Winter 2015 | Community Spirit Magazine by Community Spirit Magazine

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Contents FEATURES 6 Community Spirit Goes QUARTERLY! 7 Climb Kilimanjaro with Our Publisher 8 FamilyLife Conference 11 Children’s Ministry Expo 14 Ewomen Comes to Tulsa 18 Cancer Treatment Centers of America 24 You CAN Quit! 30 Senior Scams 34 New Year’s Resolutions - Dr. Dennis Demuth 37 GoWorkPlan 38 Tulsa Workshop Bringing Brandon Hatmaker COLUMNS 22 ACT Financial 26 Mollie Myers 27 Deniece Adsit 28 Pet Corner 29 Cornerstone Counseling Center 32 Biggest Loser 33 Michael Watkins – Fitness Together 36 Premier Advisors

C o m m u n i t y S p i ri tma g a zi n e.com Wint e r 2015

Winter 2015 PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud CREATIVE Director Ramond Walker COVER PHOTO BY Don Kreutzweiser CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Danny Cahill, Deniece Adsit, Kevin Nieman, Dr. Scott Nicholson, Michael Watkins www.mccloudmedia.com • www.communityspiritmagazine.com Distribution Community Spirit Magazine is distributed to churches, schools, restaurants, Christian bookstores, and other businesses. Call us today to deliver to your church. Community Spirit Magazine is published monthly by McCloud Media. Claims by advertisers and the opinions of writers within this publication do not necessarily represent the views of Community Spirit Magazine or its publisher, Equipment Publications, Inc. Philippians 2:1-2 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Our Mission: 1. Build Community – Develop a sense of community among all local believers in Christ 2. Inspire Good Works 3. Support Families 4. Share the Good News of Jesus Christ Fan us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CommunitySpiritMagazine

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from the publisher

BIG, IMPORTANT News for Community Spirit Readers!

fter 180 consecutive monthly issues … 15 years of putting out over three and a half million magazines, Community Spirit is making a BIG change! Starting with this issue, we are going…QUARTERLY! No, you won’t see a magazine every month and that is a shame in some ways. However, now you can watch for bigger, better and fancier issues in the following months…

January (Winter Issue) April (Spring Issue) July (Summer Issue) October (Fall Issue)

Including a Publisher’s Choice Directory in each issue! You won’t see much difference in this, the January magazine, but the April one will have a new look, will be considerably more pages, with even more testimonies, things to know, and columns that will inspire you toward more good works and a closer walk with the Lord.

“I believe this is a great move for the magazine and that you are going to truly enjoy the difference,” -Tom McCloud, Publisher.

AND…Just in case you happen to miss one of the new QUARTERLY magazines, you can always read us online at communityspiritmagazine.com.

LOOK FORWARD TO More Pages! More Stories! More Testimonies! More Columns!

Got Something to Tell or a Testimony to Share? Send us an email to tom@communityspiritmagazine.com.

Got a Product or Event to Promote? Consider advertising in Community Spirit. It works! Call Tom at 918-625-5324 or send an email to tom@communityspiritmagazine.com.

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ciimb mount kilimanjaro

Ever Dreamed of Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?

Come Climb with Us

ublisher, Tom McCloud, is gathering up a team of men to make the monumental climb this summer. Maybe you should join in the challenge? Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain and is located in Tanzania, on the western coast of Africa. Described as a non-technical climb, the 19,341-foot summit, called “The Roof of Africa,” is assessable to young and old. It doesn’t require ropes or other mountain climbing skills. However, it is one tough challenge, calling only the most adventurous and determined, willing to battle the elements and the dangers of the high altitude. Tom explains that the group is planning an 8-day climb followed by a Safari through Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, they will experience the African wilderness first-hand. The costs for the trip are being nailed down now, but will be

approximately $3500 per person plus another $2500 or so in airfare. The group plans to take a film crew along on the climb to catch footage to be used in producing a Video Bible Study. “Especially men in their 50s and older are mesmerized by Kilimanjaro and of the challenge of this climb. We plan to capitalize on that interest and use the backdrop of the mountain to create a Bible study on how God has always called men to mountaintop experiences,” Tom explained. If Kilimanjaro is on YOUR BUCKET LIST and you want to know more, contact Tom for a special invitation to an Information Meeting to be held on Tuesday night, January 20th. He will give you the exact details when you call him at 918-625-5324 or email him at tom@communityspiritmagazine.com. C ommu n itysp ir itma ga zin e.c om

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family life today

A Valentines Day You Will Never Forget A Unique Marriage Conference!

A Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway February 13-15 at The Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center

our marriage has value! Whether you have been married only a few months or for many decades, from a practical standpoint, your marriage just might be one of the most valuable treasures you own. You disagree? Just think of all you have put into this partnership. Aside from all the financial and time investments, lets face it; your marriage has become a huge part of who you are. Great marriages are often synonymous with great families, friends, reputations and even bank accounts. Your marriage is worth your investment. It was easier in the beginning, when the romance was strong and before so many responsibilities started to get in the way. As time goes on however, even the best relationships can be strained. So how about YOURS? Whether it is great or whether you are only one last fight away from splitting up, there is an INVESTMENT you really should make. It is called “A Weekend to Remember®” and it has been designed just for you. Thousands of couples say it has made an incredible difference in their marriage and we believe it will for yours as well. Now, before you roll your eyes and turn the page, give this some attention. First of all, lets put your mind at ease. This is not… Some lecture by “talking head” psychologists. One of those group things that make you feel uncomfortable. A small group thing where you are expected to “share.” Or a touchy-feely moment without substance. You AND your spouse are going to truly enjoy this. It is good stuff taught by real couples who understand that marriage can be tough. In fact, the Weekend to Remember is the result of more than three decades of biblical research by a team of men and women who understand the challenges and what it takes to have a successful marriage and family. The speakers will show you exactly how to pursue a marriage that really works through their own stories of their own breakthroughs and blunders. Over one single weekend, you will leave with a new-found source of encouragement, hope

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for your marriage as well as practical tools to build and grow your relationship.

Still Apprehensive? You won’t be alone. In fact, Pat and Deborah Calhoun, Area Directors of the event (pictured on the cover), were not sure what they had gotten themselves into when they walked into their first Weekend to Remember. In fact, Deborah says that she had many reasons not to want to be there. She didn’t think they needed it, didn’t want to spend the money, and after a long week at work, she sure didn’t want to give up her weekend sitting and listening to boring speakers. She recalls that she couldn’t imagine why Pat wanted to do this, but she gave in and went, expecting the worst. Pat was a bit more prepared. He had attended a men’s Bible Study at Asbury United Methodist Church and one of the books the men had read was Dennis Rainey’s One Home at a Time. In the book, Rainey expressed that to successfully impact culture, we need to start with our own family. “He talked about the Weekend to Remember and it sounded great so when I heard it was coming, I signed us up,” Pat explained. Deborah now jokes that there are often track marks made by either the man or woman as their spouse drags them into the event. “I was one of those, but within the first hour, I knew I was going to really enjoy the weekend and it turned out to be a life-changing event. We had so much fun the first evening, I couldn’t wait to go back the next day,” she said. “We learned many things, especially that the fights or disagreements we were having were not unique to us. In fact, they are common. We learned tools and techniques to resolve the issues and I absolutely learned that my mate is NOT the enemy. We do have an enemy who is trying to destroy our marriages, but my mate is not the enemy and once I began to understand that, it completely changed how I addressed disagreements. From then on, I refused to let the enemy win,” Pat explained.

It has been fifteen years since Pat and Deborah took that first step. Since then, investing in their relationship has become a continuous and natural thing. “Weekend to Remember was a turning point for us. It helped me to understand him and appreciate him more and it taught me to look for ways to communicate love and respect to him,” Deborah said. Ever since then, they have continued to go to Weekends to Remember and to volunteer to work with FamilyLife to ensure other couples have a chance to experience it as well. Believing it is a good for every marriage, they often suggest it for couples even contemplating marriage. They also contend it is good for couples

96% of past guests agree Weekend to Remember had a positive impact on their marriage. 8 out of 10 “unhealthy” marriages moved to “healthy” marriages after attending one event. who are having trouble and also for couples with seemingly great marriages. Working the events, they are in a position to see firsthand how powerful the weekend can be. They recall many couples who have come were ready to divorce. Coming just to get their spouse “off their back,” the weekend has changed their lives and turned their marriage around. The Weekend to Remember truly can be a weekend which will change your life. It is worth the investment and promises to be lots of fun as well.

