Morning Mike Check

What does it mean to be rich? How do we reconcile increases in riches as our careers advance with Jesus saying his disciples must possess nothing? Mike helps me sort through these questions and more as we discuss affluence, riches, possessions and stewardship. 

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World - Niall FergusonOther People's Money: The Real Business of Finance - John KayThe Good of Affluence: Seeking God in a Culture of Wealth - John R. Schneider

Personally, I don’t have much experience practicing Lent. It’s only been in the past few years that I’ve put focus on it. During this conversation, Mike and I discuss the purpose of Lent and what his experience is with it. We talk about why Lent is a meaningful tradition and how it can be practiced as such.

After our recording, Mike also mentioned a great video on the purpose of Lent. You can find it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzR7fl3b0Nw.

Books mentioned in this episode:

- Our Bodies Tell God’s Story - Christopher West

- The Spirit of the Disciplines - Dallas Willard

What does it mean to be unconsciously competent? Mike and I dive in to this topic and talk about what unconscious competence is, why it’s important to our faith, and the challenges we face as we progress through the different stages of competence.

Books mentioned in this episode:

- A Secular Age - Charles Taylor

- Ways of Attending: How our Divided Brain Constructs the World - Iain McGilchrist

I’ve heard several mothers express the difficulties of raising children at home and not feeling like it’s groundhog day with the same toil repeating itself day in and day out. In this episode I seek out Mike’s advice for how to help my own bride escape the toil and us both imagine work inside the home as equally valuable to work outside the home.

- “A Secular Age” - Charles Taylor

- “America Is Having a Moral Convulsion” - David Brooks -

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/collapsing-levels-trust-are-devastating-america/616581/

- “Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life” - Robert N. Bellah

Summary:

In 2020, David Brooks wrote a column in the Atlantic titled “America Is Having a Moral Convulsion” on how levels of

trust in America are in “precipitous decline”. Mike explain the times by helping us locate ourselves in history.

Summary:

What do you expect from the Babylonians? Mike and I talk through how to avoid getting wrapped around the axle by today’s news, and how to better digest current events.

Summary:

Mike enlightens me on the difference between teaching and mentoring, and how to mentor others effectively.