quaker oats live

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 29

2012-01-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 29 – Equality

Megan Anna Neff

Read: Psalm 139

It was Julyof 2005, and I was traveling down a dusty, bumpy road with three Malawians:Gibson, Steve and Nixon. I clocked many hours in the car with these guys whileinterning at World Relief Malawi. Our conversations often drifted intointeresting dialogue about politics and religion.

I rememberthat particular day in July because the bombings of London during their morningrush hour had just happened, and we were listening to the BBC. With theannouncer’s prompting, we honored a moment of silence for the victims. Afterthe moment of silence had passed, Gibson pointedly asked me, “In the U.S didyou ever observe a moment of silence for Rwanda?” He was referring to theRwandan Genocide of 1994. Almost 800,000 people died, and we in the U.S. heardlittle about it.

I had torespond with a meek “No.” Gibson laughed and proclaimed, “The life of one whiteperson is worth the lives of a thousand Africans.” I sat stunned and silent. Iwanted to deny it, but I couldn’t deny that I lived in a world that treatedU.S. citizens with far more value than Africans. If we were to hit one of themany potholes that littered the road and spin out of control, I couldanticipate how the news back home might read: “U.S. citizen dies in caraccident.” The three other lives might be mentioned as naught but a footnote.

As I ponderedthe reality of Gibson’s comment, I kept asking myself: “How can I see beyondthe bias of my culture in order to value the equality of all lives?” Since thatconversation with Gibson, I have read reports of far-off tragedy with new eyes,imaging the people and faces as if that tragedy had happened to my friends,neighbors and community. It’s a heavy, sobering way to read the news, but itreminds me of the humanity of all and the value of every life.

Prayer:

Lord and giver of alllife, help us to value each person, created in love by you.

In your mercy, guideand assist our efforts to promote the dignity and value of all human life.

We ask this throughChrist our Lord.

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 28

2012-01-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 28 – Equality

Stan Thornburg

Read: Colossians3:11

“Do not think you have made any (spiritual) progress, unless you esteemyourself less than all.”

—Thomas á Kempis

The practiceof seeing all people as equals is a difficult discipline, but one that bringsgreat joy and delight to those who are willing to submit to Christ to be thusformed. This practice, though, is at the heart of the Quaker testimony ofequality of persons. Quakers historically lived out this testimony by livingand working as equals with people such as prisoners, the mentally ill, thepoor, Native Americans, and virtually every class of people including royalty,Cavaliers and other socially successful classes of people. Quaker women movedeasily into leadership and were trusted as faithful prophets.

Some friendsmake the mistake of believing equality simply means a “level playing field.”Men, women and acceptable minorities supposedly have equal access to all the“goodies” of our society. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thetestimony of equality calls us to honor every person and value his or herunique characteristics, treating others’ uniqueness as precious gifts fromwhich to learn. On a broader scope, the testimony of equality of persons meansvaluing different cultures in much the same way. We NEED women in leadership,for example, because we want to learn from their experience and benefit fromthe direction and style their leadership provides. The same could be said forevery minority in our diverse culture—even the minorities whose behavior and/orbeliefs we find questionable.

There is“that of God in every person,” so when we honor all others we honor God andGod’s purposes for humanity.

Query:

Do I and/or mymeeting seek the transforming power of God’s Spirit

so that we are ableto fully love and honor all others equally?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 27

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 27 – Equality

Melanie Mock

Seeking Equality,Seeking Peace

Read: Luke 4:18-19

AlthoughI identify myself as a feminist now, this was not always the case. As a youngadult, I resisted the feminist label and its man-hating, bra-burningconnotations. But several strong women nurtured my voice—my written voice, myliteral voice, my metaphysical voice—and in the process, helped me to see how,in reality, feminists help people who are silenced, in our own culture andabroad.

CherylWuDunn and Nicolas Kristof’s transformative book, Half the Sky, describes the many ways women are oppressed aroundthe world: silenced through abuse, rape, genital mutilation, prostitution. As apeace-seeking person, I am compelled to seek justice for these women who cannotspeak for themselves, and I know my role as a vocal Christian feminist is oneto which God called me.

Closerto home, I see young women who have been told that, according to biblicalprinciple, they should remain silent. The messages from evangelical cultureremind women to be submissive and meek, and that those females who would deignto speak—especially from the pulpit—are transgressing their godly-woman roles.In listening to these messages, too many young women fail to fully discover thegifts God has given them. As a peace-seeking person, and a professor at anevangelical Friends university, I am compelled to seek justice for these women,too, and hope my role as a vocal Christian feminist models for them a faithfulresponse to God’s calling.

Inthe past, when I’ve thought about pacifism, I’ve most often considered myresponse to war and bloodshed and retributive violence. But surely, inprompting us to seek peace, God also longs for us to seek equity. For me, thecrux of the Gospel is this: that the Prince of Peace came to recover sight forthe blind, to free the oppressed and to give voice to the silenced. May I seek,each day, to live the peace testimony to its fullest extent.

Query:

Do I promote socialjustice and make my life a testimony to equity?

Do I support fairtreatment of all regardless of race, gender, age and other differences?

Am I concerned forthose in our society who are disadvantaged?

Am I concerned forthose who are silenced?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 26

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 26 – Equality

NWYM Query 18

Do you speak out for justice andmorality, and against oppression, exploitation, and public wrong? Do yourecognize the equality of persons regardless of race, gender, or economicstatus?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 25

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 25 – Community

Jamie Johnson

S’More Community,Please

Read: Matthew25:34-40

It was abeautiful evening in Kings Canyon National Park, one filled with a slightbreeze that quickly excused the heat we had experienced all day. Our campgroundwas carved into a scene that is difficult to recreate with words. Originallygranite thousands of years ago, time and weather had turned the mountainsencircling us into marble – smooth and impenetrable – carved through by a riverthat over time had created for itself a bed of incomprehensible beauty. Theroar of the river served as a continuous backdrop, upon which birds overlaidtheir chirps, fires their crackles and children their laughter.

