Top of this Monday Morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
Christians are loyal to the Bible which remains a best seller. Its message is powerful and needed, yet it is not widely read, and when read it is often puzzling. To help anyone interested, I have created a simple study program - "TO KNOW MY BIBLE - 101". Suggested readings from Genesis may be found in my earlier Monday Morning messages.
Today I suggest the following readings from Exodus, covering the era of Moses, from about 1500 to 1200 BCE (Before the Common Era).
The Bible is a record of spiritual development. I hope this "TO KNOW MY BIBLE - 101" program will be helpful.
Exodus 2:1-10 - story of baby Moses; Exodus 2:11-15a - Moses kills an Egyptian; Exodus 2:15b-22 - Moses marries Zipporah in Midian; Exodus 3:1-4:31 - Moses is called to a special mission; Exodus 5:1 - 12:36 - Contest between God and Pharaoh; Exodus 12:37-18:27 - Deliverance of Israel from Egypt/march to Mt. Sinai; Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments; Exodus 25:10-22 - the Ark of the Covenant.
From now on I'll offer suggested readings in an occasional "P.S." to Monday Morning messages. The readings will be arranged in chronological order so we can observe the development of ideas and ideals from a primitive, tribal understanding of God until it reaches its climax in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Best wishes for good reading!
Richard
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
2010.05.24 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
George Bernard Shaw wrote that "the true joy in life is being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one." What lies nearest to your heart?
There is no mistaking what was nearest to the hearts of an early group of 120 followers of Jesus. They recognized their mighty purpose was to tell the story of the gospel to the world. Their passionate commitment to that MESSAGE resulted in a new MOVEMENT, the Christian Church.
The MESSAGE and the MOVEMENT go hand in hand. As Christians, our function is to be a finger, an arm, a signpost pointing to the MESSAGE of God and God's redemptive love.
Inward renewal and outgoing concern are decisive for the effectiveness of the MOVEMENT. The MESSAGE created the MOVEMENT, which confirms the MESSAGE and goes on to demonstrate that caring matters. We live to tell the story and to show how much God cares: "for God so loved the world that he gave..."
Do you remember "tell and show" days in school? Don't abandon those days in your adult life.
Cheers,
Richard
George Bernard Shaw wrote that "the true joy in life is being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one." What lies nearest to your heart?
There is no mistaking what was nearest to the hearts of an early group of 120 followers of Jesus. They recognized their mighty purpose was to tell the story of the gospel to the world. Their passionate commitment to that MESSAGE resulted in a new MOVEMENT, the Christian Church.
The MESSAGE and the MOVEMENT go hand in hand. As Christians, our function is to be a finger, an arm, a signpost pointing to the MESSAGE of God and God's redemptive love.
Inward renewal and outgoing concern are decisive for the effectiveness of the MOVEMENT. The MESSAGE created the MOVEMENT, which confirms the MESSAGE and goes on to demonstrate that caring matters. We live to tell the story and to show how much God cares: "for God so loved the world that he gave..."
Do you remember "tell and show" days in school? Don't abandon those days in your adult life.
Cheers,
Richard
Monday, May 17, 2010
2010.05.17 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
Here is a question for you: Are you a good listener? Listening is important! We need to listen with more than our ears. Listen through your eyes, and your heart, too. I am learning to listen to my body more and more. I love gardening, but my body says loud and clear "slow down; don't dig out those overgrown weeds all at once. Tomorrow is another day."
Good listeners are desperately needed. Listening is not easy or we wouldn't be such great talkers. (My shoe pinches when I write this truth!). Many estrangements within a family or among friends - and certainly in the Church - are traceable to a failure of communication.
When we open channels of communication we begin to understand others, and we are understood and everyone involved is benefited.
God offered King Solomon any gift he wished, and the monarch asked for a "listening heart". Not bad wisdom from the old Book, is it?
Richard
PS: To you participating in "To Know My Bible - 101": We have completed Section 1 - listing memorable Bible verses and passages. To begin Section 2 - "Bible stories and characters", I suggest the following readings:
Abraham stories - Genesis 12 - Genesis 25:18 (If you haven't time to read all this, read at least chapters 12, 15, 17 and 22)
Jacob stories - Genesis 25:19 - Genesis 36:43 (If you don't have time to read all this, omit chapters 34 and 36)
Joseph stories - Genesis 37 - Genesis 50:26 (chapters 37, 39-47 and chapter 50 focus on Joseph)
Here is a question for you: Are you a good listener? Listening is important! We need to listen with more than our ears. Listen through your eyes, and your heart, too. I am learning to listen to my body more and more. I love gardening, but my body says loud and clear "slow down; don't dig out those overgrown weeds all at once. Tomorrow is another day."
