Ben again sets his sights on four of the biggest traps men face today, in this the second letter/topic of his “M.A.P.S.” series.  Moving on from Money, he goes after the letter “A” for Alcohol.   A subject some guys might like to “crack open” a little too much, while others would rather it not be “raised” at all.  Essential question:  how do we restore alcohol to its proper place on the Christian man’s shelf?

Toasting to yet another tough topic, Ben embraces the limelight as the “guy who goes there.”  Chad sits back with his cold can of sparkling water and takes in the tale as it’s told.  The two soberly access the whole spectrum of viewpoints on alcohol within Christianity.  What does the Bible actually say about drinking?  How can alcohol be “healthy” and how is it often harmful?  In what ways is alcohol like a gun, and where can a man draw a responsible line and find a happy medium with alcohol consumption?

SHOW NOTES:

G.K. Chesterton quote:  https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/681084-drink-because-you-are-happy-but-never-because-you-are

CDC (Ben’s favorite resource) on Alcohol Use:  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm

Scripture Reference in Ben’s Challenge (Galatians 5:16-21):  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205%3A16-21&version=ESV

Over 170 years have passed since the feminist movement began, and its influence on western culture has been far-reaching.  One area in particular that it has affected is the role of men and women within marriage.  On that score, the results of the movement have arguably been unfavorable–for both men and women.  Disentangling ourselves from those negative, often hidden influences on our relationships can be extremely difficult.

Nervously taking the mantle of motivator in this, his most controversial episode to date, Chad tells he and his wife’s personal story.  Ben comes along for the ride in his van down by the river, as the two unpack the inherent tension in men and women’s roles in modern matrimony.  Can a woman actually “have it all”, meaning a fulfilling career AND the joys of being a mother?  What does it mean for a man’s leadership in the home if his wife is the breadwinner?  What does it mean for a mother to be the heart of the home, and is a woman more “free”, or less “free”, when staying at home with children?

SHOW NOTES:

Apropos (definition for Ben) – adjective, meaning “very appropriate to a particular situation”

Book Reference:  “The Case for Patriarchy” by Timothy J. Gordon  https://www.amazon.com/Case-Patriarchy-Timothy-Gordon/dp/1622828402

Scripture reference:  (Ephesians 5)  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205&version=NIV

Study Reference:  “The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness”  https://www.nber.org/papers/w14969

MAN TALK EDITION – Guest Hosts, Barry Peel and Andrew Peel

This, the first-ever “Man Talk”, is a new format where four men on four mikes take up a controversial “leading question” and have a free-flowing, roundtable discussion.  By the episode’s end, each man will have to solidly cast his YES or NO vote.  (Listeners, see below for how you can cast your vote as well!)

Barry and Andrew bring extensive experience to the topic at hand.  As former semi-pro athletes, as fitness competitors and fitness trainers, and as coaches at different levels for various sports, they help Ben and Chad work through the many facets of this question.  Should we accept as the new norm that Sundays and Wednesday nights are fair game for travel teams and school sports?  How can coaches and parents influence a kid’s experience of sport, for good or bad?  What are we to make of the politicization of professional sports or the U. of Penn swimmer controversy?

Do you have a strong opinion on this?  Did we miss a key aspect of the issue in our conversation, or not consider a point for either side of the question?

Please engage and share your thoughts with us by:

• Emailing us at mightymen@manhoodrestored.tv
• Commenting on our Facebook page at Manhood Restored Podcast

Episode 29 – Money, Money, Money

“CHANGE” YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT MONEY
So how do I “change” to make it a tool and not a trap?

1. Consistently gain over time. Get rich quick schemes rarely work. I am not even saying that you don’t try a get rich quick idea, but a consistent plan to save for the future is wise. Proverbs 21:5 states, “Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty.”
2. Have a plan. Be ok living within and under your means. The younger you can do it the better. Starting out early in life and accumulating a massive amount of debt is a way to get off on the wrong foot.
3. Avoid feeling like you have to live at a certain status level. So often we are making choices not by asking the question what is best for myself and my family but what will other people think of me?
4. No Fear. Fear cannot drive what you are doing. Stuffing money under mattresses just because you are afraid of losing it all is an extreme example.
5. Generosity is the key to overcoming greed. We are blessed to be a blessing. When we lose sight of that we miss out.
   Proverbs 22:9 says “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
6. Engage in things that matter. Remember when you spend that time away from family working you don’t get that back. If you work hard to get ahead and are able to retire early but miss out on your kids/family events and activities, my question is…is it worth it? Those with kids and married folks, don’t miss what’s in front of you.

“We spend money that we do not have, on things we do not need, to impress people who do not care.” ~Unknown
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” ~Jim Elliot
These are Ben’s tips to radically shift the way you view money and restore it to its proper Biblical place.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

The first installment of a Ben-led, 4-topic series called “M.A.P.S. to Avoid Traps”.  Each letter in the acronym MAPS represents four of the biggest traps men face today.  Although you’ll have to wait to find out which topic each of the last three letters stand for (Ben thinks he can keep you guessing!), the letter ‘M’ is for Money!  Essential question:  how do we make money a tool and not a trap?

Ben navigates from behind the wheel/pulpit on a serial rant for this episode, as Chad quietly rides shotgun and seeks intercession for safe travels (Amen?).  The two wander through the winding and tempestuous roads of all things monetary.  When it comes to making money, how much is enough?  How can a man disentangle himself and his family from the sticky cycle of lending, borrowing, and debt?  When it comes to balancing saving for retirement with charitable giving, what is responsible and what is reckless (or is there such a thing?)?

SHOW NOTES:

Scriptural References:

• The Rich Fool – Luke 12: 13-21
• The love of money…I Timothy 6:10
• For where your treasure…Matthew 6:21

Ben’s Resources:

• Book:   Your Life…Well Spent: The Eternal Rewards of Investing Yourself and Your Money in Your Family: Russ Crosson, Ron Blue: 9780736946247: Amazon.com: Books
• Website:  Compass | Finances God’s Way (compass1.org)

Trump, Tone, and Taming the Tongue

Public discourse in our day is largely influenced by the fear of giving offense.  In an age of social media censorship and “hate speech” policing, it’s no wonder we’ve become so sensitive to what’s being said and how someone’s saying it.  It’s a sensitivity that infects nearly everything – our relationships, our national politics, and even our religious views.  Are we all getting a little too uptight about words and ideas, or should we take still more care when we speak?

Chad lashes out with his words as lead for this episode while Ben’s in support mode, spewing scriptural insights.  The two sit in the tension of Chad’s topic and cautiously seesaw back and forth with it.  Was President Trump’s rhetoric too raunchy for the Oval Office, or was it just what the country needed?  How does one properly balance on the scriptural tightrope of “speaking the truth in love” without actually losing charity?  When are the appropriate times to be confrontational with strong (masculine) words, and is everyone (or no one) called to do so?

SHOW NOTES:

Scriptural references:

• Ephesians 4:15 – “speaking the truth in love…”
• Acts 7: 51 – the stoning of Stephen
• James 3 – Taming the Tongue
• Matthew 12:36-37 – judged for every empty word

Answer Chad’s Challenge by:

• Emailing us at mightymen@manhoodrestored.tv
• Commenting on our Facebook page at Manhood Restored Podcast