November 2014 | Community Spirit Magazine

+ Also INside: Hamlet Food Review

| How to Buy a T.V. | The Secret to a Positive Holiday

Contents FEATURES 6 Foster Care - A Christian’s Responsibility 10 Oral Roberts University 15 Food Review - The Hamlet 16 Wanna Be Santa Claus?

19 How to Buy a TV 19 The Secret to a Positive Christmas 24 Great American Smokeout 26 Is it Okay to Say Merry Christmas?

31 Lose it for the Kids Thank You! COLUMNS 22 ACT Financial Services 23 Private Label Realty 27 Deniece Adsit 28 Mollie Myers 29 Cornerstone Counseling Center 30 Danny Cahill, The Biggest Loser

NOVEMBER 2014 PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud CREATIVE Director Ramond Walker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Danny Cahill, Deniece Adsit, Mollie Myer, Kevin Nieman, Cindy Steward 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

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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cover story

Foster CALLED TO

One Couple’s Response to the Foster Care Crisis 6 |

C o m m u n i t y S p irit m agaz ine.com NOVEM BER 2014

It is a ministry they had never considered.

Like many couples their age, Keith and Michelle Courtright are busy building careers, enjoying friends and developing their marriage.

It is a time when they can enjoy a certain level of independence and affluence, running out of town on the weekends to catch a ball game, shop or visit relatives. But for this couple and a growing number of couples like them, giving back and investing in their community is more important than any other fun they might have in their young marriage lifestyle.

Becoming foster care parents was not anything they had ever talked about or considered. However, when an adoption and foster care agency opened an office in their church building, it started the wheels rolling in Michelle’s mind. She remembers thinking, “How can we help children in Tulsa? Maybe we should consider adoption some day? Or maybe, we could help by becoming foster care parents right now?”

It wasn’t long after having these thoughts that the “walls of their

“We have been blessed our whole lives with examples of what it looks like to love children. That is why it is easy. Now, it is time to give back.”

Are you called to foster?

“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40 ASB

Every day, there are children waiting for a place to call home and a family to support them.

Learn how you can make a difference for a child as a TFI foster parent.

www.tfifamilyconnections.org • 866-543-9810

house came crashing down.” Literally, a major plumbing break caused extensive damage to their home, requiring much of it to be remodeled. It was a painful process, but they now believe God used the incident to get their attention for a new and exciting chapter of their life together.

“When the repairs were finally finished, I remember walking back into our house and thinking that we have this really nice house now.

It is all redone and now we even have some extra space. From the day we bought our house, Keith had said that we should always look for ways to use our house as our mission field and I began thinking about how God was going to use this brand new space in a special way. Then, some friends of ours at church told us that they were preparing to become a foster care family. Suddenly, it all clicked with me that this is how God wants us to use our home. So, one night I took Keith out to dinner and asked him if he wanted to go into foster care,” Michelle explained with a smile.

“It came completely out of the blue for me,” Keith recalled. “I didn’t know anything about foster care and had never thought twice about it. However, my mom runs a mother’s day out program so I C ommu n itysp ir itma ga zin e.c om

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cover story

grew up around kids and I love them. I had to process it and sort out all the questions. It was a little scary, but I finally agreed it was a great idea.”

A few of their friends quietly thought Keith and Michelle had lost their minds. “After all,” they said, “Losing that freedom by having your own children is one thing, but volunteering to saddle yourself down to raise someone else’s kid, is crazy.”

“They just didn’t understand. We are not just babysitting for a weekend. This child is our sole responsibility. We take it to the doctor, to daycare, and everywhere we go. It is a lot more commitment than our friends could understand and yes, it did slow down our lives.

Now when people ask us to do something, sometimes we have to say no because we must think about what is best for our child,” Michelle said.

Keith and Michelle chose not to go into foster care at arm’s length.

Instead, they decided from the start that if they were going to do this, they would ensure that they could offer four important things.

1. Provide a safe place 2. Love them as much as they would their own child 3. Be a bridge back to the child’s parent or parents 4. Teach the child about Jesus Keith explained that loving the kids comes very easy. “I can’t say that I had an immediate bond with the first child we fostered. But them I took off a day and he totally had to depended on me. By the end of the day, I had completely fallen in love of this kid. In the process, I learned … there is not a half way love for kids. Either you love them or you don’t and we have committed to love them and not hold back.

Too Hard?

After falling in love with the first child, they learned that being a bridge back to the child’s parents was not easy. “People say they can’t do foster care because it would be too hard to give them back. They often warn us not to get too attached. But we just had to make the decision that the pain was part of the ministry. We decided as hard as it is, we are the adults and we are willing to go through the pain so the child can experience love, even if it is only for a while. Is it easy? No, but it is totally worth it. It was brutal saying goodbye to the first child, but that was our role. We are willing to do it so these children can at least for a while know the kind of love our parents gave to us.”

“I miss them. It hurts, like I lost my first baby. The only thing that has gotten me through that loss is praying the child is safe, protected and loved. So now, my prayer is that someday they will know Jesus.

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Some foster care parents get to stay connected. That wasn’t possible in our case but we just have to pray we will see him in Heaven some day,” Michelle said.

God’s Love for Us “Soon after our first placement, I looked at Keith and said, “Now I know how God loves us. Loving that child that is not mine biologically, that came to us knowing other people, that we didn’t get him as an infant, came easy. He relied on us. And it allowed me to understand just a little bit more how God loves us, a glimpse of what that looks like anyway.”

Aren’t you just playing house?

Practicing for your own kids?

“Sometimes it bothers me when people ask, ‘Does this make you want to have kids?’ I want to answer that I do have a kid. I already have a child who I love and who needs me and that I take care of.

This is the real deal. In fact, in some ways, it may be even harder than having my own. Some of our friends don’t see us as parents.

But the buck stops here. I understand that it is different, but lets face it, every need the child has comes down to us to supply. We are not just playing house and, we don’t know the timetable. We never know how long the child will be with us. It could be only a few days, or it could be over a year or more. The commitment is potentially forever. We never went into this intending to adopt, but we could see how that could happen. Our role is to bridge them back to their family, not to become their family, but if a child is in your care and they come up for adoption, you will be asked to adopt them. We already know the answer. We would not hesitate to adopt them,” Michelle answered.

A Responsibility of ALL Christians “If you are a Christian, you have a role in foster care,” Michelle insists. I believe as Christians it is our role to take care of the orphans and widows like the Bible says. In the US, the orphans are foster children. Everyone has a role to play. It may mean that you become a foster parent or maybe that you help some other couple foster.

