Greetings,
I trust that your Christmas went well and that you are now in the midst of preparing that great list of New Year's resolutions. I have been in the center of a raging chest cold and have not found the energy to make it to my laptop and write. However, seeing that it is New Year's eve, I thought I would drag my sorry hind end to my keyboard and sludge on.
I do this not so that I might feel good about myself but so that I might put into action the next great statement for success that we will be lookng at...I Am a Person of Action! David Ponder next finds himself on a Civil War battlefield in the presence of an officer named Joshua Chamberlain. I am not going to go into the specifics of his discussions as I feel that the true revelation of this encounter is best left to the reader. Suffice it to say David comes in contact with a man that is truly heroic on the battlefield.
Heroism is a funny word isn't it? I mean, we each, probably, have a different definition of the word "hero". Certainly, the brave men and women who serve our country are heroes. We met hero after hero as the stories of September 11th came out. Perhaps, paerents and friends, family and celebrities fit your description of what a hero is like and/or should be. I don't want to take this space to debate who is a hero and who is not. I want to write about David Ponder's experience with an individual who showed heroic characteristics.
On my journey home I have had had the opportunity to meet and interact with heroes. These indviduals may ot seem like heroes to you but they were and are to me. During my sugeries I found heroes in the neuro ICU. They were the nurses that so lovingly cared for me. Christine, my wife, was my hero as she encouraged me and guarded the door with a lion's heart. My mom and dad, sister, and all my family, were heroes to me and remain that to this day. My church family were my heroes as they prayed for my safe recovery. Different people doing different things, all heroes!
Yet, I had to ask myself what it was that drew me to this Civil War hero named Joshua Chamberlain. Then it hit me. It was what he shared with David Ponder. The statement that was shared on that civil war battlefield that david was taken to next brings clarity to my definition of what a true hero is. That great statement is...I Am a Perosn of Action. You see, all of these statements for success, in my opinion, would be less than they are if there was not some sort of action associated with them. I believe action is what makes a hero!
I can't help but think what my life would be like if Jesus would have just thought about wanting to give His life for me. I know that is simplistic but it's true. My salvation, and yours, is due to the fact that Christ walked that "Way of Sorrows". As He sat there in the garden and prayed that, if possible, the cup of crucifixion be taken away He had a choice. Some might say that He didn't have that choice but I believe He did. He got up from that cold, damp, earthly, garden floor and chose to fulfill the will of His Father. He chose to take action.
Joshua Chamberlain was a man of action on the battlefields of the Civil War and this is where David Ponder sees this man in action. The point that Chamberlain is trying to make is that we are responsible for the choices we make, no one else! If we want to make things happen in our lives then we need to be people of action. That is why I dragged my behind to this laptop. This article wasn't going to write itslef! Although, I am sure an article was going to be written however, if I didn't take action it wasn't going to be written by me and it wasn't going to be written today.
Some might say that is not a very good example of what Joshua Chamberlain was talking about and they would probably be right. Yet, the thrill I get from writing this blog makes the days that I write different. For me, there is joy in writing. I am sure that my day will be just a litle bit different because I decided to take action. What about you? Very few of us have the daily oportunity to charge a regiment of men and women into battle. Very few of us get to decide to rescue a baby from a burning building. Nevertheless, each one of us, each day, have the choice to take action! Whether it be the action of helping someone down on their luck or helping yourself as you are down on your luck action makes a difference.
As this new year comes upon us and we say goodbye to the old let us take this statement of success with us. Let us dedicate ourselves to action. In our daily lives, at our work, in our churches, with our faith, let action be our battle cry! Let us look at our lives, no matter how great or how lousy they are, and declare that we are people of action. Let us have the mindset that today I will take action, I will do something!
At the end of this encounter Chamberlain hands David Ponder an old tobacco pouch in which David will keep the statements of success. This old, worn out pouch plays an important part in our story. That is a point that I want to share with you next time. Until then, pray for my chest cold, take responsibility for you, seek wisdom daily, and strive to be a person of action!
May God bless you and your famly in this new year!
