September 2013 | Community Spirit Magazine by Community Spirit Magazine

Sandi Patty Broadway Stories September 21

Broken Arrow PAC

+Also Inside

15 Events You Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Miss The Vintage Pearl Story Find Forgiveness at CR

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September 2013

Contents FEATURES 6 Sandi Patty at Broken Arrow PAC 23 How to Build a Building on a Budget 30 Forgiveness – Celebrate Recovery 38 John 3:16 Story 40 US Shooting Academy - Family Sport 42 Tobacco Report 44 ORU Section 50 The Vintage Pearl 52 Christian Education, An Investment, Dr. Dennis Demuth COLUMNS 24 ACT Financial, Randy Cowell 27 Grace Hospice 29 Dr. Jim Burkett on Apologetics 32 Chuches Together, Molly Myers 34 The Biggest Loser, Danny Cahill 35 Marriage, Dr. Kevin Neiman 36 The Heart of the Matter, Deniece Adsit 54 Pet Corner, Dr. Scott Nicholson

PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud CREATIVE Director Ramond Walker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Deniece Adsit, Dr. Kevin Nieman, Ava Hancock, Danny Cahill, Blythe Fowler, Jim Burkett, Molly Meyers, Scott Wigton www.mccloudmedia.com • www.communityspiritmagazine.com TULSA Sales Office 10019 S. 69th E. Ave. Tulsa, OK 74133 phone: (918) 307-2323 fax: (918) 528-6209 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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R a d i o with CaRol MCleod Monday-Friday 7:30am & 10:30am

JoyCe MeyeR

en J o y i n g E vE ryd ay l i Fe

Monday-Friday • 11:00am

sunday 8:30 & 11:15a.m. sunday school 10:00 to 11:00a.m. wednesday 7:00p.m. 4

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www.KCFO.com

Jack & Wanda

good friends. good food.

good health.

Jack and Wanda have traveled to all 50 states during their 62 years of marriage. Their enjoyable life has also provided two daughters, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. And they’re not slowing down. Thanks to Hillcrest’s Silver Elite program - a free program offering informational seminars, fun activities, and even good food - they know they have a comprehensive healthcare team to help keep them active and healthy for many more years - and journeys - to come. To learn more about Jack and Wanda’s life-changing experiences in Hillcrest’s Silver Elite program, visit ChangingLivesAtHillcrest.com

SilverElite.org | 918.579.6060 “Like” us on Facebook.

sandi patty

sandi patty In Broken Arrow Sept 21

Prepare to be impressed.

ver the last 30 years, no female voice is more synonymous with Christian Inspirational music than that of Sandi Patty. Her God-given perfect mixture of power and delivery continues to wow audiences, allowing. her fans to “feel” every power lyric. It is always a delight to hear her sing, but this time, we are in for a real treat. She is bringing a special show to the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. This time, it is strictly Broadway! Sandi explained to us that she has always loved the strong Broadway tunes. “It has always been on my wish list that sometime before I finish up this crazy career, I could do a project which was all Broadway. Ten years ago, the Indianapolis Symphony invited me to host a month-long Christmas Yuletide Celebration. During that time, we developed a close working relationship with their director, Jack Everly. He ended up going with us to Prague, the capital city of the Czech (“Not Prague, Oklahoma.” she joked.). There, we recorded Broadway Stories with the internationally recognized City of Prague Symphony Orchestra.” Being able to record those Broadway tunes was a special experience for Sandi and it wasn’t long before she began thinking about how to work it into a show. 6

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“I grew up in the church and my musical foundation is really in church music. It is what I love and it ended up becoming my profession. But one of the greatest gifts my parents gave to us kids was a respect for a wide variety of music. We especially enjoyed listening to Broadway music. I became a big fan of story telling and that is exactly what Broadway is. The songs were written to tell a story,” she said. Now, in her show Broadway Stories, she not only performs those wonderful stories, she blends their histories and backgrounds into a rich mixture of her own experiences. The result is a wonderful evening that is sure to please the audience in Broken Arrow. Sandi is excited to come to town. She explained that although she continues to perform about a third of the year, she and her husband, Don Peslis live in Oklahoma City where he serves on the music staff at Crossing Community Church. She says that although she was born in Oklahoma City and calls it home again, she rarely gets to perform here. We asked her if the song “Oklahoma” was in her list of songs for the show. She coyly answered that the tune might be in there somewhere. “But that is all I can say,” she said with a laugh. Sandi said that although there were opportunities, she never was able to do a Broadway show. “I would have loved to do it, but raising a family, I never wanted to move them or to be away

“I grew up in the church and my musical foundation is really in church music. It is what I love and it ended up becoming my profession. But one of the greatest gifts my parents gave to my brothers was a respect for a wide variety of music. We especially enjoyed listening to Broadway music. I became a big fan of story telling and that is exactly what Broadway is. The songs were written to tell a story...”

