[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” content_font=”Abel|700|||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#000000″ background_image=”https:\/\/revolutionofman.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Screen-Shot-2022-03-16-at-9.55.23-PM.png” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”on” custom_padding=”215px||215px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Cultivating Wisdom and developing greater Cultural Intelligence will help you understand the time and place you live, along with the people who inhabit the world with you.[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f9f9f9″ width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|phone” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”|||||false” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”24px||41px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|true” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|tablet” saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” max_width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|10px||auto||” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”|0px|21px|0px|false|true” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Abel|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ width=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|phone” max_width=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_margin=”||25px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
SUBSCRIBE to BLOG<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n You are called to a Savior, a Kingdom, and a moment. What are you going to do in this moment?<\/p>\n For such a moment, you must lead. And lead you must. Nowhere in the Bible is cowardice or apathy rewarded. In fact, cowardice is punished (Numbers 14). Moral courage is always rewarded and blessed. Standing up for righteousness is an act of obedience.<\/p>\n We must recover and embrace God’s definition of ‘leadership.’<\/p>\n %22Biblically, leadership is not someone at the top or someone out front. (A leader) is a person who takes the initiative and takes responsibility for either the opportunity or the crisis right in front of them…. That is what we must recover.%22 Trying times call for tough leaders.<\/strong> In God’s providence, you and I were put in this moment in time and this place to live for Him. For God’s sake lead! Whether it is your family, your community, your workplace, or your church, you are called to take initiative and responsibility for the opportunity or crisis you are facing right now. If God placed the crisis or opportunity in front of you, don’t be fearful – Be faithful!<\/p>\n %22It is going to take an enormous amount of biblical commitment, theological clarity, and individual and congregational courage to stand against the tide of the moral and ideological revolution of the culture.%22 Do not miss the moment. It has arrived.<\/p>\n The question is, %22What are you going to do in the moment?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Reflect and meditate on the following scriptures that will challenge, equip and encourage you to lead!<\/p>\n %22For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation….%22 Acts 13:36<\/em><\/p>\n %22And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?\u201d Esther 4:14b<\/em><\/p>\n %22And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place…%22 Acts 17:26<\/em><\/p>\n %22But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…%22 Galatians 4:4a<\/em><\/p>\n %22In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.%22 Matthew 5:16<\/em><\/p>\n %22For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.%22 Ephesians 2:10<\/em><\/p>\n %22Those who know God’s plans are responsible to live courageously for Him.%22<\/strong> – Dr. Bill Egner<\/em><\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n You are called to a Savior, a Kingdom, and a moment. What are you going to do in this moment?<\/p>\n For such a moment, you must lead. And lead you must. Nowhere in the Bible is cowardice or apathy rewarded. In fact, cowardice is punished (Numbers 14). Moral courage is always rewarded and blessed. Standing up for righteousness is an act of obedience.<\/p>\n We must recover and embrace God’s definition of ‘leadership.’<\/p>\n %22Biblically, leadership is not someone at the top or someone out front. (A leader) is a person who takes the initiative and takes responsibility for either the opportunity or the crisis right in front of them…. That is what we must recover.%22 Trying times call for tough leaders.<\/strong> In God’s providence, you and I were put in this moment in time and this place to live for Him. For God’s sake lead! Whether it is your family, your community, your workplace, or your church, you are called to take initiative and responsibility for the opportunity or crisis you are facing right now. If God placed the crisis or opportunity in front of you, don’t be fearful – Be faithful!<\/p>\n %22It is going to take an enormous amount of biblical commitment, theological clarity, and individual and congregational courage to stand against the tide of the moral and ideological revolution of the culture.%22 Do not miss the moment. It has arrived.<\/p>\n The question is, %22What are you going to do in the moment?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Reflect and meditate on the following scriptures that will challenge, equip and encourage you to lead!