Spring Break Missions 2015 Wrap-up

May / June 2015

Spring Break Missions 2015 Wrap-up

June 9–12, 9:00 am–12:30 pm Time to roll up our sleeves and dig into God’s Word! We’re planting the seeds so that our kids will know that God’s love keeps us rooted and growing strong.

Register online at www.asburytulsa.org.

Contents May / June 2015 Asbury Tidings is a bi-monthly publication designed to tell stories of lives being transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. You may read back issues by visiting www.asburytulsa.org.

Fatherhood: Leaving a Worthy Legacy Bringing Transformation to a Community More Bibles to the Congo Mother’s Day Q and A Teens Volunteering in Children’s Ministry

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Making Discoveries in Global Gardens 9 Introducing Jason Jackson 10 Spring Break Missions Report 12 Covered by Love 18 Mother’s Day—the Rest of the Story 20 Hospitality Matters 21 RoadMap Summer 2015 22

PASTOR TOM

A Word From Tom Harrison

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he book, Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change, describes the difference between a “transition” and a “change.” When we moved to 6767 S. Mingo in 2004 (my 22 years as your senior pastor have now been equally split between this location and the previous one on Sheridan), I experienced some disorientation. On the one hand, things were beautiful, exciting and new. On the other hand, there were a lot of things that were unfinished, complex and challenging. I had 11 years of context at 5838 S. Sheridan. Now, it was all new. The physical move (changing locations) was different than emotionally and spiritually adjusting to the new reality. The physical change was far easier than the transition. It took time for me to digest what had occurred.

(or retirement or a loss of employment).

Sometimes we get stuck when a relationship ends (break-up, moving, divorce, death). It’s very important that we recognize there WILL ALWAYS BE changes in life. The key becomes “will we TRANSITION” to the new reality?

Another book (can be read in 30 minutes) is Who Moved My Cheese? It describes how someone’s always moving “the cheese” (symbolic for the things we prize). Cheese IS always available – it’s just found in a new location. It means we must go find it (again). That can be depressing, anxious and fearful. Some jump right in and find it; others sit in the corner and bewail life’s unfairness; most need time to adapt.

When the Israelites moved out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, they relocated (“changed”) but continually desired to return to oppression in Egypt.

They were no longer in Egypt, but they’d not moved into their new place with a new identity. It wasn’t a matter of going from “A” (Egypt) to “B” (Promised Land); rather, there was a “C” (wilderness wanderings). They were stuck in an inbetween place.

When God spoke to people in the Bible, the phrase that comes to my mind most is: “Don’t be afraid!” Knowing that the “greatest” people in the Bible were overwhelmed by their responsibilities and the challenges before them encourages me. God gives to Christians the same Holy Spirit who lived in Jesus.

That’s transforming power! Thus Paul said: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)

It’s easy to get stuck in life. Sometimes it happens when we move from one town to another or from one job to another

In addition to being personally empowered, there is a power within Christian community. WE do this

Overcoming Common Obstacles to Prayer 23 Grandpa John 24 Have You Thought of Tithing Your Will or Trust?

25 Special Announcements 26

We need you! Do you have a story of what God has done in your life? Please contact us and tell us a little bit about what God has done. We will all be encouraged by hearing stories of what God is doing in the lives of those around us.

Are you a writer or someone who enjoys writing?

The Communications Department is always looking for someone to do an interview and write a story for us for Tidings.

Have you noticed that we’ve been making some changes in Tidings? Please give us your feedback—both good and bad. Email kmains@asburytulsa.org or call 918.392.1140.

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

together. Note that God gave US (power, love, sound mind). This is why worship and community flow together so well: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24–25) Keep on transitioning!

Dr. Tom Harrison, Senior Pastor

Editor: Asbury Communications Department, 918.392.1140, kmains@asburytulsa.org Graphic Design: Tim Jurgensen, tjurgensen@asburytulsa.org Photographers: Sarah Adams (yellowchairphotography.com), Mark Moore (mark moore.photo.net) Guest Contributors: Guy Ames, Lauren Burke, Jackie Carter, Jim Davis, Charlene Giles, Marilyn Glass, Mary Kim Westervelt Gray, Symon Hajjar, Phil Hissom, John Knight, Dick Read, Claire Spatz, Allison Vincent, Paul Westervelt

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PASTORAL INSIGHT

Fatherhood Leaving a Worthy Legacy

By Pastor Dick Read

W

hen I first meet with a couple who is engaged to be married, one of the questions I like to ask is, “What have you always dreamed about for your wedding?” Of course, the responses vary somewhere between some who have many specific details about what they’ve dreamed about and those with the blank stare of not having thought much about it.

When it came to being a father, I am one who dreamed a lot about being a dad. Long before marrying Cindy and later becoming a dad, I was convinced that I, for the first time ever, was going to be the perfect dad. My kids wouldn’t even need convincing that I would be the best thing to ever happen in their lives…and it would be that way forever!

After serving in youth ministry for several years and coming across a collection of hundreds of living exemplars for me to follow (or not), my dreams of fatherhood became a bit more realistic. Wow, when I look around at these men living it, I can see that this fatherhood stuff is really tough!

May 28, 1987. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Read—You have a daughter! And then a nurse handed me a pair of scissors. What are these? Mr. Read, would you like to cut the cord? The what?

The cord? Would you like to cut the umbilical cord? Trying to stay steady on my wavering knees, I thought, “You have got to be kidding!

Why would I want to do that? No, I would not LIKE to cut the cord!”

I cut the cord, apparently the official initiation into a lifetime of “fatherhood.” The nurses swept Rachel away to wipe her down and wrap her in

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TIDINGS May / June 2015

PASTORAL INSIGHT

warm blankets. Turning away from Cindy for a brief moment, I came face to face with the nurse who gently placed our new daughter into my open arms. My heart melted into soft butter even as my mind raced, “God, what do I do now!? Am I prepared for this? Oh, Lord, I trust you with the treasure that you have given to Cindy and me.”

sure more than willing to talk. BTW, ice cream and other foods still do the trick! Oh yes, and I found that our kids have always been interested in what I think and feel . . . well, unless it came in the form of a lecture.

Among the varied roles played out in my life—son, brother, husband, disciple, pastor, friend—being a father is among the most sacred to me. So very much hangs in the balance as I consider the influence that a father has with his children. I have the most amazing privilege, and responsibility, in being Rachel and David’s father…“Dad.”

Remember the cheezy cliché, “The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” Yep, it’s still cheezy… and it still is pretty dead-on right. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul, “Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church…” That’s huge! And guys, if you are not still married to your kids’ mother, you still have the moral obligation to honor her with your kids so that they will honor her as their mother.

Whether your children are very young, in the adolescent years, young adults or even now parents themselves, your role as father, even grandfather and great-grandfather is of upmost significance, never to be taken lightly and always performed as a sacred trust.

Robert Hamrin is founder and president of Great Dads (www.greatdads.org). A number of years ago, Hamrin wrote an article in which he provided “six keys that will help you to parent with power!”* Those principles are worth your consideration: Provide unconditional love and affection.

Until I married Cindy, I had never before considered “unconditional love,” other than being a recipient of it from Jesus. When Cindy and I married, we chose to both receive and provide unconditional love of one another. Because there was already that value in our marriage, Rachel and David were raised in an environment where that already existed. Love and affection where never in question in our family—they were a given because they were core values.

Spend time.

As Hamrin writes, “Children spell love T-I-M-E.” Whether your children are 3, 13, 23 or older, your time with them is their treasured asset. Time cannot be defended or replaced with gifts, excuses or distractions. Children thrive with lots of quality time with Dad. Communicate constantly and creatively.

