or desire to be average or below average but to become all that God created us to be. We need to use our God-given talents and abilities to serve Him and to build His kingdom. If we commit our actions to God, and continue on through setbacks and failures, ultimately we will succeed in our endeavors for Him.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16:3&version=NLT (Proverbs 16:3) – Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-966/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 964 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-966/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 964 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Facing Your Giants! – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-964/ (Day 964) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
There are many giant obstacles and problems that come into our lives. It is our natural inclination to turn and run, to avoid the problems. While it may be advisable to pause and prepare, most obstacles do not go away if we ignore them. In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
Facing Your Giants!
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Sam+17%3A45-46&version=NLT (1 Samuel [17:45]-46)
David sees what others don’t and refuses to see what others do. All eyes, except David’s, fall on the brutal, hate-breathing hulk. All eyes, except David’s, are set on the Giant of the Philistines. All journals, but David’s, describe day after day in the land of the Neanderthal. The people know his taunts, demands, size, and strut. They have focused solely on Goliath.
David sees the armies of God. And because he does, David hurries and runs toward the army to meet the Philistine as found https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Sam+17%3A48&version=NLT (1 Samuel 17:48), “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.”
You might say that David knew how to get ahead of his giant.
When was the last time you did the same? How long since you ran toward your challenge? We tend to retreat, duck behind a desk of work, or crawl into a nightclub of distraction or a bed of forbidden love. For a moment, a day, or a year, we feel safe, insulated, anesthetized, but then the work runs out, the liquor wears off, or the lover leaves, we hear Goliath again. Booming. Bombastic.
Try a different approach. Rush your giant with a God-saturated soul. Giant of divorce? You aren’t entering my home! Giant of depression? It may take a lifetime, but you won’t conquer me! Giant of alcohol, bigotry, child abuse, insecurity…You’re going down! How long since you loaded your sling and took a swing at your giant?
Too long, you say? Then David is your model. God called him as is mentioned in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+13%3A22&version=NLT (Acts 13:22,) “But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.” He gave this designation to no one else, not Abraham or Moses or Joseph. He called Paul an apostle, John his beloved, but neither was tagged a man after God’s own heart.
One might read David’s story and wonder what God saw in him. The fellow fell as often as he stood, stumbled as often as he...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 963 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Three – The Achiever – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (Day 963) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the tenth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.”
If you have missed any of our past nine Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or read the Wisdom Journals. As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (a PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. The past two weeks we took a deep dive into type number One and Two, which is referred to as “The Reformer” or “The Perfectionist,” and type number two “The Helper.” This week we will explore type Number three “The Achiever.” Next week we will focus on type number four “The Individualist.”
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, and I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be:
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Three – The Achiever
1 – THE ACHIEVER Enneagram Type Three
The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious · Type Three in Brief Threes are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised, but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness.
At their Best:...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 962 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Chocolate Exchange – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-962/ (Day 962) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Chocolate Exchange
Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the woman if she would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a white bag on the seat next to Sally.
“What’s in the bag?” asked the old woman.
Sally looked down at the bag and, smiling, said, “It’s a box of chocolates. I got it for my husband.”
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, “Good trade.”
I trust that brought a bit of cheer to your day…Husbands, treat your wives well so that you are worth far more than a box of chocolates.
For today’s Thursday Thought, husbands love your wives.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5:28&version=NLT (Ephesians 5:28) – In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 961 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly I am your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-963/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 961 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Bizarre Visions for the Worst of Times – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-961/ (Day 961) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview,you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me With the Bible.
If we are not studying God’s Word regularly and living by His precepts, we may have a very tainted perspective of God from some of the Old Testament passages. Today’s essay will explore:
Bizarre Visions for the Worst of Times
We are prone to make assumptions about God and His favor towards us when life has us down due to sin, mistakes, or incomprehensible circumstances. Of all the Scripture passages we might turn to during these times, the bizarre vision that opens the book of Ezekiel would not register high on our list. However, reading this passage with its original ancient context in mind reveals a powerful message for its original recipients and for every believer.
· The Babylonian Context If you have never read the visions contained within the book of Ezekiel, it is an unusual and fascinating read. Ezekiel had his vision in Babylon as one of the captive exiles (Ezekiel 1:1-3). Comparing his vision to Babylonian iconography reveals that Ezekiel saw a divine ‘”throne-chariot” of the heavens, widely described in the ancient biblical world. Just as human kings had chariots, so did deities. It is said that a deity would traverse the heavens in his chariot throne, inspecting his domain and exercising authority over it. In Ezekiel‘s vision, this throne sits above the surface or expanse in Ezekiel [1:26] which is the same word used in Genesis 1:6-8 for the heavens. Psalms [29:10] and Psalms 150:1 also gives us a snapshot of God’s abode.
Back to the divine throne, wheels supported the chariot throne, along with four unusual creatures identified as cherubim in Ezekiel 10:4. Each creature had four faces: human, lion, eagle, and ox (Ezekiel [1:10]). Next to each cherub were four gleaming wheels in Ezekiel [1:15]-16. These wheels were set on edge, since they are described as “tall” in Ezekiel [1:18]. They had wheels within them—that is, each one had at least one concentric circle within it. The vision describes the outer edge, or “rim,” of each wheel as having “eyes,” which is translated from the Hebrew word “Ayin.” The prophet Daniel, who was also in Babylon, described the very same blazing throne with wheels Dan 7:9.
· The Vision in Context The four faces of the four animals or cherubim correspond to the iconography of the Babylonian zodiac. Each represents a seasonal constellation in Babylonian astrology, and each face or constellation also represented one of the four directions, North, South, East, and West. This is also referred to as the quadrants of the sky. Babylonians knew that the heavens were connected to what happened on earth such as times, seasons, crops, and weather. The Babylonians believed their gods controlled those functions. Information about the stars was laid out on Mesopotamian astrolabes, which were clay tablets whose concentric circles could...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 960 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Be of Good Cheer – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-960/ (Day 960) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Helen Keller, and it is, “Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere, and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.”
Be of Good Cheer
There are few people in this world that have contributed so much to the good of the human race than Helen Keller. Yet she was significantly handicapped by not being able to see, speak, or hear. Helen Keller was able to overcome what seems like insurmountable obstacles in her life and achieved success that few have ever achieved.
First, she was of good cheer. She chose to look at life positively in spite of her difficulties. She overcame those obstacles and what some may consider failures to bring to the world much that is good. In fact, she found joy in overcoming the obstacles in life. She realized that through her effort she was able to bring beauty into her world although she could not see it with her eyes, hear it with her ears, or utter the praises that the joy brought her.
We need to practice the same. In our pursuit of success in all areas of life, we need to be of good cheer, regardless of our obstacles because no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.
Jesus taught us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16:33&version=NLT (John 16:33,) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-961/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 959 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-961/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 959 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Blessed Assurance! – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-959/ (Day 959) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Although we look forward to the time when Jesus Christ will return to earth to reign as our King, we have the assurance and strength every day to live according to God’s precepts. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Blessed Assurance!
Blessed Assurance is not only a loved hymn, but it is also our seal of redemption through God’s Spirit. All creation waits on tiptoe for the day Jesus returns and brings us home to the Father. On that day, we will experience “the total redemption of our bodies that comes when our adoption as children of God is complete. However, we realize that not only is the Holy Spirit our “guarantee, a down payment of the things to come,” but He is also God’s sustaining power and presence in our lives and will help us in many ways. Here are three truths we will find in the verses today:
The Spirit intercedes for you when you pray and even “steps in and articulates your…with groaning too profound for words” when you can’t find the words to pray.
The Spirit’s presence is a constant reminder that because of Christ’s presence at the Father’s side, nothing can ever separate you from the His love.
The Spirit whose power raised Jesus from the dead is your assurance of ultimate victory just as Jesus was victorious over sin, death, and hell.
Treasure these assurances. Trust in the Spirit’s presence. Glory awaits!
· Verses to Live
There are so many good things that await us. Even though we cannot see them now, we yearn for them. That is why Jesus promised that He would not leave you alone, but that I would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be with you and to help you until He comes back for you (https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/Acts%202.32-33 (Acts 2:32-33); https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/Titus%203.3-7 (Titus 3:3-7); https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/John%2014.18-26 (John 14:18-26)). So today, the verses come from things that Paul wrote to the Romans about blessings that the Spirit brings to Christians, including you. As I read them to you, find a few especially meaningful sentences to memorize. Then when times are tough, let the Holy Spirit remind you of these truths and fill your heart with the assurance that you are the Father’s child, Christ’s beloved co-heir of the kingdom of God, and a person in whom the Spirit of the Almighty God lives. Absorb the truths that are in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A18-39&version=NLT (Romans [8:18]-39).
The Future Glory
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 958 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number Two – The Helper – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (Day 958) of our trek and time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, this is not possible. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the tenth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond differently to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.”
If you have missed any of our past nine Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or read the Wisdom Journals. As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s or a prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (a PDF copy), click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. The past two weeks we took a deep dive into type number One and Two, which is referred to as “The Reformer” or “The Perfectionist,” and type number two “The Helper.” This week we will explore type Number three “The Achiever.” Next week we will focus on type number four “The Individualist.”
Since we are exploring the Enneagram in detail, and I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be:
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number Two – The Helper
3 – THE HELPER Enneagram Type Two
The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive · Type Two in Brief Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others, but can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs. At their Best:
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 957 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Appearances Can Be Deceiving – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-957/ (Day 957) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Appearances Can Be Deceiving A man was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. The plane had to make an unexpected stop in Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.
Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind. The flight attendant had noticed him when he boarded and could tell the gentleman was blind because his seeing-eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the entire flight.
The flight attendant realized this man must have flown this very flight before because the pilot approached him, and calling him by name, said, “Bill, we’re in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?”
The blind man replied, “No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs.” The pilot said, sure I will gladly take him for a walk.
Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a seeing-eye dog. The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!
Remember…things aren’t always as they appear.
For today’s Thursday Thought, remember we need to be very wise when judging others. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6:37&version=NLT (Luke 6:37) says, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-958/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 956 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Podcast so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 956 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom He, Him, Me, Myself, and I – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-956/ (Day 956) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors.
In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Have you ever wondered what about some of the odd grammar structures in the Bible? Today’s essay will explore the important question of:
He, Him, Me, Myself, and I
How strange would it sound if a friend described what they did this morning like this? “After she got out of bed, she took a shower and then made a quick breakfast for herself—just some coffee and a bagel. I was in such a hurry that I didn’t even finish my bagel and just took the coffee with me!”
Be honest. You would probably wonder if your friend needed medication. Although your friend was describing what she did this morning, the first few details sounded like she was talking about someone else. If the information was about her and spoken by her, why not use “I” and “my”—what we call “first-person pronouns” in grammar? Why would she refer to herself in the third person? We just don’t talk or write like that.
Neither would the biblical writers, but that is exactly what we read in many biblical passages. Consider this example in Ezekiel 1:1-4, “On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. (The Lord gave this message to Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and he felt the hand of the Lord take hold of him.) As I looked, I saw a great storm coming from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. There was fire inside the cloud, and in the middle of the fire glowed something like gleaming amber.”
The first two verses use the first person (“I”), which leads us to believe that Ezekiel himself is writing. But then there is a switch to the third person in verse three, as though the writer was not the famous prophet (“to Ezekiel”: “him”). Then it’s back to the first person (“I”) again in verse four. What’s going on? Can’t Ezekiel decide if he’s writing or not?
There’s no multiple personality disorder here. The switch between grammatical persons is simply the tell-tale sign of an editor. Someone other than Ezekiel inserted verse three to make it clear that the prophet wasn’t crazy. Rather, the prophet saw God and was led by the Spirit to describe what follows in the book.
Who had the authority to edit the Bible like this? The short answer is whomever God moved to do so under inspiration. The longer answer is that, in the case of the prophetic writings, someone accepted by the believing community of Israel to be a member of the prophetic class or tradition served as editor of the preaching and teaching of the prophets.
A picture of a prophetic class emerges during the time of Elijah and Elisha. The prophets lived together in an organized community. The...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 955 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Appreciation Creates Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-955/ (Day 955) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Shaka Smart, and it is, “Appreciation is the currency of success.”
Appreciation Creates Success
Success is a result of bringing value to the lives of other people and appreciating those who help you. If you do not show appreciation for what others do for you, then you will soon find that others will not assist you. We all need others to help us along our trek of life to provide encouragement and support.
