Back and forth, back and forth, in a round pool enclosed by a wooden fence. My face tucked under the water’s surface. Hands and arms in a snow-angel rhythm then resting at my side. A human hiding in a fish’s world, until my lungs remind me this is not
Spiritual Reflections
Seasons of Grief
Mostly, I sat and listened; to their pain, to their loss, to finding their way back to life, to each figuring out who they are now. I was moved and my own grief boiled up. I hadn’t lost a spouse, child or sister, but I witnessed the ravaging results of
Out There
Out there is loud. In here is quiet, peaceful. Out there… ego. Here, humble. Out there is achievement. In here, purpose. Out there… anger. Here, kindness. Out there are assumptions and quick reactions. In here, patience and pause. Out there, truth is a compromised weapon. Here, integrity centered in love.
The Quaker Practice of Expectant Waiting
Last Sunday, Jim Newby spoke on the role of silence in expectant worship and the call to give vocal ministry. Here’s a QuakerSpeak video that that shares more on that subject:
Reflections on a Retreat Led by Michael Birkel
I don’t know what I expected Michael Birkel to be like. Maybe a sobersided Quaker or a professorial academic. Whatever I expected, I was delightfully wrong. Michael Birkel is lighthearted, very funny, personable, and self-effacing. He stated at the outset that if his humor offended, to let him know. “I