Blessings,
Derek
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
Greetings,
I will get back to The Traveler's Gift tomorrow. I just wanted to say, to whomever reads this blog, have a blessed Christmas Day. Thank you for joining me on my journey home. I pray that the things we talk about here would bless others as much as I am blessed in sharing them. God Bless!
Blessings,
Derek
I will get back to The Traveler's Gift tomorrow. I just wanted to say, to whomever reads this blog, have a blessed Christmas Day. Thank you for joining me on my journey home. I pray that the things we talk about here would bless others as much as I am blessed in sharing them. God Bless!
Blessings,
Derek
Thursday, December 24, 2009
I Will Seek Wisdom
Greetings,
Before we start I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
As we continue our journey through the book, The Traveler's Gift, we find David Ponder meeting his next historical figure, King Solomon. For those of you who might not be familiar with Solomon he was a man of great wisdom. According to Answers.com the following information pertains to King Solomon:
•Born: c. 10th century B.C.
•Birthplace: ?
•Died: c. 922 B.C.
•Best Known As: Builder of the Temple of Solomon
King Solomon "excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom" according to the Bible. The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon (in Hebrew, Shlomo) ruled Israel from about 960 to 922 B.C. and built a magnificent temple in Jerusalem which housed the Ark of the Covenant. Solomon reportedly had hundreds of wives and concubines, including the daughter of the pharaoh of Egypt. He also had a famous meeting with the Queen of Sheba who, after observing his wealth and wisdom, showered him with gifts. Solomon is historically credited with authoring the Bible's Song of Songs and book of Ecclesiastes, though many scholars believe the latter was written after his death.
Solomon's wisdom is usually recalled in a famous incident in which two women came before him with a baby, each claiming to be the mother. Solomon ordered the child be cut in half, and by observing each woman's reaction determined the true mother. You can find the history of the reign of Solomon in the Bible in II Samuel and portions of I and II Chronicles, also I Kings.
David Ponder meets King Solomon and is given the next great decision for success..."I will seek wisdom". It is not immediately apparent how this can make an impact on David's current problems and, yet, there is a great truth in this decision in life. King Solomon says, “We, as humans, are always in a process of change. Therefore, we might as well guide the direction in which we change.”
The question would be, "How can seeking wisdom guide the direction in which we change?". I believe that Solomon was not only very wise but also very right! The amount of wisdom that we seek affects the decisions that we make in our lives. Wisdom can be found all over the place. However, we must be careful when we define wisdom that we do not always confuse it with raw intelligence. I have known some very wise people who barely graduated from high school and some who didn't graduate at all. I have also known some very wise people who held advanced degrees from some of the finest academic institutions this country has to offer. Wisdom is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as: The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
Common sense; good judgment: "It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things" (Henry David Thoreau).
You see wisdom is discerning what is true and right. You don't always need an advanced degree for that! I have found on my journey home that great wisdom comes from many places. I have found it in my parents, my siblings, my friends, and most especially, my wife ( although she does hold an advanced degree. Something that I am very proud of her for). I have found great wisdom in the scriptures, but also in many other great books. I have found true wisdom is the writings of Plato and in the Reader's Digest as well.
So, why is it important for us to seek wisdom if we are going to find success in life. I believe is that it is because the more wisdom we seek the better off we will be in making good, sound, decisions. If you are like me you find yourself wishing for more wisdom everyday. I could use it! On my journey home I have decided that I am going to seek wisdom. I am going to seek it from great philosphers, from great friends, and from great parents. However, I think I am going to take the time and go back to my Bible first.
I, truly, believe that God's word holds the greatest wisdom of all. There are so many times that we simply rush pass the scripture we believe we already know. We do not take the time to comprehend the great truths that God has given to us. Most of the time the reading of scripture has become a chore, or even worse an assignment. No more for me! I will take time on my journey home to study the great writings and ideas that have been passed down to us from the hand of God. I will seek wisdom. It is my hope that you will too!
I believe that David Ponder comes to the realization that in seeking wisdom we can affect the direction or the change in our lives. I think God wants us to know that. I believe that God wants us to crave His word and the words of others who teach great wisdom. King Solomon knew that and so he passes that great truth on to David Ponder.
