Blast From the Past
Hi,
It’s time for Jack to get his mentoring lessons for this week. It is encapsulated in today’s Letter to Jack where his Mentor, Leke Alder has gone back in time to dig up an ancient letter written by a very successful man to his son.
This letter will bless you. Read on…
1. Dear Jack, I've written you so many letters now. Probably forty in number, maybe more. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
2. But today's letter is slightly different. It's a letter within a letter, like those Russian matryoshka nesting dolls. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
3. Many years ago I came across a letter in a book. It's an ancient letter written in ancient text. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
4. The version I saw was a 17th century translation. The letter itself dates back to 930BC or thereabout. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
5. The ancient historian Flavius Josephus wrote about the letter, and the writer – a very successful man apparently. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
6. He actually wrote the letter to his son. I have smartly sent a copy to my son. He's about your age. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
7. Every man ought to read this letter. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
8. Only last week I picked up the book once more and the letter leapt at me from its pages. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
9. It grabbed hold of my conscience and imagination, incubating in me a strange sense of responsibility. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
10. I had this strange feeling, this inexplicable pertinacious nudge to share it with you. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
11. Now I know enough about life to know the import of such a persevering nudge. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
12. It's why I've decided to share it with you as a letter within a letter, though I was a bit worried about the language. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
13. Fortunately I did a bit of research and found a modern translation by a gentleman named Eugene Peterson. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
14. I've further adapted his translation for you, editing out some parts. Please enjoy! #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
15. "Dear Jack, don’t forget all I’ve taught you. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
16. Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
17. Earn a reputation for truthful living in God’s eyes and in the eyes of the people. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
18. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
19. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
20. Don’t assume that you know it all. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
21. Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
22. But don’t resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
23. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
24. You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
25. She’s worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
26. Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
27. With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
28. Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete. Hold her tight—and be blessed! #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
29. Guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
30. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
31. Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
32. Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time” or “Try me tomorrow” when the money’s right there in your pocket. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
33. Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
34. Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
35. Don’t try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully? #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
36. “Why not?” you ask. Because God can’t stand twisted souls. It’s the straightforward who get his respect. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
37. He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you’re down on your luck, he’s right there to help. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
38. Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize." #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
39. Well, that's it! That's the letter. Take time to meditate on it. Read it over and over again. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
40. It's a good philosophy of life. There are many dangerous philosophies out there.
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
41. Most are unproven. Many will lead you astray. And some come from a very dark place – the doctrines of demons. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
42. Youth by nature is prone to mistakes. It is wisdom to temper your tendencies. Love wisdom. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
43. You must modulate your life and limit your exposure to foolishness. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
44. Well, that's all I have to say this week. God willing I'll write you next week. #Letr2Jack
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
45. And thanks for those compliments. Much appreciated. Your mentor, LA. #Letr2Jack ©Leke Alder
— Leke Alder (@LekeAlder) September 7, 2013
Get Wisdom! It is the most important thing.