This one’s a challenge for most of us dads. Hamrin reminds us to listen and ask questions, “Be interested in their world.” I found it helpful to use car time and lots of Braum’s ice cream cones to listen to Rachel and David. If I was willing to listen, they were

Partner with Mom.

Instill moral and spiritual values.

We know that moms seem natural conduits of moral and spiritual teaching. At the same time, even as the Bible teaches it to fathers, current research confirms that when fathers intentionally teach and model moral and spiritual living, children are highly likely to listen, adhere and follow the lead provided by the father. Men, we (that includes YOU) must lead our children in the way we want them to go. If you don’t lead them, they will find another man to lead them in his way.

Establish a fathering legacy.

Just as I hold the legacy of my father and the Reads and Rawlings who have gone before me, we dads determine the legacy we want to pass along to our children and our children’s children. How sad that our culture no longer puts emphasis on the importance of legacy! Legacy is going to happen whether you do it with or without intention. But, why would you be unintentional about what you are passing on to the generations that follow you? That’s reckless living! In fact, I’d like to push you to be very intentional: write down what you want your legacy to be; what are you going to pass along to your children and to their children. Then, go to work on that legacy to the point that it becomes very clear to them and what you show and teach them to be most important in life.

Mr. Read, would you like to cut the cord? You know what; yes, I would. Someday my children are going to be a father and mother. I want them to know how to follow Jesus, to love others, and live well and to pass along a worthy legacy. Yes, I’ll cut the cord, but I’ve got a little work to do first. *New Man Magazine. May/June 2000. p.20

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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GLOBAL OUTREACH

Bringing Transformation to a Community

By Jim Davis and Phil Hissom

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or those who were not able to attend Asbury’s March Outreach Dinner, our guest speaker Phil Hissom engaged our minds with a different way of doing local outreach.

Phil is the founder and director of the Polis Institute in Orlando, Florida.

So often, in local outreach efforts, suburban churches do what they think a disadvantaged community needs as opposed to what the residents of the community know they need. It takes time to develop quality relationships and truly to hear and understand what those real needs might be. In fact, Polis Institute estimates it takes about 800 hours of interaction with someone to truly know them. That kind of investment brings a radically different perspective on why and how we do outreach.

It raises the question, “Are we willing to invest that kind of time in order to bring transformation to someone’s life?” In one of Polis’ initiatives in Orlando, it took 30,000 hours of community involvement in a trailer park to have measurable impact.

Polis often gets asked, “Does community transformation happen from the top down or the bottom up?” It might be surprising to hear that the answer is “yes.” It takes both, plus a concerted effort from the middle. This is what makes the Polis model distinct and effective. Bottom-up efforts tend to run into capacity issues while top-down efforts often struggle to sustain community engagement. Both bottom-up and top-down efforts often fail to yield an impact, particularly in chronically distressed neighborhoods. The key is in the middle. Polis focuses on directly connecting the interests of high capacity investors (top-down) with the interests of residents of distressed neighborhoods (bottom up). The result is transformation.

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Polis has developed a proven methodology to make it work.

It requires listening intently to the residents of a particular distressed neighborhood while simultaneously listening intently to caring people of substantial means who want their ideas, talents and social connections as well as their charitable dollars to truly make a difference. These are often highly successful business people. Both of these groups have too often been ignored. The business people have been seen almost exclusively as funders for needs-based services, and poor residents have been seen almost exclusively as clients for needs-based services.

Polis works directly with both groups, maps assets at all levels, and creates opportunities for them to come together in ways that lead to measurable change.

Working in a small geographic area (less than a square mile) with a dedicated Investor Council of high-capacity leaders, residents are recruited, trained and employed to do the work of community building. In the process, they learn important workplace skills, build helpful community initiatives and make some money. The initiatives that are built garner additional support as needed but maintain at least 50 percent involvement from residents at all levels (staff, volunteers, clients). The initiatives are aligned with goals from the Investor Council in order to make measurable improvements in key areas such as wellness, housing, education and income.

If you are interested in learning more about Phil’s methodology in outreach or the associated Dignity Serves training, check out polisinstitute.org and dignityserves.org.

(Portions of this article are reprinted by permission from a Polis Institute blog.)

TIDINGS May / June 2015

GLOBAL OUTREACH

More Bibles to the Congo

By Jim Davis

I

f you have been around Asbury for any length of time, you probably know of our passion to provide God’s Word to people around the world who have never owned a Bible of their own. If you have been here over the last three years, you know of Asbury’s distribution of Bibles in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Through our partnership with the North Katanga Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Asbury has provided thousands of printed Bibles in the Swahili and Kiluba languages and 5,000 micro SD cards with audio Kiluba Bibles for use in flip-phones. All of these printed and audio Bibles have been distributed, and there is a need for more.

Isaiah 55:10-11 says, As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

The distribution of these Bibles will not return empty but will accomplish what God desires for Congo! We are blessed at Asbury to be a part of this work for the Kingdom.

In April, Asbury transferred funds for approximately 8,500 additional printed Bibles to be distributed through the North Katanga Conference. These will be printed in Congo and then distributed to districts and churches at their annual conference meeting in July. Asbury will also purchase additional micro SD audio Bibles to be distributed at the same time.

Asbury has received thanks and written comments from many pastors in Congo about the effectiveness of these micro SD card Bibles. Many of the recipients of the chips cannot read, so audio Scripture is an important tool for these pastors. Thank you, Asbury, for your generosity in making Scripture available in a useable form.

Comment #11 (in English) “That new testament Bible helps us to evangelize other people the time that they will hear in their mother language. It helps also in teaching Christian education in the local church. So, we ask you to send again and again.”

Comment #12 (in French) “The memory card of the New Testament is necessary in our life as pastors and students in view of a good understanding of the New Testament. Thank you.”

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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CHILDREN

Mother’s Day Q and A Carter Condry, age 4 (Mom: Brooke Condry) How old is your mom? 9 What is the best thing your mom cooks? Sausage for breakfast.

What is your mom not very good at?

Nothing, she is good at everything.

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? Her parents, GoGo and Papa What is your mom’s favorite song?

She likes all songs.

Why do you love your mom? I just love her.

What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She makes silly faces.

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Eggs and bacon.

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? We play dinosaurs together.

What is your mom not very good at? Playing tag. I always get her!

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? To work.

What is your mom’s favorite song? Jesus Loves Me. Why do you love your mom? I just love her so much!

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? She taught me and my sister how to play hide and seek.

Grant Hawkins, age 5 (Mom: Laura Hawkins) How old is your mom? 20 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? Make funny faces.

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Waffles.

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Play outside.

What is your mom not very good at?

Playing baseball.

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? Umm. I think to work.

What is your mom’s favorite song? Hmmm…Jingle Bells Why do you love your mom? Because I like her.

William Knop, age 5 (Mom: Mayne Knop) How old is your mom? 16 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She tickles me.

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Waffles, they are really good!

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? We like to play matching games.

What is your mom not very good at? Nope, she is good at everything.

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? Chick-Fil-A Why do you love your mom? Because I like to be with my mom Is there anything special your mom has taught you? Yes, to be good and to be kind.

Ellison Sher, age 5 (Mom: Heather Sher) How old is your mom? 34 What does your mom do that makes you laugh?

She tells funny knockknock jokes!

What is the best thing your mom cooks?

Chicken nuggets.

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? To play games and play outside.

What is your mom not very good at? Ummm…she is good at everything!

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? To Mexican restaurants.

What is your mom’s favorite song? Frozen songs.

