ENID, Okla. — Gail Box, who recently was appointed to the board of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, remains motivated daily by the untimely death of her son, Austin Box, who died of a prescription pain medication overdose on May 19, 2011. Box said Austin’s death was the culmination of a long … Continue reading Using tragedy to fight opioids
In the footsteps of the Magi — a walk through Epiphany
“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” That passage from Matthew 2:10-11 recounts the arrival … Continue reading In the footsteps of the Magi — a walk through Epiphany
The U.S. remains a world leader — we’re just leading in the wrong direction
The United States has long prided itself on being a leader in international affairs. Unfortunately, American influence today is driving us, and many of our allies, off the path of our ideals. Reagan’s “shining city upon a hill” has become a leader in the ideology of nationalism. The multilateral approach that raised us from … Continue reading The U.S. remains a world leader — we’re just leading in the wrong direction
Finding your mission field — hint, it’s right now, right where you are
This lay sermon originally was delivered at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Oklahoma, for the Service of Noonday Prayers, Wednesday, 09 January, 2019. “You have one business on earth – to save souls.” That quote from the well-known Anglican priest, John Wesley, captures the essence of today's message. We're here to talk about missions, our … Continue reading Finding your mission field — hint, it’s right now, right where you are
Immigration: This side of the rabbit hole, do facts even matter?
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” That quip from Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the longtime U.S. Senator from New York, was long accepted as truth. You could twist and spin the story all you wanted, but at the end of the day, facts remained facts, and everyone knew it. … Continue reading Immigration: This side of the rabbit hole, do facts even matter?
Faith and fear: Our choice on the border
More than 30 faith leaders were arrested Monday for observing the Season of Advent — the pre-Christmas season in which Christians await the arrival of a brown-skinned refugee child known as Jesus. They were among more than 400 protesters who went to our southern border to await other brown-skinned refugees — some of whom, … Continue reading Faith and fear: Our choice on the border
Carrying the Light: A reflection on St. Lucy and Thomas Merton
The following was delivered as a sermon for Noonday Prayers, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Oklahoma. What do a 4th Century Italian maiden and a 20th Century Trappist monk from Kentucky have in common? That is an odd question. But, since today falls between feast days, I found myself going … Continue reading Carrying the Light: A reflection on St. Lucy and Thomas Merton
Grace that won’t be shaken
“'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 Ancient peoples often attributed natural disasters, including earthquakes, to the power of angry gods. Anger the gods, the … Continue reading Grace that won’t be shaken
Marijuana dispensaries working to cut cost amid constricted supply
Oklahoma voters passed State Question 788 in June, legalizing the growing, processing and sale of medical marijuana in the state. Supply hasn't yet caught up to demand for the drug, leading to price gouging and some creative efforts by dispensaries to lower costs until market prices stabilize. Enid, Okla. -- Little more than two weeks … Continue reading Marijuana dispensaries working to cut cost amid constricted supply
All will pass, except The Word
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35 We often think of living in two planes: earth in this life; heaven in the next. Jesus calls our attention away from this dichotomy, away from the linear progression from earth to heaven. Jesus calls us to an eternal message that spans … Continue reading All will pass, except The Word
