"Thank you Keith. Beautifully expressed! Your intro:
". . . through . . . the spirit of Christ in my conscience and consciousness, I am draw out of the process of reflecting on an outward Jesus and having to engage in wondering or imagining…"
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Primitive Christianity Revived, Again
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Howard Brod
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- Powhatan, VA
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Which Brings Inner Peace? Political Action or Spiritual Action
Started this discussion. Last reply by Kirby Urner 2nd month 9, 2017. 11 Replies 0 Likes
Sentiments and actions derived from the ego characterize political action, whereas sentiments and actions derived from divine love characterize spiritual action. As Quakers we are called to the…Continue
Beginning Peace & Social Action from a Spiritual Place
Started this discussion. Last reply by Kirby Urner 9th month 18, 2016. 4 Replies 1 Like
My meeting has begun the process of considering our concern over the use of drones to punish and take revenge on terrorists. I have so appreciated that our Peace and Social Action committee is…Continue
Orlando & Friends: A Quaker Prophet Speaks
Started 6th month 14, 2016 0 Replies 0 Likes
Here's the link to this fine article by Chuck Fager:Orlando & Friends: A Quaker Prophet SpeaksContinue
A Worthwhile Read About Minding the Light
Started this discussion. Last reply by William F Rushby 6th month 11, 2016. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Here's the link (just click on it):A worthwhile read about minding the LightContinue
Howard Brod's Page
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"I think there is a relatively small elite at the top of the power structure of unprogrammed Friends. Some of them are paid and some not, but they usually hold important positions. They form a "star system," getting called upon…"
"The main Quaker hierarchy today are those who learn to manipulate "Quaker Process"."
"As someone who did travel within a Liberal Yearly Meeting in the past and was totally turned by Quaker nostalgia as someone just starting to attend meeting again because during Quarantine silent waiting helped me through as much as in the past I…"
"Thanks William. I have heard of what you speak of. It is sad.
Thanks."
"William, your experience you describe is unlike what I've observed at a liberal Quaker meeting, where the culture is to continue listening to a Friend who has a different opinion - even for many years if needed, before the Spirit moves all to…"
"Hi William!
It's been a long time since we have corresponded. I hope you are well!
Have you checked out North Carolina Yearly Meeting Conservative for some tips? They seem very Christ oriented and have some vibrant meetings. Although they…"
"It is edifying to gather with others who share the living presence of the spirit of Jesus Christ in their heart, according to their measure. Gathering in silent meeting or is a personal preference when moved to seek the fellowship of others.…"
"One school of thought is that any testimony in a meeting for worship is a distraction and should be discouraged. This would seem to negate the "one anothering" which so heavily stressed in the New Testament and in the history of…"
"The continuous and living presence of the Spirit would not want you to reflect on the content of what anyone else says? (Or do you mean wondering, in a critical manner, "What did he say that for?" ) This seems to make it pointless for…"
"Attending silent meeting in the immanent and self evident presence of the spirit of Jesus Christ is the direct living ministry of Christ. Whether someone speaks or not is irrelevant. Whenever I find myself engaged in the process of reflecting upon…"
"I wrote: "Disclaimer: I am not a recognized minister and would not justify all of the weaknesses which may ensue from the recording of ministers!"
Nor would I recommend throwing the baby out with the bathwater!"
"The problem with making spoken ministry everyone's responsibility in a meeting is that it too frequently becomes no one's responsibility. That's when "daffodil ministry" and "NPR-inspired ministry" become the…"
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- Member of Midlothian Friends Meeting, located in a suburb of Richmond, VA.
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The Earliest Quakers and Liberal Quakerism
Posted on 10th mo. 12, 2018 at 9:59pm 4 Comments 1 Like
Many Quakers mistakenly assume that the modern liberal Quaker movement is not akin to the movement first began by the very earliest Quakers from the 1640’s into the 1670’s. Yet, three characteristics of these very earliest Quakers remain essential characteristics of liberal Quakers in modern times: Spiritual freedom, egalitarianism, and mysticism.
As with many spiritual movements at their beginning, Quakerism began as a free-flowing spiritual society. Highly influenced by Jesus’ own…
ContinueThe Four Structures of Unprogrammed Quaker Meetings
Posted on 8th mo. 4, 2016 at 8:00pm 13 Comments 0 Likes
There are four distinct structural arrangements utilized by unprogrammed Quaker meetings. Meetings tend to gravitate to one of these, or may use a hybrid structure taken from one or more of these. Here’s my assessment of them. Which structure does your meeting use, and how does it work for your community of Friends?