Show up with dinner to support a foster care family. Offer to baby sit. Reach for our children at church and offer to hold them and love them. As Christians, not just young couples, it is our role to be involved in these children’s lives and to help them. All of us can help.”

Got Questions?

Keith and Michelle live here in Tulsa. Keith is a Project Manager at OneOak and Michelle is a 6th grade Math & Science teacher at Jenks West. They love the Lord and all the kids (big ones and litle ones) He created.

If you are considering becoming a foster care family and have some practical, how-do-you-do-it questions, you can contact the magazine and we will connect you with Keith and Michelle’s email. To get the ball rolling on the ins and outs of foster care, contact one of the agencies shown in this story. They can help make it easy.

What WILL You Do to Help?

We Pray you will consider becoming a foster care family, but even if you can’t, you can still make a difference.

1. Pray for these struggling youth as well as for the foster care families and those working to support them.

2. Call one of the foster care agencies to see how you can volunteer to help.

3. Consider being a part of a small group support family.

Contact Stand in the Gap for more information.

4. Become a special support for those who do adopt or foster care children. Give them a break with the baby-sitting, take the kids fishing, and use the gifts God gave you to make a difference.

For no obligation information:

A Special Challenge – Consider Becoming a Therapeutic Foster Care Family!

All parenting is challenging, but therapeutic foster caring requires an extra amount of patience and love. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services describes it this way…

“Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is a Residential Behavioral Management service provided in foster home settings. TFC is designed to serve children ages 3 to 18 with special psychological, social, behavioral and emotional needs who can accept and respond to the close relationships within a family setting, but whose special needs require more intensive or therapeutic services than are found in traditional foster care.”

Bottom line, TFC is a joint venture, combining the talents of specially trained families and therapists to create a non-institutional treatment especially for children who have often been victims of neglect and abuse.

Never willing to give up on a single child, people involved in TFC work to provide long term stability and care for kids desperate for love and support.

Maybe God is calling you to this challenging, yet very rewarding ministry.

You truly are needed. “The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.”

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M E E T S O M E O F T H E R E N O W N E D FA C U LT Y O F O R A L R O B E R T S U N I V E R S I T Y. Dr. Edward Watson, Professor of Biblical Literature and Practical Theology, Graduate School of Theology and Ministry, served as Chief Editor of the New Testament for the Modern English Version translation of the Bible published

by Charisma Media.

Dr. David Burkus, ORU Assistant Professor of Management, authored “The Myths of Creativity.” The book is based on the latest research into how creative individuals and firms succeed and received national attention including a feature on “CBS This Morning.”

Dr. Charlene Martin, ORU Assistant Professor of education, won the 2014 Distinguished Dissertation Award from the Association of Teacher Educators.

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Dr. John Jenkins, ORU Assistant Professor of Music, performed with Grammy-nominated musician Josh Groban during a recent concert at Kansas City’s Sprint Center.

Dr. Cheryl Swanson, ORU Assistant Professor of Nursing, published an articled entitled “The Case for Studying Cultural Competence from the Perspective of the Hispanic Immigrant Patient: A State of Science in the Online Journal of Cultural Competence in Nursing and Healthcare.”

Dr. Andrew Lang, Chair of Computing and Mathematics department, was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change for his work with Open Science.

Visit quest.oru.edu/educators or call 844-756-9035 to learn more about earning a scholarship to study with these amazing faculty and many more like them!

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NOV EMBER 2014

ORU President Appoints Matviuk New Dean of Online and Lifelong Learning

O

ral Roberts University President William M. Wilson is pleased to announce the appointment of Sergio Matviuk, Ph.D. as the new dean of online and lifelong learning.

This new position and Dr. Matviuk joining ORU’s academic community will strongly enhance the globalization initiative underway at the university.

“I am excited that Dr. Matviuk is joining our team and believe he will be a great addition as we look to broadening our presence globally,” said Wilson. “His longtime experience in online education and international affairs will assist us in extending the mission and vision of ORU around the world.”

Matviuk most recently served as Regent University’s executive director of global affairs. He possesses more than 20 years of successful international administrative and leadership experience as an education executive of nonprofits, management and

educational organizations.

Matviuk has designed and led several successful mega education projects worldwide and developed an extensive international, institutional and professional network. He has led educational programs in 14 different countries, which has allowed him to gain extensive international and cross-cultural experience.

Matviuk is also a respected international consultant who has served organizations and institutions such as Texas Instruments, Lucent Technologies, Fleet Bank, The Paraguayan-American Chamber of Commerce (Paraguay), The Supreme Court of Justice of Cordoba (Argentina), The First Vice-Presidency of Peru and several universities in the areas of leadership development, international development, cross-cultural leadership and global programs development.

He is also a member of prestigious international organizations such as the International Leadership Association, the Latin American Council of Administration Schools, the British Academy of Management, the Business Association of Latin American Studies and serves on the advisory board of the Exploring Leadership & Learning Theories in Asia Conference.

Matviuk holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a master’s degree in education (equiv.) from the Universidad de Cordoba in Argentina; a Master of Arts in Church Ministries, with concentration in missions, from Church of God Theological Seminary; and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Regent University.

Matviuk is fluent in English, Spanish and possesses working knowledge of Portuguese.

Dr. Matviuk will report to ORU Provost Kathaleen ReidMartinez and serve as a member of the Dean’s Council. Matviuk will begin his new role on September 1, 2014.

Mathematical Finance Degree Prepares Students for Global Marketplace

O

ral Roberts University is offering a new degree program in Mathematical Finance. The new degree is offered through the ORU College of Science and Engineering.

“We are excited to offer this new degree program,” said ORU Professor Andrew Lang. “The global markets are in need of financial leaders with both the quantitative tools and ethical grounding necessary to significantly influence economic policy and business practices in a way that only an ORU whole person education can provide.”

With a degree in Mathematical Finance, graduates will develop the skills to integrate faith, quantitative analysis and

critical thinking to promote financial prosperity in the world’s ever-changing market. Students will acquire an understanding of how modern business decisions are driven by data and overlaying models. This will allow them to perform tasks ranging from business intelligence to in-depth business analytics.

Students interested in enrolling for the new Mathematical Finance degree program are eligible for nomination to the Quest Whole Person Scholarship, which offers up to $20,000 a year in tuition.