It was inthis place of relative peace that my attention was drawn to an RV lumberinginto my serenity, drowning out the natural noise and replacing it with thedrone of an oversized engine tired from lugging a small house up and down theseoversized mountains.

The driver’sname was Thomas and, through a thick European accent, I learned that he and hisfamily were from Switzerland and were passing through this remote location aspart of a months-long road trip. As soon as it felt natural to move on from therequisite small talk, together we marveled at our surroundings before returningto our respective campsites.

Later thatevening, our family had just begun making s’mores when Thomas and his familywalked ever-so-cautiously over to us. As they approached it was with anexpectation of being accepted, of being welcomed. Our entire family (all 15 ofus!) simultaneously stood up, inched our multi-colored canvas chairs back, andadded 4 more chairs to the circle.

As theylooked curiously upon our ritual of marshmallow roasting, their eyes beckonedfor an explanation of what we were doing. Someone in the group described theprocess of making s’mores, and as Thomas and his family listened, they noddedalong, noting that they had heard of our American ritual but had never beforeexperienced it.

So we stuckmarshmallows on the end of sticks and taught them how to roast to perfection,then laid the hot, gooey marshmallows on top of the chocolate and sandwiched itbetween two pieces of Graham cracker.

Their facesdisplayed curiosity, a bit of enjoyment, and overall a sense of acceptance inthis unique practice – a ritual experienced countless times by us, but by themfor the first time.

In thissimple act, community was being built. There was a connection being made betweenpeople who were willing to ask questions, to learn, to be shaped by each other.Like the marshmallow dripping over the edge of the Graham cracker, thissacramental moment was bursting with Christ’s presence. And it was delicious.

Prayer:

God, please make meaware of places I can build spontaneous or long-term community today.

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 24

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 24 – Community

Jennifer Dalziel

Read: Matthew5:14-16

The role offaith versus works is often an area of confusion in the Christian world. We’recalled to act like Christ, but why does it really matter what we do, when wereceive salvation through faith alone?

Theway I see it, faith is one’s very personal connection with God. Faith definesour one-on-one relationship with Christ. Works, on the other hand, are anoutwardly-directed aspect of a relationship with Christ. Works are what reachbeyond the individual, impacting others in our community as a representation ofChrist’s inner working. Works reflecting God’s love can challenge and upliftfellow believers. These actions, pointing towards Christ, become a continualreminder of his love for us.

Unfortunately,we often forget that God’s community stretches much wider than just our church.God wants everyone to know God’s love, and it is through our works that we caneither spread that love or keep it closed in. We are called to be Christ’shands and feet, to shine God’s light to all people, to the full community ofthis world, so that they may know the love of God.

Christdesires more than a relationship with solely you and me. He wants us to shinehis light in work, in play, in school, in meetings, in our church, with ourfamilies and with our friends. Our works may very well be the only opportunitysomeone else has to encounter Christ. It is our responsibility to spread thelove we have been given.

Though faithalone is enough to guarantee one’s personal salvation, it is often our worksthat open doors for the salvation of others.

Query:

How are my works upliftingyour community and welcoming others to find faith in Christ?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 23

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 23 – Community

Jon Kershner

Read: 2Corinthians 8

Afew years ago my wife and I moved to Seattle. The physical labor of luggingdressers, boxes of books and cast-iron pans from one location to another israrely enjoyable, and we had limited time. Our plan was to complete the move inone day – load up the trailer in the morning, drive an hour north and unload inthe afternoon. By the afternoon we were exhausted, with much of the trailerleft to unload. The low-point came as I was moving the refrigerator on ahand-truck through an uneven spot on the sidewalk, only to lose my balance andsend the refrigerator crashing onto the cement. At that moment, and much to my relief, a carload of folks from NorthSeattle Friends Church pulled up to help finish unloading. They provided amuch-needed boost of energy, strength and encouragement. This gift of time andenergy meant a lot to my wife and I when we were at the end of our rope.

The Apostle Paul knew that if Christians inthe first century were going to thrive they needed to work together. Paulencouraged the Corinthians with this simple principal: Give yourselves to God,then give yourselves to each other (2 Cor. 8:5, 7). Paul laid out what we mightdescribe as a spiritual economy of plenty – there is always enough to do whatwe are called to do as we listen faithfully to the Spirit and respondgenerously with our time and resources (v. 13-15). Through the community ofChrist, way opens where a door appeared shut. Even something as seeminglyordinary as lending a helping hand can be the pure grace of God.

Query:

What does it looklike to be the community of Christ?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 22

2012-01-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 22 – Community

Cherice Bock

Read: I Corinthians 12

I've hadthe privilege of experiencing many situations where there is true community. Iremember catching a glimpse of what community looked like when I went to campas a high school student. I felt like there, more than almost anywhere else, Icould be myself, and that self was good enough and challenged to be even more.

I've alsoexperienced a lack of community. One summer during college I went overseas towork with an organization that helps kids from various underprivilegedcommunities get to know one another and build relationships. While thisorganization does great work, it didn't do much to foster community among thevolunteers, and I came home with the conviction—I believe it wasSpirit-led—that if I was ever going to do something like that again, I neededto have some built-in community along with me.

Communityis so important to us as members of Christ's body, the Church. As it says in ICorinthians 12:27, we are each part of the body of Christ—each one of us is animportant part. For me this is of particular importance when I think about howto go outside my comfort zone to live in a way that is perhaps unpopular withour culture, but is how we as Christians are called to live. If I'm the onlyone living that way, perhaps that's good for me—I'm living out my calling inobedience to God. But wouldn't it be even better if all of us lived that way?What if every Christian in the United States suddenly stopped buying thingsthat were made in sweat shops or that were grown or harvested at the expense ofa worker's health? This is just one area that we as Christians may feel led tolive out our belief in God's desire for love with justice, but if we try tolive this way alone, it can feel overwhelming.

