I had barely begun to emerge from my turkey, stuffing and pie stupor on Thanksgiving when I made a bewildering, and a little distressing, discovery. I am way behind on my Christmas preparations. Yes, I know, Santa was making the rounds before Halloween and Hobby Lobby had the Christmas decorations out around Independence Day. Still, … Continue reading Holiday procrastination … Your gift to you
Month: November 2018
“Give thanks all year”: Small congregation makes big impact for Thanksgiving
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." That quote from St. Teresa referred to efforts to feed the hungry in Calcutta, India. But, it also could apply to one small congregation's efforts to feed Enid's hungry at Thanksgiving. Most Sundays the Rev. Garland Hall is joined by just three or four … Continue reading “Give thanks all year”: Small congregation makes big impact for Thanksgiving
‘It’s just good being alive’: Homeless, food insecure share reasons to give thanks
Enid, Okla. -- As families gather today for Thanksgiving, some of those less fortunate are reminding others of reasons to give thanks, even when times are hard. Some of those in need were lined up outside Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma on Tuesday, waiting to shop at the food resource center before the Thanksgiving holiday. … Continue reading ‘It’s just good being alive’: Homeless, food insecure share reasons to give thanks
Christian authors urge faithful to focus on grace, unconditional love
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?
James R. Neal 