If we ever needed wisdom in American history, now is the time. There is a book on wisdom written by a north Atlanta author that is on my recommended books list. Our country is at war, fuel prices are at an all time high and there is a housing crisis with thousands of people being evicted from their homes everyday. We all need more wisdom to guide us through each day. So where do we go to get it?

In the Little Red Book of Wisdom, public relations expert Mark DeMoss of the DeMoss Group in Gwinnett relates his revelations and encounters that gave him the wisdom to counsel America's Christian leaders and organizations. Early on, the book explains if you want wisdom, you just have to ask God for it. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

This is a great book on wisdom which offers stories of a life spent in positive reflection, learning from every opportunity. Mark learned valuable lessons from his father, from the tragic events in his life, from his co-workers and his children. The book on wisdom puts in perspective that life is not just a series of random events but a series of experiences that challenge our hopes and fears.

My favorite story from the book was about Mark's summer job, selling books door-to-door. Mark was sixteen years old without a care in the world. His father knew that it was time to awaken his son to the reality of hard work and sales was a good place to start. Mark headed to Nashville and arrived to a group of kids who had all been told they could make thousands of dollars a week selling books.

The first week, Mark went through Southwestern sales training which included lots of memorization, mock sales presentations, classroom training and pep rallies. He then was sent with a team to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to find a telephone booth to call a few area churches to find a room for rent. Once unpacked, his sales leader pulled out a map and started highlighting sales territories for the next day.

The young salesman had been convinced to have a goal of eighty calls per day with thirty presentations. On Saturday nights, the team would gather at a local college to go over selling tips and success stories. The speaker would always end the meeting with a challenge to bring up their number of sales.

As the hot summer wore on, some members of the team would give up and return to the security of home. When Mark called home, his father hesistated to put his mother on the phone for fear she would entice the youngster to come home. Mark's father knew his son was getting hard earned life lessons that would build character and perserverance.

By the end of the summer, Mark had learned how to sell. He took rejection, and he kept moving. He hit his goal of $1000 a week in commissions and he learned self-respect. Mark had grown up that summer, and he now had a new appreciation for life. Selling books on a hot summer tour laid the foundation for the belief that anything can be done, if you put your mind to it.

The book is divided in two parts, professional and personal. The professional section has some practical thoughts about checking email, writing effective personal letters, and surrounding yourself with great people.

The personal section has inspiring stories about integrity, A Turtle on a Fencepost, and a life that includes a daily walk with God. This is a worthwhile read for all seasons.

For more information, go to www.LittleRedBookofWisdom.com

This article contributed by Jay Holgate.