SpeakingTruth.org program: Quaker Thought

Prayer

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:32:05 -0800

Read by Martha Churchyard from Letters on Spiritual Virtues by 17th century Quaker Isaac Pennington

Friend, some questions about prayer may arise in your mind as you have begun to sense the Truth, or have been touched by the Truth from God’s Holy Spirit. Since you have operated so long from a fleshly mind and ungodly nature and not in the leading of the Spirit, you may have some doubts about the practice of prayer.

Those people who doubt the power of prayer will never have their questions answered until the Lord opens their spirits and teaches it to them. Herein is the truth: all true prayer is in and from the Holy Spirit.

The promise of God concerning prayer (that is, the certainty of prayer being answered) is referring to the kind of prayer that is in faith and to the Holy Spirit. It is not, however, dealing with the prayers that come from the flesh or will or human wisdom. Therefore, the great care and concern in prayer is that it be of God in the quickenings and motions of his own Spirit. For the dead cannot praise God, nor can the dead truly pray to him.

We must not pray in a way that lacks life, that lacks God’s Spirit (who calls us to pray, teaches us to pray, and makes intercessions for us). True prayer is not in the time, in the will, or in the power of the person praying. Rather, it is a gift of God that resides in his Spirit. It is not ours, but it is given to us. Therefore, it is ours to wait upon the Spirit, to wait for the Spirit to move and breathe in us, and to give us the ability to call upon the Father and give us the power of prevailing with the Father, in the name and through the life of the Son.

One's Own Home

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:41:02 -0800

Read by W. Norman Cooper from his book "Seize the Day" 01-14

We may travel to many lands and enjoy many beautiful, strange and ancient sights--only to realize that there is no joy like the joy of being in one's own home. As Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter to John Armstrong, "The happiness of the domestic fireside is the first boon of heaven."

All of this reminds me of a sentence written by George Moore. He said, "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."

If such is the joy of being back in his material home, think of the joy which can come when one finds and resides in his God-created, spiritual home. This spiritual home is where the love of God finds its dwelling place. Great joy is found when one finds that spiritual home which can be defined as his awareness of divine Love.

Accept and dwell in your awareness of selfless love. This God-given awareness is your true home and there you will find and enjoy all you truly need, so that you may be a better help in serving others.

How Can I Lead?

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:15:09 -0800

Read and written by Stephen Travis Pope.

Many people of faith feel challenged by recent events in the world. How can we respond to external forces that upset or anger us in an appropriate and loving manner? How can we let our faith speak to people whose actions we cannot accept?

Writing from prison, George Fox admonished us to "be valiant for Truth upon earth. [...] Be patterns, be examples in all places, [...] wherever you come, that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people [...] then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one."

Mahatma Gandhi instructed us to "be the change you wish to see in the world."

Well, these all sound like pretty tall orders. I, for one, often have a hard time feeling like I'm much of a "pattern" for others to copy. How can I set an example for anyone else?

Just as the Chinese proverb tells us, however, that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." We can each do something each day, in every interaction we have, in every thought we think, to "be the change we seek."

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr reminded us, "we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal." The life of faith is not just the goal we seek, it is also the path to that goal.

As a first step towards "answering that of God in every one," we can each work to treat the people we deal with in a way that respects their dignity. We can respond in a manner and using a language that encourages understanding and communication on a higher level. With a little bit of effort and concentration, we can each start today, in our own ways, to "be valiant for Truth upon earth."

Starting now, I can be a better pattern than I was able to be yesterday. I'm ready to let my life speak for my faith, even in the very small ways that I'm capable of today.

On The Integration of Our Spiritual Lives

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:42:08 -0700

Read and written by Stephen Travis Pope

Our recent reading of the "Advices and Queries on the Spiritual Life" led me to look into the Faith and Practice manuals of other Yearly Meetings for statements on the subject. I found the following.

The individual Friend should lead a life rooted in an awareness of God's presence in all times and places. [...] Faith in God finds its expression in a way of life based on spiritual rather than material values. We place authority of the Spirit above any outward authority. [...] The life of the spirit gains depth and vigor through devotional practices, prayer, study and meditation.

