ENID, Okla. — Two nationally-known Christian authors urged the faithful to focus not on legalism and behavior, but rather on God's grace and unconditional love, during a 10-part conference on grace hosted by Emmanuel Enid. The "Too Good to be True" conference featured talks by Jeff VanVonderen, an interventionist on the A&E show "Intervention" and author … Continue reading Christian authors urge faithful to focus on grace, unconditional love
Better research, not more rhetoric, needed to counter gun violence
In all our division and partisan rhetoric, there are few issues as intractable as gun violence. Despite having 25 times the rate of gun violence in other developed nations, we can’t achieve any response more meaningful than caustic rhetoric from both sides. The vast majority of gun owners are responsible citizens who value firearm … Continue reading Better research, not more rhetoric, needed to counter gun violence
War letters recount a Marine’s fight in the Pacific
ENID, Okla. — Squire Utsler, of Enid, was barely out of high school when he enlisted and shipped out to fight in some of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War. Daily letters home chronicled Utsler’s service, from the first day of boot camp on Aug. 18, 1943, until he … Continue reading War letters recount a Marine’s fight in the Pacific
100 years later, World War I offers lessons on war and hate
Art Reed, of Enid, Okla., has learned many lessons from war, from watching his father die a slow death from wounds inflicted in World War I, to his own time as a soldier, and from a chance encounter with the daughters of the German officer he credits with killing his father. Reed, now 81, enlisted in … Continue reading 100 years later, World War I offers lessons on war and hate
After the midterms — where to from here?
The midterms are over, leaving party faithful from both sides crowing and crying over their respective wins and losses. Democrats flipped the House, yielding historic gains for women, Muslim and LGBT candidates. Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate, proving 2016 wasn’t just a fluke, and a significant portion of America is drawn to our … Continue reading After the midterms — where to from here?
Choosing joy: Women share their battles with breast cancer
ENID, Okla. — As a healthy, active, 37 year-old woman, Lyndsay Watts didn't foresee breast cancer as a serious risk in her life. Now, little more than a month into a course of chemotherapy, Watts wants other women to be proactive about their health, and to consider getting their first mammogram in their 30s. Originally … Continue reading Choosing joy: Women share their battles with breast cancer
Praying their names
A reflection in prayer on the victims from Tree of Life On Sunday our nation learned the names of the 11 victims claimed in our nation’s latest round of senseless, hate-driven gun violence. An anti-Semite, armed with an AR-15 rifle and three handguns, murdered our brothers and sisters while they were worshiping and celebrating the … Continue reading Praying their names
Think Pink: Breast cancer survivor urges women to be proactive
Sarah McLean was just 26 years old when a self-exam revealed a lump that later was diagnosed as breast cancer. McLean was 19 years younger than the age the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends women begin having mammograms, and the self-exam she credits with saving her life is no longer recommended by the ACS. The … Continue reading Think Pink: Breast cancer survivor urges women to be proactive
Civility is needed from both ends of our toxic political spectrum
“Today we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation’s promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.” Those words, from George W. Bush’s 2001 inaugural address, strike a sad note in today’s America. It’s painfully obvious our nation has failed to achieve “civility, courage, compassion and character.” Our nation’s grand incapacity for civil … Continue reading Civility is needed from both ends of our toxic political spectrum
A taste sweeter than honey
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:103-104 “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” That quote from the 1958 film “Auntie Mame” could apply to the state of Christianity today. Faith … Continue reading A taste sweeter than honey
