Tracks for the Journey

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Listen as Raphael and Lexi discuss my essay "Resisting America's Hate Problem." The Source they refer to is the essay which is reprinted below. Their lively conversation brings out the main point: each of us should resist the temptation to fear people who are different as well as refusing the follow leaders who use hate to gain followers. We can break the hate by connecting to people who are different.

“They’re eating dogs… eating cats… the people that came in are eating pets!” The bizarre declaration by Vance and Trump about legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio went viral from the presidential debate last year. Local officials denied the stories, immigrants shared their life stories of overcoming hardship, and no animal bodies were found—yet the rumors about what “they” were doing persisted across the airwaves to influence voters. 

“They” are always a threat. The hate multiplies faster than the truth could ever move.

The strategy of finding scapegoats who are different and threatening has worked for millennia. Ancient tribes on every continent fought incessant wars. Mayan versus Aztec, Persians versus Egyptians, American settlers versus Native tribes, Jews versus Arabs, Nazis versus Jews—the list covers all of humanity. Leaders denounce the others as the source of all the problems and a threat to livelihood.

Nationalist leaders in America have followed this same pattern of hate and fear. The Native Indian tribes were driven out in the 17th century. Irish were denounced in the 18th century and Chinese in the 19th. The mid-twentieth century heard claims Communists were infiltrating society to overthrow the government. Ten years ago candidate Trump highlighted Mexican immigrants as criminals, drug lords, and murderous gangs that were flooding our cities. The past four years the target has included transgender predators who are taking over kids sports and destroying families.

The claims are outrageous, unscientific, and destructive. But they grab headlines and mislead voters by the millions. The promise is that a strong-arm leader will save us from what “they” are doing.

Let’s be honest. The accusations against the others aren’t true. The only truth is that the leaders who fan the hate gain support from the fearful and misinformed.

Psychologists tell us that our minds are wired for survival and safety. Recognizing a threatening situation could make the difference of life or death. Other people are different and that raises the possibility of danger. They don’t talk English so who knows what they are saying, or our daughters will be assaulted by men with a different skin color. In addition, there may also be the battle for scarce resources. The common refrain is that they are taking our jobs at home and abroad. That opposing group could be larger than we are, so we are in danger of being overrun by people flooding across the borders or having a great army that can defeat us.

Today we must resist the flood of misinformation promoted by those seeking power. Press conferences, influencer interviews, and social media posts seek to create fear and distrust. The voices shout about the danger some group poses. “They are eating dogs! Follow me and I will save us!”

We must name the anti-immigrant fears that have led to deportations as hateful bigotry.

We must name the anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim speeches as destructive of our shared society.

We must name the racial and ethnic stereotypes as poison that will infect our children.

We must name the attacks on the LGBTIA community as crimes against those who are loved by God just as much as white, straight people.

If the powerful win in driving one group out of society, soon another group will be the target. Attacks will increase on liberal judges, investigative reporters, scientists who present facts leaders don’t like, librarians who defend the wrong books, professors who give voice to mino

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This episode of TFJ brings a personal story I hope will promote your well-being. I’ve entitled it “Larry’s Leuko Logbook.” I’ll be sharing my experience with oral cancer. My experience has been part confusing, part frustrating, part frightening, and part amazing--and maybe all those at once. My hope is to share a story that will help you cope with troubles, get some crazy thoughts off my chest, and entertain a bit.

Leukoplakia is my nemesis, a growth of painful cells that can lead to cancer, that appeared on my innocent tongue in the Fall of 2022. The story involves family, friends, medical professionals, treatments, mood swings, mortality, and yes, God. 

Segments include:

A bloody ER trip 00:45

Hello COVID 3:55

Hello Leuko: aftereffects of COVID 19 5:10

New views of God and Me 6:33

It will go away, right? 8:15

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Lexi, the modern woman, needs a framework to find meaning in this world. It must be true to modern understandings and also true to the profound concepts of philosophy and theology. I believe the framework of Process philosophy with Open and Relational Theology can give us a path of well-being in our Quantum Age. Process philosophy with Open and Relational Theology offers a new worldview that correlates modern truths of the universe with profound insights about God. We can embrace the fact that everything in the universe is changing moment-by-moment and believe this includes God as the source of all creativity and value.

This is Part 3 of the Quantum Age series

Segments include:

Needing new answers in the Quantum Age

The dynamic God for our ever-changing life

Lexi’s life and the dynamic God

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Reframing our thoughts about the events of life is a superpower each can learn. We are not trapped in patterns of thought that hinder our well-being. It’s possible to discover options and alternatives no matter what experiences we have. By changing our vocabulary, examining the evidence, and questioning our assumptions we can reframe the ideas toward more successful and constructive outcomes.

