2011.7.18 Monday Morning!

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

 

One of my wishes is that you develop a good sense of humor.  Laughter is good medicine, the Bible tells us that.  Put a sparkle in your eyes, a smile on your face, and be sure to get one good belly laugh daily!

 

One of my elders, Sarah Bruce gave me a book entitled A Laugh a Day; others have sent me funny stories, and I'm going to share a couple with you today.  Watch for more in the weeks ahead.

 

THE PICNIC

 

A Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town's annual 4th of July picnic.  Old friends, they began their usual banter.  "This baked ham is really delicious," the priest teased the Rabbi.  "You really ought to try it.  I know it's against your religion, but I can't understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden.  You don't know what you are missing.  You just haven't lived until you've tried Mrs. Hall's prized Virginia Baked Ham.  Tell me, Rabbi, when are you going to break down and try it?" 

The Rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said, "At your wedding!"

 

THE USHER

 

An elderly woman walked into the local country church.  The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up a flight of steps.

    "Where would you like to sit?"  he asked politely.

    "The front row, please"  she answered.

    "You really don't want to do that," the usher said.  "The pastor is really boring."

    "Do you happen to know who I am?" the woman inquired.

    "No" he said.

    "I'm the pastor's mother,"  she replied indignantly.

    "Do you know who I am?" the usher asked.

    "No" she said.

    "Good!"  he answered.

 

Blessed are you if you can laugh at yourself;

for you shall never cease to be amused.

 

Richard

2011.4.4 Monday Morning

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
Generally speaking there are few things that are either good or bad in themselves.  Things derive their power to curse or to bless from how we use them.
 
When I think of the Church I tend to think of all the good it does.  Yet, I am aware that through the ages people in the Church, and in all religions, have been a cause for cruelty and violence as well as for immeasurable good.
 
It is sad to think how religious extremists today are fostering hate and intolerance in the world, and in our nation.  Didn't Jesus show us in the parable of the Good Samaritan (luke 10:25-37) how to act toward one another?
 
Be careful and avoid all forms of religious extremism!  None of us has us has exclusive knowledge of the mind of God. 
 
                   Thanks for visiting our BLOG today.
 
                  www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com


In friendship,
Richard

2010.10.04 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
Some of you reading this Monday Morning Message know little or nothing about our Church. Did a mutual friend invite you to visit our blog? A big thanks to whoever that might be! I hope you'll return next week and that you'll invite someone else to be a part of our off-site/on-line outreach.

Our 128 year-old Church is a welcoming, healthy congregation. We know that no one lives by bread alone. From as long as we can go in history, human beings have exhibited a need for religion. Cave drawings indicate that ancients worshiped one kind of deity or another.

For Christians, the development of religion reached its climax in Jesus of Nazareth. Revolting against hardened ritual and pious self-righteousness, Jesus showed us how to live in relation to God and toward one another. (Try reading John, chapter 15). Love is complex. For me, at least, its opposite is not hate but indifference. It's a lifetime task to ward off indifference!

Courage for today in your determination to overcome indifference!


Richard

2010.09.27 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. Today, my Monday Morning message begins with a question: Are your beliefs reflected in your behavior?

About 90% of Americans say they believe in God, according to a recent survey. In the same survey, the majority said that their religious beliefs had little or no impact on their daily conduct.

For too many, religion, while it remains respectable, has become almost totally irrelevant.

We are split personalities! We swear allegiance to one set of principles and live by another. When an abyss widens between values we praise and values which operate in our life, we are on a slippery slope.

Peace, and may the wind always be at your back!


Richard

2009.01.26 Monday Morning!

Top of this Monday Morning, and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

It is sad, but true, that those inclined toward religious pursuits are too often inclined toward extremism. When you think of modern faith-based violence, names like Osama bin Laden, David Koresh and Jim Jones are front and center.

While certain fundamentalists and evangelicals within our Presbyterian Church (USA) may not be violent, their thinking that their interpretation of the Bible is the only way of belief is self-righteous!

There are many ways to God, and those who accuse others of heresy would do better by being less intolerant, less stubborn in their prejudices.

No person has a monopoly of belief or experience. Beware of religious tyranny!


Peace,
Richard

2008.05.05 Monday Morning!

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

My MONDAY MORNING message begins with a question:

Are your beliefs reflected in your behavior?

About 90% of the American people say they believe in God, according to a recent survey. In the same survey, the majority said that their religious beliefs had no impact on their daily conduct!

For too many, religion - while it remains respectable - has become almost totally irrelevant.

We are split personalities! We swear allegiance to one set of principles and live by another. When an abyss widens between values we praise the values which operate in our life, we're in a slippery slope.

Top of the morning, each day - and may the wind always be at your back.


Richard