for months at a time. However, a couple of years ago, I did get to do a concert version of Hello Dolly and I got to play Dolly. It was awesome!” During the show in Broken Arrow, many of the members of the orchestra will be right here from town. Get your tickets early. There is not a bad seat in the beautiful Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. However, this is such a personal, intimate show, you will want to make sure you sit as close as possible. When we asked Sandi why she continues the grueling travel and performance schedule, she explained that she was “born to sing.” And although she says she loves to sing even when people aren’t listening, there is nothing quite like connecting with an audience. We are betting that the hometown audience will love her and that she will give them everything and more than they came for. Take a Cruise with Sandi and her Friends! Come enjoy the music and sun. Sandi is hosting a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the Western Caribbean. “We’ll be sailing with our partners at Inspiration Cruises & Tours on Holland America’s ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Stopping in gorgeous locations like the Cayman Islands, Cozumel and Key West, we’ll also enjoy an entire day at Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s own private island in the Bahamas. Throughout the week you’ll hear poignant stories, powerful teaching and uplifting songs from some of my friends—singer Larnelle Harris, the musical group Selah, speaker/author Angie Smith, comedian Anita Renfroe, speaker/ singer Sheila Walsh, singer/songwriter Wayne Watson, Pastor Jim Lyon and more. And of course, you’ll also get to hear from some of my family as we sing and share together.”

ABOUT SANDI PATTY Sandi Patty is one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy® awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three platinum records, five gold records, and eleven million units sold, Sandi Patty is simply known as The Voice. Sandi is the most awarded female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history, with 40 Dove Awards. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and as an Indiana Living Legend in 2007. She has released over 30 albums, including her latest Dove Award winning album, The Edge of the Divine (2010). She will release her latest album “Everlasting” exclusively at Target Stores, through Somerset, Ltd., in September 2013. “Everlasting” will feature notable hymns and songs of worship in an intimate and acoustic setting. Her debut full-length symphonic pops album “Broadway Stories”, conducted by Maestro Jack Everly, was released on October 18, 2011 to rave reviews. In addition to her prolific musical career, Sandi is also an accomplished author. For the bestseller Broken on the Back Row, Sandi received the 2006 Silver Angel Award. As an author of seven books, her other titles include Life in the Blender, Falling Forward, Layers, and her forthcoming book, The Edge of the Divine. Her down-to-earth style and sturdy common sense have endeared her to Women of Faith® audiences, with whom she has traveled with since 2005. “I am grateful for the many opportunities for God has given in my life and for how He has allowed me to spread my wings,” says Sandi. “Singing is my way to tell my story of hope, life, and love.”

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upcoming events

Ready to Have Some Fun?? September and October are HUGE “event” months. The next 12 pages are full of details about some of the biggest events to hit the Tulsa area in quite a while. Pull out your phone and start putting them in. You don’t want to miss a single one! Sept 7 Lee Strobel, 7:00, The Mabee Center Sept 10-15 Blue Man Group, Tulsa Performing Arts Center Sept 20-21 Promise Keepers, Tulsa Convention Center Sept 20 MercyMe, Spirit Event Center Sept 21 Sandi Patty, Broken Arrow PAC Sept 27-28 Beth Moore Living Proof Live 2013, BOK Center Oct 5 Pray Tulsa, Guthrie Green Park Oct 5 ScrewTape Letters, Broken Arrow PAC Oct 7 Tulsa Dream Center Golf Tournament, Tulsa Country Club Oct 10 Dave Ramsey, The Mabee Center Oct 11-13 Brush Creek Bazaar, 107th and Louisville Oct 14 William Paul Young, The Mabee Center

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celebrity attraction

Blue Man Group Comes To Tulsa! SEPT. 10-15 AT THE TULSA PAC •

•

ickets are on sale now for a show like you have never seen before. The Blue Man Group is about to take you on a trilling ride! Celebrity Attractions, NETworks Presentations, LLC and Blue Man Productions are pleased to announce the theatrical touring production will visit Tulsa’s Performing Arts Center September 10-15. The theatrical tour features brand new content highlighted by classic Blue Man favorites. The new sound, set, and video design centering around a proscenium-sized LED curtain and high-resolution screen create an entirely new, high-impact visual experience for Broadway houses across the nation. The critically acclaimed BLUE MAN GROUP creates experiences that defy categorization. BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for multi-media performances that feature three bald and blue characters who take the audience on a journey that is funny, intelligent and visually stunning. A live band, whose haunting tribal rhythms help drive the show to its climax, accompanies the Blue Men.

including a touring Children’s Museum exhibit, “Making Waves” BLUE MAN GROUP’s original music, including the Grammy®-nominated “Audio”, as well as four additional albums, and numerous scoring projects for film, TV and commercials BLUE MAN GROUP’s multiple performances on popular television shows such as The Tonight Show, Ellen, and Regis & Kelly; and unique storylines in “Scrubs” and “Arrested Development”

As the company grows, it remains true to its vision of providing exciting experiences in a variety of media, appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds. Learn more at www.blueman.com. BLUE MAN GROUP comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center September 10-15, 2013. Tickets may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Box Office or online at www.CelebrityAttractions.com. Groups of 10 or more may call Celebrity Attractions at 918.796.0220 for a discount.

