tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post1215811631852834565..comments2024-03-28T18:43:53.154-07:00Comments on Meditations of my Heart: We Are One in the Spirit, We Are One in the LordMartha Jane Orlandohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-25029533674765174012018-11-02T05:22:06.958-07:002018-11-02T05:22:06.958-07:00Thanks so much for your kind words here, Linda, an...Thanks so much for your kind words here, Linda, and for the share! Yes, isn't it amazing how we, as bloggers, will mirror each other's thoughts without even knowing it? God is so good!<br />Yes, kindness matters incredibly in this beaten up and beaten down world. May we practice it with our whole hearts.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-60288459595308925742018-11-02T05:20:12.221-07:002018-11-02T05:20:12.221-07:00Oh, yes, Kim, very familiar with that hymn, hence ...Oh, yes, Kim, very familiar with that hymn, hence the title here. Yes, we are living in sad and discordant times, and the church needs to be united more than ever. And splitting over carpeting? Give me a break! Reminds me of Paul's admonishment that some of us are still at our mother's milk as Christians, and not yet ready for solid food.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-5441434204808750202018-11-01T12:39:01.113-07:002018-11-01T12:39:01.113-07:00I love when we track in the same direction as anot...I love when we track in the same direction as another blogger who we so deeply respect does. Without even knowing it.<br /><br />Kindness matters. You've written so beautifully about this needed grace, this available fruit, friend.<br /><br />I'm sharing your link over at my place.<br /><br />Bless you!Linda Stollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02170871743323855687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-32860003551542318422018-10-31T15:15:31.276-07:002018-10-31T15:15:31.276-07:00Martha, you've hit on what is happening in sec...Martha, you've hit on what is happening in secular society, as well as the church. It seems to me that the church--instead of being different from the world and setting the tone for society--is mirroring society and calling it "seeker sensitive". Sadly, churches split (or people leave) over carpeting. <br /><br />It's grieving to my heart to see all the discord, the hatred in this world and in the church.<br /><br />By the way, are you familiar with the hymn, "They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love"? Your title is a phrase in the hymn.<br /><br />Love and blessings!<br /> Kim Jollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08670842504983601263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-84521751242419956932018-10-31T05:04:06.142-07:002018-10-31T05:04:06.142-07:00Thanks so much, Betty, for your kind and encouragi...Thanks so much, Betty, for your kind and encouraging words, and I'm honored that you would quote what I said about right/righteousness in your blog! Glad to know, too, that you are back here and blogging after a hiatus. You've been missed!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-41563402840261626562018-10-30T20:48:49.862-07:002018-10-30T20:48:49.862-07:00We are overcome by the desire to be right instead ...We are overcome by the desire to be right instead of righteous. Truth, truth, truth Martha. It's the disease that kills churches, politic, people, marriages, relationships in any area. I am going to use that quote on my facebook tomorrow, powerful. Good to read your wisdom again. I have been silent for a while, life has been busy. We are on a ministry trip now, down on the southern border of Arizona and Mexico and tonight I finally got my computer out and trying to catch up. Know this has made you sad, it makes me sad and I don't even know these people. Glad you are staying...Wise Heartedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13890246183434576719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-60057786542687921882018-10-29T18:39:50.590-07:002018-10-29T18:39:50.590-07:00Yes, Galen, we are the ones who block the natural ...Yes, Galen, we are the ones who block the natural and overflowing love of God that wishes to unite us when we ignore or choose to diminish the value of others. The older I get, the more I understand Jesus' commandment to love and pray for our enemies. Am I always true to this? In a word, "No." But God is working in me and through me each and every day, refining this dross into gold. Trusting that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-77813860180871395592018-10-29T18:06:49.341-07:002018-10-29T18:06:49.341-07:00Amen indeed, Martha. A Course in Miracles teaches ...Amen indeed, Martha. A Course in Miracles teaches that any time we separate ourselves from each other -- through judgment, fear, anger, criticism, prejudice, etc -- we separate ourselves from God. We cannot see someone as "other" and still be in open relationship with God. Not that God would cut off relationship with us, but that we block our unity with God when we fail to recognize our unity with each other.Galen Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189831838630645863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-40786259388783616452018-10-27T06:30:36.957-07:002018-10-27T06:30:36.957-07:00It truly is sad, Bill. And as you write about so ...It truly is sad, Bill. And as you write about so often in Be Transformed, we get too wrapped up in our own little kingdoms and forget that we are here to serve the kingdom of God. May we pray that we all become one in the Spirit.