Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma!
My thoughts about "loveless orthodoxy" last week raised a few gentle questions. Why do I believe that we distort the Bible when we interpret it literally? For me, the following passages are troublesome - and these are only a few:
Genesis 9:25-27; 19:8
Leviticus 17:11-14; 20:13
Numbers 31:1-2; 31:15
Deuteronomy 14:21
I Corinthians 14:34,35
You decide whether to take these samples literally.
For today's "Pearl of Value" think about this:
"God summons us to be masters, not of others, but of ourselves."
Peace!
Richard
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
2008.09.22 Monday Morning!
From Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma comes this Monday Morning "Pearl of Value".
"For too many of us, religion, while it is orthodox and respectable, has become almost totally irrelevant."
There is an "orthodoxy" with lovelessness that carries disapproval of those unable to believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. It sits in judgment on the faith and belief of others with intense spite and hatred.
Self-identified "orthodox Christians" have the right to believe the Bible as literally as they wish, but I resent their need to claim their interpretation of Scripture is the only truth, and then label the rest of us as "heretics" or "apostates".
We distort the Bible message when we interpret it literally!
More on this subject next Monday Morning!
Cheers and best wishes,
Richard
"For too many of us, religion, while it is orthodox and respectable, has become almost totally irrelevant."
There is an "orthodoxy" with lovelessness that carries disapproval of those unable to believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. It sits in judgment on the faith and belief of others with intense spite and hatred.
Self-identified "orthodox Christians" have the right to believe the Bible as literally as they wish, but I resent their need to claim their interpretation of Scripture is the only truth, and then label the rest of us as "heretics" or "apostates".
We distort the Bible message when we interpret it literally!
More on this subject next Monday Morning!
Cheers and best wishes,
Richard
Sunday, September 14, 2008
2008.09.15 Monday Morning!
It's MONDAY MORNING again, and I'm back with a story about our granddaughter, Megan, who has celebrated her 21st birthday.
When Megan was a year old, my wife and I gave her a necklace with one pearl. On each subsequent birthday, another pearl was added. Now, a senior student at OU, she seems pleased and proud of the lovely necklace of 21 pearls.
It occurred to me that sharing a "pearl of value" with you each MONDAY MORNING isn't a bad idea. How is this one for a start?
Why not get a notebook and write down your own collection of "pearls of value"? They'll recast your life!
With blessings and all good wishes,
Richard
When Megan was a year old, my wife and I gave her a necklace with one pearl. On each subsequent birthday, another pearl was added. Now, a senior student at OU, she seems pleased and proud of the lovely necklace of 21 pearls.
It occurred to me that sharing a "pearl of value" with you each MONDAY MORNING isn't a bad idea. How is this one for a start?
"Life demands from you only the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible - not to run away." (Dag Hammarskjold)
Why not get a notebook and write down your own collection of "pearls of value"? They'll recast your life!
With blessings and all good wishes,
Richard
Sunday, September 7, 2008
2008.09.08 Monday Morning!
It's Monday Morning once again in Vinita, Oklahoma, where Pilgrim Presbyterian Church sends greetings and best wishes to everyone in our email family. Do you know someone who might like to get Monday Morning messages? No problem! Please call Donna in the Church Office (918-256-2258) or email her at pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net with the information. She'll gladly add names to our address book.
For years, while reading, I've jotted down "pearls of wisdom", and I've written some things which I call "clam shells", not pearls. I'm not the best organized person on the block, and most of these jottings were written on loose sheets, now scattered everywhere in my untidy study. Unfortunately, many do not indicate the source, which I regret. Nevertheless, I am trying to gather these "pearls", and some "clam shells" to share with you.
Here are a few today...more will come!
FOR PILGRIM CHURCH: Needed: renewed enthusiasm and undiminished zeal!
FOR EVERYONE: Needed: an engaging sense of humor which is always charitable.
"Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much." Erick Fromm
"A genuine faith in God is acquired slowly in regular doses. Religion is not a dramatic firecracker."
"While we have loved ones, we ought to tell them of our love and gratitude."
A determination never to be useless will take a person a very long way.
"Hearts starve as well as bodies; give me bread, but give me roses, too." J. Oppenheim
What do you think? Do you want more "pearls" or is the above enough?
Richard
For years, while reading, I've jotted down "pearls of wisdom", and I've written some things which I call "clam shells", not pearls. I'm not the best organized person on the block, and most of these jottings were written on loose sheets, now scattered everywhere in my untidy study. Unfortunately, many do not indicate the source, which I regret. Nevertheless, I am trying to gather these "pearls", and some "clam shells" to share with you.
