Wisdom-Trek ©

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 834 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Managing Money with Spiritual Wisdom – Meditation Monday

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 834 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. The most prominent issue that faces most of us in our daily lives, especially in western cultures is the earning and use of money. We never seem to have enough. We struggle to make ends meet. We fight for it. We work long and hard to earn it, all the while neglecting what is really important in life. In today’s meditation, let us explore…

Managing Money with Spiritual Wisdom

Throughout the ages, it has been the same. People freely talked with each other about almost everything, except how they spend or invest their money. Once the talk about managing earthly, monetary, physical blessings starts, people tend to get defensive and exaggerate their situation to try and impress others.

I appreciate the authors of the gospels and their accounts of Jesus’s life and the way they emphasize many practical and spiritual teachings about Jesus’s ministry. They instruct us about food and feasts, prayer and praise, the work of the Holy Spirit, poor and rich people, and Jesus’s teaching on the use of money.

Let’s explore one of those passages about money and how you should manage your assets for spiritual ends. This is found in Matthew 6:19-21 where Jesus us, "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 will also be."

We lose sight of the most important principle about money and other resources. We don’t own and never will own anything. We are stewards of God’s resources to manage them for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.

Use the money and physical assets that the Father has entrusted to you to store up heavenly treasures. Why? Because the Father is going to know how you use your money and where you invested it.

Your heart is always drawn to where your treasure is invested. So use your assets to bless those who cannot repay you, to empower the mission which Jesus gave you, to redeem the lost, to restore life, to renew opportunity for those who are left out and forgotten, and to give hope to the marginalized. Isn't that what you saw Jesus investing His life doing? That is where Jesus invested His energy and time; shouldn't you do the same?

When you read from the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, what we call the Old Testament, what do you see about the heart of God and where He wants you to invest your assets? His focus and Jesus focus are perfectly aligned. Does your focus align with what Jesus taught?

The problems in your life don't need to include money if your heart is on the things that matter most to your Father in heaven. This principle is true whether your assets are small...

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 833 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Enjoying the Seasons of Life - Ask Gramps

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 833 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 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 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 [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. As we transition from winter into spring, we see once again the dead of winter spring into new life. We enjoy the birds singing and the flowers poking their heads through the soil like magic displaying their beauty to all.

When we take the time to reflect upon the natural environment, we begin to observe a complex, yet very beautiful world cycling through patterns, phases, and stages of transition. We also quickly realize that nothing ever stands still, that nothing ever maintains its current state, identity, or shape for very long. In fact, all of nature cycles through seasons of change and transformation, effortlessly and naturally.

So our question for today is:

Hey Gramps, “It seems like life is rushing by so quickly and I am having difficulty just enjoying life where I am today. How can I change my perspective so that I enjoy every season of life to make an impact where I can and accept what I cannot change?”

Enjoying the Seasons of Life

· Understanding the Cycles of Life

Life cycles through phases of transformation and change that are unavoidable, inevitable, and yet very manageable. These natural cycles of life are beneficial for our personal emotional and spiritual growth.

· Seasons Change Constantly

The seasons of life are constantly changing as a result of the choices and decisions that we make on a daily basis.

A seemingly insignificant choice today could very well change the tide of the seasons as we move into tomorrow.

For things not to change, we must stay the same. However, we cannot remain unchanged if we are constantly making new choices and decisions about our conditions and circumstances.

Life is all about change, we are constantly changing, and our circumstances are simply a reflection of the choices we make.

· Seasons Transition Naturally

The seasons of life transition naturally from one phase to another as a result of the thoughts, values, and beliefs we are consistently cultivating in our minds.

We transition through each of these seasons naturally because they are simply a reflection of our human nature and even the smallest of choices that we make each day.

· Seasons Are Temporary

The seasons of life are as temporary as the raindrops that fall on your head,

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 832 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Integrity Is Not Conditional – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 832 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. MacDonald, and it is, "Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn't blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won't cheat, then you know he never will."