It has always been my feeling that the human experience is defined by physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects, which are being simultaneously lived through by our inner spirit-beings. It seems to me that the only way to "live the spiritual life" is to learn to integrate these aspects of life together, so that our spirits take part and rejoice in our emotional, physical, and intellectual lives, so that these components are so well integrated that we don't actually need to take special time for any one of them in particular.

Just as we don't stop thinking if we go to play our favorite sport, or stop breathing when we have a particular feeling, why should our spirit stop being fully involved at any time during our daily life? Prayer and meditation can and should still be central components of our daily routines, but it's important to remember that our spiritual life is meant to be as continuous as our emotional or physical lives are.

In the phases when I feel most integrated and focused, my favorite prayer is the one that I say on each breath when I inhale life and energy and joy and connection between the outer and inner worlds.

Spiritual Virtues

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:37:54 -0700

Read by Martha Churchyard from "Letters on Spiritual Virtues" by Isaac Penington

Friends, our life is love and peace and tenderness. We are called to bear one another’s burdens, forgive one another, and never judge or accuse one another. Instead, we must pray for one another, helping one another up with a tender hand if there has been any slip or fall. O! wait to feel this spirit. Wait to be guided and to walk in this spirit that you may enjoy the Lord in sweetness and walk meekly, tenderly, peaceably, and lovingly with one another. Then you will be able to praise the Lord, and anything that has hindered you, you will be able to overcome in the Lamb’s dominion. That which is contrary shall be trampled upon as his life rises and begins to rule in you.

So, watch your hearts and ways. Watch over one another in gentleness and tenderness. Know that we cannot help one another out of a snare of our own strength, for only the Lord, who must be waited upon, can do this in all and for all. So, attend to the Truth, to the service and enjoyment and possession of it in your hearts. Walk in such a way that you do not bring disgrace upon it, but instead, let the Truth be a good savor to others in the places where you live. May the meek, innocent, tender, righteous life that reigns within you and governs you, shine through you into the eyes of all with whom you speak.

Violence or Non-Violence?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:32:54 -0700

Read by W. Norman Cooper from his book, "Seize the Day" 08/07

A nation that lives by military might eventually dies by military might. It has happened to every group, every nation and every civilization that has come upon the scene of history.

The writer Tolstoy said: "A great portion of the evils that afflict mankind is due to the erroneous belief that life can be made secure by violence." How true is that statement. A nation which attempts to defend itself by the preparation of means for violence only binds itself to that which is its eventual defeat.

Sooner or later individuals and nations must realize that they can have the nonviolent approach to situations. Christ Jesus had a nonviolent approach and he demanded this of his students. He said that if someone strikes you on one cheek, you are to turn the other cheek also. He told us what would happen to those who live by the sword--by violence. He said that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.

To overcome violence by violence is evil. We seem to think that there is some violent way by which we can secure that which is right. That which is right is freely given by God and is defended by the God who freely gives.

Why We Can Have Faith

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:03:11 -0700

read by W. Norman Cooper from his book, "Seize the Day," 01-04

Why can you have faith in God? Because God Himself is ever bearing witness to Himself and to His existence. He does this through holy Teachers, through the smile of a baby, through the beauty of a rose and through countless other ways.

While you do not need intellectual understanding as the basis of faith, you have all around you the signs of the Power in which you can have faith. Faith is that gift of God which is always calling for a new beginning. All around you are these signs which are meant as a call to Him. It is to become new, to become aware of your oneness with the creative Source of your being.

You must have faith in your God-given selfhood and in the God-given selfhood of others.

In 1662, the Book of Common Prayer defined faith as "an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace."

Religious Freedom

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:16:00 -0700

read by W. Norman Cooper from Seize the Day 01-11

How often worldly might prevails, sometimes even over right. But we should realize that might is not genuine power.

We could learn a great lesson by remembering the exodus from Egypt of the Israelites. The Pharaoh had great material might, but the Israelites had a different type of might. They had might which comes from a united loyalty to a just cause. That just cause was their desire for religious freedom. The Israelites wanted to be free to worship their God. Not all the might of Egypt could permanently keep them in bondage when they had such a righteous cause.

