Quakertime

luke.lea wrote on October 16 2011, @08:08 pm concerning the Occupy Wall Street General Assembly
"This GA concept is fucking genius -- a most beautiful product of collective imagination, more promising by far than anything else I've seen in my 70 years.
A few hundred Quakers helped change the course of English history 4 centuries ago by keeping it simple and sticking to their principles, or so I have read; one can only hope it might happen again."
The Quakers did as every Christian should do: to turn up one's sleeves.
They put one's hand to the plough and did not wait until governments or organisations took action. They themselves went to work in hospitals and shelter-houses. They tried to do something against bad situations.
Today many people do find themselves pushed in a corner. Some were even wealthy persons a few months or years ago, but have to live on the street today. The world has come back into a crises situation which could turn out to be a Second Great Depression if we are not careful.
In such time of trouble Christians should be ready to stand clear and to work the ropes to keep everything safe. For that reason it is also important that we know what is going on and what happens to people around us, giving them assurance that they can count on us and that we are ready to throw out the safety-line.
The question which can bother us is how far may we go in our reaction? Can we stand on the barricades?
May the Indignados become desperados?
Read more about the happenings:

1. Dexia-debacle met venijnig staartje

2. Op straat voor waardigheid #1 Zieke broertje

3. Op straat voor waardigheid #2 Grote broer

4. Op straat voor waardigheid #3 de Rest van de Familie

5. Op straat voor waardigheid #4 de Erfenis

6. Anti-Crisis anger calling out

What is your thought?

Doctrine and Conduct Cause and Effect

Doctrine and Conduct are Related to Each Other as Cause and Effect

"This affirmation may require a little explanation because so many people think of doctrine as belonging solely to ecclesiastical circles, and as being quite unpractical even there. They think of fierce doctrinal disputes that ministered occasion for rancour and bitterness without teaching anything of real value.

The fact is that, through the weakness and yet the pugnacity of human nature, great and important truths are continually obscured by disputes regarding matters of relative insignificance. Great truths are hidden not only by falsehoods but also by little truths, just as a great mountain may be hidden from sight by a too near and intent inspection of a tiny piece of stone.

Doctrine really means teaching. The word can be used in a much wider sense than is generally recognised. The doctrines that a man holds are really the principles that guide his conduct. If his doctrines are well-balanced with a just perception as to which are the most important, his conduct will probably be well balanced too. If he holds some false doctrines, or if his strongest convictions and most persistent thoughts centre round something of little value, the ill effect will be seen in his conduct.

Beliefs may be of all shades of strength, from a slight inclination of opinion to a confidence indistinguishable from absolute certainty. If a Christian has real faith in his religion and if he attaches the proper importance to Christian doctrines, he not only has a strong hope in life but his conduct is guided at every point. As the Apostle expresses it, he "believes with the heart unto righteousness"."

- Islip Collyer
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The Guiding Light
From Chapter 13

Continue reading > > Holiness and expression of worship coming from inside
+ Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation!
+ Prayer: Blessed be the name of Jehovah

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > Doctrine, gedrag, oorzaak en gevolg

Repentance and conversion are not milestones which we pass on the way of life and never see again

"Repentance and conversion are not milestones which we pass on the way of life and never see again. This would be to misconceive their true meaning. It is true that life is like a journey ... , but there are abiding principles which are essential for the whole journey and not simply for its commencement. Certainly, repentance has a beginning and comes to a special maturity when we see our need for forgiveness and for union with Christ and the Lord God. But, the fruits of repentance appear at all seasons of life, and keep us in a humble attachment to God. Moreover, when sin appears in our discipleship - and there is no disciple who does not sin - the wells of repentance spring up again as we make confession to God and seek His face. It is for this reason that "Forgive us our trespasses" appears in the Lord's pattern prayer.

Similarly conversion is not a once and for all decision. It is a turning and returning to God throughout our lives. We take up our cross at the beginning, and we have to take it up every day. Constantly we have to take our bearings afresh, like mariners at sea, and correct our course towards God:

"I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies." (Psalm 119:59)

The threads of repentance and conversion are continuous in the wondrous pattern of life."

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Brother Harry Tennant
Repentance and Conversion
The Christadelphians - What they Believe and Preach