Sign Up! Use the Community Spirit Password and Save Money! The Cost? Sign up before January 26th AND use the group name “SPIRIT” and you will receive what equates to a BOGO, a special Buy One, Get One Free deal. Use the group discount, and get in for HALF PRICE! Regular Price is $299.99 per couple Community Spirit Group Price is only $149.99 per couple. USE GROUP NAME: “Spirit”. You will also want to hurry to make room reservations, to take advantage of the additional discount room offer and to get a room before they are all gone. Need More Info? Ready to Sign Up? Log onto www.familylife. com/weekend.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN During The Weekend to Remember Getaway, you will receive marriagechanging principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives that will strengthen your marriage. You will learn how to: 1. Receive your spouse as a gift. 2. Clarify your role as a husband or wife. 3. Resolve conflict in the relationship. 4. Maintain a vital sexual connection. 5. Express forgiveness to one another. 6. Increase your commitment, creating an even deeper level of intimacy.

SCHEDULE FRIDAY 05:00 p.m. 07:00 - 07:30 p.m 07:30 - 08:30 p.m 08:30 - 08:45 p.m. 08:45 - 09:30 p.m. 09:30 - 09:50 p.m.

Sign in to receive getaway manuals and name tags. Welcome to your Weekend to Remember. Why Marriages Fail: Identify and understand the five threats to marriage. Break (on your own) Can We Talk? Discuss factors that make communication difficult. Application project for you and your spouse.

SATURDAY 08:00 - 08:30 a.m. 08:30 - 09:20 a.m. 09:20 - 09:35 a.m. 09:35 - 10:25 a.m. 10:25 - 11:40 a.m. 10:25 - 11:40 a.m. 11:40 - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 - 02:00 p.m. 02:00 - 03:05 p.m. 03:05 - 03:20 p.m. 03:20 - 03:30 p.m. 03:30 - 04:40 p.m. 04:40 - 05:00 p.m. 04:40 - 05:40 p.m. Evening

Resource center and ballroom open. Unlocking the Mystery of Marriage: Realize God’s plan for marriage. Break (on your own) From How to Wow: Achieve God’s plan for marriage by leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh. Application project for you and your spouse. So You Wanna Get Married (Optional premarried session) What Every Marriage Needs: Marriage is dependent upon your own personal relationship with God. Lunch break (on your own) We Fight Too: Understand how to handle the inevitable conflicts of marriage. Helping Others Break (on your own) Marriage After Dark: Uncover intimacy from God’s perspective. Help for Today (Optional breakout session) Two Become One (Optional premarried session) Date Night**

**Make Date Night the highlight of your weekend by spending meaningful time together and reclaiming the love and intimacy that is often obscured through the activities of daily living. Rekindle the fire over a candlelight dinner—reserve a romantic table for two. Surprise your spouse with a special gift that you have tucked away in your suitcase. Or simply, hang the “do not disturb” sign outside your door. And, if attending with friends, make sure to reserve this evening just to spend this time together as a couple.

SUNDAY 08:30 - 09:00 a.m. 09:00 - 10:30 a.m. 10:40 - 11:10 a.m. 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 11:15 - 12:00 p.m.

Resource center and ballroom open. Woman to Woman / Man to Man: God has given husbands and wives different roles and responsibilities. Hope for Tomorrow (Optional breakout session) Application project. How Marriages Thrive: Learn the three essential

12:00 - 12:35 p.m. 12:35 p.m.

elements to a healthy marriage. Leaving a Legacy: Detect and implement your family’s legacy. Getaway ends.

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children’s ministry expo

Exciting Children’s Ministry Training Coming to Tulsa

ou can feel it as soon as you arrive at the Children’s Ministry Expo. It’s the energy that comes from people all gathered under one roof who share a passion for the same thing: raising up the next generation to serve the Lord. Whether you are a full-time Children’s Director, a volunteer that teaches Sunday School or a parent, you will find a wealth of encouragement, resources and tools at the Children’s Ministry Expo.

A Vis io n fo r t h e E x p o After two years of packed events in St. Louis, Kristina Linson, the director of the Children’s Ministry Expo, has decided to pack up the show and bring it to Tulsa, too. This addition is the David & Teesha Laflin culmination of a dream that was born at Kristina’s own kitchen budget-friendly way to equip their workers in Children’s Ministry. table just a few years ago. In her years of experience as a Children’s Director, Kristina often Soon, it was clear that the event would be welcome in other regions, found herself wishing there were more affordable resources for too, as attendees flooded in from other states. Tulsa was chosen as the next destination for Children’s Ministry those in her position. While she knew she could attend workshops Expo. or conventions in other states, it often came with a hefty price tag that her church budget could not support. Kristina believed that there had to be a way to offer this resource for those involved in Wh at You Will Find at the Children’s Ministry E xpo Children’s Ministry, with a price that would allow every ministry in Tul sa You’ll discover an abundance of resources when you attend the staff member, volunteer and parent to attend. “Our goal has always been to make it affordable enough that Children’s Ministry Expo in Tulsa, whether you are searching for churches could bring their Sunday School teachers, VBS teachers, ways to pump up a tired Children’s Ministry or simply looking and even the guy who does the games on Wednesday nights… for some new tools to enhance a thriving program. Parents will whomever they wanted to bring. We put the resources in front of be encouraged and challenged in their role as well, with topics you so you can brainstorm and come up with a list of needs and that apply not only to formal ministry programs but also to the solutions for your ministry. The result is a day to get rejuvenated, discipleship that happens at home. The Expo will provide a full day, packed with lots of workshops, recharged, and encouraged by being around like-minded people, all speakers and opportunities to discuss curriculum ideas with sharing the desire to reach kids for Christ,” Kristina explained. Kristina started the Expo in St. Louis after her family encouraged publishers and others just like you who are passionate about her to put some feet to her vision. Hundreds of attendees each year teaching kids. proved that Kristina’s event was a remedy for churches needing a

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Here’ s w h at a day at t h e E x po w i l l entail: When the doors open at 7:30 a.m., all attendees will get into the Expo groove with a crowd-rousing general session featuring Jeff Slaughter, who loves to dance, sing, laugh and worship with kids. You will quickly see why Jeff has been dedicated to equipping kids to serve Christ with Brentwood-Benson Music for years! After the general session, take a few minutes to do an initial tour through the exhibit hall featuring more than 25 vendors before heading into the first series of workshops. A few of our vendors include Lifeway, Answers in Genesis, D6, Tasch Ministries and Mr. Mark’s Classroom. Our valuable workshops will feature speakers from your favorite and most trusted resources, such as D6, David C. Cook, New Group Press, Group Publishing and others. Many of the workshops will allow an opportunity at the end for you to ask questions of the presenter and gain important insight for your Children’s Ministry. Workshops will also include entertainers like Josh Denhart of KidMin Science, who used his experience as a chemistry teacher to launch the gospel-centered “The Amazing Chemistry Show.” Josh will wow you with explosions, fire and foam!

Jones from Mr. Mark’s Classroom and Heidi Lewis from Group Publishing. Both Mark and Heidi will offer unique insight in how to keep kids connected in your church and equipping them to serve the Lord. The lunch session offers a special program, where you will be inspired by a keynote presentation from Timothy Smith, representing D6 Family. With thirty years of experience working with children and degrees in Psychology and Educational Psychology, Timothy cofounded and leads Life Skills for American Families. Timothy is the author of 52 Creative Family Time Experiences, Simple Solutions for Families in the Fast Lane, and his bestseller, The Danger of Raising Nice Kids. We are thrilled to have David Laflin at both Children’s Ministry Expo locations this year during our lunch break bonus! David and his wife Teesha, along with their three sons, travel the world sharing the message of Jesus through the art of illusion. Their incredible show blends cutting-edge illusions with classic effects to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, all while clearly communicating the message of Jesus in an unforgettable way. In the afternoon sessions, you will have the opportunity to attend additional workshops and spend time visiting with the vendors in the Exhibit Hall. Your day will conclude around 5:30 P.M. Be sure to attend the special raffle for FREE PASSES to next year’s Expo! Gather your ministry staff, your volunteers and every parent at your church to attend this important event and receive a group rate. We will see you March 6th at the Children’s Ministry Expo in Tulsa!

Call today for a personal tour at:

918-272-7235

(Preschool / Elementary) The Details

Friday, March 6, 2015 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 a.m.) Hyatt Regency Tulsa, 100 East 2nd Street

Timothy Smith, D6 Family

Another workshop will feature Marty Marchowski from New Growth Press, the author of Long Story Short: Ten Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God, a book valued by families for its engaging style and focus on Christ throughout its pages. Additional workshop speakers include Mark

918-516-0050

(Middle / High School)

Individual tickets by Jan 16: $39 Regular admission price: $49 Groups of 4 or more: $29 each At the door (cash or check only): $65 For more information, see childrensministryexpo.com. Reservations: (918) 582-9000 • “Special $89 room rate for CME guests thru 2/12” • Complimentary airport shuttle service • On-site restaurant and coffee house • Beautifully renovated conference rooms

Rejoice Christian Schools admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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Ewomen

Ewomen Returning to the Mabee Center March 6-7 Extraordinary Women…Extraordinary Conference!

