2012.06.11 Monday Morning Message

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma

I've got a question for you.  Have you ever heard the word "NONES"?  It is a new word for me describing people who say 'None' when asked their religious identity.  This group, (now 15% of Americans, up from 8% in 1990) opts out of traditional religious groups, according to a new American Religious Identification Survey.  (ARIS)

Are there any 'Nones' in your family?  There are in mine.

What is the reason for the rapid growth of the 'Nones'?  There are many reasons, I'm sure, but let me suggest a few.

First, most of us, and our families, have heard the Bible stories so often that there is a deadening influence of familiarity in them.  The cutting edge is gone.  Can this be changed?

Yes, it can be changed by new methods of presentation and communication. Too often churches are dying of dignity and some noble but ancient human crafted creeds and doctrines.

Second, new methods of presentation and communication are not ends in themselves.  They are means toward an awakened consciousness of what the Gospel means in the real, ever changing world.

For me, the test of the Gospel is the kind of life it produces.  I was asked by a "Nones' which were my favorite Bible texts and I replied 'that is too difficult to give a complete answer'  but these two are basic to my life and faith:

Micah 6:6-8 

Luke 10:25-28 and continuing through verse 37

Good reading.

With Blessings and in Friendship,

Richard

Announcements:

BINGO AT BURROUGHS MANOR - Saturday, June 1 - 2:00 - 3:00 - Volunteers are needed

Session and Deacons meet this Sunday, June 17

Jeff Francis will preach and moderate Session

FATHER'S DAY - JUNE 17

Craig Kilgour will be here the following Sunday, June 24

Regarding Richard:

Please keep Richard in your prayers as he has more tests to see if he can qualify for the new valve replacement procedure, then makes a decision to proceed with the surgery.  He says he is taking a step at a time and knows that God will lead him in the right decision.

2012.01.03 Monday Morning Message

From the Archives of Richard Evans...

In this first Monday Morning message of the New Year, I offer you one of the greatest phrases in the Bible: "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord." (Proverbs 20:27)

Within yourself there is a divine capacity which, when brought forth, can enrich your life and the lives of others. To discover that something within yourself, read and re-read Luke and Acts. You'll be amazed how these two books will bring forth hidden strength and enable you to see the full range of human possibilities.

You are a child of God and by kindling the flame of God within you others who may be spiritually barren and bankrupt can begin to see their own divine capacity.

I have found new meaning and reason for Christ's words, "you are the light of the world". (Matthew 5:14), as I reflect on that great, simple phrase - "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord."

Resolve now, at the start of 2012, to discover what you may become! Don't set a limit on what you may be.

Richard

 

Richard is still ill.  Please keep him in your prayers. 

Also keep AnnaBelle Mitchell in your prayers.

2011.9.19 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

In tennis "love" stands for zero, no score. According to ASK OXFORD, the use of the word "love" originated from the phrase "love of the game."  Win or lose, tennis is played for the love of it.

In his definitive love chapter (1 Corinthians 13), Paul writes "love keeps no score of wrongs."  Isn't that wonderful? Love is not a system of book keeping.  Too many people keep a list of wrongs, imagined or real, and in a fit of anger unload the whole list on an unsuspecting spouse, family member or friend, none of whom realize that their words and actions were being documented.

Tension is part of every relationship, but tension can be good if it moves people into dialogue with one thoughts break open boundaries we may have placed on love.

We are not required to like everyone.  We may disagree with one another, but genuine love keeps no score of wrongs.   Play for the love of the game and live for the love of life.

Cheers and best wishes,

Richard

-

2011.9.05 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. 

Since Brian Dishman, a son of Pilgrim Church, set up our BLOG I've received numerous messages, a few from strangers, more from "old time friends." It is always good (and encouraging) to get responses (favorable or unfavorable) to our MONDAY MORNING messages.

I had a good laugh reading the following, and I hope it will put a smile on your face, too.

A teenage boy had just gotten his driver's license and asked his Dad if they could discuss the use of the family car. His Dad said he'd make a deal.  "You bring your grades from 'C' to 'B' average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut, and then we'll talk about the car"

The young man thought for a moment before deciding to go for the offer. After a couple of months, the Dad said "Son, you've brought up your grades and I've been watching you studying your Bible, but I'm a little disappointed that you haven't had your hair cut yet."

