Psalm 62 – “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken” (62:1-2).

“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge” (62:8).

“Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life” (62:10).

Right now in our country, the…

May 1, 2011

            Beloved Friends:

            My words arise from a still, small voice in my heart, along with a seed of concern for our continuing Spiritual growth and true development as unprogrammed Friends. Within the larger body and branches of our…

As we were gathered in silence this Sunday, it was easy to listen to and to hear the raindrops outside."

The reference to rain shows that I wrote this account of my thoughts back in October when I was worshipping with the Victoria Friends Meeting - here in the Yukon it is currently -35 degrees and no rain in sight!

I was contemplating on the various ways they follow their journey in their natural cycle. Some of them will fall on the earth,…

Psalm 58 – “Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? No! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land” (58:1-2).

“May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands” (58:7).

“The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then at last everyone will say, ‘There truly is a reward…

In the last two months, the Quaker Worship Group in Whitehorse witnessed an increased interest in the Quaker tradition of seeking God and the Quaker form of worship. As a very small and very isolated group, the concern of how to build community has been raised on several occasions.

William Swainson – doing Quaker outreach…

Christmas has arrived early. Unannounced, in smallish ways and yet, it's really here in my heart forever.…

Sorry there is SO MUCH in today's post. Mondays I do two days of readings and with the psalms, that gets to be  LOT.

Psalm 50 – “The Lord, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets” (50:1)

“Our God approaches, and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him. He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the…

Psalm 46 – “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea” (45:1-2).

“A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed” (46:4-5)

“The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble. God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here…

This week we heard from Lynn Holt on a "Labor of Love," focused on Luke 2:1-7.

Psalm 43 – “Declare me innocent, O God. Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside?” (43:1-2).

“Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live” (43:3).

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior…

Below is an excerpt from ESR student Brent Walsh's devotional for LifeJourney Church on the theme of "Overcoming Our Fear of God's 'Disruption'" and the scripture passage Acts 8:1-4:

I woke up in a Memphis…

Psalm 40 – “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire” (40:1-2).

“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God” (40:3).

“You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now…

Is Way of the Spirit grounded among Quakers? Can non-Quakers attend? Great questions from fall outreach! My responses may surprise you. Read and subscribe to the email list: http://tinyurl.com/WOTSandQuakers 

January 10-13th Way of the Spirit retreat on Spiritual…

I was wired in Meeting for Worship Sunday from the wonderfully wild drumming of the day before with my Artsy Fartsy kids. I tried to settle in, but it just wasn't happening. I was fully attentive to the minister's message on giving. She and I had had a conversation a few days…

Before Earlham College’s Stout Meeting House a copy of a statue of Mary Dyer stands, or literally sits, as a silent example of Quaker faith and practice. On a chilly Spring day in 2009 I found myself seeking the original Mary Dyer on Boston Common. Under the cold blue sky and shining sun I was led into Quaker Fellowship unbound by centuries of separation.



The original Mary Dyer statue stands at the corner of the State House of Massachusetts. The statue at Stout Meeting House is low…

Psalm 37 – “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither” (37:1-2).

Seek your happiness in the Lord; give yourself to Him and trust in Him. Be patient and wait for Him to act. Don’t give in to anger or worry.

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop…

Reflections on Doha climate negotiations: Thousands of Filipinos died in typhoons five years ago. Many thought it the will of God. Concerned about the impact of climate change on the poor, the Vatican asked local priests to tell parishioners that “it is man who disordered everything and we are suffering the consequence". WSJ 15 Oct 2007.

Similar stories…

After reading the Penn Charter article questioning whether they should be more Quaker and mulling it over in my spirit for a few days, I came to the realization that too many people, Quakers included, base their charity on intellectualizing the need for such instead of letting charity flow from their heart.  At a local Long Island gathering for Christ Centered Quakers, the spirit spoke to my heart that those of us gathered were wounded lovers, just as Jesus was, and that we were being sent…

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Friends, please give yourself a true gift this Christmas.

Psalm 31 – “O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress” (31:1-3).

 “You see my suffering; you know my trouble .  . . Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in trouble; my eyes are tired from so much crying; I am completely worn out. I am exhausted by sorrow, and weeping has…