Julie Clinton speaks to thousands of women

housands of women are inviting their friends and making final plans to attend this year’s Ewomen Conference to be held at the Mabee Center on March 6-7. The conference travels to cities all over the country, but Tulsa has responded so well it has nearly become an annual event, arriving here every year since 2005. Gaining more and more excitement and momentum, it seems to great bigger each year, as women hear from their friends how God uses it to touch hearts and change lives. Ask anyone who has attended in the past and they will tell you it is really much more than a conference. It has become an opportunity to join thousands of women in an explosive Christian Women’s Movement. Julie Clinton, President of Extraordinary Women Ministries explained why this is such a special weekend. “Women tend to be the givers and sometimes never take the time to invest back into themselves. They deserve this weekend and the speakers will help them truly learn to enjoy a ‘Joyful Journey.’ Life has not always been easy for each of the speakers for this conference. They have each had to learn to overcome things in their life to become joyful through Jesus Christ. Here, women will find encouragement, hope and healing regardless of their circumstances.” The EWomen Conference is packed full of great lessons and music. In fact the mixture of talent and teaching will have you laughing one moment and tearfully praising the next. The unique

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group of speakers is presented in such a way that everyone, even those who have never been in church, feel comfortable. No matter your religious affiliation, you and your friends are going to feel right at home during the conference. The non-denominational conference draws women of all walks of life. “Extraordinary Women exists to help draw women closer to the heart of God… everyday. Extraordinary Women is not just a Christian women’s event… it’s a lifestyle. We are excited that women attend our conferences, but we want more than just a few days with you. We want to be a part of your life! It is our desire, our prayer, that through the Extraordinary Women Association we can keep in touch throughout the year and minister to your spiritual needs and help you draw closer to God and those you hold dearest,” Julie said. As they host Christian women’s events and provide resources, they pray that those things will equip women to handle life’s difficulties while enriching their hearts, encouraging their souls and expanding their ministries. There is no wonder why the EWomen movement is spreading literally across the world. After years of holding conferences for the American Association of Christian counselors, Julie and her husband saw the need to minister, influencing them for Christ? “We want to encourage them and be the light they need. Life can be difficult. It is hard to be happy every day and be joyful in our circumstances, but yet we know it is essential. So, we began building some ministries off of this counseling ministry to influence women,” Julie explained. They started by offering a video series with thirty of the best female speakers around America. They called it, “Extraordinary Women.” “It was very successful and soon women all over the country were asking us to come to them. So we began to offer weekend where they could not only be encouraged, but also be offered resources to help them grow all year long. We have always wanted it to be a lifestyle,” she said. The result was the Ewomen Conferences, something Julie says which impacts communities, the church and especially the family. She says they have seen that it not only influences the women who attend but that they take the excitement home with them, influencing maybe forty or fifty other women within her family and

circle of friends. This year’s theme is “Amazing Grace.” The assortment of speakers will share their own stories of how God’s grace has seen them through difficult times in their lives. “It is all about Him and that is how we can have hope through God’s grace. The speakers explain how God used wounds in their own lives to make them a better Christ follower,” she said.

Fantastic Music! Michael O’Brien was the lead singer of the Christian band, NewSong, for seven years. Sensing that God was placing a strong call on his life to step out and minister as a solo artist, he resigned his position with the band and has now been serving in the music ministry on his own for some 20 years. Michael has built a reputation as an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter with a heart for ministering to the body of Christ. Kyle Kupecky is a Christian recording artist who made his first EP album debut in 2014, featuring the soulful and inspiring song, “Plans.” He has toured the nation as a performer on The Roadshow with MercyMe and The Story Tour with Max Lucado and Steven Curtis Chapman. Kyle is best known for his beautiful soaring vocals and deep heart for God. Through music and speaking, Kyle is passionate about sharing Jesus with the world. Kyle is married to Christian actress and designer, Kelsey Kupecky.

Extraordinary Women exists to help draw women closer to the heart of God… everyday. Extraordinary Women is not just a Christian women’s event… it’s a lifestyle. We are excited that women attend our conferences, but we want more than just a few days with you. We want to be a part of your life! Phil Wickham was born into a musical family, Phil’s earliest years were spent surrounded by Christian music. With his parents encouraging him, he learned all of the popular worship songs and then started writing his own. At 18, he recorded his first album. He then signed with Simple Records and released his first album with them in 2006. In 2011, he came out with a new album under the Fair Trade Services umbrella, and he’s been with them ever since. On November 2, 2008, Phil married Mallory Plotnik, and they have two daughters, Penelope Maye and Mabel.

Incredible Teaching! Julie Clinton, M.Ad., M.B.A., president of Extraordinary Women, has spoken to hundreds of thousands of women as host of EWomen conferences all across America, and is author of Extraordinary Women: Discovering God’s Dream for Your Life,

the devotional Living God’s Dream for You, 10 Things You Aren’t Telling Him and A Woman’s Path to Emotional Freedom. A woman of deep faith, she cares passionately about seeing women live out their dreams by finding their freedom in Christ. Julie and her husband, Tim, live in Virginia with their children, Megan and Zach. Karen Kingsbury is a USA and New York Times best-selling author. She is also America’s #1 inspirational novelist, with 10 of her more than 50 novels being #1 on national lists. Best known for her Life Changing Fiction™, Karen enjoys speaking to women’s groups and reminding them to love well, laugh often, and find true life in Jesus Christ. Karen resides in Nashville with her husband, Don, and their six children. Margaret Feinberg is a popular speaker at churches and conferences such as Catalyst, Thrive, CreationFest, and YouthSpecialties. She was recently named one of the “30 Emerging Voices” who will help lead the Church in the next decade by Charisma magazine. Margaret has written more than two dozen books and Bible studies, including the critically acclaimed, The Organic God and The Sacred Echo. Currently, Margaret lives in Colorado with her husband, Leif, and her dog, Hershey. Kasey Van Norman’s teaching style radiates a unique and refreshing authenticity as she speaks to a generation of people tired of hypocrisy and hungry for transparent leaders. Her ministry passion is to reach those who are far from God and ignite a spiritual flame in those who know Him. Kasey resides in College Station, Texas, with her husband, Justin, and their two children. Liz Curtis Higgs is the author of more than 30 books with more than 45 million copies in print. A gifted professional speaker, known by her audiences as AN ENCOURAGER, Liz has presented more than 1,700 inspiration programs. Liz is married to Bill Higgs, Ph.D. and they have two children, Matthew and Lillian. Angie Smith (wife of Todd Smith, lead singer of Dove Award winning group Selah) is one of the most popular authors, speakers and blog writers in the country. First connecting with masses of women on her blog, Bring the Rain, as she wrote about the pregnancy and ultimately the loss of her daughter, Audrey, Angie now connects with women through her books and national women’s conferences. She lives with her husband and a house full of daughters in Nashville, TN.

Lots of Fun! As a BONUS, the incredible Tim Hawkins will be there to entertain you. Tim is both a successful stand-up comedian and selftaught guitarist who can perform flawless vocal impersonations of popular artists. His ability to show the brokenness of human nature and still draw attention to its hilarity makes Tim a truly unique artist. He is the proud father of four children and husband to his beautiful wife who is currently winning her battle with breast cancer. Plan now and don’t miss this incredible time. Visit mabeecenter. com for ticket pricing and availability.

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[Neh. 2:18]

Let us rise up and build . . .

Rhema Bible Church youth building coming soon!

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Cancer News

Cancer

Are you making the right choices?

There’s more to cancer care than ridding the body of cancer cells. Equally important is the goal of maintaining quality of life while undergoing treatment. Staying strong enough to fight the disease and maintain work and family routines during treatment should be part of any cancer care program. That’s why patients should be offered integrative therapies to supplement conventional surgical, radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Know your options.

The importance of nutrition.

Every cancer is different, as is every cancer patient. Both traditional and integrative oncology therapies should be customized for every treatment plan. It’s important to work with a knowledgeable oncology team to understand your options, how they work, and whether they’re offered at your treatment center.

Fully eight out of ten cancer patients show symptoms of malnutrition. This can compromise the function of the immune system and weaken the patient. Nutritional therapy is therefore crucial for restoring digestive health and helping you stay strong to maintain your prescribed cancer treatment plan.

What exactly is integrative care?

Naturopathic medicine.

