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Best T-Shirt Slogan 

By Mindy Caliguire - Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Best T-Shirt Slogan
Silence is Golden
Duct Tape is Silver

So read the T-shirt slogen most often quoted by my noisy family this year!!

Over the Christmas vacation, I learned about silence in a new way, thanks to J. Brent Bill, who leads the Center for Congregational Growth in Indianapolis. While Brent’s organization serves a diverse range of congregations, he himself is a Quaker and has written two excellent books on Quaker history, spirituality, and practice: Holy Silence and Mind the Light.

I enjoyed both, especially the one on silence. Brent explains, [Quakers] worshiped in silence. They did so because they felt that they needed to be quiet and wait on God–not man–to speak. … They saw holy silence as a way to encourage men and women on their spiritual journey.

With all the current talk about how to help people on the spiritual journey, this really caught my eye! Have we thought much about the role of silence in helping ourselves? Or in helping others on the journey?

One of his self-examination questions gets me thinking as I prepare for church this morning…

(Quietude Queries interspersed thoughtfully throughout the book).

        Relax your body and mind

        Breathe deeply

        Think about the following question slowly and gently. Savor each thought:

What do I normally do to prepare my soul for a spiritual exerience?
Can I see silence as enhancing that?

Journaling questions:

    How does silence fit in your life, if at all?

    What difference do you find it makes?

    How might you incorporate silence into your life in 2008?

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