Welcome to St-Pats Online

St. Pats is an independent congregation. Our goal is to live lives of love inspired by Jesus. You can read more about what makes us distinctive by clicking on the links in the left column.

Scripture Lesson for Next Sunday

Generally we observe the Christian calendar and follow the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. You can view the lessons by clicking here. When you get to Textweek simply click on the link below next Sunday's date. To learn more about the Revised Common Lectionary clicking here.  We will be following the Old Testament stream as the Israel makes its way to the promised land until we begin Advent on November 30. It is great stuff with wonderful applications for your life in the real world today!

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Exodus 20 records the Ten Commandments. Here they are:

Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work.

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

The Ten Commandments are an umbrella under which the people of God stand together as one people. They are more than just an ethical or moral standard. They are what help to identify Israel as the unique people of God.

Jesus takes the Commands, in fact all the law, and raises the bar and amplifies them. For instance, in Matthew 5 Jesus says this; "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you..." Read just how Jesus raised the standards for his followers in Matthew 5:17-30.

This begs the question "What are the standards for my life?" There are three standards that people ascribe to. 

95% of the people hold to the Minimum Standards.

4% ascribe to Professional Standards.

1% holds to the Highest Standards.

Our former contactor held to the minimum standards. When we asked him why he was so late in completing the job he made some futile excuses. He got the job done, but only after a great deal prodding and complaining. Our new contractor worked late into the night to complete the job. His work was that of a competent journeyman craftsman. He had a high standard.

Professionals, like physicians, NFL players have to work to a higher level to compete with the competition and achieve their lofty goals. Can you imagine your surgeon on your triple bypass having anything less that professional standards?

Then there are a few who conform to the Highest Standards. Tiger Woods, Warren Buffet, and a few others come to mind.

You don't want to be a minimum standard person so read the following.

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

1. I will commit to living my life by the highest standards.

2. I will be the best because that is how I was created to be and it brings honor to God.

3. I will work hard and work smart in all the target areas of my life.

4. I will embrace slow progress as God's speed and accelerated progress as God's blessing.

5. I will persevere in the face of obstacles and setbacks no matter how difficult they are.

6. I will focus on small, consistent, everyday steps.

7. I will be a life long learner, taking in all the information i can get to help me in my progress.

8. I will find competent help, mentoring, modeling and advice.

9. I will be active not passive in my quest.

10. I will reach out, embrace and help other along my may.