Wisdom-Trek © - Archive 3

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 826 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. The past several weeks on Wednesday, we have been focusing on interpreting current events through a Biblical worldview.

To establish a Biblical worldview, it is important 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 God’s word, I would like to invest the next several weeks reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser, which he has compiled 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 write a lot for both work and the scripts for this podcast. At some point, I would like to write a novel series that is a Christian space-based theme. While my spelling has improved considerably over the years with all of this writing, I would be lost without a good grammar and spell checker.

The grammar checker does have various options depending on the type of writing and the context. This also plays a factor in a book we usually don’t consider needing a grammar or spell check, which is the Bible. With the numerous translations available today, it may be prudent to consider. So the topic of our essay today is…

The words of the original Biblical text cannot always be read with certainty. Genesis [49:10] is a famous example. These three translations show the differences.

NASB

Three translators arrived at different conclusions because the Hebrew text itself is ambiguous. The problem is one word made up of four Hebrew letters which is translated (shiyloh).

The NASB takes these four letters as spelling “Shiloh,” the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept during the days of the Judges, Samuel, and David. As it is written, this is how the word should be pronounced, but “Shiloh” is not spelled this way anywhere else in the Hebrew Bible. The odd spelling has led many translators to suspect that “Shiloh” is not the correct translation.

Another problem with translating this word as “Shiloh” is that the Septuagint—the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible produced a few centuries before Christ, which is often quoted by the New Testament writers—has a different rendering. The Septuagint literally reads, “until that which is stored away for him comes.” The Hebrew text used by the Septuagint translator did not read (shiyloh).

The Septuagint translator saw one of two things. The four consonants in our problem word could have been divided into two words: (shay loh). That option would result in “until tribute comes—is brought to him.” The ESV reflects this option.

One text of the Septuagint translator may have had three consonants instead of four. His Hebrew Bible may have read (shiloh). Although this is a frequent spelling for “Shiloh” in the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint translator did not regard the word as the place name.

Instead, he took the word as a combination of two other words: (“that which”) followed by (“to him” or “to whom”). The result is typically translated, “that which to whom it belongs.” When the verb (“he/it comes”) is added, we get something akin to the NLT: “until the coming of the one to whom it belongs.”

Both of the possible Septuagint textual readings have a messianic flavor. They speak of a person—specifically, a descendant of Judah—coming to reign or having tribute brought to him as king. While translators don’t have to guess about messianic prophecy in dozens of other places, Genesis [49:10] has kept them guessing for centuries. I realize this week has been a bit more technical in nature. Please check out the journal for today at wisdom-trek.com.

Next Wisdom Wednesday, we will look at Dr. Heiser’s next essay titled, “Why Circumcision.” I believe you will find this another interesting topic to consider as we build our Biblical worldview.

Tomorrow we will continue with our 3-minute wisdom nugget that will provide you with a bit of wisdom that, if followed, will allow you to grow healthier, wealthier, and wiser each day. 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.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past 825 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes or Google Play 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 the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 825 of our trek, and it is time for a 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower, and it is,“If a man’s associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.”

“Practice what you preach” is a familiar saying that is probably centuries old, but is still as applicable today as it ever was. No one wants to be associated with a person who is phony and not genuine.

We need to have integrity and high purpose in all areas of our life. If you invest time with those people who lack integrity, you will not only be thought of in the same light, you will become like them. We are the average of the five people we invest the most time with.

If you desire to be ethical in all that you do, you must associate with those who are unashamedly ethical. People who will continue to do what is right in every situation because it is the right thing to do. A person who is unwilling to taint his integrity for personal gain.

To be phony is to be pretentious, deceiving, insincere, and to be a sham. In all activities of life, there is a great need to live a life of integrity and high purpose. Do not associate with those who are not because they will bring you down to their level. As the Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.'”

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 tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past 824 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes 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:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 824 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. Fear is all around us. The news media and their commentators are constantly bombarding us with bad news. Politicians make us feel like the opposite political party is driving our country into the brink of destruction.

Unfortunately, even many well-meaning preachers and religious teachers focus on all the bad things that happen instead of the good. It is no wonder why the world is driven by fear and anxiety. In today’s meditation, let us explore what Jesus taught us about fear. We will learn…

People are afraid of many different kinds of things. That’s why one of the most frequent commands in the Scriptures is not to be afraid. It is also a command that Jesus gave several times to His disciples. Fear is a real issue for people in our fallen world.

