The Wisdom Chronicle is designed to bring nuggets of wisdom from the dozens of books I read every year. I endeavor to share the best of what I have gleaned. The determination of relevance lies with you.  Blessings, Jim Whiddon

 241. WISDOM “Although we develop our intellect, wisdom is understanding God’s perspective on his world. God is the author of wisdom, and he delights in providing it. In fact, Ecclesiastes 2:26 tells us, “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.”

Excerpt From: Harris, Raymond. “The Heart of Business.”

242. CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS Assertion: “It’s wrong to force your views on other people. You can’t legislate morality. Christians involved in politics violate the separation of church and state.” Response: “Do you vote? When you vote for someone, are you expecting your candidate to pass laws reflecting your own point of view? Wouldn’t that essentially be forcing your views on others? How is that different from what you’re troubled about here? Is it your view that only nonreligious people should be allowed to vote or participate in politics, or did I misunderstand you?

Where, specifically, in the Constitution are religious people excluded from the political process? Can you give me an example of legislation that does not have a moral element to it?”

Excerpt From: Koukl, Gregory. “Tactics.”

243. PARADOX “A paradox is truth standing on her head to get attention.”

— G. K. Chesterton

244. SECOND CHANCES “There will come a time in your life when you think everything is ending – but that will only be the beginning.”

— Louie Lamore

245. WINNERS “Winners employ “blue heat” because it lasts longer, burns hotter, and is more precise than a wild orange flame. Winners rarely talk about the bottom line, profitability, or even success. Rather, they talk about a greater purpose—and invite you to join them.”

Excerpt From: Luntz, Frank. “Win.”

246. SELF PITY “Most people don’t care about your problems, and the rest are glad you have them.”

— Coach Lou Holtz

247. DECISIONS “It is better to make a mediocre decision promptly rather than a perfect decision too late.”

— Col. (Ret.) Ralph Peters

248. BOTTOM LINE “A boss in my youth had a sign on the wall reading, “Don’t tell me about the storms at sea. Just tell me when the ship’s coming in.”

Excerpt From: Murray, Charles. “The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Getting Ahead.”

249. ENTITLEMENT “Curmudgeons think that the twenty-somethings’ good opinion of themselves is especially inflated among graduates of elite colleges. Here’s what he CEO of a large corporation said to me when the topic came up: “We don’t even recruit at Harvard or Princeton anymore. We want kids from places like Southeastern Oklahoma State who have worked hard all their lives and share our values.”

Excerpt From: Murray, Charles. “The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Getting Ahead.”

250. DEVIL “Make a deal with the devil, and maybe the devil will kill you last.”

Excerpt From: Gutfeld, Greg. “Not Cool.”