In the same manner, we need to be ready and willing to assist others that may need our help. Appreciation is the currency of success in all aspects of life. The more appreciation you show to others the more assistance you will receive from others in order to bring about the success that you desire. Always maintain the attitude of gratitude for everything that happens in your life. Even if your current situation is not pleasant, none of us know what blessings will come from them.
Show appreciation at all times to everyone then you will see success flow to you.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+16:18&version=NLT (1 Corinthians 16:18) – They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-956/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 954 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Podcast so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-956/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 954 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Everyone Needs Grace – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-954/ (Day 954) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Even the most moral and ethically upright person cannot live up to God’s standard of righteousness. Because of this, we need a substitute to take our place. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Everyone Needs Grace
Unfortunately, much of the world has repeatedly given up honoring the Creator. Most in the world have chased after worthless and depraved things. In addition, even those who seek to honor the Creator have also sinned. However, some of these religious people think that their religious knowledge and rules will save them. Many of the Jews in Paul’s day had this belief. Unfortunately, some religious people in your day also have this belief. They think because they have made a religious confession, have read God’s Word, and have gone to religious meetings that they are somehow better. They forget Jesus’s words:
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.'” https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/nlt/Matt%207.21-23 (Matthew [7:21]-23 NLT)
Paul wrote the parts of Romans that are now chapters 2, 3 and 7 to remind all people — religious and non-religious, Jews and non-Jews — that their deeds, their rules, their book, their religious pedigree, and their church attendance will not bring them God’s grace. Salvation is by the Father’s grace (https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/Rom%203 (Romans 3), https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/Rom%205 (Romans 5)). This grace is received through faith (https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/Rom%204 (Romans 4)). You share in this grace by participating in Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection, which is represented through baptism (https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/Rom%206 (Romans 6)). This grace is empowered by the Holy Spirit, Who brings the Father’s will to life in you (https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/Rom%208 (Romans 8)).
So the collection of verses today is a reminder of what Paul said in Romans chapters 2 and 3. He was emphatic: nothing and no one except faith in Jesus can make you right — not law, not Scripture, not race, not religious pedigree. Ultimately, all of these things have failed to enable people to live up to the God’s perfect standard of holiness. When you fail in one part of law-keeping, you are guilty of all (https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/niv/James%202.10 (James [2:10])). If you break one law, you are a lawbreaker.
Paul wanted the Roman believers and other believers who came after them to understand that no one can be saved without the Father’s gift of grace purchased by Jesus’s death on the cross and empowered by the Holy Spirit. By their failure, all...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 953 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Type Number One – The Reformer – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (Day 953) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.
Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the eighth episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond to life situations and circumstances the way we do. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This empathy can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool call “The Enneagram.” If you have missed any of our past seven Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with nine interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s and the prior weeks’ Wisdom Journals for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller, in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy, click on the link in today’s Wisdom Journal located on our website Wisdom-Trek.com.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first seven episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works and then presented an overview of all nine personality types. On today’s trek, we will take a deep dive into type number One, which is referred to as “The Reformer.” Next week we will continue with type number Two, “The Helper.”
Since we are exploring this tool in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, though, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Type Number One – The Reformer
1 – THE REFORMER Enneagram Type One
The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-controlled, and Perfectionistic
· Type One in Brief Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical of themselves and others and are perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.
Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defective
Basic Desire: To be...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 952 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom General Moses on a Rescue Mission – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-952/ (Day 952) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
General Moses on a Rescue Mission
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned at Sunday school.
“Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and wipe out the enemy, and all the Israelites were saved.”
“Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked.
“Well, no. But if I told it the way the teacher taught it, you’d never believe it!”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face for today.
For Thursday’s Thought, remember when you are in need, God will rescue you as in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+14:13&version=NLT (Exodus 14:13,) “But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 951 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-953/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 951 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Where Is the Ark of the Covenant? – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-951/ (Day 951) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors.
In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the Ark of the Covenant? Today’s essay will explore the important question of…
Where Is the Ark of the Covenant?
I can still recall the thrill of seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark the movie. Dr. Heiser also agreed when he said, “As a senior in high school, I had already been infected with the archaeology bug. This movie boosted my interest to a whole new level. As Providence would have it, I followed the path of Indiana Jones—at least academically. I’m still fascinated by the ark, but I no longer believe it is lost and awaiting discovery. I have Jeremiah to blame for that.”
The idea that the Ark of the Covenant survived Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Judah is based on the absence of any explicit reference to the ark being among the vessels of gold carried to Babylon in 2 Chronicles 36:5-8. Likewise, the list of items brought back to Judah after the end of the exile makes no mention of the ark in Ezra 1:5-11. The simplest explanation is that the ark was among the items that were stripped away from the temple in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kgs+24%3A13&version=NLT (2 Kings 24:13,) “As the Lord had said beforehand, Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures from the Lord’s Temple and the royal palace. He stripped away (cut apart] all the gold objects that King Solomon of Israel had placed in the Temple.” No one would pay to see that movie.
From ancient times until the present day, people have resisted the idea that God would allow Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Israel’s holiest object. Testifying to the power of this resistance, there are nearly a dozen theories as to how the ark survived.
Some of these theories are drawn from biblical events. Perhaps Hezekiah gave the ark to Sennacherib as part of his tribute payment in 2 Kings 18. Might it have been removed by faithful priests when Manasseh put an idol in the temple in 2 Kings 21:1-9? Indiana Jones told millions that Pharaoh Shishak took the ark to the city of Tanis in Egypt when he invaded Jerusalem in 1 Kings 14:25-26, “In the fifth year of King Rehoboam’s reign, King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He ransacked the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple and the royal palace; he stole everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.”
Perhaps the most intricate theory involves Menelik I, the alleged son of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, taking the ark to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian royal chronicle, the Kebra Nagast, presents this idea so seriously that rulers of Ethiopia well into the 20th century had to prove their descent from Menelik I.
Other theories grew out of specific passages in ancient texts. Second Maccabees 2:5 records Jeremiah hiding the ark in a cave before Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion. Second Baruch 6:1-9 describes the ark being supernaturally...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 950 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Friend’s Success – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-950/ (Day 950) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:
Today’s quote is from Oscar Wilde, and it is, “Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s successes.”
A Friend’s Success
Most of us do sympathize with a friend as they go through struggles and pain because we do not like to see them suffer. We may even be able to empathize with a suffering friend if we have gone through something similar. A mature person, though, will sympathize with a friend who is successful and do so without jealousy and envy.
We should be able to do both. Too often we start despising friends who are successful, especially if we are not successful ourselves. Let us rejoice with those who receive the good things of life in the same way that we console those who suffer.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A15-16&version=NLT (Romans 12:15-16) – Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 949 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-951/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 949 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Thoughts Become Actions – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-949/ (Day 949) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection, or you may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
What do you allow your mind to think about throughout your day? Where do those thoughts take you? In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
Thoughts Become Actions
Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions. Today’s jealousy is tomorrow’s temper tantrum. Today’s bigotry is tomorrow’s hate crime. Today’s anger is tomorrow’s abuse. Today’s lust is tomorrow’s adultery. Today’s greed is tomorrow’s embezzlement. Today’s guilt is tomorrow’s fear.
Could that be why Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged,”?
Some folks don’t know we have an option.
Paul says we do in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
Do you hear some battlefield jargon in that passage — “destroy every obstacle,” “capture rebellious thoughts.” and “obey Christ”? You get the impression that we are the soldiers, and the thoughts are the enemies.
It was for Jesus. Remember the thoughts that came his way courtesy of the mouth of Peter? Jesus had just prophesied his death, burial, and resurrection, but Peter couldn’t bear the thought of it. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things as recorded in Matthew 16:22-23, “‘Heaven forbid, Lord,’ he said. ‘This will never happen to you!’ Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.'”
See the decisiveness of Jesus?
What if you did that? What if you took every thought captive? What if you took the counsel of Solomon in Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
You are not a victim of your thoughts. You have a vote. You have a voice. You can exercise thought prevention. You can also exercise thought permission.
Change the thoughts, and you change the person. If today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions, what happens when we fill our minds with thoughts of God’s love? Will standing beneath the downpour of his grace change the way we feel about others?
Paul says absolutely! It’s not enough to keep the bad stuff out. We’ve got to let the good stuff in. It’s not enough to keep no list of wrongs. We have to cultivate a list of blessings. The same verb Paul uses for keeps in the phrase “keeps no records of wrong” is used for think in http://www.crosswalkmail.com/xhhjvsdbjgjtdcbmtplqntkndstchllcgrdnvvmjdrpjjbs_owzkqffrqzmkdtwjjtqlmff.html?a=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado&b=UpWords+from+Max+Lucado+01%2F19%2F05&c=2524013 (Philippians 4:8,) “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 948 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – An Overview of the Nine Types – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-948/ (Day 948) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the seventh episode in our series delving into what makes each of us respond to life situations and circumstances. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This can be achieved by utilizing a profound tool call “The Enneagram.” If you have missed any of our past six Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with 9 interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s and the prior week’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance,” which was compiled by Suzanne H. Eller, in today’s Wisdom Journal. If you would like a PDF copy of it, click on https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (the link) in today’s Wisdom Journal.
I would also recommend the book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery from a Christian perspective.
In the first six episodes, we explored how The Enneagram System works. On today’s trek, we will explore an overview of the nine Enneagram types. Starting next Friday, we will take a deep dive into each type, one per week for the following nine weeks.
Since we are exploring this tool in detail, I would also recommend reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind, though, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – An Overview of the Nine Types
1 – THE REFORMER Enneagram Type One
The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-controlled, and Perfectionistic
Type One in Brief
Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical of themselves and others and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.
Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defective
Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 947 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Having a Wife – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-947/ (Day 947) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Having a Wife
In Sunday School, they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs.
Later in the week, his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, “Johnny what is the matter?”
Little Johnny responded, “I have a pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face for today.
For Thursday’s Thought, being blessed with a godly wife is one of lives greatest blessings:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+18:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 18:22) – The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-948/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 946 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-948/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 946 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Jeremiah: Double Vision? – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-946/ (Day 946) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events.
To establish a Biblical Worldview, you also need to have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Should we be concerned when there are differences in the ancient text from which our modern Bibles are translated? Today’s essay will explore one such instance and how we should consider the outcome.
Jeremiah: Double Vision?
If we look beyond the details of Jeremiah’s anguish and apparently fruitless ministry, we can spot a dual emphasis in the book that bears his name: judgment and repentance. Emphasis is not the only double issue. Two full versions of the book have survived from antiquity—and they diverge in many ways.
· The “Jeremiah Problem” The book of Jeremiah has come to us in two versions—a Hebrew version, the Masoretic Text, and a Greek version, the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament). Our modern English Bibles follow the arrangement and content of the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint version (or lxx) was translated from a Hebrew text of the book that differed in many ways from the Masoretic Text. Because of this, the Greek version is roughly one-eighth shorter than the Masoretic Text, and after Jeremiah [25:13], the order of the chapters differs dramatically.
Despite attempts to solve the “Jeremiah problem,” the textual history of both versions remains unresolved. We still don’t know which Hebrew text is older—the one we have today from the Masoretic Text or the one used by the scribes who created the Septuagint.
The fragmentary scrolls of the book found among the Dead Sea Scrolls usually follow the order and content of the Masoretic Text, but some of the material matches the Hebrew manuscript that was translated into the Septuagint. Consequently, the Dead Sea Scrolls cannot offer a definitive answer regarding which version of the book more closely aligns with the time of the prophet.
We also find mixed results when examining the history of these versions. The Jewish community favored the Masoretic Text version, but this is only apparent from around 100 AD onward, after the time of Jesus and the apostles. New Testament writers favored the Septuagint when quoting the Old Testament.
Studies reveal that when the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament, the wording found in the Greek New Testament, the Masoretic Text, and the Septuagint differs in some way 80 percent of the time. Word-for-word quotations of the Masoretic Text are not common, amounting to less than five percent. Even when factoring in nearly identical quotations of Masoretic Text, it is clear that the New Testament writers only appear to have used Masoretic Text 20 percent of the time. The New Testament writers most often quoted from the Septuagint, but this doesn’t mean they endorsed or preferred it, since they used both versions. They were writing in Greek, and so using a Greek translation would have been natural.