For additional information on the Quest Whole Person Scholarship Program, visit www.quest.oru.edu.

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ORU Expands Whole Person Education Through New Online Portal

O

ral Roberts University is launching its Whole Person Education to new heights through a groundbreaking new online portal. The portal was designed to incorporate the

Wilson. “ORU is poised on both of these fronts to become a leader through online Whole Person Education. This new proprietary technology will lead the way to equipping leaders in spirit, mind and body to impact the world in a wide variety of disciplines.”

Online students will have access to stateof-the-art resources designed to develop the whole person. Features include access to university announcements, ORU Chapel archives, Christian news sources, recipes, fitness tips and daily devotionals.

The portal will also allow online students to stay connected to ORU’s Tulsa campus.

Students will have access to ORU support staff including chaplains, student success coaches and health/ fitness specialists. The portal will also contain a public directory of faculty and student profiles, which will allow students to connect from around the globe.

“I was impressed by the integration of ORU’s Whole Person Education,” said Janice Lambert, who participated in the beta testing of the new online portal.

“As an online student, it will be easier to stay plugged in and communicate with professors and on-campus students.”

To create the first phase of this portal, ORU brought together numerous technology and educational thought leaders to innovate the future of an online higher educational portal.

Online classes are still forming. For more information, or to register, visit oruonline. me.

university’s focus on developing the spirit, mind and body and will launch this month at oruonline.me.

“The world is in an unprecedented era of global and technological interconnectivity,” said ORU President William M.

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NOVEMBER 2014

ORU Hosts High School Students from Around the Globe for College Weekend

O

ral Roberts University will be hosting high school students from around the globe for college weekend November 6-8, 2014. College weekend gives prospective students a chance to become familiar with ORU through visiting classes, staying in dorms, getting to know faculty members and gathering information about admissions and financial aid.

Students interested in attending ORU are eligible for nomination to the Quest Whole Person Scholarship, which offers up to $20,000 a year in tuition. For additional information on the Quest Whole Person Scholarship Program, visit www.quest.oru. edu.

College Weekend is open to everyone wanting to learn more about ORU. On-campus housing is available for unmarried high school sophomores, juniors and seniors and college transfers between the ages of 15 and 24. Parents and other guests are also invited to attend events throughout the weekend.

Talent scholarship auditions will also take place during college

weekend. Students interested in receiving talent scholarships for art, dance, drama, broadcasting and music must request an audition.

Students and parents attending college weekend will have the option to attend several special events including a coffee night, academic fair, ORU chapel service and a closing session with ORU President William M. Wilson. ORU Theater will also be presenting “39 Steps” November 6-8 at 7:30 p.m.

Registration for college weekend is $60 per student. The cost includes a student’s stay in the residence halls, all meals during college weekend and an ORU t-shirt.

For more information about ORU’s college weekend, visit http:// www.oru.edu/campus_visitation/college_weekend.php, or email admissions@oru.edu.

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santa clause

Ever Dreamed of Being Santa?

over at Silver Dollar City, he does everything he can to communicate Christ’s love through the loving character of Santa.

His Santa friend over at Branson shared the following with him and David is taking it to heart.

Who This Santa Is!!

“Santa is not a rich man, but a servant of God. Hence the red robe. The red is for the Blood Jesus shed on the cross. The white is for the purity given to the His disciples by the Holy Spirit. The reason for giving gifts is to remind us of the greatest gift for all that was given to man, the forgiveness of our sins. That is the true meaning of Christmas!”

Photo Courtesy of Daryl Michael, Photographer, Tel. 918-231-7500 www.darylmichael.com

A

ccording to David Clark, a Broken Arrow Santa, the job is not as easy as it looks. He says however, with a twinkle in his eye, that it can be very rewarding. Oh, he doesn’t do it for the money. In fact, up until recently, he only put on his suit for his church, family and on mission trips, but he discovered the power, the influence and the responsibility it takes to become Santa. He has found that even when he is donned in a simple Santa Claus t-shirt, people from all nations smile and want to meet him.

David indeed has the “look.” Seriously, he is one of the most natural looking Santas you will find. His beard and everything about him is genuine. From this snow-white hair and beard, right down to his “bowl full of jelly.”

But throwing on a suit and learning to HO-HO-HO does not make you qualified to be Santa. David went to College to get his Baccalaureate Degree in Santaology from the Professional Santa Claus School in Denver, Colorado. Armed with this degree, some professional photographs and of course with a genuine love for the kids and everything Christmas, David plans to step up his Santa efforts this year. The school actually does do a great job of teaching all the ins and outs of playing this beloved character, including knowing how to plan and design a proper party.

For David however, it goes much farther than simply acting like a character. A strong believer in Jesus Christ, he is investing his skills as a life-long pastor to minister to kids and their families. Learning from other Christian Santas in the area including from his mentor

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David also uses the following acrostic: Serving All Nations Telling All that Christ’s Love Always Include

U Say Yes to His Gift of Salvation!

So, if you need a regular ol’ Santa, they are a dime a dozen. But the real deal?? When you find one of them, they are truly worth their cookies and milk. You will note something special in the twinkle in their eyes and in their special deep-hearted laugh. They understand the true meaning of Christmas and they let light of their Savior shine through them in special ways.

David (Santa) is available to be Santa if you wish, but more importantly, he would also be willing to share the reason for the Joy of Christmas to “kids” of all ages if you will simply give him the time. You may contact Santa at 602-821-2309 or at waterwalkerx3@hotmail.com.hotmail

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NOVEMBER 2014

hamlet review

The Hamlet…Our New Favorite Date Night Place

by Tom McCloud

I

f you are like me, right here at the holidays, you will soon be planning a trip over to The Hamlet to pick up one of those incredible spiral cut hams. The Hamlet has a marvelous and welldeserved reputation for excellence in everything “deli,” especially for their sandwiches, salads, hams and smoked turkeys. But prepare to be “wowed,” because they have recently added upscale dining, serving dishes guaranteed to please even the most discriminating palate.

Let me tell you…gone are the days of my indecisiveness when my wife asks where we should go for dinner, The Hamlet at 91st and Sheridan will now be top on my suggestion list.

at work. Or, if you want a bit more background excitement, you can sit in the covered patio area, equipped with flat screen TVs and an inviting fireplace. It is fun and relaxing.

Also available is a new bar area with an incredible hardwood floor. The room is the perfect size for a small rehearsal dinner or company party. Combine this atmosphere with the incredible food and your guests will feel they have been treated like kings.