Therapy The benefits of

Maintains the immune system, which can be compromised by cancer treatment

Prevents malnutrition that could weaken a patient

Manages fatigue and pain that can accompany cancer treatment

Lessens stress, anxiety and depression that can accompany cancer diagnosis

Treatments for cancer typically consist of some Naturopathic care should also be considered — therapies combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. that help manage symptoms and encourage healing. The combination of these options with therapies Naturopathic clinicians address a variety of conditions designed to maintain quality of life is known as an associated with cancer including digestive issues, nerve integrative approach to cancer care. Therapies to damage, respiratory conditions and cancer-related improve energy, maintain the immune fatigue. Your naturopathic clinician should have system, manage fatigue and guard extensive knowledge of radiation therapy Mind-Body against malnutrition are all critical. and chemotherapy, plus a comprehensive Therapy The more therapeutic choices you understanding of your treatment plan. Pain Management have, the better you’ll be able Spiritual Support Team work. to customize a treatment Meditation Surgeons, doctors, clinicians and other plan that’s right for you. oncology professionals should all be Integrative therapies may Chemotherapy Nutritional part of your care team. It’s also helpful include nutritional Therapy if all your team members are counseling, naturopathic Radiation Therapy located in the same hospital to medicine, physical Acupuncture Surgery facilitate collaboration and speed therapy, chiropractic of care. Having your care team all Diagnostic care, acupuncture, Imaging Naturopathic under one roof allows you to mind-body therapy, Medicine schedule all your appointments at Advanced meditation and Genomic one time, which reduces wait time Pet Therapy Testing spiritual support. between appointments and allows

you to focus on your treatment. Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) is a national network of five hospitals in the U.S. with expertise in treating patients who are fighting complex or advanced-stage cancer, although many patients with an early-stage diagnosis seek our expertise as well. We combine world-class treatment with an integrative approach to care to reduce side effects and maintain quality of life during cancer treatment. If you or someone you love has complex or advanced-stage cancer, call 888-348-5492 or go to cancercenter.com.

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act financial

RANDY COWELL

So you think you’re ready for retirement?

OYA, (formerly Netherland financial giant ING) had a very popular television commercial that asked the question “Do you know your number?” People walking around carrying numbers on their shoulders demonstrating that they somehow knew how much money they would need for retirement. If you have lived through several market cycles, watched inflation and rising taxes destroy your buying power, and experienced the harmful affects of lowering interest rates you probably won’t fully understand why it is impossible to know your number. I would often laugh at the individual on the commercial that said his number was a “Gazillion Billion”. The fact is, you cannot know how much you will need because you can’t predict the future. Don’t panic just yet. While there are no guarantees, here are several ways you can save for your retirement that might help.

Keys to a great retirement Social Security Provides Over 50% of retirement income to 65% of Social Security recipients • 90% to 36% of those on Social Security • 100% to 24% One out of four Americans on Social Security have no other retirement income. www.ssa.gov • Social Security Provides Over 50% of retirement income to 65% of Social Security recipients • 90% to 36% of those on Social Security • 100% to 24% One out of four Americans on Social Security have no other retirement income. -www.ssa.gov

the economic meltdown of 2008-2009 when both bonds and stocks corrected. It is now accepted that a lesser interest rate may be necessary to insure retirees will not run out of income. Analysts such as Morningstar and Marketwatch agree that it could be as low as 2.8%. • It’s not about how much you have but about how much it will produce. 30 years ago when one-year CD rates were 11% or more, a $1,000,000 portfolio would produce over $100,000 in retirement income. Unfortunately, interest rates have gradually fallen and now according to Bankrate.com a one-year CD rate is slightly under 1%. That means if you had relied on CD’s to provide you income you would now have around $10,000.

It’s not about how much you have but about how much it will produce. Recognizing that there are two types of math at work in retirement distribution planning is critical if you hope to have enough income in retirement to meet your goal(s). There are two powers at work that control retirement distributions. Mathematical powers such as dividend yields, interest rates, and systematic drawdowns based on a “Rule”. The other power that is gaining more acceptance because it is able to produce more with less is called actuarial power. For more information on the power of “actuarial” math, please feel free to contact our office at (918) 664-0081 or online at www.act4-life.com.

THINGS TO CONSIDER • Start early Because of the power of compounding, the first dollar you save will have the greatest exponential growth years from now. So get started! • Establish an Emergency Reserve account It’s truly amazing how many planning clients we work with that do not have an ER account. Without one you are asking for untimely interruptions in your savings routine. • Save Systematically Take steps to automate your savings. Because life happens and unexpected expenses will occur you need to establish automatic savings. 401(k) salary reduction and automatic bank drafting into segregated accounts specifically designated for long-term saving is vital if you desire a great retirement. • Recognize the retirement paradigm has changed. For years financial planners have used a withdrawal rate of 4% to insure you, the retiree, would not experience your greatest fear, running out of money and becoming a burden on your children or society. This 4% rule was challenged during the 2000-2002 market downturn and was severely tested more recently during

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RANDY C. COWELL, M.S., LUTCF, CFP®, CRPC® ACT FINANCIAL Randy C. Cowell is a columnist and President of ACT Financial Services, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of “God GoodDebt Bad”. Randy welcomes your thoughts and prayers. He can be reached at 918-664-0081 or by e-mail at rcowell@htk.com.

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oklahoma health department

Think you can NEVER QUIT? Think again.

A True Story…

Andrea Felsinger quit smoking for a while. But since her husband didn’t quit, the temptation was just too much for her and she was soon lighting up more than ever. But then, they discovered the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. “I couldn’t have done it without the Helpline. They were really nice and they didn’t judge me or tell me that it would be easy. Instead, they understood and were there 24 hours a day. Whenever I would get a trigger to light up, whether it was in the car or with my morning coffee, I would call them and they talked me through the cravings. They even sent me some nicotine gum, absolutely for free. I am proud that I quit. It wasn’t easy, but after a week or two, I found out that it was totally worth it, especially for my kids. Call the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. They can help you too!

here are proven tools and professional help available to make this “quit” the absolute last. All you have to do is call and ask. In fact, people just like you are picking up the phone, getting the facts, making the choice and forever leaving the smoking habit behind. There is no reason you can’t do the same thing and January is the perfect time to make it happen. The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust is pleased to offer the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a FREE service for all Oklahomans with a desire to stop smoking or using other tobacco products. Through the Helpline, callers receive one-on-one “Quit Coaching” help, specialized materials, and referrals to community resources. To help keep them on track, callers interested in receiving follow-up can even enroll in the Helpline’s multiple call program in which they will receive a series of telephone based coaching sessions with the same “Quit Coach” throughout their quitting process. If you participate in the multiple call program, you may also

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receive free nicotine patches, or gum, or they may can assist you work with your health insurance company or health care professional to make a plan for additional treatment. Don’t have insurance? The folks at Helpline realize that many Oklahomans are without insurance coverage, and that many others may have a health plan that does not cover these products. In an effort to help people like you, they are currently working with employers and health insurance companies to negotiate and promote full coverage of cessation services. They are also working with pharmaceutical companies to seek opportunities to make cessation aids more affordable. Ready to Start? If you’d like to quit tobacco now and forever, we invite you to begin your journey with this quality, professional service, and give yourself every chance to make this quit attempt a successful one! Think you can NEVER QUIT? Think again. So What are You Waiting On?

According to the Tulsa County Health Department, approximately 24% of Tulsans are tobacco users and 1,140 Tulsans die each year from tobacco use. You should also know that Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Tulsa County. There is no reason you should be one of them. Decide today that you will make a life change. Ask for help, develop and plan and put down the tobacco forever.

918-595-4267

unite my city

Opportunity Knocks

nity is not uniformity. Unity is different, it simply means conforming to one purpose without sacrificing individuality. Unity is only possible where humility exists. It can manifest itself in acts of service not just for one another, but with one another. Churches linking arms to serve together for a common cause or goal is a glorious act of humility and together they can have a more significant impact than would be possible alone. Henri Frederic Amiel stated, “There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self.” Without that humble respect for others, it is not possible to walk in unity. Unity is not possible without humility. If we are full of pride, there is no room for unity. C.S. Lewis defines humility in this way: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” To be unified in any relationship, we must be mindful of the other party just as much, if not more than of ourselves. We must start from a state of humility to move in a spirit of unity. We begin stripping away pride as we work side by side to go serve others. It’s like a double whammy. Our minds are off ourselves and on those we aim to serve, as well as those we are serving with. We can do this as individuals, but also from church to church or organization to organization. In the famously quoted scripture in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God told Solomon, “If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Serving together is a way to “humble ourselves.” Naturally, as individuals prepare to go and serve others in our communities, one’s mind is on the service about to be carried out and how it will help those being served. We also need to be mindful of those with whom we are serving. As we consider each individual’s role and responsibility, cohesive and effective service can take place. This practical step positions us either individually or corporately to be in a place of humility. This is what’s powerful. The Bible says that “God rejects the proud BUT gives His grace to the humble.” This is why I’m personally passionate about seeing churches in cities serving alongside one another. It’s a way to corporately position the church within a city to receive a corporate outpouring of God’s grace. Imagine what

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could happen if we bonded together as a unified church to stamp out common issues that face each city throughout America? This act of humbling ourselves makes unity possible and allows us to experience God’s grace at work in our lives, doing something amazing - individually and corporately - in us, through us, and among us all, which ultimately brings glory to Him. It is a divine cycle that lets us see afresh the evidence that St. Augustine alluded to in that “it was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men angels.” Let’s all look for ways to genuinely humble ourselves.