The Father sent Jesus to deal with fear and to defeat the power behind our fears. To defeat, the devil who uses sin and death to keep mortals enslaved to fear. The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus’s role in defeating the devil and his power to use death to enslave us in fear.

Hebrews 2:14-15 – Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

In today’s meditation, we are journeying with Jesus to Jerusalem as we read from the Gospels in these devotionals. When Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem is complete, He will have died for our sins, He will be buried, and He will be raised from death to life to conquer hell, giving us glorious life beyond our death. The apostle Paul says it this way:

Romans 7:24-25 – Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 – For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.  But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Father is the only one who should truly be feared, but only if you are not His child. If you are a Christ-follower, you are the Father’s child. Then you don’t need to fear Him. You are more precious to the Father, Son, and Spirit than you ever can imagine. The Father sent Jesus to save you at great cost. He went to the cross to redeem you and destroy the devil’s hold on you through fear. The Holy Spirit lives inside you to lead you, comfort you, empower you, and transform you.

Don’t fear what might happen; remember what Jesus accomplished for you. Remind yourself how much the Father loves you and delights in you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His presence to you to calm your heart and strengthen your faith. Then when people ignore, mistreat, ridicule, threaten, or even hurt you, you don’t have to be afraid. Remember the promise Jesus made to you as He discusses all of these issues in the verses below.

So before reading today’s Scriptures let me ask you some questions:

What do you fear?

Will you let Jesus help you with that fear?

Will you let the Holy Spirit empower you and lead you out of your fear?

Will you let the Father remind you how precious you are to Him?

Listen to Jesus’s words of promise that Luke gives you to help you overcome your fear in the face of hardship!

Luke 12:1-12 – Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy.  The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.  Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! 

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.  But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.  Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 

 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say,  for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

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 tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 823 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes 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, I am your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 823 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, 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 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’ 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 [email protected], and Gramps will answer your questions on our Friday podcast.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Nearly all of us have to work at some sort of occupation in order to live and meet our financial obligations. From the very beginning of creation, God made us to work. Genesis 2:15 tells us, “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.”Granted, because of the choices that Adam and Eve made in the garden to disobey God’s command, work became more difficult, but that is not where work began. My experience is that most people don’t love their work. Many like it, some tolerate it, but it is a minority who find work they love that also supports their lifestyle.

So our question for today is…

“Hey Gramps, I am really struggling to enjoy my work. How can I change my situation?”

When you do not enjoy your job or it does not bring you satisfaction, does that mean you must live in frustration, desperately seeking that perfect job you can be passionate about? Not at all.

First of all, as with most things in life, your choice of attitude about your job will determine the level of satisfaction that you have. You can and should choose to find enjoyment in your work. Doing so is very valuable to your life in many ways, including greatly increasing your probability of financial success. The fact is, though, you don’t have to love or even like your overall job to enjoy everyday aspects of it.

It is critical to distinguish between the job and the way you do it. This is important because every job has aspects that will be very unpleasant for you. You need to be able to get through them with a smile on your face.

As an example, even when you work for yourself, which seems like it would be ideal, it has significant drawbacks, and most people are not suited to own their own business.  I remember my mom saying, “When you work for yourself, you only have to work half days, and you can decide which 12 hours of the day you want to work.” As someone who has been an entrepreneur and small business owner for most of my adult life, I can tell you, that statement is very true. There are long hours to be worked, and at times the rate per hour turns out to be very low. Even with this, I have chosen to love my work although there are days that I don’t really like it.

You may not be passionate about your job, but you should be passionate about how well you perform your work. For a few people, they are working in their dream job. For most, it is okay to enjoy your work well enough to at least meet your financial obligations and maybe even to make a good living.

You might be thinking…“But your boss doesn’t appreciate you, you’re underpaid, your company isn’t ideal…that can be okay for now.” They aren’t the key evaluators in your life. You are. Do your job well for you. Also do your job well for God as we are instructed in Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Also in Ephesians 6:7, “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

When you have this attitude about your work, you will find that you enjoy it more. Even if you don’t like your specific work or the work environment you are in, you can love the way you do it.

Love yourself and your dedication to your work so that you will be able to pat yourself on the back at the end of every day. By doing so, you also set yourself up for finding, within your company or somewhere else, a job you will enjoy more.

Are you concerned about being stuck in the same job for life? Don’t worry. Individuals who emphasize the positive and rewarding aspects of their job, don’t stay in unpleasant jobs that long. They get promoted or use their positive record to get a more fulfilling job.

