We're always sending greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church. And, we mean what we say! Whether you are reading this in Vinita, Oklahoma or at a distance, may your week be joyful!
The life story of Glenn Cunningham, who set a record for running the fastest mile, which he held for years, is a fascinating one.
When a boy of 8, Glenn was a victim of a kerosene explosion. His legs were so badly burned that doctors proposed amputation, but his Mother would not hear of it.
After six months in a hospital, a series of skin grafts and endless hours of massaging by his Mother, Glenn began to walk and then to run to strengthen his crippled legs. At 21, he set a world record for the fastest mile, providing truth to Ernest Hemingway's words. "The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong in broken places."
In the soil of suffering some of the noblest traits flourish, such as empathy, kindness, patience, understanding and courage.
We can grow in spirit when we choose to grow strong "in our broken places!"
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
2008.08.18 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. A friendly church of the faith, everyone is invited to our services and to the life and work of the congregation.
For me, the two high watermarks of all religion are these:
1. "...what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
2. "...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27-28
Who is my neighbor? Read again the beloved parable of Jesus, which we call "The Good Samaritan." (Luke 10:30-37).
You can't go wrong following these words and then striving to be on the inside what you appear to be on the outside.
Love your God...love yourself...love your neighbor and you'll have strength of faith without being self-righteous.
Peace,
Richard
For me, the two high watermarks of all religion are these:
1. "...what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
2. "...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27-28
Who is my neighbor? Read again the beloved parable of Jesus, which we call "The Good Samaritan." (Luke 10:30-37).
You can't go wrong following these words and then striving to be on the inside what you appear to be on the outside.
Love your God...love yourself...love your neighbor and you'll have strength of faith without being self-righteous.
Peace,
Richard
Sunday, August 10, 2008
2008.08.11 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning...greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
If you are in the Vinita area on Sunday, you are invited to our 10 o'clock morning worship. The Rev. Neal Dancer is our pastor this summer, and he is a good preacher with a big pastoral heart.
One question...are you "keeping in touch" with God during these summer months? The Book of Psalms will help in your devotions. They are an important part of Christian-Jewish worship, and touch at every point of life. Nowhere else have people, through the centuries, found themselves in closer touch with God than in the Psalter.
Here are a few Psalms, from the first part of the book, which are my favorites. I hope they may become a part of your favorites, too!
Psalm 1;8;9;16;19;23;24; and 27; 31;32;33;46
And, read these verses: Psalm 18:1-3; 20:7; 31:24.
More suggested readings to come!
Richard
If you are in the Vinita area on Sunday, you are invited to our 10 o'clock morning worship. The Rev. Neal Dancer is our pastor this summer, and he is a good preacher with a big pastoral heart.
One question...are you "keeping in touch" with God during these summer months? The Book of Psalms will help in your devotions. They are an important part of Christian-Jewish worship, and touch at every point of life. Nowhere else have people, through the centuries, found themselves in closer touch with God than in the Psalter.
Here are a few Psalms, from the first part of the book, which are my favorites. I hope they may become a part of your favorites, too!
Psalm 1;8;9;16;19;23;24; and 27; 31;32;33;46
And, read these verses: Psalm 18:1-3; 20:7; 31:24.
More suggested readings to come!
Richard
Sunday, August 3, 2008
2008.08.04 Monday Morning!
Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
My sole message today may be summed up in four words: "DON'T DESPISE SMALL THINGS!" To be faithful in little things is a great qualification for great things!
Perhaps the greatest fault of our age is that we are in too big a hurry to pay attention to small things which might improve our life.
What are some of those small things?
1. convey congratulations to friends (especially young people) when some success or happiness comes to them.
2. extend a word of appreciation for the work of someone you know.
3. extend sympathy. Comfort comes when one knows that others are sharing their sorrow.
Perhaps being diligent in doing small things prompted Emerson's fable, "The Mountain and the Squirrel."
"The mountain and the squirrel had a quarrel. And the former called the latter 'Little Prig'; Bun replied, 'You are doubtless very big; but all sorts of things and weather must be taken in together, to make up a year and a sphere. And I think it no disgrace to occupy my place. If I'm not so large as you, you are not so small as I, and not half so spry. I'll not deny you make a very pretty squirrel track; talents differ; all is well and wisely put; if I cannot carry forests on my back, neither can you crack a nut.'"
"Talents differ!" Thank goodness we're not all alike!
Peace,
Richard
My sole message today may be summed up in four words: "DON'T DESPISE SMALL THINGS!" To be faithful in little things is a great qualification for great things!
Perhaps the greatest fault of our age is that we are in too big a hurry to pay attention to small things which might improve our life.
What are some of those small things?
1. convey congratulations to friends (especially young people) when some success or happiness comes to them.
2. extend a word of appreciation for the work of someone you know.
3. extend sympathy. Comfort comes when one knows that others are sharing their sorrow.
Perhaps being diligent in doing small things prompted Emerson's fable, "The Mountain and the Squirrel."
"The mountain and the squirrel had a quarrel. And the former called the latter 'Little Prig'; Bun replied, 'You are doubtless very big; but all sorts of things and weather must be taken in together, to make up a year and a sphere. And I think it no disgrace to occupy my place. If I'm not so large as you, you are not so small as I, and not half so spry. I'll not deny you make a very pretty squirrel track; talents differ; all is well and wisely put; if I cannot carry forests on my back, neither can you crack a nut.'"
"Talents differ!" Thank goodness we're not all alike!
Peace,
Richard
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