2008.04.28 Monday Morning!

The woman in my message this MONDAY MORNING is fictional. You'll not find her in Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. Nevertheless, you may have met this woman at sometime, somewhere.

She is a vivacious, strong, pious woman.  Faithful to worship services at her little church on the corner of  Wisconsin and Ninth, she nods her head, and shouts "AMEN" whenever her minister condemns drinking, dancing, movies, gambling and Sunday football.

One Sunday her pastor preached against harm! caused by gossip,  and as he droned on (some preachers never know the value of short sermons), she could keep silent no longer.  In a loud whisper, heard throughout the congregation, she said:

"Now he's stopped preaching and started meddling!"

You don't know any self-righteous person like our fictional woman, or do you?

Minds - like parachutes - are valuable only when open!


Peace, and in friendship,
Richard

2008.04.21 Monday Morning!

Greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. We are an inclusive congregation that welcomes everyone to share in our life and work. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:00 a.m. I kid the Presbyterians because an early service gives them plenty of time to get to the restaurants before neighboring congregations.

On a more serious subject, I call your attention to the accelerated change which we experience in almost every aspect of our lives. It is exciting to be alive in a time of change, but it is also bewildering.

Our capacity to change and improve ourselves needs to be balanced by clinging to things that do not change! Here are a few things that don't change:

...the power or compassion
...the transforming power of love
...the supreme value of character

You may add to this list, but never forget the ultimate worth of human life!

Peace and in friendship,
Richard

2008.04.14 Monday Morning!

Today, with greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma, comes a Monday Morning message from the late Professor Leo F. Buscaglia. Have you read any of his books? They are filled with love and hope, and I highly recommend them.

In Living, Loving and Learning (page 171), Dr. Buscaglia wrote, "we can turn despair into hope...there are two big forces at work, external and internal. We have very little control over external forces such as tornadoes, earthquakes...floods...illness and pain. What really matters is the internal force. How do we respond to disasters?"

I suggest that an answer to that important question may be found in Matthew 7:24-27. Dust off your Bible and read this short passage. Does it speak of your need to build your life, day by day, on an enduring rock?

Peace and in friendship,

Richard