Your job is your calling and ministry. It is also a means to provide for yourself and your family, but it is only a portion of your life. Other than your job, what is your passion in life? Do you love to learn, or teach, or write? Are you fervent about cooking, sports, cars, or clothes? Do you have a wonderful friend or a family that you adore? Then you have found a purpose for doing your best, even if you don’t enjoy all aspects of your work. None of us enjoy every aspect of the work we do, that is okay.

I am not saying or encouraging you to stay in a job that makes you miserable and find all your joys elsewhere. If you dislike the job, you are in, start training and preparing in your off time for a better one. Plan and prepare, then you will be ready for a better job when it comes your way.

Remember, while you are searching for that perfect job, enjoy the way you are doing your present one, and keep celebrating and expanding all the other joys of life that surround you.

Next week we will have a different question to Ask Gramps. Gramps will answer any questions you may have about life and will provide you with practical wisdom about any area of life. Please submit questions that you have to [email protected], and Gramps will answer them on our Friday podcast with wisdom and philosophy that Gramps has gained over the years of experience and study.

I know you will find these insights interesting, practical, and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life. Our next trek is 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 822 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes or Google Play 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 the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you on Monday!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 822 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit 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 W. Clement Stone, and it is, “Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

Most of us are so easily swayed by others that we are willing to compromise our values, morals, and integrity just to “fit in” or be accepted. We need to resolve to say no when faced with ethical dilemmas. To stand for truth, regardless of the potential consequences.  To do what is right and to stand for what is right because it is the right thing to do.

Giving in to fit in is never a good strategy. Failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong. Having the courage to stand regardless and to always do what is right is the key that will allow your life to be a life of integrity. A life that is both good and godly. A light that will be a shining light in a world that is often dark. As we are instructed in Psalm 31:24, “So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like free access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, 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 821 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

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:

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!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 821 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. The past several weeks on Wednesday we have been focusing on interpreting current events through a Biblical worldview. To establish a Biblical Worldview, it is important 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 God’s word, I would like to invest the next several weeks reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser that he has compiled 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 have been closely involved in the computer industry since 1980, which is 38 years now. When I first became involved, the personal computer had just started being released to the public, and they were too expensive for most people.  One thing we could count on from the very earliest days of the industry is that there would be frequent upgrades needed to keep up with the most current computers.

The smartphones of today, which is literally a handheld computer, is thousands of times more powerful than when I was first involved with them. All technology devices are frequently upgraded along with their documentation. Another piece of documentation that was upgraded, which few of us are aware of, is the topic of our essay today which is…

Wait a minute. The Bible needed an upgrade?

Those sound like fighting words to anyone with a high view of Scripture. An upgrade implies that something needed updating, but the Bible is timeless! That’s true, but in this case, I would have to excuse myself from the ring. I wouldn’t want to tangle with those responsible for the improvements – the Biblical writers and, well, the Spirit of God.

Believe it or not, there is evidence that the Bible was updated. That may sound strange, but if you read closely, it’s undeniable. Take Genesis [14:14] as an illustration.

When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.

Did you notice the problem? This is the time of Abram, a time before Moses and Joshua—before there was a promised land divided among the tribes of Israel. There wasn’t even an Israel yet. So what’s up with reference to the land that belonged to the tribe of Dan?

If we plotted out the battle Abram described in this verse on a map, with place names appropriate for Abram’s day, we’d see that the writer really meant that the enemy was pursued all the way to a place called Laish, not Dan.

Many Bible critics would call this an error, but it isn’t. Much later, in the days of Israel’s judges, Laish was renamed as Dan as we are told in Judges 18:29, “They renamed the town Dan after their ancestor, Israel’s son, but it had originally been called Laish.”

Evidently, an unnamed editor updated the text of Genesis [14:14] after the name change took place. The editor likely did this to make sure readers of his own day would understand the geography. What most casual Bible students are not aware of is that much of the Torah, which is the first five books of the Bible was finally recorded during the Babylonian exile, which was based on written narrative handed down from Moses.

In other instances, an editor repurposed something already written in the Bible to make it preach to their community. Psalm 51 is well known as a record of David’s repentance after his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. The Psalm 51:18-19, though, ends by asking God to, “Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.”

The walls of Jerusalem were not in need of repair until after God’s people were exiled, centuries after David lived. The editorial addition is a masterful literary stroke. Just as King David repented centuries before, an editor sought to move the exiles to national repentance. It was just the kind of example they needed.