Throughouthistory, prophets have arisen to point the way that God is calling. In ourhistory as a denomination, Quakers have been a prophetic people, calling theChurch and the world to faithfulness. Our denomination has done this because ofpeople who were willing to listen to Christ together in community, and who hadthe courage to act, supporting one another each step of the way. Will our generationcontinue this tradition?

Queries:

When have Iexperienced true community or lack of community?

In what ways do Isense God calling us to a fuller embodiment of Christ in the world?

How can I be part ofa community with the discernment and courage to do this?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 21

2012-01-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 21 – Community

Kimberly Felton

Read: Romans 12:15

Rachel showedup on my doorstep, her eyes red and still wet. “I didn’t know it would be sohard,” she said. Her sister just gave birth, and asked Rachel to be with her.Rachel was in the midst of infertility, but wanted to support her sister.

“I shouldn’tthink so much about myself. I should just be happy for them.” Shame cloaked herwords. Once fresh in people’s minds, Rachel’s grief had faded for everyone –except her. And in this moment, her grief combined with self-loathing. Ifeveryone else thought she should be fine, shouldn’t she?

Community isat its most powerful at both ends of the emotional spectrum: rejoicing andweeping. We celebrate well: weddings, baby showers, new jobs. We rally tight ina crisis: funerals, meals for the ill, consoling a friend when he loses a job.

But walking along journey of pain with a friend is altogether different, and oftendifficult. We want friends to get better; move on; be happy. And…we forget. Wemove on, inadvertently communicating, “I’ll weep with you for a night, but joyhad better come in the morning.”

Yet God givesgifts not only within joy, but also within pain. “I will give you the treasuresof darkness and hidden riches of secret places” (Isaiah 45:3). As Christ’scommunity, we have the privilege of finding those gifts with those who fighteach day in the hope of such treasure. People like the woman who can’t find ajob, the friend in chronic back pain whose activities are limited, the manstruggling with depression.

Our tears forthose who continue in pain…a look of compassion in our eyes…a note that says,“I haven’t forgotten,” help those who weep do the hard work of perseverance. Ithelps them believe God has treasures for them in the darkness.

Prayer:

God, it’s so hard toknow what to say to my friends in pain.

I’m afraid of sayingthe wrong thing.

And sometimes I justforget.

Help me walk thejourney with them.

Help me speak yourpeace into their hearts, even as the storm rages.

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 20

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 20 – Community

NWYM Query 6

As followers of Christ do youlove and respect each other? Do patience and consideration govern yourinteractions; and when differences arise, do you resolve them promptly in aspirit of forgiveness and understanding? Are you careful with the reputation ofothers?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 19

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 19 – Integrity

Karrie Brothers

Read: Philippians 4:8-9

Myfamily and I have been encountering quite a bit of change in our livesrecently. As a result, the subject of integrity has been in the front of mymind for several months. How do we navigate and find our way in such differentand ever-changing circumstances and not be buffeted by the stress? Thisquestion takes regular attention. The dictionary defines integrity as“possession of firm principles,” “completeness,” and “wholeness.” It doesn'tsay what those principles are – I am left to figure that part out on my own.

Myreligious education as a child encouraged ambiguousness rather than clear anddefined boundaries. When I became a Christian my feet shifted, but the thing Inoticed the most was the firmness of the ground – the integrity of my position.It soon became clear that the guidance of scripture coupled with the counsel ofmy pastor provided even more solid footing.

Withouta clearly defined set of guidelines and boundaries it is difficult forindividuals or a community to assess integrity because there is nothing tomeasure against. This is often presented as a benefit: you can't come up shortwhen there is nothing to compare. In reality it creates an unattainable goalbecause the target is always changing, moving and redefining itself.

WithChrist, the goal may still be unattainable, but I'm not judged for failing tomeet the standard of the day. While I probably won't hit a bull's eye, I dohave a chance at getting within range of the target because I know exactly whatI'm aiming for. When I miss I can course-correct, knowing the goal hasn'tchanged. Slowly but surely our family is regaining our footing and determiningnext steps. There are still some things I have to just figure out by trial anderror, and that's okay. Guided by the integrity of what I can count on it ismuch easier to chart a course through the unknowns.

Queries:

Am I considering thewhole of all the parts when I aim for integrity in all my actions? What measuream I comparing against in judging integrity?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 18

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 18 – Integrity

LisbyRogers

Read: Luke 16:10

I made thechoice to commute by bike about three years ago when I started thinking of howmuch money I could save on gas by riding rather than driving. The act startedout as a selfish one: I am poor; this is how I can save money. But it hasformed into a way of life, something I believe in deeply and feel called to.

There aresome obvious benefits to bike commuting: saving gas money; using less gas,which contributes to our support of middle eastern conflict over oil; gettingmore exercise and never needing to find a parking spot. Over the years I havefound other, more surprising benefits, like setting a slower pace to the day:you naturally give yourself more time and, therefore, schedule less into a daywhich contributes to a lower stress level. Living a simple life by using asimpler vehicle makes me more self-sufficient. When my car breaks down I amhelpless, but when my bike breaks down I can usually figure it out and I am notout hundreds or thousands of dollars.

In a way, mybike has taught me about integrity. It is not always easy to ride in the rain,when driving would be so much warmer and more comfortable. I am not alwaysmotivated to give myself an extra half hour to get somewhere when I am anxiousto complete a task. The wind is cold against the face and hands in the morning,and sometimes getting on my bike is the last thing I want to do. But each timeI ride I think of it as prayer, as self-examination, as testimony, as prophecy,as compassion, as seeking peace in a conflicted world, as loving.

Trying todefine how to live an integrity-filled life is near to impossible. For me,integrity looks like riding my bicycle everyday, no matter what; for you, itmay look entirely different.

Queries:

What does integritylook like in my life?

In what ways do Ialready live with integrity?

