bits of things Stephen on The Good News

The “Good News” that disciples of Christ are commanded to share with the world is the news that all of us can set aside our trappings and grow together in this Light. Together, we can seek out the true God, the Living God, the Great and Holy Spirit that loves us passionately and has the will and the power to unite us. Posted by Chris M

John Richards: Called by Christ to Love

It is difficult, and sometimes disheartening to live, work, and interact with the wider world and culture that is contrary to Christian living. Every day in the media, news, films, and television we are exposed to selfishness, cruelty and so-called fun. Making fun of someone who is different is a way to encourage conformity. The prevailing opinion is held up. Anyone who dares to speak out against it is seen as a threat. Posted by Martin Kelley

Lizopp gets distracted by lights, colors and action

I felt a pang of sadness and I immediately understood how the roller derby had been a tremendous distraction for me at a number of levels: I was caught up with the crowd, very detached from any sense of myself, let alone the Presence. I was focused on possessions, rushing about to collect SWAG (Stuff We All Get). And I was enraptured by the lights, colors, and action. Posted by Martin Kelley

Nancy Thomas: Beware of your stuff

But, beware!? That’s strong language. “Are you trying to tell me something, Lord,” I wondered. I admit I am attached to certain possessions, like the paintings and artifacts that represent our cross-cultural life style. And my library, of course. My precious books. (“Gollum. Gollum.”) All this stuff I mentally give back to God, and Hal and I practice an open-hands policy of lending—even giving away—stuff as we are led. All this helps, but even so, I know I need that warning: Beware of your stuff! Posted by Martin Kelley

Eileen Flanagan with a Quaker Approach to Prayer

One man came up to thank me afterwards, saying that his child had gone to a Quaker school for ten years, and he never could figure out what Quakers believed. Given that many in my audience seemed to resonate with my message, I am wondering today how we can share what is alive and meaningful in our form of prayer, both in our schools and in the wider world. Posted by Martin Kelley

Will T: Glimpses of privilege and a kingdom where all are wealthy

It is as hard, says Jesus, for a rich man to enter this kingdom as for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. Right now, I keep being shown glimpses of my privilege. Faithfulness is not always easy and grace is not cheap. But one thing I know is that right leading and right action is always wrapped in the love of God, and in the love of God, all things are possible. And everyone who resided in the Kingdom is wealthy, but not with the wealth of the world. Posted by Martin Kelley

Mark Wutka: Unleashing that of God

When our speech and actions are Spirit-led, when we aren't guided our ego, our fears, our desire to control things, we can reach the potential that-of-God in another person so that they might come to be guided by that same Spirit. Posted by Alice M Yaxley

Paul L on Vocation, Work and Faithfulness

I have never during my years of droneship forgotten that the workplace is part of creation, too, as fallen as the meetinghouse or the courthouse, full of broken and not-so-broken people, and a place for ministry. I do it in my small ways -- being unfailingly polite to high and low alike; providing honest and high quality work, no matter how mundane or unappreciated; cheerfully accepting criticism even from those unqualified to give it; making and strengthening the invisible fabric of social relationships, etc. Posted by N Jeanne Burns

Obedient Linda: Getting over an abusive relationship with Christians to find Jesus with Friends

In that process of seeking, I came to a Quaker meeting. There on a rainy Sunday, I heard others rise and speak what they were hearing when they became quiet, and their accountings were remarkably similar to my own. In this very liberal part of the Quaker world, there were even people like me, who had felt abused in the name of Jesus, and didn't even care to say his name. My new Friends said to us, "Are you seeking a relationship with the God of your understanding?" "Yes..." "Then you are welcome to join us." Posted by Martin Kelley

Johan Maurer: Meeting Jesus halfway

we haven't always made it easy for fair-minded seekers to consider trusting us enough to make us their spiritual home. But, on the other hand, I'd like to make a friendly challenge to our critics--can you meet Jesus at least halfway by taking some of the skepticism that you've directed at us and our Savior, and applying it to our critics as well? Posted by Alice M Yaxley