Sunday, February 7, 2010 by Jay T.

For at least a half hour of this morning’s worship, I wasn’t fully comfortable.  I had volunteered to oversee the meeting for worship and had arrived barely before the appointed time.  I’d not had time to open the overhead window its usual crack, or to turn on the ceiling fan.  The lack of air circulation put me to sleep for a while.  My throat was dry, as I’d left my water bottle outside fastened to my bicycle.  I was not in a sufficiently spiritual state.  I was tired from working hard and with too much adrenaline at quarterly meeting yesterday.

Close to the end of meeting, the Lord inwardly admonished me not to fret.  I was sufficient for God to address.  My throat, the atmosphere, my energy were all enough for God to reach through to find me.

This reassuring message of sufficiency and competence is the message of gratitude.  As I begin to pray, it helps to be thankful and acknowledge the blessings of life that surround me. Read the rest of this entry »

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Sunday, January 10, 2010 by Jay T.

Last spring, two groups in my meeting began some conversations with each other and with John Woolman.  After reading a chapter and responding to it in our journals, Friends would meet periodically to discuss what we’d read, how we’d reacted and how we can change our lives to be more congruous with Quaker testimonies.  There’s some more info about it in an earlier post.

The other two Friends in my small group moved away last summer.  The second group is starting to meet again and I’m joining it.  We’re reading Chapter IV.

If John Woolman reads this, I hope he’ll respond.  If you’d like to answer for him, or respond out of your own experience, please do. Read the rest of this entry »

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Friday, December 18, 2009 by Jay T.

My devotionals in November and early December typically include some prophets, along with the story of John the Baptist’s family and conception.  A few days ago, through a cross reference, I found the book of Hosea.

Hosea uses strong images of Yahweh’s seduction and marriage with His people.

I shall put an end to all her merrymaking,
her festivals, her New Moons and her Sabbaths
and all her solemn feasts.
I shall make her vines and fig trees derelict
of which she used to say,
‘These are the pay my lovers gave me.’
I shall turn them into a jungle:
wild animals will feed on them.
I mean to make her pay for the feast-days
on which she burnt incense to the Baals,
when she tricked herself out in her earrings and necklaces
to chase after her lovers,
and forget me!
–declares Yahweh.–
But look, I am going to seduce her

Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, November 26, 2009 by Jay T.

In late slanting light I saw the Sisters two days ago.  Triune and illuminated, their western aspects excited me enough to ride partway up the ridge on whose shoulder I now stand.  The vision wasn’t repeated that afternoon, but perhaps it is what stirred me this morning as I lay warm, long before this fine red dawn.  Or perhaps it was something greater than just a vision.Something shook me off the couch Read the rest of this entry »

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Friday, May 8, 2009 by Jay T.

This morning I came to see what seminal work the Friends were doing in 1755–1758.  You relate it well in Chapter Five of the Journal.  I notice that you and the editorial committee have brought together many of the entries you made on the scruples of Friends about war–particularly about paying taxes to support it.  Some of these events are taken from events that happened before the close of the previous chapter.

This grouping that has been done has been juxtaposed in my mind with the biography I’m currently reading about John Adams, the Massachusetts representative to the Continental Congress that convened in Philadelphia less than a decade later.  From Adams actions I came to see how they were learning to put the understandings on natural law of John Locke and other thinkers from the century before yours into plans and resolutions about government and its role in the lives of men. Read the rest of this entry »

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Sunday, April 12, 2009 by Jay T.

Easter morning

I notice John the gospel writer offering four choices for how we can approach the tomb and come to understand the resurrection.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, ………….. the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed………..Then the disciples returned to their homes.But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, `Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, `They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, `Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, `Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, `Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, `Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).  Jesus said to her, `Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ‘  Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, `I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

We can stand outside the door, see the stone removed and know there is something worth telling others about.  Mary did this the first time she came to the tomb.

We can hurry to the door, bend down, look in the tomb and see linen, but no body.  The other disciple did this.  He later went in after his friend, saw and believed. Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, April 2, 2009 by Jay T.

We passed on to Manoquacy, Fairfax, Hopewell, and Shanando, and had meetings, some of which were comfortable and edifying.

Just some?  I wonder about the others.

“…comfortable and edifying…”  That’s an interesting phrase.  My meeting is doing some threshing and visioning lately.  We’re trying to find out what manner of gathering we want and are led to be.

There’s often a choice laid in front of us between comfort and challenge.  Do we come to a fellowship to be with those we identify with to be comfortable?  Or do we seek a measure of “spiritual dissonance,” so we can be challenged to grow?  What measure of challenge and dissonance?

….we……made a general visit to the meetings of Friends on the western shore of Maryland…….. 

Read the rest of this entry »

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Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by Jay T.

John, the first time I read through the second chapter of your Journal (1743–1748), I didn’t have much reply.  My own state of heart was pretty barren.  On this second time through, I’m finding some reflections in my own life.

I had a great regard for him, and felt a strong inclination, after matters were settled, to speak to him concerning his conduct in that case; but being a youth, and he far advanced in age and experience, my way appeared difficult; after some days’ deliberation, and inward seeking to the Lord for assistance, I was made subject, so that I expressed what lay upon me in a way which became my youth and his years; and though it was a hard task to me it was well taken, and I believe was useful to us both.

That’s an experience I have had, though less and less as I age.  I’ve heard it referred to as “youngering.”  Sometimes, those who have less status or fewer years have a clear role in reminding their elders of the Guide and principles that they profess to live by. Read the rest of this entry »

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Monday, March 23, 2009 by Jay T.

John

Referring to Abraham Farrington’s ministry, you phrased your description, “In both these meetings my ancient companion was engaged to preach largely in the love of the gospel.”

That’s not a phrasing I would have used, but it does open some windows to me on how vocal ministry is an act of love.  I’m considering this morning how much our speaking flows from the love Friends hold each other in.  Usually I consider ministry as an act of obedience to God, or of passing on the Light as received.  It is that, but your phrasing has pointed me to the relationship between minister and flock.

I’ve long recognized the importance of a healthy school community in the teaching I do.  When the relationships between students, staff and parents are caring and interwoven, the learning and teaching is enriched greatly.  You’re bringing me to remember how much the ministry in a Friends meeting or a church can be a product of the love and community that is present there.

Thanks.

Posted in Conversations with Remarkable Friends, Keeping low, Journal | 1 Comment »

Friday, March 20, 2009 by Jay T.

John

You wrote:

I was now led to look seriously at the means by which I was drawn from the pure truth, and learned that if I would live such a life as the faithful servants of God lived, I must not go into company as heretofore in my own will, but all the cravings of sense must be governed by a Divine principle. 

That helps me in my addictions and back slidings.  It’s kind of like where I’d like my rule making with the news to end up.  When I’m touching a newspaper currently, I don’t have the faculty to discern the governing of a Divine principle. Read the rest of this entry »

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