Podcast appearances and mentions of lady wisdom

Welcome to Day 2937 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2937 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 3:9-20 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2937 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2937 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Priceless Tree of Life and the Cosmic Blueprint – Honoring God, Embracing Discipline, and Finding True Riches On our previous podcast, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Five, we stepped into the opening movements of Proverbs chapter three, uncovering that famous master compass for the human heart: trusting in Yahweh with all our heart, refusing to lean on our own limited human understanding, and allowing Him to smooth out every crooked path before us. We saw how writing covenant loyalty and truth deep upon our hearts brings physical healing to our bodies and marrow-deep strength to our bones. Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Seven of our ongoing trek, we advance directly into Proverbs chapter three, verses nine through twenty. In these twelve rich verses, Solomon takes the general principle of total trust in God and applies it directly to four vital arenas of our daily walk: our finances, our trials, our value system, and our understanding of the cosmos itself! Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences—watching wealth come and go, seeing how discipline forms character, and witnessing the eternal value of a life rooted in God—I am eager to share these timeless truths with you today. Let us open our minds to the first practical manifestation of trust, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the deeply connected thoughts in Proverbs chapter three, verse nine, and verse ten. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then your barns will be filled with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. In these two powerful verses, Solomon addresses an area that touches every single human being on life's trail: our material resources! He commands us to "honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce." In the original Hebrew, "the best part" refers to the reshith—the firstfruits! In ancient Israelite worship, offering the firstfruits of the harvest was a profound act of faith. Before a farmer knew if the rest of the crop would survive the weather, locusts, or raiders, he brought the very first, finest portion to Yahweh's sanctuary as a holy offering of gratitude. To fully grasp the spiritual significance of this command, we must view it through the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview. In the ancient Near East, neighboring pagan cultures believed their localized territorial idols owned the land, demanding transactional sacrifices to grant agricultural fertility. But Israel knew a far greater, cosmic truth: Yahweh, the supreme Sovereign of the celestial host, is the sole Owner of the earth and everything in it! When we bring Him our firstfruits, we are not paying a divine tax; we are acknowledging His ultimate lordship over all creation. Look at the glorious result in verse ten: "Then your barns will be filled with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine!" Over my seventy years of living, and my fifty years of studying wisdom, I have seen this financial truth proven without fail. When you hoard your resources out of fear and self-reliance, your soul shrinks; but when you open your hands to honor God first, He opens the windows of heaven, filling your life with true spiritual and material abundance. The narrative now transitions from stewardship of wealth to the stewardship of our struggles, weaving together the contiguous thoughts in Proverbs chapter three, verse eleven, and verse twelve. My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Solomon issues a vital warning to every trekker on the path of wisdom: "My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you." The Hebrew word for discipline here is musar—a foundational word we first encountered in Proverbs chapter one, verse two! Musar encompasses training, moral correction, and character refinement. Human nature naturally recoils from pain, friction, and correction; we prefer smooth, uninterrupted, easy trails. However, Solomon pulls back the curtain to reveal the divine motivation behind every season of trial: "For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights!" When hard times come, or when God allows circumstances to expose our vulnerabilities, it is not evidence of His abandonment or cold anger; it is the ultimate proof of His fatherly affection! In the divine court, God treats us not as forgotten strangers, but as His cherished children, refining us so that we can bear His royal image with dignity. In my seven decades of life, I can tell you honestly that I have learned far more about wisdom, patience, and humility in the furnace of divine correction than I ever did on the sunny mountain peaks of easy success. Having shown us how to handle wealth and trial, Solomon launches into a radiant, poetic celebration of Lady Wisdom's matchless value, linking together the contiguous thoughts in Proverbs chapter three, verse thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen. Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is far more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. What an exquisite, soaring anthem of joy! Solomon declares that the person who finds wisdom—chokmah—and gains understanding is truly joyful. He compares her value to the highest commodities of the ancient and modern worlds: refined silver, fine gold, and radiant rubies. He proclaims with absolute certainty: "Nothing you desire can compare with her!" Look at how Lady Wisdom is pictured in verse sixteen and seventeen: she stands as a regal queen, holding long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left! She guides her followers down delightful, satisfying paths. But look at the breathtaking climax in verse eighteen: "Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly!" In biblical theology, the "Tree of Life"—Etz Chaim—transcends earthly metaphor! It points us directly back to the sacred cosmic sanctuary of Eden, where humanity once enjoyed unhindered fellowship with Yahweh in the presence of the heavenly council. When sin fractured that world, access to the Tree of Life was lost. But here, Solomon reveals a stunning secret: when you embrace divine wisdom and hold her tightly, you are granted a foretaste of Eden right now! You gain access to the eternal, life-giving fruit of God's presence on your daily trek. The narrative reaches its ultimate climax as Solomon reveals why wisdom possesses such infinite power and value, connecting the logical thoughts in Proverbs chapter three, verse nineteen, and verse twenty. By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles from the night sky. Solomon pulls back the cosmic veil to reveal that wisdom is not merely a clever human philosophy; wisdom is the very blueprint through which the entire universe was constructed! He proclaims, "By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens." In the Ancient Israelite worldview, creation was an act of sovereign master craftsmanship. When Yahweh laid the foundations of the earth, set the boundaries of the atmosphere, and commanded the celestial bodies, He did so through Chokmah! Look at verse twenty: "By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles from the night sky." Solomon highlights both the subterranean waters—the deep...

Welcome to Day 2933 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2933 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 2:16-22 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2933 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2933 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Road to the Shades – Rescued from Broken Covenants and the Realm of Death On our previous episode, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Two, we explored Proverbs chapter two, verses nine through fifteen, discovering how divine wisdom enters our hearts to act as a watchful sentinel. We saw how this internal guard rescues us from evil men who speak twisted words, turn away from upright paths, and take dark pleasure in doing wrong. Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Three of our ongoing trek, we arrive at the solemn, dramatic climax of Proverbs chapter two, focusing on verses sixteen through twenty-two. Here, Solomon turns his attention to the second major threat facing every traveler on the road of life: the seductive lure of the immoral woman, and the tragic ruin of broken covenants. Over my fifty years of studying Biblical wisdom, and through my seventy years of walking this earth—watching marriages thrive and watching families fracture—I have observed that there are two great reefs upon which human destinies are broken: the love of dishonest gain, and the surrender to unbridled passion. Both offer flattering promises, but both end in the cold darkness of destruction. Today, Solomon shows us how wisdom preserves our covenant integrity, keeping our feet planted safely on the path of life. Let us open our ears to the solemn warning recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the logical, contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse sixteen, and verse seventeen. Wisdom will save you also from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. She has abandoned her husband and ignored the covenant she made before God. Look at the dual description Solomon provides in verse sixteen! Wisdom rescues you from "the immoral woman" and from "the seductive words of the promiscuous woman." In the original Hebrew text, these two phrases utilize the terms zarah and nokriyah—which literally translate as the "strange woman" or the "foreign woman." In ancient Israel, this was not merely a comment on nationality; it described someone who was spiritually and morally outside the bounds of Yahweh's covenant community! She represents an alien, destructive way of life that stands in direct opposition to Lady Wisdom. Notice, however, where her primary power lies: it is in her speech! Just like the wicked man in verse twelve whose words were twisted, the immoral woman uses "seductive words." In Hebrew, her speech is described as smooth, slippery, and flattering—telling the unsuspecting youth exactly what his foolish ego wants to hear! But look at verse seventeen, where Solomon exposes her true character beneath the smooth words! "She has abandoned her husband and ignored the covenant she made before God." In the original language, her husband is called the alluph of her youth—the intimate companion, guardian, and chief friend of her early years. She didn't just walk away from a legal contract; she fractured a deep, personal partnership. Even more sobering, she "ignored the covenant she made before God." In the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview, marriage was never viewed as a mere temporary, secular arrangement. Marriage was a sacred, binding covenant sworn in the presence of Yahweh and His heavenly assembly! To break those vows is to defy the cosmic order of the Most High God. In my seventy years of life, I have watched smooth, flattering talk break up marriages that took decades to build. Seduction always promises secret intimacy, but it delivers covenant betrayal. The narrative takes a chilling, cosmic turn as Solomon pulls back the curtain to reveal the hidden destination of her house, combining the contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse eighteen, and verse nineteen. Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave. None who go to her ever return or find the paths of life. These two verses contain some of the most haunting, serious language in the entire Book of Proverbs! Solomon warns, "Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave." In the ancient Hebrew mindset, the word translated here as "the grave" or "the dead" is Rephaim—a term deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern divine-council worldview! The Rephaim were associated with the shades, the sunken spirits of the dead, and the dark, chaotic underworld of Sheol. Solomon is revealing a terrifying spiritual geography: her house is built directly on the cliff-edge of hell! Crossing her threshold is not a harmless romantic adventure; it is a downward descent into the realm of spiritual death. Look at the sobering finality expressed in verse nineteen: "None who go to her ever return or find the paths of life!" While this is poetic hyperbole—because God's grace can redeem any repentant soul—it highlights a brutal, practical reality that I have witnessed time and again over my fifty years of studying wisdom. Sexual immorality and covenant betrayal create a profound, spiritual numbness that paralyzes the conscience. Once a person crosses that boundary, sacrificing their marriage, their reputation, and their relationship with God on the altar of passing pleasure, the path back to wholeness is extraordinarily steep, painful, and rare. The house of temptation promises paradise, but its hallway leads straight into the dark chamber of the Rephaim. Wisdom stands at the door, crying out: "Do not step inside!" Having exposed the catastrophic trap of the immoral path, Solomon brings the entire second chapter of Proverbs to a triumphant, dual-sided conclusion, grouping together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse twenty, verse twenty-one, and verse twenty-two. So follow the steps of the godly, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be ripped away. Look at how Solomon synthesizes the entire chapter into one clear, decisive forks-in-the-road moment! In verse twenty, he urges, "So follow the steps of the godly, and stay on the paths of the righteous." This brings us full circle back to the central theme of Proverbs: life is a journey, a trek! You cannot walk down the path of compromise and expect to end up at the destination of peace. You must intentionally align your steps with those who fear the Lord. Then, in verse twenty-one and verse twenty-two, Solomon contrasts the ultimate destiny of the two paths using the profound imagery of "the land." He declares, "For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be ripped away!" In ancient Israelite covenant theology, "the land"—the aretz—represented the place of Yahweh's presence, protection, blessing, and inherited rest. To dwell securely in the land meant having a permanent future, a thriving family, and a lasting legacy. The godly and those with integrity—those who are tamim, wholehearted and blameless—are firmly rooted like deep oak trees that no storm can uproot! In stark contrast, look at what happens to the wicked and the treacherous: they are "removed" and "ripped away!" The Hebrew word used here implies being yanked up by the roots, like noxious, poisonous weeds purged from a garden. They thought they were building an empire through their deceit, greedy shortcuts, and immoral conquests, but in the end, they leave behind no lasting root, no honor, and no legacy. They vanish from the land like smoke. As we bring our trek through Proverbs chapter two to a close today, consider the two destinations set before you. You can follow the slippery words of the culture that lead straight to broken covenants and spiritual death, or you can cherish the wisdom of God, walk with integrity, and remain firmly established in His blessing. Choose to walk on the highway of the righteous today, honor your covenants, and build a living legacy that will stand secure for generations to come. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of, ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' As we take this Trek of...