Why do you love your mom? Because she sings me pretty songs.

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? To stay in the lines when I am coloring.

Sutton Sher, age 3 (brother of Ellison) (Mom: Heather Sher) How old is your mom? I don’t know, but she is older than me!

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Asher Riddle, age 5 (Mom: Autumn Riddle) How old is your mom? 37 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She normally doesn’t make me laugh; well, she does tickle me a little!

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Cookies.

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Play chess! And I normally win!

What is your mom not very good at? She’s really good at everything!

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? Red Rock restaurant What is your mom’s favorite song? She doesn’t have a song. She doesn’t have Spotify, and Spotify has a lot of songs. She should get Spotify.

Why do you love your mom? She is really sweet!

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? How to cook.

I am her sous chef!

TIDINGS May / June 2015

CHILDREN

Brady Lewis, age 4 (Mom: April Lewis) How old is your mom? Probably about 60 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She tickles me!

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Dinner. Her soup is good!

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? To play hide and seek.

What is your mom not very good at?

She’s not very good at being me.

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? Out to dinner with my dad.

What is your mom’s favorite song? I’m not sure, she hasn’t told me.

Why do you love your mom? Because she is a girl.

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? Nope, nothing yet!

Calliope Zimpel, age 4 (Mom: Jessica Dickerson) How old is your mom? 10 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She tells funny jokes!

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Chicken Marsala.

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? I love to play dinosaurs with her.

What is your mom not very good at?

She’s not good at cooking brussel sprouts.

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? She says her favorite place to go is Kiddlestix!

What is your mom’s favorite song? Let it go!

Why do you love your mom? Because she loves me!

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? She has taught me my letters and that everyone has to wear pants and that sometimes when boys are in the sun they don’t have to wear a shirt.

Bailey Hunt, age 5 (mom: Shirley Hunt) How old is your mom? Um, I think 50.

What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She says funny names.

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Spaghetti.

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? To do puzzles and stuff.

What is your mom not very good at?

Nothing, she’s good at making everything!

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? She likes to go to stores to buy stuff!

What is your mom’s favorite song? All the songs; she likes to sing!

Why do you love your mom? She makes me laugh.

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? She has taught me how to sing a lot of songs.

Kerrington Campbell, age 4 (Mom: Brooke Campbell) How old is your mom? 33 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? Tickles me.

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Hamburgers.

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? To go to the park.

What is your mom not very good at?

Nope, she is good at everything!

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? She likes to eat at Louies!

Why do you love your mom? Because she is beautiful!

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? She taught me how to color.

Finnley Whisman, age 4 (mom: LaDonna Whisman) How old is your mom? 25 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She tickles me!

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Mommy Surprise! It is little gray meatballs, with gravy and noodles. At first I didn’t like it, but now I do!

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? To cuddle.

What is your mom not very good at? Working the computer.

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? To Sam’s.

What is your mom’s favorite song? Anything Taylor Swift.

Why do you love your mom? Because she cooks for me.

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? How to hold a pencil correctly before I went to Pre-K. Grayson Gundy, age 4 (Mom: Anna Gundy) How old is your mom? 3 What does your mom do that makes you laugh? She makes silly faces!

What is the best thing your mom cooks? Cookies.

What is your mom not very good at?

Playing soccer, but I am!

What is your mom’s favorite place to go? To Castle (which is Asbury).

What is your mom’s favorite song? “We are the Dinosaurs.”

Why do you love your mom? Just because I do!

Is there anything special your mom has taught you? Not to hit my brother, and my ABC’s.

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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CHILDREN

Teens Volunteering in Children’s Ministry Allison Vincent My time as a volunteer didn’t begin until one day after the high school Sunday service when our youth pastor came in and asked (with a hint of desperation in her voice) if anyone could possibly help out in the children’s ministries. I have always loved being with toddlers, so I told her that I was happy to help, and soon I found myself in a room full of bubbly 2-year-olds. It took a total of five whole minutes to get comfortable with my new friends; time flew by as we flew toy planes, played dressup and listened to the lesson of the day. Now, my Sundays are never complete without the dose of childhood which comes from playing with the kids and watching them grow!

Claire Spatz I am Claire Spatz, and I am a freshman at Union. I have been volunteering with the 2-year-olds for almost four years now. I am so incredibly blessed to see the same shining faces of the kids every Sunday morning. After VBS in sixth grade, I was asked if I wanted to volunteer with 2-year olds on Sundays during the 11 o’clock service. Immediately I said yes because I love kids so much. Little did I know that this is what God was calling me to do, show His love to His children.

After volunteering in the same class for a few weeks, you begin to develop a relationship with the kids and the parents. My heart is filled with joy when

Being able to set a Christ-like example for these children has definitely been an honor. They are constantly watching, constantly listening, and constantly learning from the volunteers. With this in mind, it’s both our responsibility and pleasure to show them how Jesus would want them to act. What amazes me most is how readily most of them respond to guidance. They deserve credit for behaving in a way that brings glory to God—sharing, respecting others and being positive are things with which we all struggle, regardless of our age!

Volunteering has given me the chance to mature spiritually alongside the most adorable kids in the world, and it brings me such joy that I get to join them on part of their journey.

I wake up on Sundays, and I get to see my “kiddos.” Seeing the smiles on their faces whenever I walk in and hearing, “Hi, Miss Claire!” brings warmth to my heart.

I see so much potential in these kids at such a young age.

I have learned a few things from these kids such as your parents will always be there for you when you need them, Goldfish crackers are ALWAYS a good idea, and I have now been taught that a hug can fix anything. Volunteering at Asbury has become such a huge part of me, and I wouldn’t be the same person if it wasn’t for that phone call after VBS in sixth grade.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Ready to get involved in the children’s ministry?

During the summer, we use teen volunteers so our adult volunteers can take a break. Contact Heather Horton at 918.392.4581 or hhorton@asburytulsa.org for more information. If you want to join our adult volunteers in the fall, call Heather and let her know! We’ll get you trained and ready.

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TIDINGS May / June 2015

LOCAL OUTREACH

Making Discoveries in Global Gardens

By Symon Hajjar

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ardening is work, there’s no getting around it. Your hands will probably get a few blisters and your knees will most likely be scuffed. Your patience will be tested and you may even need to ask for help. You will dig, pull, carry, pick and pluck, and some days you will feel like giving up, but it’s on those days that you will begin to understand a most wonderful thing about gardening... you are not the only one caring for your garden and, as much as you give, it will give back.

You see, although gardening is work, it’s anything but lonely work. Just when your rain barrels run dry and your garden is parched, the clouds will return to the sky and do their part. You will squash aphids until your fingers turn green (which by the way is the quickest way to acquire a green thumb if you ask me) but the ladybugs will also be clearing their share of leaves. Right when you are ready to surrender your garden to the stinkbugs, you will look a little closer and find an army of dragonflies, wolf spiders and wheel bugs already on the charge. Yes, spend enough time in the garden and you will see the whole world come together.

It is a vast intersection where all things converge and are again dispersed. In it we find commonality and community; not only does it meet our need to eat but also our need for connection.

Participating in this collaboration of epic proportions will make a person stop and think about what it means to work together, not only with their fellow gardeners but also with nature and their world, and over time, with their own inner selves.

At Global Gardens, we call this heightened awareness being peaceful, and it opens our eyes to the people we want to be.