Jason Law Unite My City & World Compassion Unite My City is part of World Compassion. Jason’s father, Terry Law, founded World Compassion Terry Law Ministries in Tulsa nearly 45 years ago. Please visit the websites at unitemycity.tv and worldcompassion.tv for more information.

the heart of the matter

DENIECE ADSIT

Both Hands on the Wheel his hands will be less than centered on the steering wheel as they should be. He will drive adequately in that position for a while…until the roads become slick from a heavy rain, or snow or ice. Then when the winds blow the car a little farther one direction or the other, he will suddenly realize he is out of practice for doing the right thing. This is what happens when we become casual about our relationship with God. It seems okay to skip out on doing something we know we should be doing, and it even seems to work out well for us for a while. We are in control, and it looks pretty cool from our viewpoint. But when the rains come, or the storms and the wind, we realize how out of practice we are. What is even worse, we have taught our children to do the same.

oth hands on the wheel – ten and two,” that’s what the driver’s manual says. And it’s also what every driving instructor tells every student driver. But the teenager studying for the driver’s exam thinks about how his parents handle this. His dad drives with one hand on the wheel and the other arm out the window. His mom drives with one hand on the wheel and her other arm on the arm rest, or changing the radio dial, or putting on lipstick. The very idea that someone would actually position their hands as the manual says seems quite absurd! While he realizes he must do as he is told until he gets his license, his mind is already forming the pattern for future driving. He will be in control, like his parents. Let the “ten and two” rule belong to someone else. Determined to be just as selfassured, just as self-sufficient, he mentally practices what it will be like when he can position his hands as he chooses on the steering wheel. If it is good enough for mom and dad, it is good enough for him. The recommended position just feels awkward, so it can’t possibly be the best way. The instructor has a different perspective: It doesn’t matter how awkward that position feels, he knows that is the most effective one to be able to quickly respond to any change in direction he needs to make. The teenager practices and eventually became adept at holding the steering wheel with both hands in the right position. It won’t be long, however, before he becomes lax in the placement of his hands on the wheel. It won’t be long before he becomes involved in changing the radio, or grabbing something to eat or drink on the run, or talking and texting on the cell phone. All these distractions will have him gradually moving from the correct position to whatever position is conducive to the activity he chooses to do while he is driving. Even if no other activity is involved, most of the time

Revelation 2 and 3 talk about those who have lost their first love, those who have accepted sin as a way of life while trying to hold to the gospel, those who have become lax in living out their beliefs (luke warm), those with unfinished deeds. All of these lead to a life less than holy in the sight of God. It’s really quite easy to get there. We simply let go of the wheel with one hand. Before long the other hand slides a little to compensate for our own weakness. Then we realize our children have become so conditioned to our behavior, they mimic the things they see in us. The bad roads appear, and we are unpracticed in the skill of holding our hands in the proper position (standing true to our faith). We’ve forgotten how to pray, or study, or show love to others. As we begin the New Year, maybe it’s a good time to reevaluate the way we live our lives and practice our faith. It seems like a good time to begin again – both hands on the wheel – ten and two.

ABOUT DENIECE Deniece has a passion to minister to women. You are going to grow to love her and the way she tells stories, always getting to the real heart of the matter.

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Cold Weather and Pets

t is January in Oklahoma. That means the coldest part of the winter is just beginning. Every pet owner needs to be made aware of or reminded of one health concern that comes during the hard winter months which can be quite severe. Obviously, cold temperatures can bring about hypothermia which is a lowering of your dog’s or cat’s body temperature to a point where the metabolism of the muscles and especially the internal organs causes decreased function, damage to the cells of these organs and even death to your pet. Normal body temperature of our pets is 101-102 degrees. Mild hypothermia is a drop in body temperature to 99 -90 degrees, moderate hypothermia ranges from 90-82 degrees and severe hypothermia is below 82 degrees. The first symptom is shivering or hyper-fasciculation of the muscles is the body’s attempt to increase body temperature while at the same time channeling the blood flow from the feet and legs to the internal organs. This causes a mild increase in blood pressure but as the body’s temperature drops the heart and respiration rates slow. At 90 degrees the brain is affected leading to lethargy, confusion and lack of coordination. Efficiency of the heart declines creating a drop in blood pressure. As the heart becomes colder it will develop arrythmia or irregular heart beats which eventually leads to cardiac arrest. It is important to get your pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible but first aid includes heating pads shielded from the body by using towels. Heat bottles of water in the microwave and wrap them close to the body with towels. If unable to transport your

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pet to the Dr. run a tub of warm water, approximately 95 degrees, and place the animal in the water being careful not to let his or her head slide under the water. But a word of caution, do NOT use a hot water bath. You may ask, “Why not use warmer water?” Rapid warming of the tissues especially the legs causes dilation of the capillaries which can cause a severe drop in blood pressure due to a heart rate that is still weak and slow. This can cause death. Most people link hypothermia to freezing temperatures, ice and snow. Forty degrees and rain can quickly cause hypothermia, especially in short-coated and small pets. Extended exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite. Toes, the tips of the tail and ears are most commonly affected. The affected tissues will remain cool even after the rest of the body becomes warm. Caution, warming the cold extremities can cause further damage. As these tissues try to heal they will become red and swollen and painful to the touch. If it does not heal within three days amputation may be required to prevent gangrene. Fluffy the fuzzy-footed dog may collect ice between the toes which are not only cold but painful. Also, if you take a walk on sidewalks, they may have ice melting compounds on them. They can cause irritation and should be washed off. Lastly and logically, puppies, kittens and geriatric pets are the most susceptible to cold. So, as with all health related aspects of pet management, the time invested to prevent a problem is less expensive than treating one.

R. Scott Nicholson, DVM, is a respected Broken Arrow veterinarian. Dr. Nicholson’s clinic is located at 816 S. Elm and he can be contacted at 918-806-6074

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marriages that last

BY DR. KEVIN NIEMAN

Five simple phrases that will save your marriage!

he following are five simple phrases that could very well save your marriage. They may seem small at first, but each have the power to move mountains within your marriage. As you read, see which ones you are currently using and find ways to use the ones you are not.

1. I’m sorry. The power of these two words continually goes unnoticed in marriage. Many individuals have grown up in families not hearing “I’m sorry”. The perception is that to express any remorse for ones actions is a weakness. This could not be further from the truth. Having the ability to take ownership creates stability and makes forgiveness a natural response. The secret to being able to tap into this great healing agent, of “I’m sorry” lies in the ability to look at oneself. Many today are simply too insecure to be real. Instead of taking ownership of mistakes, they consistently push blame onto their spouse. The growing rate of adult children is astonishing. Remember, you’re not four; it is okay to admit you’re not perfect. Everybody else knows it, especially your spouse, it will be okay. Your spouse will love you more for stepping up and taking ownership.

2. I love you. You would think this one would be obvious; however, it’s not commonplace among marriages today. For many, this one is very difficult. Many individuals never heard these words while growing up so for them to pass them on is a challenge, to say the least. I’ve often asked people how to give something that they have never received. Though that answer is multi-faceted, I do believe one way to heal past hurts is to model and display what you should have received. Your own emotions may not all be there at first, and that’s okay, but with time and consistency, they will catch up. Knowing that you’re loved is a very powerful thing. Many men have done some very crazy things because of that knowledge. Love is truly one of the most powerful emotions we have and most don’t tap into that emotion like they should. Make sure your spouse knows you love them. Be intentional and tell them. They’ll never get tired of hearing it.

3. I need.... Many struggle with effectively communicating what they need. The alternative is to keep your needs to yourself and secretly build resentments. Remember, you are responsible for how you communicate your needs. They need to be shared with love and respect towards your spouse. The first step in doing so is to understand that you’re worthy to not just share your needs but to have those needs. Giving yourself permission to share your needs can empower you within the marriage to have a voice. A true partnership takes two. If one does not feel safe or valued to share what they need, it’s not much of a marriage.

4. How can I help? These four simple words can truly lift a thousand pounds from your spouse. The worst feeling to have within a relationship is the feeling that you’re doing all the work. This phrase can express your desire to shoulder the load with your spouse, creating a true partnership in the marriage. Imagine what it’s like when your spouse asks you if you need them to do anything for you today. You automatically see your spouse more favorably and you’ll notice your own heart softening to meet their needs. The best marriages are those who are great friends, working and supporting each other. Marriage is not a competition, work through your own insecurities and offer a helping hand. This phrase also forces you to realize that it’s not all about you. Selfishness seems to be permeating most every aspect of our society and marriages have certainly not escaped. Marriage is not all about you. Your spouse is not here to serve you or make you complete. It’s a mutual relationship of two people committed to doing life together. One is not greater than the other, but two halves making a complete whole.

