• CAIRNS: Check the Facts to Be Safe!

• TRAILMATES: Forge Good with Family Sayings

• SOULPRINTS: What Do You See?

News flash: A whole lot of lies are flying around the Internet! All of us have read the disinformation about pedophiles at the pizza place, immigrants eating dogs, or UFO’s flying over the nuclear reactors. How can we get some real facts? The RAND non-partisan research corporation published a list of over 70 online resources for checking facts, disproving the conspiracy theories, and establishing solid knowledge for life.

For example, FactCheck.org published a piece to sort out what the real work and involvement of USAID, versus the misinformation that is being peddled.

Here’s the link to the RAND list of great websites to help us live with facts, not fiction!

My Mother said many times, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Most families have a repertoire of legendary sayings that echo through their shared experience. Some are famous, others are infamous, but all convey more than simply words that bind families together. Underneath are really belief systems, fears, warnings, and actual wisdom that guide life.

Families or couples may forge some good times and deeper connections by sharing the sayings everyone has heard so many times. It may be fun or even recall some delightful memories. In reality, these often-repeated words have shaped more of our personal belief system that we can imagine.

So, take a few minutes to play the “Sayings” game. Grab a few pieces of paper for each person. Give time for each person to list a couple of these memorable epithets. Take turns sharing the words, where they came from, and why they have stuck around. Invite the group to add input. Then, most importantly, reflect on how the words have shaped beliefs and behaviors now with the underlying meaning.

What about those chickens? It’s a common saying all of us have heard and maybe even absorbed that wisdom into our plans. It’s not helpful to base today’s behavior on what might happen! If you spend the money now the money your uncle promised would come soon with his new investment… well… be careful!

The favorite sayings are important to link our lives with each other. We may even find some new sayings for a better life!

Adapted from Rosemary Thompson, Counseling Techniques, 2^nd Ed. Brunner-Routledge Publishing, 2003.  

What do we see? Looking at a man having a seizure, the citizen of 1700 CE would judge a demon is at work, whereas the 21^st century observer would call 9-1-1 to treat a medical emergency. It is an understatement that the world has undergone a radical shift in knowledge in the past 500 years. Every person living today is shaped by the worldview which emerges from these changes. We see life differently than our ancestors. Can an ancient faith make sense now?

 “The Quantum Age” describes the complex of beliefs around us. The shifts from the knowledge and cultures of 1500 to the 21^st century can be summarized in nine areas of human understanding and experience…

Tragically, classical Christian theology, as taught in many institutions and churches today, has not kept up with the radical changes of the past 550 years. Beliefs that are based on the worldviews of a previous age cannot sustain abundant life now or for future generations. Many Christians today do not have a system of belief that incorporates the Quantum worldview into a meaningful mindset. God has become merely an icon of religion that is not necessary for daily life for billions of people…

Listen to the full episode of “What Do You See?” on your podcast provider or on Buzzsprout as I explore the progressive theology needed for the world today.