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Valiant for Truth
We Will Not Be Greatly Shaken
Shaken. As I write this, one week has passed since the events in
New York and Washington, D.C. that have left not only us, but many
people in the world, shaken. Anger, sorrow, distress and uncertainty
flow within us. The words of Psalm 62 have been my lifeline during
this tragedy:
For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly,
my hope is in him. God alone is my rock and salvation, my stronghold,
so that I shall not be greatly shaken.
(verses 1-2)
Most of us, who have lived in relative security for many years,
are asking "Why?" Like the psalmist who paused in his
song of trust to complain of those who threaten him, we learn to
accept the fact that not everyone wishes us well.
Our efforts to create security for ourselves are illusory and can
often be ripped apart in a moment's events. But if God is our stronghold,
we will not be greatly shaken. What a comfort to me to know
that "yes, we will be shaken at times in our lives, but we
won't be greatly shaken." Our only safety is in God
who is our stronghold and our refuge.
Put your trust in God always, O people, pour
out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
(verse 8)
Pouring is not half-hearted, not dripping, just a generous flow.
To pour out our hearts, we must hold nothing back when we come to
God in prayer, pouring out our negative feelings as well. God's
love is so expansive it fills the voids left as we release negative
emotions.
Trusting God, pouring out our hearts, seeking God as our stronghold
and refugeÑall these enable us to "overcome evil with good."
(Romans 12:21)
Being centered in God's love enables us then to reach out to our
neighbors. In this issue, outreach to our neighbors takes several
turnsÑministry to disabled veterans and Hispanics, those who are
homeless and in prisons, those with physical challenges, those living
out the peace testimony in diverse situations and youth (see the
new column Fox Pix).
May we be valiant for truth in these challenging days as we remember
we will not be greatly shaken.
Blessings in Christ,
Trish Edwards-Konic
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COVER STORIES
10 Ministry with Vets at Camelot Farm
Margaret Hawthorn
Margaret and Bruce Hawthorn have ministered to disabled veterans
since 1978 at their farm, Camelot, in central Massachusetts. Their
children have grown up there as months passed into years, years
of challenging and rewarding ministry.
12 Good Friends and
Neighbors
Dr. David Byrne
The Coalition for Hispanic Ministries (CHM) began in 1994 with a
vision among Friends to reach the rapidly growing Hispanic population
in North America. David Byrne, the first Director, shares the progress
made as Friends reach out to their Hispanic neighbors.
16 I Sing Because I'm Happy
George Bert McCleskey
UMOJA Men's Chorus at Warren Correctional Institution
Catherine Roma
Prison ministry takes many forms. Recording a CD for a men's chorus
in prison, Catherine Roma shares the how-to of the project. A chorus
singer writes, "I Sing Because I'm Happy" even though
his body is behind bars for many years to come.
FEATURES
4 Commitments
Retha McCutchen
4 News from Friends United Meeting
8 Peace Notes
18 Turning Points
What Constitutes Healing?
Stephanie J. Landaas
20 Bible Study
What Will You Meet in the Wilderness?
Jan Hoffman
21 Salt and Light
Hearing the Prophetic in the Familiar
Thomas Jeavons
24 News
25 Fox Pix
26 Reviews
30 Book Notes
31 Passages
34 Classifieds
36 Meeting Directory
40 Viewpoints
42 The Back Bench
The Many Uses of Spit
Nancy Thomas
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