Our dinner started with the Artichoke and Pepper Bacon Dip. Warm and dusted with chili, the combination of cheesy flavors provided the perfect topping for unique pita bread chips. My wife, not always easily impressed, said, “This is absolutely the best appetizer I have ever eaten.”

Next came a delightful and perfectly grilled salmon

with asparagus. My wife substituted the Harvest Salad, a delicious assortment of mix greens, pine nuts and sweet potatoes with roasted cherry tomatoes, tossed in honey red wine vinaigrette.

To top off this special occasion, we splurged by sharing an apple cobbler. (I don’t know how many burpees it takes at the gym to burn off this dessert, but it was totally worth it!)

The dinner was absolutely top notch and even the price was delicious. Reasonably priced, good portioned, fine dining, yet jeans friendly, The Hamlet will forever be on our short list of the best places in South Tulsa. We will do dinner at The Hamlet again… soon!

You may have noticed the new exterior redesign of the building.

Step inside and you will see that this is now much, much more than that deli you may have remembered from the past. The atmosphere is comfortable, yet nice, providing a perfect setting for either a date night or an evening with friends. Inside the main restaurant, it is quiet and charming, perfect for reconnecting after a long day

THE HAMLET 9107 S. Sheridan Road 918-495-1466 Deli lunches 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, dinner 5-10 p.m.

Monday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; accepts all major credit cards.

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We Are Your Complete Source For

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We invite you to consult with our skilled professionals when considering a home theater, home automation and business communication. We proudly offer the best products and expert installation, backed by our 30 years of experience serving northeastern Oklahoma.

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Barco • Definitive Technology • Digital Projection • Integra • JVC • Klipsch • Lutron • Panasonic • Pioneer Elite RTI • Samsung • Seura • Sharp • Sonace • Sonos • Sony • Toshiba • Universal Remote Control • Yamaha

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NOVEMBER 2014

video revolution

Shopping for Electronics Made Easy

I

went to one of the box stores to buy a TV. Now granted, the television “set” I was replacing was the 75-pound variety, a dinosaur back from a time when “plasma” was something you donated at the blood bank and LED and LCDs were probably only some sort of military acronyms.

After a while of watching the same cartoon on 50 different TVs, I finally got someone to wait on me. Once he realized that I didn’t know the lingo or even the brand names, he quickly took me to the end where all the lower priced televisions were displayed, pointed to one and said, “How about this one? Pretty picture, huh?”

getting to know me first. He asked all about what we liked to watch, what size the room was, and how light it was. And after narrowing down our likes, dislikes as well as our targeted budget amount, he finally directed me to some options. I was impressed that he didn’t make me feel stupid, but rather explained the new technology and terms, putting me in charge of my own decision.

With his help, the whole process was easy. I choose what I thought was the best for us, based upon his explanations. The next day, the Video Revolution installation team came out to my house and did an expert job of not only putting it in, but also training my wife and I on how it worked. They even programmed everything to run from the one remote control, making it all really simple for us.

Here are some reasons I will send my friends to Video Revolution…

Although I don’t know electronics, I wasn’t born yesterday and so I decided to go elsewhere in search of that one perfect blend of technology and price. A friend told me about Video Revolution so I thought I would give it a try.

Their showroom was packed full of inventory…every size and style television you can imagine. But an older, obviously experienced salesman greeted me. He had a unique sales approach.

He didn’t show me a television at all, but instead insisted on

1. They listened first, then suggested options that would work for me 2. They have experienced, professional sales people – It is what they do for a living.

3. They have the top names…Sony, Samsung and Sharp 4. As they say, they offer “from mild to wild” 5. They didn’t make me feel stupid 6. They provided the electronics to fit MY room 7. They made the installation and the training easy Video Revolution is located at 7030 South Lewis.

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5 ways to have a positive christmas

Five Ways To Have A Positive Christmas

By Tom McCloud

I

f your childhood anticipation of Christmas has been replaced with the dread of loneliness and tough memories, read on. Our prayer for you is that you not only make it through the holidays, but that The Great Physician will renew your Spirit and place the greatest gift under your tree – hope.

You may have every right to be sad…the loss of loved ones, painful scars from those who you thought you could count on, or maybe your current health is keeping you from enjoying life like you once did. But God has a Christmas miracle just for you and this Christmas can be a special time of celebration, no matter your circumstances.

Think back. If you are like me, the best Christmas memories are those times when I fully prepared for the holidays, when I just couldn’t wait for someone to open that present I knew they were going to squeal about. I challenge you to prepare right now for a wonderful Christmas. Plans made today will ensure happy days ahead.

Here are some practical ideas to make your holiday positive and to experience that special warm Christmas feeling you thought you might never feel again. It’s not rocket science, but I know it’s not easy either. However, take the steps and I am certain they will make a difference.

1. You are not alone. If you will look around you, I promise you will find lonely people who need your help in making their Christmas positive as well. Jesus taught us that the secret of life is found in serving others. Surely then, the secret of enjoying Christmas is to help others do the same. Ask God for His help in finding these people who need you so badly and pray for ideas on how you can bless them.

2. Plan a party. Don’t be alone on Christmas. Equipped with your new list of people who need you, plan a party or even a series of parties. Make it special. Hand-make invitations and do it up right. Make every guest feel like they are the most important person in the room.

3. Donate to charity. Though it is obviously nice to write a check to a worthy organization, that is not what I am suggesting here. Instead, find someone in your church, at work or who lives around you and do something to help them. Maybe it is the single mom across the street that could use a Christmas ham or help buying gifts for the kids? I guess the secret here is for you to be able to see them open it. Enjoy and savor their reaction. Then hang on to it throughout the holidays. You deserve it.

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4. Get out of the house! In your mission to help others, get out of the house and be open to where God leads you. Pray that He puts people in your path that need your smile, your kind words and your newfound Christmas spirit. But be sure to have a mission. Stop to thank every person ringing the bells for charity and every person who is working so others can enjoy themselves. They will be shocked and delighted that you would think of them. Wish EVERYONE a Merry Christmas. And determine ahead of time that you will praise God for each happy person you see. When you see a family arm-in-arm for instance, don’t let it put you in a depression tailspin. Instead, let every scene, especially the positive ones, be another reason to praise God. 5. Surround yourself with good things. This is the time for celebration. Treat yourself to all of your favorite, positive things and stay away from anything negative. Turn off the negative television shows. Read a good book. Read the Good Book. Write letters to loved ones. Focus on the good in life and count your blessings.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

-Luke 2:11 New International Version

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act financial

RANDY COWELL

Social Security-Facts and Figures

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his is the third in a series of article on Social Security and retirement planning. The purpose of this article is to give the reader a base of knowledge to build upon. With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 EVERY day, the importance of understanding all of your options is vital. It can potentially be the difference of thousands of dollars in lost or gained retirement income. The good news is you get to choose.

