My Bad, God's Good

I wear glasses to correct the distortions in my vision. Everyone has some biases that distort our perception of the world. Some of these thought patterns cause us to stumble in relationships, work, or lifestyle. When we break those biases we can enjoy better living. In this episode I explore common biases, connect with the Disciples of Jesus on a wild night voyage, and offer some ways to change the biased thoughts that can hold us back from well-being.

Segments include:

What is a bias? 1:07 

Biased Disciples and a Ghost 1:50

Awareness of my biases 4:20

Stop what isn’t working 7:22

Receive ideas from others 8:12

Step back from the crowd 9:35

Faith for better vision 10:36

CITED

John Manoogian III, “The Cognitive Bias Codex - 180+ biases”. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Cognitive_Bias_Codex_-_180%2B_biases,_designed_by_John_Manoogian_III_(jm3).png

 Carmen Acton, “Are You Aware of Your Biases?” Harvard Business Review, February 4, 2022. https://hbr.org/2022/02/are-you-aware-of-your-biases

Photo by lichdinh on pixabay.com

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

My teacher is red, round, and a billion years old. Without saying a word my teacher has taught important lessons about hope, purpose, and ecological connections. Yes, my teacher is a friendly, billion-year-old rock ready to share lessons for well-being that will enrich our journey of life.
I have a small prayer garden at the Bright Star Farm in west Texas. The centerpiece is a soccer-ball size, red granite stone. I've often spent time reflecting on the silent story told by my rocky friend. Thanks for listening!

Segments include:

Meet my billion-year-old friend

A Rocky Road to the Farm

Everything Connects

Made to Do This

Hope for Billions to Come

CITED

“Geology of the Rocky Mountains.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Rocky_Mountains

“Alkali Feldspar Granite.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkali_feldspar_granite

“Alkali feldspar granite, some varieties of which are called 'red granite',[1] is a felsic igneous rock and a type of granite rich in the mineral potassium feldspar (K-spar). It is a dense rock with a phaneritic texture. The abundance of K-spar gives the rock a predominant pink to reddish hue; peppered with minor amounts of black minerals”  

“How Do Rocky Planets Really Form?” https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/how-do-rocky-planets-really-form#

(Maps on YouTube: Ron Blakely, designer, in Geoff Manaugh, “Assembling North America.” https://bldgblog.com/2006)

Jay McDaniel, “Panentheism: Twelve Metaphors.” https://www.openhorizons.org/panentheism-twelve-metaphors.html

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

Danger! You may be sabotaging your own well-being! It’s vital to avoid the twin saboteurs of “Fearing Your Fears” and “Confusing Feeling’s with Facts.” In this episode I share a story of Nazi sabotage, the help Jasmine found, and inspiration from a jailbird. Join me to explore ways to foil the plot within and build greater well-being.
Segments include:
A Nazi Plot
Saboteur Within
A Jailbird’s Reaction
Fearing Our Fears
Jasmine’s Choice
Confusing Feeling’s with Facts
The Arrest 

CITED

David A. Taylor, “The Inside Story of How a Nazi Plot to Sabotage the U.S. War Effort Was Foiled.”   https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/inside-story-how-nazi-plot-sabotage-us-war-effort-was-foiled-180959594/

(Photo by I.am-nah on unsplash.com)

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

All of us care about having good physical health. We deal with illness, practice good habits, and watch our calories, right? When things go wrong, we can struggle with big questions about what we are doing and even God’s place in this quest. Can God make you healthy? 
The insights of Process  Christian Theology can help us deal with the health issues we face today.  God's essential attribute is Love, the non-coercive activity that seeks the well-being of the world. The love of God brings freedom to us and all things to collaborate with God, or not. In our health, there are no divine interventions that alter the laws of nature. Our choices enable us to collaborate with God's good work for health.  

Segments include:
A Theology of God's Power
The Nature of Love
God collaborates with things
God, Love, and your health
God and our freedom
We should work with God for health

CITED

Thomas Jay Oord, The Death of Omnipotence and the Birth of Amipotence. SacraSage Press, 2023

David Ray Griffin, Reenchangment without Supernaturalism. Cornell University Press, 2001.

Photo by silviarita on pixabay.com
Music by lemonstudio on pixabay.com

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

The ticking seconds of the clock—could they be the signal God is moving across my life and yours? Jesus never heard that sound but knew so much about time. He demonstrated every moment brings the possibility of insight, miracle, renewal, or fulfillment. As the new year unfolds, let’s explore how we can unleash the Now-Moments for greater well-being.

CITED

Anthony Salvanto, “CBS News poll looks at where Americans find happiness.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-happiness-whats-good-a-cbs-news-poll-series

Deborah Martine Chase (Producer), Ken Kwapis (Director). “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Movie). Warner Bros Studio 2005.