Welcome to Day 2930 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2930 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 2:1-8 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2930 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2930 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Search for Hidden Treasure – Unlocking the Divine Shield of Knowledge In our previous episode, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Eight, we stood in the busy, crowded marketplace as Lady Wisdom raised her passionate voice in the public square. She issued a solemn, urgent warning against the deadly traps of apathy, cynicism, and moral complacency, offering instead an unshakeable promise of peace and safety to all who would stop and listen. Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty of our ongoing trek, we cross into a magnificent new ridge along our journey through the Book of Proverbs, advancing into chapter two, verses one through eight. If chapter one showed us Lady Wisdom shouting publicly to the crowds, chapter two invites us into a deep, disciplined, private quest for truth. Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences—watching men and women pursue all kinds of earthly treasures—I can tell you with absolute conviction that true wisdom is never stumbled upon by accident. It is discovered by those who search for it like a miner hunting for gold, and who guard it like a precious, irreplaceable treasure. Let us open our minds and hearts to the fatherly condition for finding wisdom, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the deeply connected, contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse one, verse two, verse three, and verse four. My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Notice the escalating, high-intensity progression of action verbs Solomon uses in these opening four verses! He begins by saying, "listen to what I say, and treasure my commands." Then he urges us to "tune your ears," "concentrate on understanding," "cry out for insight," "ask for understanding," "search for them as you would for silver," and "seek them like hidden treasures!" Look at the dynamic posture required of a wise trekker! Finding wisdom demands every single aspect of our human faculty—our ears, our minds, our voices, and our physical energy. Solomon uses two vivid Hebrew metaphors here: searching for silver and seeking hidden treasure. In the ancient world, silver was not casually picked up off the surface of the soil. Finding silver required backbreaking labor, deep underground mining, carving out tunnels in solid rock, and carefully refining the ore in hot furnaces. Over my seventy years on this earth, I have observed that most people want the benefits of wisdom without putting in the digging! They want instantaneous maturity, easy answers, and painless discernment. But divine wisdom—chokmah—does not yield its secrets to casual, lazy observers. You must tune your ear like a musician tuning an instrument; you must concentrate your mind like a scientist in a lab; you must lift up your voice and cry out in passionate prayer for insight! When you treat God's Word with the same urgency that a miner treats a vein of pure gold, your entire life begins to transform. Solomon now reveals the magnificent reward that awaits those who commit themselves to this passionate search, linking together the profound theological promises in Proverbs chapter two, verse five, and verse six. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Look at that staggering, life-changing reward! Solomon declares, "Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God." This connects us directly back to the foundational cornerstone we established in chapter one, verse seven: "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge." The ultimate prize of searching for wisdom is not merely getting smarter, acquiring worldly influence, or mastering intellectual trivia. The supreme prize is getting to know God Himself! In the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview, Yahweh is not a distant, impersonal philosophical force, nor is He like the fickle, selfish deities of the surrounding pagan nations. Yahweh is the transcendent, sovereign Creator who sits enthroned above the celestial assembly, yet He actively speaks to humanity! Look at verse six: "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding." True wisdom is a divine gift, originating directly from the "mouth" of God—His revealed Word! In ancient court culture, when a monarch spoke from his mouth, his words became official decrees that established law, justice, and order across the entire realm. When we feast upon the words that proceed from Yahweh's mouth, we are receiving the very mind of the King of kings! In my fifty years of studying wisdom, I have found that human philosophies come and go like shifting winds, but the eternal truths that flow from the mouth of God remain an unshakeable anchor for the human soul. Having revealed the divine origin of wisdom, Solomon now details how Yahweh actively protects and guards those who walk in His truth, weaving together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse seven, and verse eight. He grants a treasury of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Consider the protective, military language Solomon employs to describe God's personal care for the righteous! He states that God grants a "treasury of common sense to the honest," functions as a "shield to those who walk with integrity," "guards the paths of the just," and "protects those who are faithful to him." Look at that unique phrase: a "treasury of common sense." In the original Hebrew, the word translated as common sense or sound wisdom is tushiyyah—which refers to practical, effective, battle-tested wisdom that leads to sound success. While the world chases after complex, convoluted theories that lead to moral bankruptcy, Yahweh stores up a massive treasury of practical, down-to-earth, life-saving truth for those who walk in honesty and moral integrity! Furthermore, notice the cosmic shield He provides! In ancient warfare, a heavy shield protected a warrior from flying arrows and lethal sword thrusts. Solomon assures us that when you choose to walk with integrity, Yahweh Himself becomes your personal guardian, standing watch over your daily trek, protecting your reputation, guarding your family, and guiding your steps. As we conclude today's expedition along Proverbs chapter two, verses one through eight, let us evaluate our own spiritual search. Are you casually skimming the surface of life, or are you passionately digging into God's Word like a miner searching for hidden treasure? Remember that the Almighty King of heaven stores up a treasury of sound wisdom for you, and He stands as a protective shield around everyone who walks in integrity. Turn your ear to His voice today, cry out for understanding, and dig deep into the unsearchable riches of His truth. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of, ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly, 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, every day! Join me next time for more daily wisdom!