· A Practical Response So what can we conclude about the book of Jeremiah? Well, we cannot...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 945 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Resolution to Succeed – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-945/ (Day 945) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:
Today’s quote is from Abraham Lincoln, and it is, “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”
Resolution to Succeed
Success in any area of life is a combination of timing, talent, and resolution or persistence. Of these three elements, the resolution to succeed will supersede the other two. Without the persistence to succeed, all the talent in the world and even the best timing, will not bring about the success desired.
Hard work and the resolution to keep going when the path to success becomes difficult will ensure that the talent and the wisdom you have to ascertain the proper timing are utilized fully. I have known many a successful person to overcome a lack of innate talent when their resolution to achieve and succeed was strong.
Resolution is not a short-term attribute but must be incorporated into the very fabric of your life. As I have mentioned several times in the past, much of success is rooted in the habits of being consistently persistent over a long period of time. Yes, talent and timing will expedite success, but without the resolution to succeed, talent and timing are useless.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21:5&version=NLT (Proverbs 21:5) – Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-946/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 944 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Podcast so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-946/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 944 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Aching Arms – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-944/ (Day 944) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Have you ever worked or exercised so hard that you were bone tired and could barely hold up your arms? A time where your arms felt as if they were made of rock or iron. In times like these, we need others to come along beside us to help us. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Aching Arms
A fairly well-known story in the Old Testament also gives us another example of someone with aching arms, and it is found in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+17%3A11-12+&version=NLT (Exodus 17:11-12,) “As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.”
I don’t know why God required Moses to keep his hands raised when the ancient Israelites were in battle against the Amalekites—unless it was to acknowledge Israel’s total dependence on God. Whatever the reason, it was a smart move to get a helping hand from Aaron and Hur, as Moses never could have made it by himself. It is also a good lesson for all of us because none of us can get through life without a helping hand from others.
I believe it was Paul Harvey who made the following comment: “We have always tended to revere the airplane pilot who did it alone and the country doctor who never left the bedside…Such a spirit of independence served us well and caused us all to grow tall. But we’d never have made it to the moon without a spirit of interdependence. And we’d never have eradicated typhoid and smallpox and polio without a cooperative effort. We’ve found that no person alone can fetch oil from beneath the ocean. We’ve found that we are becoming increasingly interdependent—not only in our country but also all around the world…On the steep slope ahead, holding hands is necessary.”
I might also add that in the quiet of our home with our spouse, children, and grandchildren, and even among friends holding hands is also necessary. We need to help when others become weak, just as we will need help at times when we are weak. This will allow us to encourage and strengthen each other as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A11&version=NLT (1 Thessalonians 5:11,) “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-949/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-945/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 943 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – Directions of Integration (Growth) and Disintegration (Stress) – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-943/ (Day 943) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life. So our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the sixth episode in a new series delving into what makes each of us respond as we do to life situations. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. This is utilizing a profound tool called “The Enneagram.”
If you have missed any of our past four Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or read the Wisdom Journals. As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with 9 interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram refers to a drawing). Look below for a representation of it.
I have also included Wisdom Journal a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance” that was compiled by Suzanne H Eller in today’s. If you would like a PDF copy of it, click on https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (the link) in today’s Wisdom Journal on our website https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com).
I would also recommend a recently released book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery.
When I discovered the depth of the Enneagram, it opened up a new horizon of understanding of myself and also helped me to understand others better. The Enneagram is the most useful tool of this type I’ve encountered for personal growth. We are exploring this tool in detail, and I would recommend also reading the Wisdom Journal for each Friday to see the diagrams presented each week.
If you have any questions or would like additional resources, please send me a message from the Wisdom Journal page, and I will reply. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several week or months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – Directions of Integration (Growth) and Disintegration (Stress)
As we discussed in last Friday’s podcast and journal the Levels of Development, the nine personality types of the Enneagram are not static categories: they reflect our change over time. Further, the sequence of the types and the arrangement of the inner lines of the symbol are not arbitrary. The inner lines of the Enneagram connect the types in a sequence that denotes what each type will do under different conditions.
There are two lines connected to each type, and they connect with two other types. One line connects with a type that represents how a person of the first type behaves when they are moving toward health and growth. This is called the Direction of...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 942 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Fool’s Letter – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-942/ (Day 942) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
A Fool’s Letter
One Sunday a pastor found several letters awaiting him when he arrived at the church. He opened and read each one. Most of the letters expressed their appreciation for him and encouraged him. He came to the last one and opened it. This letter contained only the word, “Fool!”
Quietly and with becoming seriousness he shared this letter with the congregation and announced, “I have known many an instance of a person writing a letter and forgetting to sign their name, but this is the only instance I have ever known of someone signing his name and forgetting to write the letter.”
Well, I hope that brought a smile to your face for today.
For Thursday’s Thought, remember, we are known for the words that we use.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+10:21&version=NLT (Proverbs 10:21) – The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-943/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 941 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-943/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 941 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Standing in the Council – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-941/ (Day 941) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you also have to have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing each Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
What does it take to be a Prophet of God? Today’s essay will lay out the qualifications as we explore…
Standing in the Council
Most people think a prophet is someone empowered by God to foretell the future. No doubt, prophets announced God’s intentions, but forecasting future events wasn’t their primary job description. A prophet’s chief task was to serve as God’s mouthpiece to His covenant people Israel and to her enemies. So how did someone become a prophet? Was there some sort of heavenly qualification? In fact, there was.
You might think the standard for a prophet was whether their words came to pass exactly as uttered as described in Deuteronomy 18:15-22. That is actually a by-product of the real litmus test, which we read about in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+23%3A18+-+22&version=NLT (Jeremiah [23:18] & 22).
“Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence (or the council (sod)) to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?
If they had stood before me (the council (sod)) and listened to me, they would have spoken my words, and they would have turned my people from their evil ways and deeds.”
What does it mean to “stand in the council”? The one essential test of a prophet—that preceded their ability to deliver a divine message was that the prophet had to see and hear God in His council or presence.
In the Bible, God and His heavenly host were thought to live and conduct business in the divine throne room. This assembly, with God as its Judge or CEO, is called “a divine council or heaven’s court” (Psalms 82:1: 89:5-7). God chose prophets and commissioned them directly for ministry. When a prophet “stood in the council,” he had a direct encounter with God in His throne room. This motif of “standing in the council” is a repeated pattern in the Bible.
In the case of Isaiah, the prophet was transported to the throne room of Yahweh (Isaiah 6:1-6) to receive his call to service (Isaiah 6:8-9). For Ezekiel, the circumstances were reversed, with the throne of the Lord coming to him (Ezekiel 1:1-14. 26-28). Jeremiah was also commissioned via a direct encounter with God. At the beginning of his ministry, the “word of the Lord” came to him (Jeremiah 1:4) and appointed him a prophet. The “word” is identified as Yahweh (Jeremiah 1:6-7) who has come in human form. He reaches out His hand to touch Jeremiah’s mouth (Jeremiah 1:9). It was this encounter that distinguished Jeremiah from false prophets.
The pattern began with the first man Adam, as Job 15:7-8 indicates.
“Were you the first person ever born? Were you born before the hills were made? Were you listening at God’s secret council (sod)? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?”
Eden was the abode of God and His heavenly host. If Job could say he had such access, then
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 940 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Daily Review Your Progress – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from John C. Maxwell, and it is, “Allow time for acceptance. Head into action. Expect problems. Always point to your success. Daily review your progress.”
Daily Review Your Progress
There are certain steps that must be taken to ensure success in any area of life. When you initially come up with an idea you will need to accept the fact that this idea could be successful. Once that kernel of truth is firmly planted in your mind, then you must take action on your plan.
When the action is taken, you must expect and realize that you will run into problems on your journey to success. Don’t allow those problems to distract you from your plans and goals. When obstacles do fall across your path, find a solution over them, around them, under them, or through them. When you successfully navigate through the problems, large or small, celebrate those victories.
To sustain and maintain your path towards your ultimate success in this area you must review your progress daily to make sure you are still on the correct path and that your destination remains the same. If these steps are followed consistently with persistence, then you will achieve success in any area that you choose in life.
You must faithfully prepare the ground for success, plant your seeds of success, and till the garden for success before you can ever reap the harvest of success.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12:11&version=NLT (Hebrews 12:11) – No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-941/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 939 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-941/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 939 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Work Is Holy – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-939/ (Day 939) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and in praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Work…most people either hate it or barely tolerate it. As a Christ follower, our work is to be holy, regardless of our occupation or calling. In our Meditation Monday, today I want us to reflect on…
Work Is Holy
Heaven’s calendar has seven Sabbaths a week. God sanctifies each day. He conducts holy business at all hours and in all places. He makes the uncommon into the common by turning kitchen sinks into shrines, cafés into convents, and nine-to-five workdays into spiritual adventures.
Are you speaking of workdays, the daily 9-5 grind? Yes, workdays. God ordained your work as something good. Before he gave Adam a wife or a child, even before he gave Adam britches, God gave Adam a job. “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it,” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=GEnesis+2%3A15&version=NLT (Genesis [2:15]). Innocence, not indolence, characterized the first family.
God views work worthy of its own engraved commandment, “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest,” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+34%3A21&version=NLT (Exodus 34:21). We like the second half of that verse. The emphasis on the day of rest might cause us to miss the command to work, “You have six days each week for your ordinary work.” Whether you work at home or in the marketplace, your work matters to God.
And your work matters to society. We need you! Cities need plumbers. Nations need soldiers. Stoplights break. Bones break. We need people to repair the first and set the second. Someone has to raise kids, raise cane, and manage the kids who raise Cain.
Whether you log on or lace up for the day, you imitate God. Jehovah himself worked for the first six days of creation.“But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I,'” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A17&version=NLT (John [5:17]). Your career consumes half of your lifetime. Shouldn’t it broadcast God? Don’t those forty to sixty hours a week belong to him as well?
The Bible never promotes workaholics or addiction to employment as pain medication. God unilaterally calls all the physically able to till the gardens he gives. God honors work. So honor God in your work. “So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God,” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+2%3A24&version=NLT (Ecclesiastes [2:24]).
Here is a big idea:
Use your uniqueness (what you do) to make a big deal out of God (why you do it) every day of your life (where you do it).
At the convergence of all three, you’ll find your sweet spot.
Next week we will continue our trek on Meditation Monday as we take time to reflect on...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 938 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – The Continuum of the Levels of Development – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-938/ (Day 938) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the fifth episode in a new series delving into what makes each of us respond as we do to life situations. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. We can do this utilizing a profound tool call “The Enneagram.” If you have missed any of our past four Friday series, I would recommend going back and listening to them or reading the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with 9 interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out today’s Wisdom Journal for a representation of it. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance” below that was compiled by Suzanne H Eller. If you would like a PDF copy of it, click on the link.
I would also recommend a recently released book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery.
When I discovered the depth of the Enneagram, it opened up a new horizon of understanding of myself first and also helped me to understand others better. The Enneagram is the most useful tool of this type I’ve encountered for personal growth. We are exploring this tool in detail, and I would recommend also reviewing the diagrams presented in the journals each week.
If you have any questions or would like additional resources, please send me a message from the Wisdom Journal page, and I will reply. As helpful as the Enneagram is, keep in mind though, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. All decisions and actions that we make in life must be in harmony with God’s precepts.
So the questions for the next several weeks or months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – The Continuum of the Levels of Development
The continuum is comprised of nine internal Levels of Development—briefly, there are three Levels in the healthy section, three Levels in the average section, and three Levels in the unhealthy section. It may help you to think of the continuum of Levels as a photographer’s grayscale which has gradations from pure white to pure black with many shades of gray in between.
On the continuum, the healthiest traits appear first, at the top, so to speak. As we move down the continuum in a spiral pattern, we progressively pass through each Level of Development marking a distinct shift in the personality’s deterioration to the pure black of psychological breakdown at the bottom. The continuum for each of the personality types can be seen in the following diagram.
The Continuum of the Levels of Development Healthy
Level 1: The Level of Liberation
Level 2: The Level of...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 937 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom To Kiss or Not to Kiss – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-937/ (Day 937) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
To Kiss or Not to Kiss
At the end of their first date, Sam takes Sally back to her home. On the front porch, leaning against the wall with a bit of swagger, Sam decides to try for that important first kiss.
“Hey sweet thing, how ’bout a good night kiss?”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that. My parents will see us!”
“Oh come on! Who’s gonna see us at this hour?”
“No, please. I would just die of embarrassment if someone saw us.”
“Sally, there’s nobody around. They’re all sleeping!”
“No way. It’s just too risky!”
