• PSYCHO-PATHS: Grief for Good, Part One

• WAYPOINTS: The Words of Jesus Strike Hard

• SOULPRINTS: Old Ideas in a New World

I remember the first time I saw a dead person. I awakened to answer the phone and heard the voice of an older woman, a member of my small church in rural Oklahoma. “Pastor! He’s dead! John’s dead. Come help me!” I hurried through the dark streets to her house. The man lay in the bed, pale, cold, and still. She explained he had gone to bed not feeling well and when she checked sometime later, he didn’t respond. Dead, with the “spirit” of his life departed, he now lay quiet as in sleep, but silent. As we waited for the police and mortuary workers to arrive, I formed a circle of prayer with the stunned widow and the deceased. One of my hands touched warm, moist flesh, while the other hand touched cold and immobile skin. My prayer thanked God for his life and the promise of eternal life. An hour later the body left the house. But one might wonder, where was John now?

Hey friends, all of us experience the dark valley of grief. We may lose a loved one or a big dream, bringing the sadness, confusion, and loneliness we know so well. In this episode I will discuss some important aspects of grief that may be overlooked. In the second post (next week) I will offer some ways for handling the grief experience to promote well-being. By doing a healthy work we can grieve for good…

Watch or listen to the full episode as I explore finding a healthy path through the wisdom of faith and science, bringing good from our grief. In this first of a two-part series, I explore the shape of grief and the value of accepting this emotional journey

In 50 plus years of ministry, I’ve preached or taught more than 3,000 times. On occasion, hearers have disagreed, sometimes disagreeably, which is not pleasant. Rev. Budde has a good word to share in this interview about the experience she had with the President attending church. In my opinion, his reaction to the teachings of Jesus showed a shallowness of faith and character that was shocking. Those who have tried to censure her are deflecting from their own guilt when the words of Jesus strike hard.

Watch Rev Budde’s interview to learn more about her and the admonition of Jesus

“Don’t put new wine in old wineskins!” Those words of Jesus, a common proverb of his day, offer the simple truth that old ideas don’t work in a new world. That’s a hard truth, though, when the old ideas are firmly ingrained in our minds. We’re challenged to engage a new view of reality.

The term “worldview” names our ontology, or what we believe about the nature and working of the world we live in. Psychologist Alison Gray describes it as a “collection of attitudes, values, stories and expectations about the world around us, which inform our every thought and action. Worldview is expressed in ethics, religion, philosophy, scientific beliefs and so on.” ^[1] The beliefs of our worldview usually operate behind conscious thought, bringing a mental filter to each experience. The thoughts I have about God or about eating fried crickets are deeply influenced by the worldview I’ve built from all I have experienced. Entire societies can also be shaped by a worldview, as when the belief about Aryan Superiority created Nazi Germany.

The Classic worldview has persisted since the dawn of time. It shaped the thoughts of the builders of Stonehenge, all the Bible characters, and my maternal 10^th great-grandfather, Dutchman Edward Bogardus, who stepped foot in the colony of New York in 1633. His worldview was probably like this:

Edward lived in a Dutch village with his wife and four living children. He worked daily on his small plot of land that his family had farmed for six generations under the same Baron. He had one slave and one ox and a few coins, trading mostly by barter. He thought about feeding his family more than being happy, though he did like to drink and dance. Kings, warlords, and priests made the laws and the doctrines to believe. Security was his to keep with the biggest sword or weapon he could find. He couldn’t read so his knowledge came by oral tradition from the clan and village. John knew his identity from his family and his ruler. He had never traveled beyond the mountains but had heard rumors about other villages. His medicine was herbal and ineffective. He knew the spiritual powers controlled everything, so they needed attention to ensure prosperity and avoid disaster. The stars held the fate of each person if you could decipher the meanings. He knew it was important to preserve the traditions handed to him so his life would be stable and safe for years ahead. More important was how to prepare his soul for judgment after death.  

Times have changed, really changed! The people of 2025 don’t look at the world like Edward. A new worldview has burst the wineskins. I’ll explore this Quantum Worldview and Theology in the next issue.

 [1] Alison Gray, “Worldviews.” International Psychiatry, 2011 Aug; 8(3): 58–60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6735033/

What was your favorite book of 2024? Folks in the TRACKERS COMMUNITY want to know!

Most of us have enjoyed several books during the past year. We may have been inspired, informed, shocked, or thrilled with the story woven by a skilled writer. Was there one that really stood out? Let others know!

The TRACKERS COMMUNITY is a Facebook group following this TRACKS FOR THE JOURNEY NETWORK. We are interested in all resources that promote well-being! I’ll be sharing the results in future issues of TRACKS EXPRESS.

Don’t use Facebook? Just email me at the address below with your title and what you liked.

Click the link below to share a comments about your favorite read in 2024.