• Soulprints: What Do You See? A devotion about Bias and Faith

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• Cairns: Index to every Tracks episode

• Viewfinder: Lady Liberty Beckons Today

• TrailMix from JanMaree: Cyclone Pasta with Alfredo Sauce

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Soulprints: What Do You See?

Everyone who reads TRACKS EXPRESS must be a wise, loving, growing, suave person. That statement is a crude example of what we know as “bias.” A bias is an inaccurate perception based on cultural viewpoints or personal experiences that often operates beneath our conscious thoughts. I have biased thoughts because I have experienced life as a white, male, middle-class, straight, American, Christian… the list is long. Those experiences have given me a lens to look at the world. You have your own as well. Scientists confirm that what we think we perceive comes from what we think we should see, as opposed to what really exists. Knowing our biases is an important skill as we encounter new experiences.

In Matthew 14: 22-32 the narrator hides important truths in a legendary story. A raging storm has brought a vision that terrified the twelve disciples. In the dark comes a human figure in the moonlight, striding above the waves, coming near. Maybe it was James who saw it first, or the fretful Thomas. “Hey, look over there. What is that?” Twelve pairs of eyes strained against the dark from the pitching ship. “A spirit!” “You’re crazy- I don’t see anything but moonlight on the waves.” “There it is again!” By now some were standing, pointing and shouting. Then came a great cry as Peter jumped over the side as if he was at the shore, leaving the confused sailors behind.  

Let’s read between the lines of our Gospel. Each disciple reacted in ways that expressed their bias and background. That’s just like you and I would do. What were they thinking?

John had the mind of an intellectual. He stayed close to Jesus and often asked the questions that brought deeper explanations. His brilliant mind would share with the church the most profound theology of Jesus in the writing we call the Gospel of John. That night John may have thought, “What is the symbolism of walking on water? I remember the Psalmist sang, ‘You rule over the surging sea, when its waves mount up, you still them.’ I need time to analyze the theology and discover the meaning so I can teach others.

James, the brother of John, had grown up on this water. His practical mind was always filled with powerful energy, so much that Jesus nicknamed him one of the ‘sons of thunder.’ He held the rudder this night, an experienced sailor who knew how to guide the boat in bad conditions. In that moonlight night he said, ‘I’m taking control of this situation. I’ve been through it before. You guys just follow my orders as we face the ghost.”

Andrew had been with Jesus from the very first. He knew the power of working together. When Jesus invited him to follow, he hurried to tell his brother. That night with his heart pounding with fear, he might have said, “Peter, come back! We need to face this monster as a team!”

Mary of Magdala, the disciple from the fishing village nearby, had been delivered from the dark powers of confusion within. If on board, she may have stood in the bow to boldly demand, “Demon, you cannot harm those who love Jesus! I will raise my faith to banish you as Jesus did!”

Judas had a heavy responsibility. He was carrying on his person the total wealth of the disciples. If he lost that money, they couldn’t support themselves on their itinerant mission. We know what he said to himself that fearsome night. “I’m holding on to the coin bag no matter what ghost or demon or angel comes to this boat. I must guard what I have. People are depending on me. No fear is big enough to make me let go of what I have!”

An encounter with Jesus can blow our biases out of the water! Though what these disciples thought is just speculation, it is clear the ancient church believed God’s presence was powerful to meet us in times of stormy confusion. But we can hinder that work with our prejudices, our distortions, and our fears. The story calls us to open our minds to new possibilities. Like the sailors found in that anxious night, Jesus will reveal our bias and challenge us to believe something greater than we ever expected. If we crack through our bias, we may find the neighbor of another skin color is a friend, the migrant our example of hope, or the candidate a tempter for lies and hate.

Who do you see in the stormy, moonlit darkness?