The son looked at his Dad and said "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that. I've noticed in my Bible studies that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, and I've seen pictures of Jesus with long hair."

To which the Father replied, "And did you also notice that everywhere they went they walked!"

Humor is an important part of a full life.


Blessings,

Richard

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in Vinita, Oklahoma.

Richard has recently spent some time in the hospital for more than one reason.  Please keep Richard in your prayers...

Peace and Love,

Brian

The Following is a Pastoral Letter taken from the June 2011 Pilgrim's Progress...

Dear friends,

How is your "Bible I. Q."?  Have you ever wished it was higher?

Since last fall, a group of between sixteen and twenty people have attended an adult study – "To Know My Bible – 101".  The Class will wind down on June 12, but will reconvene in September.

If you are satisfied with your "Bible I. Q." this basic course isn't for you.  Try this little quiz to see if you qualify to attend a '101' course:

1. Which Gospel was the first to be written?
2. Who wrote the two biggest books in the New Testament?
3. Who was the first known martyr among early Christians?  (Acts 7:54-60)
4. Who became a follower of Jesus after his conversion on the road to Damascus? (Acts, chapter 9)
5. At which Jewish Festival were the followers of Jesus "filled with the Holy Spirit"? (Acts 2:1-4)

If you qualify, and if you desire to improve your "Bible I.Q.", prepare to attend the Class by reading the four Gospels and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

Ours is not a Bible reading ages, and the result is spiritual malnutrition.  That's a disease you can avoid IF you desire to learn more about the most wonderful, influential Book in the world.

With best wishes and fond regards,

Richard

PEARL OF VALUE

"For freedom, Christ has set us free."

2011.3.21 Monday Morning

Greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma, the second oldest town in the state, founded in 1871. Eleven years later, in 1882, our Presbyterian Church was organized. It continues a vital ministry, sharing God's redeeming love and forgiveness with all people.

Our Bible tells us that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Of course, children and young people are not likely to agree. They love getting birthday and Christmas presents.

As we get older, we find giving more satisfying than receiving. This is evident as we see care and concern flow to the disaster stricken people living in Japan.

How gratifying it is to see the international community offer prayers and material aid as symbols of the deepest feelings for those suffering from a three-fold disaster; earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis.

There are times when we think selfishness rules, but it doesn't. In the long run selfishness fails. If we do not learn that in advance, we will learn it afterward in catastrophe.

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard

P. S. We are thankful that the editor of our BLOG, Brian Dishman, and his wife, Motoko, and their daughter, Rina, all living in Japan, are safe. Sadly, members of their family are either dead or missing, and our heartfelt sympathy goes to them.

2011.2.28 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in Vinita, Oklahoma. Thank you for your "visit" today. We hope you'll come again and that you'll share our address with friends.

Miss Lyons, my 4th grade teacher at Winslow School, in Racine, Wisconsin, loved poetry and instilled her passion for it in the lives of her students. This line jumped into my mind last week: 

"I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to the ground
I know not where."
Too often our "arrows" take the form of ugly, hurtful words. We "shoot off our mouths" without thinking, and our words cannot be retrieved.

Far better than anything I can say about the use of words is to be found in the short epistle of James; yes, it is in the New Testament. Try to read James, chapter 3, sometime this week.

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard

A PEARL OF VALUE

"The tongue can witness to the

truth and can spread falsehood."

2011.1.03 Monday Morning!

All of us at Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma send you greetings and best wishes at the beginning of this New Year.

 

God loves stories.  The Bible revolves around stories, and Jesus was a master story teller.  I hope you like stories.  In reading folk lore you"ll find wisdom to help on your life's journey.

 

The story of Jacob, in Genesis, is about a spiritual traveler.  Like all of us, Jacob was flawed.  After tricking his brother, Esau, and deceiving his father, Isaac, Jacob ran away from home.

 

Decades later, Jacob decided to return to his home and people.  Enroute he spent a long night wrestling with an unidentified man.  Was it his own conscience?  Guilt often ignites civil war within .

 

In that all night nightmare, Jacob realized God's presence was with him.  He asked himself:  "Am I traveling in the right direction?"  And he determined that the right direction for him was to trust God, and to affirm God's presence by practice - to treat others the way he wanted to be treated.

 

Happy travels in the right direction in this New Year.

 

In friendship,

 

Richard

A PEARL OF VALUE

When we learn to respect ourselves,

it becomes easier to respect others.

