2011.1.17 Monday Morning!

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

 

Today, in the USA, we observe Martin Luther King Day.  A remarkable man of peace and good will, he was flawed like all of us.  We can learn from him that God uses imperfect people in extraordinary ways.  Throughout the Bible one finds God using imperfect people to do his will, which is the well being of all creation.

 

Dr. King's son wrote these words which challenge each of us to live the dream of his father:

    "I pray that all Americans will embrace the challenge of

      social justice and the unifying spirit that my father shared

      with his compatriots.  With this commitment, we can begin

      to find new ways to reach out to one another, to heal our

      division, and build bridges of hope and opportunity

      benefiting all people.  In so doing we will not merely

      be seeking the dream, we will at long last be living it."

 

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard

A PEARL OF VALUE

    When we learn to respect ourselves

it becomes easier to respect others.

               

 

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!