Carol's and Harley's report on a Quaker conference

Prayers

Dear Lord

We thank you for everyone gathered here now.

Thank you that you know each of us by name and have caused us to walk with You.

We say that we are dependent on You and our trust is in You completely .

As we surrender ourselves in adoration we ask that You would come by Your Holy Spirit and inspire our hearts this morning.

Come fill our lives with Your love,

Fill our thoughts & conversations with Your grace and truth,

Fill this service with Your presence.

We ask this for Your glory and praise. Amen

Shall we now join together and pray in unison the prayer, you taught us to pray......   Our Father.......

Dear Father, we praise you for your good character. We praise you for your faithfulness, when so many of those around us do not seem to be so faithful. Your constant love surrounds us even when we do not clearly sense it. We are confident in your complete provision for our needs, even when it is not yet obvious to us.


Father, we pray for the many hurts that we have - some known only by you. For those in marriage near divorce, for those of us whose loved ones are very sick, for those whose emotions have been deeply wounded by those that we dearly love, for those of us needing money and seeking employment to where we believe you have called us, for those of us who need to express our deep personal emotions - let us be near you now. This morning touch our lives with your strong and powerful hand.


Help us to see ourselves, your provision for us and your everlasting love for us through your caring eyes and sensitive heart. Prepare our minds, wills and emotions as well as our spirits for worship of you this morning. Look clearly into our hearts as we sing and speak praise to you. We pray to recieve all that you have to give us this morning. May our lips and lives glorify you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Quaker conference




Everywhere in North America, many people do not feel the need to attend a religious service. Everywhere we hear: 


"No, I don't go to Church, but I am very spiritual."


Or, even


"No, I don't believe in God, but I am a spiritual person."



Philip Gulley, a Quaker pastor and public speaker from Indiana is trying to figure out the meaning in "but I am spiritual". He is preparing a book entitles "Qualities of the Spiritually Alive", and has noticed these eight themes :

As Introduction to the topic, he writes "Gratefulness is the identifier of deep spirituality"


1. A sense of the rhythm of life. Remember your "peak" experiences. Such memories will be a tonic when rough is the path. Build a storehouse of them.


2. The things we notice---or don't notice. espacially our response to the jokes....some may not ba wholesome



3.The recognition of the fluidity of life .

"Sometimes life itself changes ... can we adjust? Moses was an Israelite doomed baby, then son of Pharaoh's daughter, then a quiet shepherd, then a leader of Israel."


4. People who are spiritually alive are careful of the way they speak about God. As with a dear friend, or loving parent, respect is always in order.


S. The spiritually alive understand how things should fit together.


"Integrity is wholeness." For instance, if you are a member of AA, sell your Branfman shares. Otherwise, there is a major contradiction


6. Know who you are.

Sometimes we have to say, "No thanks" " "No" can be as holy as a "yes'


 7. Adaptability


In these rapidly changing times, what should we adapt to, and what should we not adapt to.


8. Reconciliation and Forgiveness


Our relationship with each other affects our relationship with God.


We must forgive  without being asked. For example, sometimes because 
1) some people will never ask for forgiveness, and
2)sometimes a person never realizes he caused you pain.


SILENCE


QUESTIONS AND SHARING 

This was the winning bouguet at the Havelock Fair. Thanks to Linda Rennie for providing the flowers for our services. Congratulations !

Additional notes  (by the webmaster)  :  http://www.philipgulley.com/