Integrity Is Not Conditional

Integrity, like the truth, does not change based on political correctness, or the latest philosophy about right and wrong. Your integrity is a mirror reflecting who you really are. You may attempt to put a mask on to change how others may perceive you, but in the end, the mask will fall away. And you will be seen for who you truly are.

A person of integrity is honest, truthful, full of honor, reliable, and upright. A person of integrity does not change his values to fit in or be accepted. He stands for what is right and truthful, no matter the cost to him personally.

We cannot open ourselves up to situational ethics or situational integrity. It is never right to do wrong in order to have the opportunity to do right in the future. Right is right even if no one is doing it, and wrong is still wrong even if everyone else is doing it.Our integrity impacts our standing before God as we are told in Psalm 15:1-3.

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?

Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,

speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

Those who refuse to gossip

or harm their neighbors

or speak evil of their friends. 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 831 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 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 Philosophy Friday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 831 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Why Circumcision? - Wisdom Wednesday

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 831 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. If you study local customs or cultures within nations around the world, you are likely to find certain practices that just will not make sense to you. This may apply to diet, dress, rituals, superstitions, or physical changes. One such practice that God set forth as a sign of separation from the world and dedication to Him was the practice of circumcision for all males that are the decedents of Abraham. These descendants became the Nation of Israel.  So the topic of our essay today is…

Why Circumcision?

Circumcision is mentioned nearly 100 times in the Bible. It is a central focus for Old Testament and New Testament theology as mentioned in Romans 4:9-12.

Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles?  Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! 

Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith.  And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.

More details about circumcision in the New Testament is also found in Galatians 2 and 5.

If we’re honest, circumcision as a covenant sign just sounds absurd. Was it unique to the Abraham and the Nation of Israel? Not really. Circumcision was the sign or mark of God’s covenant with Abraham and is found in Genesis 17:9-14, "Then God said to Abraham, 'Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.  This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised.  You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you.  From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased.  All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.  Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.'"

If you study the cultures in that area where Abraham was from, you will find that it was also widely practiced in the ancient Near East although the method wasn't always the same.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 830 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Solid Value Foundation – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 830 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 Michael Baisden, and it is,"Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on your values rather than personal gain."

A Solid Value Foundation

If you find yourself making choices based on personal gain, it is time to reexamine your values and indeed your entire moral compass. These choices include both your thoughts and your actions. There is a very short distance between thinking about taking action and the actual action itself. That is why is it so important to guard your thoughts.

No amount of personal gain, fame, power, or fortune is worth compromising the foundation on which your values are based. Your value foundation must be strong and must be based on a moral code. The superior moral code that is solid and has stood the test of all time is the moral code found in God’s Word.

It is God’s Word on which your values must be established. It represents that solid foundation on which to build a life of integrity. This reminds me of the parable that Jesus taught His disciples about building, which is found in Matthew 7:24-27

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”What type of foundation is your value system built on? This will determine your level of integrity.

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 829 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:

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 Wednesday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 829 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Getting Past Your Worries – Meditation Monday

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 829 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. Last Meditation Monday we considered the topic of fear. Today let’s ponder what it means to worry and the sins that lie behind so many of our worries, such as greed and insufficient faith! Listen carefully as we explore three key principles in the verses of today’s meditation. Jesus gave these principles to His disciples to help them defeat the power of worry in their lives. Please know that Luke wrote about these three principles to help you defeat worry, too! In today’s meditation, let us explore…

Getting Past Your Worries

· Principle #1

You'd better be on your guard against any type of greed, for a person's life is not about having a lot of possessions.

Greed is insidious and destructive — in fact, it is a form of idolatry Colossians 3:5.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Greed means the things you have are never enough. Greed opens the door for you to trample all over people to get things. Greed makes you think you deserve and own the things that you have, rather than seeing them as blessings from the Father, Son, and Spirit to be used to bring the influence of God’s kingdom into your fallen world.