How am I beinginvited to live out my professed beliefs with a deeper level of integrity?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 17

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 17 – Integrity

Paula Hampton

Truth andIntegrity

Read: Matthew5:33-37

My dailynewspaper carries a column devoted to measuring the “truth quotient” ofstatements made by people in the public sphere. Ratings range from “true” to“pants on fire.” It’s a sign of our times—we expect our leaders to stretch thetruth, to put their “spin” on statistics, or to out-and-out lie. We wonder whatand who to believe, and we grow cynical about our ability to affect change. Yetmost of us would say we value truth telling and integrity.

The old Quakerquery “Is truth prospering among you?” resonates with me. In times ofmisunderstanding and confusion, I believe that truth—like cream—eventuallyfloats to the top. It may seem overly optimistic and often requires waiting,but in the end, truth prevails. Integrity wins.

Jesus urgedhis disciples to let their “yes” be “yes” and their “no” be “no.” Early Quakersadopted plain speech in response to Jesus’ teaching. They became known as“Publishers of Truth” who “spoke truth to power.” As followers of Jesus we havea role in helping truth prosper. But what does that mean in our day-to-daylives? How can we be people of integrity and stand firmly on truth?

We need to beinformed. Before we pass information on to others, we need to check our sourcesand be sure we’re not passing along misinformation. Rumors abound from both“sides” in many of our life situations. As we approach elections, a strugglingeconomy, health care or educational reforms, what role—if any—do we play inpropagating rumors, or in prospering truth?

We may needto be open to changing our view of the truth, to be willing to ask, “Is myfaith defined by what I think I know, or defined by truth? Am I willing to layaside preconceived ideas and traditions—to allow a ‘paradigm crash’—in order toembrace truth? Am I open to God’s voice; am I willing to receive truth from‘unconventional’ sources?”

Truth speaksinwardly, and resonates with our sense of what is right and just and good.Truth affirms the dignity of humans created in the image of God.

Queries:

Am I willing tolisten to another person’s point of view and discern the truth that mightreside there?

Or, do I stubbornlyclinging to traditions or what I’ve been taught is “true,”

and in so doingquench the Spirit’s work in my life?

Do I grasp at dogmaand defend my long-held beliefs—or am I open to change and the work of grace?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 16

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 16 – Integrity

Paul Almquist

Read: James2:14-26

Integrity isnot only important to Friends, but in some way to most people. Isn’t it truethat if you do business with someone you sure hope they are a person ofintegrity? When you take your car to the mechanic you want them to fix onlywhat really needs to be fixed and charge you a fair price.

The apparentlack of integrity that surrounds us these days makes it a powerful testimonywhen we act with integrity and do so in the name of Christ. I like to think ofintegrity as integrating what we believeinto what we do. We have a document as Friends known as “Faith andPractice.” Maybe we could say faith as practice, faith with practice or evenperhaps faith-practice. You really cannot have one without the other: wordmatched with deed, belief demonstrated by action. If we act as if what webelieve is not really true, then we may have to ask if we really believe it inthe first place.

That doesn’tnegate the need for grace. In fact, one of the greatest ways we can show we arepeople of integrity is by admitting our mistakes, shortcomings and sins andseeking the forgiveness we need. If my integrity is formed out of my experienceof God’s grace and the grace of others I will not be able to be “proud” of myintegrity. My actions will simply be a humble “thank you” to God and others.

Queries:

Do I practiceintegrity in all I do?

I say I believe inpeace – do I get along with my own family?

I desire globaljustice – do I show compassion for my neighbor who is being oppressed in someway?

I “go” to church on Sunday – do I act like I “am” thechurch the rest of the week?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 15

2012-01-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 15 – Integrity

NWYM Query 15

Are you honest and just in yourdealings? Are you true to your promises, prompt in paying your debts, andresponsible in handling money or property entrusted to you?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 14

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 14 – Peace

Ty Olson

Read: Romans 12:14-18

Igrew up regularly hearing the “golden rule,” both in church and at home. “Dounto others as you would have them do unto you,” my dear parents and wonderfulSunday school teachers reminded us dubious and often unruly youth. For years, Iconsidered this the most important quote to live by—well, perhaps second onlyto “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength”—andsought to adhere to it as best I could in my relationships with family, friendsand strangers. This said, more recently I have grown suspicious of this phrase,and ultimately what it purports. I wonder if it is insufficient. And I wonder ifJesus would agree. Let me explain.

IfI do to others what I want them to do to me, with good intentions I give astranger on the street a peanut butter and jelly sandwich because I would liketo be given a PB & J if I was living on the street. However, what ifthey're allergic to peanuts? (Peanut allergies are often severe, even fatal.)My point here is that we must consider the perspective and needs of othersbefore we act. Perhaps this is a silly illustration; nevertheless, it causes meto question if my good intentions here are good enough.

Here'sanother scenario. One of my closest friends from high school is in themilitary. He attended West Point Army Academy, served some time in Iraq, andcurrently is in ranger training. We talk regularly. (Additionally, he was in mywedding and I was in his.) Often, our conversations lead to topics of war andpeace. A year or so ago he was explaining to me why it is important that the USmilitary stay in Iraq to help the Iraqis become a more stable and secure nation—establisha western style democracy and train their military. But is this what the Iraqisdesire? Even if we would desire this type of support from them—even if this iswhat we would want done for us, is this what they want done for them?

Asa current graduate student in peace and conflict studies, lately I've beenruminating on how I approach interpersonal conflict. Often times I‘m prone tohastily give advice to folks, offering recommendations based on what wouldlikely work for me. But the other person is not me. Recently, I'veintentionally sought to take a different approach. In my experience, I believethat in working toward sustainable interpersonal peace we must, at the veryleast, try our best to understand the situation, perspective and needs of otherfolks (even though we never fully can). This requires authentic relationship,sincere listening and enough bravery to step outside of oneself.

