The Traveler's Gift

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. How does the book exemplify the differences between people who encounter despair? Is your experience different or similar?
Failure or despair did not stop the leaders from pushing forward. I have a tendency to hold on to despair. It would be best to look at despair from a new angle and learn from the experience to grow stronger as a leader.

2. Why is it important that David visited the historical figures during crucial moments in history?
Each experience pointed toward making his situation less final. Other people have who have experienced moments of despair chose to not give up. You can grow from the experience of others as well as your own. More importantly those who have gone before us, perhaps traveling the same path as I am now on.

3. Andrews incorporates facts and details about American history into the book. How does historical knowledge lead to success in the future?
Again, it's a learning curve. If we see how other people handled situations that are similar to our own situations, and apply this to our outcome, we can grow stronger.

4. How does Andrews explore the importance of associations with other people? How are relationships integrally connected to wisdom? How do the relationships between David and the seven historical figures support this point?
Relationships with other people, just as in the study of this book, we can sharpen one another. Through the eyes of others, our perspective can be different and applicable."As iron sharpens iron, so one man can sharpen another." Proverbs 27:17. The relationships between David and the historical figures were sharing/sharpening David and yet the figures seemed to understand what David's situation was in order for them to share with what David needed to hear.

5. What is the significance of the title? What importance does time travel have in the story? How does time travel change David’s life?
It's a gift of knowledge and experience--free for the taking, free to use, to grow, to share. Example of Naaman: Elisha said to go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed. Naaman was upset because he thought he was more important and should have the best treatment. His attendants replied, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" Naaman then wanted to pay for the gift of clean health which was free from God. Please accept now a gift from your servant. The prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." 2 Kings 5:9ff

Why me?...Why not me? You are not the victim, you were made for greatness. Challenges are a gift.

It is important for successful people to have more than a limited view of history

How are you like David? What serpents are squeezing you?
There are times when I think giving up would be the easier road. When work feels too challenging, when I have made mistakes and instead of confessing or confronting, it feels easier to melt into the woodwork. I know that this isn't the right answer, and it can only compound the issue. It's important to connect to people and share your story of success. Sharing a level of sympathy. I know how you feel... this is how I felt... and this is what I've found.

What brings panic to your soul? How do you work through such realizations?
The times that move me out of my comfort zone and I am faced with something that is unfamiliar to me. My current work environment has had the tendency to set up this panic feeling.

What have you promised to the people who love you? How well are you keeping those promises made to the people you love?
I have promised to take care of my children. I have promised to always love my wife. There have been times and will be times when I don't feel like keeping these promised due to circumstances...choices we make...choices the kids make...like when they get hurt for goofing around after being told not to goof around. That's a simple example of when it is hard to "take care of my children". Being human, I resort to wanting them to feel the pain as a form of retaliation. Compassion and love often go out the window for a moment.

Think about what David said. Are you working so hard to live up to a certain standard to the detriment of what is really important in life? How is the pressure to keep up taking its toll on you? C'mon, be honest. What are you missing?
It is easy to be focused on the wrong thing. I am a list maker, so often the list becomes more important than the issues at hand. Our church is currently going through a study right now looking at our lives compared to the majority of the rest of the world and how rich we really are. The Bible calls us to take care of the poor, the orphans and widows. How am I doing? What do I really need. It's not the money, it's not the security, but rather who I become along this journey. I need to become more dependent on God instead of people. I need to become more compassionate and less judgmental to those around me. In reality, it shouldn't matter to me what people have faced in their life, but rather, how I can help them in their journey to become all that God wants of them.

Truth be known, God is interested in what you never dare to say. Sure, God knows what you keep to yourself, but he'd really like to hear you say it. Just once. Go ahead. Show him your hand, and speak your peace.
Lots of questions here...Why did you allow me to go through that pain? Why would you choose to have (fill-in-the-blank) die/deal with cancer? What are you trying to teach me through these things?

Have you ever wished you were someone, anyone else but you? What made you feel that way?
Yes. I think it all boils down to assumptions. They look better than me. They must be happier because they have more money/friends/etc. than me.

When you feel the lowest, who can you count on to tell you the truth?
Spouse, parents, good friends.

Instead of asking "Why, me?'" try asking, "What is the value I'm supposed to take away from this situation?" Now try answering that one.

If God believes in you, and there is much evidence to support that God does, then one can hardly argue that you are ordinary. After all, there is nothing ordinary about anything in creation, most of all you. As sure as you are you, in God's eyes (by his grace) you are great. List three blessings or gifts God has bestowed on you.
Creativity, patience (even though after having kids and my job, this has been tested), and family.

When you hear the word "choice" what do you think of?
Vanilla or chocolate. Good or bad. One or the other. I think of two (or more) things. The choice is what you think you will enjoy more. What you think will add the most value to your life. Can the choice also be made to add the most value to others lives?

Historically, have you made wise choices? What was your wisest choice?
I have tried to make the wisest choices, although there have been times my choices have been purely out of selfish ambition. My wisest choice was to choose to follow Christ. All else falls in line behind this decision. How I choose to live, who I choose to spend time with, etc.

Think about the biggest decision you have made to date. The absolute, no-going-back decision, Who or what influenced that decision?
Family and friends. My Grandma Phillips and my parents. Also my friends at the time (Anne being one) as well as youth coaches.

How has that one decision changed the trajectory of your life?
As previously mentioned, all other decisions fall in line with the first decision of choosing to be a Christian. And it's not a cult or prison. It is freeing me up to not worry about much of life.

The downside of 'choice' is the possibility of making the wrong one. What destructive thoughts do you need to overcome concerning a bad choice?
The thought that I have messed up my life. The bad choice often holds negative comments as a consequence, "You're not good enough," "You'll never be forgiven for that, " " You are scarred for life." Yes, true, but how can I grow from this experience?

The downside of luck is that if it exists at all, it runs out way too fast. Who is the luckiest person you know? Why is he/she 'lucky'? What choices might be hiding behind that 'luck'?

"To know where you're going," someone wise once said, "you've got to know where you've been." She didn't say "... and you'd better stay there." What part of your past do you need to put behind you for good, in order to take hold of the future?

Am I really seeking to work towards positive change? Am I seeking out those who are also working towards positive change?
The hardest part of moving forward is not wanting to give up what you are accustomed to; an old friend, a certain routine. God cares too much for you to not to grow and move.

The responsible decision 'The Buck Stops Here' - write this decision in your own words.
Enough is enough. Learn from the past, and grow toward the future.