Good listeners are desperately needed. Listening is not easy or we wouldn't be such great talkers. (My shoe pinches when I write this truth!). Many estrangements within a family or among friends - and certainly in the Church - are traceable to a failure of communication.
When we open channels of communication we begin to understand others, and we are understood and everyone involved is benefited.
God offered King Solomon any gift he wished, and the monarch asked for a "listening heart". Not bad wisdom from the old Book, is it?
Richard
PS: To you participating in "To Know My Bible - 101": We have completed Section 1 - listing memorable Bible verses and passages. To begin Section 2 - "Bible stories and characters", I suggest the following readings:
Abraham stories - Genesis 12 - Genesis 25:18 (If you haven't time to read all this, read at least chapters 12, 15, 17 and 22)
Jacob stories - Genesis 25:19 - Genesis 36:43 (If you don't have time to read all this, omit chapters 34 and 36)
Joseph stories - Genesis 37 - Genesis 50:26 (chapters 37, 39-47 and chapter 50 focus on Joseph)
Monday, May 10, 2010
2010.05.10 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church.
Sometimes our Christian life calls us to tasks which involve effort and energy. Often it is easier and more comfortable to stay where we are, so we resist the call. Happily that is not true in our small congregation of 50 members. Spurred on by Joyce Dishman, chairperson of our Mission and Outreach Committee, I want to share with you a Minute for Mission which Joyce presented to the congregation, accompanied by graphs, on the last Sunday in April. Thank you Joyce!
Sometimes our Christian life calls us to tasks which involve effort and energy. Often it is easier and more comfortable to stay where we are, so we resist the call. Happily that is not true in our small congregation of 50 members. Spurred on by Joyce Dishman, chairperson of our Mission and Outreach Committee, I want to share with you a Minute for Mission which Joyce presented to the congregation, accompanied by graphs, on the last Sunday in April. Thank you Joyce!
There are many ways we as a congregation contribute to various mission projects. Each month we send $150.00 to Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery for general missions making a yearly total of $1,800.00 The yearly budgeted local missions include the following: Malawi Partnership: $300; Dwight Mission: $1,000; Ministerial Alliance: $300; Salvation Army Backpack Program: $200. Also we budget $180 per year for the Theological Education Fund which aids in developing mission-minded leaders for the Church. This year we gave $475.00 to the One Great Hour of Sharing which is an increase over last year’s offering.
In non-budgeted missions it is very important to say thank you for the generosity in donations of time and resources to our church and our community. It is impressive considering all that we do to enrich and empower, and assist others. Your generous support is very much appreciated, and in a few weeks we will extend an opportunity for continued support to some projects that will be set up in the Narthex. This church really can make a difference!
In non-budgeted missions it is very important to say thank you for the generosity in donations of time and resources to our church and our community. It is impressive considering all that we do to enrich and empower, and assist others. Your generous support is very much appreciated, and in a few weeks we will extend an opportunity for continued support to some projects that will be set up in the Narthex. This church really can make a difference!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
2010.05.03 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
As promised, here are some memorable Bible verses and passages on my list:
Our second exercise in the "To Know My Bible - 101" is to list Bible stories and characters. I'll list my readings from Genesis next week.
Good reading!
Richard
As promised, here are some memorable Bible verses and passages on my list:
- Genesis chapter 1; Genesis 45:4-5; Isaiah 6:8; 9:2-7; chapter 35; 40:1-11, 27-31; chapters 53 and 55.
- Psalm 1:1-3: Psalm 23, Psalm 24; Psalm 100; Psalm 150; Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 46; Psalm 16:6; Psalm 121: Psalm 63:1.
- Proverbs 20:27; Proverbs 3:13-26. Job 28:12-28. Habakkuk 3:17-19. Micah 6:8.
- Matthew, chapters 5, 6 and 7; I Corinthians, chapter 13; Luke 10:27-28; Luke chapter 15; Philippians 4:8; Romans 1:16; Romans 8:35. John 1:14; John 3:16; Hebrews 11:1; James 2:17; I John 4:7-8; Revelation 21:1-4.
Our second exercise in the "To Know My Bible - 101" is to list Bible stories and characters. I'll list my readings from Genesis next week.
Good reading!
Richard
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