This site is a feeble attempt to provide some guidance using God’s Word and life experiences as we all pursue wisdom. At this stage of life, my desire is to help others become better people and experience a better life. The blog byline “Wisdom4Dummies” is to let you know there are no stupid questions in life. When it comes to Godly Wisdom, we all need more.
My name is Jim Chamberlain. I was raised in a traditional Christian home and received typical Christian training in how to live a good life and to be a good person (and to be a real Christian). My early personality was that of an introvert. As a youth I was so shy that I found it difficult to navigate in a verbal world. I always felt “less than.” Today, I am more than grateful for the way my Creator and Lord has moved me along. More than that, I am grateful for His mercy and patience that He showed me as I stumbled through life!
Life can really be hard! I’ve made many poor decisions and reaped the fruit of those bad decisions. I also made some very good decisions. My education at a liberal arts Christian college, followed by a professional education that set me up for service. I have practiced Optometry for 47 years and have learned to use the gifts God has given me. In my eye care practice, I observe the need, the great need, for basic godly wisdom that brings stability. As a former pastor, I’ve observed troubled families stumble, making the same mistakes over and over. I’ve watched couples I counseled and married eventually end up in divorce. I’ve wept with the hurting. Laughed with the joyful. Heard the voice of God in my heart. Married people. Buried people. Comforted the bereaved. Preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Experienced the death of loved ones, the break up of marriages, and supported those who faced death alone.
For the record, I am a retired Christian pastor, a former missionary to Central America, Haiti, and Russia. I helped establish a number of Christian churches in the US and in other countries. My last active pastorate was at Christwalk Church on Amelia Island, Florida. I’ve trained many in missions methods, discipleship, basic one on one communication of the Gospel of Jesus, and have taken many people to help the underserved in Haiti and Nicaragua as teams provided eye exams and eyeglasses for a population that had practically no way to otherwise receive eye care. We did so as extensions of the hands and heart of Jesus Christ.
More personally, my wife and I have been together and married for fifty three years. We have two grown children and three grandsons… and one awesome daughter-in-law who gave us our wonderful grandsons! I was the only boy in a family of four children. However, I was NOT spoiled even though my sisters would argue that point.
Time and experience have given me a view of life that, I hope, can help others understand their own situation and support them to make good decisions. Just “to be clear”, good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions. And God… is the One who directs the process!
This weekly blog is a way for me to share my heart as I read Holy Scripture and pray. It may sound trite but, God speaks. He’s always speaking. When I read His Word and think on His greatness, I inevitably am impressed by His Wisdom… that is what I hope to share in this simple platform. I hope you will be encouraged and supported to follow more closely to Him… our Creator and Lord.
Dr James D (Jim) Chamberlain
Words to Wisdom 