COMMENTS? Post on the TRACKERS Facebook community

CITED

Alicia Nortje, “What is Cognitive Bias?” https://positivepsychology.com/cognitive-biases/

More than 60 episodes of Tracks for the Journey have been published since 2020. Dozens of topics have been covered including Prayer, Resilience, Christian Nationalism, Listening, Fear, Racism, Anger, and everyone’s, favorite Love and Sex.

My website has a link to a searchable Index for every episode, with links directly to the podcast or video episode! I think you’ll enjoy finding one of interest to you. Click on the button to check it out!

INDEX OF EPISODES

Trail Mix from JanMaree’s Kitchen: Cyclone Pasta

After eating at a steakhouse my kids raved about a pasta dish, of all things. I began to search and experiment. Now it’s a family favorite! Take it slow and step-by-step to enjoy something new! -JanMaree

Slice chicken breasts into ¼” to ½” strips.  Grill in a skillet with equal parts Italian and Italian Free Dressing, until chicken is white all the way through.

Bring water to a boil in a large pot.  Add farfalle pasta to boiling water and stir.  Cover with a lid, remove from heat and let sit for 20 minutes.  Drain water immediately reserving the liquid to add to the pasta in small amounts.

Add the ingredients to the drained pasta:

--Diced chicken

--Diced ham

--Chopped sun-dried tomatoes

--Chopped green onions

--Alfredo sauce (Two recipes are below.)

--Garlic, salt, and pepper to taste

--Italian cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, asiago)

Serve while hot.

 Alfredo Sauce: Heavy and Hearty

½ c. butter                      2 c. heavy whipping cream

4 oz. cream cheese           ½ t. minced garlic

1 t. garlic powder             1t. Italian seasoning

¼ t. salt                          ¼ t. pepper

1 c. grated Parmesan cheese

 In medium saucepan add butter, heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese. Cook over medium heat and whisk until melted. Add minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Continue to whisk until smooth. Add the grated parmesan cheese.

Bring to a simmer and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Toss with pasta.

 Alfredo Sauce: Light and Tasty

2 T. butter                                 2 garlic cloves, minced

2 T. flour                                   2 c. 1% milk

2 oz. reduced fat cream cheese    1 t. garlic powder

1 T. Italian seasoning                  ¼ t. salt

¼ t. pepper                               ¾ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Chopped, fresh parsley

 In large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.

In large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauce for two minutes until tender. Add flour and whisk until starting to brown. Slowly whisk in milk and add cream cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper.  Spread over pasta and toss.

Viewfinder: Lady Liberty

The Statue Of Liberty towers over Liberty Island in New York Harbor. As Jan and I wandered around the Statue and nearby Ellis Island, we were struck by the amazing message she conveys. She is modeled after the Roman God Liberatas, or “Freedom.” She is walking over broken chain that symbolizes the emancipation of Blacks during the Civil War. The torch beacons to all the world a message of freedom and hope. The tablet shows the source of the hope: the date of the Declaration of Independence.

In a time of controversy about immigration Lady Liberty expresses our ideals. Reform in our policies is necessary, for sure, and must carry our highest ideals realistically in a troubled time. The greatest danger to America is not in a wave of migrants but in a wave of fear that hides those ideals behind steel and razor wire. After all, 97% of Americans are descended from those who heard that message to leave their land for a new hope on our shores!

I have a copy of my book Journey to Friendship waiting for you! A $20 contribution to the Tracks Network will put it in your mailbox to enjoy on these cold winter nights. Make your gift here.

This was a fun project to put on paper. The year of 1976 was a big one in my family and the nation. Thankfully, I kept a good diary of the ups, downs, and adventures! You many find some laughter and some connection to this memoir of a young couple getting started on the Journey!

“A novice minister and his wife discover the challenges of church vocation, the intrigues of starting a family, and the joys of building faith in this light-hearted memoir. Set in 1976, America’s tumultuous Bicentennial year, the easy-to-read story follows the young couple growing up in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, embarking on newlywed adventures and launching careers in education and church leadership.”

Click to donate for your copy!

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