Though it seems strange, the updating of Psalm 51:18-19 and Genesis 14:14 gives us an insight into the process of inspiration. We can rest in the fact of 2 Timothy 3:16,  “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

Next Wisdom Wednesday we will look at Dr. Heiser’s next essay titled, Spellchecking the Bible. I believe you will find this another interesting topic to consider as we build our Biblical worldview.

Tomorrow we will continue with our 3-minute wisdom nugget that will provide you with a bit of wisdom that, if followed will allow you to grow healthier, wealthier, and wiser each day. 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.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past 820 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes or Google Play 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 the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 820 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 Charles Swindoll, and it is, “Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone-deep, non-hypocritical integrity.”

When we think of infections, our minds go to colds, flu, or even more serious diseases. While none of us want to be infected by or infect others with disease of any kind, our lives can be infectious in a very positive manner. Whether in churches, companies, organizations, or in politics if you are not true, you will eventually be recognized as someone who is not genuine. That is not the type of person who we should desire to emulate.

We need to live lives that are both good and godly. We should not just put on a mask of being a good or godly person, but actually live a life that is genuine, a life that may not be perfect, but is real. When we live a life that is real, good, and godly, we do not need to be self-righteous, nor to be preaching to others.

Our lives will be a shining beacon in a world that is dark. We need to live lives to our very core that are clean, honest, good, godly and display non-hypocritical integrity in every area of life. As the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:24, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

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. 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 819 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes 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:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 819 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. Let me ask you a question today as we take time to meditate on the most important aspects of our life. How do you treat those people who you know don’t like you and oppose you? Would you go to their house for dinner if they invited you? In today’s meditation, let us explore how Jesus reacted to his opponents in a lesson called…

Let us look at Jesus’s example and hear His words in the verses which we will explore today. They merge into one, simple, clear message…People count most!

We find Jesus at a dinner in the house of a leader of the Pharisees, His most vocal opponents. Why? Why go to a meal with people who are hounding Him and trying to trap Him? Because He loves them! They matter to the triune God — Father, Son, and Spirit. Their hearts need the opportunity to be exposed to His truth, and seeds need to be planted in their hearts, seeds that can blossom into faith and bear fruit after these people see His Crucifixion (referred to as His passion) and hear about His resurrection.

The Father, the Son, and the Spirit desire that all people have an opportunity to change their hearts and come to faith in Jesus as their Savior. Jesus goes to the house of this leader and a dinner with his friends, people who regard Him as their enemy, for one simple reason…People count most!

Jesus challenges this leader and his Pharisee and scholar friends to see this same truth in their own religious understanding. They help their children who are in trouble on the Sabbath. They help their animals that are in distress on the Sabbath. They do not see these gracious actions as a violation of their traditions of the Sabbath rest. When they have the ability and opportunity to help, comfort, encourage, or ease a brother or sister’s distress or trouble, the Pharisees and scholars must come to see that a person in trouble must be helped regardless of the day…People count most!

As a Christ-follower and disciple, we need to understand this truth as we seek to apply His teaching — this principle that Jesus taught and lived as an example for all of us to follow…People count most! Jesus came to seek and to save lost people, to ransom you and I and all of humanity from the grip of sin and death in our lives, and to bring His grace to all. That is why Jesus went to the house of those who wanted to get rid of Him. That is why He emphasized the need to help people on the Sabbath even if it violated the tradition of the Pharisees. Most of all, that is why Jesus voluntarily headed to Jerusalem to die as the Lamb of God Who will take away the sins of the world. Because people count most!

As we read through the verses that follow, ask the Holy Spirit to help you visualize the scene. What are the expressions on the people’s faces? What are the smells in the room as we get ready to share this meal? Can you feel the tension between these leaders and Jesus? Can you feel their discomfort? Now join Jesus in noticing the man with the problem. What is Jesus’s expression as he gazes on him? What do you think Jesus’s tone was as He discussed this man with the leaders? Was Jesus’s tone harsh or pleading with these leaders as He asked about healing the man? Remember the point…People count most! After we finish reading, ask for the Spirit to help you answer the following questions you need to ask yourself:

This story is found in Luke 14:1-6.

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.  Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?”   When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.  Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?”  Again they could not answer.

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 tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 818 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes 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.

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:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 818 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, you are unable to.

No matter how old you 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 my 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 [email protected]. And Gramps will answer your questions on our Friday podcast.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Granny and I are blessed to have a heritage of ancestors dating back to the early explorers of what was once referred to as The Northwest Territory for the fledgling United States. In fact Marietta, Ohio was the first organized settlement in The Northwest Territory.

