A scribe asked Jesus, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "the first is "The Lord our God is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The second is this "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these."

George Fox, the founder of the Quakers said, "You will say Christ says this and the apostles say that, but what can you say? Are you a child of Light, and do you walk in the Light and when you speak, is it inwardly from God?" Quakers believe God is alive in the World today and speaks to us if we will seek him. The time of revelation and prophecy did not end 2000 years ago, it continues today.

Now, imagine the world as you would like it to be. Without fear, without hate. Does your vision in any way harm others? Then imagine it again. Is your role passive or active? God calls us to be active in the world, to strive to do his will every waking hour. Do you imagine a world of brotherly and sisterly love, free from war? Then work to make it happen, for that is what God requires. God has a plan for all of us, but it is our responsibility to learn what it is and to carry it out.

"Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? (James 4:1)" The inward struggle to learn God's will comes first.

"Faith without works is dead." A good life results from a victory in the inward struggle. Jesus looks at us and says, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

The path is clear and simple. You ask God what he wants of you. Then you do it. The practical consequences in one's life of following this direction are obvious. The salesman treats his customers as brothers and sisters instead of sheep to fleece. The scientist works on projects for the benefit of mankind. The community leader makes decisions that benefit all of the community, not just special groups. The business leader looks to create an enterprise which benefits his community, treats his employees with brotherly love and does his duty by his stock-holders too. It sounds simple, and it is. It can be difficult too.

The Quaker community is there to support those who follow God, no matter of what creed or culture. The community supplies loving support and guidance and prepares seekers to encounter God. We welcome visitors to our services and seekers to our community. Following God may at first seem difficult, but ultimately it creates a life full of love and joy.

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