The Dialog

The day before I recorded this, I found out I wasn't getting a book deal. After about a year of talks with a major publisher, they weren't confident I had an audience that would buy books. Honestly, they were right.

That's a battle. It isn't the whole story. Blessings and battles don't happen in different seasons. They happen together.

I turned 39 at the end of July, so for the Season 1 finale I'm giving you the 39 greatest lessons I've learned in 39 years. Socrates said the point of a dialog was to get you into a conversation with yourself. That's what I want this one to do. Season 1 has been a series of dialogs with my friend Nick Surface. For the finale, it's just me.

What's the key to success?
Faithfulness, even when it feels like it isn't working. At 23 I had my resignation letter written. That night I read Proverbs 3:3-4: "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you... So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man." Faithfulness means you keep showing up tomorrow.

What is anxiety telling you?
I've trained myself to treat anxiety as a sign I'm focusing on what I can't control. What I can control comes down to my thoughts, my attitudes and my actions. And for those who love God, all things work together for good (Romans 8:28).

What does God care about most?
People are into talent. God is into character. In my reading of Scripture, He's less concerned with what you're doing than with who you're becoming.

Scriptures
Proverbs 3:3-6 · Matthew 5:33-37 · 1 Corinthians 3:6 · Romans 8:28 · John 1:1, 14 · Proverbs 29:18 · Colossians 3:23 · Proverbs 12:1 · Ecclesiastes 9:11 (quote: ESV)

Thinkers and books
Socrates · Seneca · Heraclitus and the Stoics · Marcus Aurelius, Meditations · Epictetus · Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle Is the Way · Andy Stanley, Deep and Wide · Napoleon Hill

Chapters
0:00 Cold open and show intro
0:51 Back from an accidental hiatus
2:57 The book deal I didn't get
6:34 39 lessons in 39 years
8:55 The proof of application is adversity (Seneca)
13:49 1-3. Faithfulness, feelings and the long term
21:12 4-5. Pour your cup out, and who loves you for you
27:05 6-7. Anxiety and what you can't control
34:02 8-12. Blessings and battles, boundaries, friendship, trust
42:57 13-14. No opinion, and no such thing as average
48:53 15-20. Perspective, vision and stewardship
56:56 21-24. Coaching, happiness, your words, sowing seed
1:03:12 25-29. Battles, feedback and loving correction
1:09:24 30-33. People are into talent. God is into character.
1:13:47 34-38. Decisions, timing and trust
1:18:08 39. Push the envelope

Previous: 1.42 / Is manifesting biblical?
Next: 2.1 / Are God and money incompatible?

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Go to my website / https://jkc.is

What is The Dialog?

Ancient philosophers used the dialog to find answers to life’s greatest questions. The Dialog is a search for truth in modern life through the lens of ancient philosophy, history, and theology. This podcast will challenge your assumptions, change your thinking and show you how to master modern living.