When I first became a Friend, something I heard a lot was that Quakerism is caught, not taught. For many Friends it is a point of pride that our faith is acquired through osmosis rather than instruction. I picked up most of my Quaker etiquette in this intuitive way. I noticed and imitated the tone …
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. Genesis 2:2 Do you feel productive today? Will you reach the end of the checklist? Will you finish up the week with all your tasks completed, your …
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean [pruned] because of the word that I have spoken to you. – John …
As a child of the digital age, I have been trained from a tender age to conflate urgency with importance. If the phone rings, pick it up. If there is an email, read it; reply to it. And if there is a video of adorable cats, or a courageous young person, or an analysis of …
What is the basis of real spiritual community? A large number of people showing up on Sunday morning? Having a deep spiritual experience, whether in a worship service or in personal devotions? Or is it a dedicated commitment to live a certain way and follow the rules? All of these elements show up in the …
Dear friends, It’s over. The darkness, the ice, the cold, the wondering whether winter will ever give way to spring; it’s all over. Just when we thought we couldn’t take any more, the sun came out, a warm breeze blew and the blossoms began to open with the promise of a new beginning. This is …
Read more “Spring Is Here – Micah’s Ministry Newsletter #63”
There’s a fine line between perseverance and stubbornness. Sometimes, painstaking work over time can be an investment that yields benefits in the long term. I’m thinking of the civil rights leaders who spent decades offering up their own blood, sweat and tears before seeing any real substantial movement in their struggle for human dignity. Whether …