tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post7572713556157086889..comments2024-03-27T18:27:40.013-07:00Comments on Meditations of my Heart: Stand Up!Martha Jane Orlandohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-65908040096085278792016-04-25T11:48:07.494-07:002016-04-25T11:48:07.494-07:00Thank you, dear Privy!
Love and blessings!Thank you, dear Privy!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-27659385917480621352016-04-25T11:47:42.927-07:002016-04-25T11:47:42.927-07:00Yes, Carol, that is a tremendous value you gave to...Yes, Carol, that is a tremendous value you gave to your children as they were growing up. Too many young people today don't learn respect for their elders - what a sad state of affairs! Glad your grown children offer to help the elderly whenever possible. Yes! Your heart should rejoice!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-27513412145489600002016-04-25T03:01:52.548-07:002016-04-25T03:01:52.548-07:00A very thought-provoking postA very thought-provoking postPrivy Trifleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05317530852098436444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-86380624912791012112016-04-24T12:57:23.406-07:002016-04-24T12:57:23.406-07:00This saddened me a lot -- because I see it too oft...This saddened me a lot -- because I see it too often. I remember when I was a little girl, my dad would make several trips to the church for every service, 'delivering' people who could no longer drive on their own. I have taught my children to have great respect for the elderly and those less fortunate than myself and I see what they are doing to help in so many ways and it makes my heart rejoice. They visit and do errands....whatever they can.Battered Hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084857421183756543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-36122510528034739162016-04-24T10:37:07.062-07:002016-04-24T10:37:07.062-07:00Wow, Ceil, it's great to know that your Dad is...Wow, Ceil, it's great to know that your Dad is 91 yet can still get out to church and, I imagine, any other functions he wishes to attend. What a blessing that is!<br />And you make an interesting point here about calls and visits - they need to be requested by the party who can no longer participate? I'd never heard of that, but it does make sense. I'm definitely going to check out how our church handles visiting the elderly and the shut-ins.<br />Thanks so much for your insightful comments!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-2413929825641009382016-04-23T08:53:14.754-07:002016-04-23T08:53:14.754-07:00Hi Martha! Reading Winston's words, I also fel...Hi Martha! Reading Winston's words, I also felt so sad. I see my Dad, at 91, at least able to still go to church, and how much he loves it. Imagine if that was gone for him? <br />What a great attitude this man has, saying he can still minister with his words. And you are helping him to do that by highlighting his thoughts here. It's a really important reflection because their are so many elderly among us. They have such wisdom, wonderful memories that help us understand where we came from, and love to give. How can we ignore that?<br /><br />This is a very thought-provoking post. At our church, we do have outreach to the shut-ins but I'm pretty sure they have to call and ask for visits. When I was home with my broken leg last year, I had a woman come out and pray with me twice a week. It was heavenly.<br />Blessings!<br />CeilCeilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06293917798735764739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-58259625426730748262016-04-22T19:20:05.546-07:002016-04-22T19:20:05.546-07:00Kim, I must agree with you that many, beyond the e...Kim, I must agree with you that many, beyond the elderly and infirm, are forgotten. Maybe it was those one-time seekers who visited the church and never joined because they felt ignored or disenfranchised. <br />We simply have to do better at welcoming the new with love and grace, and attending to the old in the same manner. Jesus wouldn't have it any other way.<br />So gratified to know that your church is working positively to stay in touch with those who are "on the fringe."<br />Love and blessings, dear one!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-18436789980208285562016-04-22T19:14:45.355-07:002016-04-22T19:14:45.355-07:00What a great ministry your church is doing, Mary! ...What a great ministry your church is doing, Mary! It doesn't take that much effort or time out of our busy days to do the right thing in the caring way God wants us to do so when we focus upon that. And what pastor wouldn't welcome pressure taken off of him or her? Whew! What a demanding job!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-6165341803738163732016-04-22T19:11:40.654-07:002016-04-22T19:11:40.654-07:00Seniors are our treasures, Jean, of that I am conv...Seniors are our treasures, Jean, of that I am convinced. I think it is so awesome that a follower on your church's Facebook page is in a nursing home, and so glad you, and others, are reaching out to her. Christianity promises fellowship, not loneliness and isolation. I'm so glad your management of your church's Facebook page has had such marvelous results! Inspiration!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-52932708906943225162016-04-22T13:27:50.657-07:002016-04-22T13:27:50.657-07:00Martha, you've highlighted a significant probl...Martha, you've highlighted a significant problem area in the church. However, I think it goes beyond just those who are elderly. Many others are "forgotten" or "ignored" who don't fit some idealized package of someone who can be in ministry (these are folks who get out to church). <br /><br />In my church, I know the pastor and others are good to call on those who can't get out or who are in care facilities. The UMW reaches out and cares for the elderly in the congregation. There is likely more that is being done, however, I'm not aware of it all.<br /><br />Love and blessings!Kim Jollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08670842504983601263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-41875379942696653262016-04-22T12:59:53.340-07:002016-04-22T12:59:53.340-07:00Thank you, Martha, for calling attention to this i...Thank you, Martha, for calling attention to this important concern. Our church is small, but we have a "Sunshine Group" to check on people who haven't been in church, visit shut-ins, and send birthday cards. This helps us keep in touch with one another and takes some of the pressure off our pastor too.<br />Mary Saylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-46313507858756129022016-04-22T12:53:41.112-07:002016-04-22T12:53:41.112-07:00Seniors are our treasures and we need to treat the...Seniors are our treasures and we need to treat them that way. I just had a discussion with a lady last night who is divorced, older and of course single and she feels so out of it at church that is family oriented and pushing youth all the time. sad we fail to reach out to all children of God. On a brighter note, I manage our church's Facebook page and one of our biggest followers is a lady in a nursing home. Has been a great way to keep her in the loop of activities there. She especially loves when I show videos from worship there. Lots to think about here today.Jean Wisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06407030126646055880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-19892994533814340062016-04-22T09:17:09.436-07:002016-04-22T09:17:09.436-07:00Kimberly, I'm so saddened to hear that your di...Kimberly, I'm so saddened to hear that your disability keeps you away from church, and that you tragically finding yourself in the same predicament as Winston. There is really no excuse for this, especially in the church. It's like "out of sight, out of mind." Downright shameful!<br />Now that I'm retired, I'm going to check with my church to see if I can help with phone calls and/or visits to those no longer able to attend services. Somebody has to do it!<br />Thanks so much for your comment here today!<br />Love and blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-23726337044342726712016-04-22T08:38:03.870-07:002016-04-22T08:38:03.870-07:00Excellent post Martha! This is a real problem in w...Excellent post Martha! This is a real problem in way too many churches! I can identify as in the last few years I have become disabled and it is difficult to attend church or small group on any kind of regular basis. No one calls, offers help, checks on me, nothing. I am not in the loop, so to speak and many elders and disabled are in the same position. What happened to the old days of having care teams to minister to these people? It seems to have become one or two that go to hospitals now. This is also a statement on life. In other countries our elderly are revered. Here, like you pointed out, once someone is deemed to be past their usefulness they are cast aside. It is so sad. Thank you for reminding us of how valuable people like Winston are!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14740588841896463217noreply@blogger.com