I want to challenge you in the new year to seek wisdom. Whether it is actively seeking out wise advice or reading writings that hold great wisdom challenge yourself to seeking wisdom. I believe it will lead to greater success in every aspect of your life. Especially your faith.
Next time we find David Ponder meeting a man that, perhaps, not many are aware of in history. But I promise you you'll never forget him again. Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Derek
Before we start I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
As we continue our journey through the book, The Traveler's Gift, we find David Ponder meeting his next historical figure, King Solomon. For those of you who might not be familiar with Solomon he was a man of great wisdom. According to Answers.com the following information pertains to King Solomon:
•Born: c. 10th century B.C.
•Birthplace: ?
•Died: c. 922 B.C.
•Best Known As: Builder of the Temple of Solomon
King Solomon "excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom" according to the Bible. The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon (in Hebrew, Shlomo) ruled Israel from about 960 to 922 B.C. and built a magnificent temple in Jerusalem which housed the Ark of the Covenant. Solomon reportedly had hundreds of wives and concubines, including the daughter of the pharaoh of Egypt. He also had a famous meeting with the Queen of Sheba who, after observing his wealth and wisdom, showered him with gifts. Solomon is historically credited with authoring the Bible's Song of Songs and book of Ecclesiastes, though many scholars believe the latter was written after his death.
Solomon's wisdom is usually recalled in a famous incident in which two women came before him with a baby, each claiming to be the mother. Solomon ordered the child be cut in half, and by observing each woman's reaction determined the true mother. You can find the history of the reign of Solomon in the Bible in II Samuel and portions of I and II Chronicles, also I Kings.
David Ponder meets King Solomon and is given the next great decision for success..."I will seek wisdom". It is not immediately apparent how this can make an impact on David's current problems and, yet, there is a great truth in this decision in life. King Solomon says, “We, as humans, are always in a process of change. Therefore, we might as well guide the direction in which we change.”
The question would be, "How can seeking wisdom guide the direction in which we change?". I believe that Solomon was not only very wise but also very right! The amount of wisdom that we seek affects the decisions that we make in our lives. Wisdom can be found all over the place. However, we must be careful when we define wisdom that we do not always confuse it with raw intelligence. I have known some very wise people who barely graduated from high school and some who didn't graduate at all. I have also known some very wise people who held advanced degrees from some of the finest academic institutions this country has to offer. Wisdom is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as: The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
Common sense; good judgment: "It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things" (Henry David Thoreau).
You see wisdom is discerning what is true and right. You don't always need an advanced degree for that! I have found on my journey home that great wisdom comes from many places. I have found it in my parents, my siblings, my friends, and most especially, my wife ( although she does hold an advanced degree. Something that I am very proud of her for). I have found great wisdom in the scriptures, but also in many other great books. I have found true wisdom is the writings of Plato and in the Reader's Digest as well.
So, why is it important for us to seek wisdom if we are going to find success in life. I believe is that it is because the more wisdom we seek the better off we will be in making good, sound, decisions. If you are like me you find yourself wishing for more wisdom everyday. I could use it! On my journey home I have decided that I am going to seek wisdom. I am going to seek it from great philosphers, from great friends, and from great parents. However, I think I am going to take the time and go back to my Bible first.
I, truly, believe that God's word holds the greatest wisdom of all. There are so many times that we simply rush pass the scripture we believe we already know. We do not take the time to comprehend the great truths that God has given to us. Most of the time the reading of scripture has become a chore, or even worse an assignment. No more for me! I will take time on my journey home to study the great writings and ideas that have been passed down to us from the hand of God. I will seek wisdom. It is my hope that you will too!
I believe that David Ponder comes to the realization that in seeking wisdom we can affect the direction or the change in our lives. I think God wants us to know that. I believe that God wants us to crave His word and the words of others who teach great wisdom. King Solomon knew that and so he passes that great truth on to David Ponder.
I want to challenge you in the new year to seek wisdom. Whether it is actively seeking out wise advice or reading writings that hold great wisdom challenge yourself to seeking wisdom. I believe it will lead to greater success in every aspect of your life. Especially your faith.
Next time we find David Ponder meeting a man that, perhaps, not many are aware of in history. But I promise you you'll never forget him again. Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Derek
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)