From this small congregation with a big heart, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma, Pilgrim Presbyterian Church sends greetings and best wishes to each of you.
This congregation, which has been around for 126 years, is a good model for all small congregations. Its outreach, in cooperation with another small church in Vinita, St. John's Episcopal, and its ministry to Burroughs Manor, a retirement home for people who can't afford the costs of most high-flying retirement havens, is as close to the heart of the gospel that any "church family" can get.
Congregations that don't squabble can do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. That is why these "Pilgrims" in Vinita are so effective in their ministry inside and outside the walls of their beautiful sanctuary.
Well done you good and faithful disciples of our Master.
With a thankful heart,
Richard
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
2009.02.16 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes to you, wherever you are, from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
It was almost ten years ago that a stray dog appeared on the doorstep of our son, Owen, and his wife, Lori. They had a small dog who wasn't very gracious about an intruder in her backyard. So my wife, Helen and our daughter convinced me that we should welcome this black part Chow, part Retriever into our household. We named him Bendigo, a derivative of a Welsh word for blessing. Pets are wonderful!
Sadly, there are people who seem to get their kicks being cruel to "dumb animals". Recent news stories in a Tulsa newspaper tell of a soldier, home on leave who is charged for dragging a dog, tied behind his vehicle, until he was half dead.
I hope no one reading these Monday Morning messages will ever do a cruel thing to an animal. Cruelty is always ugly and cruelty to helpless animals is an exceptionally cruel thing. Kindness is a universal language, understood even by our pets!
Cheers,
Richard
It was almost ten years ago that a stray dog appeared on the doorstep of our son, Owen, and his wife, Lori. They had a small dog who wasn't very gracious about an intruder in her backyard. So my wife, Helen and our daughter convinced me that we should welcome this black part Chow, part Retriever into our household. We named him Bendigo, a derivative of a Welsh word for blessing. Pets are wonderful!
Sadly, there are people who seem to get their kicks being cruel to "dumb animals". Recent news stories in a Tulsa newspaper tell of a soldier, home on leave who is charged for dragging a dog, tied behind his vehicle, until he was half dead.
I hope no one reading these Monday Morning messages will ever do a cruel thing to an animal. Cruelty is always ugly and cruelty to helpless animals is an exceptionally cruel thing. Kindness is a universal language, understood even by our pets!
Cheers,
Richard
Sunday, February 8, 2009
2009.02.09 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes to you from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
It may be a sign of old age, but I know that life's arithmetic means that for every new year we celebrate, we can subtract a year from our life.
That sounds pessimistic, but what I mean to say is don't wait too long to do what you want to do.
In too many simple things we wait too long to do them.
Life goes by quickly. Don't wait too long to do the things you want to do!
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
It may be a sign of old age, but I know that life's arithmetic means that for every new year we celebrate, we can subtract a year from our life.
That sounds pessimistic, but what I mean to say is don't wait too long to do what you want to do.
In too many simple things we wait too long to do them.
Don't wait too long to show kindness.
Don't wait too long to speak or write a word of encouragement.
Don't wait too long to express your love and thanks to elderly relatives.
Don't wait too long to love and enjoy your children and grandchildren.
Don't wait too long to read the books and listen to the music that enlarges your mind.
And, of course, don't wait too long to practice a daily quiet time when you strengthen your inner spirit.
Life goes by quickly. Don't wait too long to do the things you want to do!
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
Sunday, February 1, 2009
2009.02.02 Monday Morning!
Smile! It's Monday Morning reaching out to you from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
Laughter is good medicine! Last year I attended a meeting of ministers and elders in Tulsa where one person soon had everyone relaxed and laughing, except one glum person who sat like a sphinx. One gave us all a sense of joy, the other chilled us, never cracking a smile. One was able to laugh at himself, the other almost lost his temper.
There is, of course, the wrong kind of laughter which is prompted by smutty jokes or cruel jibes at someone else. However, great laughter-makers bring a lot of fun and happiness into our lives - and that is an important ministry today.
Hearty laughter for the right reasons is good medicine! And preventative medicine is cheaper in every way than curative medicine.
Cheers...ho, ho, ho
Richard
Laughter is good medicine! Last year I attended a meeting of ministers and elders in Tulsa where one person soon had everyone relaxed and laughing, except one glum person who sat like a sphinx. One gave us all a sense of joy, the other chilled us, never cracking a smile. One was able to laugh at himself, the other almost lost his temper.
There is, of course, the wrong kind of laughter which is prompted by smutty jokes or cruel jibes at someone else. However, great laughter-makers bring a lot of fun and happiness into our lives - and that is an important ministry today.
Hearty laughter for the right reasons is good medicine! And preventative medicine is cheaper in every way than curative medicine.
Cheers...ho, ho, ho
Richard
Sunday, January 25, 2009
2009.01.26 Monday Morning!
Top of this Monday Morning, and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
It is sad, but true, that those inclined toward religious pursuits are too often inclined toward extremism. When you think of modern faith-based violence, names like Osama bin Laden, David Koresh and Jim Jones are front and center.
While certain fundamentalists and evangelicals within our Presbyterian Church (USA) may not be violent, their thinking that their interpretation of the Bible is the only way of belief is self-righteous!
There are many ways to God, and those who accuse others of heresy would do better by being less intolerant, less stubborn in their prejudices.
No person has a monopoly of belief or experience. Beware of religious tyranny!
Peace,
Richard
It is sad, but true, that those inclined toward religious pursuits are too often inclined toward extremism. When you think of modern faith-based violence, names like Osama bin Laden, David Koresh and Jim Jones are front and center.
While certain fundamentalists and evangelicals within our Presbyterian Church (USA) may not be violent, their thinking that their interpretation of the Bible is the only way of belief is self-righteous!
There are many ways to God, and those who accuse others of heresy would do better by being less intolerant, less stubborn in their prejudices.
No person has a monopoly of belief or experience. Beware of religious tyranny!
Peace,
Richard
Sunday, January 18, 2009
2009.01.19 Monday Morning!
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, a church with a big heart, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
If you know of anyone who may like to begin his/her week with "Monday Morning", send an email address to Donna in the Church office. And, be assured that your email replies to Monday Morning are much appreciated!
Today, our Pearls of Value come from the pen of Prof. William Barclay, author of the popular Daily Bible Study.
Pretty good directives, aren't they?
Peace,
Richard
If you know of anyone who may like to begin his/her week with "Monday Morning", send an email address to Donna in the Church office. And, be assured that your email replies to Monday Morning are much appreciated!
Today, our Pearls of Value come from the pen of Prof. William Barclay, author of the popular Daily Bible Study.
1. "We must never be self-centered in our happiness. Even when we are happy, there are others whose hearts ache. In our happiness, we must never be so self-centered that we forget others pain."
2. "We must never be selfish in our prosperity. It is always wrong for prosperity and selfishness to go hand in hand."
3. "We must never be self-righteous in goodness. How harmful is the so-called Christian who harps on and on about his goodness."
Pretty good directives, aren't they?
Peace,
Richard
Sunday, January 11, 2009
2009.01.12 Monday Morning!
To all in our "Monday Morning" family, belated good wishes for inner peace and joy throughout 2009!
I have two reasons for sending these weekly messages:
First, to keep in touch with you who once called Pilgrim Church your "home church".
Second, to reach out with the good news of the Gospel.
Jesus did not write rules or creeds, but he did give us a criteria for discipleship. (John 13:35) Three things are needed for a full, happy life of discipleship.
That's a PEARL OF VALUE to begin your new year!
Cheers,
Richard
I have two reasons for sending these weekly messages:
First, to keep in touch with you who once called Pilgrim Church your "home church".
Second, to reach out with the good news of the Gospel.
Jesus did not write rules or creeds, but he did give us a criteria for discipleship. (John 13:35) Three things are needed for a full, happy life of discipleship.
Something to hope for - a stimulus to further living!
Something to do - work is not a curse but a blessing! (ask anyone forced into unemployment or inactivity)
Someone to love - when love is born, life is renewed!
That's a PEARL OF VALUE to begin your new year!
Cheers,
Richard
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)