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
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
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
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
Monday, September 13, 2010
2010.09.13 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. It will be a good day if you put a smile on your face. Smiles rejuvenate tired spirits and lost happiness.
A happy life is God's will for you! William Barclay, a beloved New Testament professor at Trinity College, Glasgow, Scotland, wrote "For a happy life three things are necessary: Something to hope for. Something to do. Someone to love."
He then went on to write a timely message for today:
"Something to hope for: The beginning of the end of life is when we live in memory rather than in hope; when our memories are an escape from prison rather than a stimulus for further living.
"Something to do: Anyone who can look to days of unemployment or a time of enforced inactivity, when the hours seem slow and empty, knows that work is not a curse but a blessing.
"Someone to love: When love enters life there comes a new thrill, a new awareness of possibilities undreamed of. When love is born, life and the world are renewed."
Give thanks for the influence of those who have blessed your life, and then live usefully, with hope and love.
Richard
A happy life is God's will for you! William Barclay, a beloved New Testament professor at Trinity College, Glasgow, Scotland, wrote "For a happy life three things are necessary: Something to hope for. Something to do. Someone to love."
He then went on to write a timely message for today:
"Something to hope for: The beginning of the end of life is when we live in memory rather than in hope; when our memories are an escape from prison rather than a stimulus for further living.
"Something to do: Anyone who can look to days of unemployment or a time of enforced inactivity, when the hours seem slow and empty, knows that work is not a curse but a blessing.
"Someone to love: When love enters life there comes a new thrill, a new awareness of possibilities undreamed of. When love is born, life and the world are renewed."
Give thanks for the influence of those who have blessed your life, and then live usefully, with hope and love.
Richard
Monday, September 6, 2010
2010.09.06 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. Thanks for visiting our blog! We at Pilgrim Church hope that this "off-site/online" outreach is helpful to you. If it is, please pass our messages to others, and let us know if you enjoy them.
I may be naive, but I still believe that the overwhelming majority of Americans want to do what is right and decent. I know there are countless numbers of men and women who are breaking away from moral and ethical standards of the past with good reason. It is not easy to find answers to a question as to what is right.
Can we always be certain of what is right? Probably not, yet here is a suggestion which may help you to walk the right path:
Are you willing to make known your conduct to others?
A desire to keep ones actions secret, whether personal or public, is to be avoided. If one is doing what one instinctively wants to hide, it is probably wrong. On the other hand, if one can tell loved ones what one is doing, it is probably right.
Doing the wrong thing is usually hidden in the dark, while doing the right thing is usually seen in the light. That's a test as you seek answers to any question as to what is right.
Who said life is easy?
Peace,
Richard
I may be naive, but I still believe that the overwhelming majority of Americans want to do what is right and decent. I know there are countless numbers of men and women who are breaking away from moral and ethical standards of the past with good reason. It is not easy to find answers to a question as to what is right.
Can we always be certain of what is right? Probably not, yet here is a suggestion which may help you to walk the right path:
Are you willing to make known your conduct to others?
A desire to keep ones actions secret, whether personal or public, is to be avoided. If one is doing what one instinctively wants to hide, it is probably wrong. On the other hand, if one can tell loved ones what one is doing, it is probably right.
Doing the wrong thing is usually hidden in the dark, while doing the right thing is usually seen in the light. That's a test as you seek answers to any question as to what is right.
Who said life is easy?
Peace,
Richard
Monday, June 14, 2010
2010.06.14 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian, a friendly Church of the faith, located in Vinita, Oklahoma.
Fifty years ago, my wife and I bought a log cabin on the shore of Schroon Lake, NY, in the Adirondacks. We lived simply in this summer retreat, which had never been modernized.
There was an old well from which we drew our cool, refreshing water. The day came when we decided to move into the 20th century. Electricity replaced kerosene lanterns, running water gave us indoor plumbing. No longer was it necessary to carry water from the old well.
A few summers passed when I decided one day to inspect the well. To my surprise, it was dry! The well had run without failing for many years, yet now it was dry. There was no water because the well had not been used.
Our souls are like that well. What happened to that well can happen to us if we don't use God's Living Water.
There is no need for your soul or mine to be dry. We can draw from the depths of God's Living Water in fellowship with Christ and his Church!
Don't suffer from spiritual dehydration!
Richard
Fifty years ago, my wife and I bought a log cabin on the shore of Schroon Lake, NY, in the Adirondacks. We lived simply in this summer retreat, which had never been modernized.
There was an old well from which we drew our cool, refreshing water. The day came when we decided to move into the 20th century. Electricity replaced kerosene lanterns, running water gave us indoor plumbing. No longer was it necessary to carry water from the old well.
A few summers passed when I decided one day to inspect the well. To my surprise, it was dry! The well had run without failing for many years, yet now it was dry. There was no water because the well had not been used.
Our souls are like that well. What happened to that well can happen to us if we don't use God's Living Water.
There is no need for your soul or mine to be dry. We can draw from the depths of God's Living Water in fellowship with Christ and his Church!
Don't suffer from spiritual dehydration!
Richard
Monday, June 7, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, May 31, 2010
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
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
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