So you’ve made up your mind to file for Social Security retirement benefits. When can you file? The answer is surprisingly simple. No more than three months prior to when you want your benefits to begin. (No sooner than your 62nd birthday.)

How do I file? There are three methods of filing for Social Security Benefits. You can file in person, by phone, or online.

Whichever method you choose, remember, you have to provide documentation proving your age. These would include all or some of the following: your Social Security number and card, your birth certificate, proof of earnings from the prior year, and your military discharge papers. Remember I did say some. You may not have all of them so don’t let that slow you down. Take what you have.

Understanding the Basics There are several dates and key numbers you should to be aware of if you wish to maximize your Social Security retirement benefit.

The first is the date in which you can retire with full benefits. This is your full retirement age or FRA. For those born between 1943 and 1954 the FRA is 66 years of age and it graduates two months per year of age until the year 1960. Those born in 1960 and after have an FRA of 67 years of age.

Does that mean you have to wait until your FRA? NO! You have the option of taking an early retirement benefit at the ripe old age of 62 or any age thereafter. But wait a minute! That decision comes with a cost. The cost comes in the form of a 25% reduction in monthly payments.

To get started with your retirement planning you will need to go online and request an estimate of benefits. This is easily done by logging into the Social Security Quick Calculator www.ssa. gov/oact/quickcalc. It is important to check the earnings records periodically for accounting errors. It is important because it is the basis for your retirement benefits.

To work or not work Today, many Americans are choosing to work well into their retirement years. Unfortunately, this is problematic if you have chosen to take early retirement. Anyone taking retirement benefits prior to their FRA potentially subjects their Social Security payments to be withheld. Here is an easy way to determine if you SS payments will be withheld. The first step is to determine your

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provisional income. This is a sum of all your income, taxable as well as non-taxable, and 50% of your Social Security payments less the deductions used to determine your Adjusted Gross Income or AGI. Once you have determined your provisional income, (PI) there is just one more step. In 2013 if you are married filing jointly and your PI exceeds $34,000, or $25,000 if you are single, up to 50% of your benefits will be taxed. If your combined married income exceeds $44,000, or $34,000 if you are single, up to 85% of your benefits are taxable. Obviously, it goes without saying that a through analysis of your investment, and savings is crucial if you are interested in lowering the amount of taxes you pay on your SS earnings.

As you can see, dealing with Social Security can be downright complicated. My suggestion to anyone approaching retirement is to seek wise counsel. The scriptures are as clear, especially when they strongly suggest we seek wise counsel in all of our decisions.

Selecting a strategy that will affect you and your family in such a significant way. Proverbs 19:27 states it this way, Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Next month we will finish our series on Social Security retirement by discussing strategies that can literally add thousands of dollars to your retirement income. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding issues surrounding Social Security please give us a call. We would love to help!

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.

The “Yes Women Can” Blog

Hope When the Holidays are Hard

WATCH FOR THIS BLOG IN EACH ISSUE OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT

BY CINDY STEWARD

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e are coming into a wonderful season of the year!

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are filled with excitement, traditions and family fun. But what happens when the divorce decree requires that your children will be spending time with their dad and you will be home alone? Or perhaps a beloved spouse passed away and this will be your first holiday without them. Also, for so many of us a past loss of a child or loved one brings back joyful memories but empty arms at this time of year. Often this time of year may be painful, difficult and very lonely. Friends are sharing their plans and traditions and as you listen your heart begins to pound and tears well up. Although you may be very happy for them it reminds you of the situation you are in.

Divorce has brought a new and deeper meaning to all holidays for me. For the past fourteen years I have been facing holidays that are not quite the same as other friends and family. Together with my ex-husband we have developed a great working relationship which is about as good as I could have imagined. Every other year my two daughters spend the holidays with their dad and his family and they are all thrilled. But deep in my heart I have asked, “What will I be doing without them?” Holidays are times when all of the people around be are celebrating with joy and I can be completely covered in pain, sorrow and a deep sense of loss at not being able to share in the memories my children are making this year.

Many years ago, God met me during one of these holidays, it was Easter. In a very loving way He reminded me that these times are not about me, they are times to remember and celebrate His love for us. Since that year I start in the fall reminding myself of that meeting with God in 2003 and I begin making plans. What will I be doing this year? I have to admit that it isn’t always fun and it takes some dogged determination! The pain and loss can still creep in. But there is also joy in a new way that may be different from all of my friends! I share these ideas with in you the sincere hope they may be a help to you!

One year I helped deliver food boxes to homes where one parent was in prison. I was spent the afternoon driving with two people I had never met but we shared the love of Christ along the journey.

At the very first stop we were greeted at the door by three smiling little children! They wanted us to come in and look at their tree which was just leaned against the wall. Under the tree where three little stockings and I recognized them! Two years earlier for my Thanksgiving time alone instead of crying I had sewn and donated 30 stockings to the church and there they were! It was as if God was there smiling upon me and allowed me to see this little miracle!

Every church has these type of serving opportunities and they

will be happy to have your help! Even if you are not a member, most churches now have websites and you can simply check out ways to volunteer easily! I have also developed traditions that I do when I am alone. I always go to a movie as it reminds me of my youth when my dad would take the entire family to a movie on Christmas day! I also go on a walk, no matter how cold! And sometimes it is fun to have to get all bundled up. Many times friends who know I will be alone invite me to be part of their family time however, this is often too difficult for me. But in the past few years I have been able to stop by for hot chocolate or a cookie and they are genuinely glad to see me and in the end it is fun even if I have to force myself to do it. Last year I went to three different houses! Several years ago I went to two Christmas Eve services and two on Christmas day, at four different churches!

Here is the most important part, you have to plan early and commit to the plan. Promise yourself that no matter how you are feeling on that day you will follow through. Write it down, place it on the fridge, remind yourself this is coming up and I am going to do it! For those of you who are also divorced, I have found my daughters find comfort in knowing that I have a plan! They don’t want me to be lonely and they are torn as well. Keeping our eyes upon the Lord and why we are celebrating has helped all of us find hope in this hard situation!

