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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1352 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomThe Trained Carpenter – Humor UnpluggedWisdom - 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/captivate-podcast/day-1352/ (Day 1352) 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 give a bit a levity in your life.

We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30andversion=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+17:22andversion=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 Trained Carpenter

Sally was very busy cleaning in their old house that she and Sam had just purchased last month. She feverishly scrubbed the floors on her hands and knees, and afterward put down a new coat of wax. Sally was exhausted and sat down with a tall ice tea to rest for a while before continuing. She heard the pounding hammers driving of nails from the carpenter crew who were outside busily fixing the siding.

Just as Sally was starting to dose off, she was rudely awakened by someone who was loudly rapping on the door. Sally groggily walked to the door and opened it. Standing there was Joe, the crew foreman, with muddy boots. Joe said, “Sorry to interrupt Sally, but would it be alright if I came in and used the bathroom?”

Sally looked back and forth between her shiny floors and Joe’s muddy boots. With a hint of desperation in her voice, she hesitated a moment and said, “Just a moment, let me put down some newspapers.” Joe, not being overly bright, replied, “That’s all right, Sally, I am already potty trained.”

I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did pass your smile on to someone else, we all could use a kind smile. Our Thursday thought is “By a Carpenter, mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6:3andversion=NLT (Mark 6:3)

Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

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 1351 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 that 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 LegacyWelcome to Day 1351 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomMastering the Bible – Psalms and Proverbs – Worldview WednesdayWisdom - 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. Today is Day 1351 of our Trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is essential to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must have a proper understanding of God and His Word. Our focus for the next several months on Worldview Wednesday is Mastering the Bible, through a series of brief insights. These insights are extracted from a book of the same title from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars, Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. This book is a collection of insights designed to help you understand the Bible better. When we let the Bible be what it is, we can understand it as the original readers did, and as its writers intended. Each week we will explore two insights.

Mastering The Bible – Psalms and ProverbsInsight Forty-Nine: Proverbs Are Neither Prophecies nor PromisesBible interpretation can be a lot like rendering a verdict in a court case. A jury has to have the data, the factual material relevant to the case at hand. It then needs to frame the data in the most coherent way. The goal is to declare guilt or innocence “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is to be convinced that any other interpretation of the evidence is unreasonable.

Jury decisions can go terribly wrong, however, when some crucial point of data is omitted or overlooked in its deliberation. The same thing is accurate for understanding the Bible. A good illustration is the nature of biblical proverbs.

Proverbs are pithy sayings, or statements that are, by and large, accurate in everyday life. The proverb is a well-known literary genre in all cultures because people in all human cultures want to live wisely and to get the most out of life. No one expects a proverb always to be true. That isn’t its nature. Likewise, biblical proverbs are not true in all cases. They are, like all other proverbs, mostly true. They are truisms.

Because a proverb is a condensed piece of wisdom, it cannot address all the contingencies that could occur with respect to the circumstance it addresses. By design, that isn’t its purpose. For example, consider https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1%3A33andversion=NLT (Proverbs 1:33): “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” It simply isn’t the case that all godly people live in peace and never have fears. Even when the righteous trust God with the outcome of an awful expectation or event (e.g., physical violence), they cannot cease being human by suppressing a fear reflex.

Put another way; proverbs do not promise guaranteed outcomes. Proverbs are not designed to tell the future. They are designed to describe the present.This is important for correctly understanding a proverb such as https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+22%3A6andversion=NLT (Proverbs 22:6): “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” This is a classic example of a truism. More often than not, a godly, nurturing upbringing will produce a child who wants to know God and follow him. But we all know exceptions. It isn’t a proper response to say that parenting must have gone wrong in some instances since no parent is perfect. Given that reality, there should be no godly children. The retort isn’t coherent. Neither is treating a proverb like a prophecy.

Insight...

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1350 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomAssurance of Grace – Wisdom UnpluggedWisdom - 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/captivate-podcast/day-1350/ (Day 1350) 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 Reinhold Niebuhr, and it is, "All men who live with any degree of serenity live by some assurance of grace."

Assurance of Grace

More than ever today, it seems that we as a society lack serenity in our lives - that is a sense of tranquility, calmness, peacefulness, and stillness. Even before the on-going pandemic we are now confronted with, there was a foreboding sense of restlessness within most individual's lives. Most were so busy that they never took the time to relax nor stop long enough to smell the roses of life.