The lesson should be clear to us today. We must be alert that we stand up for genuine religious freedom. We must stand up for such freedom with the same faith, devotion and certainty as did the Israelites who were captives in Egypt so long ago. If we do, we will prove that righteousness, that is, genuine right, is permanent might.

Spiritual Virtues

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:31:36 -0700

Read by Martha Churchyard

Quotation from Letters on Spiritual Virtues by 17th century Quaker Isaac Pennington

Friend, it is a wonderful thing to witness the power of God as it reaches to the heart and demonstrates to the soul the pure way to life. Surely the person who partakes of this power will be favored by the Lord. Therefore, we ought to wait diligently for the leadings of the Holy Spirit in everything we do. Thus we will be able to travel through all that is contrary to God and into the things that are of God.

It is also a wonderful thing to witness God's preservation that keeps us from sliding backwards and being entangled in the traps of the enemy. For the enemy has many ways and uses many devices to ensnare our minds and draw it away from the Truth. There our souls are lulled asleep with false hopes and we lose the feeling and enjoyment of the true life and power.

O Friend, do you not have a sense of the way to the Father? Then you must press your spirit to bow daily before God and wait for breathings to you from his Spirit. Pray that he will continue his mercy to you and make his way more and more clear before you every day. Yes, and also pray that he will give you strength in all the trials which may come your way. By his secret working in your spirit, giving you assistance from time to time, you will advance nearer and nearer towards the kingdom.

Having Faith

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:44:04 -0700

Read by W. Norman Cooper from his book, Seize the Day

Faith gives you access to the saving power of God and this saving power always begins with faith. To the woman whom Chirst Jesus encountered at Simon's house, he said: "Thy faith hath saved thee."

It is faith that starts us on the road to the saving power or unity with divine Love. It is faith and not human intellectuality or understanding which is needed. The woman probably didn't have an awareness of the greatness of what was being expressed by Jesus, but she had faith; and that faith became her saving power.

Faith opens the door to all the splendor of the saving power of God; and faith will open the grandeur of God's abundant love for you--so that you may help others.

What Do We Believe?

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:25:51 -0700

Read and written by Stephen Travis Pope

One of the best definitions of Quakers is people with no creed, but a very strong theology. The most recent edition of the "Faith and Practice" manual of the Pacific Yearly Meeting opens with a quote from the 1995 Britain Yearly Meeting's "Faith and Practice." The quote reads,

"We, like every generation, must find the Light and Life again for ourselves. Only what we have valued and truly made our own, not by assertion, but by lives of faithful commitment, can we hand on to the future. Even then, we must humbly acknowledge that our vision of the truth will, again and again, be amended."

There are several statements here that warrant closer reflection.

First is the widely accepted definition that Quakers are people who "come to know God experimentally" as George Fox put it. What's unique in the statement above is the notion that we do this not just as individuals, but as generations as well. Each generation of Friends is called upon to wrestle with the social and moral issues of their day, and to carefully discern their responses.

Second, it is worth repeating that the insights we have into the human condition, our living faith, are useless and cannot be passed on, unless we apply them in our own lives. We can only lead by example if our truths are based on mystical experiences.

Lastly, and I believe unique among the world's religions, is the notion that we must remain open for our most deeply held beliefs to be amended, to be amended again and again. If one accepts the notion of the continuing revelation, one also has to accept that it will indeed continue.

Religious Convictions

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:41:28 -0700

Read by W. Norman Cooper from his book Seize the Day 01-09

Many good and noble men have willingly laid down their lives for their religious convictions. We may not be called upon to lay down our lives for religion, but all of us are called upon to live by our religious convictions.

Men have argued about their religious convictions and men have even died for their religious convictions; but not enough individuals have been willing to live by religion and its convictions.

Let us live the life of love, for living the life of love is living the religious life. Genuine religion is a living force. It requires sturdy men to live the living force of Love. Let us love our religious convictions so much that we are willing to live them.

Using the Soft Word

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:40:14 -0700

Read by W. Norman Cooper from his book Seize the Day 01-08

Theodore Roosevelt used to talk about speaking softly and carrying a big stick. I prefer the truth in an ancient Chinese proverb which says: "If you talk with a soft voice you do not need a thick stick."

