Wisdom for the Journey

By Odella Glenn

Wisdom for the Journey culminates years of periodic, miscellaneous writing. My desire to write spills over from my love for reading. Between reading fascinating books and creating writing projects, I began to say “Someday, I’ll write a book.” “Someday” dragged on into years. I finally chose a book title and began to

• Language: English
• Publisher: TOPLINK PUBLISHING, LLC
• Release date: Jul 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9780999194836

Book preview

Wisdom for the Journey

Odella Glenn

Copyright © 2017 by Odella Glenn.

PAPERBACK 978-0-9991948-2-9

EBOOK 978-0-9991948-3-6

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

(Scriptures used in Wisdom for the Journey, unless specifically indicated, are from the King James Bible)

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www.toplinkpublishing.com

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Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

How the Book Started

Introduction

Part One: Wisdom-to-Life Connection

Chapter 1: The Life-Journey-Wisdom Connection

Chapter 2: Worldly Wisdom In Action, Abraham And Sarah

Chapter 3: True Wisdom Revealed

Chapter 4: True Wisdom On Trial, King Solomon

Chapter 5: Wisdom In your journey

Chapter 6: Set Up For Victory Through Wisdom

Chapter 7: The Test, Daniel’s Story; Author’s Story

Chapter 8: Wisdom’s Last Call

Part Two: Family Wisdom

Chapter 9: Family’s Origin And Significance

Chapter 10: Wisdom For Parents

Chapter 11: God’s Command To Parents

Chapter 12: Experiencing God’s Love And Provision

The Miracle at McDonald’s

God Will Provide

Chapter 13: Wisdom For The Children

Chapter 14: Family Flashback, Author’s Family Memories

Chapter 15: Families: Godly And Ungodly

Part Three: Nuggets Of Wisdom On Selected Topics

Introduction

Aging

Angels

Anger

Anxiety

Complaining or Grumbling

Counsel

Death

Faith

Forgiveness

Giving

Love

Prayer

Speaking The Tongue

Trials and Tribulations

Dedication

Wisdom for the Journey is dedicated to my deceased husband Carl, who always supported me in everything I attempted to do, and for fifty-one years, we traveled life’s journey together;

To my son Emery; his wife Maria, and my daughter Crystal; (my motivators)

To my cherished grandchildren Idris, Emery, Jamila, Crystal, and Jasmin;

To those for whom I have been co-mother, teacher or counselor;

To each family member, and to future generations.

May all who read this book be blessed, and reap the life-changing benefits of godly wisdom.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to O’Della Sephers, my niece and close friend, who calls everyday to read my voice and check my pulse and appropriately responds according to her diagnosis.

Thanks to Kim Thompson for setting up and assisting with the writing software. Thanks also to Seymone Cumbee for her technical support and advice.

I am grateful to my family and friends who encouraged me to keep writing until I finished the manuscript and presented it for publishing.

How the Book Started

Wisdom for the Journey culminates years of periodic, miscellaneous writing. My desire to write spills over from my love for reading.

Between reading fascinating books and creating writing projects, I began to say Someday, I’ll write a book. Someday dragged on into years. I finally chose a book title and began to write. Pages of dated manuscript—filed away in folders—attest to my periodic bouts of writing. Years go by without a completed manuscript. It seems like the write-a-book dream had faded.

Then one day when I least expect it, the write-a-book dream returns—resuscitated and stronger than ever. I hear a voice in my spirit say "You have a book, books to write before you sleep. You must begin to write now!"

Immediately I am moved to start over again, and to forget the manuscript I had toyed around with for so long. Wisdom for the Journey is the title that erupts from that voice. With it comes a mandate, "Go all the way this time—on to a published book.

Suddenly, my self-talk is activated and I say to myself Here I go again—back to the writing track. How many times have I been here before? I must not allow history to repeat itself again When the self-talk stops, I realize that I need some way to ensure that I stay on course, keep procrastination away, and finish the book this time. The idea floods my mind that making a writing vow to God would give me assurance. I search the Bible for wisdom on making vows. Many people of the Bible have made them. Some of their vows have been foolishly made and produced unfavorable consequences. The eleventh chapter of Judges records such a vow. Jephthah, a great warrior, made a vow that results in the death of his only child. Not wanting to make a mistake, I search the scriptures for more wisdom. Scriptures teach that: vows are voluntary, but very serious; carry as much force as a written contract; and are unbreakable. (Deut. 23:21, 23)

Wisdom’s bottom line is: If you make a vow to God you must pay it. The Lord demands it. There are no excuses and no exceptions.

I carefully consider the biblical cautions and warnings about making a vow. I prayerfully conclude that for me a vow is the assurance I need for getting the book finished. So I make this vow to God. "Every day that you allow me to live, I will write for at least one hour. The writing sessions will continue daily until I have a completed manuscript ready for publishing. Making that vow is the beginning of Wisdom for the Journey.

A few months into the writing sessions, painful arthritis and carpal tunnel pain attack my hands and wrists. I begin to think that it’s okay to quit now. But I recognize that voice as Satan with a buyout package. My response to him is Get behind me Satan! You must have lost your mind to suggest that I break my vow to God. I recite biblical scriptures for strength and courage. Galatians 6:9 reminds me that in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

In the meantime, wearing arthritic gloves, and carpal tunnel wrist braces, I continue to write as I seek more wisdom. I apply Romans 4:17 to the situation that says Call those things which be not as though they were. And the wisdom of Job 22:28 that says Thou shall also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee.

So believing and trusting God, I pray. Then I declare and decree that: As I continue to write the manuscript my hands are healed and strengthened, and I am anointed and empowered to finish writing the book. The daily writing sessions continue as planned; the manifestation takes place as decreed; and Wisdom for the Journey is completed, fulfilling the writing vow I made to God.

Introduction

Every journey of life operates on some kind of wisdom. It is the foundation on which all of life is built. It was wisdom that created the heavens and the earth. Only two types of wisdom are available for life’s journey. Wisdom for the Journey exposes the false, counterfeit wisdom that leads to destruction; shows where it comes from and how to avoid it. There is one true wisdom that leads to the abundant life. The book reveals it, its source and the prerequisite for getting it. Are you aware of the kind of wisdom that’s driving your journey?

This book is a call for you to evaluate your journey, to identify the areas of your life that need attention, and to deliberately seek and apply true wisdom to all areas. By doing so, you can expect a dramatic change and transformation in your life.

Are there any broken or dysfunctional parts in your journey or any issues that need to be brought