Welcome to Day 2928 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2928 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 1:20-33 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2928 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2928 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Cry in the Public Square – Lady Wisdom's Warning and the Promise of Unshakeable Peace On our previous episode, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Seven, we listened as a loving father and mother offered tender instruction within the quiet sanctuary of the home, warning their child against the seductive siren song of violent, greedy men who lie in wait to ambush the innocent. We saw how ill-gotten gain ultimately takes away the life of those who pursue it. Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Eight of our ongoing trek, the scene shifts dramatically! Wisdom is no longer speaking in a quiet bedroom or behind closed doors. Instead, she steps directly out onto the main stage of public life! In Proverbs chapter one, verses twenty through thirty-three, wisdom is personified as a dignified, courageous woman—Lady Wisdom—standing in the bustling marketplace, shouting at the top of her lungs. Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences—watching cultural trends rise and fall, seeing people make choices in their youth and live out the results in their older years—I can tell you that God's wisdom is never hidden in a dark, secret lodge. It is loud, public, urgent, and available to anyone who has ears to hear! Let us open our ears to Lady Wisdom's passionate proclamation, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter one, verse twenty, verse twenty-one, verse twenty-two, and verse twenty-three. Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simple-minded? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise.” Look at where Lady Wisdom takes her stand! She goes straight to the streets, the public square, the main boulevard, and the city gates! In the ancient Near East, and specifically within the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview, the city gate was not just an entrance through a wall; it was the supreme judicial court, the legislative forum, and the commercial heartbeat of the community. In biblical theology, earthly judicial gates were designed to mirror the justice dispensed in Yahweh's celestial courtroom. Lady Wisdom positions herself right where public policy is made, where business contracts are sealed, and where human life unfolds in real time. Notice the glaring contrast with the predatory gang we studied in verse ten! Those wicked men hid in dark alleys, whispering in secret, plotting covert ambushes. But divine wisdom operates in broad daylight! She has nothing to hide, no hidden agenda, and no deceitful fine print. She addresses three distinct groups of people: the "simpletons"—those who are naive, easily swayed, and uncommitted; the "mockers"—those who are cynical, arrogant, and scoff at moral boundaries; and the "fools"—those who actively hate knowledge and refuse moral instruction. Yet, notice her posture! She does not begin with an immediate condemnation; she begins with a deeply compassionate, urgent question: "How long?" And then comes that breathtaking invitation in verse twenty-three: "Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise!" In Hebrew, that phrase "share my heart" literally means I will pour out my spirit upon you! Lady Wisdom is offering an intimate, transformative outpouring of divine insight to anyone willing to stop, turn around, and listen. However, when this generous, public invitation is met with persistent apathy and arrogant defiance, the tone of the narrative undergoes a profound, terrifying shift. Let us listen to the grave warning in Proverbs chapter one, verse twenty-four, verse twenty-five, verse twenty-six, and verse twenty-seven. I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— when calamity sweeps over you like a storm, when disaster swirls around you like a whirlwind, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you. This passage contains some of the most haunting imagery in all of wisdom literature. Lady Wisdom recounts how she reached out her hand continuously, but people brushed her off, ignored her advice, and rejected her correction. Over my seventy years on this earth, and my fifty years of searching the Scriptures, I have sat across the table from folks in their forty, fifties, or sixties who brushed off wise counsel when they were young. They thought they were smarter than the rules; they thought they could gamble with their integrity, their marriages, or their finances and never face a reckoning. But Solomon warns that calamity eventually arrives—and when it comes, it doesn't just trickle in; it sweeps over life like a violent hurricane, swirling around like a devastating whirlwind! When Lady Wisdom says, "I will laugh when you are in trouble; I will mock you when disaster overtakes you," we must understand this through the lens of divine cause-and-effect. This is not cruel, malicious human spite. Rather, it represents the absolute, unyielding irony of reality! When a person spends decades ignoring gravity, jumping off spiritual cliffs, and mocking the moral law of the universe, the eventual crash is the inevitable result of their own foolish choices. Reality itself laughs at the absurdity of human arrogance when the whirlwind finally hits. The narrative deepens as Solomon outlines the catastrophic point-of-no-return, combining the contiguous thoughts in Proverbs chapter one, verse twenty-eight, verse twenty-nine, verse thirty, and verse thirty-one. When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of their living. They must choke on their own schemes. Look at the solemn justice expressed here! When disaster strikes, those who persistently mocked wisdom suddenly become desperate. They cry for help, and they search anxiously for an easy way out. But Lady Wisdom reveals a sobering truth: you cannot treat divine wisdom like a emergency fire extinguisher that you ignore your entire life and then expect to magically extinguish fifty years of deliberate rebellion in a single second! Notice verse twenty-nine, which links us right back to the master foundation we established in verse seven: "For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord." The fear of Yahweh is a conscious, deliberate choice. Because they rejected the reverent fear of the Creator, verse thirty-one delivers the ultimate verdict: "Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of their living. They must choke on their own schemes!" In Yahweh's moral cosmos, judgment is rarely an arbitrary bolt of lightning from the sky. Most often, divine judgment is simply God giving fools exactly what they insisted on having! He allows them to harvest the full, rotten crop of their own seeds. They wanted self-will, they wanted greedy shortcuts, they wanted moral independence—and in the end, they are forced to eat that bitter fruit until they choke on their own clever schemes. Finally, Solomon brings this powerful public discourse to a triumphant, dual-sided conclusion, contrasting the tragic fate of fools with the glorious promise offered to the obedient, as recorded in Proverbs chapter one, verse thirty-two, and verse thirty-three. For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. Solomon summarizes the two paths available on life's trek. On one hand, simpletons

Grant Clark continues the Proverbs series "How to Build a Life" by turning to what the book teaches about marriage. Rather than the usual texts in Genesis 2 or Ephesians 5, he draws five recurring themes out of Proverbs itself and presents them as five gauges on a dashboard, inviting listeners to check which one needs attention, whether they are married now or may be one day.He opens with recent headlines from an advice column, each one a person in a hard situation asking an expert what wisdom looks like for them:"My Wife Won't Forgive me for Cheating""I Can't Talk to My Wife About Money""My Husband Hates our Life""Do I Like Being Single Too Much to Fall In Love""Do I Work on my Marriage, or Cut my Losses?"The central text is Proverbs 31:10-31, the passage on the wife of noble character. Grant notes it is an alphabetical acrostic running the twenty two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, a literary device signaling completeness, and warns against the two common misreadings: turning it into a wife hunting checklist for men, or an impossible standard for women. It is an idealized portrait, not a job description."This passage is a rich way to end the book on a high note. While it depicts wisdom exemplified in the life of a woman, it is not a lesson only for women, but for men as well. Both men and women need to be like the 'Proverbs 31 woman'!" - Lindsay WilsonThe portrait functions as the embodiment of Lady Wisdom from Proverbs 1 to 9, set in contrast to the adulterous woman whose way leads to ruin."The 'good wife' points us to what Proverbs regards as 'the good life'." - Lindsay Wilson## 1) Become a Person of CharacterProverbs 31:10 and Proverbs 31:30 put character ahead of charm and beauty. Grant tells of asking his brother in law for advice before pursuing his wife, and being pointed to the question that mattered most: does she fear the Lord?"The Fear of the Lord is a reverential awe, that produces humble submission, to a loving God." - Skip HeitzigHe contrasts this with current cultural priorities, citing a 2025 University of Amsterdam study of dating app behavior which found physical attractiveness overwhelmingly determined who got matched, weighted roughly ten times more heavily than intelligence, personality, priorities, job, or height.## 2) Trust Your SpouseProverbs 31:10-11 can be read as the husband entrusting his heart to his wife, a vulnerability with real risk, since a spouse knows us best and has seen us at our worst. Grant passes on a practice from pastor John Tyson: take a fifteen minute window a day to share with your spouse what is happening in your inner world and to listen to what is happening in theirs.He then walks through research from the Gottman Institute on the roughly six hours a week that sustain a healthy marriage:A 2-minute meaningful goodbye in the morning.A 20-minute reunion at night processing the day and being present to one another.A hug and a six-second kiss every day.5 minutes of appreciation and affirmation every day.A 2-hour date a week.A 1-hour state of the union a week, zooming out and looking at the big picture of your life and relationships.## 3) Be LoversProverbs 5:15-20 speaks openly about sex within marriage, with no shame or awkwardness, using the imagery of the cistern, the well, and the fountain. Grant observes that in many ancient cultures marriage was primarily a familial and economic arrangement, which is part of why male unfaithfulness was often socially tolerated. Proverbs instead presents both the ecstasy and the exclusivity of sex in marriage, husband and wife belonging to one another. He is candid that for many this is a vision being built toward rather than a starting point, and offers the church's help for those for whom this gauge is a point of pain.## 4) Spouses are Close FriendsProverbs 2:16-17 uses a Hebrew word for companion that describes the closest of friends, a marked contrast to a setting where wives were often viewed as property and child bearers rather than companions. Grant then turns to how couples erode that friendship through their words, in Proverbs 25:24 and Proverbs 27:15."To nag is not to do thoughtful criticism, but to do 'drive-bys,' making brief caustic or cynical remarks that complain and question motives and character. Two telltale signs of a nagging statement is that it begins, 'You always . . .' or 'You never . . .'" - Timothy KellerThe alternative is not silence about real problems but pouring out the concern at the right time and place, working it through to completion rather than dropping barbs along the way.## 5) Marriage is Kept together by a CovenantGrant draws the contrast between a covenant and a contract, and between vows and speeches. A speech describes how the other person makes you feel. A vow is a promise: for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others. He calls forsaking all others the most radical part, a commitment made in faith without knowing what the future holds. He illustrates the alternative by reading a contractual, watered down version of the vows and letting it land."It is not your love that sustains the marriage, but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written from prison in 1943He notes that Scripture nowhere makes happiness the purpose of marriage, referencing Gary Thomas in Sacred Marriage on marriage being ordered toward holiness more than happiness, with hard seasons serving to form us into the likeness of Christ.Ephesians 5:25: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her..."Marriage is a billboard displaying the love of God, to a spouse and to the watching world. Grant closes by pointing underneath all five gauges to the covenant of grace Jesus has already made, loving us at our worst, forgiving us at enormous cost, and promising never to leave. It is hard to give what you have not received, so as the love, forgiveness, sacrifice, and unconditional commitment of Jesus go deeper, we are empowered to extend the same to a spouse. A marriage is not built in a moment but through thousands of ordinary daily decisions.Verses referenced:Proverbs 31:10-31Proverbs 31:10Proverbs 31:30Proverbs 31:10-11Proverbs 5:15-20Proverbs 2:16-17Proverbs 25:24Proverbs 27:15Ephesians 5:25

