• CAIRNS: The Best Episodes of 2024

• SIGNPOSTS ON SUBSTACK!

• SOULPRINTS: A Prayer for the Season, by Dylan Boyd

• TRACKERS: Pick a topic for 2025!

What have the 365 days of 2024 brought your way? I’m guessing a mix of joys and sadness, comings and goings, ups and downs, the same journey traced by 8 billion of our neighbors. Part of my year was sharing 17 episodes on the Tracks for the Journey Network. Using podcast and videocast, I’ve tried to lift well-being through progressive theology, positive psychology, healthy relationships, and just communities.

The listeners and watchers have spoken! Here are the top 4 episodes of 2024. I hope you’ll use the links to share the insights and inspiration again—or brand new!

DON’T SABOTAGE YOUR WELL-BEING

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 

Listen or Watch to “Don’t Sabotage Your Well-Being”

IS GOD PUNISHING ME?

“Why is God punishing me?” An answer to the age-old question affects our well-being in many ways. Modern psychology and progressive theology offer insights built on God’s love and human choices which inspire hope in the toughest times of life. Explore the teaching Jesus offered when the disciples struggled with the same question to develop greater resilience in your own journey.

Segments include:

Everyone knows the answer

Jesus said, “Not so fast”

A loving God doesn’t do bad things

The natural world and human choices

God’s work inspires resilience

Listen or Watch to “Is God Punishing Me?”

CAN GOD MAKE YOU HEALTHY?

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

Listen or Watch to “Can God Make You Healthy?”

UNLEASH THE NOW!

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.

Segments include:

Granddad’s Clock and Atomic Time

Jesus and Time

God in Each Moment

The Ordinary is Extraordinary

Resist the Past and Future

Granddad’s Wisdom

Listen or Watch to “Unleash the Now!”

The SIGNPOSTS BLOG is now on the world’s most popular writer’s platform: Substack. This new home is free for unlimited reading by simply creating an account.

I plan to use SIGNPOSTS for in-depth explorations of important topics. This EXPRESS newsletter is where I’ll be creating shorter pieces and vital links. On the Substack SIGNPOSTS I’ll be posting long-form articles on the topics that promote well-being.

Topics for 2025 will include engagement with toxic theology, transgender hate, overcoming shame, loving your ugliness, happy sex, ecotheology, and who knows what else!

Click the picture to subscribe for free and get the good stuff direct to your inbox! Look for the “Subscribe to Substack SIGNPOSTS” icon to get your subscription in place for 2025!

Dylan Boyd, a student at Arizona State and member of Second Baptist Church, offered this prayer in the December 29 service.

“In this season many of us are reflecting on what this year has been, the ways we've grown and what we've experienced. We thank you, God, for the joy it has brought in our successes and growth. We also acknowledge the difficulties, strife, and hardship, knowing that you were with us as we wrestled, hurt, and healed. 

We lift up those in our lives whom we've lost and whom we found. We pray you might sit in the empty seat at the table and lay a hand on our shoulder in our anger, confusion, and sorrow. How grateful we are that you are making space for it all. For those new relationships of love and friendship in our lives, we pray that you may move in them and be with us in the excitement and rejoicing of a new connection. Thank you, God, for those in our lives who impact us in ways big and small.

As we look ahead, grant courage, wisdom, and comfort for the coming uncertainty. Allow us to lean on you as we continue our journeys, open to experience and thankful for the gift of each day. Guide us as we work to live as you have called us, with love and compassion. In all the anticipation, joy, and fear, be with us, God, as we journey forward.”

What would help you experience greater well-being in 2025? I’d like your opinion through the survey on the TRACKERS Community Facebook page.

Follow the link to share your choice from 5 possible topics of positive psychology, progressive theology, or community building.

If you don’t see what interests you, email me directly at [email protected]

Let’s do something together! Go to the TRACKERS Community Facebook page to give your vote on a topic!