Resources and Reflections
Thinking about wisdom . . . Seeing the ordinary people . . . How do we treat others at work . . . The importance of friendship . . . Recent reads . . . What I'm doing this . . . The joy of great bbq
Thinking About Wisdom
This excellent article by David Brooks, “Wisdom Is Not Intelligence,” in Comment, caught my attention recently. Brooks also had a very good interview with Cary Niewhof on his podcast. In the Cary Niewhof interview, he reminds us what we have to offer a secular society:
“You have a ‘spiritual formula.’” In other words, we have a story that has given us a way to deal with sin, redemption, etc.
“You have a body of spiritual wisdom.”
“You have a focus on the health of the soul.”
Seeing the Ordinary People
I just read the biographical chapter on Dorothy Day from Robert Coles’ book, Lives We Carry With Us. Coles speaks tend not to notice tender pretends 67 about her capacity “to observe ordinary people, the strangers we all see but tend not to notice.”
Whether she was in jail, simply walking in the street, buying groceries, asking directions, browsing in a bookstore, or waiting in line to enter a theater or a museum, Dorothy Day was constantly noticing people, constantly ready to engage with them and let them become, even for a few moments, part of her life. This unusual quality, which I watched at work in her, would not yield even to old age. . . (p. 67).
How Do We Treat Others at Work
I read a very good article in Fast Company, 6/3/2025, “Business Leaders Must Prioritize Employee Well-Being.”
“We started paying closer attention to overwork—not as the cause of burnout, but as an early signal. Research shows that burnout is less about working too many hours and more about things like lack of clarity, autonomy, or alignment with values. Still, sustained overwork often points to deeper systemic issues. We use it as a “check engine” light of the well-being of the team.”
The need to be aware of employees’ well being applies not only to business leaders, but also church leaders and those leaders of various Christian organizations. Something is wrong when certain congregations or Christian organizations do not look out for the overall well-being of its staff and/or employees. Churches and Christian organizations should model excellent employee care, even as the organization attempts to be productive.
The Importance of Friendship
Jessica Hooten Wilson wrote a very fine piece entitled the “Lost Art of Friendship.” She writes:
‘Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.’ I was eighteen when I first read that line from Nicomachean Ethics. These were the days before phones, so I wrote the quote down in my notebook and sent a letter via snail mail to my best friend back in Texas. In the age of social media (what a funny phrase, by the way, that has become common parlance), we define ‘friend’ as someone who follows our posts in the digital space. But this means that some of my ‘friends’ are people that I have never met. Some of my friends are my mom’s Bible study group. Some of my friends are my neighbors. The assortment of what constitutes ‘friend’ through the internet is varied. Perhaps the misuse of the word ‘friend’ is contributing to the ‘loneliness epidemic.’
The article goes on to discuss friendship as used in Nicomachean Ethics. This is a very good article. You can read more about the ‘loneliness epidemic’ in articles such as, “What is Causing Our Epidemic of Loneliness and How Can We Fix It?” by Elizabeth M. Ross, October 25, 2024, at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Recent Reads
I recently read Jacinda Arden’s memoir, A Different Kind of Power (She is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand). It was particularly fascinating to see her lead through the COVID period.
Also read John Steinbeck’s final book, Travels with Charley. This book is about Steinbeck’s travels across the United States in 1960 with his dog, Charley. His travels took him through 34 states.
What I’m Doing this Summer
This summer, I will be speaking (or have already spoken) at churches in:
Paragould, Arkansas
Millington, Tennessee
Senatobia, Mississippi
Park Avenue Church of Christ here in Memphis.
Much of my time this summer has been spent preparing for a class on and for “dads” at the Highland Church in Memphis (Wednesday PM - September and October). This class, “What’s a Dad to Do?,” has been a real joy to prepare for.
Currently, I mentor/coach five ministers from across the country. If this interests you, (whether a minister or not), feel free to reach out at jmartin9669@gmail.com.
The Joy of Great BBQ
On another note, I loved this conversation between Lyle Lovett and Kyle Petty from Dinner Drive.
I formerly served as Vice President of Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to this, I served as a minister in various congregations for 36 years.
Much of my time is spent in conversation with ministers and other church leaders. I do mentor/coaching each week. I continue to teach and preach in various congregations by request.
I am a husband, father, and grandfather. One of my favorite things to do is to come alongside another person and encourage her or him.
Every other Monday morning, I publish this “Encouragement Note.” You can subscribe at jimmartin.substack.com. You can also find me on Facebook - @jim.martin or Instagram - @jimmartin.jm. My e-mail address is: jmartin9669@gmail.com. Feel free to write. I would love to hear what is encouraging. — Jim Martin