2011.8.1 Monday Morning!

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

Ancient Jewish teachers often strung together power packed thoughts and ideas without commentary.  Good examples of this teaching pattern are found in the Beatitudes,  Matthew 5:1-11, and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, as well as throughout the
book of Proverbs.

This method had a certain appeal to me, and several years ago I began collecting short statements for motivation or inspiration, or both.  I call them 'Pearls of Value', and I've been stringing each 'Pearl' on a  make-believe necklace which hangs in my study, and to which I add 'Pearls' discovered in my reading.

Here are a few of my 'Pearls'.  Perhaps you'll begin collecting your own 'Pearls' and sharing them with me.  Together we ought to have a wonderful collection of motivation and inspiration!

        "Time can be either an ally or an antagonist.  It depends on
          how we look upon time and how we use it."

        "Not one who has much is rich, but one who gives much..."

        "It often takes a serious threat to our blessings to make us
         aware of them.  And, sadly, sometimes we do not value
         them until they are gone before retrieving."

Understanding/interpretation of each 'Pearl' depends on the reader/listener.

Cheers and all the best,
Richard

2011.3.14 Monday Morning!

Top of this MONDAY MORNING from Pilgim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

The tendency to put off today until tomorrow things we already put off until today is not uncommon.  I'm guilty.  I've been putting off a collection of information for my tax accountant.  After all, the deadline isn't until April 18, or is it the 19th?

This "delay tendency" touches us all at many points of our lives.  When I retired I thought that I would have plenty of time to do things I couldn't do when working full time.  Not true for me, at least.

We live in this world that gives us one day at a time, without assurance of tomorrow.  Today is ours to do the things that need doing now.  Promptness is important, a virtue which includes worshipping with one's community of faith and renewing one's inner life through daily prayer and meditation.

I just had a phone call from my doctor's office reminding me of an appointment I have tomorrow.  Can't put that one off.

With blessings and in friendship,
Richard

A PEARL OF VALUE

Don't put off until tomorrow what should

be done today.  Our time is not limitless -

do what you ought to do now.