However, like everything in the garden, its expansive influence starts small and subtle. For Scott, a sixth grader, it began with the worms.

himself, like “why am I afraid” and “where did these feeling come from.” His progress was slow, sometimes taking an entire class to work up the courage to place a handful of compost into his garden bed, but I watched as he grew more and more intrepid. Until one day, with his hands full of worm castings, he said “Mr. Symon, I think I am getting over my fear.” Now this may seem like a hill of beans to you or me, but for Scott it was no small feat, and the confidence that comes from conquering a fear is the sturdy kind. So the next time Scott comes face-to-face with one of his fears, boldness will be a familiar response.

This spring in our seventh-grade class, another one of our students is finding the roots of his aversion to trying new foods. Hunter will rarely eat what we cook, and he gets serious anxiety just sitting at the table while the rest of us try the garden creations that get plated up. He never has a bad attitude and is always willing to clean up, do the dishes and help prepare the meal, so he can sometimes slip by unnoticed. In one of our mealtime conversations, Hunter realized that he didn’t dislike foods so much as he was afraid of trying them. I asked him if he could remember the first time he felt scared to try something new. He said it was in second grade when a teacher forced him to eat something he didn’t like. I asked him if he could remember trying new things before that, and he said he could. Hunter said he used to love trying new things (maybe even too much, as he once tried to eat a quarter). I asked him to make a list in his journal of all the vegetables he had tried at Global Gardens and then to check the ones he liked. It turns out he had liked four out of five vegetables! I asked him, based on those statistics, what the chances were that he would like the next veggie he tries at Global Gardens, “an 80 percent chance” he said! He must have liked those odds, because this spring he’s leading the class in experimenting with vegetable recipes. First on the chopping block: carrots!

Stories like these are why our students have learned to identify themselves as scientists. The garden fosters our curiosity and broadens our perspective. We are always one good question away from amazing discoveries within the garden and ourselves.

One of our seventh graders, Hyun, says it best on the sign in his garden: “Continue to discover, discover to continue.”

Scott is an all-in, get-your-hands-dirty-working-hard kind of kid. He is the last person you would ever expect to have a paralyzing fear of insects. So I was shocked to find out that he had secretly been avoiding any contact with bugs all winter long.

When spring arrived and we started sorting worm castings and picking grubs out of our gardens, Scott found himself suddenly faced with a chilling reality. If he was going to garden, he needed to find a way to work with these awful creatures even though they terrified him. He starting asking questions about the worms, trying to learn as much as he could about them and what would happen if he touched one. He asked questions about

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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Introducing Jason Jackson

By Marilyn Glass

Jason Jackson, Director of Adult Discipleship, is accustomed to challenges, upheavals, or overly demanding schedules.

He, his wife, Sarah, and their three daughters have been in Tulsa since June of last year. It has been non-stop activity since their arrival.

Three weeks after they moved to Tulsa, their youngest, Lilah was born. “So we were dealing with a new job in a new city, had a new house and a new baby,” he mentions matter-of-factly.

Before coming here, Jason and his family were in Kentucky where he earned two degrees in three years—masters in both biblical and theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He then received a teaching fellowship and for five years taught Hebrew at his alma mater.

Simultaneously, he participated in a church plant in Kentucky, and as part of the leadership team, he served as teaching pastor before becoming lead pastor.

During this time, Sarah gave birth to two girls. Cora was born in 2009 during finals week of Jason’s last semester as a student and Avi was born in 2012.

About five months after Jason began serving as lead pastor for the church plant, he received a call, advising him of an opening here at Asbury.

“I had done my undergrad work at Oral Roberts University, and I served as a youth pastor for eight years in Tulsa. I also led the Metro Worship Network, and I was heavily involved at Metro Christian Academy during that time” he volunteers. “Through my participation in those various ministries, I had met a couple of guys who are members of this church. They thought of me when this position became available.”

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TIDINGS May / June 2015

As Jason learned more about the ministry position, he became more and more enthusiastic about its goals.

deeply intertwined. Our aim is to make disciples who make other disciples. Worship and service are a big part of that goal.”

“A new vision for the position was being articulated,” he explains. “Building on the good groundwork that had been laid, I was being given the opportunity to help develop a comprehensive, theologically coherent, and strategically clear discipleship pathway.”

He has experienced it first-hand. “I grew up in a small Iowa farming town,” he relates. “Our home was nominally Christian.

We identified ourselves as Christians, similar to how we identified ourselves as American or Iowans. We attended a Methodist church occasionally and always on the major holidays. But our faith didn’t extend beyond this.

He clarifies, “In the Great Commission, Jesus says that we are to make disciples. Then He indicates that discipleship contains four elements: 1. Baptizing them – the relational element. In baptism, we are immersed into the life of the Triune God and we are initiated into the church; 2. Teaching them – the education dimension. We are learning the way of Jesus; 3. To obey – the ethical component, which involves not just learning Jesus’ teachings, but living according to them; 4. Go and make disciples - the missional aspect, which like the ethical, is often neglected. This element is not just mission trips, outreach programs, etc., but actually is defined by reaching others in our neighborhoods and networks with the Good News of Christ.”

Then, when I was 16 years old, Jesus found me. This past March 28 marked the 20th anniversary of my initial salvation experience.”

His conversion came on the heels of tumultuous times. “As a sophomore, I went through several crisis. My cousin, who had been fighting cancer, had a setback—the cancer had returned; two weeks later my girlfriend broke up with me; three weeks after the breakup, my dad moved out; and approximately three weeks after that, my dad sat down with me and confessed some of his moral failures. My entire world was shaken off its foundations,” he recalls.

Jason summarizes the development process. “We have been in the learning and evaluating stages, and now we are beginning to develop. Our target is to develop a pathway that incorporates all these components while also being clear for people.”

“The next day I went to a neighbor, Ken. He was my exgirlfriend’s dad, and he was also my supervisor at the grocery store,” he recounts. “Somehow, I knew he was different and that he would care that I was falling apart. He shared Christ with me, and l responded. Later, he also shared with my brother, and his wife shared with my mother. Over time, all three of us had experienced new life in Christ.”

Jason likens the discipleship effort to getting ready to embark on a long hike. First, you orient yourself. You figure out where you are, where you are going and what you need for the journey. Then you acclimate. You adjust to the climate, altitude and terrain. Finally, you hike. Likewise, we want to help people to orient, acclimate and participate in discipleship through Asbury.

Jason recalls that he did not immediately get plugged into a church. But several months later, he started attending a high school guys’ Bible study that Ken led. It was then that he discovered his best friend had also given his life to Christ, but neither had told the other. Eventually, Jason began to attend the church where some of his friends led worship for the youth group.

“Right now, we are developing the orient and acclimate phases of our pathway. We are spending time planning, casting vision, writing curriculum, and piloting new courses with staff and key leaders, hopefully to bring unity, clarity and increase quality.”

He envisions these phases including a series of five-week classes that are surrounded by relationships with discipleship guides, additional experiences, etc. The first course covers the story of God. The others cover Scripture and prayer, worship and mission.

The following summer, Jason sensed God calling him into ministry. He shares, “I had always planned to be a doctor. That summer, I was one of 350 high school students who had traveled to Boston to attend the National Youth Forum on Medicine.

There we saw the inner workings of the world of medicine. It was so much fun, but I realized talking to others about God made me feel more alive. I began to recognize that I was being called into youth ministry. I wanted to be to others what Ken had been for me.”

He stresses the importance of worship and service opportunities in the overall objective. “Disciples worship and serve, but our worship experiences and service opportunities also disciple.

Asbury’s “map” is to worship, grow and influence. We often think of these as separate ministries or programs, but they are

There is a fascinating side note to this story. Jason’s cousin eventually died of cancer. Jason was able to go to Boston and participate in the Youth Forum because his cousin’s savings were given to him. That cousin was also the first person Jason led to Christ.

