2012.02.13 Monday Morning Message

Greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.


I hope the messages are a welcome start to the new week.  Several email friends have asked for prayers.  Be assured that any and all communication, including prayer requests, will get a personal reply.

With blessings and all good wishes,

Richard Evans

One of the convicted co-conspirators in the Watergate scandal made this remarkable confession:

"I have lived 50 years of my life without ever coming to grips with the very basic questions of what is and what is not important to me;  What is and what is not right and wrong; What is and what is not valuable and worthwhile."

We might ask ourselves in pursuit of taking a good, hard look at ourselves some useful questions.

Have I grown more caring or more callous?

Have I become more forgiving or more vengeful?

Have I become more tolerant or more critical?

Have I become more generous or more self-centered?

Have I tried to become better or only better off?

Have I change for the better or for the worse?

Have I grown as a person or have I become smaller?

TAKE A GOOD, HARD LOOK AT YOURSELF!

A NOTE FOR THE LOCALS:

St. John's Episcopal has invited Pilgrim Presbyterian to a salad luncheon following morning worship Sunday, February 19.  Their church is over about 11:30 and we have Session and Deacons meetings at 11:00 so it should work out great.  Please let the church know if you plan to attend.  It is a privilege to have them prepare a luncheon for us so please try to participate.  

Call the church office and leave a message 918-256-2258 or email pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net.  

THEY DO NEED AN APPROXIMATE COUNT.

SESSION AND DEACONS MEET FOLLOWING MORNING WORSHIP SUNDAY, FEB. 19

THE REV. RAY HICKMAN WILL CONDUCT MORNING WORSHIP AND MODERATE SESSION

2012.01.09 Monday Morning Message

Message from the archives of Richard Evans:

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

2011.10.03 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

We have a choice. We can choose to build up one another, or we can choose to tear down one another. Let me share two encounters to illustrate what I mean.

I stopped at a gas station in Vian, a small town in Oklahoma, near Dwight Mission, our Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center. A gas attendant came out in the rain to pump gas. He smiled, and said hello, and seemed to be genuinely happy to serve his customers. After filling my tank, he did an extraordinary thing: he shook my hand, said "Thank you" and wished me well. He made my day.

Later, in Tulsa, I bought gas at a self-service station. The attendant was in a glassed-in-booth. Her eyes never met mine. Sullen lines marked her face. I felt like an intruder as she cracked her gum, took my money, all the while looking down. She seemed completely disinterested in her job. That young woman made me sad.

Every time we meet another person, each of us is given an opportunity to create or destroy by the way we dignify or deny that person.

Jesus was on target when he taught us to do to others as we want others to do to us.

With blessings and all good wishes,

Richard

www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/

2011.8.22 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

 

A few weeks ago, I reminded you that the Bible says that laughter is good medicine.  Today, I offer you some "good medicine" given me by friends who visit our BLOG.

 

Tommy Bolt was well known as one of the finest pro-golfers in the 1940's and 50's, and for his red-hot temper.

 

During one tournament Bolt was joined by a caddy who was known around golf circles for his constant chatter.  Bolt would tolerate no chatter from the caddy, ordering him not to speak at  all unless Bolt asked him a question.  Even then the caddy was told that he could answer only with a 'yes' or 'no'.

 

On one hole Bolt found himself lying next to a tree.  Surveying the situation he asked his caddy, "What do you think?  Five iron?"  "No," said the caddy.  "What do you mean not a five-iron,"  Bolt snarled.  "Watch this shot."

 

Bolt hit the ball placing it within a few feet of the hole.  He then turned to his caddy, handed him the five iron, saying "What do you think about that?  Go ahead, you can talk now."

 

"Mr. Bolt,"  replied the caddy, "that wasn't your ball."

 

Keep that smile on your face and you'll feel better.

 

Richard

2011.7.11 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
We are privileged to live in a democracy, with no political oppression. Yet, living in a land of freedom there are many inner tyrants which enslave us. Independence Day - the 4th of July - is a challenge to check chains which keep us in bondage.

What are some of these chains?
....blind prejuidice that prevents us from seeing people as they really are.
....superstitions that suffocate the mind and spirit.
....habits that rule over us.
....fears and anxieties that disturb our days and haunt our nights.
....greed that seeks status and phony values.
....jealousy that sours us, hatred that poisons us.
....self doubt that disables us.

Don't hesitate to get help to dethrone chains that prevent you from getting human freedom, to which Christ summons us.

Fond regards,
Richard

2009.12.21 Monday Morning!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

It is a good thing at Christmas to listen again to the message that heralded the birth of Jesus: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy!"

Please don't identify your Christian faith with gloom and doom! Don't be fooled by hyper religious (fanatics?) who are negative and critical of all who disagree with them.

The birth of Jesus sounded an anthem not a dirge. Christianity is not a long list of negatives. Keep your sense of humor and do what is right. I know a few agnostics who live closer to the spirit of Christ than some of the ultra pious folk in churches who believe the proof of their goodness is in direct proportion to the number of their inhibitions.

The Christian gospel is not negative. Even in these difficult days of war and economic woes, bring your radiant faith out of the shadows. God will give you the thrill of Christmas: God still is with you; rejoice, the Son of God has come to us.

Enjoy!

Richard

2009.03.09 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning from Vinita, Oklahoma, where "Pilgrims" meet to worship at the Presbyterian Church and from where they scatter into the community to serve God in big and little ways.

One big issue confronting the whole world today is "drug abuse".   Can the Church reach out to those engulfed in this epidemic?  Put your thinking cap on and let's hear your suggestions as to how Church and faith can help.

It is obvious that laws are not enough to curb this insidious evil.  Medical, psychological, social science AND religion are needed to combat this nightmare.

Instead of cursing the darkness which is ruining lives and destroying families, is there one small step we can take to overcome this critical problem?


Hopefully,
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