Category : Pilgrim’s Chronicles

I got into San Diego this morning, well morning Pacific time, I got some work done and then was ready for a little lunch. In keeping with my never ending quest for the perfect burger, I thought I would check out a local legend, Ruby’s Diner. I have to say the decor and period pieces were dynamite. The menu was really an eye
catcher, and the selection of food was very
nice. My waitress was a breath of fresh
air, really friendly, just like back in the 50’s
when Rock n’ Rollers in jeans and poodle
skirts scarfed down burgers across the
fruited plain…. Lots of really special
touches transported me back to a time I
remember fondly. A nice experience.

Even the counter had the great red top stools
I remember so well.

Ah but all this is just window dressing without a killer burger. I won’t hold you in suspense any longer, it wasn’t the long sought for 5 pickle master piece that certainly lurks out there somewhere. It was a good attempt though, with lots to positive thing to say on it’s behalf.

Toasted bun? check.

Real American Cheese? check.

Cooked medium on a flat
steel grill? check.

Great secret seasoning? Not
so much.

Sesame seed bun? You bet.

So I can recommend this place,
Ruby’s Diner, a true all
American Cheeseburger joint
that Elvis would have really
loved. So I can say it was a good solid 4.0. That’s not too shabby folks. Very, few burgers can get this score from me. Then again, next week I’m going to be in Moab, Utah and you know what that means, Milt’s Stop n’ Eat, oh yes, still the reigning champion at 4.75. Coming in behind
that though, is certainly no crime……. What is it they say? “The great is the enemy of the good.”

And people wonder why I love “Life is Good” T-shirts…… Thank you Lord, this truly is a wonderful
life. (that film by-the-way was made in 1946, the year the pilgrim was born……)

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: Are you ready for this? All images taken with my iPhone 3g, yep that’s right an iPhone, good heavens, what has the world come to………

My pastor, Tim, brought another powerful message yesterday in church. Before I share it I have a funny story. As you folks that join me often here, know, I travel almost 250 days a year. That means, among other things, that I don’t get to my church as often as I would like. Sometimes when I do get to attend, someone will come up to me and say thanks for visiting us, where are you from?! I’ve attended that my church for 30 years, but we have lots of new folks coming in so, it is not too surprising that some don’t know I’m a member.

If you say 3:16 to a Christian the first scripture than comes to mind is John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Tim preached on another 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
His sermon was on reading the Word of God, the Bible. Consider these facts:
1. The Bible was written over a 1,500 year span.
1. It was written by more than 40 authors, from every walk of life including; kings, military leaders,peasants, philosophers, fisherman, tax collectors, poets, musicians, statesman,scholars and shepherds.
2. It was written in different places including, dungeons, the wilderness, prisons and islands.
3. It was written under different circumstances such as war, prosperity, famine, and peace.
4. It was written during different moods, joy, despair, sorrow, victory, defeat, confusion, and certainty.
5. It was written on three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe.
6. It was written in three languages; Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
7. Written in a wide variety of literary styles including; poetry, historical narrative, song, romance, personal, correspondence, memoirs, satire, biography, prophecy, law, and parable.
8. The Bible addresses hundreds of controversial subjects including, marriage, divorce, adultery, homosexuality, lying, parenting, obedience and authority.
9. In spite of its diversity, the Bible presents a single unfolding story; God’s redemption of human beings.
10. The Bible is repeatedly, the #1 best seller of all time.
11. Finally, and most importantly, among all the people described in the Bible the leading character throughout is the one, true, living God make known through Jesus Christ.
We need to read and study the Bible, God’s Holy word for several important reasons;
The Bible: Is Powerful.
 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
The Bible: Is Fruitful
 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
 It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
The Bible: Is Undefeatable
 8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
“The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives!” D.L. Moody

In reading and studying the word of God;

I must accept the Bible’s authority in my life.
I must assimilate the truth of the Bible into my life.
I must apply the principles of the Bible in my life.

If you do, your life will be forever changed.

blessings,

the pilgrim

* A special thanks to my pastor Tim Thompson for sharing his wonderful sermon notes.

* Health Note: Sorry I’ve been slow in giving a weight report, of the last several weeks I’ve been stuck
at my previous low point 215. I continue to loose inches, but not pounds, I’m going to step up the
effort as I’m not near my over all goal of 185. Needless to say my health is much better and I feel
great, thanks so much for your prayers.

Allow me to share a funny story from my youth, and trust me it will lead to a point. When I was a little boy back in the hills of Kentucky, I had one major hero in my life, Roy Rogers. I used to listen to Roy Rogers on the radio in my bedroom at night, every night, (this was before TV). I had Roy Rogers, pajamas, underwear, shirts, cap pistols, you name it, if said Roy Rogers on it I wanted it! One night on his radio show they advertised for Roy Rogers Oatmeal cookies. I didn’t even like oat meal cookies but I had to have some, so my parents ordered them for me. This, of course, was along time ago, but my memory is that for weeks I waited anxiously for the oat meal cookies to arrive, but day after day, no package arrived in the mail. I can remember laying in bed at night wondering, and obsessing about where my cookies were. I even imagined the truck delivering them wrecking and my cookies, my Roy Rogers cookies laying on the side of the road somewhere in Kansas….. My cookies never arrived. To say I was disappointed, was an understatement.

