In Quaker worship, the “God in silence” is not a distant, impersonal deity, but the living presence of Christ Jesus—the Spirit of God—made known through the gathered stillness of meeting. (Quaker.org) *** “There is a progression in the spiritual life. It is not wise to tackle the Mt. Everest of the soul before having had…
Category: A Faith in Process
Notes from the Journey
Quaker Wisdom: Silence
“Many religions include short moments of silence in their services, but for Quakers, silence is the heart of worship. The room goes still as we let go of everyday busyness. Individuals may rise occasionally to share a message out of the silence, but for the most part quiet reigns. (dailyquaker.com) This sitting in silence together, in…
Quaker Wisdom: Stillness
I have been reading The Quaker Book of Wisdom by Robert Laurence Smith. Among the Quaker beliefs and practices, there is much wisdom to share. I’ll start with explanation and a Quaker quote, then Scripture. *** In Quaker tradition, “stillness” is not just quiet — it is a deliberate, spiritual practice of sitting in silence together to…
In My Control
(Adapted from a post found online) I Can Control My Attitude. Positivity breeds resilience. I Can Control My Effort. Knowing I did my best provides peace of mind. I Can Control My Reaction. Defuse tension by choosing calm and thoughtful responses. I Can Control Self-Care. It is necessary for overall well-being. I Can Control My…
Rejoice!
When you cannot rejoice in feelings, circumstances or conditions, rejoice in the Lord.A. B. Simpson *** See, God has come to save me! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and song; he is my salvation.Isaiah 12:2 Living Bible *** Let this one great, gracious, glorious fact lie in…
God in Control
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.Romans 8:28 NLT *** God is bigger than time,dates, and appointments.He wants you to movethrough this day with a quiet heart,an inward assurance thatHe is in control, a peaceful certaintythat…
In the Storm
Sometimes God allows storms to come together in such a way that they ultimately fulfill something that would never have happened otherwise. Beth Moore *** One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a…
Why We Worship
Yes, you have been with me from birth;from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.No wonder I am always praising you!Psalm 71:6 NLT *** [Lyrics from Always on Time by Elevation Worship] I remember how You PROVIDEDHow You HELD ME through the nightAnd I remember how You SUSTAINED meWhen You stepped in to SAVE…
Like a Child
For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes…
Separate AND Necessary
Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.1 Corinthians 12:27 Living Bible *** As Saint Teresa of Avila put it, Christ has no body on earth but yours. Yours are the…