Inlight of this, I recently learned the concept of the “platinum rule.” Unlikethe commonly quoted golden rule, the platinum rule is expressed in slightlydifferent terms: “Treat others as they would have you treat them.” Thisseemingly minuscule alteration is significant, for it moves beyond relating toothers from a sympathetic orientation to one focused on empathy. This platinumrule suggests that empathy is more important than sympathy in promotingpeaceful relationships. Though the Bible does not overtly use the language ofempathy, the Jesus I read about relates to people from a place of empathy—especiallythose in distress, in pain and who are outsiders.

Queries:

What role doesempathy play in my life?

How might I utilizeit as a tool for peace?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 13

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 13 – Peace

Cherice Bock

Read: Ephesians 6:10-13

Asmany of you know, peace is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. It isalso something that, honestly, I struggle with a great deal. My struggle ismainly with my sense of being caught in a lifestyle that feels generallypeaceful, while I know that lurking underneath my “peaceful,” relatively easy existenceis a great deal of pain, violence and evil. My personal life and relationshipsare fairly peaceable, but the system in which I live and must participate isnot peaceful by any means. Violence occurs against individuals, other nationsand the Earth in the way things are grown, harvested and transported to ourstores. Injustices abound in the factories that produce our clothing, shoes andelectronics. Wars are fought over resources from oil to rubber to diamonds.

Let'sstrive for interpersonal peace, but let's not stop there. Let's work togetherto refuse to cooperate with the principalities and powers of this world. Christhas already overcome them; let's join him.

Queries:

In what ways am Icooperating with the unjust powers of this world?

How is Christ callingme to act otherwise?

What is the firststep I will take today?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 12

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 12 – Peace

Karrie Brothers

Read: Ephesians 4:22-32

Manypractitioners of various professions develop a knack for items specificallyrelated to their area of expertise. Mediators develop a knack for recognizingconflict and causes of conflict: an invaluable skill to assist those who'veasked for help. Quite often I can see the signs of conflict sprouting up beforeothers in the room are even aware there might be a problem. It's also notuncommon to find seriously conflicted situations where there has been animplicit agreement by all involved to tacitly ignore and suppress the conflictitself.

Iassumed everyone could perceive latent conflicts and so I rarely hesitated topoint them out. Usually I had quite a few suggestions for resolution as well.It was quite dismaying when my actions resulted in additional and increasedconflict rather than the result I wanted. Imagine my surprise when my offer ofhelp and utilize my expertise was met with accusations of creating conflict forconflict‘s sake. Eventually I realized that tolerance for conflict is differentfor each individual. Some people are much less sensitive to perceiving aconflict than others. For these folks a conflict might need to get much morepronounced before they recognize a problem. An analogy might be the differencesbetween two individuals' senses of smell. One might be overwhelmed by themildest perfume while the other doesn't even notice there is a smell to besensed.

People– me included – get used to the pain from ongoing conflicts in their lives. Itcan be like a sore tooth that isn‘t a problem unless you bite the wrong way.You keep meaning to get the tooth fixed, but you don't think of it until it's aproblem, and it's not often a problem. Then, one day, you have an abscess andneed a painful root canal instead of a relatively painless and quick filling.You might not let a tooth get that far, but have you thought about how muchpain your latent conflicts have to inflict before you're motivated to changethem?

Queries:

Do I have any latentconflicts that I need to resolve?

How is Christ callingme to make peace in this situation?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 11

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 11 – Peace

MikeHuber

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 10

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 10 – Peace

Susan Ankeny

Read: Isaiah 11:6,9

InJune, my husband Scott and I took a short trip to Victoria, B.C. We used theB.C. Ferry line that runs out of Tsawassen, which has ferries that departalmost every hour. When we boarded, we realized that this was the port thatmost out-of-country tourists probably used as well. We saw many skin colors andheard many languages.

Whatwas fun to notice was the camaraderie among all of us out on the deck. (Most of the Canadian commuters seemed toride inside.) Everyone was focused on the beauty of the islands through whichwe were passing, the magnificence of the sea and the anticipation of more sightseeingwhen we reached Vancouver Island. There was much smiling and picture-taking. Noone was shy to offer to take pictures of other passengers so that people couldhave pictures of their whole family.

Aweek later, our return trip had a much different feel. There were obviouslyless tourists. Many local people were traveling to the mainland to watch anice-hockey game. People were more focused on their own little group oftraveling companions, talking about work or the game ahead. There was lesssmiling, less viewing of the sights, hardly any picture-taking.

Itstruck me that though, on the first trip, we might not all have been “full ofthe knowledge of the Lord,” we were all focused on the beauty and wonder ofGod’s creation. Because that took the focus off of self, it allowed us to be atpeace with each other, even enjoying one another, though we came from diversebackgrounds. Oh, if only we could learn to do that on a worldwide scale!

Prayer:

Gracious God, help usto be “full of the knowledge of the Lord” so that peace may reign! Amen.

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 9

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 9 – Peace

James Tower

Holy Harvest

Read: Galatians5:22-26

Galatians5:22 reminds us that peace is a byproduct of divine love, the very work theHoly Spirit labors toward. This is a miracle, and nothing short ofparticipation in the very nature of God. We often speak of the “fruits” of theSpirit, yet in the Greek, “fruit” is singular. In our day and age we have lostsight of the inherently destructive and labor-intensive process of “sowing andreaping.” Now, wanting fruit, we simply walk into a store, pay, and walk outwith it. In the ancient world it was not so. Sowing happened in its season; thehands of people and the legs of animals tore at the earth. Even children helpedby scattering seed. God brought the rain, the sun, the life. After months ofstewardship—patient waiting, pruning, weeding and guarding from pests andpredators—the first fruits would come. Then, the fruit would swell and bloom,filling the field. Harvest was hard work, but also a time of celebration!

