You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2008.
Silent v loud! I’ve been reading about the Quakers and their traditional silent meetings. I haven’t read everything on the topic and am no expert, but wanted to write here about it because it is such an interesting topic.
The traditional Quaker “meeting” has no alter, is silent (until a person is moved by the Holy Spirit to give testimony), lay leadership. The Methodists are all about programming, singing loud and proud no matter our singing ability, and being led by an educated pastor. However, both include moving away from self-centeredness to group focus in the Holy Spirit. Both value each person, being made by God. Both value incorporating knowledge in decision-making.
In business, I’ve seen so much self-centeredness (rather than selflessness). People working to get ahead and compete harsher than the other guy. Competetiveness is fine, but I’m talking about the people that really don’t care as they move forward or just do their daily work. I wish my business meetings were a little more like meetings at church… working as one team, valuing each person and their opinion, listening, voicing opinion in turn. In general, as Aretha Franklin sang “R. E. S. P. E. C. T.” which is central to the Christian value of all persons being made by God.
Well, I suppose that’s all I had to say! Interesting to me and I hope to you too.
Peace be with you,
I just read the daily devotional on healing and really liked what it said, so want to talk about it here. The basis of the devotional was about healing and divorce. It is really terrible when two people that have committed to each other end up going separate ways. I’ve been divorced from my beautiful little girl’s daddy for a long time now and have gone through many stages of healing. I believe we are excellent parents and raising her very well even though we live in separate homes. It’s not ideal, but works for us. If anyone reads this and is going through a divorce, these are my after-the-fact suggestions to help get through.
-Read Mark 5:25-34
-Take naps to rest.
-Never argue in front of children or talk badly about the other parent.
-Don’t numb yourself with anything. God gave us tear ducts for a reason.
-Never get violent – walk away.
-Have grace
-Take time (this can mean YEARS) to heal
-Trust in God
After 8 years, I think I’ve finally got this healing thing under control. I told someone recently that the only way I can do everything I do is because of regular attendance at church. I think I cried through my first year of Sunday services and several one-on-one sessions with the pastor. Now, I have shifted my attention from “me, me, me” to the larger picture. This has opened up an entirely new relationship with God and the world to me.
Please take this with with you. . . . . “Peace be with you.”
