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

121. E.G.O. = Edging God Out — Don Truex

122. DILIGENCE “We have all of eternity to celebrate our victories but one short hour in which to win them.” –Theodore Williams

123. ARROGANCE “The apostle Peter says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16). Arrogance doesn’t come from having convictions about the truth; it comes from having the wrong convictions about how to treat people who don’t share it with you. Humility doesn’t come from not having any convictions; it comes from having the right convictions about the importance of gentleness and respect.”

Excerpt From: Budziszewski, J. “How to Stay Christian in College.”

124. CAPITALISM “It’s like giving someone access to a vault full of money with two different scenarios. In the first instance, they are told that they can have the vast majority of the money that they are able to carry out over the next ten hours. In the second instance, they are told to work on behalf of the overseer who will make sure that they are treated fairly. Which scenario do you think will generate the greatest intensity of work? That’s a no-brainer, of course. You should resist any attempts to establish the government as your overseer rather than your facilitator. It was no accident that this philosophy accelerated the rise of America. If we abandon it — even by accident because we are sleeping — our fall will be just as rapid as was our rise.”

Excerpt From: Ben Carson, M.D. “America the Beautiful.”

125. COURAGE “Cowardice asks the question, Is it safe? Expediency asks the question, Is it politic? Vanity asks the question, Is it popular? But conscience asks the question, Is it right?  —MARTIN LUTHER KING J R.”

126. GENEROSITY “In the Holy Land, someone explained the difference between the Dead Sea and the very much alive Sea of Galilee. The Dead Sea has no outlet. Both are fed by the same source but the Dead Sea can only receive an inward flow. The Dead Sea is prevented from flowing outward and the accumulation of salt has killed it. The Sea of Galilee is alive only because what flows in can also flow out. The metaphor of the Sea of Galilee demonstrates that giving is a necessary function of thriving and feeling alive. This message not only explains “why I am here” , but it begins to give a glimpse of a “vision” of how alive we feel when we give to others and let our wealth flow both in and out.”

Excerpt From: Simmons, Annette. “The Story Factor.”

127. CHOICES “You and I have two roads staring us in the face every morning when we get out of bed and take that first sip of coffee.”

Excerpt From: Farrar, Steve. “Real Valor.”

128. COLLEGE “A growing trend among Christian camps, churches, and parachurch ministries is to provide a gap year experience for students that forces them out of the routine of “schooling” and into a deeper relationship with God. These residential programs typically last nine months; focus on worldview, identity, and service; and include a cross-cultural experience. While not for everyone, many students who participate in gap year programs are far more prepared for the transition to college and adulthood.”

Excerpt From: Kinnaman, David. “You Lost Me.”

129. DISCIPLINING KIDS  “A little heartbreak now is better than a big heartbreak later.” — Tara Seidman

130. DISCIPLING “God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines.” — Dr. Carl Wenger