We shouldexpect nothing less from seeking peace. You cannot walk into a store and buypeace. It is like farming: a journey, a process. There are no shortcuts. It isa dirty, messy affair involving broken skin, calluses and lots of waiting. Itwill require God’s grace to provide spiritual water and light and to bringlife, but also people who want peace badly enough to get their own hands dirty.We as a church must be in tune with the seasons, and be willing to rip theground and toss the seeds with our own hands. Vineyards do not happen byaccident! Peace requires both God and humans to work together spreading lifewhere once was only dust and weeds. We cannot expect to “reap peace” and tasteits fruit at harvest if we are not planting—in love—its seeds today.

Prayer:

Look at the tags onyour clothing for their countries of origin and pray Christ’s peace for thepeople who live there, especially the hands that labored to make them.

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 8

2012-01-08T13:14:00.000-05:00

January 8 – Peace

NWYM Query 20

Do you observe and teach theFriends testimony against military training and service, making clear that waris incompatible with the spirit and teachings of the Gospel? Do you findappropriate ways to work for peace?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 7

2012-01-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 7 – Simplicity

JayMiller

Read: Isaiah52:13-53:2

You would behard pressed to find someone in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho today who wouldnot on some level support the mantra, “Simplify, simplify.” People want to livesimply today, whether out of a desire to unplug, be green, or generally have aless hectic life. One might think that the Friends testimony to simplicity isall the rage.

But being"all the rage" does not accurately describe Christian living. It wasoften when big crowds began following him that Jesus withdrew from the publiceye to remember what he was all about. Which is why it may be helpful forFriends to remember that the testimony to simplicity was originally a call toplainness.

This veryquickly changes the conversation, for the word plain is not nearly as cute asthe word simple. Simplicity is beautiful and compelling. Plain is just . . .plain.

Yet for ourspiritual fathers and mothers, plainness was an important discipline. Ittestified to a truth so powerful that the world demeaned it with insult, andhas now co-opted it with trendiness. But there is a depth to plainness theworld cannot realize, because plainness is not primarily an absence ofadornment (or technology, trash, and time commitments), but the presence ofpeace. It is the radical presence of the Living Christ.

The worldscoffs at the Suffering Servant, because it will not accept his presence, and refusesto see his beauty. It is beauty that does not seek recognition because it knowsitself as already recognized. It is a beauty that does not seek to be desirablebecause it knows itself as already desired. It is a beauty of a young plantcoming out of dry ground--tough, tender, and content with this plain truth:that it holds the Life which gives life to all things.

Queries:

Could my testimony tosimplicity also be seen as a testimony to plainness? If so, how? If not, why?

Is the ground of myChristian witness contentment in and surrender to Christ’s Presence?

Does simplicity freeme to live without the need to be recognized,

and help me to serveothers genuinely?

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 6

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 6 –Simplicity

Heather Tricola

Read: 1 Timothy 6:8-9

Oneof my favorite places to be is Interfaith Sanctuary, a homeless shelter thataccepts all sorts of people...drunken, disorderly, and destitute...no questionsasked, no requirements made. Here, I can hang out with my friend Bob, asweet and kind gentleman in his 60's who is always up for a good conversation. His life lacks the clutter of yard work, mounds of laundry, and therising price of gasoline. Bob once told me that he feels called to liveat Interfaith Sanctuary, with so many people to love and minister to.

Oneof our NWYM queries asks of us, "Are you free from the burden ofunnecessary possessions? Do you refuse to let the prevailing culture andmedia dictate your needs and values?" I think of the allure ofcamping, where I can spend all morning just sitting by the campfire. WhenI am in my house, I could spend all morning sitting next to myfireplace, but I find that I can't just sit still when there's vacuuming to bedone, the cat box needs emptied, toys are strewn about... And here iswhere the "burden of unnecessary possessions" starts to take over ourlives, where we have to go on vacation, away from our possessions, in order torelax. Possessions can truly be a burden when they take up so much of our timeand space, making peace fleeting.

SometimesI feel like I have been brainwashed by American culture, where we ourencouraged to do our patriotic duty and consume things. If my incomeincreases, perhaps I should spend more on helping people rather than on gettingmore stuff. Maybe I can take a lesson from Bob: all of his worldly possessionsfit in bunk #23, surrounded by 80 other men...and he has found peace.

Prayer:

Lord, help me torealize that my time, talents, and resources are not my own, and to give mybest to meet the needs of others, in your name.

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 5

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 5 – Simplicity

Nancy Thomas

Simplicity & Stuff

Read: Psalm 73:23-26, 1 Cor. 4:7

Ilove the word “stuff.” Its cocky irreverence encourages me to hold mypossessions more lightly. Not that that’s easy to do. I have boxes of preciousstuff in the attic and garage that challenge me—someday, maybe soon—to takeanother step in the simplification of my life.

Tothe question of the psalmist, “Who or what do we possess in heaven or on earththat compares to our relationship with God,” I like to add Paul’s rhetoricalquestion, “What do we have that we did not receive?” In various of his lettersPaul presents an interesting paradox in regards to our “possessions.” He tellsus that in Christ, we possess nothing of our own, yet “all things” belong tous. In his list of hardships as a missionary, he includes “having nothing, yet possessingeverything” (2 Cor. 6:10).

Howcan this be? And, harder yet to answer, how can I make this real in my life?The ideal of open-handed living clashes with the cultural values ofconsumerism, ownership, and doing all we can to insure security and somemeasure of the “good life” in our retirement years. I struggle with this on adaily basis.

Inhis book, The Freedom of Simplicity, Richard Foster point to a NewTestament response to this dilemma in what he calls “unconditional generosity.”He writes that Jesus and other biblical writers “point to us a way of living inwhich everything we have we receive as a gift, and everything we have is carefor by God, and everything we have is available to others when it is right andgood. This reality frames the heart of Christian simplicity.”

Today,think of one concrete way you can live out unconditional generosity.

Prayer:

Lord, change myheart. Help me to recognize that all I have comes from you and belongs to you.

Then help me livewith a spirit of unconditional generosity.