What if the key to building lasting wealth is to pour wisdom? In this episode of the #DoorGrowShow, Jason Hull reflects on timeless lessons from the Book of Proverbs and explores how wisdom shapes every aspect of business, leadership, and personal growth. Inspired by the legacy of mentor Aaron Stokes, Jason shares why entrepreneurs who focus on learning, serving others, and making wise decisions ultimately build stronger businesses and more fulfilling lives. You'll Learn [00:00] Why Jason Started Reading Proverbs [05:02] Stop Chasing Riches, Start Pursuing Wisdom [10:12] Where Real Wisdom Comes From [17:08] Why Business Is Personal Development [23:05] Humility, Service, and Lasting Success [29:18] The Power of Learning From Others [36:04] Why Entrepreneurs Need the Right Room [42:56] Turning Wisdom Into Business Growth Quotables "If you're struggling to get riches and you're seeking riches, maybe you need to shift your attention instead to seeking wisdom." Jason Hull  "The marketplace only rewards you if you provide value." Jason Hull  "One of the greatest gifts to yourself is service." Jason Hull  "We attract who we are."  Jason Hull Resources DoorGrow and Scale Mastermind DoorGrow Academy DoorGrow on YouTube DoorGrowClub DoorGrowLive Transcript Jason Hull (00:00) All right, what's up, everybody?   I'm Jason Hull, the founder and CEO of DoorGrow, the world's leading and most comprehensive coaching and consulting firm for long-term residential, third-party, single-family, small, multi-property management entrepreneurs. Enough adjectives? All right. So for over a decade and a half, we have brought innovative strategies and optimization to the property management industry.   At DoorGrow, we are on a mission to transform property management business owners and their businesses. We want to transform the industry, eliminate the BS, build awareness, change perception, expand the market, and help the best property management entrepreneurs win. Now, let's get into the show. All right, so today's episode: I've been reading the book of Proverbs. Why?   Well, one of my mentors, Aaron Stokes, who I've talked about on the podcast before, who passed recently, he was a gatherer of wisdom. And so I thought, you know what? Aaron built a really amazing coaching business. He built a really amazing empire. It lives on after him. And I I I wanted to s I was thinking what what   Really made him great. Why did people want to listen to him? Why did people resonate with his message? Why did he have such a well of wisdom to be able to give to other people? And my thought was he was focused on gathering wisdom. And this is something that I've done throughout my life: is I love learning. I love studying books, I love absorbing information, I love putting frameworks together, gathering ideas.   taking all the best ideas and formulating new stuff. I love doing that. And my clients appreciate it greatly. So I've been focused, how can I really, at the core, where is the most timeless wisdom that's been gathered over decades, centuries, maybe even longer? And one of those books is the book of Proverbs. So I've started reading the book of Proverbs and that's been interesting for me.   So one of the themes that I'm noticing a lot in this is the theme of trying to get riches. And God must be using riches as a bait if this book talks this much about riches. because he wants to obviously get a message across, would be my guess. And there's a constant theme of talking about riches in this book, even though a lot of it's really talking about wisdom. And so   I've thought I've thought about this as a business owner. We want to gather wealth. We want to make money. We want and we can tell ourselves it's to do good things, right? We want to be able to take care of our family and do all these noble things. But sometimes it's like we just want a nicer car or we want a nice house or this sort of thing. And so there's always this motivation that's hardwired into man to seek wealth or to seek riches.   And we almost have to like destroy that in some way to not have it. well, money's evil, or I don't want money, or we come up with reasons to not be the person looking for money because we think, that's kind of bad, sick, and wrong to be looking for money. I really believe God wants good people to be rich. And that's really what the the book really seems to say over and over again is that for the righteous, they   They they get riches. For the generous, they get riches. For those that gather wis wisdom, they get riches. But what's interesting that I think is important, because if you want money and you want money and I don't care why you want it, if you want money and you think it's going to do something beneficial for your life, you're not going to get money, according to Proverbs, according to this timeless wisdom that's been around a long time, probably tested quite a bit, probably proven to work well.   it's it's helped a lot of people over time gather wealth. It says not to seek riches. It says not to seek it. If you seek riches, you're going to end up in a bad situation, is basically the message. But it says it talks about wisdom as a lady, as a woman. And this lady wisdom, this this woman that is wisdom, it says in her right hand.   Is long life, and in her left hand is honor and riches, riches and honor. And these are the things that Lady Wisdom brings to you if you keep wisdom by your side. And it talks about how wisdom, this feminine energy or this woman wisdom, was with God when He was creating the world, creating everything. Wisdom was by his side.   And so wisdom has existed before this world was even created, is kind of the idea. Wisdom is timeless, is the idea. Wisdom's always been there. It's foundational. It's what drives things to work and drives outcomes. Wisdom is what works in the practical real world reality. I was hanging out with my barber and I was sharing a little bit about, you know, how I've been reading and this idea of wisdom and   And every man out there, I recommend you find a barber like this. Find a the most intelligent barber you can. I just did a reel on Instagram talking about this. find the most intelligent, healthy barber that you can find because barbers.   Have people sit in their chair constantly, especially if they're a higher-end barber.   So if you're sitting there with a barber, the barber is constantly putting people into his seat and gathering ideas, gathering wisdom, gathering knowledge. And this is men opening up, revealing their trials, their problems because he's curious. He asks questions, he genuinely cares, he wants to know how they're doing. And   You know, he might have a millionaire in his chair, like I'm sitting there giving him wisdom and knowledge. And he might have somebody just, you know, from the street that wants a haircut sitting in in his in his suite. But the lessons that he's able to gather through talking to all these various men that are having real-world experience and real world problems and real issues with their marriage and relationships and their kids.   And business and life. He is able to just gather wisdom. And he has a passion, he even mentioned to me for being able to help others and to facilitate and help men. He's in a position to be able to do so because he's seen what's working and what's not working. He's heard, gotten so much anecdotal feedback from everybody of what works and what doesn't work. And this is practical, grounded real world reality. This is wisdom.   This is what we're the foundation where you find truth. This is not the intellectuals that sit in their lofty towers of intellectualism that have all of their BS ideas that theoretics and stuff they've read where they think everything could be or should be a certain way, but it's not actually connected to reality, what actually works in real life. And a lot of these intellectuals hate capitalism. A lot of these intellectuals hate.   They hate business. They hate capitalism. They don't like that the marketplace rewards what actually works. This is also why a lot of these intellectuals are probably not in super great shape. They're probably not really taking care of themselves in certain ways because they're probably physically lazy and they're focusing so much on this intellectualism that they are not focused on what works in the real world. Real world practical reality.   I notice people that I follow like that have been around for a long time, like Alex Hermozy, he has become kind of this gatherer of wisdom because he's been so focused on business. And you become wise if you do what works in business. You cannot lie, cheat, steal, be unethical, be shady, and have longevity in your business or have long life in your business.   It will be short-lived. Death creeps in very quickly into any situation where there isn't wisdom. And so if you find that you're struggling to get riches and you're seeking riches, maybe you need to shift your attention instead to seeking wisdom. And where do you find wisdom? You find it by being around others that are doing what you want to do.   Like our mastermind is full of people that are winning and succeeding. And I've been kind of the barber with lots and lots, hundreds, thousands really, of property managers sitting in my chair, having conversations to figure out what's actually working out there. I've had a lot of guinea pigs to try stuff out.   So even more than just a barber, I'm able to say, well, here's an idea. Go try this. And then when it works, I get that feedback. Now like Jason, that was awesome. That worked. I'm adding doors. This is going well. I've got a great new hire. Whatever you told me to do, this is awesome. And so I'm constantly getting feedback from some of the best, most innovative people I think on the planet, which are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are willing to do things, they're willing to take risks, they're willing to take action, they're willing to seek freedom and fulfillment and contribution.   And support over just trying to play it safe and be safe all the time.   There are few things in life that will help you collapse time on gathering wisdom more than getting married.   having kids.   There's a lot of people that don't want to have kids nowadays.   children and marriage, two of the greatest personal development hacks you could undertake. The third, I would suggest, greatest personal development hack that you could do is to start a business. To start a business. Why?   Because if you start a business, you are now faced with the marketplace, the real world reality of everyone outside of yourself that you are trying to serve, that you are maybe trying to get money from, that you are trying to maybe extract value from. And the marketplace only rewards you if you provide value. Then there's an exchange of value. But if you're trying to take value without providing value, you're snake oil.   You know, and I've had thousands, I've made thousands of mistakes. Thousands of mistakes have built what DoorGrow is to this day. I've done so many different things wrong. I always had good intentions. I was always trying to do the right thing. But as business owners, we make mistakes. We have blind spots. We don't see certain things.   And so over the years, I've learned more and more what works. I've learned more and more what I need to do in order to shift people and to shift their identities and to get them to grow. And I want to share this idea with you today   gain and gather wisdom directly from those that you can trust as an authority to say, This is what I know works. And that could be from your barber. That could be from the handyman. That could be from the people that are doing real.   world stuff and they've built things that are working. And it certainly can be from the people that you follow on social media that you subscribe to their podcasts that you like follow on YouTube. It can certainly be the people that you curate that are actually gatherers of wisdom. And your soul knows this. Your soul knows deep down whether what they're offering is good or is true. This is the the   Gift of discernment that we all have wired within us. We all have this ability to recognize good versus evil. Some, it's more honed and developed than others. The more wisdom you have, the more you're able to see what is beneficial and is wisdom and have greater discernment and what is not. And so as you develop and grow in wisdom and gather wisdom, you also become more and more humble.   Because you also realize there's so much you don't know.   My goal is to benefit other people.   I get so much joy and fulfillment out of that. I love being able to do that. That's contribution. I have a certain degree of fulfillment and a certain degree of freedom already. That's fulfillment is the first of the four reasons, as I call it, my framework. Freedom is the second. And once you have fulfillment and freedom, usually then you want to benefit others. That's contribution. And my business gives me an amazing vehicle of contribution. It allows me to go.   Selfishly, like spend a lot of money on coaches and mentors and learning and growth, like six figures annually just on that. I'm incredibly blessed to be able to do that. Most people, that's more than what they make in a year. And I'm able to spend that to learn and absorb information and to grow. And then I have the blessing, the gift to be able to go and share what I learned with other people. I really believe that one of the greatest gifts to yourself is service.   It's being able to serve. Not everybody gets themselves into a position where they get to contribute and they get to serve other people. That's, I think, the ultimate goal because nothing feels better than that. That is better than riches. It is better than riches. Having a client, a client's spouse come up to you and say, Hey, you made my husband a better man. There's that's better than money. It just that feels amazing. Having somebody say, Hey, you changed my life.   That is better than money. And some of you may not get that yet. Maybe you're not there. But I know if you continue, if you continue to seek wisdom and you continue to try and extract money from the marketplace and figure out what works, you're eventually gonna figure out what works is to seek wisdom. You're eventually gonna figure out what works is to benefit humanity and benefit other people. You're gonna eventually figure out integrity and honesty.   And all of these good values that are talked about in scripture, these things are what actually build life, what build life and health in your business, what build money and the support for yourself and for your family. And that wisdom is what helps you be a better father, it helps you be a better partner, it helps you be a better friend, it helps you be a better business owner, it helps you be a better leader.   And so if you're struggling with money, then go gather wisdom. Humble yourself. Recognize that your your biggest breakthroughs are on the other side of that embarrassment of owning up or or raising your hand and saying, I'm struggling. I'm not doing so well right now in this area.   And sometimes even my clients, they don't reach out. They don't ask for help. I had a client that for some reason, even though he's paying me $2,000 a month, wasn't reaching out for five months at a BDM that wasn't working out. The salesperson was, it turns out later, was being dishonest and lying and whatever, but he was blaming himself as a business owner, saying, Maybe I'm not supporting him well enough. And they don't this BDM had only added one door in five months. I'm like, why did you wait that long? Like they should be adding doors immediately.   You can like I have team members, I told them I have team members that we put on accounts just making calls to get clients some leads and they just reached out and made calls and they got leads that day. Like that day. Like you can get leads every day just by picking up the phone. You can create leads. And so a BDM that only has one door in five months, there's something totally wrong.   But the I I what I want to say is   Get a get in the room with other people that care, other people that get get momentum by helping others. That's the type of people that we attract. Why? Because you attract who you are. That's who I am. And so I attract clients that are like that. And if you're attracting clients that you don't like, it's because of who you are and the business you created around who you are. And so you need to gather more wisdom. You need to shift your identity.   We attract who we are.   So, real quick, I want to share a quick word from our sponsor, and then I'll get into some other really cool ideas about wisdom. So this is from our sponsor Super. Really cool tool you can check out at hiresuper.comslash doorgrow. So ring ring, who's there?   Not property managers. Over half don't answer their phones during business hours. Hot leads calling you directly are going straight to missed calls. If you're spending time and money on growth, you need to actually capture it. This is true. That's where Super comes in. Super's AI receptionist sounds lifelike, answers 24/7, and is trained on property management. It even makes follow-up calls and two leads, follow-up calls, two leads.   You might have missed. Go to higher super.com/slash doorgrow and stop missing revenue to missed calls. All right. You don't want to be missing out on those sales, leads, or opportunities. So if you are wanting to gather more wisdom, one channel, shameless plug, is the DoorGrow Mastermind. It is the industry's best mastermind for property management that is focused.   Entirely on growing a business quickly. It's focused on growing the business and making it scalable operationally so you can continue to grow quickly without stopping focusing on growth to fix ops. And so we build the fastest growing businesses and we give you the tools, the engines to collapse time on growth so that you don't have to spend any money on digital marketing, SEO, pay-per-click, content marketing, social media marketing.   pay-per-lead services, any of this stuff in order to grow your business. We help you install growth engines that actually over time make your business grow faster and faster with less and less work. Once an it takes work to build an engine, but once an engine's built, you just put fuel in it and it keeps running and it keeps running. So if you are interested in maybe having a conversation with me or somebody on my team to see if we might be able to help.   You start really getting ahead, growing your business, using wisdom that's been gathered over 17 plus years that have been doing this. Aggressively focused on growing businesses. With a program that is month to month, no contract, because we're so confident in what we do, we are able to keep and retain clients without locking them into some sort of.   contract or agreement for a year like most vendors try to do in this industry because they know they can't get your results quickly or they you're not going to stick around in the long term. It's one or the other. Otherwise they would all do what I'm doing. It's month to month. And we keep clients for years because they get an ROI. And if I can help you just add 10 more units, maybe 20 more units if your margins are bad.   Our program's already paid for. If I can help you, if you have already 100 to 200 units, if I can help you add 10 more dollars of profitability per unit by optimizing your pricing structure or reducing your overhead or your operational costs or staffing costs, which is very easy to do, our program is basically paid for and free to you forever. And then we'll make you more and more money. You are probably spending.   Thousands of dollars a month on team members. Thousands and thousands of dollars a month on team members.   If you consider that hiring DoorGro coming into our mastermind is like getting several of the best property managers available to you, getting me and Sarah, my brilliant operational strategist wife, and myself, brilliant growth-minded entrepreneur, on your team, basically, as fractional helpers to your business.   We're basically the cheapest team member that you'll ever get that will make you the most money that you will ever get. And it's easy no brainer. And usually we can offset the cost of the program just by that first in-person session that you do with each new client, where we have you come out and we onboard clients in person. You come spend a day with Sarah and I in Austin. We can usually find you, find the money for the program so it's already paid for.   Just by helping you eliminate interruptions, eliminate some of the costs in the business, increase your pricing, increase your fee structure, maximize what you're doing there, and several other things that we do. this is this this is how we're able to help clients justify staying in our program, even though it's expensive. And if it's too expensive for you right now, we've created a program called the PM Launchpad that will help you.   To get your first 10 or 20 doors with two of our best growth engines. One's one of the hardest, but it always works. And then another one that's more of a long game that also works to help you get your first 10 or 20 units, and it's only $97 a month to get into the PM launch pad. So that can help you get your first 10 or 20 units.   By doing some hard work. If you want to collapse time and go a lot faster, make a lot more money a lot more quickly, then join our mastermind. But if you can't afford that, I want to be able to help you. We've created a program just for that. So we've also created a program for those that have money and you want to hire a salesperson, but you failed at this before. We will become your salesperson at DoorGroad. This is our program called the Door Machine. This is it, yes, it's expensive, but so is hiring a salesperson. It's basically the same thing.   Except we are your salesperson. And I actually hire, train, support, keep accountable a person in your local market. Maybe even we're considering adding because we're incentivized. The more doors we add, the more DoorGrow makes. It's like a partnership. we're also incentivized to perhaps also get sales setters to feed this BDM. whatever makes this business grow quickly. And so if we're having some success with growing your business in your market.   It's a win-win-win for all three parties, for the salesperson, for DoorGrow, and for you. And if we can make that work, we will throw all of our, all the gasoline at that fire that we can, Sarah and I, because we we all win together. So if any of this sounds interesting, reach out to us at DoorGrow. So let's go ahead and wrap this up. So if you've ever felt stuck or stagnant, you want to take your business to the next level, reach out to us at DoorGrow. We can help.   And for a free training on how to get unlimited leads for free, text the word leads to 512-648-4608. Also join our free Facebook community, just for property management business owners at doorgrowclub.com. And if you want tips, tricks, ideas to and to learn about our offers, subscribe to our newsletter by going to doorgrow.com/slash subscribe. And if you and I said our Facebook community. We actually were shifting away from Facebook. So now we have our own community.   You can download the app. DoorGrowHub is the app in the app, Apple Place, Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. check that out. And like I was saying, if you want tips, tricks, ideas, learn about our offers, subscribe to our newsletter, go to doorgrow.com slash subscribe. And if you found this even a little bit helpful, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review. We'd really appreciate it. And I just launched, this is brand new. I just launched my own Substack.   I'm King Jason Hull, H U L L King Jason Hull on every platform that exists. So that's how you can find me on Substack. I just wrote my first article, kind of attacking the PM Trends report and survey in a nice way, helping to add some value to it. There's some great stuff in it. And so go check that out by going to kingjasonhull.substack.com, I believe. And then I'm also getting more and more involved on LinkedIn. And so   Make sure to connect with me on LinkedIn. You'll find me as as King Jason Hull on LinkedIn or just search for Jason Hull and look for my shiny happy face. And until next time, everybody, remember the slowest path to growth is to do it alone. So let's grow together. Bye everyone.

