Category Archives: Learning from Early Friends

Spiritual Ancestors

Posted on December 31, 2022 by friendmarcelle

For years I did reading and research about the English Puritan and Quaker settlers to New England in the 1600s. I learned about the Puritan context, Anabaptist influence, theological ferment, and social unrest out of which Quakerism emerged, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Facing Life with Faith, Learning from Early Friends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Invitation to Quaker Eldering

Posted on November 3, 2022 by friendmarcelle

Early in the Quaker movement, Friends recognized that the living Spirit of God was guiding them directly without need of intermediaries. Members of the faith community were given particular gifts of the Spirit for the benefit of all. Not all … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative spirituality, Facing Life with Faith, Learning from Early Friends, Quaker Faith Today, Radical Christianity, spiritual practices, Supporting Spirit-led Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Quaker Wisdom for the Spiritual Journey

Posted on March 1, 2022 by friendmarcelle

When I took a 9-day solitary retreat this winter, I brought three slim books with me to provide spiritual guidance and companionship, for those moments when I needed some help to turn again to the wisdom that comes from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative spirituality, Learning from Early Friends, Mysticism, Quaker Faith Today, Radical Christianity | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

One With God And Each Other

Posted on February 16, 2022 by friendmarcelle

In preparation for an online conversation and exploration of how we can be more receptive to the gathered meeting, I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on that’s been written about the amazing experience of entering what can … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative spirituality, Learning from Early Friends, Mysticism, Quaker Faith Today, Radical Christianity, spiritual practices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Radical Quaker Spiritual Journey

Posted on January 26, 2022 by friendmarcelle

Earlier this month I was fortunate to be able to spend nine days in a hermitage on the edge of some woods. I went for many reasons: rest; renewal; reconnecting (with God, nature, and my soul); deep inward listening; discernment; … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative spirituality, Learning from Early Friends, Mysticism, Quaker Faith Today, Radical Christianity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Giving Birth to Christ in Our Time

Posted on December 25, 2018 by friendmarcelle

As Christmas nears, I often think of words by Meister Eckhart, a radical 14th-century Dominican priest, who said, We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the Divine … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative spirituality, Learning from Early Friends, Mysticism, Quaker Faith Today, Radical Christianity | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Best of A Whole Heart

Posted on December 30, 2017 by friendmarcelle

In celebration of five years of writing A Whole Heart, I’ve looked at my WordPress statistics that show which blog posts have been most popular. The blog was created in November 2012, in a burst of intense inspiration, just before … Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Facing Life with Faith, Learning from Early Friends, meditation, Quaker Faith Today, Radical Christianity, spiritual practices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Hidden Stories of Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2017 by friendmarcelle

On the winter solstice, a friend sent me a link to a web page about Reindeer legends of northern lands. It’s natural for myths to change over time, but it’s sad to see how myths and cultural legends that once celebrated women, as well as female reindeer, were replaced by a man and a lead reindeer named Rudolph. When it comes to stories of Light coming into the world, however, there’s a far more important story that’s been hidden for many centuries. Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Learning from Early Friends, Radical Christianity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Opening to Divine Guidance

Posted on December 31, 2016 by friendmarcelle

We each have an amazing inner connection to divine wisdom and guidance, always available. The challenge is to turn our attention toward it and stay focused long enough to receive benefit. Here is a link to a guided meditation to help us focus on situations in our lives that require more understanding. Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative spirituality, Learning from Early Friends, meditation, Mysticism, Quaker Faith Today, spiritual practices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The End of Life and After

Posted on May 7, 2016 by friendmarcelle

When my father’s health took another precipitous decline in March, we needed to face the mysteries of dying and life after death. My family members had different beliefs and experiences. I wondered what my Quaker faith had to say about those mysteries. Sitting at my father’s bedside taught me some important things. Continue reading →

Posted in Facing Life with Faith, Learning from Early Friends, Quaker Faith Today | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments