Questions

Questions

Editor’s Note. One of Q Place’s core values is self-discovery, because after over fifty+ years of ministry, evidence is strong that people grow and learn best when they discover truths for themselves through discussion and study. The primary means to facilitate self-discovery in others is through asking good questions. That is why I resonated so deeply with the thoughts to follow, penned by Frederick Buechner in his book, Wishful Thinking. Trusting they’ll spark something in you as well. – Pamela Klein, On Q Editor _____________________________ QUESTIONS “On her deathbed, Gertrude Stein is said to have asked, ‘What is the answer?’...Read more …
On the Radio – Mary Schaller

On the Radio – Mary Schaller

This Is the Day is a Moody Radio regular feature. The program’s host, Nancy Turner, connects listeners with people—from authors to musicians—whose lives have been transformed by God. Here at Q Place we are grateful that God opened up the opportunity for This Is the Day to connect with our president, Mary Schaller! Nancy Turner was interested in talking with Mary about her experiences with the spiritually curious and how each of us can also engage our unchurched friends in conversations about God and the Bible, in a safe and supportive environment. We’re part of Q Place because we understand...Read more …
Under the Red Tent

Under the Red Tent

My neighbor Sue literally created The Red Tent for our book club discussion, wrapping her outdoor table in red table cloths and napkins. To top it off, she served us “Old Testament treats’”of dates, olives, goat cheese, almonds and chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. Gotta love it! – Becky ______________________________ Not too long ago, my book club met to discuss The Red Tent. Published over a decade ago, it’s a fictional story that uses the brief biblical story of Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, as its jumping off point, unpacking what life was like from the women’s perspective in ancient (biblical) culture. The...Read more …
Seldom Found? Listen.

Seldom Found? Listen.

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. (Philippians 2:1-2, The Message) These verses are some of my favorites. I love that they show how highly God esteems earthly relationships. They also reveal how my life with Jesus and and the Spirit has the potential to impact those relationships; I can “have a heart...Read more …
On the Radio – Walk the Way

On the Radio – Walk the Way

  • Posted on July 24, 2015
  • /Under Praying
This is Walk the Way, brought to you by Q Place, I’m Jeff Klein. When it comes to prayer, most Christians have limited focus. Often, we relate it to our personal devotions, using it to spend some time alone with God in order to build a relationship with Him. The second way we use prayer is for sick people. Asking for prayer requests anywhere usually results in a list of illnesses or physical conditions that people are suffering from. Now, don’t get me wrong – these are important ways prayer is used. But have we ever deeply considered how prayer...Read more …
Personal Prayer…Continued

Personal Prayer…Continued

  • Posted on July 22, 2015
  • /Under Praying
Editor’s note. As often happens with God, the timing of this week’s Monday post by John Crilly, Personal Prayer, was perfect. None of us knew as I was getting Crilly’s piece ready for publishing, that our National Church Partnership Director, my husband, Jeff Klein, would be seriously injured during his regular lunchtime ball hockey game. Thanks be to God, Jeff is healing and he’s on his way to what appears to be full recovery. All that to say, it was fitting he would “continue” Crilly’s thoughts today with his own reflection after having experienced personal prayer. We believers certainly do...Read more …
Personal Prayer

Personal Prayer

  • Posted on July 20, 2015
  • /Under Praying
It’s hard to overemphasize the power of praying intentionally for specific people in their specific circumstances. Personal prayer engages our hearts in a way that doesn’t happen when we pray in general terms: Praying because we’ve noticed and listened and have a sense of how to pray, allows us to see God work step-by-step. Praying specifically opens our hearts to love someone in ways we never imagined as the details of their lives grow in importance to us. Praying for someone by name in the context of their life, moves our prayers from generic and general to genuine, compassionate and particular....Read more …
On the Radio – Walk the Way

On the Radio – Walk the Way

  • Posted on July 17, 2015
  • /Under Noticing
This is Walk the Way, brought to you by Q Place, I’m Jeff Klein. And I’m Pam Klein. Our friend, Jody, LOVES babies. The store might be Babies R Us…but really, babies are Jody! And while most of us would, indeed, feel for a sickly, malnourished boy sitting in mud and squalor in an African orphanage, Jody describes being DRAWN IN by one – She says when she noticed him she saw Jesus in his face. That’s when Jody asked permission of the director of the African orphanage if she could take care of him. He agreed and the little boy became...Read more …
Before Knowing & Being Known: Noticing

Before Knowing & Being Known: Noticing

  • Posted on July 15, 2015
  • /Under Noticing
Do you remember the day you met your best friend? I do. It was a beautiful autumn day. The September sun was streaming, fading and golden, through the red, orange, and yellow leaves. It was cool enough for jeans and a jean jacket, but the air was still clinging to a bit of warmth from the Indian summer day. As I strolled past the front doors of the church that stood across from the expansive front lawn of the town’s college, I noticed a group of men in tuxes standing as a group on the steps. I say “noticed,” but...Read more …
About Time

About Time

  • Posted on July 13, 2015
  • /Under Noticing
Not too long ago, one of my best friends came to visit. We’ve known each other for nearly twenty years and have cultivated our relationship as down-the-street neighbors and long-distance friends. After all this time, we were afforded an extraordinary gift—uninterrupted time alone together, without our kids or husbands or an agenda. For four days, we just did whatever we wanted. It was glorious to spend full days in each other’s company, sharing thoughts and ideas and eating good food. One evening she suggested we watch the movie About Time. Tim, the main character, can time travel. It’s shortly after...Read more …
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