• SOULPRINTS: New Words for Prayer

• WAYPOINTS: Did God Intervene?

• TRAILMIX: Homemade Peach Ice Cream

• VIEWFINDER: A Royal Castle

More than 60% of Americans pray often. That’s a lot of human-divine communication! The words used express all of human emotions and deepest beliefs. In this episode of Tracks for the Journey, I explore new words that match a fresh view of God’s work in the world. The episode begins:

“New words arise constantly to meet the needs of communication. For 2023, the Word of the Year was either “authentic” (Merriam-Webster), “hallucinate” (Dictionary.com), “Rizz” (Oxford Press), or “AI” (Collins Publishing). I’m sure you used at least one of these to get a message across in the modern lingo of our day.

Prayer has it’s own lingo. Stock phrases abound in various traditions. One can hear, “In Jesus’ name,” at the end of many prayers, or “Hail Mary,” in others. There are many types of prayer, including praise, lament, confession, and meditation. The old practice of petitionary prayer, in which we talk with God about a need we feel, is common for most of us. Over the past several years I learned some truths about God that have led me to embrace new words that enrich this spiritual dialogue.”

Read, listen, or watch the full episode from the links on my website!

Nothing says summer like homemade peach ice cream! This easy mix is great for a rocking chair treat on that special summer evening. —JanMaree

INGREDIENTS:

2 jars Delmonte Orchard Select No Sugar Peaches (found in produce section), chopped* (or use fresh as described below)

3 ½ c. sugar

4 t. vanilla

1 t. salt

2 qt. half and half

2 qt. heavy cream (or less)

6 T. Torani peach syrup**

Drop of red food coloring, if desired

PREPARATION 

Dissolve sugar in some of the half and half, adding the salt, vanilla, and peach syrup. Put in freezer can. Add chopped peaches. Add rest of half and half, then add as much cream as the freezer bucket will hold. Stir thoroughly. 

If you want extra color, add a small amount of red food coloring. Less heavy cream and more half and half may be used to make it less rich.

Use your favorite ice cream freezer and churn until the mix is thick. Let it harden and enjoy!

 *NOTE for using fresh peaches: Peel 4-6 peaches, slice and cover with 1 c. sugar and 1 t. lemon juice. Allow to sit for up to an hour to allow peaches to soften and juices to be released. Then, mash peaches with a fork or gently pulse in a food processor. WARNING: If the peach pieces are too large, they will create chunks in your ice cream that are unpleasant and difficult to eat.

**Found at Walmart, Drug Emporium, United

In the heart of London stands the monumental Round Tower of Windsor Castle. Construction began in 1067 by William the Conqueror, with many additions through the centuries. Jan and I walked its ground and galleries a few years ago. We marveled at the beauty, the art, and the feel of history permeating the meticulous acres. The Round Tower dates from the 12^th century. It withstood siege, fire, and civil war to become the icon of the Empire. The museum inside and all the buildings nearby hold fascinating items and displays of British History.

I’m sure my Payne ancestors, commoners all, never set foot on the royal grounds. Maybe a few traveled to London by horseback to look at the same stones on the Round Tower that I saw centuries later. Before they came to America around 1700, the generations had witnessed Kings come and go, religious tumult, and changing economics. They believed in the divine right of Kings that held total control over life, that state and religion must be intertwined, and only white men should have power in society. Whoever made the decision to board a ship and sail west for Virginia (the branches on the family tree are dim), thank you! I’m glad fresh winds have blown to a better life in the 21^st century.

The bold claim, “God intervened to save President Trump,” appeared this week. The reference is to the wounding of the former president at the rally in Pennsylvania by Thomas Crooks. He fired eight shots, missing Trump’s head by one inch, killing a bystander, and wounding two others.

This claim is nonsense. The logic unravels quickly. If God wanted to intervene and save Trump’s life, why not stop the gunman before he fired, or to spare the other three casualties, or make the gun misfire? Further, do we really believe God suspended the laws of physics to change the trajectory of the bullet in the 0.9 seconds of its flight, or nudged the shooter’s arm to change his aim? Ethically, if God choose to spare Trump, then it means that God choose to kill the man nearby, a fine community member and family leader, and wound two others. No!

Process Theology holds a better truth. We should take seriously the words of Jesus that “God is Spirit,” not a magician. God doesn’t or can’t suspend the laws of nature. “God is Love,” according to Jesus, and Love is essentially non-coercive, not forcing anyone to do any action. God without doubt sought many times to change the conscience of that young man, to fill bystanders with compassion to aid the wounded, and perhaps even awaken the nation to the terrible consequences of lies, hate, and polarization that have filled our society. Is God intervening? Absolutely, every moment, for a better world, with no universe-altering “miracle” needed. The real miracle is for us to listen and follow the Love of God.

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