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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STUDENTS

We exceeded our giving goal of $150,00 to everyone for supporting us. You help to spread the mess Houston • • • • • • • • •

66 kids 17 leaders Intercity service every day Played at Section 8 housing apartments Had conversations about the Lord with the children Visited local parks to talk with the homeless Urban Plunge 4,480 pounds of food sorted each day at the food bank 1,600 lunches made each day for kids’ meals to hand out in the neighborhoods (their only meal that day comes from us) • Visited a nursing home and bonded with residents

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TIDINGS May / June 2015

STUDENTS

00 for Spring Break Missions! Thank you ped send 301 students and 103 leaders sage of God’s love.

Kentucky • 10 teams – building relationships with homeowners and team members • 8 Worksites plus work projects at Red Bird • Construction projects for roofs, decks, ramps, ceiling, fence, banisters and stairs, trailer underpinning, and removing old building and debris • 25+ packs of shingles • Over 5,000 nails • Over 3,000 screws • Dug 42 holes for 42 posts • Removed 1 telephone pole • 30 (80 lb) bags of cement • 1,000 deck and fence nails • 8 sheets of tin metal

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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STUDENTS

Tucson • 6,400 sacks of food put together to serve hungry families • 80+ mattresses delivered to kids in foster care • Birthday party thrown for a 16-year-old girl who had never had a birthday party before • Helped frame walls for a church on Indian reservation • Countless hours served beautifying Tucson

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TIDINGS May / June 2015

STUDENTS

Jamaica • • • • • • •

7 work teams 69 total of leaders and kids Attended five different churches Prayer-walked through the neighborhood for the families Ran VBS in eight classrooms – detective theme Seven construction sites Hospital and infirmary visits to hand out crosses and read Psalms to residents • Building relationships with children, elderly and workmen

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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STUDENTS

Belize • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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6 small groups 42 students 19 leaders 3 different worksites School ministry playing outdoor games such as Simon Says, soccer, parachute Reading and singing songs to classroom Morning devotion with the children Visited retirement center one morning out of the week Played dominoes, sang songs, talked and told testimonials with residents Built two chicken coops and led three different VBS’s in the afternoon with around 250 kids - The theme was lost coin, lost sheep and lost son Built gardens and planted seeds, half for a family and half for the church to sell Lots of cross-cultural getting to know one another Led worship songs at the high school and students gave testimonials

TIDINGS May / June 2015

STUDENTS

Guatemala • Delivered food baskets to strangers in the roughest area in Guatemala – Paradise –– We would stay and pray over each family –– Went to each house in groups of 5-6 • In the last house, a group of girls washed the woman’s feet, prayed healing over her and sang hymns with her and the lady sang with them in Spanish • Visited orphanage, Hope for Tomorrow, and brought new clothes and shoes –– Took the kids to the park every day –– Helped run a VBS in the classrooms • Went to Engadi Boys Ranch to pray over city and the boys who have been pulled out of gangs • Construction projects –– We built a road at the Engadi ranch –– We built a bathroom at the orphanage as well as painted rooms, built an area for a playground, knocked out a wall in the front yard, and dug a giant hole for a water heater.

–– We also painted a neighborhood wall in Paradise one day • Students prayed over each other and leaders one day • Students prayed over a man with no arms one day in paradise. The man was electrocuted 35 years ago and has had prosthetic arms ever since

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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CARE AND MARRIAGE

surgeon, but the first appointment she could get was three months away. However, Lynn had an earlier appointment, which she gave to Joey.

The doctors discovered that Joey had Stage 1, Grade 3 breast cancer, an aggressively growing cancer not hormonally based— meaning there is no preventative follow-up medication available post surgery. Joey had experienced no symptoms whatsoever.

Immediately, a port was inserted and she began three months of aggressive chemotherapy, followed by a lumpectomy and 12 weeks of radiation.

“I was diagnosed just before Thanksgiving,” Joey relates. “It was supposed to be a big year of celebrations. I got the news two months before my 40th birthday and three months before my 20th wedding anniversary. I had two young boys at the time, ages 6 and 8. I kept thinking that I just did not have time for this.”

Her chemo caused bone pain and nausea, and of course, loss of hair. “But we decided to make it as positive an experience as possible,” she says. “At some point, we shaved my head. But before all my hair was gone, my husband gave me a mohawk haircut.”

The haircut was done outside on a windy day. As her tresses of hair fell to the ground, the wind picked them up, and they were gone in an instant. Her husband laughingly said, “Oh, look, kids. Mom’s hair is blowing away.”

Kim Strom and Joey Kanter

Covered by Love Reaching Out with Bears, Hats and Quilts

By Marilyn Glass

Joey Kanter’s life has been touched by cancer. Actually, her life and that of her mother and sister have been ravaged by cancer.

Joey was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2012; her sister, Lynn Wallace, found out about her breast cancer the following month; and in June 2013, her mother was diagnosed with the same disease, however, it was Stage IV breast cancer.

Joey first learned she had breast cancer after undergoing a regular mammogram with St. Francis Breast Center. After her diagnosis, she tried to schedule an appointment with a breast

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Joey was a single mom during the week. “My husband’s work took him out of town during the week and so, even in the midst of the chemo and surgery, I almost always picked up the boys from school,” she notes. “I would show up at school wearing silly hats, or a Katy Perry blue wig, or in a healing hat,” provided by Asbury.

Wearing the healing hats brought her comfort and encouragement.

The hats are products of a group of women at Asbury who come together to knit hats, which are then prayed over and given to cancer victims. “I could go into Tulsa Cancer Institute to choose a hat. There was always a good selection of colors and styles, and I didn’t have to go into a store where people would stare at me. It felt like a no-judgment zone. Plus the hats were made of a nice, soft yarn and they were so soothing to the touch.”

Two years prior to Joey’s diagnosis, her sister Lynn had begun to feel flu-like symptoms—aches and pains, weight loss and a general malaise. She was checked for lupus, but nothing was found. Then, because of her knowledge of Joey’s situation, she insisted on a biopsy. That is when her breast cancer was detected.

“I first had the port implanted into my body, then Lynn had the lumpectomy, then I had my chemo, then Lynn had radiation therapy, then I had a lumpectomy, then Mom was diagnosed when I was going through radiation,” Joey details. “We had noticed that Mom was losing more and more weight. When

TIDINGS May / June 2015

CARE AND MARRIAGE

we got her in to see the doctor, she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. It had metastasized to her liver and bones.”

Joan, Joey’s mother

Joey and Lynn were emotionally supporting each other and going through the various treatments together when their mother, Joan Syverson, received her diagnosis.

Suddenly, Joey and her sister were not just responsible for their own care and wellbeing; they also had to help their mother.

“In the period of time when Lynn and I underwent our own treatments and recoveries, we had to find assisted living for Mom and basically take care of her needs.”

Joey reveals that her mother was very self-conscious about losing her hair. “She was so touched and grateful to have the healing hats. She was quite fashion-conscious and loved that she could choose from a variety of hats and color coordinate. Even in the hospital, you could hear her saying, ‘Oooh, let me try that one on.’ She was fun.”

Joan also received a quilt from Asbury. “She loved it and had it on her bed every day. It was one of her prized possessions. The quilt was navy and white—her favorite colors. We took it with us to her funeral,” Joey comments.

“We had 19 wonderful months with Mom after her cancer was discovered. She just so enjoyed her grandchildren and especially wanted to enjoy the holidays with her family. One of the last meals she ordered was a corn dog from Sonic. She was such a joy—laughing and joking until the end.”

