Scripture is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource for any traveler on The Way of Christ. We must immerse ourselves in the Word, and in it find God's instruction and His nourishment for our souls along life's path. But, is there more we must do to understand and truly digest God's teaching beyond mastering the written … Continue reading Going beyond Scripture
‘Won’t back down’
A reflection on Bernard Mizeki, catechist of the faith and martyr "Well I won’t back down; No I won’t back down; You can stand me up at the gates of Hell; But I won’t back down." I've always loved those lyrics from Tom Petty's 1989 song "I Won't Back Down." They speak of courage, steadfastness — … Continue reading ‘Won’t back down’
‘It’s our baptism that calls us’
An interview with the Sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ WICHITA, Kan. — In the not-too-distant past, a trip to the hospital in Enid, Okla., could be as much a spiritual journey as a physical one, with nurses equally ready to tend to matters of medicine and faith. St. Mary's Regional Medical … Continue reading ‘It’s our baptism that calls us’
Be like Barnabas, the glue of encouragement
Have you ever needed encouragement? Ever needed a second chance, even when you didn’t really deserve it? God gives us these gifts through grace, and sometimes that grace flows through his servants. St. Barnabas was such a servant. Barnabas first appears in Acts 4:36: “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which … Continue reading Be like Barnabas, the glue of encouragement
It’s time we made more, and more different, friends
“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” There is more truth than ever to that quote by British writer G.K. Chesterton, as our society becomes increasingly — and I would add gloriously — diverse. Yet, just as in Chesterton’s day, … Continue reading It’s time we made more, and more different, friends
Women’s equality — a fight to save us from ourselves
Tuesday was the 100th anniversary of the Senate passing the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. While ratification wouldn’t come until August 1920, passage by the all-male Senate marked an important turning point in women’s rights. But, like the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it … Continue reading Women’s equality — a fight to save us from ourselves
“No good comes of war” Birthday memories of D-Day
ENID, Okla. — Ernest Leierer's 22nd birthday started out like any other day at his Army Air Corps Base in England. By the end of that day, Leierer was in France, in Eisenhower's "Great Crusade" to liberate Europe. Leierer, now 97, of Enid, Okla., found himself in the war the same way as many other … Continue reading “No good comes of war” Birthday memories of D-Day
James at St. James — At home on the road
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to travel for business to Wichita, Kan., to interview two sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. I am publishing that story a week from Sunday, and will have more here afterward. But, while I was in Wichita, about two hours north of our home in Enid, … Continue reading James at St. James — At home on the road
Muslim community ends Ramadan with message of peace and charity
Oklahoma's Muslim community celebrated the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan this morning with prayer services around the state, ushering in the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr with a message of peace and charity. Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and "other sensual pleasures" from … Continue reading Muslim community ends Ramadan with message of peace and charity
Battling opioids from the pulpit
Oklahoma City -- State officials are partnering with faith leaders to spread education about the opioid crisis, and to break down stigma surrounding drug addiction and treatment. The Rev. Shannon Fleck, executive director of Oklahoma Conference of Churches (OCC), said the ecumenical organization recently launched a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and … Continue reading Battling opioids from the pulpit