The warring man or nation, symbolized by the man or nation with a big stick, does not lack antagonists. One can be sure that if there is one big stick, other big sticks will soon appear. But the soft word does not challenge another to fight.

When William Penn established Pennsylvania his Quaker beliefs would not permit him to even contemplate the necessity of warfare with the Indians; and there were no wars between his followers and the Indians. His soft words brought soft words. Blessed is the peacemaker. Blessed is he who uses the soft word.

Why Worship?

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:33:20 -0700

Read and written by Stephen Travis Pope

In his book "Encounter with Silence: Reflections From the Quaker Tradition," John Punshon writes the following: "It was the Testimonies that first attracted me to Quakerism. These say that, in all circumstances, no matter how trying, we are under a religious obligation to speak and live truthfully, peaceably, and simply. I have also become convinced that within the Society of Friends, the silent meeting for worship is the best guarantee that the strength to live up to the Testimonies will continue to be available."

Among Friends, there are many different interpretations of how the meeting for worship gives us strength--strength to live according to our higher plans, strength to be active in our communities. A meeting can be a place for active prayer; among the members of our reading and discussion group, prayer of thanksgiving was a common theme. For some, this comes automatically as soon as they calm their "chattering minds"; for others, it is a more conscious act, a part of a centering process. Many friends practice one form or another of visualization in meeting--either for the purpose of calming and centering, or of putting one's mind in a specific state of opening to the light.

In the end, a common thread appears in that Friends often relate to the presence in a Meeting that is more than the individual presence of the attenders. One can find many analogies for this "light" within our worship: the presence of angels or spirits, of Christ, or simply the congregation of souls who are open and peaceful and willing to be lead, to be available to the leadings of the spirit. Surely that leading is all around us all the time, it is only rarely, though, that we can hear it clearly.

Singing in the Spirit

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:07:01 -0700

Read by Martha Churchyard

My dear Friends, be not carried away by good words and fair speeches, but everyone have hold of the Truth in yourselves by which you may be stayed upon Christ, your bread of life, the staff of your heavenly and eternal life.

Now Friends, who have denied the world's songs and singing, sing you in the Spirit and with grace, making melody in your hearts to the Lord. You that have denied the world's formal praying, pray always in the Spirit.

You that have denied the world's giving thanks and their saying of grace and living out of it, do you in everything give thanks to the Lord through Jesus Christ.

And you that have denied the world's praising God with their lips, while their hearts are far off, do you always praise the Lord night and day.

And you that have denied the world's fastings, keep the fast of the Lord that breaks the bond of iniquity and lets the oppressed go free, that your health may grow and your Light shine as the morning. --Letters of George Fox 167

God-Given Freedom

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:19:19 -0700

Read by W. Norman Cooper from his book, SEIZE THE DAY 01-05

Genuine, God-given freedom is living at peace in God's universe so that we may be of service to others in need. It is living in a universal, divine relationship with all that God has created. When you extend to others their God-given freedom, you are free. There is no other way of gaining freedom for yourself but by giving others their freedom.

The reverse is also true. You are in bondage when you deny freedom to any other creature in God's universe. This does not mean that when you recognize your oneness with God that you are denied individuality or diversity. But as you recognize your oneness you will find that your individuality and diversity are enhanced. This is true because God expresses His freedom through you as individuality and diversity.

Why not live your God-given freedom today and let others be free also?

War Is the Greatest Plague

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:39:50 -0700

Read by W. Norman Cooper from is book, Seize the Day 01-07

in his Table Talk, Martin Luther wrote: "War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity. It destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it."

These words of the great Reformationist were written in the 16th century. They were true then. They are even more true today. With the advance of technological means of carrying on warfare today, it is even more true that "any scourge is preferable to [war]."

A nation may gain temporarily from war. It may even gain what in ignorance is called a victory. But true victory is the victory of divine Love operating in and as the thoughts and lives of men. True victory is gained by the peacemakers--not the war makers.

Let us be the blessed peacemakers.

