Discovering God as Companion:

Real Life Stories from What Canst Thou Say?

Mariellen Gilpin, Editor

Discovering God as CompanionContents
Introduction 1

God Breaking In  4
Go to Camp David, Stephen L. Angell  5
An Absolute Total Knowing, Jennifer Frick  8
Voices and Visions, James Baker   10
Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Theodora E. Waring 10
A Challenge for Friends, Jean Roberts   13
An Interview with Elaine Emily, Kathy Tapp  13
New Eyes, Connie Lezenby     16
A Story for “Slow Leaks,” Patricia McBee      18
Giving Birth to the Sun, Marcelle Martin  19
Salt Doll, Kathy Tapp     24
A Dream, Wayne Swanger     26
Transformed by the Spirit, Ray Bentman  27
Enraptured by Silence, Alvin Joaquín Figueroa   29
The Nominating Voice, Elizabeth F. Meyer  32
A Numinous Presence, Alison Lohans  35

God in Nature  37
Art and the Light, Christine O’Brien    38
Oneness with Nature, Mary Waddington         39
A Deer Shall Lead Thee, Hazel Jonjak            41
Knowing We Are Home, Carol Cober             44
This Desert Land, Amy Perry   45
Seedlings, Elspeth Colwell       46
Coming off the Moutain, Brad Sheeks   48
Quaker Sunset, Keith Maddock           50
To Walk in this World, Yet Not of It, Dorothy Mack   51
Snakes, Orchids, and Novels, William R Stimson         54
Focusing on the Experience, Ken Tapp             57
Patience, Carmen Bruce          59

God in Times of Pain and Despair     60
Healing from Hurts, Nancy Whitt          61
And My Cup Runneth Over, Kat Griffith         63
God is, Diane Barounis           65
Depression is a Gift, Dimitri Mihalas   66
A Decision Made from Deep Within, Demaris Wehr    68
In the Heart of Pain, Linda Theresa      71
 ruined, Kate S Ahmadi            73
Standing on Holy Ground, Rita Varley 75
Discovering God as Companion, Allison Randall          76
The Gift That Follows Surrender, David Blair   79
Rooted in God, Jay Mittenthal            81
Deciding Not to Pray, Mariellen Gilpin            83
Working Around Faith-crushing Experiences, Dalton Roberts   85
Holding Problem People in the Light, Lauren Leach     87
As We Forgive Those, Carol Roth       89

Living Faithfully         92
In Defense of the Spiritual Practice of
            Flossing Teeth, Marti Matthews           93
A Spirit-led Fast, Peg Morton 95
Tractor Dream, Lynda Schaller            98
The Ministry of Silent Radiation, Bill Taber       100
I or Thou? Dorothy Neumann             102
Don Quixote and the Laying on of Hands, Linda Lee    103
The Spirit Took Over, Patricia McBee             105
Healing Old Wounds, Judith Weir        106
A Garifuna Healing, Judy Lumb            108
The Price of Professionalism, Steven Gross      111
Do Unto Others, Carolyn Wilbur Treadway    112
Contemplative’s Prayer, Heidi Blocher             115
The Nature of Holy Obedience, Thomas Kelly             116
Reflections on Living Reverently, Marlou Carlson        117

In Celebration             120
Joy, Intention, Prayer, and Gratitude, Christine O’Brien           121
A Child of God, Terri Mittenthal         124
The Healing Harp, Sabrina Sigal Falls             124
Love, Mike Resman     128
A Request for Release, Marcelle Martin          129
The Four Thousand Dollars, Kathryn Gordon 131
A Time of Celebration, Mariellen Gilpin          133
Hide, Mike Resman     135
Belize Park: From Dream to Reality, Judy Lumb           136
Stretch out Your Hands, Maurine Pyle             138
Liking What I Have to Do, Carolyn Smith Treadway 139
Thank You, God, for All of It, Jennifer Elam   141
Opting to Live, Carol Roth       142

Afterword: God as Companion          145
Appendices
Questions for Discussion           152
Who Are Friends (Quakers)?   154
Author Index    156
Endnotes          157

Published 23 February 2007 by AuthorHouse, Bloomington IN, 172 pages, paperback.
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What Canst Thou Say? is an independent publication by and for Quakers with an interest in mystical experience and contemplative practice. It’s published in August, November, February, and May. The current editorial and production team is Lissa Field, Mariellen Gilpin, Lieselotte Heil, Richard Himmer, Chris Johns, Joan Johnston, Judy Lumb, Patricia McBee, Grayce Mesner, Kathy Tapp, Eleanor Warnock and Wayne Yarnall.