MESSAGES of UNITY

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Fairly remarkable day yesterday; a day marked by unexpected UNIFICATIONS.

I was so honored to share in a consultative role with the Dioceses of Columbus, Cincinnati, and members of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) as THEY are COMING together to seek ways their parishes and churches could begin to help with the opiate and now ever-increasing methamphetamine challenge.

That in and of itself is REMARKABLE!

They were so welcoming to me, an outsider, and I can say unequivocally this pairing and team will be game changers in this challenge! They are unified and MOBILIZED!  I look forward to seeing the MANY unified steps that are planned coming to fruition!

The day concluded with a trip to Ashland County to support my friends from the Attorney General’s office as we shared in a “TAKING ACTION” dinner and event with faith and social service leaders there.

Again, UNITY was the theme!

Passages like, “everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35 (NIV) and “May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.” John 17:21 (HCSB), were shared and EMBRACED!!

I was so encouraged and impressed by how unified things were in Ashland county; churches, ministries, social services, foster care families, and so many others linked to make a difference, linked to share love, linked to demonstrate the value of faith for the GLORY of GOD!

And despite the 2 hour + trip home last night, following the long day I was energized!

Jesus did indeed ask us to be UNIFIED in our love for HIM and for EACH other!  And when you get to see it in action, when you see denominational divides put aside for the greater good, it is inspiring!

Therefore, pray for the work of the Dioceses, the ELCA and the alliances in Ashland!  Because of their unity, the enemy will be lurking to create fissures and division for sure!

They need to be lifted!

I share yesterday’s journey to serve as an encouragement for US to seek UNITY with one another!

Paul asked the Philippians to:

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. - Philippians 2:2 ESV

Augustine said:

"By faithfulness we are collected and wound up into unity within ourselves, whereas we had been scattered abroad in multiplicity."

- Augustine

There is so much that divides us these days.  So much strident speech.  We spend inordinate amounts of time crafting strategies to divide even further, to unearth mistakes or offenses to energize divisive agendas or make cases to justify our anger.  

Instead can we take a cue from these communities?

Can we take a cue from Paul?

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. - 1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

I believe we would get a whole lot more done and our GOD would get a whole lot more glory (Romans 15:6) as he did last night!

Have a blessed day!

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE