Commentary

Thinking Out Loud

Body
In the years of serving as youth minister, preaching minister, and now a hospice chaplain, the strongest regrets emanate from those who have lost a loved one to death. I have heard laments from 'I wish,' 'if only,' 'it's not fair,' and 'why?' just to name a few.

. . . from the Pastor’s Desk

Body
Pain and suffering. Many of us experience pain and suffering in one way or another; physical, emotional, relationally, financial. Sometimes our pain and suffering is mild, but at other times we wonder how we will ever go on. There have been times I have asked that question—maybe you have also. I have the answer if you’re asking that question . . . His name is Jesus the Christ.

Letter to the Editor

Body
Dear Editor, This town and its people hold such a dear place in my heart. We have a treasure that is becoming more and more rare around this nation, and that is our old fashioned valvues and moral integrity. those precious jewells along with patriotism ad the fear and adoration of our creator are all things quickly fading around this blessed nation because of a dangerous mind set of leaders who aren't listening to the voice of the people.

Letter to the Editor

Body
Dear Editor, City of Bristow Mayoral election is February 14, 2023. I see this as an employment process.

Mad at Being Sad!

Body
Psychologists know that grief comes to us in stages: disbelief, anger, bargaining. Initially, we may well experience great tsunamis of emotion that flood our minds and hearts. Some days we can barely even think. While stages of grieving can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, months, and even up to five years or longer, sometimes we might miss a stage. Occasionally, some people experience certain stages more than once. Intense emotion leaves us feeling completely drained and, naturally enough, we want a period of reprieve. This may come in many forms.

Riff-Raff Kids!

Body
One afternoon while eating a late lunch on my ironing board in the parsonage kitchen, l saw two little boys climb over my chain-link fence and started picking green apples from the tree that was in my backyard. None of this angered me, but it did scare me that these boys could have hurt themselves. So being a nice and gentle man and a preacher, I yelled at them, 'Hey, boys what are you doing?' They dropped their books and a dozen apples on the ground and slowly turned around. 'Well, mister, we were going to eat your apples.'

. . from the Pastor ’s Desk

Body
Have you ever noticed how sometimes when one storm passes . . . another is already forming to test your faith? The Southeast United States experienced tropical storm Ida in 2021, but if you live in Puerto Rico, you understand the concept of one storm after another. In 2017 according to most reports, Hurricane Irma took out 75% of the electrical power grid in Puerto Rico. Sources which generate electricity were decimated. Approximately 60% of the housing was deemed uninhabitable. Drinking purification systems were destroyed, and just when people’s lives were lost or ruined— along came Hurricane Maria—a category five hurricane with 160 mph winds. Anything and everything that was not leveled by Irma was now gone. More than 20 lives were lost, and hope was now nothing more than a fleeting pipedream.

New Year, New Start of Your Life!

Body
A Joyous New Year? One thing we all have in common is that we want the New Year to be happy, healthy and filled with exciting new opportunities. Creating the type of life that bubbles with enthusiasm requires more than short-lived resolutions and goals.

. . . from the Pastor’s Desk

Body
Pastor Ron Biddle A great people and their leadership over the years have engaged in a process of building lives and families in the Creek County area, and yet—many stopped attending church during COVID—never to return; some turning their back on God completely. Approximately 50 years ago, the United States was engaged in a war many considered senseless.