2010.12.27 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes to you, and your loved ones, in the New Year!

I've been teaching an adult study class, "To Know My Bible - 101", and realize how much God must love stories.  The Bible revolves around stories and Jesus was a master story teller.

 

The story of Jacob, in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, tells about a spiritual traveler.  Like all of us, Jacob was flawed.  He tricked his brother Esau, and deceived his father, Isaac, and then ran away from home.

 

Many years later, Jacob decided to return home.   Enroute he had an experience that convinced him of God's presence.  After searching his soul - his authentic inner self - he was faced with a crucial question:  "Am I traveling in the right direction?"

 

All of us need to ask that question for ourselves.  I believe "God is with us",  and to determine the right direction for our travel into the time ahead is to treat others the way we want to be treated.

 

Sounds simple, but it's not always easy, yet it's worth an effort.

 

Happy traveling in the right direction in the New Year!

 

Richard

2010.12.13 Monday Morning!

Best wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

 

Christmas is a time for lights.  Beautiful lights are shining in every city and village.  Lights are an important part of Christmas, symbols of the Christmas story:

    The true light that enlightens every person has come

     into the world in the birth of Jesus.  In him was life,

     and the life was light for all people.  His light shines

     in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

                                            (Will you read John 1:1-18, please?)

 

The mood of despair, however, is familiar in our dark patches.  Immense problems face our nation and the world;  war, an economic recession, unemployment, hunger, home foreclosures, terrorism.

 

And, there are personal difficulties:  problems within families and among friends, jobs that no longer give satisfaction, loss of health, unexpected death of a loved one.

 

I understand how people may feel abandoned by God.  Sometimes I ask myself "Is there really a God who cares?"

 

Then the light of Christmas comes with the assurance that in smooth and rough places "God is with us".  None of us is alone.  Confident of that helps disperse times of darkness.  I haven't  answers to the many questions that bother me, but of this I am sure; God is with me and helps me carry on with courage and strength.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with friends for whom 2010 has been a shattering year.

 

Richard.

2010.11.08 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes to each of you, our extended family. 

Thanks for visiting us "off site/on line".


Perhaps another birthday, fast approaching, has caused me to think about aging. Aging is an undefineable thing. Despite the date on your birth certificates, I know some people who were never really young, and others who never seem to be old. Where does the spirit of youth come from?

I think that spirit comes from "interests". People who have little or no interest in things outside their job are likely to become bored. Boredom is a major cause for a feeling of emptiness. What keeps a person really alive is interest.

Interests differ from person to person. We need not grow old in God's world of wonder, and in the world of human relationships.

Learn to be interested and stay young in spirit!

Cheers,
Richard

A PEARL OF VALUE:

To live all the days of our life

is to live fully with our whole being,

with heart and mind and spirit.  It means

"to act justly, to love kindness and to

walk humbly with God."

(Micah 6:8)

2010.10.18 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. 

After 128 years of mission and outreach, "Pilgrims from Vinita" continue to share Christ's good news with people 'round the corner and 'round the world.

Do you read your Bible every day? If you do, and I hope you do, you'll know that it is not always a peaceful book filled with serenity, green pastures and love. It also reflects human pain, injustice, conflict and disappointment.

One reason for such human misery is envy. No one is completely free from envy. A good antidote to envy is to ask how happy is the person who possesses the object of your envy.

Draw up a list of your blessings, blessings which you often overlook, and then imagine one of them being threatened. I suspect you'll then realize how rich you truly are!

Focus on what is yours, and then live...live to the hilt.


With blessings and all good wishes,
Richard

2010.10.11 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

I think today's Monday Morning Message will interest and amaze you!  Were it not for an article on PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK - my favorite source of "religious news" - I would not know about this remarkable celebration.

Yesterday, 10/10/10, the city of Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, celebrated its 10,000th birthday!  Yes, you read that right:  The city of Jericho is at least 10,000 years old.  Happy Birthday Jericho!

Jericho does have the distinction of being 850 feet below sea level, the lowest altitude of any city in the world.  Now it adds to that distinction a new milestone - a lifetime of 10,000 years.

I looked up several best known Bible stories which are connected with Jericho.  You may want to read Joshua, chapter 2, Joshua 6:1-25, and Luke 19:1-10.

Fond regards...and thanks PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK!