Truth Can Live in the Jails

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:03:58 -0700

Read by Martha Churchyard from Letters of George Fox 227

Dear Friends, who suffer for your testimony and to all the rest in your county, I am glad to hear of your faithfulness and of your standing for the Church which Christ is the head of, which is in God, and [you] are become his living members. And therefore wherever you are, in prison, or out of prison, where two or three are gathered together in his name, there is a Church, and Christ the living Head in the midst of them: a prophet, to open to his Church the things of his Kingdom; and a bishop, to oversee his living members, that they be preserved in his Light, Grace, Truth, Spirit and Gospel; and he is a shepherd, to feed with heavenly food; and a priest, who has offered himself up a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, who cleanses, washes and purifies his Church. And therefore feel and see Christ exercising his offices, and ruling in your hearts. [Letter 368]

Sing and rejoice you children of the Day and of the Light. For the Lord is at work in this thick night of darkness that may be felt. Truth does flourish as the rose, the lilies do grow among the thorns, the plants atop of the hills, and upon them the lambs do skip and play.

Never heed the tempest nor the storms, floods or rains, for the Seed, Christ, is over all and does reign.

And so, be of good faith and valiant for the Truth. For the Truth can live in the jails. Fear not the loss of the fleece, for it will grow again. And follow the Lamb, if it be under the beast's horns or under the beast's heels, for the Lamb shall have the victory over them all.

When a War Begins, the Peace Witness Does not End

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 11:53:47 -0700

Read by Stephen Travis Pope

When a War Begins, the Peace Witness Does not End

The following is taken largely from an article called "When War Begins, the Peace Witness Does not End" by peace activist and Friend Chuck Fager.

What do the crises in the Middle East mean for Quakers? Consider here an analogy: most fire departments work hard at fire prevention, and an actual building fire means a setback for this goal. Yet the blaze does not put the firefighters out of action. To the contrary, they redouble their efforts, take risks, and absorb casualties, all in a struggle to contain the fire, roll it back and ultimately put it out. Once this is done, they catch their breath and return to their prevention campaign.

Friends are in a parallel situation. The outbreak of war surely marks a setback for activities of marching, vigiling, and writing to head it off. But it does not spell defeat, and much less a reason for withdrawal into disappointment, indifference or escape. There is still much To Do. And even more, there is still much To Be. Here I'll pass by what To Do; there are many possibilities and opportunities for action, and they are widely advertised. Rather, let me focus briefly on what, for Quakers, there is To Be.

At bottom it is straightforward and simple, so much so that it can be easily overlooked: It is, in George Fox's phrase, to "keep to our meetings," that is, to maintain and deepen our life as a worshiping community. This cultivation of a deep center will not only help sustain us as individuals in a dark time (which it will). It also, and perhaps more importantly, has a public aspect: it can maintain our meeting as a place of refuge from the spirit of war.

We know that, in the last six months, our meetings were at times filled up with pilgrims. They were seeking a similar respite from the war-spirit, and somehow figured that among Friends they would find it; and they were not mistaken. By "simply" being who we were, the meeting sustained a public witness, ministering to many who did not know where else to turn. From a worldly perspective, the meetings do not "accomplish" much. Our public protests are largely ignored or ridiculed. Yet we did achieve something, which I am convinced is more lasting than many a noisy protest: the meeting's presence and character helped sustain the hope of many. By the time the tide of that war receded, I was convinced this was one of our most important tasks during wartime: the task of being, rather than, or better yet, undergirding all our doing. As we continue to rush about doing all that we can to stem the tide of yet another war, let us not forget that much of our most potent peace witness will grow out of our being, as a worshiping community, rather than our doing.

A Life Centered in God

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:04:06 -0700

W. Norman Cooper reads from Faith and Practice of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

A life centered in God will be characterized by integrity, sincerity, and simplicity. Simplicity is best approached through a right ordering of priorities. Simplicity consists not in the use of particular forms but in avoiding self-indulgence, in maintaining humility of spirit, and in keeping the material surroundings of our lives directly serviceable to necessary ends. This does not mean that life need be poor or bare, or destitute of joy and beauty.