• Soulprints: Speaking Up!

• TRACKERS: Your comments on God and Health

• Cairns: Donate for a Free Book

• Viewfinder: Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz

• TrailMix: Mom’s Chocolate Sauce

Soulprints: Speaking Up!

Do you find it hard to “speak up?” I’ve always been more of an observer than an actor, more to a leave-it-alone rather than a grab-the-horns. But there are times when silence is not golden, just a matte black that doesn’t meet the challenge when something is wrong. It’s important to gain a voice.

Today’s newsfeed reveals the desire of powerful groups to silence opposing ideas. Authoritarian dictators arrest opponents. Protestors launch Bible verses like grenades across picket lines. Trolls attack good people on social media with hateful threats. When persons of faith challenge the Powers, sparks of conflict bring tumult—or transformation—to the world.

Scriptures provide examples of this difficult engagement from ages past. The prophet Elisha challenged Naaman, the desperate commander of a great pagan army, to surrender his prejudice against the God of a minor nation, who alone could bring healing. Paul brought a prophetic challenge to the Roman governor Agrippa, calling him to consider his personal response to Jesus, the Lord of a new kingdom far greater than Rome. In each story we find the person of power confronted by a greater Power, embodied in a commoner who is daring to express the truth.

Where do we find courage to speak? It grows from self-esteem. Those who understand their innate worth and dignity can turn that assurance into great courage. Most of the time we feel our worth is connected to what we succeed in doing. Our society rewards those who do things with paychecks, accolades, and magazine covers. Certainly, striving for a productive life is healthy. But worth is far deeper than what is on a resume. Dr. Brenae Brown writes, “Worthiness doesn’t have any prerequisites… Here’s what is truly at the heart of Wholeheartedness: Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.” For persons of faith, this worth is rooted in the inclusion of every person in God’s loving family.

Could there be some Power that needs to hear your voice? A place where your values are being ignored, or other worthy people being demeaned? If it feels wrong, it probably is! A Power is seeking to further an agenda that hurts people, divides communities, or blocks well-being. Your voice can make a difference because you are worthy in God’s world.

It's important for us to lift up the voices who have spoken up. Across the centuries common folks have acted with courage to unwilling Powers. A determined priest, Francis of Assisi, spoke truth about life with God to a medieval church enamored with wealth. A Baptist preacher of the 16^th century, Thomas Helwys, delivered a call for religious liberty to the King who claimed power over the conscience of every subject. Kindergartener Ruby Bridges walked with courage to school each day in 1959, inflicting the bigots of New Orleans with a witness of equality.

We may feel inadequate. That’s okay. But let’s not be silent. Common folks of faith activate the energy of the Divine when we live out justice, love, and healing to the Powers.

CITED

Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection. Hazeldon Publishing, 2010.

I invite you to join the TRACKERS Community to expand your connection with the insights and inspiration of Tracks for the Journey. The current discussion is about your thoughts on healing. In the previous Tracks for the Journey episode (watch here on Youtube) I said:

"For the healing of our bodies, a noncoercive relationship means that God cannot make cancer cells disappear, a heart to beat properly, or a bone to heal instantaneously. Acting as a sole agent, God can’t make you well. God’s work is collaborative with the physical world and this precludes what we call supernatural interventions which overrule the laws of nature."

Follow the link to join the Facebook group "TRACKERS: The Tracks for the Journey Online Community." https://www.facebook.com/groups/tfjtrackers/

Let's hear some of your thoughts, questions, and reactions to this important insight on God and our health.

Trail Mix: Mom’s Chocolate Sauce

There’s nothing like rich chocolate to flavor a dessert or hot drink. This long-loved recipe from my Mom, Ruth Junkins, is far-and-away-better than any store-bought jar of chocolate sauce or syrup! Make a quart to keep in the fridge and your guests will be Wonka over it! —JanMaree

 ½ c. butter, melted                                                        3 c. sugar 

½ c. cocoa                                                                   1/3 c. light corn syrup        

1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk (NOT sweetened condensed milk)

Pinch of salt 

1 t. vanilla               

 Mix cocoa with melted butter and sugar in a medium saucepan. Add the Karo syrup and about 4 ounces of the evaporated milk (1/3 of the can). Bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes or until smooth. Add the remainder of milk. Bring to a second boil for a few minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and salt. Stir until well-blended. Keep refrigerated for Hot Fudge Sundaes or Hot Chocolate.

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**Makes about 1 quart, so there will be enough to share.

Many consumers have a choice about their electric company. How Green and Clean the company does its job is just as important as rates and fees! The Sierra Club Lone Star chapter has produced a scorecard to rate Texas companies on this crucial metric. Let’s make choices that build a renewable, sustainable future for our well-being! Click the box above to access the report.

Viewfinder: The Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California

The stately Walton Lighthouse towers over the lapping waves of Seabright Beach of Santa Cruz, California. For more than 20 years it has sent the message of caution across the north end of Monterrey Bay and the Santa Cruz Harbor. With walls 4.5 feet thick to withstand the power of storm-tossed waves, it will be shining a green beacon of guidance for decades to come.

Beacons that offer steady guidance are important in life. Some might find a steady rock in a grandmother or father. Others lash their values to a sacred writing. Even a place can be a beacon, offering in a simple kitchen table or sheltering tree the location of love and safe memories. I took this picture on a relaxing visit with Josh, Kendra, and Jax, my precious California family. The rush of waves along the beach, the laughter of children running, and the rosy sky of a sunset brought a light along my path that day.

I’d love to hear where your Beacons are. Share a message at the TRACKERS Facebook community to let us know.

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. The author unfolds a journey of both miles and meaning that spans the Midwestern towns of Joplin (MO), Shawnee (OK), Ft. Worth, (TX), Friendship (WI) and Beaver (OK). His story of self-discovery offers readers an enjoyable retrospective on a special era in America, as well as insight on the work of God through every age.”

Click to donate for your copy!

I welcome your questions, comments, ideas, and affirmations. Join the TRACKERS community or email me directly at: [email protected]