Dear frriends and fellow questers, please soak up the essence of this post on building bridges across all dividing lines. Please take time to meditate on Hart Crane’s wonderful ode to “Brooklyn Bridge”. Blessings on you all this weekend!
“Knowledge of other people’s beliefs and ways of thinking must be used to build bridges, not to create conflicts.” Kjell Magne Bondevik
Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth
Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth like a garment wear
The beauty of the morning; silent , bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky,
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did the sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne’er saw I, never felt a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
Do you have a favorite bridge you enjoy crossing? What…
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granbee 
Apr 15, 2012 @ 00:17:43
I don’t know about you granbee but I spend an awful amount of time building bridges! I keep thinking soon things will be simpler, soon it will be easier………. it never is . 🙂
Apr 16, 2012 @ 21:55:28
willowdot, it gets easier than someone walks back across the bridge to meet you in the middle! AND it DOES happen!
Apr 15, 2012 @ 00:44:56
Thanks for reposting this. I could not agree more that we need to understand the beliefs and cultures of others. There are so many advantages to doing so it would take an entire blog to list them. Often overlooked is that this understanding also helps us to better understand our Christian faith.
Jesus is known as the Great Pontifex. This comes from the Latin for “bridge builder.” The Apostle Paul built bridges with the Gentiles. Bridge building is absolutely necessary to fulfilling the Great Commission.
Shalom, Art
Apr 16, 2012 @ 21:56:31
Yes, Brother Art, through the love of Christ we build bridges–we MUST!
Apr 15, 2012 @ 05:59:28
THAT’S THE ONLY WAY ——–
I SPENT 30 MINUTES IN A TAXI LISTENING TO LOVELY MAN FROM ETHIOPEA –
HE SHARED ABOUT HIS BEAUTIFUL CULTURE – HIS SPIRITUAL LIFE –
AND THE COMMONALITIES WERE ASTOUNDING …….
EVEN THOUGH WE WERE BORN IN TOTALLY DIFFERENT CULTURES – WITH VERY DIFFERENT BELIEF SYSTEMS –
THERE WAS NOTHING BUT BEAUTIFUL SHARING AND LEARNING ABOUT THEOLOGIES – LIFE EVENTS ETC .
MOST OF THE TIME –
YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT —- A MAN DRIVING A TAXI TO BE SO OPEN –
NOT IN TORONTO AT LEAST …..
BUT I AM ALWAYS TALKING AND CURIOUS AND INTERESTED IN THE WORLD AND HOW WE ARE REALLY THE SAME –
JUST LINES BETWEEN COUNTRIES AND OCEANS BETWEEN CONTINENTS
BUT IN ALL TRUTH – WE ARE ALL THE SAME .
PEOPLE NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME – WITH THEIR OPEN NATURES ….
AND SHINING HEARTS –
I THINK THE MORE WE BECOME INTEGRATED – AS ONE – ONE WORLD …. ETC ….. THE HEART IS EXCITED AND HOLDS LESS PREJUDICE .
SEEMS TO ME THAT BUILDING BRIDGES IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING ONE HUMAN BEING CAN DO WITH ANOTHER .
IF WE TAKE OUT THE CYNISM
AND GO BACK TO CHILD LIKE INNOCENCE
WE ABSORB MORE –
SMILE MORE AND RESPOND FROM A VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE ….
THE HEART XX
LOVE YOU
XX
C
Apr 16, 2012 @ 21:58:49
Cat, you have blessed me SO much today by sharing this wonderful episode in the taxi with the Ethiopian man. Just last evening, in a committee meeting at my church, I was noticing how few people really reach out and communicate and connect with those “different” than themselves! Hooray for you and your loving spirit!
Apr 15, 2012 @ 06:31:53
Wonderful reblog, Rose, thanks for sharing such a moving and important message for us all, in order to create a more peaceful environment~xo
Apr 16, 2012 @ 21:59:29
Yes, Lauren, we must be constant bridge builders if we are to move in peace in this world!
Apr 15, 2012 @ 07:59:36
That’s a two-way street, Granbee. I can only stand in the middle of the road for so long. If nobody meets me fromt he other side, well…
Apr 16, 2012 @ 22:00:57
Tots, we place our HEARTS in the middle of the road and shine love all around–people WILL be attracted to the loving light, like moths to a candle flame. An ATTITUDE of bridge building we carry with us everywhere is what matters.
