I had the pleasure Tuesday of interviewing Pastor Billy Benson at Garland Road Baptist Church in Enid, Oklahoma. My favorite part of these clergy interviews is hearing how they discerned their call to ministry, and the path toward surrendering to that call. Benson was called as a teen, during an altar call at Falls Creek, … Continue reading Answering the call: How can we say ‘Yes’ to God today?
Journalism
Our resolute response to threats and violence: we publish
Five journalists in Annapolis, Md. lost their lives Thursday, victims of another angry man who felt entitled to settle his grievances with a gun. The events preceding and following their tragic deaths are concerning and inspiring — underscoring the toxicity of discourse and disagreement in America today; but also the resolve of journalists to uphold … Continue reading Our resolute response to threats and violence: we publish
Why we do this
This post is a copy of my comments on accepting the inaugural presentation of the Ray Lokey Memorial Award for Excellence in Reporting, presented Saturday evening. The comments were read by my editor in my absence. They speak, briefly, to why it's important we all continue to invest in journalism that follows facts, and not … Continue reading Why we do this
‘HELLFIRE AND BACK’ Desperation drives families to skirt law for medical marijuana
Oklahoma voters will consider medical marijuana in a state question on June 26. The following package of articles was written for the Enid News & Eagle in advance of that vote. The first article shares the stories of two families who have illegally brought medical marijuana to Oklahoma to treat loved ones, and why they … Continue reading ‘HELLFIRE AND BACK’ Desperation drives families to skirt law for medical marijuana
Fostering understanding through ‘Mercy’
OKLAHOMA CITY — As a boy, Imam Imad Enchassi saw two radically different views of Christianity — one of peace and love, the other of violence committed in God's name. As an adult, Enchassi works to foster peace and understanding between Oklahoma's Muslim community and Christians, Jews and other faith groups — a mission he … Continue reading Fostering understanding through ‘Mercy’
Check your benefits
Enid, Okla. -- There are more than 21 million veterans — including more than 312,000 in Oklahoma — living in the United States, according to 2014 U.S. Census Bureau figures. About 20 percent of those veterans suffer from some form of disability due to injuries or environmental exposure incurred while in the military, and about … Continue reading Check your benefits
Be proactive about your care: a breast cancer survivor’s advice
Ringwood Okla. -- Michelle Schmidt was in her mid-30s when she found a lump in her breast during a self-examination. The discovery led to the early detection of breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women, according to the American … Continue reading Be proactive about your care: a breast cancer survivor’s advice
Un-teaching fake news
On Monday I had the honor and pleasure of getting to speak at an after-school program in my community that has a media club. I have written several articles about their program and all it does for kids in our city, and apparently I did a good enough job that they were willing to … Continue reading Un-teaching fake news
Learning across generations
This post is a compilation of two articles I have written for the Enid News & Eagle about intergenerational early childhood education, where preschoolers have class in and are taught with the help of residents of a nursing home. This model has tremendous benefits for both age groups, and has drawn repeated international attention. But … Continue reading Learning across generations
Listen, before it’s too late
This article originally was published in the Enid News & Eagle as part of a package of stories highlighting the silent threat of depression and mental illness, and the effects of suicide on family members left behind. If you recognize the signs in this article in someone you know, please take the initiative to connect … Continue reading Listen, before it’s too late