Maybe now, during this time where nearly all of us are forced to take time out and reflect on life, we can relearn what it means to be at peace with ourselves and our creator. It is only by the grace of God that we live and breathe another breath. Now that we are confronted so forcefully with an unseen and relatively unknown enemy who has disrupted life as we know it, we need to stop and invest time in the more important matters of living purposefully and meeting the needs of others less fortunate.

It is only by the grace of God that we can rest in Him, realizing that when life is out of control from our perspective, God is still in control. Our verse for today illuminates this grace.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91:1-3andversion=NLT (Psalm 91:1-3)

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap

and protect you from deadly disease.

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 1349 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 for Worldview Wednesday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1349 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomShowing Faith Through Actions – Meditation MondayWisdom - 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 1349 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.

Let me ask you. What is more critical faith or actions? Let us meditate on…

Showing Faith through Actions

The answer to the question above may be obvious, and is a rhetorical question because according to God’s Word, we cannot correctly have one without the other. We read in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-20andversion=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?

Especially in the world today, but also every day, we have the opportunity to show others our faith in Christ through our actions. To share God’s love with others through tangible acts of worship will be a catalyst to share God’s love through His Word. Our mission as Christ-followers is to build God’s Kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. The last part of https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A6andversion=NLT (Galatians 5:6) sums it up, "What is important is faith expressing itself in love."

Think about it…As believers, we have an opportunity to unite together worldwide and tangibly show God’s love to those who need His love desperately. In doing so, we will fulfill all that is written in the law and through the prophets.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37-40andversion=NLT (Matthew 22:37-40) says, "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.”

God’s Holy Spirit indwells each of us. He comforts us. He teaches us. Above all He points us to Christ as our example for living. The Spirit empowers us to live in obedience honoring God as His image-bearers. This selfless life of love is impossible apart from him.

Every day, but especially during times of crisis, let us show our...

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1348 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomParalyzed By Fear – Ask GrampsWisdom - 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 1348 of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we ponder some of the fundamental 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 [email protected]

So the question for this week is…

“Hey Gramps, I know that we are living in extraordinary times, where the entire world seems like it has been tipped upside down, and shaken to the core. We are at war with a microscopic alien that has invaded the entire world and is disrupting our lives and the global economic system. I know in my mind and heart that God is fully in control, but how can I show that to others who seem to be so full of fear? What should I do personally, and as part of the worldwide church to bring hope to the hopeless?”

Paralyzed By Fear

We are living in unexpected times, which has plunged the entire world into chaos within a matter of a few weeks or months. While there is uncertainty, there has never been a better time in recent history for the worldwide church to rise up and make a massive difference in the world. It is times like these where the Spirit can take control of the hearts of humankind, regardless of their country or ethnicity.

There is growing uncertainty in the air, and it may get worse before it gets better. Even many Christ-followers are reeling with fear of the unknown, as if there is some tragedy looming on the horizon, just waiting for the most inopportune time to crush our Spirit and blind our faith.

Darkness surrounds many, just at the edge of the light, and fear clouds their vision messing with their minds. Maybe they have been paralyzed with fear and discouraged, experiencing unemployment, possible foreclosure, loneliness, or illness. It has come on so quickly and feeds their doubt and fear and can cause their hope to teeter near death. In their minds, the present paralyzed and the future completely unknown. Their perspective lost. Their confidence stripped naked.

You may have co-workers, friends, and family that ask, “Where is God?” “Why has HE forgotten us?” “HE must be punishing the world or be angry with us.”

As a Christ-follower, God gives us eyes to see past the fear into HIS next step for our future and the building of God’s kingdom on earth. So, despite the fear, look for the signs and opportunities. Opportunities to share love, to share resources, to share the hope that lives within you. Do what you can to help in tangible ways, and banish fear in your own life.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A15-16andversion=NLT (1 Peter 3:15-16)

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...

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1347 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomThe Piano Tuner – Humor UnpluggedWisdom - 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/captivate-podcast/day-1347/ (Day 1347) 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 give a bit a levity in your life.

We are told in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15:30andversion=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+17:22andversion=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 Piano Tuner

Jane, the church pianist, sat down to the piano to practice after a couple of weeks of not investing the time to do so. She had forgotten, once again, just how out of tune the piano was becoming. Although Jane knew that it was time to call old John the piano tuner immediately, she once again hesitated.