Peace Month Daily Reader, day 4

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

January 4 – Simplicity

Nancy Thomas

Simplicity ofHeart

Read: Psalm 73:23-26, Col. 3:3-4

Asany who have attempted to de-clutter their life know, simplicity can becomplicated. It involves tackling not only the accumulation of stuff—those binsof college syllabi, old magazines, childhood treasures—but extra tasks we’vetaken on, organizations we’ve joined, the demands other people make on us, andall the clutter in our minds.

Recentlyon a meditational walk I found myself repeating a simple prayer: “You are mylife. You are my life.” It was as though God was reeling me in, bringing meback to the basic simplicity of soul from which all else flows. I found myselfasking, with the psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth hasnothing I desire beside you.”

Truesimplicity begins in the heart. It flows from a life oriented to the source ofall life, from the deep knowledge that in God alone we “live and move and haveour being.”

AsI walked that trail, I began to affirm, “Above all relationships androles—spouse, parent, grandparent, friend, minister—you are my life. Above allI possess or hold on to for security—my home, my books, my insurance policies,my investments—you are my life. Above all the intangibles I cling to—my health,my education, my achievements, my talents, my rights, my dreams—above all this,you are my life.” And I found myself praying, “Oh Lord, let it be. Change myheart. Keep reeling me into yourself.”

Iam sensing that only when we live from the center of a life oriented to God canwe move out freely into our world as God’s agents of reconciliation and peace.

Prayer:

“Take from our soulsthe strain and stress,

and let our orderedlives confess the beauty of thy peace.”

– John Greenleaf Whittier

Peace Month Daily Reader

2012-01-03T13:10:00.000-05:00

It's Peace Month again here in Northwest Yearly Meeting! I'm clerk of the committee that organizes Peace Month and writes/compiles all the materials. It's something we do in our Yearly Meeting, but you're welcome to use the resources anytime, anywhere! This is our 3rd annual Peace Month, and our theme this year is "SPICE: the Friends Testimonies" (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality).

Each year we do a Daily Reader with daily submissions from Friends around the Northwest, so I thought I'd post them here. (We'll see if I can remember to do it each day, or figure out the "schedule" function so it will do it automatically!) I'm already a couple days behind, so I hope you'll forgive me. The entries follow the "SPICE" theme, with 6 days or so for each topic. Here are the entries for January 1-3:

January 1 – Simplicity

Cherice Bock

Welcome tothe Peace Month 2012 Daily Reader! We hope this month is restful andspiritually revitalizing after the holiday season. This year we’re doingsomething a little different with Peace Month: we’re looking at several of theways of living that have come to be known as the “Friends testimonies.” Theyconveniently spell the acronym SPICE: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Communityand Equality. If you want to know more about these testimonies and theirhistorical foundation, visit www.nwfriends.org/peacemonthand download the document entitled “SPICE: the Friends Testimonies.”

In thisreader we will spend several days on each testimony, seen from the perspectiveof various people around Northwest Yearly Meeting. We hope you will enjoyhearing how other Friends live these biblically-based testimonies, and will bechallenged to grow in each of these areas by the Spirit of the Present Christ.

At thebeginning of each section we will start with a query from the NWYM Faith &Practice. You are encouraged to spend time meditating on that query andallowing Christ to speak to you about how you are called to live out thattestimony in your own life, and how we as a community of Friends in theNorthwest are invited to live out that testimony together.

Let’s beginwith a query on simplicity.

NWYM Faith & Practice Query 13:

Is your life marked by simplicity? Are you free fromthe burden of unnecessary possessions? Do you avoid waste? Do you refuse to letthe prevailing culture and media dictate your needs and values?

January 2 – Simplicity

Stan Thornburg

“Early Friendswere committed to acting truth in their daily lives… at the same  time theywere quite specific about what would keep them focused on the divine  will andwhat would deflect their attention from it.”

- ThomasHamm, Quakers in America

Read: James 4:1-2

Simplicityis not just a move to have less stuff; it’s a way of seeing and loving allcreated things. Much like purity of heart, simplicity is a way of seeingthrough God’s eyes, a way of recognizing the sacred in all things. Such a viewmakes one loathe to waste the resources at one's disposal. Simplicity is alwaysa corollary to purity of heart and cannot be separated from that virtue.

Sincesimplicity recognizes the divine origin in all things, it moves us to love allthings according to the Creator’s purpose for them, even those that aremanufactured from the Earth’s resources. We find that purpose for created thingsby being transformed so that we see all things through the eyes of God.

Simplicitysees wealth through God’s eyes as well. Both the rich and the poor encumberthemselves with money-making ventures at great cost to their families, theirlives (often devoid of joy), and the chance for a meaningful experience ofchurch as community. Thomas Hamm puts it very well: “Luxury is a contagious andkilling disease. It creeps into all classes and types of  people. The poorestpeople often exceed others in their ability to indulge their  appetite. And therich frequently wallow in those things that please the lusts of  their eye andflesh and pride of life” (Quakers in America, p. 100).

Lastly,simplicity is a deterrent to war and wasteful disputes that grow out of ourdesire for more. As James indicates,when one puts material things above love, really bad things happen. Greed andcovetousness kill the soul and tend to block our love for created things anddull our ears to God’s instruction.

Queries:

Are you careful notto encumber yourselves with an excess of frivolous possessions?

Are you practiced in keeping your eyes under thediscipline of the Holy Spirit?

January 3 – Simplicity

Lisa McMinn

Savoring What YouHave

Read: Ecclesiastes 6:9

Wise,wealthy Solomon reflects on life in (often) cynical ways in Ecclesiastes. Hedraws poignant conclusions. Among them is to enjoy what you have rather thandesiring and dreaming about what you don’t have.

Thatwisdom runs counter to market economics that depend on our staying discontentso that we will keep buying stuff to make us happier. We’re exposed toadvertisements and commercials trying to convince us that our life isn’t goodenough, and that some new fashion, upgraded technology or car will make itbetter. What is good for our economy may well be bad for our soul.