Today on Christian Music Guys, we're honored to welcome Shelley Breen from the legendary trio Point of Grace—one of the most influential groups in the history of Christian music. For more than three decades, Point of Grace has inspired audiences around the world with soaring harmonies, 27 #1 singles, over 8 million albums sold, and timeless songs like “Circle of Friends,” “Keep the Candle Burning,” and “Jesus Will Still Be There.” Now, after 14 years, they're back with brand-new music as they release their highly anticipated new album, Lady Wisdom, available now. We're excited to talk with Shelley about the journey behind this new project, the legacy of Point of Grace, and what God is doing in this exciting new season.@pointofgracemusicchristianmusicguys.com@christianmusicguys

Teaching from Proverbs 1:20-33, by Dr. Zach Kilpatrick

Contemporary Christian vocal group Point of Grace, Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappellino, discuss their new album, Lady Wisdom, inspired by the Book of Proverbs. Drawing from motherhood, grief, and life experience, they describe the writing process and collaborating with new artists like Katy Nichole. They also preview their upcoming cookbook, Food and Family, and Shelley (the group's designated chef) shares some foolproof, easy recipes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Proverbs 9:1-18 June 14, 2026 PM.Proverbs 9 uses the imagery of two banquets, one prepared by Lady Wisdom and the other Lady Folly. Both hosts prepare a meal and call out to the young naive to come and enjoy their delicacies. The choice is a matter of life or death. This chapter concludes the first major section of Proverbs, where Solomon is beckoning us to choose wisdom and forsake the path of folly.

In our passage last week, Solomon urged us to hear his instruction. He opened his heart and his voice to us, calling us to pay attention to what he has to say. In this passage he takes a different approach. He portrays wisdom as a lady, to be desired and to be listened to. That's really the main point of this passage. Lady Wisdom is speaking to us, and we must listen.

Proverbs 8:12-36 June 7, 2026 PM.Lady Wisdom offers her resume in chapter eight, detailing her moral qualities and invaluable benefits. She delineates her origin before creation and presence when God created, by wisdom, the heavens and the earth to demonstrate her knowledge of God's morally ordered world. Having recited her credentials, she makes her final appeal for her children to listen to receive blessing and favor from the LORD.