LISA GOINS & CINDY STEWARD Smart Women Buy Homes are professional Realtors who have a passion and commitment to serving the unique needs of women home buyers. Lisa and Cindy are dedicated to making it easy, exciting and a joy for you to buy and own a home!

Cindy Steward Cindy Steward has been buying a selling homes in Tulsa for over 7 years. She currently owns thirty rental properties that provide income for her family. Cindy is passionate about helping other women pursue their dreams of home ownership. She is a licensed Realtor with Private Label Realty. She currently lives with her two daughters now 18 and 13.

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oklahoma health department

We Challenge You! Can YOU Do it?

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hursday, November 20th will be a BIG day for thousands of smokers across the country. Every year, on the third Thursday of November, people just like you take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. For one day, they put their smokes in the drawer and go smoke-free.

One day…that can’t be too tough can it? We challenge you to try it. It may just be the beginning of your smokeless forever. Or even if it is only for one day, it will be a great lesson to you of the savings and the personal benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle.

The Great American Smokeout not challenges you to stop using tobacco, it also will help inform you of the many tools you can use to quit and stay quit. You really aren’t in this alone!

We know it is hard to quit tobacco, but with some help (and a lot of prayer) you really can do it. We understand…you have tried before, but maybe not with all the tools available to you today.

Research shows that smokers are most successful in kicking the habit when they have support, such as: • Telephone smoking-cessation hotlines • Stop-smoking groups • Online quit groups • Counseling • Nicotine replacement products • Prescription medicine to lessen cravings • Guide books • Encouragement and support from friends and family members According to the American Cancer Society, it has been proven that using two or more of these measures to quit smoking works even better than using any one of them alone. For example, some people use a prescription medicine along with nicotine replacement.

Other people may use as many as three or four of the methods listed above. But each one adds to your chances of putting down those smokes for the rest of your life. How sweet would that be?

So, purpose Thursday the 20th as your smokeless day when you totally invest in a healthier you. Use the resources and call the hotline if you start to waver.

The Great American Smokeout works. It fact since it began back in the 1970s when smoking and secondhand smoke was almost the norm, the program has helped all of us to change the way we think about smoking. Things are better now and the laws, changes and education has helped dramatically change Americans’ attitudes about smoking. These changes have led to community programs and smoke-free laws that are now saving lives in many states.

The idea for the Great American Smokeout was a simple one back in 1970. During an event in Randolph, Massachusetts, Arthur P. Mullaney challenged people to give up cigarettes for a day and donate the money they would have spent on cigarettes to a high school scholarship fund. A few years later, Lynn R. Smith, editor

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of the Monticello Times in Minnesota, spearheaded the state’s first D-Day, or Don’t Smoke Day. The idea caught on, and on November 18, 1976, the California Division of the American Cancer Society got nearly 1 million smokers to quit for the day. Since then, the Great American Smokeout has become a part of the Americana landscape, something both smokers and non-smokers applaud.

The Great American Smokeout has also helped place emphasis on the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke. It has been played an important role is placing attention to the deaths and chronic diseases caused by smoking and has helped many state and local governments to apply important new laws and ordinances.

From raising taxes on cigarettes and limiting cigarette promotions, to discouraging teen use and banning smoking in workplaces and restaurants, the changes allow us to now live in a cleaner and healthier community.

The efforts have worked. In fact, from 1965 to today, cigarette smoking among adults in the United States decreased from more than 42% to around 18%. There is still room for improvement, especially right here in Oklahoma. But that is all the more reason to join the Great American Smokeout…November 20th!

FROM THE American Cancer Society 1 in 5 US adults smoke cigarettes (that’s more than 43 million people).

Nearly 16 million people smoke tobacco in cigars or pipes.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women and about 87% of lung cancer deaths are thought to result from smoking.

Smoking also causes cancers of the larynx (voice box), mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus (swallowing tube), and bladder. It also has been linked to the development of cancers of the pancreas, cervix, ovary (mucinous), colon/rectum, kidney, stomach, and some types of leukemia. Cigars and pipes cause cancers, too.

Smoking is responsible for nearly 1 in 3 cancer deaths, and 1 in 5 deaths from all causes. 8.6 million people live with serious illnesses caused by smoking.

Visit www.cancer.org to learn more about quitting smoking, improving your health, or getting involved with the Great American Smokeout in your community. Or just call your American Cancer Society anytime at 1-800227-2345.

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political perspective

Political Perspective

Things Still Aren’t So Merry in Our Public Schools

By Tom McCloud

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s we put up our trees and deck our halls at home, the halls of our public schools continually become less “ChristmasFriendly.” Such is the belief of Representative Ken Walker and many other Oklahoma lawmakers.

Last February, the majority of the members of the Oklahoma House passed HB2317, legislation deemed as the “Merry Christmas bill.” It passed with overwhelming support across both sides of the isle as 73 to 10 voted in favor of the measure to authorize public school students, teachers and district staff to greet each other with “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah.”

Fearful that our society is set on cleansing of our school houses with religious thought and tradition, Rep. Ken Walker (R) and his collegues stepped forward to make at least make a social statement that schools should be permitted to Rep. Ken Walker display religious scenes or symbols, such as a nativity scene or menorah, http://www.scribd. com/doc/210547214/Oklahoma-Merry-Christmas-Bill providing they include “more than one religion or one religion and at least one secular scene or symbol.”

The bill was ultimately killed in the Senate Education committee lead by Senator John Ford (District 29 Nowata, Rogers and Washington counties). He argued that the bill was unnecessary because federal courts and the U.S. Department of Education already http://aclj.org/christmas-holiday/holiday-observance-inpublic-schools”permit certain holiday displays in public schools, including exchanges of “Merry Christmas.”

Still as Christmas trees and Christmas parties are replaced by Winter celebrations and as Christians all over the country continue to feel more and more persecution, it is understandable some would attempt to defend our traditions and beliefs with legislation.

Oklahoma is not alone in this feeling. In fact the Merry Christmas bill was patterned after similar legislation passed by the Texas legislature and in other states like Tennessee and Alabama.

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Representative Walker recalled that he first got interested in the matter when Kathy LaFortune came to him wanting to make sure kids and teachers continued to have a right to say “Merry Christmas.”

She explained that even when raising her kids in the 90s, there was already a push to replace “Christmas Tree” with “Holiday Tree.” Since then she said that things have progressed to the point that schools get threatened if they put up a display celebrating Christmas.

