Daily writing prompt

What brands do you associate with?

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I love the Quaker brand, but not the company that makes and sells oatmeal. I love the Society of Friends that began in the 1600s and were called Quakers as an insult because they often shook and trembled during prayer and worship. I’m not so fond of the modern version of Quakers, but. I greatly admire the early Quakers. Here’s why:

• I am inspired by the early Quaker peace testimony. They took the Sermon on the Mount literally. They believed that Christians should actually “turn the other cheek,” “love your enemies,” and “bless those who curse you.” They believed in total non-violence. The people stirring up political violence in the USA need to listen to the early Quakers. No one should be assassinated for his or her political views. No one! I miss an America where you could kindly express your opinion without someone wanting to demonize you because of your beliefs. The freedom to politely express your opinion (as I am doing now) without being hated for what you say makes a nation great. If America doesn’t get that freedom back no leader can “make it great again.” The early Quakers can show the way.
• I love the early Quaker faithfulness to the Bible and to historic Christian doctrine. Many modern Quakers like so many Christian denominations have abandoned the belief in basic Christian doctrine and biblical morality. Many people who call themselves Christians proclaim that they are deconstructing their faith. That often means that they reject the authority of the Bible. The early Quakers put the Bible and the Holy Spirit above non-biblical traditions and rituals.
• I am thrilled about the early Quaker belief in the equality of all Christ-followers. They rejected the non-biblical clergy/laity divide. They embraced Jesus’ command to not create and follow a human hierarchy.
• I am excited by the early Quaker rejection of planned worship meetings and their desire to let the Holy Spirit personally direct all that happened when they gathered to worship God. Everybody present was encouraged to listen to the Spirit and then say or do what they heard.
• The early Quakers discovered that God is more powerful than religion and politics. God transforms people. His supernatural transformation of people is much more powerful than anything that politics or religion have to offer. Seek to be continually transformed by Him. Live in continual surrender to God and demonstrate His love, power, and presence to everyone you encounter.
• The early Quakers trained people to be led by God the Holy Spirit — to be still and quiet and to notice and obey His inner promptings and the things He brings to mind and puts on the heart. Quiet is uncommon in contemporary culture. Hearts that need mending are crowded with clamor and chaos. Pensive solitude is seldom experienced in a society that prides itself on activity, accomplishment, and acclaim that is mixed with long doses of entertainment. Keeping up appearances by manipulating visible things and outward behaviors has eclipsed and darkened the interior richness and abundant encouragement that is available to the human heart. Like the early Quakers, we need to simply listen to and obey the inner voices of faith, hope, and love and let them lead us to joy and peace beyond measure.
• God is speaking
  Today.
  Will I listen
  To what
  He has to say?
  Or will I walk
  Away?
  I want to stay
  In His presence
  And hear His voice
  All day.