Segments include:

Interpreting what we sense 1:51

Reframing thought patterns for better options 4:50

God provides possibilities to consider 6:50

Three skills to Reframe for Success 8:00

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“Scotty, beam us up!” Captain Kirk and the heroes of Star Trek called on the wizardry of 23rd century Transporting to move from one place to another. I recently experienced a mental/spiritual transport through the practice of Lectio Divina. The Latin phrase means, “divine reading.” Monks began the practice 1400 years ago to open their minds to God in a deeper way. Taking time to listen with the heart, rather than analyze with the mind, is central to the practice. In this episode, I share a personal experience and some guidelines to practice this method of spiritual experience that may unlock new paths of well-being.

Segments include:

"Transported" by the practice of Sacred Reading

A personal journey to the Sea of Galilee

Four-fold practice of the Reading

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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 21st 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. Can an ancient faith make sense now? Explore the great changes and the views of a modern woman, Lexi, in this episode.

This episode is read by Tony, an AI Voice friend from Microsoft ClipChamp.

Photo by 

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A grieving woman faced a choice. Her late husband’s storage building was filled with baseball mementoes. What to do with it all? What would help her the most on her journey of life? Grief is the universal human experience. This episode is Part Two of the Grief for Good series, exploring ways to embrace the work of Mourning to move forward in life.  

Segments include:

Mourning is vital for healing in grief

Accepting the reality of loss begins our mourning

Adjusting to the new meaning of life continues the healing

We can find the good in grief

(Cover photo by piro4d on pixabay.com)

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Post your thoughts here. If you want a reply email me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.

Everyone has some biases that distort our perception of the world. Some of these thought patterns cause us to stumble in relationships, work, or lifestyle. When we break those biases we can enjoy better living. In this episode Raphael and Liexi (from Google Notebook LM) explore common biases, connect with the disciples of Jesus on a wild night voyage, and offer some ways to change the biased thoughts that can hold us back from well-being.

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Walking through the dark valley of grief happens to everyone. Sadness, confusion, and loneliness fill our minds. We can find a healthy path as we pay attention to 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. 

Segments include:

The ancient path of grief

The impact of grief on our well-being

Variety in the valley

A companion in the work of grief 

(Photo by jeremywong on unsplash.com)

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This episode is a discussion of my recent article on Integrity and politics. The full article is reprinted below. Entitled, "Is Integrity Dead?" highlighted the difference in integrity between four presidents. It concluded with a quote from President Eisenhower and a challenge for Americans now.

 The discussion is between Raphael and Lexi, generated by Google Notebook LM

"This week in America the virtue of integrity was showcased in a dramatic juxtaposition unprecedented in 249 years of national history. It’s vital we reflect on what happened and why it is important.

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having high moral principles. It is a cornerstone of personal and public life. The value of integrity is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian ethic. From the Ten Commandments to Paul’s imperative to “put off falsehood,” it is clear that a person with integrity is aligned with God and with a life of virtue.

President Jimmy Carter exemplified integrity. His election campaign in 1976 promised, “I will not lie to you,” to an America who had heard lies from Nixon’s Oval Office repeated again and again. He talked to the nation honestly about the oil embargo, Iranian hostages, and the environment. In the years following he won the Nobel Peace Prize, fought for fair elections around the world, and eradicated diseases. He lived a full century of integrity that is being remembered with his death and legacy.

Kamala Harris presented decades of public integrity. As California Attorney General, US Senator, and Vice-President, she served with honesty in all aspects.  Her personal life shows integrity with a strong marriage, loving family connections, and business dealings that have been public and ethical. Her last public act was to certify the results of the 2024 election as a defeated candidate, yet true to the ideals of democracy.

The work of Joe Biden demonstrated integrity since his election to the Senate 57 years ago. In countless encounters his compassion, wisdom, and honesty have worked for the good of the nation. As President he led from the strength of character which bridged partisan division and lifted the nation to economic recovery. World leaders know they can trust his leadership. He respected the democratic process in this election. 

In complete contrast and juxtaposition, Donald Trump lacks even the most basic integrity and moral principles. He is the first President to be a convicted felon, defrauding the state and now paying millions in penalties. He has declared bankruptcy multiple times. His divorces and affairs are well-documented. The Big Lie of a stolen election was proven wrong by every court and election board in the nation yet was a central feature of his 2024 campaign. Four years ago, he tried to steal the election from Joe Biden with a gang of insurgents seeking to overthrow the Constitution. America has never had such a criminal in the Oval Office as now.

I am gratified that more people voted against this criminal, over 77.5 million, than voted for him. We can curse the Electoral College for robbing these sincere voters. But 75 million voted for him, ignoring the corruption, lies, and failures. That is a shocking rejection of integrity as a qualification for the highest office in our land. 

President Dwight Eisenhower said, “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a f

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