I am a direct decedent of the General Putnam who was an officer in the revolutionary army and served directly under George Washington before he was President. They also were some of the men who surveyed the land in this area of Ohio. The Big House is the family home my great-grandparents built and lived in. While we are honored to be part of this heritage, it is such a short time period compared to our world and the universe.

Being a space and sci-fi enthusiast, I like to learn as much as I can about our universe. The more I study, though, the more I realize that within our finite minds we will never comprehend its mysteries. From the vast cosmos to the subatomic particle, we can never grasp all that God has created. We are locked into a mindset of space and time, God is not. As God tells us in Isaiah 55:8-,

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

There is a question though that we all wonder about, our question for today is…

“Hey Gramps, what is the age of the Universe?”

In Genesis 1:1, we are told that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

The Bible gives no date for the creation; the only hint is that it happened “in the beginning.” In Hebrew, the word for “beginning” is bereshith, meaning literally “head or start.”

As a Christ-follower who believes that the Holy Bible is the revelation that God chose to share with us, I am convinced that God created the universe. Where Christians have a difference of opinion is in the interpretation of the word day (Hebrew yom) in Genesis 1. Those who hold to a literal, twenty-four-hour “day” believe in a comparatively young earth; those who hold to a non-literal, poetic “day” believe in a much older earth.

Many scholars and Christian scientists believe the word “day” in Genesis refers to a literal, twenty-four-hour day. This would explain the repetition throughout Genesis 1 of the statement, “and there was evening, and there was morning.” One evening and one morning make up one day (in Jewish reckoning, a new day begins at sunset).

Others point to the non-literal use of the word day elsewhere in Scripture, such as “the day of the Lord,” and argue that evening to morning does not equal a day and should instead be understood as figuratively referring to beginnings and endings of periods of time. To support we could use a reference such as 2 Peter 3:8, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.”

If the genealogies in Genesis 5 and 11 and the rest of Old Testament history are interpreted strictly literally, the creation of Adam can be dated to approximately 4000 BC. But this would only date the creation of Adam, not necessarily the creation of the earth, let alone the universe. There is also the possibility of “gaps” of time in the narrative of Genesis 1.

All that to say, the Bible does not explicitly give the age of the universe. Throughout most of my life, I have taken the position of a young earth and believe that literal, twenty-four-hour days in Genesis 1 is the better interpretation. At the same time, I do not have serious disagreements with the idea that the earth and the universe might be significantly older than 6,000 years.

Whether the differences are explained by gaps or by God creating the universe with the “appearance of age” or by some other factor—a universe older than 6,000 years does not cause significant biblical or theological problems. There are craters and river beds on our moon and the few planets within our own solar system which puzzle both the most learned Bible scholars and scientist. This doesn’t even begin to approach the mysteries of a universe, which has thousands or millions of galaxies and solar systems contained within them.

Ultimately, however, the age of the universe cannot be proved from Scripture or from science. Whether the cosmos is 6,000 years old or billions of years old, both viewpoints (and everything in between) rest on faith and assumptions. It is always wise to question the motives of those who argue the earth must be billions of years old, especially since the Bible does not appear to support such a presupposition.

We also have to reckon back to the fact that we are born and live in space and time, God does not. We can never know or understand even a fraction of what God has created.  Hebrews 11:3 says, “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.” God has given us all that we need. 2 Peter 1:3 reminds, “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.”

Next week we will have a different question to Ask Gramps. Gramps will answer any questions you may have about life and will provide you with practical wisdom about any area of life. Please submit questions that you have to [email protected], and Gramps will answer them on our Friday podcast with the wisdom and philosophy that he has gained over the years of experience and study.

I know you will find these insights interesting, practical, and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life. Our next trek is 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 817 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes 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:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you on Monday!

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 817 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little bit 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, “Ambition, fueled by compassion, wisdom, and integrity, is a powerful force for good that will turn the wheels of industry and open the doors of opportunity for you and countless others.”

Ambition like many character traits that we may have can be a force for good or bad.  What will make the difference is the underlying foundation and motive that is fueling that ambition. First, there should be compassion for that ambition, this compassion should be to help others, to improve yourself, and to positively impact your world.

Next ambition must be built on the strong foundation of wisdom and integrity. With this strong foundation in place that ambition will result in a positive and powerful force for good. When this is the case, you will set in motion the changes needed to burst open the doors of unlimited opportunity for yourself and all those that you impact. Being wise with integrity and ambition is the key to success, as we are told in Proverbs 12:14,“Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like free access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, 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 816 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

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:

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!