5. I want you. The difference between “want” and “need” are ginormous when examining a marriage. “Need” tends to create an unhealthy dynamic between couples; one where you become so dependent on each other that it passes through healthiness and heads straight for co-dependence. If you think of the letter “A”, this style of marriage create total reliance on the other person for you own sense of stability. What happens if one falls? The other is sure to follow. The “need” dynamic fosters blame and unrealistic expectations that no one can bear. The “want” relationship takes on the shape of the letter “H”. This relationship consists of two strong independent people who choose to connect themselves with another. They view their marriage as a joint partnership where both bring things to bless the whole. If one should fall, the other is there to help pick up. Expectations are realistic, built upon mutual trust and security to examine self rather than blaming your spouse. Tell your spouse that you “want” them. They will feel valued and wanted rather than feeling they constantly are trying to measure up.

Dr. Kevin Nieman, LMFT Cornerstone Christian Counseling Services Cornerstone Christian Counseling Services is proud to announce that we are now in our newly remodeled offices. We are also pleased to announce that our new website www. cornerstoneoftulsa.com is active. We are excited about bringing hope and healing to those hurting in our community, blending our Christian beliefs with our professionalism.

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page cole

Don’t Be Scammed!

Local Business Owner Strives to Protect Seniors from Con Artists, Thieves and Scams

s the owner of Visiting Angels of Green Country, Page Cole has become a close friend to many seniors and their families. It’s an honor he takes seriously. It has put him in a position to understand their challenges and he does his best to assist them. His company provides non-medical home services including in-home care, elder care, respite care, senior personal care, elderly care and companion care services. But in this all too evil world, Page saw that his friends and customers needed protection outside the scope of what his company normally provided. He wanted to also help them protect themselves from things like identity theft, burglaries and scams. “It is sad to believe, but scammers often focus their attention on seniors. Thieves lurk in the shadows looking for every opportunity to steal the assets our seniors worked so hard for and that they need so badly in their golden years. I decided to do what I could to help them protect themselves,” Page explained. Page began to research all the tricks and scams, particularly the ones typically used on seniors. He was sickened as he uncovered scam after scam which routinely trick even the most careful. Wanting to warn as many people as possible, he put his findings in a book he

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called, “Protecting Your Nest Egg.” “There are reasons the thieves target seniors. Seniors are more likely to have trouble with their hearing or sight, so they can be more easily fooled. They are less able to protect themselves both physically and emotionally, and embarrassed, they are less likely to report the scam to family, friends or law enforcement. Compound this with the fact that seniors are less technologically savvy and that they have more cash reserves and resources, they are a perfect target,” Page explained. To help from being the next casualty of a scam, Page wants seniors to know they are targets, to understand that they are probably more and more vulnerable as they age, to be leery and suspicious of most every telemarketing or direct mail offer, and not to immediately trust every kind and respectful voice. Finally, he helps arm them with knowledge of the current scams being used and with tools to protect themselves from being an easy target. In his book, Page has pages full of things to look out for, signals that this might be a scam. Here are a few of them.

Look Out… If the caller refuses to stop calling after you tell them you are not interested. If there is a request or demand to purchase or pay something to enter a contest, collect a prize, or even the suggestion that your odds might increase if you spend some money. Not only is this dishonest, it is illegal. If the promise to win money or prizes, make easy money with little or no effort, or borrow money for nothing. If someone requests your bank account number, Social Security Number or credit card number. If you are pressed for an immediate response or a fast response. If the caller or salesperson is using scare tactics to push you into a decision. If the person asks you to wire money, send a gift card, use a courier, or put money on a “money card” and send that as payment. If someone asks for an up front fee to get a loan, guarantee a loan, or even to imply that a loan will be made. If someone is unwilling or reticent about sending you written information about something before you buy it. If anyone wants even a minimal payment from you before getting the details about the offer or opportunity. In all of these cases, Page insists, “It is better to lose out

on a legitimate opportunity while you were checking it out, than to give away your hard earned cash to a sneaky criminal, and then have nothing to show for it but embarrassment.” Don’t let the sneaky criminals get to your bank account or steal your identity. Read the book, guard your personal information, and arm yourself against the scams which fool people every day. You are smarter than these thugs. Protect yourself. To further help his senior friends, Page has also developed an APP and a printed book called “LifeChest.” LifeChest provides a well thought-out form where you can put all of your most important information. He has seen first-hand how difficult it is for the family to find such information. Many times, they have no idea where to look. LifeChest provides a place to put such information all in one spot. Seniors, or really people of any age, have found this resource to be very valuable by being able to find critical information quickly and easily. LifeChest is available as an FREE APP at the iTunes APP Store, or as a paperback for $7.95 on Amazon.com. “According to research conducted in several statewide surveys around the country, fraudulent telemarketing techniques have victimized 26 percent of the entire U.S. adult population at some point in their lives. Every year, these victims, 57 percent of whom are over the age of 50, lose a total of $40 billion to telemarketing fraud alone, according to a 2001 AARP study.” Retirement Industry Trust Association These victims are our parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends. What can we do to protect them? How can we help? This new resource “Protecting Your Nest Egg: Fraud Protection for Senior Citizens from Con Artists, Thieves and Scams” is just what you need to help prepare and protect seniors from being the victims of fraud! “Protecting Your Nest Egg” is available on Amazon.com for $9.95.

If it sounds unbelievable, easy, and profitable, it’s safer to just stop at the word “unbelievable.” Never, ever, not ever, no never give out your bank account number, Social Security number or credit card. C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

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fitness together with

M ichael A W atkins

Quick Tips To Create A Fat Burning Cardio Circuit

f you’re like most people this time of year, you’re on a mission to melt body fat! I want to help you get there. To do just that, one type of workout program that you might want to consider is a fat burning cardio circuit. Many people often find they fall off the cardio bandwagon simply because they grow bored with their process. Day in and day out, getting stuck on the cardio equipment can be a real drag – and something that you come to dread. The day that cleaning the house seems more appealing than getting your cardio session in is the day that you know it’s time for a change. A cardio fat burning circuit can be just the change that’s needed. So how do you go about performing one of these? Let’s give you a few of the main concepts to remember.

Alternate Between Upper And Lower Body Movements The very first thing that you should make sure you’re doing is alternating between upper and lower body exercises. While lower body movements are going to tend to get the heart rate up higher so will be slightly more superior for cardiovascular benefits, you don’t want to neglect your upper body as well. The good thing is that while the lower body is resting, you can be working the upper body to ensure that you’re still burning calories as you go.

Add In Some Plyometric Exercises Next, another thing to consider is incorporating some plyometric exercises into the mix. These are going to help to boost your heart rate much higher and really work on developing good strength and

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power. For anyone involved in a sport of any kind, plyometrics will definitely help out. Excellent plyometric exercises to incorporate in include jump squats, jump lunges, clap push-ups, or burpees. All will work on your rebounding ability and get those fast twitch muscles working hard.

Do Core Work When You Need To Rest Finally, the last thing that you should keep in mind as you go about your cardio circuit training workout program is that if you do have to take a short rest break for any reason, you should aim to perform some core exercises during this time rather than just breaking entirely. This will help to keep the body moving and prevent blood from pooling due to the sudden stop in activity. Plus, since core exercises typically don’t work the upper and lower body to a large extent, this will easily allow those areas of the body to recover while you perform them. Then once that core exercise is completed, you can get right back on track and continue on performing your major exercises. So there you have a few important things to keep in mind as you develop a non-traditional cardio workout to add into your workout routine. Keep in mind that if you are using a number of strength based movements, you’ll want to try and space this out from your main weight lifting sessions as well in order to prevent overtraining from taking place. Remember rest is a vital component of success as well. Fitness Together Jenks: 97th & Riverside | 918.392.0540 Downtown: 6th & Boston | 918.935.3508 www.PersonalTrainerTulsa.com

lose your quit B Y

DANNY CAHILL

You Can’t Outrun a Poor Diet

Community Spirit is excited to have Danny Cahill as one of our featured, monthly writers. Whether you wrestle with your weight or not, you will enjoy Danny’s motivating column. We all cheered Danny on when he was on The Biggest Loser. Now, he continues to gain our applause while he shares his testimony with others. Danny loves the Lord and is not shy about telling people about Him. It is a blessing to the magazine to have his monthly article. Be sure to watch for Danny’s article each month.