Since their conversation, Rep. Walker has jumped in to become a vocal advocate of the legislation. He promises to bring the bill back up during this coming legislative season.

“It is important that our schools, students and parents understand that the Supreme Court has ruled over and over that we can celebrate such holidays as Christmas and Hanukkah in the public schools. Our religious rights have been upheld again and again.

Schools don’t know the law and when they are threatened, they back down. I wanted to correct the misinformation. When lies are told long enough, people begin to believe it as the truth.”

“We are not going to tolerate fear and intimidation from groups that want to take religion out of the our public institutions.

One of the Supreme Court decisions said, ‘Our institutions presuppose a supreme being. It would be impossible and not even desirable to take that from them,” he explained.

Representative Walker deserves our applause. There really is a culture war against Christians and it can be seen more and more often right here in Oklahoma. In 2 Corinthians 2:16, Paul explained that we are “the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and the aroma of death to those who are perishing.”

We have no option but to stand up and be counted. Thank you Representative Walker for being one of those guys willing to fight the good fight.

If you would like to discuss this with Representative Walker, he can be reached at ken.walker@okhouse.gov.

the heart of the matter

DENIECE ADSIT

Love is Not Free For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

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he sits in a small coffee shop talking with her friend, “How I wish I could find someone to love me unconditionally…to love me just for being me.” Her friend echoes the sentiment.

All too frequently we find ourselves wishing desperately that someone could love us enough to fill the void in our lives. Being adored by millions could never fill that vacuum. If that was possible there would never be celebrities that felt the need to compulsively dull the empty feeling with drugs and alcohol. And I have yet to hear someone say, “How I wish I could find someone that I could love unconditionally, someone that I could work to meet their needs, someone that I would be willing to spend my last drop of energy to show them love.” Love is not free.

A young mother sits holding her newborn son and her love in that moment is complete. That boy, in that same moment, can give her nothing in return. He is totally dependent upon his mother and will be for a long time. She is the one who labors in childbirth; she is the one who attends his basic needs of food and cleanliness; she is the one who gives until her energy is completely spent. Yet her love is complete, paid for by the price of giving unconditionally, not receiving unconditionally. Love is not free.

A few years later that same little boy comes into the kitchen where his mother is working, and he hands her a bouquet of dandelions from the yard. Smiling broadly, he says, “Mommy, I picked you some flowers!” Through her tears, she takes the dandelions and puts them in a vase. Her son has learned from his mother. Love comes from giving. Love is not free.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and

in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)

God loved us so much He GAVE His one and only Son to restore us to the creation we were designed to be. Jesus loved us so much He gave his last drop of blood to accomplish this rebirth.

That is complete love. If receiving unconditional love was the only path to peace within, there would not be so many lonely, empty, disillusioned people sitting in the congregations of believers. If being loved unconditionally could completely fill our basic need for love, this would have done it. While it is all we need to restore us to God (we could never by our own actions earn this restoration, only by accepting His sacrifice of love), it does not fill the love void in our life. God’s love to us was and is complete. Our love to Him (or others) will only fill the emptiness in us when we give. Love is not free.

Give, and it will be given to you.

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38) When we give out of love, our reservoir for love is filled… completely. Love is not free, but it is worth the cost.

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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marriages that last

BY DR. KEVIN NIEMAN

Get Into the Game

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his past Friday night my wife and I took our two small boys to a local High School football game. My boys were excited beyond belief. This was only their second game to attend but I could already sense their eagerness to absorb the night’s activities.

After passing along our tickets to the boys, because at 2 and 4 they want to hand off the tickets, we made our way to our seats. My boys were totally enthralled with all the activities taking place.

On one end they watched the players warm up and on the other, cheerleaders doing their thing. They watched the band make their way to the field and take their respective places while the whole time firing off question after question. Anyone that has had a 2 or a 4 year old knows what I’m talking about. They are sponges soaking up knowledge at every turn.

Soon after the game started, they asked dad for popcorn, about 45 seconds into the game to be exact. I agreed to tag team the boys and my wife headed for the concession stand. Returning with two boxes of popcorn my once chaotic world just found peace. For the next half hour both boys sat back eating their popcorn content, watching all that was transpiring before their eyes.

Like my boys, many others were sitting in the stands watching the game. All of us have some form of knowledge, some more than others but none the less knowledge. If I was to ask any of the spectators if they know something about the game of football they’d all say “yes.” My boys have knowledge of the game, though limited by most standards; their knowledge consists of flashing lights, and popcorn. You ask the next person and they may understand the difference between half back, corner back, first down and touchback. Their knowledge is more in-depth about the game, but still holds limitations in really knowing the game.

For anyone sitting in the stands that has not actually played football you can gain knowledge of the game but they will never intimately know the game. Many times we confused knowledge with intimacy. Many individuals know their spouse but don’t really

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know them. They sit in the stands watching everything go on around them but seldom get in the game.

They watch their spouse from a distant, observing everything they’re doing but lazily sit by reluctant to lift a finger.

Intimacy tends to scare people.

In order to be truly intimate you have to be willing to open yourself up and that means taking a risk. It means getting off the marital sideline and getting into the game. You can know your spouse’s favorite color or restaurant to eat at but do you know what makes them feel alive. Do you pursue their heart in ways that brings fulfillment and joy? Intimacy requires intentionality. You can sit in the stands and tell everyone around you that you know the game of football but until you’ve been on the field taking the hits yourself you really don’t know the game.

Ask yourself if you’ve been sitting on the sideline of your marriage or are you in the game? Many people avoid the game of really getting to know their spouse because of the fear of getting knocked down. Getting knocked down is not the sin, staying down or refusing to try is. You will find yourself emotionally imprisoned if you continue to sit by watching everything going on around you but refuse to participate.

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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unite my city W I T H

MOLLIE MYERS

Opportunity Knocks

The Zone at P61

• • • Block Paty

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or every elementary school in the United States there are at least 10 Christian churches in close proximity. For instance, Memorial Junior High and Salk Elementary, both TPS campuses, literally share a land boundary with a church, as well as have eight other churches within a short distance.

If you take into consideration that Memorial Junior High services seventh and eighth graders from Highway 44 to the east, west, and south boundaries of TPS, there are literally dozens of churches that are within that boundary.