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-64278518407985611632018-10-27T05:45:44.754-07:002018-10-27T05:45:44.754-07:00it is sad when the outcome of discussion from both...it is sad when the outcome of discussion from both sides, the offerings of opinions from both sides, and the careful study and prayer afterwards results in people leaving. But us wanting to be sovereign of our own little kingdom will result in pettiness. It also shows immaturity on the part of those who left because they didn't get their way. SadBill (cycleguy)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09082407231475058958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-68889941006583292642018-10-26T18:21:25.653-07:002018-10-26T18:21:25.653-07:00Yes, Terri, Satan seems to be winning, but we know...Yes, Terri, Satan seems to be winning, but we know already that Jesus has the ultimate victory. Let us cling to that knowledge with everything we've got, and strive with God's help to live into the unity He wants His children to embrace! May we choose righteousness over being "right."<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-39191118768261125012018-10-26T15:14:43.816-07:002018-10-26T15:14:43.816-07:00 We are overcome by the desire to be right instead... We are overcome by the desire to be right instead of righteous. That statement says it all. I am heartsick at where this country is today and where it seems to be headed. Satan is winning.Terri Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15333024343069943295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-63730156299328481262018-10-26T10:06:31.141-07:002018-10-26T10:06:31.141-07:00I'm so glad this message spoke to you today, M...I'm so glad this message spoke to you today, Myra! Yes, things are a mess, but when you think back to the 60s, the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, we were pretty divided then, too, yet we came out of it. I have hope we will also come through these crazy times.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-43782846919251208912018-10-26T09:01:17.880-07:002018-10-26T09:01:17.880-07:00Your title, I mean. Not your message.Your title, I mean. Not your message.Mevely317https://www.blogger.com/profile/14786988262452989091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-68764825599159198542018-10-26T09:00:25.513-07:002018-10-26T09:00:25.513-07:00WONDERFUL message, Martha! Having attended a Unit...WONDERFUL message, Martha! Having attended a Unity church for many years, at first I misunderstood your message. I'll never forget my poor mother's reaction when she visited one Sunday and realized there was no Cross above the altar … rather, the 'winged' logo (https://www.unitygainesville.org/unitys-logo.html) … reminds me of an angel with her face down flying towards the congregation. <br /><br />The state of our Country these days seems overwhelmingly awful. I need to remember your words, and those of Pamela. All things are possible! Mevely317https://www.blogger.com/profile/14786988262452989091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-19047589986131321512018-10-26T05:07:46.226-07:002018-10-26T05:07:46.226-07:00Pamela, I love your optimism and hope shown here. ...Pamela, I love your optimism and hope shown here. Yes, with God, all things are possible, and we need to keep up those prayers for unity and peace.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-73071095013735514192018-10-26T05:06:31.723-07:002018-10-26T05:06:31.723-07:00Victor, thank you so much for taking the time to s...Victor, thank you so much for taking the time to share such informative and personal thoughts here. Yes, it seems division is not relegated to just our side of the pond, and I find that so sad. When we really stop and reflect, we have much more in common than we do differences. After all, we are all made in God's image, and Jesus wants us to be one body in worshiping Him. Maybe, one day . . .<br />And yes, this passage from John is so revealing and moving, I agree.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-87282188455357957802018-10-26T05:04:30.617-07:002018-10-26T05:04:30.617-07:00Excellent message! Yes, we are also praying for un...Excellent message! Yes, we are also praying for unity to be restored...praying for peace and safety in our nation...and for we as Christians to be united in Christ Jesus for the purpose of reaching the lost with the saving love of Christ. It's a tall order, but with God, all things are possible!Pamela M. Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04060656432106792419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-44430864274589034042018-10-26T03:36:08.169-07:002018-10-26T03:36:08.169-07:00Excellent post, Martha. Thank you.
I particularly...Excellent post, Martha. Thank you.<br /><br />I particularly love the quote from John you started with. One of my favourites.<br /><br />Two points:<br /><br />Here in the UK too, we seem to be a divided kingdom. Divided in many ways. Rich and poor. North and South. Old and young. Employed and not employed. Divided on religion, race, up-bringing, education, privilege and on many other issues. Like the European Union. Although we voted two years ago that we should leave the EU we are still debating the issue in parliament, as well as on social media, TV, radio and everywhere. I fear all these divisions and pray we unite once again.<br /><br />The second point relates to the Churches of all denominations to agree and somehow unite. Being a Catholic, I fear this may never happen, because the Catholic Church is somewhat aloof and feels superior to the rest (which it is not). There idea of unity is that other Churches should follow our example. This is wrong. I have voiced this within my Church. You can imagine the response.<br /><br />God bless. Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.com