Jane attempted to continue her practice cringing at some of the tones as she mumbled to herself. “John always scolds me for waiting too long between tunings.” Finally, she could stand it no longer and called to set up an appointment. John came over the next day, and began his craft of tuning the piano.

John nodded in agreement that it was way past time for a tuning and proceeded to rebuke Jane once again. “I thought we agreed the last time I was here that piano tuning should be done at least every six months if you want your piano to sound good.”

“I know, I know,” Jane sheepishly replied, and then continued, “If you sent out a postcard reminder like the dentist, I would make sure to call you for an appointment in a timely fashion.” John stopped what he was doing, cocked his head slightly and replied. “I’ll tell you what, from now on, whenever the dentist sends you a postcard, call me.”

I hope that brought a smile to your face today. If it did, pass your smile on to someone else, we all could use a kind smile. Our Thursday thought is...“Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+98%3A5-6andversion=NLT (Psalm 98:5-6)

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!

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 1346 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 that 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

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1346 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomMastering the Bible – Messianic Prophecy – Worldview WednesdayWisdom - 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. Today is Day 1346 of our Trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical Worldview is essential to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical Worldview, you must have a proper understanding of God and His Word. Our focus for the next several months on Worldview Wednesday is Mastering the Bible, through a series of brief insights. These insights are extracted from a book of the same title from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars, Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. This book is a collection of insights designed to help you understand the Bible better. When we let the Bible be what it is, we can understand it as the original readers did, and as its writers intended. Each week we will explore two insights.

Mastering The Bible – Messianic ProphecyInsight Forty-Seven: The “Servant” of Isaiah Is Both an Individual and the Collective Nation of IsraelWe immediately think of the Messiah at the mention of the servant in the book of Isaiah. This is natural, since the one whom the prophet said would be led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7) and have our sins placed upon him (Isaiah 53:6) is called God’s servant twice (Isaiah 52:13; 53:11). But the servant of Isaiah is often not an individual messianic figure. In several passages, Israel is that servant.

For example, in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+41%3A8andversion=NLT (Isaiah 41:8) God speaks, “But as for you, Israel, my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend” But in the very next chapter, God sends a servant to the nation of Israel (Isaiah 42:1, 18-25). Then the prophet moves back to the corporate servant of Israel in the chapters that immediately follow:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+44%3A1-2andversion=NLT (Isaiah 44:1-2)

“But now, listen to me, Jacob, my servant, Israel, my chosen one.

The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, O dear Israel, my chosen one.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+44%3A21andversion=NLT (Isaiah 44:21)

Pay attention, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+45%3A4andversion=NLT (Isaiah 45:4)

“And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob, my servant, Israel, my chosen one.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+49%3A3andversion=NLT (Isaiah 49:3)

He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.”

Oddly enough, the final reference sets up a transition back to the individual servant whom God sends to Israel in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+49%3A5andversion=NLT (Isaiah 49:5)

And now the Lord speaks, the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength.

Why the back-and-forth? Can’t Isaiah make up his mind? There is a good reason both portraits are in Isaiah. Throughout the Old Testament, the nation was represented by a single individual and by language describing a single figure. Israel is called God’s son (Exodus. 4:22-23). Later, the king of Israel will be called God’s son (Psalm 2:7). King David was called...

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1345 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomAction Is Required – Wisdom UnpluggedWisdom - 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/captivate-podcast/day-1345/ (Day 1345) 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 Bonaparte, and it is, "Act swiftly and vigorously, without 'buts' and 'ifs'..."

Action Is RequiredThere are times in life when it is best to wait, ponder, and take into consideration the long term ramifications of a decision. When that is the case, once a decision is made, don’t drag your feet or procrastinate any longer. Instead, it is now time to take decisive action. More often than not, success is not achieved because we are fearful of taking decisive action. That is to say, we instead take actions that are swift and vigorous without making any additional excuses. No more ‘buts,’ and ‘ifs,’ it is now time for accomplishment.

Fortify your resolve to move forward. Do not allow obstacles to turn you aside. Decide to move, and then proceed. Nothing will be accomplished if you accomplish nothing. Yes, if you need to, take time to plan your work, but once the planning is over, work your plan. There is no substitute for taking action. Life is short; act now to build God’s kingdom here on earth.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+9:25andversion=NLT (Job 9:25)

“My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness."

