tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post5491442590605818394..comments2024-03-27T18:27:40.013-07:00Comments on Meditations of my Heart: The Courageous WordMartha Jane Orlandohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-22395319484646949922019-04-16T13:55:11.446-07:002019-04-16T13:55:11.446-07:00Kim, I really like your take on this. Yes, just a...Kim, I really like your take on this. Yes, just as the disciples were confused at first, I'm sure it took a while for reality to sink in for Joseph, too. Grief can be overwhelming to the mind and the spirit. May we all be thankful for Joseph's willingness to count the cost of following Jesus, and act on it.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-88357115778317501742019-04-16T11:49:51.135-07:002019-04-16T11:49:51.135-07:00Martha, I do apologize for being so very late in r...Martha, I do apologize for being so very late in reading and commenting on this thoughtful post. Pastor Graham shared many amazing and deep thoughts. Joseph was a brave man who clearly counted the cost of following Jesus and found the cost worth it. As for what he thought of the empty tomb--all of Jesus' friends, disciples were rather confused, so much hunch Joseph was likely confused too--grief can really make it hard to understand things.<br /><br />May we all count the cost of following Jesus and find the cost worth it in the end. And as we share Jesus with others, let's not forget to mention the need to count the cost.<br /><br />Love and blessings!Kim Jollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08670842504983601263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-47332640212167976962019-04-15T12:56:18.056-07:002019-04-15T12:56:18.056-07:00Amen, Susan, I'm sure he was!
Love and blessin...Amen, Susan, I'm sure he was!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-8190796415256803062019-04-15T10:40:20.165-07:002019-04-15T10:40:20.165-07:00Joseph must have been filled with awed, praise, jo...Joseph must have been filled with awed, praise, joy, and humility. Susan Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834094675218254410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-43851431246197792062019-04-15T06:09:24.117-07:002019-04-15T06:09:24.117-07:00Yes, we should all be both ecstatic and humbled at...Yes, we should all be both ecstatic and humbled at this glorious time.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-87502785633536583352019-04-15T06:08:40.804-07:002019-04-15T06:08:40.804-07:00Thank you, Cheryl, and may your family be blessed ...Thank you, Cheryl, and may your family be blessed this Easter, too!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-91438852113879414682019-04-15T04:39:29.145-07:002019-04-15T04:39:29.145-07:00Amen! I’d say he was humbled and ecstatic!! As we ...Amen! I’d say he was humbled and ecstatic!! As we too should always be!!! Faithonthemountainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16530095934904527004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-56714595273075228452019-04-15T00:03:59.882-07:002019-04-15T00:03:59.882-07:00I imagine he was overjoyed, too! Can you imagine?...I imagine he was overjoyed, too! Can you imagine? May God bless you this beautiful Easter season!Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-74188903015185955482019-04-14T10:47:40.012-07:002019-04-14T10:47:40.012-07:00Amen, Deb, and prayers all of us should say freque...Amen, Deb, and prayers all of us should say frequently! You do such an amazing job spreading God's kingdom through your wonderful blog.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-2081142420858561882019-04-14T10:13:33.019-07:002019-04-14T10:13:33.019-07:00Two fo my constant prayers, Martha ... that the Lo...Two fo my constant prayers, Martha ... that the Lord will help me love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And that He will give me the courage I need to go and tell! Blessings my friend! Deb Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08401684982173638599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-63428684819431432702019-04-13T09:54:11.855-07:002019-04-13T09:54:11.855-07:00Thanks so much, Frank!