Almost always, the death of a person leaves in its wake grief and pain. Often, some of those dealing with loss are children.

“Well, Grandma did not go to the doctor early enough,” she answered. “She is in God’s hands. But you can always come to safe places. You’ve got Mom, Dad, your school counselor, your aunt and your church family.”

Joan passed away on February 9, 2015. That same week, the boys’ school counselor presented them with a stuffed teddy bear in a bag. A compassionate group of people, a part of the Asbury Care Ministry, makes the bags available to children who are grieving the loss of a loved one. “My older son named his bear Ninji. It means so much to him. He carries it everywhere,” Joey declares.

“He was hit really hard by my mom’s death. My younger son is more quiet and reserved. He calls his bear Billy. It was a little harder to read his reaction.”

The bears were delivered to Joey’s sons by Kim Strom, a school counselor at Cedar Ridge Elementary School, who works with children from Pre-K to 5th grade. “This is a great service that Asbury provides,” she exclaims. “There is a great demand for the bears. I often get requests from my principal to provide a bear to a child who has lost a loved one. I recently received six bears and I have already given them all away. They are so cute and colorful.”

Kim has witnessed first-hand the comfort they bring to children. “The bears are sometimes a point of contact, something tangible that says ‘we care.’ They are very helpful to parents and caregivers. They can serve as a sweet reminder of a loved one and help with remembrance. Children have reported that they made them happy and proud.”

Kim would like to thank everyone who helps support this service to children. “It is so nice to deal with gracious, accommodating, caring people,” she states.

Joey echoes Kim’s sentiments. “It is so wonderful that the people at Asbury would do this—the hats, the quilts, the bears—for perfect strangers. They have shown such kindness to us—and we attend a different church.”

When her mother became ill, Joey explained to her sons that their grandmother had the same disease she had, but that while she and Lynn were cancer-free, Grandma could not be cured, and they were going to try to make her comfortable and keep her with them as long as possible.

Asbury Bear Bags Asbury Bear Bags with a coloring book or scripture-based journal are great for all ages. Anyone may deliver an Asbury bear to someone who is grieving. Pick up bags at the south Guest Services desk.

“They were stunned,” Joey reveals. “I told them that we would spend as much quality time as possible with her. I reminded them that she was still the fun and silly Grandma they knew— that we would play board games and watch movies, as before, but that we had to be more careful with her. I urged them to be brave and strong.”

Healing Hats Ministry Crocheted and knitted hats or decorated ball caps are provided to cancer patients who have lost their hair. They are available by contacting Sue Fisher at 918.455.2816.

Her older son was devastated. He lashed out. “So she is gonna die of the disease you just had. How is that fair?”

Quilting Ministry Lap quilts warm and comfort those who need to feel the loving presence of God in their lives. They may be picked up by contacting Ruth Winn at 918.392.1146.

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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CARE AND MARRIAGE

Mother’s Day—the Rest of the Story

By Charlene Giles

F

lowers. Picturesque multigenerational family picnics. Sentimental cards with syrupy words of praise. Long phone conversations. FaceTime with far-away children who want to be sure to reconnect with good ‘ole mom. There are so many gestures that say, “I love you!” That’s what Mother’s Day is all about, right? Or not?

Maybe Mother’s Day for you is a bittersweet time. You were blessed with a godly role model and never took her for granted. You and your mother had a mutually affirming, supportive connection, and you miss her more than you can say since she passed away.

Maybe Mother’s Day only reminds you of the difficult mother who raised you. The barbs, even times of outright abuse your mother dished out have left scars even all these years later. In fact, she may continue to dishonor you today.

Where do you find a card that lets you be honestly affirming without insincere accolades?

Maybe you long to become a mother, but it just hasn’t happened. You endure the frequent, “When are you planning to have children?” remarks. Your savings have been depleted in multiple attempts to conceive. You have applied for adoption through several avenues, but you are on hold. You know you should focus on the blessings God has already given, yet your heart aches.

Maybe your adult children seem to have forgotten you. You try to never be demanding, but you miss them. You’ve lowered your expectations. You’ve given them the benefit of the doubt. (After all, they are so busy!) Yet, when you go to bed on Mother’s Day night, you can’t ignore your disappointment that once again they didn’t connect.

This Mother’s Day, instead of assuming it is a joyful holiday for all, watch and listen for opportunities to connect with someone who has an alternative story to tell.

Make the day about honoring and caring for others. Visit a nursing home. Talk with your neighbor; are they alone?

Send flowers to your daughter or granddaughter. Were you raised by a father? Then take him to lunch! Send a Mother’s Day card to a person who is not related but has seemed like a mother to you. Arrange to have a cup of tea with a senior-age woman you care about and ask questions about her childhood. Then we will be serving as a conduit of Christ’s love for each hurting soul.

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TIDINGS May / June 2015

GUEST SERVICES

Hospitality Matters

Thinking about serving?

The Guest Services team has a unique opportunity to create a great experience for everyone who walks through our doors on Sunday morning.

Our team came together last year in April when the “new” Sunday morning services were implemented. We didn’t really know one another, and many were meeting for the first time. We’re a diverse group!

Some of us are single. Some of us are newly married. Some have been married for decades. We are empty-nesters. We are parents of newborn babies. We are 20-something’s, 30-something’s, and all the way up to 60-something’s. What began

a year ago has become a community of believers from all walks of life—sharing our joys and laughs, and sometimes, sharing our pains and struggles. God has blessed us, and our group has bonded and grown together. Most of us joined the Host Team because we wanted to serve our church. But in return, we have received much more. We have forged new friendships and a sense of community!

–Marcia Curley, Host Captain

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

• Let your guard down.

Become a part of God’s plan for Asbury.

–Nick Hawkins, Greeting Team • No better way to start your week than with a few hundred smiling face and sincere “Good Mornings.”

–Ed Miller, Greeting Team • It is fun and easy to brighten up people’s days. It leaves you excited about the rest of your day as people leave with smiles on their faces.

–Jody Vivion, Greeting Captain

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DISCIPLESHIP

RoadMap Summer 2015 Welcome Welcome to RoadMap, your guide for opportunities available this summer for spiritual growth and development.

Steps to Enrollment 1. Register online at www.asburytulsa.org under Quicklinks/Adults/RoadMap or call the Registration Hotline at 918.392.1191 if you do not have computer access.

2. Books will be available the first day of class.

3. Please pay online or the teacher the first night of class. Only those who have registered ahead of time are guaranteed materials so please register early.

To insure that you will have materials by the first class session: Register at least two weeks prior to the start date. Registrations will be accepted up to the start of the class, but no guarantees will be made concerning your materials. Please help us to be ready for you; register early!

Child Care Child care is available Wednesday evenings 6:00 - 9:00 pm • For anyone in a RoadMap course with children ages 6 weeks through sixth grade • Children may be dropped off 15 minutes before parent’s RoadMap class begins

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JUNE The New Rules for Love, Sex & Dating (Andy Stanley DVD series) Instructors: Scott & Kelly Luttenberg Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm June 17 – July 8 Room 2500 Cost: $15 In this study, Andy Stanley explores the challenges, assumptions and land mines associated with dating in the 21st century. Best of all, he offers the most practical and uncensored advice you will ever hear on the topic.

Not for the faint of heart, this study challenges singles to step up and set a new standard for this generation.

DVD & discussion. For singles or couples, ages 16 and above.

Heaven, Hell and Life After Death Nancy Staab Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:00 am June 16 – July 21 Room 1504 Cost $10 Discover what God says about death, dying and life after death. Many people are intrigued by what lies beyond death’s door, but we live in a time when we are bombarded with many conflicted views. How can we be sure what is true?