am often asked, “Danny, is it DIET, or is it EXERCISE that is more important?” Jillian said it best when she was asked the same question when we appeared on Larry King Live together. She said, “Exercise is the best preventive medicine and weight-loss accelerator, and diet is key to your weight-loss and health.” Sounded like a double answer, didn’t it? I thought so until I lived it out after my time on The Biggest Loser. I kept most of my weight off for a few years after the show until my father passed away from COPD. I was devastated; and my diet promptly fell off the wagon. I didn’t work out for a while and I gained about 50 pounds. I was approaching 300 again! Something had to stop, so I reached out to Michael at Fitness Together and asked him to train me. I lost about 20 pounds, and then hit a plateau. I kept working out but I couldn’t lose weight! I actually gained a few pounds! The pounds I gained were muscle, and I kept telling myself that, but I knew something was wrong. I was lifting more weight than ever before, and my endurance approached that of when I was on the show, but my weight stayed the same! I had to sit down and take a hard look at what I was doing. I found that I was healthy as an ox, but couldn’t lose the excess

weight because my diet strayed too often. I’d eat clean for a while, then “fall of the wagon.” I wasn’t able to “outrun” my poor diet. I began to understand what Jillian said. I was physically healthy, and the exercise was keeping me from gaining weight, but without a proper diet it was like I was running while being tied to a pole; I wasn’t getting anywhere! If your goal is to lose weight, diet reigns. You can lose weight without a lick of exercise (not recommended) by just altering what and how much you eat. If your goal is to feel better and have more energy, exercise is important. It builds muscle, improves sleep, and increases dopamine in your brain. Want to reduce your health risks for heart disease? Then diet is important by eating omega-3s which can lower your heart disease risk. What about diabetes? Exercise is so valuable to a diabetic and those wanting to avoid diabetes. Muscle can help increase the use of glucose in your blood for fuel. Frado, who was on The Biggest Loser Season 10, completely eliminated insulin shots after losing the weight and increasing his muscle mass. Both Diet AND exercise are important to increase your overall health. Your risk of cancer is lowered, your mood improves, and your immune system will be at top level to keep you from getting sick. So if you change just your diet, you’ll see improvement in your life; but you may be missing out on the great life you were meant to have! And if you exercise and still eat a poor diet, you may get stronger and healthier, but keep carrying those extra pounds you’ve wanted to get rid of. Align them together and you’ll find the best of your life is staring you right in the face. And who wants to settle for a life less than the best of what God intended?

IF YOU WANT TO Lose Weight Feel good Reduce Heart Disease Risk Diabetes Prevention Diabetes Control Overall Health

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DIET EXERCISE DIET EXERCISE DIET BOTH!

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victory christian school

Three New Starts in

YEAR by Dennis Demuth, PH.D

ost people, when they think of the new calendar year, think of New Year resolutions. Sometime ago I saw a cartoon where the question was asked, “What exactly is a New Year resolution?” The response was, “It’s a ‘To Do’ list for the first week in January!” The intent of a New Year resolution should go beyond just one month, although one month is better than one week, or no resolutions at all. It is not a matter of how many resolutions you can make, but what ones are you really committed to carrying out for the entire year. EDUCATORS... Educators are blessed to have three new starts each year to plan fresh and exciting things - a new calendar year, a new quarter and a new semester. Parents and students can also take advantage of these three new starts. If you are an educator, you may consider selecting three or four out of these top resolutions teachers have posted on the Internet or come up with you own. Following these resolutions will really change your classroom and the lives of your students. Check the ones that you might consider this new year. I resolve to: 99 Become organized enough to be able to find whatever I need whenever I need it. 99 Get all papers graded within two days of when the assignment is turned in. 99 See each student not as they are, but as they can be. 99 Remember that it’s not personal. It’s a job. 99 Gain wisdom with Christ on how to juggle responsibilities. 99 Stay positive. 99 Never hold a grudge against a student. Each day is a new beginning. 99 Spice up the classroom routine.

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99 Give individual time and attention to each student. 99 Set goals and avoid the autopilot mode. STUDENTS... We asked juniors and seniors at Victory Christian School to write down their top resolutions for this New Year, quarter and semester. This is what they wrote. Check the ones you might consider as a student. I resolve to: 99 Eat healthier (also the top resolution for parents). 99 Get closer to God, to know my purpose once I graduate from high school. 99 Be more serious about grades, improve studying, get better grades so I can do better on college tests and get better scholarships. 99 Spend more time reading the Word of God. 99 Learn how to manage my money better, get a better job, and learn how to save. 99 Stop procrastinating; be more motived to do my best. 99 Be more polite, courteous and less self-centered. 99 Give more of myself to others and volunteer at least once per month. 99 Manage my time better. 99 Get along with my parents and siblings. PARENTS... We then asked the same students to provide resolutions for parents. Here are some of the most frequent resolutions in order of importance based on frequency. If you are a parent, which would you select? Check those that would be a meaningful resolution as a parent.

I resolve to: 99 Be healthier (number one resolution from students to parents). 99 Plan for my children’s college. 99 Go on an adventure, vacation, or mission trip without the kids. 99 Be more supportive of my child’s school activities and sports. 99 Treat ourselves to something we’ve wanted our entire marriage. 99 Start setting goals for our retirement. 99 Never forget to find wonder in life. 99 Not over pressure my children, or be quick to judge, trust them more and hear what they say. 99 Take time to understand how things have changed since I was in school. 99 Tell my kids I love them more often. How nice would it be if someone would create a list of 100 or so possible resolutions for teachers, students and parents and then allow each to simply check the ones they want to make, and then develop recipes for the success of each? In addressing the church at Colosse, Paul offers some resolutions (Col. 1:10, AMP). These four resolutions, as they are applied during the new calendar year, new semester and new quarter, will help everyone in all areas of life.

I resolve to: 99 Walk (live and conduct myself ) in a manner worthy of the Lord. 99 Be fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things. 99 Bear fruit in every good work. 99 Be steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition.] Making resolutions is the easy part; ensuring that they are followed is most difficult. As Christians we have to guard against the stresses and pressures of life that would get us off course in fulfilling these resolutions. We also have to deal with the devil, who actively launches attacks against us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit working inside of us, we can overcome all of these attacks and hindrances. At the end of the quarter, semester and year we can look back and be thankful for keeping our resolutions.

Why not resolve this year to provide a quality Christian education for your child, starting this New Year, this new Quarter, this New Semester? Victory Christian School is here to help jump start this resolution by providing free tuition for the month of January for any new student who has not previously attended Victory. In addition, all general fees will be waived. For more information about this special offer, visit www.vcstulsa.org. Follow us on Facebook.

why should Vcs Be your school? the distinct advantage of Victory is its full range of quality programs at one of the best prices in the greater Metropolitan tulsa community. Begun in 1979, Vcs is one of the most diverse christian schools in the nation offering balanced quality programs in the arts, Music, academics, athletics, and spiritual life. • spirit-filled, charismatic, word of faith emphasis. • art (all grade levels), Music programs. • access to modern technology including the classroom Performance system, smartBoards, and new Portable science computer lab. • after-school supervision, extended care, or study hall for all grade levels – ideal for working parents. • ossaa—Victory is part of the oklahoma secondary schools activity association, providing an opportunity to compete for district and state championships in music, art, drama, academics, and sports with public schools. • health services with certified school nurse. • small class sizes. special remedial options for students needing academic help. and Much More!

it is not too late to make the switch to Victory christian school. contact the school for our second semester discount special.

Victory christian school now enrollinG! K3-12th Grade | 7700 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa OK 74136 918.491.7720 // vcstulsa.org

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act financial

RANDY COWELL

Premier Education Partners Helps Employees Suffering from Financial Stress

here is an insidious condition that is sweeping across America that is affecting one out of every four working adults. It is the cause of reduced employee productivity, the primary cause of worksite accidents, directly correlated to turnover, and is the reason that on any given day 1,000,000 employees are on sick leave. What is this silent epidemic affecting 30,000,000 workers in the US and causing millions of dollars of lost business productivity? It is the financial stress resulting from unrestrained debt and the resulting personal financial problems. According to the National Financial Educators Council the cost to businesses is $15,000 per infected employee. It is no respecter of status, income or position and unless your company is unique, 25% of your employees are affected! While many would like to believe “It’s their debt, their problem,” statistics indicate it’s not their problem, but YOURS. 87% of baby boomers aren’t convinced that they don’t have enough money to last them in retirement1 • 20 hours of lost productivity per baby boomer due to financial stress1 • Average of $7,000 of lost revenue over the course of the year per worker2 • 98% of the workforce has had zero education about managing money3 • 87% of baby boomers aren’t convinced that they don’t have enough money to last them in retirement1 • 20 hours of lost productivity per baby boomer due to financial stress1 • Average of $7,000 of lost revenue over the course of the year per worker2 • 98% of the workforce has had zero education about managing money3

A distracted employee is a danger to the company’s property and equipment and the potential life and death scenarios make calculating the losses immeasurable. According to the NFEC in 2001 the cost to the employer was $29,000 per work place accident in lost productivity, uninsured costs, accident investigation, production slowdowns and employee training. • Have you ever had an employee call in sick or have to take time off to seek medical attention? If you have you may want to know these stats. According to a report found on occupationalhazzards.com, 75-90% of all doctor visits are stress related. Hypertension, insomnia, tension, anxiety, depression, headaches, abdominal and intestinal problems are just a start. Throw in alcohol and drug abuse and you have the potential for significant business losses. • The fourth loss falls into the category “the grass is always greener on the other side.” If you knew 40% of your turnover was due to stress what would you do with that information? The facts are that employees look for a quick fix by changing jobs and believe they can “earn” their way out of debt. Unfortunately this causes a loss to the company and unless new financial planning skills are learned the problem continues. Replacement of a recently vacated position can cost between $3,000-$13,000 making stress a real problem for the HR department. • Finally, the last cost to a business caused as a result of financial stress is the added cost of the human resource department. The time necessary to handle wage garnishments, bankruptcy claims, processing of 401(k) loans, and calls from exspouses about child support, can tax the most efficient HR department.

