2011.4.25 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Vinita, Oklahoma.  I hope you had a blessed Easter at worship and with family and friends.
 
I've a story today about a 13 year old Timothy.  He saved his pennies, nickels and dimes to buy a big red kite which he had spotted in a neighborhood store.
 
The happiest boy in the world, Timothy went to a playing field where he let out a little string at a time until you couldn't see the kite anymore.
 
A jogger saw Timothy running, holding string, and asked "What are you doing?
Timothy replied,  "Flying my kite."  The jogger thought the kid was pulling his leg and laughed,  saying, "I don't see any kite.  How do you know there's a kite up there?"
 
And Timothy answered,  "I can feel the tug!"
 
That simple story has a profound meaning.  Isn't it the message of Easter faith?  We can't see the Risen Christ, we can't prove the Resurrection of our Lord.  But, as a Christian, don't you feel the irresistible tug of Christ on your life?
 
I feel the tug of Christ at work through you and other friends and family members who have given me comfort and encouragement since the death of Helen, my beloved wife of more than 60 years.
 
Thank you for your support.  Don't ever lose the Tug of Christ on your life.
 
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
 
P. S.  We had 104 in attendance at church yesterday.  What a blessing!
 
  www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/
 

2011.4.18 Monday Morning

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
If you were on vacation in July or August and went to a nearby church on Sunday morning you might be surprised to hear the congregation singing "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today."
 
Yet, if we believe that Jesus Christ is risen and living then every Sunday commemorates the Resurrection of our Lord, and all of our life is lived in his presence.  That's Easter faith!
 
Easter faith is living in close companionship with Jesus. It is a faith of action more than words, of deeds rather than doctrines.  It is not restricted to one Sunday a year.
 
For me, at least, there are two high-water marks in the Bible that sum up an authentic Easter faith!
 
   First, Micah 6:8.  The prophet asks

"What does God require?"

Answering his own question, he says:

"to be just...to love kindness...to walk humbly with God."

   
    Second, Mark 12:28-34:  Jesus said

"You shall love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

    We may not like all our 'neighbors', but we are to love even those whom
    we dislike - we are to do them no harm.
 
Peace and goodwill,
Richard
 

 

2011.4.11 Monday Morning

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
Early in the morning of April 5, 2011, Helen, my wife and best friend for more than 60 years, died peacefully in her sleep.  Today, I share with you a poem and words from St. Paul (Romans 8:38-39).
 
The poem, "Closing Prayer", was written by Jean W. Wood, a member of the Jermain Memorial Presbyterian Church, Watervliet, N. Y., where I served as pastor in the 1960's.
 
Closing Prayer
 
Consummate quietude
Unadorned silence
Soft Darkness
Tranquil light
Serenity
Stillness
Simplicity
Solitude
Soul-soothing peace -
my prayer
my gift
for you
for me
for all of us.
    Amen
 
And, from St. Paul these words of Easter faith:
                    "Nothing will be able to separate us
                      from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
 
With fond regards and in friendship,
 
Richard
 
www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com
 

2011.4.4 Monday Morning

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
Generally speaking there are few things that are either good or bad in themselves.  Things derive their power to curse or to bless from how we use them.
 
When I think of the Church I tend to think of all the good it does.  Yet, I am aware that through the ages people in the Church, and in all religions, have been a cause for cruelty and violence as well as for immeasurable good.
 
It is sad to think how religious extremists today are fostering hate and intolerance in the world, and in our nation.  Didn't Jesus show us in the parable of the Good Samaritan (luke 10:25-37) how to act toward one another?
 
Be careful and avoid all forms of religious extremism!  None of us has us has exclusive knowledge of the mind of God. 
 
                   Thanks for visiting our BLOG today.
 
                  www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com


In friendship,
Richard