“Oh please, please, I like you so much, and it was such a nice date!!”
“No. I like you too, but I just can’t risk it!”
“Oh yes you can. Please, Sally.”
“No, no. I just can’t.”
Just then the porch light goes on, and the girl’s sister shows up in her pajamas, sleepy, hair disheveled. “Dad says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, he’ll come down himself and do it. But for crying out loud tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!”
For Thursday’s Thought, Sam should have understood that even though he did not realize that he was pressing the intercom button, there is one who sees and knows all that we do, say and think…
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+34:21&version=NLT (Job [34:21]) – “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-938/ (tomorrow) for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 936 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-938/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 936 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Immanuel’s Mother: Virgin or Not? – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-936/ (Day 936) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors.
In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Words are important. As part of creating a solid Biblical worldview, it is important to study some key and maybe controversial words within the Bible. While the human authors of God’s word had a specific meaning in mind when they chose certain words, translating them can cause us to have questions. Especially those who want to try and dispute the Bible. So today’s essay explores…
Immanuel’s Mother: Virgin or Not?
The prophecy of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+7%3A14&version=NLT (Isaiah [7:14]) is among the most well-known passages in the book of Isaiah. It’s also one of the most controversial, for many reasons.
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin (almah) will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means “God is with us”).
It’s difficult to get through the Christmas or Easter season without seeing one of the major news periodicals or educational television networks cast doubt about the meaning of almah in Isaiah [7:14], which is usually translated as virgin.
A favorite argument is that the Hebrew word almah cannot mean “virgin” but instead refers to a young woman of marriageable age, without respect to prior sexual activity. The more precise word for “virgin” is betulah a word not used in Isaiah [7:14]. The New Testament author Matthew, we are so often told, mistakenly assumed the term meant “virgin.” The argument is that his ignorance of the original Hebrew word led to the doctrine of the virgin birth of Jesus. But are these assertions correct?
It’s true that betulah refers to someone who has been sexually inactive, but does that mean almah never means virgin (Leviticus 21:3; Judges 21:12; Deuteronomy 22:23&28; Exodus 22:15)? Outside of Isaiah 7:14, the word almah occurs only six times in the Old Testament. In all but one of those occurrences, the context provides no clue as to the sexual status of the young woman or women (Genesis 24:43; Exodus 2:8; Psalms 68:25; Song of Solomon 1:3&6:8: Proverbs 30:10). Virginity is suggested, however, in Song of Solomon 6:8 almah occurs in the plural alamot,“Even among sixty queens and eighty concubines and countless young women.”
The distinction between queens, concubines, and alamot is important. A queen was a royal wife, which obviously entails a sexual relationship with the king. A concubine was a sexual partner who held certain privileges, but not to the level of a wife. This would suggest that the third group, the alamot, had no sexual relationship with the king. An almah in this text is a candidate to become a concubine or a wife.
This is precisely what we see in the book of Esther. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ester+2%3A3&version=NLT (Esther 2:3) reads, “Let the king appoint...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 935 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Imagine What the Future Could Be – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-935/ (Day 935) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life.
This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Brian Tracy, and it is, “All successful men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.”
Imagine What the Future Could Be
Every success in life first begins with a dream within your imagination. You must imagine a successful outcome before setting out on the trek that will lead you to your destination. Along the trail that you follow may be many detours, obstacles, and setbacks, but it is through these fires that success is forged.
Liken success to being at the bottom of the mountain. As you approach the mountain, you may be able to see the summit far in the distance, but once you start up the steep and treacherous trail, there are many times where the destination is blocked. You take one step after another although it is difficult to tell at times you are getting closer each day to that desired summit. That is your goal and purpose – to reach new heights each day.
Some days you will make very little progress , other days you will achieve great forward motion. The key to success is to continue on each day, and soon you will reach your destination. When the days are long, and you are tempted to give up, remember what we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40:31&version=NLT (Isaiah 40:31,) “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 934 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-936/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 934 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Power of a Creed – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-934/ (Day 934) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
Creeds are principles by which to live. If we want to live worthwhile and purposeful lives, it pays to choose and believe in a worthwhile and purposeful creed. Many have been written by others. A well thought-out one was written by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. It follows:
The Power of a Creed
“I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.
I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.
I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living, but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business, or personal affairs.
I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.
I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character—not wealth or power or position—is of supreme worth.
I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.
I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God … and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.”
We would all do well to read this creed often and practice it all year long.
Another short creed from God’s Word is contained within https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+6%3A8&version=NLT (Micah 6:8).
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Next week we will continue our trek on Meditation Monday as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-935/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 933 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast and Google Podcast so that each...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 933 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – The Wings and Levels of Development – Ask Gramps
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-933/ (Day 933) of our trek and time for our Philosophy Friday series.
Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are not able to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Today is the fourth episode in a new series delving into what makes each of us respond as we do to life situations. Understanding ourselves and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with more love and compassion. We began with an overview of the Enneagram specifically from a Biblically-based perspective. We then looked at how the Enneagram system works. Last week we explored the aspects of why the enneagram is such a powerful tool in understanding yourself a little deeper and how it can help you to understand others that you interact with and impact.
Today we will explore what is referred to as “wings” which are the numbers on either side of your predominate personality style. If you have missed any of our past three Friday series, I would recommend going back to listen to them or read the Wisdom Journals.
As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with 9 interconnected points (Ennea refers to 9 and Gram refers to a drawing). Check out representation of it below. I have also included a copy of “The Enneagram At-A-Glance” today, which was compiled by Suzanne H Eller.
If you would like me to send you a PDF copy click on https://wisdom-trek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Enneagram-At-A-Glance.pdf (this link). I would also recommend a recently released book The Road Back to You written by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. It is an excellent book about an enneagram journey to self-discovery.
When I discovered the depth of the Enneagram, it opened up a new horizon of understanding of myself first and has also helped me to understand others better. The Enneagram is the most useful tool of this type I’ve encountered for personal growth. Keep in mind, though, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s word.
So the questions for the next several week or months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – The Wings and Levels of Development
The Wing
No one is a pure personality type. Everyone is a unique mixture of his or her basic type and usually one of the two types adjacent to it on the circumference of the Enneagram. One of the two types adjacent to your basic type is called your wing.
Your basic type dominates your overall personality while the wing complements it and adds important, sometimes contradictory, elements to your total personality. Your wing is the “second side” of your personality, and it must be taken into consideration to better understand yourself or someone else.
For example, if you are a personality type Nine, you will likely have either a One-wing or an Eight-wing, and your personality as a whole can best be...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 932 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Inheritance – Humor Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-932/ (Day 932) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged.
Our Thursday podcast provides a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
The Inheritance
Ms. Jones, the 6th-grade teacher, posed the following problem to one of her arithmetic classes: “A wealthy man dies and leaves ten million dollars. One-fifth is to go to his wife, one-fifth is to go to his son, one-sixth to his butler, and the rest to charity. Now, what does each get?”
After a very long silence in the classroom, little Dewey raised his hand. The teacher called on Dewey for his answer.
With complete sincerity in his voice, little Dewey answered, “A lawyer.”
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
I hope that has brought a smile to you for today.
For Thursday’s Thought, we can be thankful that we have an inheritance which is far great than any earthly inheritance.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1:11&version=NLT (Ephesians 1:11) – Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-933/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 931 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly I am your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-933/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 931 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Who Wrote the Book of Proverbs? – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-931/ (Day 931) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors.
In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
If asked who wrote the Book of Proverbs, most people who know anything about the Bible would probably say Solomon. It is my favorite book of the Bible, and that is the name that comes to my mind. Today’s essay explores…
Who Wrote the Book of Proverbs?
The first chapter and verse of Proverbs announce: “These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.” This is reiterated in Proverbs 10:1 and Proverbs 25:1. By its own testimony, though, the book of Proverbs had many authors. Proverbs 24:23 tell us, “Here are some further sayings of the wise,” which literally means, wise ones. This same idea that the proverbs in the book were written by a number of sages is reiterated in Proverbs 1:6 and [22:17]. We find that old traditions die hard, and the authorship of these proverbs is still debated. What role did Solomon actually play in writing this Wisdom literature?
· Solomon Had a Pen Name In some passages of Proverbs, the sages who wrote the book are named. Proverbs 30 was written by Agur, son of Jakeh as is noted in Proverbs 30:1. An interesting fact is that we know nothing else about him. Some believe Agur is a pen name for Solomon. However, there is little evidence to support this. The name may also be translated more commonly as “the assembler,” which may point to an anonymous collector of Proverbs who also wrote chapter 30.
Proverbs 31:1 informs us that King Lemuel wrote the famous chapter about the virtuous woman. In this verse, we learn that Lemuel was taught proverbs by his mother. There is little else known about this elusive king. Jewish tradition views the writer as yet another pen name of Solomon, but there is no reliable proof for this connection.
· In the Tradition of Solomon Proverbs 25:1 provides another insight into authorship, “These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.” The word translated “copied” can also mean “transcribed.” This suggests that some of the proverbs, perhaps chapters 25-29, were produced by scribes living in the days of Hezekiah which was 715-687 BC, well after the lifetime of Solomon.
At least one anonymous sage did contribute to Proverbs. Portions of Proverbs 22-23 come from an Egyptian wisdom text composed before Solomon’s lifetime The Instruction of Amenemope. In addition, Proverbs [1:25] appears to be quoting Jeremiah 20:7 and certain portions of Zechariah 7. However, just because there may have been later additions to the book of Proverbs doesn’t mean the entire book is dated later than Solomon. There is also the possibility that Jeremiah and Zechariah were drawing on Proverbs.
· In the Tradition of Egypt Because Proverbs 22-23 draws on an ancient Egyptian wisdom text that pre-dates Solomon, it seems likely that Solomon may be one of the authors. In addition, the literary patterning in large...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 930 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Do Not Imitate the Success of Others – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-930/ (Day 930) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life.
This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Harrison Ford, and it is,“All I would tell people is to hold onto what was individual about themselves, not to allow their ambition for success to cause them to try to imitate the success of others. You’ve got to find it on your own terms.”
Do Not Imitate the Success of Others
Nearly everyone desires to be successful in one or many areas of life, which is admirable. Unfortunately, many people attempt to become successful by imitating the success of others. You will never be truly successful imitating others. True success is becoming the best possible person that you can become. Success is to fully utilize your God-given talents and opportunities and fulfill His will for your life.
You are created uniquely by God for a specific purpose that only you can fulfill. If you attempt to be successful in imitating the success of someone else, you may miss that unique opportunity that only you can become. Do not rob the world of the impact your success can bring. You and the world will be much richer by you successfully becoming you.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2:10&version=NLT (Ephesians 2:10) – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-931/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 929 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-931/ (Wisdom Wednesday!)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 929 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom True Beauty – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-929/ (Day 929) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. Or you may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
What makes a person beautiful and attractive as opposed to someone who is considered ugly and unattractive? In our Meditation Monday today, I want us to reflect on…
True Beauty We read in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+16%3A7&version=NLT (1 Samuel 16:7,) “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”
In Western culture and, in fact, in most cultures, tremendous emphasis is placed on physical beauty. There’s nothing wrong with being beautiful and keeping ourselves attractive, but if that’s what controls our lives and is a cover-up for insecurity, we will be left very empty inside—and even more so as the years take their toll on our bodies.
Sophia Loren says “beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” Sure that was easy for Sophia to say with her incredible physical beauty, but what she said was true. Better said, it would be, “True beauty is what you are inside.” If we are only loved for our physical beauty, we will never feel truly loved because that is not the real person.
As Saint Exupery said, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson put it this way, “Though we search the world over for the beautiful, we find it within or we find it not.”
Furthermore, we can only ever be loved to the degree that we are known—and that has nothing to do with our external appearance, but all to do with our inner being.
According to God’s word in Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a person who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”
Look for the true beauty in everyone that you meet, and even in yourself.
Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-934/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-930/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-930/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 928 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 928 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Enneagram System – The Centers – Ask Gramps
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-928/ (Day 928) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.
Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they impact us in creating our living legacy. As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, you are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
A couple of weeks ago, we began a new series delving into what makes each of us respond as we do to life situations. Understanding this and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with love and compassion.
We began with an https://wisdom-trek.com/day-918/ (overview of the Enneagram) specifically from a Biblically-based perspective. Last Friday we looked at https://wisdom-trek.com/day-923/ (how the Enneagram works). This week we will explore a little deeper why the Enneagram is such a powerful tool in understanding yourself and how it can help you to understand others that you interact with and impact. As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with 9 interconnected points (ennea refers to 9 and gram referring to a drawing). See a representation of it below.