<\/p>\n %22For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation….%22 Acts 13:36<\/em><\/p>\n %22And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?\u201d Esther 4:14b<\/em><\/p>\n %22And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place…%22 Acts 17:26<\/em><\/p>\n %22But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…%22 Galatians 4:4a<\/em><\/p>\n %22In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.%22 Matthew 5:16<\/em><\/p>\n %22For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.%22 Ephesians 2:10<\/em><\/p>\n %22Those who know God’s plans are responsible to live courageously for Him.%22<\/strong> – Dr. Bill Egner<\/em><\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Abel|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#e02b20″ header_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font=”Abel|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#E02B20″ header_2_font_size=”25px” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||10px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||10px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”||||true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” text_text_color_tablet=”” text_text_color_phone=”” text_text_color_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”28px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”” header_2_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” max_width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”]<\/p>\n How are we to navigate challenging conversations? How are we to create real solutions for seemingly impossible problems?\u00a0The majority of real and lasting solutions to problems are created locally, not by distant institutions or bureaucracies. You and I are responsible for bringing solutions in our own spheres.<\/p>\n Now more than ever, we need Wisdom and Cultural Intelligence. How?<\/p>\n According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary<\/a>, Wisdom is defined as; The world<\/em> defines wisdom as a proper application of knowledge, or judgement.<\/p>\n While that definition is helpful, a theological definition brings a fuller vision of wisdom into view. Michael S. Craven defines wisdom as an \u201cancient virtue<\/em>.\u201d He develops it further by stating, \u201cWisdom is an ability, it\u2019s a skill. It\u2019s the ability to discern what is good, true and beautiful.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>\n Wisdom is not attained through academic or intellectual pursuits. Wisdom and its opposite folly<\/em> (or foolishness) are moral categories. No amount of education can make one wise. Wisdom can\u2019t be learned by just reading books or listening to lectures. Those are just means of transferring information. By all means, we should all read and learn. However, we should not confuse academic knowledge with wisdom.<\/p>\n We all know wise people<\/strong> who do not have a college degree or who barely finished high school. Think of that older lady or gentleman in your life who may not have a formal education but, they are extremely wise. You seek out their advice and act on it, right?<\/p>\n On the same token, we all know foolish people<\/strong> who have degrees from the finest universities. They\u2019ve attained the highest levels of knowledge but they are foolish. Think of professionals, CEOs, doctors, heads of state, attorneys, and the like who make foolish decisions and end up in jail or on the front page of the paper. Would you seek out their advice?<\/p>\n In our modern culture, we falsely believe we can educate people into being moral and wise citizens. Highly educated people are not necessarily wise people. In fact, education devoid of morality and the virtue of wisdom can create morally empty monsters (fools). They use their academic knowledge for ill. Today, we educate a man without cultivating virtue in him. Thus, we give him more advanced and sinister devices to commit evil.<\/p>\n Theodore Roosevelt said, \u201cA man who has never gone to school may steal a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.\u201d\u2028<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2013 C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cBiblical wisdom is deep, immeasurable, priceless, and rare.<\/em>\u201d (Dr. Michael A. Milton)<\/p>\n Wisdom begins with the fear of God. Wisdom is the art and virtue of living one\u2019s life by applying understanding of God\u2019s moral commands. It is the active application of knowledge, understanding, and discernment to everyday life. It leads to answering the deeper questions of life. Wisdom is designed to be passed down to future generations. In fact, not transmitting wisdom to the young is foolishness.<\/p>\n What is the purpose of wisdom?<\/strong><\/p>\n Wisdom brings the individual in line with reality as God created it. It aligns the one who attains wisdom with God\u2019s commands. The result is a rich and meaningful life that brings a \u2018moral good\u2019 into the culture.<\/p>\n It begs the question, \u201cDo I want my children and grand children to live wisely or foolishly?\u201d If I hope for the former, then it is my responsibility to transmit wisdom to them. It is their responsibility to apply wisdom and live accordingly.