“Poems about living in the moment.” https://discoverpoetry.com

Music by lemonmusic on pixabay.com

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

By December 26, the Christmas wrapping paper is thrown away and the last tidbit of fruitcake eaten. But what if our Christmas celebration could go on-and-on to build our well-being? When we explore beyond the tinsel and tidbits, we can discover God at work far beyond our imagination or the simple fact of a Jewish baby born in 4 BCE. Our lives and our world can be transformed by an endless Christmas!
Segments include:
The Incarnation Idea
First Incarnation: Creation
Second Incarnation: Consciousness
Third Incarnation: Jesus the Christ
Fourth Incarnation: Indwelling Spirit
Fifth Incarnation: Fulfilled Universe

CITED and CREDITS
Thomas Jay Oord, The Death of Omnipotence and the Birth of Amipotence. SacraSage Press, 2023.

Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ. Convergent Press, 2019. 

Simona Ginsburg and Eva Jablonka, “How Did Consciousness Evolve? An Illustrated Guide.” https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/how-did-consciousness-evolve-an-illustrated-guide

Keisha N. Blaine, “'God Is Not Going to Put It in Your Lap.' What Made Fannie Lou Hamer’s Message on Civil Rights So Radical—And So Enduring.” https://time.com/5692775/fannie-lou-hamer/

Mallory Wyckoff, God Is. Wm. B Eerdmans Publishing, 2022.

Bruce Epperly, Process Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed. T & T Clark, 2011.

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

Travel starts with a big question: Where am I going? We can expand the question to our life experience. Where am I going in this journey of life? Research shows well-being is enhanced by exploring the worlds outside of us and within us. Join me to discover ways of growth through explore places around us and inside us. We can travel for our well-being!
Included: 
*"Where are you going?" is an ancient question 
*The sacred pilgrimage 
*Exploring the Self within 
*Traveling together 
*"The Lord is in this place"

CITED

 Gabriella Paiella. “The Brain-Changing Magic of New Experiences.” https://www.gq.com/story/brain-changing-magic-new-experiences

 Laura Kwerel, “A mother of 3 was struggling at the airport. Then the 'mom tribe' swung into action.” https://www.npr.org/2023/08/16/1193783789/flying-with-kids-plane-travel-mom-helps

David Ray Griffin, Reenchantment without Supernaturalism: A process philosophy of religion. Cornell University, 2001.

Proverbs 27:9 NRSVUE

Genesis 28:16-17 NRSVUE

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

Tracks for the Journey is a channel dedicated to your emotional and spiritual well-being. I’m Larry Payne, the host, and I’d like to explain in more depth how you can benefit from joining me on this life journey. My Tracks for the Journey channel utilizes great resources to enhance your emotional and spiritual well-being. Progressive Christian spirituality is founded on God’s essential love, all-pervasive presence, collaboration with all creatures to create the future, and connections to all faith traditions. Another vital resource is Positive Psychology that enables people to thrive. I also use history to give breadth to our explorations. These sources interact with my 50 years of professional experience as a pastor, hospital chaplain, and licensed counselor. Join me to explore your well-being!

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

How good are we at listening to each other? Scientists have been listening for signals from aliens. Sadly, none have been received. In our relationships we give and receive signals every moment. Improving these skills are vital for well-being. This episode explores ways to improve our listening to build better relationships. We can “Listen Up” by: 
Focusing our attention
Letting go of our agenda
Paying attention to non-verbal signals
Spirituality involves listening by God and to God

Resources cited:

John Gottman and Joan DeClaire. The Relationship Cure. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001.   

https://www.gottman.com

“Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_for_extraterrestrial_intelligence

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77

The climate is acting crazy but we don’t need to do the same! The climate crisis is not a future threat but upon us now. The effects of catastrophic events have become as destructive to emotional health as to the environment. In this episode I explore ecotheology that leads to tangible actions each of us can take as stewards of the Earth. Join me and Pope Francis as we seek a new climate comfort zone. Sections include:
Our climate crisis
Ecotheology for stewards of the Earth
Act Now in practical ways
The prayer of Pope Francis
CITED
David Gushee, Introducing Christian Ethics. Front Edge Publishing, 2022.
United Nations Act Now program. https://actnow.aworld.org/

Friends, before we begin, let me mention that TFJ is available in a book series. I’ve revised and expanded each podcast as an essay for you to enjoy. Search on Amazon with my name and the TFJ title for volumes 1, 2, and 3, available in paperback or Kindle edition. Or go to my website for a direct link to find these and other resources. Thanks for listening today! 

Subscribe to the TRACKS EXPRESS newsletter and find more resources for well-being at https://www.tracksforthejourney.com
Enjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77