When I discovered the depth of the Enneagram, it opened up a new horizon of understanding of myself and also helped me to understand others better. The Enneagram is the most useful tool of this type I’ve encountered for personal growth. Keep in mind, though, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s word.
So the questions for the next several weeks or months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
The Enneagram System – The Centers The Enneagram is a 3 x 3 arrangement of nine personality types in three Centers. There are three types in the Instinctive Center, three in the Feeling Center, and three in the Thinking Center, as shown below. Each Center consists of three personality types that have common assets and liabilities of that Center. For example, personality type Four has unique strengths and liabilities involving its feelings, which is why it is in the Feeling Center. Likewise, the Eight’s assets and liabilities involve its relationship to its instinctual drives, which is why it is in the Instinctive Center, and so forth for all nine personality types.
The Centers of the Enneagram The inclusion of each type in its Center is not arbitrary. Each type results from a particular relationship with a cluster of issues that characterize that Center. Most simply, these issues revolve around a powerful, largely unconscious, emotional response to the loss of contact with the core of the self. In the Instinctive Center, the emotion is Anger or Rage. In the Feeling Center, the emotion is Shame, and in the Thinking Center, it is Fear. Of course, all nine types contain all three of these emotions, but in each Center, the personalities of the types are particularly affected by that Center’s emotional theme.
The Dominant Emotion of Each Center Thus, each type has a particular way of coping with the dominant emotion of its Center. We can...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 927 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom You Driver’s License Photo – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-927/ (Day 927) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged.
Our Thursday podcast provides a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit of levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30), “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22), “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Your Driver’s License Photo
When I went to get my driver’s license renewed, our local motor-vehicle bureau was packed as usual. I took my number and waited and waited.
The lines inched along for almost an hour until it was finally my turn. By the time I got to the counter, I was not happy. I impatiently went through all the paperwork, got my picture taken, and finally got my license.
As I inspected the photo for a moment I commented to the clerk, “I was standing in line for so long, I ended up looking pretty grouchy in this picture.”
The clerk looked at his picture closely. “It’s okay,” he reassured me, “That’s how you’re going to look when the cops pull you over anyway.”
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
I hope that has brought a smile to you for today.
For Thursday’s Thought, we need to learn to be pleasant at all times, as https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A31-32&version=NLT (Ephesians 4:31-32) says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-928/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 926 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-928/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 926 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Slaying the Sea Monster – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-926/ (Day 926) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.
Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s word. Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors.
In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
You may have a good grasp of the creation account found in Genesis, but there are aspects to it that our modern translations miss. Today’s essay explores an aspect of creation you may have overlooked…
Slaying the Sea Monster
When we think of creation, we think of everything beginning with God’s spoken word, as Genesis l tells us. But some Old Testament writers concentrate on another aspect of creation—and a weird one at that. In the middle of God’s ordering of the sea and dry land and His establishing of the sun, moon, stars, and the seasons in Psalm 74, we find another event: God destroying sea monsters.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PS+74%3A12-17&version=NLT (Psalm [74:12]-17)
You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him. You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry. Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.
· Warring the Sea Monster The reference to God smashing “the heads of the sea monster” and crushing “the heads of Leviathan” has led many on a desperate study of Old Testament zoology. But this, along with many other confusing Old Testament images, has a cultural context.
In the ancient world, the original (“primordial”) chaotic conditions of creation were often portrayed as a monstrous dragon. This is reflected in stories from ancient Babylon and Israel’s closest neighbor, Ugarit (ancient Syria, just north of Israel).
In the literature of ancient Ugarit, the god Baal battles the sea, who is portrayed as a chaotic, churning sea and a terrifying sea dragon named Tannum and Litanu. These terms are equivalent to the Hebrew words in Psalm 74:13-14, “You divided the sea by your might; you smashed the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan.”
Other parallels are found elsewhere in the Old Testament. In Ugaritic stories, Litanu is described as a “twisting serpent” and a “fleeing serpent.” Those precise phrases are used to describe the sea beast Leviathan in the Old Testament.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=IS+27%3A1&version=NLT (Isaiah 27:1) – In that day the Lord will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan, the swiftly moving serpent, the coiling, writhing serpent. He will kill the dragon of the sea.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+26%3A13&version=NLT (Job 26:13) – His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
· What’s the Point? God didn’t really fight a literal dragon at the beginning of...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 925 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Aim for Success, Not for Perfection – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-925/ (Day 925) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged.
Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Dr. David M. Burns, and it is, “Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.”
Aim for Success, Not Perfection
Admit it, none of us will ever reach perfection. While you should strive to be the best you possibly can be based on your current knowledge, skills, and innate abilities, aim to be as successful as possible with the realization that you will never be perfect.
Allow for setbacks and failures along the way because they are sure to happen. Use those setbacks and failures to be a time for learning so that when you move forward again, you can reach new heights of success. Don’t ever allow setbacks to stop you.
Yes, you may have to take a different path the next time, but there is no turning back. With each day that passes, you will have gained new knowledge and experiences that will propel you forward as you begin again. Look forward to every opportunity with the realization that you are more knowledgeable and better prepared than at any point in the past. Each time you move forward is another opportunity to aim for success.
God desires our success because it brings glory to Him as https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+90:17&version=NLT (Psalm [90:17]) illustrates.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-926/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 924 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-926/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 924 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Challenging Fear – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-924/ (Day 924) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday.
Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
I find that so many people are fearful today. Fear of the political situation. Fear of financial crises. Fear of health issues. Fear of abandonment. Fear of the future. There is a healthy fear that we should have of imminent danger, but most fear is not healthy. In our Meditation Monday today I want us to reflect on…
Challenging Fear
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A18&version=NLT (1 John 4:18,)“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”
Most of us struggle with fear of one sort or another at various seasons of life. Some mild, some serious, some healthy, and some unhealthy and self-defeating.
Healthy fear is a self-protective mechanism. We rightly fear (or should) driving through a red light or doing anything that could hurt us or others. Unhealthy fear is that which is caused by someone who hurt us deeply, especially when we bury and deny it. This fear can become floating anxiety and cause us to be fearful of everyday living, separate us from close relationships and cause loneliness, give us ulcers or other physical ills, or cause us to hide it and “protect” ourselves with anger.
Fears that are relatively harmless can often be overcome by doing the thing we fear and thereby reconditioning our response to the particular thing we fear.
Unhealthy or self-defeating fears need to be dealt with at their root cause. For example, if you were abused or abandoned as a child, you may be fearful of being treated the same way as an adult. Unless you face and resolve this fear, you will tend to either withdraw from close relationships or be attracted to people who will repeat the abuse or abandonment you experienced in the past. Sadly, the things you fail to resolve you are destined to repeat.
As today’s Scripture points out, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.” Thus, to be made perfect in love means we need to resolve any unhealthy fears. To do this, these fears need to be recognized and if repressed, they need to be brought into the conscious mind so they can be confronted and resolved.
Look at the symptoms in your life. Do you avoid close relationships? Is your life filled with anxiety? Are you an angry person? Do you have any impaired close relationships? Is your marriage a wreck? If any of these apply to you, chances are you may have unresolved fear. So when you pray, admit these and any other issues to God and ask him to give you the courage to see the root cause of these—and to lead you to the help you need to overcome these.
Ultimately all unhealthy fear is rooted in our mindset and requires changing the way we think. The underlying cause is a lack of faith that God loves you and is ready and willing to help you. As a Christ-follower we
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 923 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom How the Enneagram System Works – Ask Gramps
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-923/ (Day 923) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
Starting last week, we began a new series delving into what makes each of us respond as we do to life situations. Understanding this and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with love and compassion. We started last Friday with an overview of the Enneagram specifically from a Biblically based perspective.
Each week we will explore a little deeper the aspects of why the enneagram is such a powerful tool in understanding yourself and learn how it can help you to understand others that you interact with and impact. As a review, the tool that we refer to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) is a circle with 9 interconnected points (“ennea” refers to 9 and “gram” referring to a drawing). See a representation of it below.
As I mentioned last week, throughout our personal life and business careers over the past 40 years, Paula and I have both used and marketed personality profile tools such and DISC, Myers Briggs, and Profiles International hiring and management tools. While we think these tools are very useful, especially in a business or ministry situation, we also found that they were somewhat limited and focused primarily on outward personality traits and not core behavior traits.
When I discovered the depth of the Enneagram, it opened up a new horizon of understanding of myself first and also helped me to understand others better. The Enneagram is the most useful tool of this type I’ve encountered for personal growth. Keep in mind, though, it is still only a tool and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s word.
So the questions for the next several week or months will be:
“Hey, Gramps, why do people act and react to situations and circumstances in life differently? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
How the Enneagram System Works
This explanation covers the basics that you will need to understand how the Enneagram works and will be especially helpful for beginners. As you will see, only a few simple concepts are needed to begin your journey of self-discovery. The Enneagram, however, is ultimately subtle and complex, as you will appreciate the more you use it in your life.
· Structure The Enneagram’s structure may look complicated, although it is actually simple. It will help you understand the Enneagram if you also sketch it yourself.
Draw a circle and mark nine equidistant points on its circumference. Designate each point by a number from one to nine, with nine at the top, for symmetry and by convention. Each point represents one of the nine basic personality types.
The nine points on the circumference are also connected with each other by the inner lines of the Enneagram. Note that points Three, Six, and Nine form an equilateral triangle. The remaining six points are connected in the following order: One connects with Four, Four with Two, Two with Eight, Eight with
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 922 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Magician – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-922/ (Day 922) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny which is titled…
The Magician
“What’s your father’s occupation?” asked Mary, the school secretary on the first day of the new academic year.
“He’s a magician, ma’am,” said Little Johnny.
“How interesting. What’s his favorite trick, Johnny?”
“He saws people in half.”
Mary replied, “Wow that is interesting!
Wanting to find out more Mary asked, “Now, next question. Johnny, do you have any brothers or sisters?”
Why, yes, said Johnny, “One half-brother and two half-sisters.”
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
I hope that has brought a smile to you for today.
For Thursday’s Thought, when God adopted us into His family we became full heirs as we read in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A5&version=NLT (Ephesians 1:5).
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-923/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 921 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-923/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 921 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Cooking the Books – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-921/ (Day 921) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I believe that all of us have heard or read about revisionist history. This is where history is rewritten based upon a certain slant or paradigm. It may not necessarily contain false information, but selectively uses only certain facts that will lead the reader to think about this segment of history from a skewed perspective. Today’s essay explores a similar situation about the Kings of Israel and Judah…
Cooking the Books
Corporations cook their books. Politicians get caught taking bribes. Scientists fudge data. Should the writer of Chronicles be judged the same way?
It’s widely known that the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles are a reiteration of the history of Israel found in the books of 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. What isn’t as well known is that the writer of Chronicles carefully and deliberately omits any negative material about David and Solomon from his historical record. Try to find the account of David’s adultery and murder of Uriah in 1 Chronicles—you won’t be able to.
Why would the Chronicler omit it?
History written this way isn’t necessarily unreliable or deceptive. If I picked up a book entitled The Native American History of the Pioneer West, I know what I’m getting. I have no reason to believe the contents will be misleading; I have every reason to believe the work is selective and incomplete. I know the book was written with a specific slant, so I won’t take it as the last word on the American West.
1 & 2 Chronicles deserve the same consideration. Those books went into the Hebrew Bible (and later bibles) along with the books of Samuel and Kings. Anyone who read their Bible would learn about the unsavory acts of David and Solomon. No one would be fooled. Deception could not possibly be the point.
There was another agenda.
1 & 2 Chronicles were written during (or shortly) after the exile of the Jews in Babylon. Israel would once again have its own nation and leadership. The writer of Chronicles wanted the new generation returning to the land to remember and keep the covenant God made with David, and remember that his dynasty had been chosen to rule. Disloyalty to David’s dynasty had fractured the kingdom, producing a deviant religion and, ultimately, the destruction of Israel. The Chronicler wanted to revive loyalty to David’s line, so David and Solomon are cast as ideal monarchs. The Chronicler didn’t want to deceive, but inspire. In 2 Chronicles [6:14]-17, we listen in on Solomon’s prayer to God.
He prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today.”
“And now, O
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 920 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Any Action Is Better Than No Action – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 920 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:
Today’s quote is from Norman Vincent Peale, and it is, “Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.”