Apr 15, 2012 @ 21:50:31
Thank you again, Rose for re-blogging this and your previous ones too.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 22:01:37
You are most welcome, dear Martin! Hope you will meet many on your life’s bridges!
Apr 16, 2012 @ 01:10:14
what a lovely re blog Rose
yes we all are different colours in the world..can make a rainvow and spread happiness or just be a huge mess fighting but isn’t rainbow a better choice ?
lovely pick
wish you a wonderful weekend too 🙂
Apr 16, 2012 @ 22:02:32
Soma, yes we must shed rainbow-light bridges from our hearts wherever we go! Have a fantastic week!
Apr 16, 2012 @ 18:28:52
You have no like button 🙂 “LIKE”
Apr 16, 2012 @ 22:03:50
So pleased you liked this reblog, MC. Yes, you can always click like in upper left hand corner on black border on these reblogged posts. My original posts always have like buttons.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:57:32
Oooh the “original” ones? Really? I have like buttons on reblogs… Huh so weird 🙂 Thank you for telling me!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:59:45
I am sure it depends upon which wordpress theme you are using–and which site you reblog from, maybe? Anyway, you can still click “like” in upper left hand corner of my blog on the black upper border for EACH and EVERY post, if you wish.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 05:14:53
Upper left hand corner. I didn’t know you could place it some where… GREAT! Thank you!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 05:17:39
MC, you are such a lovely OCD gal, you know it? Bless you for taking your time to acknowledge my suggestion worked for you and to thank you. Wonderful MC, you are!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 05:24:30
I do believe I resemble that comment 🙂 (OCD just a tad) Yes, I know it. LOL … Of course, I don’t mind helpful suggestions 🙂 Thank you!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 05:45:11
MC, I only dared to say that jokingly because you are always calling yourself names and labels in your posts. It is MOI who often gets called OCD for the way I rewrite committee reports and service reports. Surely you know how much I admire all your openness and honesty!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 03:59:54
If we build our bridges with love and hope but without expectation then they last….I love this post, thank you – I love you xx
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:01:21
Love, hope and with nothing expected in return: Just love the way you summarize how I felt when I first read this post! Doubly glad I reblogged it! Love ya, Jane!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:04:28
Granbee you are simply the best xx
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:13:28
Bless you, dear sister. Isn’t it wonderful how we can connect and support each other across the ocean?
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:15:03
Yes indeedy and I love it and you xx
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:58:01
Jane, after a committee meeting and an adminstrative board meeting at our Methodist Church here last evening AFTER I played piano for Evening Vesper service (why couldn’t I just leave with the peace I had then? dummy-me!), with the usual excuses and cluelessness about service and outreach and connecting with others that you and I and our blogging friends practice like breathing, I am doubly thankful for what we have here online! Hooray and pass the kindness ammunition!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 15:26:23
Kindness ammunition – brilliant…consider it shared xxx
Apr 17, 2012 @ 22:22:46
Jane–glad you like my invented terms!
Apr 22, 2012 @ 13:15:20
Now I know where all that spirited energy comes from… 🙂
Apr 23, 2012 @ 22:47:28
Yes, the Holy Spirit just hooks me up with you guys over and over–and: “voila!” I am re-energized!
Apr 19, 2012 @ 02:58:40
you, Rose, are invited to
your frizztext
Apr 19, 2012 @ 04:01:58
So, you are tagging me, eh, Frizz! Be over there in a little while, okay? Thanks for this “honor” (tee,hee!)
Apr 19, 2012 @ 23:14:59
Granbee,
The truth of this posting cannot be underestimated… by understanding those who oppose the truth, it enables us to understand them and it gives us a better understanding of the best way to reach out and help them see their error.
Another great reminder of our need to love and give of ourselves by taking time to really get to know those to which we desire to minister. Lord bless you
Apr 19, 2012 @ 23:23:09
Could NOT agree with you more, Pastor Rob! We must ATTEND to those living in spiritual error before can ever hope to minister to them.
Apr 23, 2012 @ 06:16:20
It’s all about building bridges, with every thought and word and action and breath we take. Thank you, as always, for sharing!
Apr 23, 2012 @ 22:46:19
Yes, yes, yes–it certainly is about building bridges–real bridges, not ones with trick toll gates and barriers popping up halfway across!