Laissez-faire Arrangement
This is where a spiritual core Presence is not a priority at the meeting. Friends are there basically as individuals to…
ContinueOutward Forms, Human reasoning, and Idolatry
Posted on 10th mo. 31, 2015 at 4:05pm 27 Comments 0 Likes
I tend to over-simplify things even though I do not live in a simple manner outwardly. My outward life is somewhat complex for a number of reasons that I have accepted as a tool that I am called to use for spiritual reasons. I did not reason my way to where I am; rather, I have found myself mindfully here at a place where it seems the Spirit has placed me. And the Spirit has ministered and comforted me in this place because it is not where I would choose to be if I were left to my own…
ContinueThe Spirit of Truth
Posted on 10th mo. 15, 2015 at 5:49pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
The 'Holy Spirit' is sometimes referred to in the Bible as the 'Spirit of Truth'. It is apparent from biblical accounts that while on Earth some two thousand years ago, Jesus embraced a mission of bringing true reality to humankind.
Knowing he would not live forever in this world, he told all who might also embrace his mission,
“I will ask the Father to send you another Helper, the Spirit of truth, who will remain…
ContinueComment Wall (7 comments)
- At 10:07pm on 10th mo. 19, 2015,
Micah Bales said…
Thank you for the encouragement, Howard! I'm glad to hear that the Longs are doing well and are connected with Friends in Virginia!
- At 10:55am on 4th mo. 27, 2015,
Keith Saylor said…
Howard. You wrote over on the Jolly Quaker blog:
A living faith, like the one preached by Jesus, does not rely on tradition and books. It relies on the power of the Spirit to transform people so their lives, their families, and the world are better. All religions that argue for respect for their “holy” books (i.e., “Faith and Practice”) and their traditions eventually will lose relevance.
Consider this: Perhaps the mass of Quakers who are ignoring tradition and their ‘Faith and Practice’ manuals have gotten it right. The powerful and meaningful aspects of Quakerism to their modern lives is silent worship and gathered communal discernment. And all they now need is for the Quaker experts and historians to recognize that and help them to focus on it alone.
Very well said. Thank you writing it out loud.
- At 6:39pm on 9th mo. 24, 2012,
geoffrey kaiser said…
ach...it should have said the 95+% traditional non pastoral meetings served by FGC doubled in size....
Geoffrey
- At 6:37pm on 9th mo. 24, 2012,
Hi Howard:
Check arrived, I've had three charts printed up for you, they'll be out tomorrow.
Thee might find the statistics and graphs for the 20th century at the top a bit of a surprise....pastoral churches went from 93,000 to 50,000, the EFI membership was flat...and the 95+ traditional meetings served by the FGC doubled in size.......I'm tempted to post the graphs....What's thee think ?
Geoffrey
- At 5:47pm on 9th mo. 20, 2012,
Hi, Howard:
For the charts we also do pay-pal using our e-mail to enter it.
There is a library paper & ink version that should last 100 years or so. It costs us $50 to get a copy made, and then postage as well, and they do need to be framed..... The regular ones should last till the ocean gets to Richmond, (2040 or so).......Been 20 yrs or so since we were at Richmond mtg doing a lecture on the subject.I stopped because I felt I was being drawn into the FUM/EFI frey. Quakerism is my religion, not a sideline or a theological chess game, or a theological tower of Babel. Its not some magic formula that will jettison me into heaven when I'm dead, make it so I'm not responsible for my actions or have some warrior-god come and fix everything.
I rather doubt that becoming part of this club is spiritually wise for me. We'll see.
Geoffrey
- At 8:45am on 9th mo. 15, 2012,
Timothy said…
How is Powhatan? Amelia Court House is not far south is it? It hath been a long time since I was in that area. . . Campbell has been cooling down, especially in the lower vales and rural areas. Hope thou hast a good day.
Thy humble Friend,
Timothy
- At 2:43pm on 4th mo. 11, 2011,
Paula Deming said…
I'm glad to have you hear!
Yours in the Light, Paula
(originally part of Roanoke Friends Meeting)
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