Any Action Is Better Than No Action
It has been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. In order to make progress in any area of life, you must take action. Success never happens if you choose inaction. Inaction is rooted in fear and can be paralyzing. Yes, there will be times when action ends up with failure, but failure is only permanent when you stop.
I have failed thousands of times in my life, sometimes significantly. The only way to overcome those failures is to get back up, hold your head high, and take action once again. With each action, you choose you will be one step closer to success. With every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
You will face obstacles, trails, setbacks, and even failure at times, but don’t allow it to paralyze you into inaction. Take the next step towards success in any area of life. It is then you realize that when you persevere taking one step at a time you will eventually complete your 1,000-mile journey.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A3-5&version=NLT (Romans 5:3-5) gives us this principle, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-921/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 919 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek of life together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-921/ (Wisdom Wednesday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 919 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom It’s Going To Be Okay – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us today for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-919/ (Day 919) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We are broadcasting from our studio at the The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. What is your vocation or work? Do you love it? Even if you are a stay at home parent, what is your attitude toward the tasks you are called to do each day? In our Meditation Monday today, we need to learn how to…
Worship Through Your Work
Unfortunately, many people dread their work. Are you one of them? If you are, try changing your perspective and attitude toward your work! God has given you your work for this season of life. He watches how we perform the tasks that He has granted for us to do – the work of our hands. Think about Joseph in prison as a slave to Pharaoh in Egypt, or Daniel a servant of Nebuchadnezzar, or Nehemiah the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Each of these men was in less than an ideal employment situation for sure.
Maybe you are a stay at home parent with three kids under five, and all you can accomplish is wiping noses, changing diapers, and washing dishes. Regardless of your situation, wherever God has placed you for this season of life that is your place of worship. You are performing divine tasks each day. Indeed all work should be a form of worship.
Don’t fall into the thinking of others as Peter wrote in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A9&version=NLT (1 Peter 2:9), “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” So, let every detail in your life – your words, actions, whatever – be done in the name of the Master, Jesus. Be like Joseph, Daniel, and Nehemiah who performed their tasks as an act of worship to God.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A17&version=NLT (Colossians 3:17), “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” You don’t drive to an office, you drive to a sanctuary. You don’t attend school, you attend a temple. You may not wear a clerical collar, but you could, because your work is God’s pulpit!
Next week we will continue our trek on https://wisdom-trek.com/day-924/ (Meditation Monday) as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On https://wisdom-trek.com/day-920/ (tomorrow’s trek), we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-920/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 918 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast and
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 918 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Is the Enneagram? – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-918/ (Day 918) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Starting this week, we are beginning a new series delving into what makes each of us respond as we do to life situations. Understanding this and how others may interpret life through their paradigm will allow us to interact with each other with love and compassion. We are going to take a deep dive into an ancient tool of wisdom that many scholars feel is based on a Christian perspective dating back to the early centuries after when Christ was on earth.
This tool is referred to as the Enneagram (Any-a-Gram) which refers to its 9 points (Ennea refers to 9, and Gram referring to a drawing). You can see a representation of the drawing below. We will start with a brief overview today, and with each subsequent “Ask Gramps” episode, we will do a deep dive into its strengths and potential weaknesses. This tool has experienced a very strong interest growth during the past 20 years and is now being taught in many Christian based ministries.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Throughout the years Paula and I have both used and marketed personality profile tools such and DISC, Myers Briggs, and Profiles International as hiring and management tools. While we think these tools are very useful, especially in a business or ministry situation, we also found that they were somewhat limited and focused primarily on outward personality traits and not core behavior traits.
When I started to discover the depth of the Enneagram, it opened up a new horizon of understanding of myself first, and is helping me to understand others better. The Enneagram is the most useful tool of this type I’ve encountered for personal growth. Keep in mind though, it is still only a tool, and cannot replace or usurp the precepts that are found in God’s Word. The questions for the next several week or months will be…
“Hey, Gramps, what makes certain people act and react to situations and circumstances in life? How can I gain wisdom to better understand myself and others so that I can love, serve, and minister to them on a deeper level?”
What Is the Enneagram?
At first glance, the Enneagram might look like another “personality test,” and personality factors significantly into it. But it goes much deeper than that. It helps us see core fears, motivations, desires, strengths, blind spots, stressors, and sins that most often trip us up. When used in Christian contexts, it shows us aspects of God’s character and connects us more closely to the truth that we are made to be image bearers of Him and are to reflect him in the world.
As you can see from the symbol that is found in the Wisdom Journal for today, the Enneagram contains nine spaces or types, with each number representing a dominant personality, mindset, and core worldview. Each space also has a primary strength or gift that reflects an attribute of God and a primary struggle that emerges in insecurity or unhealthy behaviors.
These one-word descriptors can be expanded into four-word sets of traits. Keep in mind that these are merely highlights and do not...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 917 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Flight to Egypt – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-917/ (Day 917) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged.
Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit of levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
The Flight to Egypt
Kathy, an experienced Sunday School teacher, asked her class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories. All the students eagerly set about their tasks. As Kathy went from student to student reviewing their pictures, she was puzzled by little Sammy’s drawing – it showed four people on an airplane!
Kathy asked him, “What Bible story is that?”
Sammy excitedly replied, “It’s the flight to Egypt.”
Kathy paused a moment and finally said. “I see…and that must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus…But who’s the fourth person?”
Sammy emphatically announced, “Oh, that’s Pontius, the Pilot.”
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
I hope that has brought a smile to you for today.
For Thursday’s Thought, while Joseph may have been very apprehensive about heading to Egypt, he knew God would direct him as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NLT (Proverbs 3:5-6.)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
Just as you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-918/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 916 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-918/ (Philosophy Friday)!
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 916 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom 1003 BC – God or Satan? – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-916/ (Day 916) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s Word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.”
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Census are taken quite often in the United States and other countries to determine a variety of information, in addition to the count of people. Although there are several places in the Bible where the people were counted, God wanted David to rely solely on Him and not the size of the population. David was not supposed to take a census of his army or people. Today’s essay explores an interesting topic which is…
1003 BC Census – God or Satan?
One of the more vexing problems in the Old Testament is how to parse the parallel accounts of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+21%3A1-17&version=NLT (1 Chronicles 21:1-17) and https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+24%3A1-25&version=NLT (2 Samuel 24:1-25).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+21%3A1-2&version=NLT (1 Chronicles 21:1-2) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+24%3A1-2&version=NLT (2 Samuel 24:1-2)
Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel—from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north—and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.” Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census. “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah,” the Lord told him.
So the king said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the tribes of Israel—from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—so I may know how many people there are.”
The two accounts are nearly identical, save for one glaring disparity: The Chronicler’s version has Satan as David’s instigator, while 2 Samuel names Yahweh, the God of Israel, as the provocateur. The Chronicler’s account notes that David’s act “was evil in the sight of God,” but this line is omitted in 2 Samuel. Both accounts have God posing three punishments before David, but David leaves the decision to the Lord.
The Angel of Yahweh executes a plague on the land in both versions. The two accounts are contradictory. The options for resolution are all somewhat disconcerting. If we want to blame Satan, we must identify Yahweh as Satan. The reverse strategy requires that we identify Satan with the Sovereign Yahweh. If Satan can somehow be removed from the picture, then we are faced with the fact that Yahweh incited David to do something, and then punished him for doing so. Is there any way out of this mess?
The solution is surprisingly straightforward. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for satan is not a proper personal name. This is because the definite article in Hebrew (the word “the”) is nearly always attached to it. Like English, Hebrew does not permit its definite article to be paired with
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 915 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Dependability Is Critical – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-915/ (Day 915) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…
Today’s quote is from Zig Ziglar, and it is, “Ability is important in our quest for success, but dependability is critical.”
Dependability Is Critical
Yes, in order to be successful in any profession, whether it is in business, sports, music, ministry, or even a hobby, you need to have either natural or learned ability to succeed. And even then success is not guaranteed. It is only when you combine that ability with dependability through being persistently consistent that success will be achieved.
No amount of natural or learned talent will make a person successful if he is not willing to be very dependable on a daily basis. Therefore dependability is as important, or even more important, as ability.
Yes, I realize that no matter how dependable I am at 5’ 4” tall, I will never be a quarterback for the NFL or play Center in the NBA. In most situations and opportunities in life though, if I desire to be successful and am willing to invest the energies and resources needed with dependability I should succeed. You can do the same.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+12:11&version=NLT (Proverbs 12:11) – A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21:5&version=NLT (Proverbs 21:5) – Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 914 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly I am your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-916/ (Wisdom Wednesday!)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 914 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom It’s Going to Be Okay – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-914/ (Day 914) of our Trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For some, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. Some may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. How many times have you blown it in life or failed miserably? How many times have you been cast aside by family or friends when you needed love and mercy? How many times have you chastised your kids for something they did without showing mercy? In our Meditation Monday today we need to realize that…
It’s Going to Be Okay
I came across the following true story in a book The Number of Hope by Max Lucado, which I thought would make for a good meditation today. Here it is:
Bill Tucker was sixteen years old when his dad suffered a health crisis and consequently had to leave his business. Even after Mr. Tucker regained his health, the Tucker family struggled financially, barely getting by.
Mr. Tucker, an entrepreneurial sort, came up with an idea. He won the bid to reupholster the chairs at the local movie theater. This stunned his family. He had never stitched a seat. He didn’t even own a sewing apparatus. Still, he found someone to teach him the skill and located an industrial-strength machine. The family scraped together every cent they had to buy it. They drained savings accounts and dug coins out of the sofa. Finally, they had enough to pay cash for the machine.
It was a fine day when Bill road with his dad to pick up the equipment. Bill remembers a jovial, hour-long trip discussing the bright horizons this new opportunity afforded them. They loaded the machine in the back of their truck and secured it right behind the cab. Mr. Tucker then invited his son to drive home. I’ll let Bill tell you what happened next:
“As we were driving along, we were excited, and I, like any sixteen-year-old driver, was probably not paying enough attention to my speed. Just as we were turning on the cloverleaf to get on the expressway, I will never ever, ever forget watching that sewing machine, which was already top-heavy, begin to tip. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. I saw it go over the side. I jumped out and ran around the back of the truck. As I rounded the corner, I saw our hope and our dream lying on its side in pieces. And then I saw my dad just looking. All of his risk and all of his endeavor and all of his struggling and all of his dream, all of his hope to take care of his family was lying there, shattered.
“You know what comes next, don’t you? ‘Stupid, punk kid driving too fast, not paying attention, ruined the family by taking away our livelihood.’ But that’s not what he said. He looked right at me. ‘Oh, Bill, I am so sorry.’ And he walked over, put his arms around me, and said, ‘Son, this is going to be okay.’
If you feel your life has been shattered into pieces like the Tucker’s sewing machine, then God is whispering the same to you. Those are his arms you feel. Trust him. That is his voice you hear. Believe him. Allow the only decision maker in the universe to comfort you. Life at times appears to fall to pieces, seem irreparable. But it’s going to be okay....
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 913 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Is Your Secret? – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-913/ (Day 913) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time where we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
Since Gramps has been answering questions about various areas of life for several months now, next week Gramps will begin a new multi-week series exploring and explaining what really drives each of us at our very core. Addressing and answering the questions of why we act and react to situations and events of life. We will also explore how we can better understand those with whom we interact and have the opportunity to impact. We will dig into the details starting next week on our Friday’s “Ask Gramps” episodes.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. For those of you who have listened to my podcast or read the daily journals, you know that I am a big proponent of taking excellent care of our soul, mind, and body. It is important that we focus on all three areas simultaneously because they are intertwined with each other and cannot be separated. One aspect directly impacts both of the other ones. So the question today is…
“Hey Gramps, even though you are over sixty now, you are still very active and appear to take care of your body, mind, and soul. What is your secret and what type of regimen do you stick to?”
What Is Your Secret?
First of all, there is no secret. There are no secret pills or diets that will allow you to lose 50 pounds or more and keep you slim. There are no magic devices that will give you rock-hard abs in a week. There are no business books or online resources that will allow you to be a genius and an overnight success. There are no devotional study books, study Bibles, or special prayers that will make you super-spiritual in a month.
If you want to take care of your soul, mind, and body properly, then it is up to you and will take months or even years to achieve. It is not about a special plan, but a change in mindset and lifestyle. This starts with the changing of your mind. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12:2&version=NLT (Romans 12:2), says “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Yes, I will be 62 next month, but the older and wiser I become, the more I realize that I still have much to learn. Learning is a lifelong process.