<\/p>\n Without going into too, much detail, I\u2019ll give you my working definition. Cultural Intelligence is the understanding of the place, time, people, and movements of a current moment. It combines a kind of a cultural situational awareness with an understanding of historical antecedents, current reality, and ability to extrapolate where society is heading. Cultural Intelligence is the ability to draw the cords of the past, present, and future in order to understand how to respond.\u00a0In other words, Cultural Intelligence is understanding the times in order to respond properly.<\/p>\n To be culturally astute, one must understand the assumptions and sub-currents that shape current reality. This affects how we think of ourselves in relationship with others and the world around us.<\/p>\n It requires effort. Reading books, news papers and blogs, watching forms of media, and such is required. The objective is to posess a general understanding of how an issue became an issue. Reading primary sources and counter-perspectives is vital to Cultural Intelligence. Understanding where and why people disagree is clarifying and helps our critical thinking. Talking to others who are either experiencing something or have a good working knowledge of an issue is important as well.<\/p>\n For instance, the suicide rate among teenagers and young adults has risen significantly in the last three years in America<\/a>. Why? What set the preconditions for this to occur? What are the root causes of the current suicide crisis? Simple, one answer conclusions rarely reveal the root cause. We must dig deeper. When we do, we often discover a confluence of movements, events, sub-currents, and philosophies leading to the current moment. The massive uptick in suicides did not just appear out of thin air. We\u2019re seeing the emergence of an issue that is decades in the making.<\/p>\n An analogy may be helpful<\/strong>. A tsunami is created by the shift of tectonic plates deep with in the earth (or volcano). That shift generates an earthquake. The movement from the quake displaces water deep beneath the ocean\u2019s surface. It transfers energy from land to water. As the energy moves through the ocean, it creates a wave. That wave undetectable on the surface until it approaches shallows. By the time it crashes on the shore, they tsunami can be a hundred feet tall and move at 20-30 mph (NOAA<\/a>). \u00a0It only takes one foot of water moving at these speeds to carry away vehicles and destroy buildings. Remember the tsunami that struck Indonesia in 2004? It was devastating.<\/p>\n So, the suicide epidemic in America is much like a tsunami. In order to solve it, we must understand how it came to be \u2013 it\u2019s root causes. This is where Cultural Intelligence comes in.<\/p>\n The good news is that you don\u2019t have to be an expert to cultivate Cultural Intelligence<\/strong>. You just need to be open-minded, a critical thinker, and willing to accept facts as they are. You have to be willing to learn from history and explore deeper understanding. Often times, that will require conversations with people who are very different from you. That\u2019s the exciting part!<\/p>\n In the final analysis, cultivating Wisdom and developing greater Cultural Intelligence will help you understand the time and place you live, along with the people who inhabit the world with you. We live in a world of massive institutional programs and one-size-fits-all solutions pushed by governments and corporations. Wisdom and Cultural Intelligence will help you bring meaningful solutions that are localized to your community. The majority of real and lasting solutions for social problems are created locally, not by distant institutions or bureaucracies. At the end of the day, you and I are the ones responsible for bringing solutions to the problems we face.<\/p>\n Wisdom and Cultural Intelligence are necessary now more than ever. Below are some resources to help you on your quest!<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0…<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n What does the Bible say about wisdom?<\/a><\/p>\n Proverbs: The Wisdom We Need Right Now<\/a><\/p>\n BreakPoint Podcast and Commentaries<\/a>Don’t miss the moment. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.<\/h1>\n
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– Os Guiness<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
– Albert Mohler<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n
<\/blockquote>\n
Don’t miss the moment. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.<\/h1>\n
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– Os Guiness<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
– Albert Mohler<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n
<\/blockquote>\n
In a world of disinformation, misinformation, mass-formation, click-bait, and soundbites how are we to know what to believe or respond?<\/h1>\n
Let\u2019s begin with wisdom.<\/h2>\n
a : ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight
b : good sense : judgement
c : generally accepted belief
d : accumulated philosophical or scientific learning : knowledge<\/p>\nWisdom is not the same as education or knowledge.<\/h2>\n
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My working definition of Wisdom.\u2028<\/h2>\n
Cultural Intelligence<\/h2>\n
How does one cultivate Cultural Intelligence?<\/h2>\n
The Tsunami Example<\/h2>\n
Combining Wisdom and Cultural Intelligence<\/h2>\n
Additional Resources:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n