Howard Macy is retired from teaching at George Fox University and continues to minister in person and through writing as he can. Early in life he was a preacher’s kid living in Camas on the hill above the distinctively-scented paper mill. His father was the pastor at the Forest Home Friends Church there. His most recent book is Discovering Humor in the Bible: An Explorer’s Guide. A forthcoming book is tentatively titled Befriending the Prophets.

Who needs to hear a truth that you are “situated and equipped” to tell? What is your ministry–who needs the love you are “situated and equipped” to give? Who around you is feeling called to some important work and needs your support, your “yes we can”? Who may be ready and waiting to support you in some important next step?

“I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!”

“Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out…”

What practices help me feel connected to God? What actions express my connection to God? How can I strengthen my connection to myself? What might indicate a deepening, healthy, loving connection to myself? What already existing and important connections am I beginning to recognize? What new and crucial connections are being formed?

Do you pray? How do you know when you're praying? What makes it "prayer"? What do you expect or anticipate from God when you pray? What do you expect or anticipate from yourself? Who benefits when you pray? What difference does prayer make? Who or what is changed by your prayers? What words do you use when you pray? Do you pray in word-less ways? What is the role of your body in prayer? Are there downsides or limitations to prayer? Have you had negative experiences with prayer? How has prayer been a positive experience for you? Do you want to pray more? Why do you want to pray more, if you do? What would that look like? How would you pray?