Tuesday June 9, 2026II Week After PentecostIn today's episode, Proverbs 9 brings the opening section of Proverbs to a powerful conclusion by presenting two competing invitations: the call of Wisdom and the call of Folly.Lady Wisdom calls out with truth, offering understanding, maturity, and life.In contrast, Lady Folly is loud, seductive, and deceptive. She promises excitement and secret pleasures, but she hides the fact that her path leads to destruction.The chapter reminds us that life is shaped by the invitations we accept. Every day we are presented with choices that either draw us closer to God's wisdom or lure us toward foolishness. The difference often comes down to humility—the willingness to receive correction, seek understanding, and submit our lives to God's truth.

Pastor Chris Winans begins a new series on Proverbs called “Wisdom's Warnings”. This week he discusses Proverbs chapter 9, verses 1-18; comparing and contrasting Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. Which house would you rather spend time in?Did you know you can read one chapter of Proverbs a day? There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, so it's as simple as reading the chapter that the date is on. For example today is June 7, read Proverbs chapter 7. www.cornerstonebrighton.com

In this sermon, Brother Henry Vosburgh examines Proverbs 8 to explore the personification of Lady Wisdom, emphasizing that true wisdom is an objective, timeless, and divine standard rather than a subjective personal preference. He challenges listeners to make the pursuit of this biblical wisdom the fundamental guide for all their life choices to avoid the pitfalls of folly and sin.#BiblicalWisdom #Proverbs8 #ChristianLiving #GodsTruth

Proverbs 8:1-11 May 27, 2026 PM.Proverbs 8 personifies the wisdom of God as a woman. Lady Wisdom stands in contrasting parallelism to Lady Folly or the Adulterous woman. Whereas Lady Folly deceives with her lips and her reward is death, the words of Lady Wisdom are truthful and upright and offer life. Lady wisdom beckons the naive and inexperienced person to listen, because her rewards exceed the profits of monetary wealth.

Welcome back to the No Grey Areas Podcast! Our host, Pat McCalla, sits down with his lifelong friend, Elaine Jenkins (also known as “Lady Wisdom”), for one of the most raw conversations about a topic we all have faced or will face throughout life: grief. Reading from her personal journal and sharing the multiple shocking tragedies she's experienced throughout her life, Elaine opens up about what grief really looks like behind closed doors and how it affects every person differently.Elaine opens up about what she has walked through, a list of what NOT to say to someone walking through loss, and why “silence is holy.” We also talk about the pressure society places on people to “move on,” the urge to want to run away, and how faith, scripture, and God's presence carried Elaine through her darkest moments. At the end of the day, this episode is a reminder that while grief may change you forever, there can still be peace, purpose, and hope found in the middle of it.CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Intro00:01:49 The most traumatic accident of my life00:04:29 How grief changes you as a person00:08:22 Healing from Grief vs Guilt00:14:10 A sudden turn of events00:22:24 You'll never be the same after grief00:26:21 How grief changes you in a positive way00:29:04 Grief is exhausting00:30:37 What NOT to say to someone who is grieving00:31:56 Your presence is enough00:38:05 What you should say to someone who is grieving00:39:27 Where are you, God?00:45:52 I believe, but help my unbelief00:47:30 I'll feel alone forever...00:49:44 How to help someone going through grief00:52:13 Always remember them00:55:57 What happens next after losing a loved one?00:58:20 Lady Wisdom's Greatest Advice01:01:24 Two Truths and a Lie01:02:56 OutroWEBSITE: https://www.nogreyareaspodcast.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nogreyareas_gagliano/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/NoGreyAreasTIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@nogreyareasgaglianoEMAIL: info@nogreyareas.comNo Grey Areas is a motivational podcast with captivating guests centered around how our choices humanize, empower, and define who we become. This podcast is inspired by the cautionary tale, No Grey Areas, written by Joseph Gagliano. Learn more about the truth behind his story involved with sports' biggest scandal at https://www.nogreyareas.com/

Proverbs 9 presents a powerful contrast between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly, illustrating that biblical wisdom is ultimately a matter of life and death, leading to flourishing or floundering. Through vivid metaphors, the passage portrays wisdom as a well-constructed, industrious, and inviting feast offered to the inexperienced and teachable, rooted in the fear of the Lord and the pursuit of God's truth, while folly is depicted as a seductive, thoughtless, and destructive path that promises instant gratification but leads to eternal death. The sermon emphasizes that true wisdom is not abstract philosophy but the practical skill of living in alignment with God's design, requiring faith, discipline, and consistent engagement with Scripture and the church community, and warns that rejecting wisdom—whether through unbelief or complacency—results in spiritual ruin, while embracing it leads to a life of purpose, integrity, and eternal hope through Christ, who embodies perfect wisdom and offers salvation to all who turn from folly.

Their melodies and rich harmonies have helped define the sound of contemporary Christian music for more than three decades. It's the return of Shelley, Denise, and Leigh—you know them as Point of Grace. Their new album is titled Lady Wisdom because they want to point people to the best guidance and counsel possible—the wisdom found in God's Word. Don't miss the music and conversation with Point of Grace on Chris Fabry Live. Featured resource:Lady Wisdom CD by Point of Grace May thank you gift:Powerful Self-Talk from the Psalms by Jon Gauger Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.Become a Back Fence Partner: https://moodyradio.org/donateto/chrisfabrylive/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into the wisdom literature of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, exploring the contrast between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly and what it means to live with discernment in a complicated world. From stories about parenting and boundaries to the reminder that life is fleeting and God is faithful, this conversation is both practical and hopeful. Pull up a chair and come hang out on the porch with us!

This episode is the first Heart Convictions Bible study. Nina offers a new perspective to studying the Bible and slowing down when you do so. Let's read from Proverbs 1 because Lady Wisdom is calling in the streets!

What does Lady Wisdom say to us and will we listen?

Explore the power of the Divine Feminine and the authority of compassion in this Reiki session. Learn how to align your divine, head, heart, gut, and earth minds to navigate the electric energy of Uranus in Gemini and anchor a frequency of lasting peace. Key Insights Compassion has Authority: True compassion is not passive; it carries a specific level of authority that includes balance, boundaries, and the strength to remain centered within your own energy field. The Art of Receiving: Reiki energy helps us consciously practice the Divine Feminine skill of receiving. The Five Minds Alignment: Using the mental-emotional symbol (SHK) brings the divine, head, heart, gut, and earth minds into coherence. This alignment helps you filter out collective mental noise and hear your own inner sovereignty. Uranus in Gemini Stability: As Uranus moves into Gemini, the "electric" mental load can feel like anxiety. Reiki serves as a frequency filter, helping you stay grounded in your body during rapid global and technological shifts. People Also Ask  What is the role of Lady Wisdom in Reiki? Lady Wisdom, also known as Sophia, Holy Wisdom and many other names, represents the feminine aspect of creation and the Divine Mother of Truth. In Reiki practice, this energy helps us apply higher spiritual insights to practical daily life through intuition, logic, and problem-solving. How do I manage mental overload during major astrological shifts? When energy feels "electric" or scattered, use Reiki to entrain your body to a higher frequency of peace. Aligning your "Five Minds" allows you to discern which thoughts are yours and which belong to the collective. How can Reiki be used as a tool for peace activism? Holding a frequency of coherence and peace is a powerful form of activism. By using the distance symbol (HSZSN) as a bridge of light, we can connect heart-to-heart with the world to invite stability and compassion into global challenges. Connect with Robyn and Colleen Website: https://reikilifestyle.com Podcast: https://reikilifestyle.com/podcast/ Community: Join our next Distance Reiki Share: https://reikilifestyle.com/reiki-share/ **DISCLAIMER** This episode is not a substitute for seeking professional medical care but is offered for relaxation and stress reduction, which support the body's natural healing capabilities. Reiki is a complement to and never a replacement for professional medical care. Colleen and Robyn are not licensed professional health care providers and urge you to always seek out the appropriate physical and mental help professional health care providers may offer. Results vary by individual.  

Step into your sovereignty and align your human mind with divine wisdom. This guided Reiki journey helps you anchor your 2026 visions by connecting to the Tree of Life and the frequency of compassion to navigate the Great Shift. Key Insights The Five Minds Alignment: True manifestation requires more than just logic; it involves the synchronization of your divine, heart, gut, logical, and earth minds to hear your soul's truth. Sovereignty as Authority: By waking up your inner authority and sovereignty, you move from seeking external validation to trusting the divine knowledge held within your own cells. The Tree of Life Stability: Amidst the global shifts and "wobble" of 2026, the Tree of Life serves as a foundational tool to keep your roots deep in the earth while your branches reach for celestial guidance. People Also Ask (FAQ) How can I hear my own inner answers? Through the practice of listening with your "heart mind" and "gut mind" while in a Reiki-activated state, you let go of the noise of the external world to access your own sovereignty and discernment. What is the importance of "Lady Wisdom" in manifestation? Wisdom is the consciousness of all creation; by aligning with this frequency, you move past imagination into actual form and practical action. How do I stay balanced during planetary changes? By centering yourself within your "heart light" and grounding through Tree of Life imagery, you maintain stability even when collective energies feel uncertain. Connect with Robyn and Colleen Website: https://reikilifestyle.com Podcast: https://reikilifestyle.com/podcast/ Community: Join our next Distance Reiki Share: https://reikilifestyle.com/reiki-share/ **DISCLAIMER** This episode is not a substitute for seeking professional medical care but is offered for relaxation and stress reduction, which support the body's natural healing capabilities. Reiki is a complement to and never a replacement for professional medical care. Colleen and Robyn are not licensed professional health care providers and urge you to always seek out the appropriate physical and mental help professional health care providers may offer. Results vary by individual.  