In this eye-opening study, you’ll examine the Bible’s answers about death and what comes next. As you confront the inevitability of death in the context of the promise of heaven

and the reality of hell, you will be challenged to examine your heart and, in doing so, find that in grabbing hold of the hope of eternal life, the sting of death is replaced with peace.

NO HOMEWORK

JULY Journey Toward Significance through Your One Degree Dr. Pat Cahoun Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm July 8 – August 12 Room 2821 Cost: $35, includes workbook and online assessment, Uniquely You Discover your purpose by reviewing why you were created. Reflect on your life experiences and how they coincide with your drivers, spiritual gifts, interests, personality and skills.

Emotional/Relational Fitness Workshop Jenniffer Callaway, MHR Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 pm July 22 – August 12 Room 2820 No cost Explore how we love, the influence of family heritage, and how to develop biblical relationships. We identify patterns that affect emotional fitness.

Four sessions explore challenges to fulfilling friendships, parent/ child relationships, male/female relationships and work relationships.

Attend alone or with a friend.

For more information, pick up a RoadMap brochure at any Guest Services desk or visit www.asburytulsa.org/roadmap. If you have questions, email discipleship@asburytulsa.org or contact Robin Brush at 918.392.1133.

TIDINGS May / June 2015

PRAYER

Overcoming Common Obstacles to Prayer

By Jackie Carter

S

omeone posed the question, “Why don’t I pray more?” I couldn’t help but wonder why people who believe in God, believe He is a healer, believe He answers prayer, still have difficulty praying.

going to have 30–60 minutes to spend exclusively with Him, I would need Him to find time for me. He did! He wakes me up at 4:30 every morning. Now I have time! It has become the sweetest part of my day. However, it requires absolute commitment.

The Bible clearly directs us to pray.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 we read, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Satan loves to control our time. He certainly doesn’t want us connected to his enemy. That would decrease his influence in our lives. If we’re not absolutely committed to spending time alone with God, Satan will take over. He has other plans for us, and prayer provides us the armor to fight off his influences.

So what gets in our way?

Another obstacle is DISTRACTIONS.

There are many reason we don’t pray and they are probably different for each of us. Here are a few.

People ask…“Why is it when I start to pray, 50 other things come into my mind?” Our minds are busy; we think about our day, our problems, demanding jobs, we feel rushed and the list goes on.

Our God, THE God of the entire universe, wishes to have a personal love relationship with us. It’s just like any other relationship. It requires communication. I love the example of a couple trying to develop a relationship. One says, “Honey, I love you so much that I’m going to try to spend five whole minutes with you every single day.” How far do you think that relationship will go?

Is this what we do to God? Do we tell him we love him, want a relationship with him, yet don’t make time to be with him?

One obstacle is TIME. In today’s busy world, everything seems to interfere with our time with God. To have that personal relationship with God, we need to get our priorities straight and develop self-discipline.

We need to determine where, when and how much time we are going to spend with God. It is like managing our money; if we don’t have a budget, we spend on whatever meets our fancy. The same is true with time. If we don’t plan time with God, our time goes to whatever is urgent at the moment. Often we wait to pray until the end of day as we drag our tired bodies into bed. As we close our eyes we simply drift off to sleep.

Satan takes full advantage of this human characteristic and uses it to his benefit. Anything he can do to pull us away from God makes his goal complete. This obstacle seems to be pretty universal, so rather than allowing it to frustrate us, accept it and prepare for it.

Enter into prayer by quieting ourselves. Remind ourselves that we are coming before God. Take a deep breath, invite/allow the Holy Spirit to be present.

Then just talk to God. It doesn’t need to be fancy words; it just needs to come from your heart. He is your Father. He loves you.

He wants a relationship with you.

If we don’t set aside time to spend with the Lord, we may forget him completely or He gets the leftover crumbs.

Another obstacle is failure of ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT. Our intentions are good, but we allow “life” to get in our way.

To build that “love relationship” with God, we need to commit to a specific block of time we faithfully give to Him. I remember telling God that I didn’t have any time in my day, and if I was

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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GRANDPA JOHN

my mother’s death. He began to play the role of both father and mother to me. I think God is like this—He also plays the mother role as He states in Isaiah 49:15: “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.”

My Father

By Mary Kim Westervelt Gray

I

have a picture that I love of my father, my brother and me. I am about 3 years old. I am sitting snuggled against him, as he works on a kite. You can clearly discern how much I love being in my daddy’s presence.

I have been blessed with a father who truly represents our Heavenly Father.

My dad has modeled attributes of God, such as loving kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and integrity throughout my lifetime.

My father grew up during the depression, so he has always understood the value of money and hard work. He worked well into his 70s for the pure joy of using his mind and contributing to society. He modeled that work is a good thing. As a result of Dad’s influence, I often pray Psalm 90:16, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”

The thing that I admire most about my father was how he dealt with my mother’s death. My dad didn’t stop living and shut himself off after my mother died. If anything, he used his grief to propel himself into a new chapter of life. He volunteered at church with the preschoolers and spent extra time with my nephew and niece. My father came to Dallas for each of my birthdays after

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My father encouraged me to buy a house when I was still single. He showed faith in me and then helped me beautify my home by making stained glass windows for it. I sense my father’s gentle spirit and his artistic nature every time I walk into our entrance hallway and see the stained glass windows that he so beautifully crafted. My father was pleased when I married late in life and has been very supportive of my marriage. When my husband and I adopted two children, my father rejoiced in the “grandchildren of his old age” as he referred to them on one occasion. My father’s encouragement can best be summarized by a birthday note he wrote me in 2007, “Happy Birthday, Mary Kim, I wonder why God from the many possibilities, blessed me with you. I think of your childhood, adult years, and your motherhood and see each as its own blessing. Love you, Dad.” My father knows and loves Jesus intimately, and through that relationship, he has enriched and blessed my life. I thank God every day for the earthly father He chose to give me.

raise a son to authentic manhood. Either way, I fondly remember the countless hours we spent at the workbench in the garage, under the hood of the car, doing carpentry and painting projects and camping. What I experienced as fun Saturday projects I later realized were his way providing me with useful skills that would serve me well for a lifetime. Hard work, good stewardship, pride in craftsmanship and leadership development are just a few of the many lessons I learned without knowing I was in school—dad’s school of life.

My father was also careful to bring other capable men into my life so that I could experience the fraternity of male Christ followers. Nowhere was this more evident than in the Scouts and on my uncle’s hog farm where boys and men did things that boys and men do with sharp objects and power tools: chopping, mucking, shooting, burning, whittling, driving, hiking, talking, with some hijinks mixed in along the way.

Now with children and grandchildren of my own, I am forever grateful that my father was such a great practitioner of Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

My Father

By Paul Westervelt

A

s it turns out, my father is not only an electrical engineer but also a talented carpenter, mechanic, painter, wood carver, builder and Scout leader. Growing up in the 60s, though, I thought we were just doing fun things together.

I’m still not sure if my father was a master strategist or just a dad who wanted to

TIDINGS May / June 2015

To read more stories go to www.jwestervelt.com.

You can click on a link there to download my books from Kindle.

ASBURY FOUNDATION

Have You Thought of Tithing Your Will or Trust?

By Pastor Guy Ames

M

y father’s growing forgetfulness didn’t surprise our family, because he had always been forgetful; but when he began to lose his way driving from home to church, we knew that we had a serious problem. Being the oldest, I searched for any important legal documents and to my great relief discovered that some years earlier Dad had prepared his final will and durable power of attorney. For the next eight years, until his death, I knew what Dad’s wishes were and had the ability to care for him according to those wishes.