Many years ago and every day since, I determined that I did desire to be healthy, wealthy, and wise in all areas of my life. Although it is a continual uphill trek, and there are times of respite and rest, and even times where I have slipped back a bit, the key is that my desire is to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle and strong, robust relationships with others. That desire drives me forward each day.
Although my exercise routine, eating habits, sleeping habits, study habits, and devotional time vary slightly in different seasons of the year and seasons of my life, they remain consistent over long periods of time.
Keep in mind that what works for me, may not work for you. Don’t copy what I do and expect it to work, but...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 912 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-912/ (Day 912) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
Little Jimmy watched, fascinated, as his mother gently massaged cold cream on her face.
“Why are you rubbing that on your face, Momma?” he asked.
“To make myself beautiful,” said his mother.
He watched with interest as Momma diligently applied the cream until her entire face was covered, even down on her neck. Momma sat there reading a book and chatting with little Jimmy. After about 20 minutes she began removing the cream with a tissue. This surprised Jimmy.
“What’s the matter?” Jimmy asked his momma. “Are you giving up?”
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
Today’s Thursday Thought is “Don’t ever give up on being a beautiful person.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31%3A30-31&version=NLT (Proverbs [31:30]-31)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week. As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-913/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 911 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-913/ (Philosophy Friday!)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 911 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sanctified Dirt – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-911/ (Day 911) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, it is required that you also have a proper understanding of God’s Word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me With the Bible.”
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When I was young, I used to love playing in the dirt. Many times it was very evident as I did not hold to the saying that “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Even today, I love to dig in the soil, to plant trees, and to tend a few vegetables that we grow. There is something about nature and digging in the soil that brings me closer to God. Today’s essay explores an interesting topic which is…
Sanctified Dirt
Elisha’s healing of Naaman the leper, commander of the army of the king of Syria, is a familiar story’ to many which is found in 2 Kings 5:1-27. Naaman hears that Elisha, the prophet of Israel, can heal him, so he makes the trip. When the two meet, Elisha tells him, rather dismissively, through his servant that he needs to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman who is used to ordering his army around doesn’t take this well and prepares to go home.
At the bidding of some servants, he consents to dip himself in the Jordan. He is miraculously healed by the simple act after the seventh dip. The display of power, so transparently without sacrifice or incantation, awakens Naaman to the fact that Yahweh of Israel is the true God. Here’s where the story usually ends in our telling, but that would result in the omission of one very odd detail – what Naaman asks to take back home.
The core of this portion of the story is located in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+5%3A15-19+&version=NLT (2 Kings 5:15-19,) so let me read that portion…“Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.’
“But Elisha replied, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.’ And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.”
“Then Naaman said, ‘All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the Lord. However, may the Lord pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the Lord pardon me when I bow, too.'”
“‘Go in peace,’ Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.”
As we see in this passage, the elated Naaman returns to Elisha and begs him to take payment for healing him. Elisha repeatedly refuses. Finally, before embarking for Syria, Naaman makes a strange request: to load two mules with dirt to take back with him.
Dirt? I can think of a few favors I would ask of a prophet in a receptive mood, but dirt certainly isn’t one of them. The...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 910 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Firm Foundation – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is http://wisdom-trek.com (Day 910) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from David Brinkley, and it is, “A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.”
A Firm Foundation
Success is never easy. If it were not hard enough to succeed based on obstacles that you will face, some obstructions come from other people. Some of these may be family and friends. You will run into people that try to trip you up or discourage you from your trek to success. You will even have some people that will figuratively throw bricks at you.
The truly successful person is one who through consistent persistence continues to press forward, regardless of the situations or people that obstruct their way. We need to take our failures and lessons learned to construct a firm foundation that will be able to withstand the buffeting winds of life.
Success is personal, and should rarely be equated with monetary success. Success at its very core will be made up of peace of mind and contentment. Success is a place of quiet rest after going through the raging storms that will battle against us at the most inopportune time.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21:5&version=NLT (Proverbs 21:5) reminds us that, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
We need to realize that success is not made up of only working hard, but enjoying the results of that labor as we are reminded in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+127:2&version=NLT (Psalm 127:2,) “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.”
True success is built on a firm foundation and also includes a place of quiet rest.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com/ (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past 909 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Podcast so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-911/ (Wisdom Wednesday!)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 909 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Serve One Another in Love – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-909/ (Day 909) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For some, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. Some may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind. SERVE
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Many people in the world seem to be selfish and self-serving. While some proclaim that it is much worse today, I would suggest it has been that way since the beginning of time. When times of crises hit, though, many reach out in acts of selflessness. As a Christ-follower, this should be part of our daily lives, not just in times of major disasters. In our Meditation Monday today we will learn how to…
Serve One Another In Love In the letter of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A7-8&version=NLT (Philippians 2:7-8,) we see how Jesus was selfless even unto death.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Let’s follow His example as we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5&version=NLT (1 Peter 5:5,) “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Jesus entered the world to serve. We can enter our jobs, our homes, our churches. Servanthood requires no unique skill or seminary degree. Regardless of your strengths, training, or church tenure, you can…Love the overlooked.
Jesus sits in your classroom, wearing the thick glasses, outdated clothing, and sad face. You’ve seen him. He’s Jesus. Jesus works in your office. The lady who is pregnant again, who shows up to work late and tired…No one knows the father. According to water-cooler rumors, even she doesn’t know the father. You’ve seen her. She’s Jesus.
When you talk to the lonely student, befriend the weary mom…you love Jesus. He dresses in the garb of the overlooked and ignored. Like we are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A40&version=NLT (Matthew 25:40), “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
You can do that. Even if your personality strengths have nothing to do with encouraging others, the cure for the common life involves loving the overlooked.
Especially in the politically charged world we now live in, you can also…Wave a white flag. We fight so much. As Jesus’s half-brother James tells us in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A1&version=NLT (James 4:1,) “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” Serve someone by swallowing your pride.
One more aspect of servanthood…Every day do something you don’t want to do. Pick up someone else’s trash. Surrender your parking place. Call the long-winded relative. Carry the cooler. It doesn’t have to be a big...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 908 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Goals vs. Systems – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-908/ (Day 908) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas. We will address areas such as finances, relationships, health/fitness, business/work, home repairs/renovations, seasons of life, spiritual/Biblical questions, and any others areas that come our way.
As your fellow sojourner and mentor on this trek that we call life, it is Gramps’s goal to provide you with practical wisdom and advice about any area of life. It is crucial that I receive a constant flow of questions, so please submit your questions to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com. And Gramps will answer your questions on our Friday podcast.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I have always been a proponent of setting goals or milestones in life in order to achieve desired outcomes in all areas of life. As I have matured and grown in wisdom and in life, I have realized that there is actually something more important than setting goals. So the question today is…
“Hey Gramps, I desire to reach milestones in all areas of my life, such as spiritually, physically, financially and relationally. I have tried to set goals but seem to quickly lose focus and rarely achieve them. What can I do?”
Goals vs. Systems
We all have things that we want to achieve in our lives — getting into better shape, building a successful business, raising a wonderful family, writing a best-selling book, winning a championship, and so on.
For most of us, the path to those things starts by setting a specific and actionable goal. At least, this is how I approached life when I was younger. I would set goals for business growth, for an exercise regimen, for devotional time, and for my relationships.
What I have come to realize, however, is that when it comes to actually getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things.
It all comes down to the difference between goals and systems.
· The Difference Between Goals and Systems What’s the difference between goals and systems?
If you’re a coach, your goal is to win a championship. Your system is what your team does at practice each day.
If you’re a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week.
If you’re a runner, your goal is to run a marathon. Your system is your training schedule of several month preparations starting small and incrementally increasing.
If you’re an entrepreneur, your goal is to build a million dollar business. Your system is your sales, marketing, and financial process.
Now for the really interesting question:
If you completely ignored your goals and focused only on your system, would you still get results?
For example, if you desired to run a marathon in 12 months and you focused on running a little bit each day while incrementally increasing the distance each week, would you still get results? Indeed you would.
As a personal example, this is my 908th episode of my Wisdom-Trek Podcast over the past three years. The average length of these short episodes is around 1200 words. This...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 907 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Go Eat Your Breakfast – Wisdom Unplugged
Hello, my friend, and welcome to Wisdom-Trek! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your Guide to Wisdom and Creating a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-907/ (Day 907) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged.
Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean, funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life. We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Go Eat Your Breakfast
Little Johnny was eating breakfast one morning and got to wondering about things. “Mommy, why has Daddy got so few hairs on his head?” he asked his mother.
“He thinks a lot,” replied his mother, pleased with herself for coming up with a good answer to her husband’s baldness.
“So why do YOU have so much hair?” Little Johnny asks.
“Go eat your breakfast!” snarled his mother.
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
Our Thursday Thought is…let’s not be like little Johnny in our story today, but rather be careful what we think about.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A8&version=NLT (Philippians 4:8)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-908/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 906 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-908/ (Philosophy Friday!)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 906 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Promise Undelivered – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-906/ (Day 906) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s Word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s Word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.”
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. None of us like to have something promised to us, and then that promise is not fulfilled. It seems like most political candidates do that when they are running for office, but once they are elected do not fulfill what they promise. Unlike that situation though, we know that God’s promises will be fulfilled, but that fulfillment may be based on our belief and faithfulness to Him. Today’s essay explores one such incident as we will focus on…
Promise Undelivered
To set the picture for today’s essay, I will read the entire chapter of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+kings+3&version=NLT (2 Kings 3) the setting for this passage is shortly after the death of wicked King Ahab of Israel.
Ahab’s son Joram began to rule over Israel in the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twelve years. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, but not to the same extent as his father and mother. He at least tore down the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had set up. Nevertheless, he continued in the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had committed and led the people of Israel to commit.
King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder. He used to pay the king of Israel an annual tribute of 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. But after Ahab’s death, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. So King Joram promptly mustered the army of Israel and marched from Samaria. On the way, he sent this message to King Jehoshaphat of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you join me in battle against him?”
And Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” Then Jehoshaphat asked, “What route will we take?”
“We will attack from the wilderness of Edom,” Joram replied.
The king of Edom and his troops joined them, and all three armies traveled along a roundabout route through the wilderness for seven days. But there was no water for the men or their animals.
“What should we do?” the king of Israel cried out. “The Lord has brought the three of us here to let the king of Moab defeat us.”
But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do through him.”
One of King Joram’s officers replied, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to be Elijah’s personal assistant.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+kings+3&version=NLT#fen-NLT-9564b (b)]”
Jehoshaphat said, “Yes, the Lord speaks through him.” So the king of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom went to consult with Elisha.
“Why are you coming to me?”[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+kings+3&version=NLT#fen-NLT-9566c (c)] Elisha asked the king of Israel. “Go to the pagan prophets of your father and mother!”
But King Joram of Israel said,...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 905 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom A Successful Marriage – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-905/ (Day 905) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.
Today’s quote is from Mignon McLaughlin, and it is, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”
A Successful Marriage
Marriage is the blending of two uniquely created people into an even greater entity where the whole is much greater than the sum of its individual parts. It is a picture of Christ and His church. When a man and a woman choose to love each other as themselves, it is a beautiful picture.
Marriage is much more than falling in love because that is based on feelings and circumstances. That is purely infatuation, which will eventually taper off. A marriage that is successful is one where both spouses choose to love each other every day, regardless of the circumstances of that day.
A successful marriage is where both spouses are 100% committed to what is best for the other spouse. A successful marriage is one of mutual admiration and submitting to the other. A successful marriage is where both spouses will challenge each other to fully reach their God-given potential. A successful marriage is one that strengthens each other, shows kindness to each other, respect for each other, and shows unconditional love to each other.
Paula and I will be celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary in August, and desire to be a picture to our children, grandchildren, and everyone that we impact of what a mature, healthy marriage should be. It is a marriage of choice. Choosing to love and respect each other new every day. That is what is required.
The passage that sums up a successful marriage the best is Ephesians [5:21]-33,
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-906/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 904 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Stuck in a Sinkhole – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-904/ (Day 904) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For some, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. Some may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. No feats of greatness nor great failures happen overnight. Neither do you grow strong spiritually nor have great moral failures overnight. Everything we do, good or bad is based on a series of small decisions on a daily basis. There are no overnight successes nor overnight failures. In our Meditation Monday today, we will learn about…
Stuck in a Sinkhole
Let’s first look at the story of King David in 2 Samuel 11:2-3, “Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.'”