This Spring, Tasha has been walking the women of Prestonwood through the book of Proverbs. In this episode we share teaching from one of the most famous passages in all of Scripture: Proverbs 31. Check out the full 9-session study at prestonwoodwomen.org

Text: Proverbs 9 Hosts: Tim DeFor Vicki Hitzges Nathan Norman Narrator: Brian French   The CrossTalk Podcast is a production of CrossTalk Global, equipping biblical communicators, so every culture hears God's voice. To find out more, or to support the work of this ministry please visit www.crosstalkglobal.org Donate Produced by Nathan James Norman/Untold Podcast Production © 2026 CrossTalk Global    

We conclude our discussion of the introductory chapters of proverbs by looking at the call of wisdom and the call of folly from Proverbs 9.

This episode continues to explore the compelling connections between Heavenly Mother, the Holy Spirit, and scriptural symbols within the context of LDS theology. Victor and Sherri Worth share scholarly insights on ancient symbols, scripture, and the evolving understanding of the Holy Spirit as a divine personage, potentially embodying Heavenly Mother. In this conversation, they dive more into restoration scripture and modern prophetic revelation. They share deep and personal testimony of the Divine Mother. See www.motherinheaven.com for Sherri and Victor's work.www.patreon.com/InHerImagePodcast

Jesus demonstrated his desire to heal, but he also needed to declare who he was. Raising the dead was a good start!

In this episode, we explore the anciently known figure of Heavenly Mother, her significance in scripture, and the historical context surrounding her representation in early Christianity. The discussion delves into the role of Wisdom as the Holy Spirit, the impact of apostasy on the understanding of the divine feminine, and how restoration scriptures shed light on these themes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing Heavenly Mother in modern spirituality and the unique perspective of Latter-day Saints on gender and divinity.Visit https://www.motherinheaven.com/ to find Sherri and Victor's book, Heavenly Mother: An Initial Compendium of Echoes and Evidences, watch the video series "Heavenly Mother through the Ages", and learn more about their work.

Pastor Corey introduces a new sermon series titled 'Beloved', and the exploration of the wisdom literature, particularly the book of Proverbs. He emphasizes the role of Lady Wisdom, the significance of discipline and correction, and the necessity of understanding one's identity in relation to God. The conversation culminates in a call to action for the community to read the book of Proverbs for themselves now having an understanding of it's context and reason

Summary In this conversation, Jace & Lexie delve into the themes of wisdom as presented in Proverbs chapters 8 and 9. They explore the nature of wisdom, contrasting Lady Wisdom with Lady Folly, and discuss the importance of making wise choices in life. The conversation emphasizes the call to embrace wisdom as a guiding principle for living a fulfilling life, while also acknowledging the temptations of folly. The hosts reflect on the biblical understanding of wisdom, its eternal nature, and its role in the creation of the world. They conclude with a powerful invitation to choose the path of wisdom and life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Proverbs Study 00:58 Reflections on Wisdom and Truth 03:18 The Call of Wisdom 05:37 Contrasting Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly 09:41 The Path of Wisdom vs. Folly 12:55 Understanding Wisdom's Nature 17:18 Lady Wisdom's Authority 20:16 The Simple and the Wise 22:49 The Invitation to Wisdom 29:39 Two Houses, Two Futures 37:31 The Call to Repentance and Life

In This Episode: The purpose and methodology behind our Bible study approach in Proverbs The significance of Proverbs 1-7 and the contrast between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly How imagination and metaphor deepen our understanding of wisdom The spiritual and practical implications of adultery as a metaphor for sin Recognizing the signs of Lady Folly's seductive speech and influence Counting the cost of wisdom versus folly—long-term vs. short-term rewards How Jesus embodies wisdom and extends the invitation to follow Him Practical steps to bind God's Word around your neck and heart Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and overview of Proverbs study approach 02:24 - The purpose of verse-by-verse Bible study in Proverbs 06:15 - Why the contrast between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly is crucial 08:43 - Wisdom literature in the Sermon on the Mount 12:10 - The repetitive nature and depth of Proverbs' metaphorical language 16:55 - The spiritual danger of Lady Folly and her seductive speech 21:21 - The metaphor of adultery and its broader spiritual implications 26:33 - How Lady Folly's secrecy symbolizes hidden sin 30:26 - The invitation from Jesus: Come, drink, and follow me 35:29 - Counting the cost of folly: The way of death 39:05 - The importance of meditating on God's Word daily 41:03 - Recognizing condemnation versus conviction in Scripture 42:00 - Repentance and the grace available through Christ

A Hymn to Lady WisdomProverbs: Living Life God's WayProverbs 31:10-31Billy PoeWestside Chapel | December 28, 2025

12/14/2025 Rev. Paul Bang   Proverbs 31:10-31   English Standard Version     The Woman Who Fears the Lord 10 [a] An excellent wife who can find?     She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,     and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm,     all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax,     and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the ships of the merchant;     she brings her food from afar. 15 She rises while it is yet night     and provides food for her household     and portions for her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it;     with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17 She dresses herself[b] with strength     and makes her arms strong. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.     Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She puts her hands to the distaff,     and her hands hold the spindle. 20 She opens her hand to the poor     and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,     for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[c] 22 She makes bed coverings for herself;     her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates     when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them;     she delivers sashes to the merchant. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,     and she laughs at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,     and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household     and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;     her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently,     but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,     but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,     and let her works praise her in the gates.

In today's episode, we're diving into one of the most important—and most overlooked—topics in the Christian life: wisdom. As I work through The Way of Wisdom study with Jen Wilkin and others, I've been challenged to remain a steady source of godly counsel. So what exactly is wisdom? How do we discern between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly? And what does it look like to actually walk in wisdom every day? Join me as we unpack: What the Bible says wisdom is The similarities and stark differences between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly Practical ways to pursue wisdom and reject folly If you want to grow in discernment and learn to hear the voice of wisdom more clearly, this episode is for you. Join the 75 HMS Challenge: shandafulbright.com/challenge Sign your student up for Summit: Summit.org/Shanda Find Shanda www.shandafulbright.com Instagram & Facebook: @shandafulbright Email: hello@shandafulbright.com Free Resources: https://shandafulbright.com/links YouTube: http://bit.ly/ShandaYT2021 Store: www.Shandafulbright.com/shop  

Proverbs 1–9 ends with a showdown. Two voices. Two houses. Two feasts. Two futures. Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly stand before us—one offering life, the other offering death. One builds. One destroys. And every single one of us is already answering one of them.This final passage, Proverbs 9:10–18, is the crossroads of the entire prologue. Solomon stops his son—and us—and says: You cannot eat at both tables. You must choose whom you will fear, whom you will follow, and where you will feast.This sermon will walk through the blessings of Wisdom, the seduction of Folly, the bondage of our sinful will, and the boundless love of the Redeemer who rescues fools and seats them at His table. If you've ever wondered why wisdom feels hard, why sin feels easy, and why only Christ can break the chains—this is the message you need.

Sleep better and Stress Less— with Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. We hope this biblical sleep meditation, narrated by Bonnie Curry, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Be lulled to sleep with the poetic descriptions and themes of love and hope throughout this biblically inspired tale. May you be encouraged by this story of wisdom, folly, and grace. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for better sleep is right here: https://abide.com/peaceDiscover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us

Robert Bishop (Lead Pastor) | The Way of Wisdom, Ep. 11 | Nov 16, 2025

This episode of the Ask Us Anything podcast explores several deep theological questions tied to the current Proverbs sermon series. Pastor Derek begins by unpacking the personification of wisdom in Proverbs, showing how Lady Wisdom ultimately points to Christ, the divine personification of wisdom. He then addresses the nature of joy, reminding listeners that God's gifts are to be received with gratitude, not avoided out of fear of idolatry—citing C.S. Lewis's “Meditation in a Tool Shed” and 1 Timothy 4. Next, he clarifies the personhood and role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity, warning against reducing Him to a mere “manifestation” of the Father's will and cautioning against modalism. Finally, he explains why Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law, emphasizing Paul's teaching in Galatians that the law was never a ladder to righteousness but a guide leading us to Christ and justification by faith alone. #ProverbsWisdom #ChristianPodcast #AskUsAnything #JesusIsWisdom #HolySpiritTeaching #JoyAndGratitude #SevenDeadlySins #FaithOverLaw #GraceNotWorks #BiblicalTeaching #SinnerGraceChurch #Galatians3 #CSPodcast #BibleStudy

Preached at RiverSide Church, Princeton, NCWhat if the very thing you're ignoring could be the difference between life and death? In this powerful sermon from Proverbs 1:20-33, we encounter Lady Wisdom standing at the crossroads of culture—in the streets, the marketplace, the gates of our cities—crying out with an urgent message that demands our attention.This isn't a gentle whisper or polite suggestion. Wisdom is screaming in the most unlady-like fashion, refusing to be relegated to the sidelines of our lives. Too many people treat Jesus like a garnish on their plate, a bumper sticker on their dumpster fire, or a bandaid on a gaping wound. But nobody cries out, "Give me parsley or else I die!"WISDOM IS DEMANDING - She doesn't ask for your leftover attention; she demands to be heard above everything else. Standing where people actually are—not in seclusion but in the noisy streets of business, government, education, and the arts—Wisdom refuses to be ignored.WISDOM IS DANGEROUS - But dangerous in two ways. Like fire that refines gold, burning away everything impure while leaving what's precious untouched. Our God is a consuming fire, and His Word is like a hammer that breaks rock in pieces. Yet our own folly is dangerous like poison—the deceitful heart, the careless words, the complacent attitude that destroys from within.WISDOM IS OUR ONLY DELIVERANCE - For the simple ones (the uncommitted), the scoffers (the arrogant mockers), and the fools (the stubborn and excuse-filled)—there's a haunting question: "How long?" How many sermons? How many years? How much must you lose before you turn? But here's the hope: there's a triple grip on God's people—sealed by the Spirit, gripped by the Son, held by the Father. No one can snatch you away.This message confronts our tendency toward spiritual complacency with the sobering reality that one day, when calamity strikes, those who refused Wisdom will call out—but it will be too late. Yet for those who listen now, who turn at her reproof, there is safety, security, and rest.The choice is stark: Will you say to God, "Thy will be done," or will God say to you, "Thy will be done"?Listen as we explore what it means to stop treating Jesus as an accessory and start embracing Him as the Holy fire who refines, the living Word who transforms, and the only true safety in a world rushing toward disaster.Based on Proverbs 1:20-33 | RiverSide Church, Princeton, NC

Who are you listening to? In this message, we meet Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly in Proverbs and discover how the voices we follow shape our path toward life—or away from it.