Love and blessings!Thanks so much, Frank!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-62344920472495534222019-04-13T07:12:56.851-07:002019-04-13T07:12:56.851-07:00Great questions near the end, Martha. :-)Great questions near the end, Martha. :-)Frank Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00889028968185679689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-57527347416653974712019-04-13T06:46:07.477-07:002019-04-13T06:46:07.477-07:00Thank you, Karen! The tomb did play such a vital ...Thank you, Karen! The tomb did play such a vital role in the Easter story, and we can all rejoice that Joseph was willing to follow through, no matter what the cost. And as you say here, we need to take up our cross daily, willing to lose our lives to gain them.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-78878247795764212872019-04-13T05:56:50.050-07:002019-04-13T05:56:50.050-07:00Powerful thoughts, Martha. And yes, Joseph risked ...Powerful thoughts, Martha. And yes, Joseph risked much by offering a burial place for Jesus, labeled a criminal. I love how it played such a vital role in the Resurrection and in how prophecy came to be fulfilled. <br /><br />And there is a lesson here for true Christ-followers as Pastor Graham suggests. To follow Jesus is to take up our cross daily...to count the cost...to lose our life to gain it. <br /><br />Thanks for such a beautiful reminder! Karen 'Girl' Fridayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12207457811627558544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-894734999262314482019-04-12T15:55:05.359-07:002019-04-12T15:55:05.359-07:00It is something to linger over, Beckie, and goodne...It is something to linger over, Beckie, and goodness knows, I have done the same. My heart was so convicted as I listened to Pastor Graham's words last Sunday, and though our blogs do much to touch hearts, I felt I still wasn't doing enough for the kingdom. Let's vow to keep our hearts and minds open to the possibilities and opportunities God presents to us.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-73030203480424487222019-04-12T15:53:13.015-07:002019-04-12T15:53:13.015-07:00You are most welcome, Myra. So glad you enjoyed t...You are most welcome, Myra. So glad you enjoyed today's post, my friend.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-41620058258515148482019-04-12T15:48:17.916-07:002019-04-12T15:48:17.916-07:00Martha, a challenging post. I agree, this certainl...Martha, a challenging post. I agree, this certainly give me pause for some serious thought and reflection. Do I love the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength? Am I willing to proclaim the Word of God with courage, even if it means losing my status in the world's eye?<br /><br />Something to linger over in my quiet time.<br />Beckie Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14577965060772418026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-30760170730173720812019-04-12T15:43:38.324-07:002019-04-12T15:43:38.324-07:00I love your gentle nudges to ponder our own what i...I love your gentle nudges to ponder our own what if's. Thank you, Martha.Mevely317https://www.blogger.com/profile/14786988262452989091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-25663328980338962622019-04-12T13:57:58.352-07:002019-04-12T13:57:58.352-07:00Oh, wow, Carol, what a powerful story you have sha...Oh, wow, Carol, what a powerful story you have shared here with us! I'm so glad you've never hesitated to speak to others about the Lord, and how He has moved mightily in your life. We all need to speak up boldly on behalf of God's great love.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-40793875980937106922019-04-12T12:48:35.569-07:002019-04-12T12:48:35.569-07:00I have never had a problem sharing the gospel and ...I have never had a problem sharing the gospel and often it has happened when God encouraged me to speak to someone in particular. I have many stories along that line and they are an encouragement to other Christians to step out of their comfort zone -- like the time I felt compelled to motion someone off the highway who was driving next to me. I didn't know why but knew God wanted me to. When we pulled over and I went to her car, she was crying and said she was going to commit suicide that day. I was able to lead her to Jesus right there. Carol Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16636572823921110416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-77773123104727118532019-04-12T05:08:23.912-07:002019-04-12T05:08:23.912-07:00That is such a sad state of affairs, Victor, and i...That is such a sad state of affairs, Victor, and it's becoming like that here in parts of the U.S., too. We must pray that God opens our hearts and minds to share the Good News of Christ and the kingdom of love and grace that God extends to all of us. With God walking with us, we have nothing to fear.<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-66097161682742041592019-04-12T02:40:08.223-07:002019-04-12T02:40:08.223-07:00Pastor Graham is wise.
Do we really have the cou...Pastor Graham is wise. <br /><br />Do we really have the courage to stand up for our beliefs? When some friends, or colleagues at work, mock Christianity, do we stand up and say what we believe? Or do we put our head down so as not to be noticed?<br /><br />Here in the UK the latter scenario prevails. I was leading a discussion in our church group. I asked: "If someone stopped you in the street and asked you who is/was Jesus. What would you say?"<br /><br />Very few would admit that He is the Son of God. "We don't say things like that to strangers!" they said. These are Christians, attending church each Sunday, wishing their children to be brought up as Christians! (I wondered why).<br /><br />Over here, a politician who proclaims he is a Christian would not get far in politics.<br /><br />God bless you, Martha.<br />Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.com