This reminds me of a story from a little over 20 years ago. “In December 1985, an enormous sinkhole swallowed a house and carport and forced the evacuation of four homes in a retirement community in Florida. The hole was about the size of a pickup truck when it was discovered. Within three hours it had grown to 30 by 40 feet and had swallowed half of a small house. Two hours later it had expanded to more than 70 feet, and the house with its carport was gone. Authorities were grateful that it finally stopped growing without doing even more damage.”
In the passage in Samuel, David discovered that sin is like an ever-expanding sinkhole. As he was walking on the flat roof of his palace, he saw a beautiful woman bathing. Instead of turning away, he stood and gazed at her beauty. At this point, the sinkhole was small but expanding. When seeing her, he could have made the decision to go back to the palace and not take any action. That did not happen. When he inquired about who she was, the sinkhole grew larger. After finding out that she was already married, he should have made the decision to forget about her. He did not.
Samuel 11:4-5 tells us, “Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, ‘I’m pregnant.'” What started out as only a look, ended in tragedy for all involved, which included King David ordering the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, the death of the child, and despair.
Many people, like David, find themselves falling into the sinkhole of temptation because they leave the door open for temptation to enter.
Temptation works the same for all of us. It’s progressive. It can start with an innocent look, then a thought, and then if we linger longer on the look, the thought progresses to desire, then to becoming blind to reality and fooling ourselves into rationalizing that it won’t hurt, and then yielding to that temptation. Following this pathway can...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 903 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom I Will Make a Difference Today – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This ishttps://wisdom-trek.com/day-903/ ( Day 903) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We will address areas such as finances, relationships, health/fitness, business/work, home repairs/renovations, seasons of life, spiritual/Biblical questions, and any others areas that come our way. As your fellow sojourner and mentor on this trek that we call life, it is Gramps’s goal to provide you with practical wisdom and advice about any area of life. It is crucial that I receive a constant flow of questions, so please submit your questions to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com. And Gramps will answer your questions on our Friday podcast.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I am convinced that the primary purpose God created us and is allowing us to live in this particular time in history is so that we can build His kingdom on earth by making a positive influence on everyone that we come in contact with. So the question today is…
“Hey Gramps, With so much negative news, hurting people, and struggles in life, how can I make a difference in the world for God’s kingdom every day?”
I Will Make a Difference Today
Let me answer this question by putting my response in the first person voice so that you can adopt these thoughts and incorporate them into your life.
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s okay to stumble…I will get up. It’s okay to fail…I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will invest time with those I love – my spouse, my children, my family. A person can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A person can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will invest at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening – five undiluted minutes with my mate, my children, and my friends.
As God gives me the opportunity, I will be kind to those who are unkind. I will love those who are unlovely. I will treat everyone I meet with...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 902 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom We Are All Free – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-902/ (Day 902) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged. Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life.
We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,)“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,)“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
We Are All Free
The Fourth of July was coming up, and the nursery school teacher took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism. “We live in a great country,” she said. “One of the things we should be thankful for is that, in this country, we are all free.”
One little boy came strutting up to her from the back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said, “I’m not free. I’m four.”
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
For Thursday’s Thought, let’s look at how we should use our freedom according to https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A13-14&version=NLT (Galatians [5:13]-14.)
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-903/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 901 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Podcast so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-903/ (Philosophy Friday!)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 901 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Declaration of Independence – Wisdom Wednesday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-901/ (Day 901) of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. In honor of Independence Day in the United States, I am going to delay our next essay and instead provide you with an overview of the Declaration of Independence.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. While we cherish the freedom that we have in the United States and are thankful to be born and live in the United States, true freedom can only come from God through Jesus Christ. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5:1&version=NLT (Galatians 5:1) reads, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
Declaration of Independence – Overview
The significant aspect of the Declaration of Independence is that it changed the American “rebellion” against Great Britain into a “revolution.” From April 19, 1775, until July 2, 1776, the war was being fought so the colonists could regain their rights as Englishmen, which had been taken away by the British for the past 12 years, from 1763-1775. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the resolution by Richard Henry Lee from Virginia that “these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved…”
This was truly a revolutionary statement. John Adams felt that July 2 would be the day that would be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shows, games, sports, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other…”
July 4 is the day that has been chosen as our “Independence Day.” That was the day that the Second Continental Congress approved, but did not sign, the Declaration of Independence mostly written by Thomas Jefferson. It was actually signed on August 2, 1776.
Other important historical events have had a lot to do with the sanctity of July 4. It was on that day that the news of the Louisiana Purchase arrived in Washington, Henry David Thoreau arrived at Walden Pond, and President Abraham Lincoln learned of the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. However, the one incredible event that happened to ordain July 4 as something significant were the deaths of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, only hours apart from each other.
The Declaration of Independence is on public display at the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Archives_and_Records_Administration (National Archives) in Washington, D.C. There are a lot of very interesting facts that surround Independence Day. You would be well served to study them on your own. The United States is a great country to live in and to become a citizen of. Just think how much greater our heavenly citizenship will be.
Next https://wisdom-trek.com/day-906/ (Wisdom Wednesday) we will return to the Old Testament as we look at Dr. Heiser’s next essay titled “Promised Undelivered.” I believe you will find this another interesting topic to consider as we build our Biblical worldview.
https://wisdom-trek.com/day-902/ (Tomorrow) we will continue with our 3-minute humor nugget that will provide you with a bit of cheer, which will help you to lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 900 treks or read the...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 900 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Freedom – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-900/ (Day 900) of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. In 100 short days, we will have created, edited, and produced a millennium of the Wisdom-Trek podcast. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit of additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:
Today’s quote is from Nelson Mandela, and it is, “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”
Freedom
As we celebrate Independence Day in the United States tomorrow, I felt this quote was so fitting. The lack of freedom is so much more than living under an oppressive dictator or being trapped within prison walls.
Freedom is a state of mind. Freedom is a choice. Freedom is breaking free of the self-imposed shackles that you have allowed to bind your heart, soul, and mind. Freedom is the ability to enjoy life fully, even when you may be physically impeded in any manner.
The bars of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior, will bind you so tightly that you will be imprisoned within yourself. We need to do away with these shackles and be set free with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
In John 8:34-36 we are instructed, “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.'”
That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-901/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 899 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at http://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-901/ (Wisdom Wednesday!)
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 899 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Moving Out – Meditation Monday
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-899/ (Day 899) of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For some, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. Some may utilize structured meditation practices.
In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and, body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. During the summer months, many people end up moving. College graduates finally move out of their childhood homes, high school seniors move out to college or to start their own lives, many empty nesters downsize to smaller homes. In our Meditation Monday today we will learn about…
Moving Out
One of the marks of God’s people has been their acceptance of “moving out,” that is, following the Father’s lead and journeying to the places and people where He sends His people. Think of Abraham leaving the security of his good life to journey to a place the Father would show him. Remember the children of Israel leaving Egypt to follow Moses into the desert as they journeyed to the Promised Land. Consider David going to face Goliath in a battle he should not have been able to win. Recall Esther going before the king, without an invitation, at the risk of her own life in order to save the lives of God’s people. These are great examples of the “moving out” principle.
In the events in the verses below, you will find three kinds of circumstances that helped instigate Christ’s faithful followers in their “moving out” into a new future that blessed many.
Obstacles in their paths — the persecution that began with Stephen’s martyrdom caused the believers in Jerusalem to be scattered and moved them to other places, and they shared Jesus’s message wherever they went.
Opportunities given them — Saul, who later was known as Paul, and Barnabas ministered in Antioch in response to the reports of Jesus’s “grace in action” that moved them to go there and help grow this great multi-cultural group of Christ followers who were the ones first called Christians.
Outward calls for them — Agabus’ prophecy of a famine moved them to give to those in need.
I want you to look for these same three types of circumstances — obstacles, opportunities, and outward calls — in your spiritual journey. When you find yourself presented with something that seems like one or more of these, prayerfully consider if it is God’s signal for you to be “moving out” with Christ’s grace to bless others! Unfortunately, you can get so busy and distracted by the world’s stuff that you miss God’s purpose for you in these sets of circumstances. Let these circumstances nudge you to bring God’s grace through Christ to the lost, to bring helpful encouragement and growth to those newly saved, and to bring tangible help to the broken and needy.
Christ left the safety and security of being with the Father and the Spirit by “moving out” and coming to earth. He chose “moving out” and living among you and sharing your mortal existence so you could be caught up in His life, eternal life.
Remember those in the early years of Christ’s church “moving out” to bring His grace to others. They didn’t give up in the face of obstacles. They
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 898 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Life’s Echo – Ask Gramps
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-898/ (Day 898) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask Dad or Gramps questions about life in many areas.
We will address areas such as finances, relationships, health/fitness, business/work, home repairs/renovations, seasons of life, spiritual/Biblical questions, and any others areas that come our way. As your fellow sojourner and mentor on this trek that we call life, it is Gramps’s goal to provide you with practical wisdom and advice about any area of life. It is crucial that I receive a constant flow of questions, so please submit your questions to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com. And Gramps will answer your questions on our Friday podcast.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. If you listen to most news sources today, it would appear that more people are becoming less civil, or kind, to each other. We have to understand that which we send out from us is what we will receive back, usually increased many times. So the question today is…
“Hey Gramps, How can we stop the unkindness and become more civil with each other? It seems like it is getting out of control.”
Life’s Echo
Unfortunately we cannot control others, but fortunately, we can control ourselves if we choose to. Others can be influenced by our actions, but ultimately it is their decision. We need to fully understand that what we send out from us is what will be returned to us. If you live in the state of negative drama most of the time, then negative dramatic events will multiply and come rushing back to you. If you send out kindness, then eventually kindness will return.
Let me explain with the following parable.
A father and his young son were hiking on a steep mountain trail one summer day. Suddenly, his son slips and falls, scraping his leg. And he screams, “AAAhhhhhhhhhh!” To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain, “AAAhhhhhhhhhh!” He was not expecting anyone to reply to him.
Curious, he yells, “Who are you?” He receives the answer, “Who are you?” Angered at the response, he screams, “Coward!” He receives the answer, “Coward!” He looks to his father with surprise and asks, “What’s going on?” The father smiles and says, “Son, pay attention.” And then he screams to the mountain, “I admire you!” The voice answers, “I admire you!” Again the man screams, “You are a champion!” The voice answers, “You are a champion!” The boy is surprised, but still does not understand.
Then the father explains, “People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do.
Then the father explains further. The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are.
Then the father explains that the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6%3A7-10&version=NLT (Galatians 6:7-10,) “Don’t be...
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 897 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Candy from Strangers – Wisdom Unplugged
Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is https://wisdom-trek.com/day-897/ (Day 897) of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Humor Unplugged.
Our Thursday podcast will provide a short and clean funny story to help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life – something to cheer you and provide a bit a levity in your life. We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30&version=NLT (Proverbs 15:30,) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” We are also encouraged in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17:22&version=NLT (Proverbs 17:22,) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
Consider this your vitamin supplement of cheer for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s funny, which is titled…
Candy from Strangers
As I left the grocery store, I noticed two little kids, maybe six or seven years old, selling candy bars in front of the store to raise money for their school band. Since I try to minimize my candy intake and really didn’t need or want a candy bar. I came up with a solution that I thought would work so that I could also support the band.
“I’ll buy a chocolate bar on one condition,” I said to the boys. “You eat it for me.” I bought one and handed the candy back to one of the boys. He shook his head. “I can’t,” he said.
Puzzled by this response, I asked, “Why not?”
Looking me in the eye, he responded gravely, “I’m not supposed to take candy from strangers.”
Make it a day full of cheer.
As we conclude our story, let me leave you with a Thursday Thought:
How do you interact with strangers? Are you hospitable? In our western cultures, our basic reaction is to avoid them not to communicate with them. Many eastern cultures welcome strangers. We should be more like that. We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13:2&version=NLT (Hebrews 13:2), “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”
Sourced at: http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/ (www.mikeysFunnies.com)
That’s a wrap for today’s Humor Unplugged. If you enjoy these short stories, let me know so I can continue to bring a bit of cheer to your week.
As you enjoy these nuggets of humor, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along https://wisdom-trek.com/day-898/ (tomorrow) for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 896 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on Apple Podcast or Google Play so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for https://wisdom-trek.com/day-898/ (Philosophy Friday!)