Scholarship Fund. Since its inception, the Mason Scholarship Fund has supported more than 20 Oklahomans in attending Asbury Theological Seminary. Pastor Tom Harrison likes to quote another great leader, “as the seminary goes, so goes the church.” Asbury Seminary currently educates more than 20 percent of all new United Methodist pastors, and the impact of the Mason Fund has been to provide exceptional biblical training for Oklahoma pastors. In the last 15 years, the Mason Scholarship Fund has not only provided financial support for dozens of Oklahoma church leaders, but as that fund continues to grow, we know that we will have funds to support hundreds more leaders in the future.

The last request of our parents was to tithe his estate and to make a charitable contribution to a special ministry. Not until Dad had been a preacher for 10 years did he discover the joy of tithing. He would tell congregations that this was his conversion moment, that until he learned to let God have his wallet, he didn’t let God have his heart. For the rest of his life, he insisted on being more than a tither to God’s Kingdom business. I wasn’t surprised when he left instructions to tithe his will.

Pastor Tom loves to preach about giving and recently reminded us of the joy of generosity. The blessing of the Asbury Foundation is that the joy of giving can continue beyond our lives. Have you made a will or formed a trust? Making a will can become one of the most loving ways of caring for your loved ones. There are so many benefits to leaving a will or trust. Have you thought of tithing your will? If not, then I pray that you will begin giving serious thought to this possibility. Nearly 3,000 years ago, Solomon left this wisdom, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children...” (Proverbs 13: 22a (NIV)) Perhaps we might add, “a thoughtful Christian leaves an inheritance for the sake of God’s future children.”

Asbury’s Foundation was created 20 years ago in order to establish endowed funds allowing members to make contributions that would continue growing and giving long after the end of life.

One of the first and strongest endowed funds was the Bill Mason

If you are interested in helping us leave a lasting legacy for future ministries through Asbury and would like more information please contact Pastor Guy Ames at games@asburytulsa.org or call at 918.392.1125.

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Deaths Billie Randle died 2/2/2015, spouse of Jim Randle Ross Vrooman died 2/7/2015, spouse of Ina Vrooman Hughes Coston died 2/14/2015, spouse of Pat Coston Doni Moore died 2/21/2015, spouse of Jim Moore Wilma Hall died 2/24/2015 Jack Tannehill died 2/24/2015, spouse of Clarice Tannehill Gladys Murphy died 2/25/2015, spouse of Bob Murphy Bernice Jensen died 2/28/2015 Audrey Jeffus died 3/1/2015, spouse of Edison Jeffus

Ivey “Brown” Joyner died 3/4/2015, father of Marc Joyner Kay Welch died 3/9/2015 Denny Jackson died 3/12/2015, spouse of Peggy Jackson June Carr died 3/13/2015 Ted Wellendorf died 3/14/2015, spouse of Virginia Wellendorf Joe Barnard died 3/15/2015, spouse of Jenni Barnard Joseph Barnard died 3/15/2015, spouse of Virginia Barnard Sally Byrd died 3/19/2015, sister of Patsy (Dale) Hair Dr. John Smith died 3/30/2015, spouse of Shirley Ann Smith

Milestone Anniversaries 70 YEARS Sid & Maxine Lee 6/23/45

65 YEARS Alden & Sarah Miller 6/04/50 Clyde & Mary Johnson 6/11/50

60 YEARS Mel & Mary Pearson 6/01/55 Bill & Dorothy Kisselburg 6/24/55

55 YEARS Richard & Linda Polk 6/04/60

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Jim & Christine VanderLind 6/18/60 Randy & Fannie Edens 6/18/60 Jim & Danys Self 6/17/60

40 YEARS

50 YEARS

Joel & Sue Crum 4/20/85

Red & Phyllis Sheffield 6/01/65 Russ & Sue Roth 6/26/65 Jim & Joy Hatch 6/26/65

45 YEARS Jack & Debbie Crissup 5/23/70 David & Nancy Frampton 6/19/70

TIDINGS May / June 2015

Terry & Barbara White 6/20/75

30 YEARS

20 YEARS Mark & Ann Krueger 5/27/95

5 YEARS Doug & Carolyn Watts 4/17/10 Ray & Beth Hudson 5/01/10

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alden & Sarah Miller 6/04/50

Mel & Mary Pearson 6/01/55

Bill & Dorothy Kisselburg 6/24/55

Richard & Linda Polk 6/04/60

Jim & Christine VanderLind 6/18/60

Jim & Danys Self 6/17/60

Red & Phyllis Sheffield 6/01/65

Russ & Sue Roth 6/26/65

Jim & Joy Hatch 6/26/65

May / June 2015 TIDINGS

27

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Members

Linda Andrews

Robert and Karen Kralicek

Mark and Amy Perdue with Luc and Ryan

Cynthia Smith

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Christopher and Amy Beaudoin with Carver

Susan Frazier

Toby and Amy Leddy with Anne and John

Gary and Debbie Persing

Ross and Kristen Wirth

Jeremy and Cynthia Hillshafer

Charles and Dorothy Maddin

Ray and Penny Richardson

Brian and Katie Woodliff

TIDINGS May / June 2015

Dolores Hoffman

Craig and Tracey Panhofer with Caeli and Gabriel

Jennifer Roberts

Connor Schneider

Tony and Athena Zeoli with Logan, Gabby, Eli and Tali

Worship Times 8:00 am Traditional Service in Mason Chapel

Looking for Tidings Opportunities?

9:15 am Traditional Service in Sanctuary

We’ve moved that information to Asbury’s Resource Area located in the main lobby.

11:00 am Modern Service in Sanctuary

You can also find information online at www.asburytulsa.org.

General Information Surgery or Hospitalization When you enter the hospital, please designate Asbury as your church. Otherwise, we will not know you are there and a pastor will not know to visit. Some hospitals in the Tulsa area do not ask for this information, so you will need to alert Asbury at 918.492.1771, Monday–Thursday from 8:30 am–5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am–noon. The after-hour hospitalization and surgery line can be reached at 918.392.1198 and is checked each weekday at 8:30 am. If you know ahead of time and would like a pastor to do a pre-surgery visit, please call 918.492.1771. We encourage you to use the Hospital Visit Online Form. This can be accessed at any time and is a great way to get your message seen in a timely manner. (Go to www.asburytulsa.org and click on “Get Help” in the center of the page. Next, you will see “Hospital Visits” as the second option where you can click on the “submit a hospital request” link). If this is a surgery, please let us know the date and time of surgery in the comments section. Please know that Asbury pastors want to be in prayer for you and your family.

After-hour Emergencies If you have an emergency or death to report after hours, please

call 918.392.1192 and leave a message for the pastor on call. You will be contacted as soon as possible.

Prayer Line If you would like for Asbury’s prayer team to pray for you, please call 918.392.1142 to leave your prayer request which will be included on Asbury’s prayer list.

Death in the Family When a family member dies, you should make one phone call automatically. Contact Victoria Williamson at 918.492.1771 and she will help you make arrangements for your loved one. Victoria will also work with your family to arrange the memorial service at Asbury. www.myasburytulsa.org This website is available to all members as a way to update your contact information, register for events, give online and indicate ministries you would like to receive communication from.

Make sure you have an account and check it out. If you have any problems setting up your account, call Kim at 918.392.2159 or email her at krenkema@asburytulsa.org.

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THE END (TILL NEXT YEAR)