· Principle #2

Don't reduce your life to the pursuit of food and drink; don't let your mind be filled with anxiety. People of the world who don't know God pursue these things, but you have a Father caring for you, a Father Who knows all your needs.

When we considered fear in last week’s Meditation Monday, we were reminded that you are precious to God the Father, Son, and Spirit. Please remember and believe that truth. Why would the Father send Jesus to be sacrificed for you if you were not precious? Why would Jesus pour out the Holy Spirit upon you to live within you if you are not precious? With so many less important things in your world that receive God’s gracious provision, why would the triune God ever abandon you when you are so precious?

· Principle #3

Since you don't need to worry — about security and safety, about food and clothing — then pursue God's kingdom first and foremost, and these other things will come to you as well. We do not need to be afraid. God is your Father, and your Father's great joy is to give you His kingdom.

Worry is often the byproduct of having your focus on the wrong things and not having sufficient faith in God and His promises. If your consuming passion is to follow Jesus Christ and to bring the gracious benefits of God’s kingdom to your broken world, then you are not going to have time to focus on temporary stuff that doesn't ultimately matter. Honor the Father with all of your heart.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 828 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

You Are What You Eat - Ask Gramps

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 828 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 everyone is concerned about their health, and most of us will say we want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There is a huge difference, though, between being passively involved in your health journey and being committed to good health. It reminds me of a breakfast of eggs and bacon. The chicken is passively involved in the breakfast, the pig is committed to making it happen. Maintaining a truly healthy lifestyle takes commitment.

So our question for today is…

Hey Gramps, “I would like to start living a healthy lifestyle, including losing some weight. There are so many diets and supplements on the market today that it is really confusing. Can you give me some advice on how I can live a healthy lifestyle including losing the weight that I need to?”

You Are What You Eat

This topic is a plateful for sure…pun intended. There have been thousands of books written about healthy lifestyles and diets. Much of that information could be useful, but we also find that much of it is contradictory. While I am not a doctor and have never played one on TV, but I will be 62 this August and have been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and my current weight for many years. I have never followed a structured diet, nor participated in a structured exercise or wellness program. For some people, this may be needed to maintain the discipline to stick with it, but ultimately it must be an internal desire for change.

By learning a few simple principles and sticking to them, I feel that anyone who is committed to living a healthy lifestyle can be successful. I do realize that genetics and environment can play a role in being successful, but unless you are committed, then there will be no transformation. It is no easier for me to maintain my weight and lifestyle than it is for anyone else, but I do have a commitment and burning desire to do so.

So here are some basic principles that will lead to a healthy lifestyle which includes: strengthening your body, losing weight, and refreshing your mind and soul.

First, is to get some exercise each day. You may never enjoy this, but it is imperative if you are committed to a healthy lifestyle. At a minimum, walk as briskly as you can for 30 minutes. This could be inside your home, on a treadmill, or outside if at all possible.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 827 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Three Qualities Needed – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our five days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 827 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 Warren Buffet, and it is, "In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you."

Three Qualities Needed

As a business owner or manager, one of the most crucial tasks is to hire team members that fit your culture and have the ability to excel personally as they help the company to excel and prosper. The culture of an organization is passed down from its leaders.

If there is a lack of integrity, intelligence, and energy among team members, then most certainly that is because there are flaws in those individuals who are leading and directing that business or organization. If you desire to succeed as a business or organization, then it is imperative that everyone maintains the highest possible level of integrity.

This starts with the hiring process. It needs to be crystal clear to potential team members that only the highest of ethical and moral standards will be tolerated. It is also to be clear that integrity is valued more importantly than natural talents and abilities because, without integrity, all else will suffer.

Within any business or organization, it would be good to adopt the principles located in Ephesians 5:3-4, "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God."

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 826 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:

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 826 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Spellchecking the Bible - Wisdom Wednesday

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…

Spellchecking the Bible

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

ESV

NLT

"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples."

"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples."

"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants,

until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor."

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.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 825 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Practice What You Preach – Wisdom Unplugged

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

"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. 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 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:

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 Wednesday!