Here are a few today...more will come!
FOR PILGRIM CHURCH: Needed: renewed enthusiasm and undiminished zeal!
FOR EVERYONE: Needed: an engaging sense of humor which is always charitable.
"Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much." Erick Fromm
"A genuine faith in God is acquired slowly in regular doses. Religion is not a dramatic firecracker."
"While we have loved ones, we ought to tell them of our love and gratitude."
A determination never to be useless will take a person a very long way.
"Hearts starve as well as bodies; give me bread, but give me roses, too." J. Oppenheim
What do you think? Do you want more "pearls" or is the above enough?
Richard
Sunday, August 24, 2008
2008.08.25 Monday Morning!
We're always sending greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church. And, we mean what we say! Whether you are reading this in Vinita, Oklahoma or at a distance, may your week be joyful!
The life story of Glenn Cunningham, who set a record for running the fastest mile, which he held for years, is a fascinating one.
When a boy of 8, Glenn was a victim of a kerosene explosion. His legs were so badly burned that doctors proposed amputation, but his Mother would not hear of it.
After six months in a hospital, a series of skin grafts and endless hours of massaging by his Mother, Glenn began to walk and then to run to strengthen his crippled legs. At 21, he set a world record for the fastest mile, providing truth to Ernest Hemingway's words. "The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong in broken places."
In the soil of suffering some of the noblest traits flourish, such as empathy, kindness, patience, understanding and courage.
We can grow in spirit when we choose to grow strong "in our broken places!"
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
The life story of Glenn Cunningham, who set a record for running the fastest mile, which he held for years, is a fascinating one.
When a boy of 8, Glenn was a victim of a kerosene explosion. His legs were so badly burned that doctors proposed amputation, but his Mother would not hear of it.
After six months in a hospital, a series of skin grafts and endless hours of massaging by his Mother, Glenn began to walk and then to run to strengthen his crippled legs. At 21, he set a world record for the fastest mile, providing truth to Ernest Hemingway's words. "The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong in broken places."
In the soil of suffering some of the noblest traits flourish, such as empathy, kindness, patience, understanding and courage.
We can grow in spirit when we choose to grow strong "in our broken places!"
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
Sunday, August 17, 2008
2008.08.18 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. A friendly church of the faith, everyone is invited to our services and to the life and work of the congregation.
For me, the two high watermarks of all religion are these:
1. "...what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
2. "...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27-28
Who is my neighbor? Read again the beloved parable of Jesus, which we call "The Good Samaritan." (Luke 10:30-37).
You can't go wrong following these words and then striving to be on the inside what you appear to be on the outside.
Love your God...love yourself...love your neighbor and you'll have strength of faith without being self-righteous.
Peace,
Richard
For me, the two high watermarks of all religion are these:
1. "...what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
2. "...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27-28
Who is my neighbor? Read again the beloved parable of Jesus, which we call "The Good Samaritan." (Luke 10:30-37).
You can't go wrong following these words and then striving to be on the inside what you appear to be on the outside.
Love your God...love yourself...love your neighbor and you'll have strength of faith without being self-righteous.
Peace,
Richard
Sunday, August 10, 2008
2008.08.11 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning...greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
If you are in the Vinita area on Sunday, you are invited to our 10 o'clock morning worship. The Rev. Neal Dancer is our pastor this summer, and he is a good preacher with a big pastoral heart.
One question...are you "keeping in touch" with God during these summer months? The Book of Psalms will help in your devotions. They are an important part of Christian-Jewish worship, and touch at every point of life. Nowhere else have people, through the centuries, found themselves in closer touch with God than in the Psalter.
Here are a few Psalms, from the first part of the book, which are my favorites. I hope they may become a part of your favorites, too!
Psalm 1;8;9;16;19;23;24; and 27; 31;32;33;46
And, read these verses: Psalm 18:1-3; 20:7; 31:24.
More suggested readings to come!
Richard
If you are in the Vinita area on Sunday, you are invited to our 10 o'clock morning worship. The Rev. Neal Dancer is our pastor this summer, and he is a good preacher with a big pastoral heart.
One question...are you "keeping in touch" with God during these summer months? The Book of Psalms will help in your devotions. They are an important part of Christian-Jewish worship, and touch at every point of life. Nowhere else have people, through the centuries, found themselves in closer touch with God than in the Psalter.
Here are a few Psalms, from the first part of the book, which are my favorites. I hope they may become a part of your favorites, too!
Psalm 1;8;9;16;19;23;24; and 27; 31;32;33;46
And, read these verses: Psalm 18:1-3; 20:7; 31:24.
More suggested readings to come!
Richard
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