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Welcome to Day 2118 of\xa0 Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Becoming A Radical Disciple 5 \u2013 Dependence and Death \u2013 Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message \u2013 08/29/2021 Becoming A Radical Disciple \u2013 Dependence and Death My purpose in this series is to consider eight character traits of Christian discipleship that are often neglected and deserve to be taken seriously. \xa0In the past four weeks, we have explored Nonconformity, Christlikeness Maturity, Creation Care, and Living a Simple and Balanced Life.\xa0 This week we look at the final two character traits of dependence and death.\xa0 Let\u2019s first explore the following: Dependence I must admit that I continually struggle with one area of life: dependence on others.\xa0 But I know in my heart that a radical disciple must depend on others to live a rich and satisfying life. As I reflect on the past 65 years of life, as an adult, there are four significant times when there was no choice but to depend on others. \xa0 The first significant time was when, after nearly 18 years of running a successful computer business that we had expanded to three locations and had over 50 employees, we were forced to close and lost most of our finances.\xa0 I indeed take responsibility, and we made some unwise choices of growing too fast by acquiring two other computer businesses.\xa0 We did not realize that the values and worldviews of the other owners were not as closely aligned with ours as we had thought. As a result, we did not do enough due diligence and did not have the financial strength required.\xa0 The dot com boom of the day went bust shortly after those acquisitions, resulting in the financial markets drying up for technology businesses, and we went bust with the markets. \xa0During that time, we realized how valuable dependence on family, friends, and even Putnam church, allowing us to work with the youth provided the foundation to get back on our feet again. We had to work hard to overcome the failure, but I learned some valuable lessons. \xa0 The second time was when Hazel was diagnosed with Leukemia, and there was nothing we could do. But, again, dependence on God, family, and many friends, helped our family through those difficult days. \xa0 The third was when I made the unwise choice to combine a very large chain saw with an extension ladder. As a result, a not-so-huge branch snapped back and kicked me off onto the cement sidewalk below, fracturing my left femur right below the hip joint.\xa0 It could have been so much worse, and I praise God that it was not. Right after the fall, I dependent on my nephew was required, who had to prop up my back, so I wouldn\u2019t move my leg, which stuck out at an odd angle. Again, dependence on Paula, my brother, the ambulance, the entire medical staff, and the surgeon were all needed. I was once again reminded that we all are dependent on others. \xa0 The final story is more recent, and happened the same night I started speaking full-time at Putnam on May 16th.\xa0 My Dad died that night, and the primary responsibility for all the funeral arrangements was mine, the oldest son living in Marietta.\xa0 If it were not for my brother Jack, several other siblings, our kids, and, very importantly, our church family, there would have been no way to handle it.\xa0 Being dependent on many people that week allowed us to have a beautiful church, graveside service, and family celebration afterward.\xa0 It also allowed me time to prepare a message for the next day\u2019s church service. \xa0 I have realized that God can use dependence on others during these experiences to...