Yearsago I learned that when I needed something (or thought I did) to look for itamong others’ discards, like my office chair (someone’s toss-away that neededrefinishing), or the wood we salvaged from a deserted barn and used to finishour Potting Shed, or canning jars I buy at the Good Will store.

Inrecent years contentment and simplicity has included learning about abundanceat our fingertips. We plant seeds and let God, the sun, and rain produce food.Mark and I are small-scale farmers and have found joy in the work of tendingvegetables, bees and chickens. Tending dirt and creatures in ways that allowall life that shares this space to flourish reinforces my ideas aboutcontentment and stuff. The most essential “stuff” for survival and wellbeing isunder my feet.

Aconsumerism promising happiness can cause us to lose sight of God’s simple andabundant gifts. Our relationship to Earth isn’t tangential to our existence,rather our ties to Earth are essential to our collective wellbeing. Learningcontentment with and care for God’s simple gifts nourishes Life.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you forthis good Earth.

Forgive me when I donot love it enough.

quaker "oats" revisited

2011-12-03T20:56:00.001-05:00

As I say in the tagline of this blog, I called this blog "quaker oats live" because "oat" means "a sign or a mark." I'm working on some Hebrew for a passage I'm preaching on tomorrow from Isaiah, and the Hebrew word 'ôt appears. A commentary reminds me of the link between this word and the essence of prophecy, of speaking God's word into the world, and it got me thinking about how fitting it is to have this word in the title of this blog.

It's not that I think of myself as a prophet on a par with Isaiah (first, second or third Isaiah, for those of you with a seminary bent...), but because I think of Friends as a denomination of prophets. As a community we have a passionate calling to listen to God, to respond with faithfulness, and to call others to faithfulness as well--sometimes in ways that are not so very comfortable.

The word "live" in my blog title thus becomes important as well. I'm preaching tomorrow about Isaiah 7:14//Matthew 1:23, "Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." Although this is a very traditional Advent verse, I'm trying to explain it within the context of the whole story of God and humanity. This passage meant something to the prophet who spoke it (Isaiah or whoever), King Ahaz and the people of Judah at the time. It meant something else to Matthew and the early Christ-followers who experienced Jesus in the flesh. Perhaps it means something to us today, too. As Friends, we have a living view of scripture and of God's Word spoken into the world. God's Word is not finished speaking. We, like Isaiah, can hear God and be the "people of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5) who God chooses to speak through anyway. We can know God through God's words in the past, through the living expression of the Word--Jesus--and through the Word speaking into our lives today. We're part of the story of Immanuel, of God With Us.

If we're not participants in that promise and in that hope of a God present to us now, we are in a dead religion. If so, we're in a religion of people who have come and gone; it does not belong to us; it is meaningless to us except as "pie in the sky by and by."

But that very scripture we have from those who are gone tells us how to connect with the Living God today, how to be in relationship with a God who is with us. It speaks of a Kingdom of God that is now, that is within. As we seek that Kingdom, we are part of the very body of God. The words God spoke through the prophet Isaiah spoke of his own time, and all the while it spoke of the first-century man named Jesus who was (and is) God With Us. It speaks also to us today. What is God's message for you, spoken those many centuries ago, and spoken today?

This is processing for my sermon, so check out the North Valley Friends podcast sometime this week to see what direction the actual sermon ends up going!

famous this week

2011-11-17T14:20:00.001-05:00

My grandpa, Ralph Beebe, and I are "famous" this week! We're teaching a class together at George Fox University. There are articles about us in the Newberg Graphic and the George Fox alumni magazine, the Journal. My husband, Joel, took the photos, as well as many photos for other stories in the Journal. It's been fun and a privilege teaching with my grandpa! We're teaching "War & Conscience in US History." He says he's the war part and I'm the conscience. (He's a history professor emeritus, and I'm doing the part on morality and theology.)

e's lemonade stand vs. homelessness

2011-11-06T00:16:00.001-04:00

One Saturday this summer my 4-year-old son hosted a lemonade stand. This wasn't your little capitalist-entrepreneur-lemonade-stand, however; here's the story.

We were driving home from the grocery store one day and saw a homeless man sitting by the road with a cardboard sign. My son asked what he was doing there. So far this story is similar to one that happened last year and that I talked about here. In that story we gave the man a sack lunch, and my then-three-year-old son kept asking me, "But Mom, what else are we going to do?"

This time, we brainstormed what else a 4-year-old can do to help people who don't have homes. We talked about how people without homes need a place to stay, and that takes money and organization. I told him about a homeless shelter we have in our town and we talked about raising money for that shelter. We discussed ways that he could try to raise money, and he chose doing a lemonade stand.

For the several days before, he was SO excited! He told everyone he met that he was going to have a lemonade stand that weekend. I thought maybe he would forget about it, but he kept bringing it up and pestering me about it, so we did indeed have a lemonade stand! It threatened to rain, but it ended up being nice enough that people weren't freezing, drinking their lemonade. We had pink lemonade and regular lemonade, with a garnish of lemons and raspberries. We also had oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from my grandma's recipe. We charge 50 cents per cup and per cookie, and we advertised using our church's e-group, as well as signs on the fairly major road on which we had the stand. Many of our friends and family came by and supported E and the homeless shelter, and some who were just driving by stopped for some refreshment.

E had a blast! He's quite the little extrovert so he was in his element. In all we raised just over $150. We took it to the shelter and he got to see what it looks like and learn about it a little bit. He also got a little story in their newsletter! You can read it here (as well as a story about NWYM's service project there at Youth Yearly Meeting).

Although this wasn't really a huge, world-changing thing, I felt like it was great to give him a sense of empowerment that he could do SOMEthing, even though he wasn't changing the whole system. Hopefully he, and I, learned that we don't have to be immobilized by the massiveness of the problem, but we can do our part, and trust that others will do theirs, too, and that God will multiply our efforts.