Message from Mike Seaver on October 12, 2025

Derek Brover (Family Ministries Pastor | The Way of Wisdom, Ep. 3 | Sept 21, 2025

Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly call us to join them in relationship, to walk on their path. The stakes are high and the outcomes are different, but both beckon us. Whom will you choose?

In Proverbs 9, Lady Wisdom builds her house, spreads her table, and calls the simple to come and live. Like the hobbits ensnared by Old Man Willow, we are helpless in folly's grip—until Christ, the true Wisdom of God, strides into our darkness, frees us from the roots of sin, and welcomes us into His house, the church, to feast at His table. This sermon invites us to leave the gutters of sin for the palace of wisdom, to trade vinegar for wine, scraps for the Bread of Life, and to live in the abundance of Christ.

Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”In a world that chases wealth as the ultimate goal, Scripture calls us to something better—wisdom. Because without godly wisdom, even abundance can lead us astray. Today, Jim Newheiser joins us to explore why wisdom, not money, is the true measure of success in God's economy. Dr. James (Jim) Newheiser, Jr., is the Director of the Christian Counseling Program and Professor of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Theology at RTS Charlotte. He is also the author of several books on the subject of counseling, as well as Money: Seeking God's Wisdom (31-Day Devotionals for Life).Investing in What SatisfiesIsaiah 55:2 details an account where the Lord asks, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” It's a poignant reminder that many of us chase things that leave us empty. How we spend our time and money reflects what we value. Yet so often, those values are shaped by a world that overpromises and underdelivers.Instead of finding fulfillment in wealth, ultimate satisfaction comes from our relationship with God and the good gifts He provides. Time spent in Scripture, prayer, and worship is far more nourishing than any financial gain. Even the principle of rest in Scripture is God's reminder that we don't need to fill every waking moment with striving.Wisdom or Wealth? A Tale of Two WomenThe book of Proverbs is interesting because in this compilation in Scripture, wisdom is personified as a noble woman worth pursuing, while folly appears as a seductive but destructive adulteress. Proverbs sets up a contrast because Lady Wisdom is like the soul's true bride. She brings joy and delight. But Madame Folly, who represents false promises like the pursuit of money for its own sake, is spiritual adultery, and she leads to misery.The point is clear: what we pursue will shape us. Chase wisdom, and you'll find joy and lasting purpose. Chase wealth, and you may find yourself grasping at the wind.Applying Wisdom in Daily LifeHow do we actually live out this pursuit of wisdom over wealth? For someone who's not used to reading Scripture regularly, it can start with just two pages a day or with a chapter of Proverbs a day. Ask God to speak to you through it.God has promised something far better than material wealth—His presence, His wisdom, and His joy.There's such a huge connection between our hearts and our money, and God is ultimately after our hearts.If you're ready to go deeper in your walk with God by rethinking your financial life through the lens of biblical wisdom, Wisdom Over Wealth is a great place to start. This new 12-lesson study from FaithFi, based on Ecclesiastes, unpacks how true joy isn't found in accumulation but in reverence, surrender, and trust.You can receive a copy of Wisdom Over Wealth when you become a FaithFi Partner. Your monthly gift of $35, or annual gift of $400, helps us continue to share biblical financial wisdom across the globe. Visit FaithFi.com/give to partner with us today.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have a TIAA retirement account from my husband's time as an adjunct professor at a local community college. It's a small amount. As I'm 76, I'm required to set aside a certain amount each year. I would like to give this to my son now so that those amounts can stay in the account and start accruing interest. Can I do that?We have a credit card balance of $15,000 with an interest rate of 11%. We try to pay $2,000 a month, but the balance keeps increasing. Part of the reason is that our 29-year-old daughter, who lives and works in London, has a card on our account. We initially gave her the card for emergencies and plane tickets home, but she's using it for other expenses, such as occasional Ubers and travel. We really want to pay off this card, but we can't make any progress. What can we do?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Money: Seeking God's Wisdom (31-Day Devotionals for Life) by Dr. Jim NewheiserSelectQuoteNational Christian Foundation (NCF)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

What do you do when you don't know what to do? Angela Williams Gorrell joins Mark Labberton to discuss her latest book, Braving Difficult Decisions. With poignant storytelling and theological depth, Gorrell shares how this book was born out of personal crucibles and a yearning to make sense of liminal, paralyzing spaces we all encounter—individually and communally. Together they explore how discernment is not just about decision-making but also about cultivating a life of wisdom, attentiveness, and spiritual depth. Rooted in Christian tradition yet capacious across communities and contexts, Gorrell invites listeners to slow down, ask deeper questions, and consider the spiritual, emotional, and communal terrain that shapes every meaningful decision. Episode Highlights “To not make a decision is to make one as well.” “This journey is about an inward journey that says, how do I look at the state of my own soul?” “Sometimes good decisions don't feel good.” “What if the best idea isn't the good idea? And what if the data can't tell us that?” “Lady Wisdom invites us to dine—to sit at a table with God and others, and not rush the meal.” Helpful Links and Resources Braving Difficult Decisions, by Angela Williams Gorrell The Gravity of Joy, by Angela Williams Gorrell Life Worth Living course at Yale www.angelagorrell.com @angelagorrell on Instagram Show Notes The “liminal space” of facing a difficult decision, arriving at a crossroads Defining discernment as “a practice, not a single moment of choice” The book stems from her decision to leave a tenured-track faculty position, and a painful personal choice about marriage Perpetua and Felicity—early Christian martyrs Individual discernment and soul work Life Worth Living at Yale “Can I be suffering and my life still be good?” The deeply heartbreaking experience of grappling with the question of divorce “I really struggled to find a book that was like, you can be deeply Christian, deeply spiritual, and make this very difficult choice.” “You have to put them in your own heart and soul. You have to grapple with these ideas, and then you write them.” Should we avoid difficult decisions? Discerning, then acting “To not make a decision is to make one as well.” “I wanted to write a book that spoke to that liminal space where we feel paralyzed.” “Good decisions don't always feel good—they might still break your heart” Discusses difference between chronic pain and acute pain in decision-making Discernment helps identify not just what is “right,” but what leads toward peace Michaela O'Donnell and chronic pain Discernment is about “looking at the state of your own soul and becoming a steward of it” “This story that God is nurturing in the world—that story doesn't hinge on like this decision in your life.” Self-examination, and feeling alone in the decision Community-based decision-making “There are all these false binaries.” “What baggage do you have from the past? And how do you make sure that you're not seeing the present moment through the past?” Being as gracious as possible “ What is a way that we can create space to really hear from God?—to hear from each other, and to move forward in a way that we're doing change together and not to each other.” “They need to figure out something together that matters deeply.” The book offers a pathway for congregations and organizations discerning together “How do we do change with people?” Encourages communities to take time, name past wounds, and define who makes decisions Identifies the importance of setting clear expectations, timelines, and spiritual framing “Listening to everyone takes time, but it leads to deeper collective ownership.” Invites communities to ask: What values do we want to embody in this moment? “Sometimes the most valuable part of the process is the slowness.” Wisdom, complexity, and culture Decision-making in our polarized society must account for nuance, empathy, and complexity “What if the data tells us one thing, but the Spirit tells us something else?” Resist “data-driven” decisions as totalizing; discernment includes emotion, history, and spirituality. “Sometimes good decisions don't feel good, you know? Sometimes a life worth living is not about pursuing happiness.” “Lady Wisdom invites us to come and to dine at her house and to sit at a table together.” Names systemic fatigue: “Organizations optimize while their people starve.” Decision-making is affected by race, gender, trauma, context—“there is no one-size-fits-all path” Discernment as a practice, not a moment Braving Difficult Decisions includes exercises and frameworks, such as the “iceberg model” “Most big questions are like an iceberg. There's all this ice beneath the surface that you don't see. That's really the stuff that people are grappling with.” Encourages ongoing wisdom practices: surrender, self-reflection, value-alignment The book is not just a guide for one hard moment, but a long-term companion Ideal for pastors, therapists, educators, spiritual directors, and leaders About Angela Williams Gorrell Rev. Dr. Angela Williams Gorrell is an author, speaker, and consultant. Gorrell speaks and writes about finding the life worth living, joy, meaning, and purpose, and the intersection of spiritual and mental health. She is the author of Always On, The Gravity of Joy, and Braving Difficult Decisions: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do. Angela's research has been highlighted in media sources such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and NPR. Gorrell has taught at several schools including Yale University and Baylor University. She has provided thought leadership and consulting for numerous organizations including the US Army and the NBA. You can find her at her website www.angelagorrell.com or on instagram @angelagorrell. Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.