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 1344 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 Worldview Wednesday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1344 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomThe Guardrails of Life – Meditation MondayWisdom - 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/captivate-podcast/day-1344/ (Day 1344) 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.

This may appear a stupid question to consider, but what are the purposes of guardrails alongside the road? Let us consider…

The Guardrails of Life

Come along with me on a road trip in your mind, and ponder for a moment the following scenario...Say we are driving along a curvy mountain road on a snowy day, and you suddenly lose control and smash into the guardrail, which damages the front of your car and leaves a big scrape down the side before you come to a stop. As you get out and look over the situation and assess the damage to your car, you peer over the guardrail and see a steep 1000 foot drop on the other side with a raging river at the bottom.

What would your reaction be? Would you curse the guardrail for ruining your car? I doubt that many of us would have that thought, but instead, we would be abundantly thankful for the guardrail, for sure. It saved your life. The car can always be fixed or replaced, which is only a temporary inconvenience in comparison to losing your life.

Life serves up a lot of unexpected and, most of the time, unwanted challenges. How do we view them? Do we curse the guardrail, or are we thankful for its salvation? In many unexpected problems, we look only to the short term inconvenience instead of the long term blessings. Just as I have experienced financial crises that impacted us significantly and severe illness of our very young granddaughter, maybe you have experienced what seems like a tragedy in your life. Perhaps for you, it was a lost job, a failed marriage, a chronic disease, bankruptcy, unfulfilled dreams, accidental death in the family, or deep betrayal of a close friend or loved one.

In those circumstances, it is easy to lash out and blame God or others. Even when it seems your world is falling apart, it is helpful to try and look at the big picture. Cursing your circumstances, or God, is like cursing the guardrail that saved you from something much worse. Take comfort in knowing that God loves you, and that even though circumstances can be excruciating, He will see you through the hard times. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A18andversion=NLT (Romans 8:18) tells us, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." If we explore that passage further, it gives us more insight. Although Romans 8:28 is many times misquoted or taken out of context, when we take into consideration the verses that surround it, we can understand it better.

Let me read https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A26-30andversion=NLT (Romans 8:26-30).

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 1343 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomFear or Faith – Ask GrampsWisdom - 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/captivate-podcast/day-1343/ (Day 1343) of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series.

Each Friday, we ponder some of the fundamental 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 [email protected].

So the question for this week is…

“Hey Gramps, it seems like so many people become fearful and panic over everything these days, even those things that we have little or no control over. From my observation, it appears to be true for those who are Christ-followers, and those who are not. How can I prevent myself from falling into the same trap, and also then also help others not to be fearful?”

Fear or Faith

Let me ask you a question before we explore how to live without fear. What’s your worst fear? What is it that keeps you awake at night? It seems like these days there are plenty of things to choose from. It could be the most recent global pandemic or other illnesses that seem to come to our attention, only to pass and quickly leave our minds. Here in the United States, as with most western countries that have open elections, we become panicked over the upcoming presidential elections. In our minds, regardless of which side we are on, we just know if our candidate doesn’t win, everything is going to fall apart.

For many others, the horror of the day is the economy. Banks failing, stocks falling around the world, taxpayer money going to save financial institutions, and huge corporations who seem to be pulling the political purse strings. With the proliferation of social media and the constant 24/7 talking heads on our news stations, we are lead to believe that the news seems to get bleaker by the day.

Many others are still picking up the pieces from recent natural disasters. We’ve had hurricanes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and hosts of other catastrophes. For a lot of people, tomorrow isn’t their problem; they don’t know how to get through today.

Many of us, though, have found fear in our own personal terrors. Health issues. Death of a loved one. Relationship trouble. Addictions. Legal problems. Financial ruin. Crises don’t have to appear on the national news to have a significant impact on our lives. Some of these problems are self-inflicted; others come to us through no fault of our own.

So, let me ask you again, what’s your worst fear? What robs you of peace? What clouds your view of the horizon? Whatever it is, wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of it? Wouldn’t it be nice to help others overcome their fears also? Maybe I can’t fix all of your problems or rid you of all your worries, but I can tell you how to recover your peace and perhaps even get to where you can sleep at night. When I need guidance for the myriad of challenges that I face, I look for wise...