The Bottom Line

Worksite education is quickly being recognized as one of the most efficient solutions to this business productivity problem. Treating the cause of the stress with worksite education and training programs is proving to be a cost effective way for businesses to help their employees and add to their bottom line. A win for everyone! For more information on how you can offer worksite training and education please contact us at (918) 828-7787 or visit us online at www.PremierEducationPartners.com.

There are five ways your employees are costing your company serious money and lost productivity. • The first deals simply with employee productivity. According to a study published in the American Express Guide to Workplace Education and Advice, 2004, on average, employee financial stress cost the employer 20 hours per month per stressed employee. While this might seem high, consider the emotional issues associated with employees dealing with harassing phone calls from creditors, bounced checks, time arranging debt consolidation loans, medical bill payments, tuition pressures, retirement uncertainties, and finally just simply worrying about how the bills will be paid. These scenarios take the employee away from the work at hand and can significantly distract the employee. • The obvious result of a distracted employee at work is an increase in workplace accidents. According to The Human Trend Alert, 60-80% of workplace accidents are stress related.

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The Solution

Footnotes 1 “The Importance of Workplace Financial Education to Employers” by Dr. E. Thomas Garman, published in the American Express Guide to Workplace Financial Education and Advice, 2004. 2 https://hansmonod.wordpress.com/employee-financial-stress-is-costing-your-company-a-bundle-andhow-you-can-stop-it-now/ 3www.stress.org/job.htm

go work plan

Raise up Christians at YOUR Workplace!

ow many Christians work in your office? Not sure? Maybe they’ve chosen to hide their true identity. Maybe your office is teaming with undercover Christians. Are you one of

them? In Matthew, chapter five, Jesus commands us to make our faith evident to everyone around us. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (NIV).” Join hundreds of companies, workplace champions, experts, and community leaders all under one roof to share Christ and promote faith in the work place. This is a two-hour luncheon designed to challenge and inspire you and your guests to take Christ back to the work place. Save the date or register now at GoWorkPlan.org.

Come hear Keynote Address by John Aden! John Aden is the executive vice president of sales innovation for Walmart U.S. and is responsible for identifying new and disruptive product offerings for driving growth. John was appointed to his current role in 2014 after serving as executive vice president of merchandise services for Walmart U.S., where he led replenishment, merchandise execution, small formats and supplier development. Prior to that, he was executive vice president of general merchandise for Walmart U.S., leading a strong team of merchants focused on electronics and entertainment, toys and seasonal and hardlines categories. In 2010, John was senior vice president of hardlines merchandising for Walmart U.S. During his tenure in hardlines, John helped to re-establish the authority of these categories by focusing on assortment, in-store merchandising and supplier collaboration.

Since joining Walmart in 2007, John has also served as senior vice president of international operations and senior vice president of global leverage for Walmart International. In his operations role, John led operations, logistics, merchandising, marketing and integration for Walmart’s international markets. He also served on the board of directors for the company’s joint venture in India. As senior vice president of global leverage, John’s team was responsible for leveraging global scale to drive growth and productivity by focusing on integration, purchase leverage, and innovation/process excellence.

Sponsors Needed! It is not too late for you to join in and support this very important luncheon. Your sponsorship will not only cover the cost to present the GoWorkPlan Rally, but a significant portion of all proceeds will be donated back to Marketplace Ministries that you promote at the Rally.

GoWork Planners Needed!

Prayerfully consider being a GoWorkPlanner. Rally together a table for 8 and sponsor a Marketplace Ministry. First, choose your Marketplace Ministry to support... if you don’t already have one, we can provide you some options. Second, plan to spend 30 to 60 seconds, depending on your sponsorship level, to shout out to the Rally what you or your marketplace ministry has been doing to advance faith in the workplace. Executive Shout Out Table Sponsor ($1000): receives a 60 second live or video Shout Out to the rally; a video roll-in graphic; a table with logo near the front; 8 lunches; logo on all marketing; and $600.00 donated to your “Marketplace Ministry”. Shout Out Table Sponsor ($500): receives a 30 second live Shout Out to the rally; a graphical roll-in; a table with logo near the front; 8 lunches; and $150.00 donated to your “Marketplace Ministry”.

GoWorkPlan Lunch & Rally January 28 11:00am to 1:00pm Wyndham Hotel Tulsa 10918 East 41st Street

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tulsa workshop

Brandon Hatmaker to Headline The Tulsa Workshop March 18-21 | Tulsa Expo Building

You can catch the Hatmakers on “My Big Family Renovation”. Once you do, you will be even more anxious to come hear Brandon challenge the crowd at the Tulsa Workshop.

he folks at The Soul Winning Workshop are at it again. Last year, they brought in Phil Robertson and his son, Alan of Duck Dynasty fame. The two spoke at the Friday night part of the four-day workshop event held at the Tulsa fairgrounds. The year before, the headline speaker was Francis Chan, the famous author of the book Crazy Love. In both cases, the Tulsa Pavilion was packed to the rafters, drawing in people who otherwise had never paid attention to the mostly Church of Christ Soul-Winning Workshop put on annually since 1976. This year, they have latched onto another big name…or soonto-be big name. If you haven’t heard of Brandon Hatmaker, just hold on. He and his 7-member family are about to be the center of a new reality TV series on HGTV. The series will follow Brandon, self-described as a “tattooed, Harley-riding pastor,” along with his wife, Jen Hatmaker, a nationally-known author and speaker, as they renovate their 105-year old home. The talented and profoundly “Christian” couple is bound to ruffle the national media feathers and the show has the markings of becoming another “Duck Dynasty.” Jen Hatmaker has written nine books on Christianity ministry for women and is already in wide demand on the Christian women’s circuit. Brandon, an author as well, has a best-selling book called “Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture.” When he is not preaching in his Austin-based church, or working on the old house, he works as the Vice-President of the Austin Chapter of Guardians of the Children, a motorcycle club set on reducing the trauma for children during the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of child abuse cases. He also is co-founder of Restore Communities, a group which aids various organizations to “rescue those who suffer at the hands of slavery, injustice, ignorance and oppression.” Aside from all of that, the Hatmakers stay busy riding herd over their kids…Gavin (16), Sydney Beth (14), Caleb (12), Ben (11), and Remy (8).

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Come Enjoy the Entire Workshop! You will be missing out if you only come hear Brandon Hatmaker. The four-day workshop is packed with great preachers and teachers including such names as Rick Atchley, Jason Thornton, John Alan Turner, Jeff Walling, and Terry Rush. Additional teachers include Patrick Mead, Don McLaughlin, Dusty Rush, Larry Bowles, and Josh Graves. Three of the speakers will address concepts of reaching the Muslim community. Classes for children, teens, and specialty works will fill the schedule which, in its entirety, is geared toward evangelizing the world. The theme for this year’s workshop is SPEAK LIFE! It will be held at the Tulsa Expo (Tulsa Fairgrounds) on March 18-21. This is a FREE, indoor event and is open to the public. There will be over thirty different speakers in sessions throughout each day, with nationally known speakers presenting every evening. The TULSA WORKSHOP will also include over 200 Exhibitors from around the nation and world. The exhibit booth area promotes missions and equipment used for outreach including bookstores, missionaries, singing groups, universities, children’s homes, Christian T-shirts and jewelry, educational supplies and curriculum. The Workshop will kick off on Wednesday evening in the Pavilion at the Tulsa Fairgrounds at 6:30 pm. Thursday and Friday the workshop will host sessions throughout the day beginning at 9:00 am and then keynotes each evening at 6:30 pm. Saturday sessions will take place 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Exhibit booths are open 8:00 am – 6:30 pm, Thursday and Friday, and Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. No tickets or reservations are required, but come early especially for the evening sessions. The entire Tulsa community has caught on…The Tulsa Soul-Winning Workshop is something you don’t want to miss.

FO RE R GIS BE TE ST R E SA AR VI LY NG S!

america’s explosive christian women’s movement

$79 FRIDAY NIGHT concert featuring

PHIL WICKHAM

MINISTRY PARTNERS:

“For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through FAITH – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD...” DOOR PRICE $109 | All purchases are non-refundable. Artists and speakers vary by city and are subject to change. Visit www.ewomen.net for the latest event updates.