Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. Hopefully you are having an enjoyable , safe summer!
I used Shakespeare's words, "Noble Anger" in a recent sermon. There may be a misunderstanding of my use of them, which I hope I can clarify.
More often than not we are quick to condemn anger as being a destructive emotion. We frown on anger!
Despite this, anger is as normal an emotion as love, grief, joy, fear. Anger denied festers like a sore which poisons the mind and spirit. Our prisons are full of people who expressed anger in unacceptable ways. Our psychiatric hospitals have patients who are unable to express any anger.
"Noble anger" is a mighty force when expressed at the right time and for the right purpose. Jesus was angered by the way religious leaders seemed heartless. Abraham Lincoln's fierce opposition to slavery was born out of "noble anger".
Be careful...when we "boil over" in anger, remember anger is lacking only one letter spelling danger. It's time to apologize.
When we are angry at the right time and for the right reasons, we'll be in the company of Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and "Honest Abe".
"for everything there is a season..."
Peace,
Richard
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
2008.07.21 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
Some of you, living far away from Vinita, remember your childhood and youth as part of this community of faith. I want you to know that the congregation remembers you, too. "Greetings and best wishes" are sent each week with sincerity and with thanks for technology which keeps us in touch.
I used to say "a stamp has power", and of course it does. But, how much more power (and speed) has email. Whether by stamp or by email "keep in touch" with family and friends. Sharing your joys, brings joy; your success does others a lot of good; and sorrows shared can help others carry your burden.
In 2 Corinthians 3:3, Paul wrote to his friends, "You are a letter from Christ." Does that sound odd? It's not, really, when we think that it is through us that Christ communicates.
Continue writing your letters/emails which keep family ties and genuine friendships in constant repair.
A stamp has power! Email does, too.
Keep in touch,
Richard
Some of you, living far away from Vinita, remember your childhood and youth as part of this community of faith. I want you to know that the congregation remembers you, too. "Greetings and best wishes" are sent each week with sincerity and with thanks for technology which keeps us in touch.
I used to say "a stamp has power", and of course it does. But, how much more power (and speed) has email. Whether by stamp or by email "keep in touch" with family and friends. Sharing your joys, brings joy; your success does others a lot of good; and sorrows shared can help others carry your burden.
In 2 Corinthians 3:3, Paul wrote to his friends, "You are a letter from Christ." Does that sound odd? It's not, really, when we think that it is through us that Christ communicates.
Continue writing your letters/emails which keep family ties and genuine friendships in constant repair.
A stamp has power! Email does, too.
Keep in touch,
Richard
Monday, July 14, 2008
2008.07.14 Monday Morning!
Greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
I am privileged to serve this congregation as a "temporary supply pastor" and I can say that it is extraordinary in its understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a community of faith that knows that life cannot be self-centered, that it must be one of care and concern.
One example of "faith in action" was told in an article in The Tulsa World (06/16/2008) Home of Hope expands joy. The article, posted on the bulletin board of Pilgrim Church, tells how Jane Hartley, who was a "Pilgrim Presby", and her friend, Laura Cupp, founded Home of Hope 40 years ago.
Home of Hope assists people with mental disabilities, through its residential and vocational programs. Today more than 250 people benefit directly from the vision of these two women.
In addition, there are family members, friends, and employees in Vinita, who love the people from Home of Hope. In their hearts, nothing can replace them. For them, a profound sense of usefulness is derived from supporting Home of Hope and for the residents comes the blessing received by their and concern and that of the staff. Talk about being "twice blessed"...from Home of Hope flows multi-blessings, the result of the vision of two women some 40 years ago.
A determination to be useful will take you a long way in doing God-like work at your doorstep and around the world!
With all good wishes,
Richard
I am privileged to serve this congregation as a "temporary supply pastor" and I can say that it is extraordinary in its understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a community of faith that knows that life cannot be self-centered, that it must be one of care and concern.
One example of "faith in action" was told in an article in The Tulsa World (06/16/2008) Home of Hope expands joy. The article, posted on the bulletin board of Pilgrim Church, tells how Jane Hartley, who was a "Pilgrim Presby", and her friend, Laura Cupp, founded Home of Hope 40 years ago.
Home of Hope assists people with mental disabilities, through its residential and vocational programs. Today more than 250 people benefit directly from the vision of these two women.
In addition, there are family members, friends, and employees in Vinita, who love the people from Home of Hope. In their hearts, nothing can replace them. For them, a profound sense of usefulness is derived from supporting Home of Hope and for the residents comes the blessing received by their and concern and that of the staff. Talk about being "twice blessed"...from Home of Hope flows multi-blessings, the result of the vision of two women some 40 years ago.
A determination to be useful will take you a long way in doing God-like work at your doorstep and around the world!
With all good wishes,
Richard
Monday, July 7, 2008
2008.07.07 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning from Vinita, Oklahoma, where Pilgrim Presbyterian Church still sends out the good news of Jesus Christ from the corner of Thompson and Illinois.
Since the 4th of July, when we celebrated Independence Day, I've been thinking a lot about how difficult it must be for immigrants to understand America. We are a land of paradox!
The magnificent story of our nation began as a primitive country. Now, we are wealthy and powerful, yet health insurance is beyond the reach of millions of our people.
America produced Abraham Lincoln, and the KKK. Billy Graham is a household name as is Jeremiah Wright, another preacher.
We have a high standard of living, we eat well, but, how we do love our hot dogs! We have a rich musical heritage and we've invented be-bop. We've built a multi-billion dollar TV industry, and we sit to watch soap operas.
Contrasts galore!
We who have been born and raised in America seldom find these contrasts difficult to understand. Be patient with immigrants who are bewildered by them. Apart from Native Americans, all of us at one time were strangers in this fair land.
Peace,
Richard
Since the 4th of July, when we celebrated Independence Day, I've been thinking a lot about how difficult it must be for immigrants to understand America. We are a land of paradox!
The magnificent story of our nation began as a primitive country. Now, we are wealthy and powerful, yet health insurance is beyond the reach of millions of our people.
America produced Abraham Lincoln, and the KKK. Billy Graham is a household name as is Jeremiah Wright, another preacher.
We have a high standard of living, we eat well, but, how we do love our hot dogs! We have a rich musical heritage and we've invented be-bop. We've built a multi-billion dollar TV industry, and we sit to watch soap operas.
Contrasts galore!
We who have been born and raised in America seldom find these contrasts difficult to understand. Be patient with immigrants who are bewildered by them. Apart from Native Americans, all of us at one time were strangers in this fair land.
Peace,
Richard
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