Richard

PS: Link to Presbyterian Outlook:  http://www.pres-outlook.com/

Just click on this link to go to the Web Site of the Presbyterian Outlook!

-Brian

2010.09.20 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. Since Brian Dishman, a son of Pilgrim Church, set up our blog, I've received numerous messages, a few from strangers, more from "old time friends".  It is always good (and encouraging) to get responses (favorable or unfavorable) to our MONDAY MORNING messages.

I had a good laugh reading the following, and I hope it will put a smile on your face too.

A teenage boy had just gotten his driver's license and asked his Dad if they could discuss the use of the family car.  His Dad said he'd make a deal.

"You bring your grades from 'C' to 'B' average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut, and then we'll talk about the car."

The young man thought for a moment before deciding to go for the offer.

After a couple of months, the Dad said, "Son, you've brought up your grades and I've been watching you studying your Bible, but I'm a little disappointed that you haven't had your hair cut yet."

The son looked at his Dad and said, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. I've noticed in my Bible studies that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, and I've seen picture of Jesus with long hair."

To which the Father replied, "And did you also notice that everywhere they went they walked!"

Humor is an important part of a full life!


Richard

2010.06.07 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
One of the best known teachings of Jesus is the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).  In the preface to the story (verse 27) we read these familiar words "You shall love the Lord your God...and your neighbor as yourself."
 
How much in you is loveable?  Take a good look into your soul.  What do you find loveable about yourself?  What do you find that's not so loveable?
 
Now, take this little quiz:
1.Do you love being treated justly, fairly?
2.Do you love being treated with kindness?
3.Do you walk humbly with God, or do you have a "know it all" attitude?
 
No one can like everyone.  But if we love justice, if we strive to be kind, and if we walk in humility before God, we will learn to love others, and not throw obstacles in the way of even those people we don't like.
 
Let's try to act on those three requirements - justice, kindness and humility - and not react to the annoying words which come from people we don't like.
 
 
Richard
 
 
PS:  To those participating in To Know My Bible - 101"study:
1.We've entered in our notebooks our favorite verses and passages.  I've shared mine with you.  Please send me your list!
2.Our second exercise is to list Bible stories and characters.  I've suggested readings from Genesis.  Soon we'll begin to list stories from Exodus, the era of Moses.  Go for it!

2010.05.31 Monday Morning!

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

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)

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:

• 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.

Please send me any on your list that don't appear above.

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

2010.04.19 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. Come visit us if you are in the area. Our Sunday service begins at 10 a.m.

From the four pen-sketches in the Bible (Genesis 2 - 11:9) we learn that human beings rebel against the sovereignty of God and want to do things "our own way".  It reminds me of the song, "I'll do it my way!"

False pride, in contrast to legitimate pride, is our downfall!

Am I right or wrong in my diagnosis of our human situation?  That is something for you to make up your own mind.  Clearly, however, the Bible teaches that we'll not have purpose or meaning in life unless we accept the authority of God.

It is not always easy to accept that when we make moral and ethical decisions.  Perhaps you'll find those decisions easier to make if you ask yourself, "Could I tell my parents, or my son or daughter, about my choice?"  If you know that your decision will likely need a cover-up if discovered, you probably need to review your decision.

Cheers,

Richard


PS: Have you been listing your favorite Bible verses as a part of our "to know" the Bible program?  Topping my list are: Micah 6:6-8 and Luke 10:27-28.  For me, they are the high water marks of all religions.   R.

2010.04.12 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes for Good Reading from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. At last spring has sprung! The town is decked with beautiful colors. Flower beds and flowering bushes and trees make me want to sing "Morning Has Broken" in the shower.

I began with best wishes for GOOD READING. If you are ready to start the second exercise "to know" your Bible, Genesis is the place to begin. It is a book full of marvelous stories. Don't copy the stories verbatim! Instead, identify the stories in your notebook for your own reference. Example: 4 pen sketches of every person: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark, Tower of Babel - Genesis 2 - 11:9.

This exercise will keep us busy for a long while, but it will be a worthwhile effort. From time to time, I'll mention the stories I've found, but don't count on that every week. We all have to do our own homework!

This second exercise will make the third one easy: "Biography" - to know characters in the Bible. I'll keep the fourth exercise secret for now.

You'll be teaching the development of Bible ideas before you know it! Count on this!


Richard