Last year we shared that Memorial had absolutely no community involvement in the school. This year, that is not the case. From small beginnings can come great things...Tulsa Bible Church has begun a mentoring relationship with Memorial Junior High and has up to 15 adults who have either begun the process or are being partnered with students to mentor at Memorial. Rivergate Church has also begun the process of recruiting mentors for Memorial.

Several other churches are partnering with TOUCH and started The Zone @ P61 After School Program with the capacity to reach 100 students. Churches provide funding and volunteers, TOUCH provides programming and oversight. This kind of collaboration allows multiple churches to work with an existing, neutral agency and focus on serving the children and families, rather than the administration of the program.

One question I often pose to pastors is, “Is the community in your church impacting the community your church is in?” There is a tremendous opportunity before The Church to engage the people in its community. As churches begin to work together more collaboratively in the communities they are in, the people in that community can be reached in unprecedented ways.

•

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Like mentoring or volunteering in a junior high that has been largely ignored in years past by its community.

Like serving in an after school program targeting a population experiencing a social vacuum.

Like partnering with a community center to bring foundational programs to those experiencing generational poverty.

Like taking a youth group and their invited friends to The Nightmare and then following up and discipling those who found salvation through the outreach.

Like holding a block party to highlight services available and simply connect with one another.

These examples have either happened, are happening, or are in planning right here in Tulsa. If you are a senior pastor or lead staff person for your church and have a desire to see churches in your community laboring together, take a moment to visit our Unite My City site or email me. We can work with you to reach out to other churches planted in your community to explore ways to transform the lives of those who are the neighbors of your church.

Note: At the deadline for submitting this article, Guts Church was set to open The Nightmare, entering its third decade of outreach. We honor The Nightmare team and Guts Church for opening up an invitation to area churches to use this outreach as a tool for as many youth groups and their guests as would come.

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lose your quit B Y

DANNY CAHILL

When is your WHEN?

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.

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n review, we’ve talked about your WHY, your WHO, and your WHAT. I want you to grasp tightly to the reasons WHY you are doing something. If you have a WHY, then the work isn’t just work – it has purpose! Also, you can’t be all you can be alone – you need some WHO’s in your life to teach you, support you, and help you! Also, you need to know exactly WHAT it is you want or you will just be chasing the wind!

Today, let’s talk about your WHEN. I often hear people say, “When we have enough money, we’ll get married.” I’ve got news for them – that hardly ever happens! Why would you let your networth affect the date you begin spending your life with the one you love? I also hear, “I’ll start my diet on Monday – after I eat this cheeseburger.” Tomorrow never comes and you’re just wasting time. If you could get exactly what you want, why would you put it off? You’re robbing yourself of time with what you want!

Your WHEN happens when you decide to take the first step.

It’s not when you stand on the scale and hit your goal weight! It’s when you make a decision to change. It’s not when you pay the last debt payment! It’s when you cut up the cards and start paying more than the minimum payment. The length of the journey is not what is important – it’s the journey itself. The size of the step isn’t important, either. It’s simply taking one – one single step that

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begins a new direction, bringing you closer to where you eventually want to be! This can be with any goal; diet, business, relationship, or spiritual goal!

Too many times we are waiting for the right time, or the right place, or the right economy, or something else to begin our journey. Does what you want depend on external situations? If so, change your mind about that! Here are a few facts for you to consider: • Proctor & Gamble was started during the Panic of 1837, the greatest economic decline since the birth of the country! Proctor & Gamble’s revenue in 2013 was $84.17 Billion.

• The three founding companies that merged in 1911 to form IBM, all were founded during the Long Depression of 1873-1896.

• General Electric was born during the Panic of 1873 which shut down the NYSE for days! The Panic didn’t stop the company who in 2013 had revenues of $146 Billion Dollars. Not bad, huh?

• General Motors was founded after the Panic of 1907, which caused major runs in which many financial institutions did not survive.

• FedEx was founded during the Oil Crisis of 1973. Really?

A delivery company founded during a fuel crisis? Whoulda thunk?

My point is to stop making excuses and start taking steps. Your WHEN is today! You don’t have to know the whole plan! You don’t even have to know half the plan. You just need to know the dream or goal in your heart, and then find the next right thing to do. Your Journey begins with a single step.

In The Journey Training (www.thejourneytraining.com), we believe that goal setting is important! In each class we help people set goals and find action steps to take to begin! If you’ve been having trouble moving forward, join the next Threshold class and begin your Journey now!

lose it for the kids B Y

TOM MCCLOUD

A…95 Pound Thank You Note!

Riverside - Keith Jacobs 9708 Riverside Pkwy (918) 392-0540

Tom’s Mentor and Motivator Danny Cahill –The Biggest Loser “I could not have made it without Danny’s help. He understands what it is like to be a BIG guy. His encouragement and friendship means the world to me. If you find yourself in a Super-Sized condition, Danny is the guy to help you get control and “Find Your Quit.”

(l) Tom McCloud and Michael Watkins on stage at the variety show.

T

hanks to ALL who donated and helped make our Lose it for the Kids Campaign a complete success!

If you haven’t heard, Tom McCloud, Publisher of Community Spirit Magazine did his part. He lost an amazing 95 pounds to raise over $50,000 for the Contact Kids at Contact Mission!

Tom says he could NOT have made it without the help of the following people…

Nutritionist – Lindsey Neiman Cornerstone Counseling Center 4930 S Sheridan Rd (918) 392-4008 “Lindsey makes nutrition easy to understand and with her help, the pounds kept coming off. If you have food problems of any kind, Lindsey can help you,” insists Tom.

Fitness Training Michael Watkins, Owner of Fitness Together Downtown and Riverside “Micheal donated thousands of dollars of expert fitness instruction to this effort. He kept me sweatin’ and motivated. Michael and his crew work with all different sizes and body types. They can help you too!”

Mabee Center “The Mabee Center did a wonderful job and helped us make The Lose it for the Kids Variety Show a BIG HIT.” Thank you to our performers: The Tulsa Praise Orchestra KIPP Drum Line Ken Staley, G.M. AM970 KCFO Ernestine Dillard Darell Christopher Richard and Marty Hight, Visual Mpact Cory Legg TJ McCloud Danny Cahill

Its never too late to Support the kids at Contact MIssion!

A Division of Tulsa Neighborhood Network 1529 West 49th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107 918-447-1130

Downtown - Michael Watkins 616 S BOSTON AVE LOWER LEVEL #101 (918) 935-3508 C ommu n itysp ir itma ga zin e.c om

N OVE MBE R 2014

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[Neh. 2:18]

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