That might have been a funny story but it is illustrative of many experiences we will have in life.
Disappointment is a part of life. Not everything works out like we would like for it to. People let us down, and disappoint us, companies break their promises to us, institutions don’t live up to the standards we believe they should, even churches. What are we to do?

In God’s word, in Romans it says, “all have fallen short of the glory of God.” It didn’t say most or even the vast majority, it said “ALL”. So that settles it. Since falling short of the glory of God is sin, we are all sinners, every last one of us. When the religious leaders of the day accused a woman of being an adulterer, and she admitted she was, and demanded she be stoned which was the accepted punishment of the day for that sin, Jesus gave a profound command. He said , “yes she has sinned, so let he among you that has not sinned, cast the first stone.” Little by little, starting with the oldest, they all walked away leaving their stones on the ground. Jesus said to the woman, “since no one here condemns you neither do I, go and sin no more.” Why did the oldest leave first? They had sinned the most.

We shouldn’t be surprised when people disappoint us, God himself said we are all sinners. It doesn’t matter whether you go to church or not, you’re still a sinner. It never ceases to amaze me that people are shocked when they find people that claim to be Christians, still do bad things.
We all do bad things. We all say things we shouldn’t say, act in ways we shouldn’t act and prove ourselves to be just what God said we were, falling short of God’s plan for us.

If you choose not to accept Jesus because one of his followers has wronged you, then you’re making a fatal mistake. You’re denying yourself your own salvation because someone else was not perfect. I had a reader send me an email and she said, you are way too hard on yourself, you never take credit for anything. She was right, but it’s not being hard on myself, it’s an attempt to never let anyone put their eyes on me, instead of on Jesus. Jesus will not disappoint you, ever, unfortunately I will. I’m human, I’m a sinner, I’m a forgiven sinner, but a sinner all the less.

What the world needs is people that love Jesus, and then they love others with His love. They admit to being imperfect and they try to move peoples eyes off of themselves and onto Him. If you do that, you will be much less of stumbling block for others.

I can say one thing with complete certainty, my life has never been the same since I gave my heart and life to Him. I’ve been more at peace, filled with more joy, enjoyed more success (though my definition of success has changed). I can forgive more easily, I worry less about the future, and I enjoy others more. I’m not consumed about what others think of me. I am much more content, whether richer or poorer. I know my life has purpose ,and I know He loves me unconditionally. Most of all I know I’m in no position to pick up a stone, and deep in my heart, I’m so filled with His love, and forgiveness, I don’t want to.

the pilgrim

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and when the chance arises, forgive others, and
yourself.

*Photo Note: Looking at the sunrise from above Cadillac Mountain in Acadia N.P. the first place that receives sunlight in the U.S. each morning. D3, 70-300 AFs-VR lens. ISO 1600

Have you ever had a day that you thought you were sinking? Sinking in worry, or fear, anxiety or
panic. It’s not a good feeling to think you have no control over things in your life. I believe that in our society today we are encouraged to try and get everything under control, to be on top of all our circumstances. When something happens that makes us feel out of control we have a strong emotional reaction. Let me play out a couple of scenarios for you;

1. You’ve just had a great day at work, your boss told you he didn’t know how the company could do it without you. He assures you that a good raise is coming. He say’s you’ve been working too hard, take a long weekend, and recharge your batteries. When you get home your wife and children are thrilled to see you and they are looking forward to having you with them for that well deserved long weekend.

1. Work was a bear today, everyone was unhappy and more than few people made you feel like a big part of the problem, is you. Your boss jumped down your throat about a late report and
he insisted you needed to stay in the office until your work was caught up. You have to call your
wife and break the news that the planned weekend away with the family has to be put on hold.

O.K. how do you feel in both of these instances? Of course you would prefer number 1, who wouldn’t. Both of these examples are about “happiness” based on current circumstances.
Peace is something we can feel when circumstances don’t matter. Think about it, haven’t we all had both of these experiences? If your security is in a relationship with Jesus, you can weather the number two moments in life. Is it pleasant? No, but even in the second example, if you think about it, the situation is only temporary, your boss will get in a better mood, you will still have time with family. Even if your family is disappointed they still love you and will understand. You still have a job and things will certainly be better tomorrow.

The problem is control. The truth of the matter is we have very little control over the circumstances in our lives. Yes, we can affect some outcomes, but many others will be up to someone else in our lives. The answer is easy, give your life to God and trust Him with it. It may sound like way to simple a solution, but trust me I’ve tried all the ways I can think of, to stay happy, I’ve never have been able to do it. Peace however comes every day when you know you can trust Him with the circumstances in your life, and trust that He can bring you through them. A victorious life is possible with Him, I’ve found it impossible without Him.

Why keep fighting to stay on top the water in the torrent of storms in life. You don’t have to. Reach up and let Him pull you into the boat. After all He is the only one that can calm the storms
in you and I.

blessings,

the pilgrim