About BLUE MAN GROUP Blue Man Group (www.blueman.com) is a multinational media and entertainment company with theatrical and digital media operations across four continents, permanent live performance installations in seven cities, an ongoing theatrical tour of the USA and Canada, as well as a highly acclaimed show on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic. Audiences have multiple opportunities to discover BLUE MAN GROUP through the scope and variety of its creative projects, including: • BLUE MAN GROUP’s headlining performance on the new Norwegian Epic by Norwegian Cruise Line—the Official Cruise Line of Blue Man Group • BLUE MAN GROUP family-focused educational projects,

Sept. 10-15

Welcomed by

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

918.596.7111 ouTside TulsA

800.364.7111

MyTicketOffice.com

Groups of 10 or more: 918.796.0220

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promise keepers

Promise Keepers Coming to Tulsa!

Attention Men!

ou might remember the huge Promise Keepers rallies back in the late nineties. Maybe you were even in Washington back in 1997 along with 1.4 million of your fellow Promise Keepers. (What an experience that was… High Fives in the subway, spontaneous prayer circles all over town and men coming to Jesus everywhere you turned!) But for those of you not quite old enough to remember, Promise Keepers was an international men’s movement started mostly by Coach Bill McCartney, who was then head football coach at the University of Colorado. It swept the country back in the late 90s with an excitement that brought millions of men to their knees in search of a closer walk with Jesus Christ and a better relationship with their wives at home. The movement continued to make an impact well into the new century but seemed to settled down a bit for a while, but now it is returning with a passion like never before! The new, two-day men’s conference is titled, “Awakening the Warrior.” Built around the tenets of the ministry (The Seven Promises), the conference is designed to encourage men’s spiritual strength and practice, purity, family life, sense of biblical unity and authentic masculinity. It’s unique. It’s relative. It’s something so powerful that it will make a lasting impression on every man there. It is just around the corner, so don’t wait ‘till the last minute this time. Get some guys and make plans now to be at the Tulsa Convention Center Arena Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The weekend is literally packed with excitement. Even before the first speaker hits the stage, you will be treated to high level 12

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praise and worship lead by none other than the incredible Jeremy Camp. And you will laugh until your side hurts with Brad Stine, one of the top Christian comedians in the business. Friday night, the heavyweights hit the stage (And I mean big guys!). You will hear from former NFL greats like Miles McPherson (Defensive Back – San Diego Chargers) and the “Evangelism Linebacker,” Gary Rosberg from the Indianapolis Colts. Emcee Ed Barron will keep the evening on track. The list of great speakers with continue with guys like the dynamic Crawford Loritts, senior pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Georgia; Gary Rosberg from America’s Family Coaches, Promise Keeper’s CEO, Dr. Raleigh Washington; and Dobie Weasel from Life Church Omaha. WHY THIS MEN’S CONFERENCE? Men are in the midst of an epic spiritual conflict, but many are not even aware of the war against their faith, their families and their communities. Promise Keepers’ trademark catalytic men’s conference brings men together in a uniquely masculine setting, and helps men make spiritual connections, find spiritual resources, and live out their Christian faith more effectively. ABOUT PROMISE KEEPERS: Founded in 1990, Promise Keepers’ mission has been to ignite and unite men to become warriors who will change their world through living out the Seven Promises. Promise Keepers had directly reached more than six million men through men’s conferences – including an assembly of 1.4 million men on the United States national mall in Washington D.C., on October 4, 1997. Promise Keepers’ vision is “Men Transforming their World.”

spirit bank event center

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Spirit Bank Event Center Brings MercyMe And  The Ultimate Thriller To Bixby September 20 & 22

pirit Bank Event Center is thrilled to announce a great late summer line up with Grammy nominated Christian rock group MercyMe, making a stop in Bixby Friday, September 20. MercyMe will be followed by The Ultimate Thriller, a Michael Jackson live tribute concert Sunday, September 22. Tickets for MercyMe are priced at $48, $35 and $18 with group discounts available. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 19 at 10AM. Tickets for The Ultimate Thriller are priced at $40, $30, $20 and go on sale Friday, July 12 at 10AM. Tickets will be available online or at the SBEC Box Office or the ticket hotline at 1-866-774-0096. For more information about this event please visit www.spiritbankeventcenter.com or call (918) 369-9360. MercyMe will be playing ballads from their newly released album The Hurt and The Healer that debuted at number 7 on the US Billboard 200 chart. MercyMe is an American Christian rock group founded in Greenville, TX. The group first gained mainstream recognition with the single, “I Can Only Imagine” which was on the bands debuted album ‘Almost There’ that went double platinum. MercyMe has since had 13 consecutive top 5 singles on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, with 7 of them reaching number 1. Poised to be the world’s most authentic and exciting Michael Jackson live concert tribute show, The Ultimate Thriller gathered thousands of fans while touring Europe and is now thrilled to announce an official tour in the United States. The Ultimate Thriller is based on Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” and “Bad”

concert tours and features iconic songs like “Black or White,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean.” The Regal Plaza, located in South Tulsa, was created in 2008. Regal Plaza, which is comprised of 119,000 square feet of shopping, restaurants and hotels and is also home to the SpiritBank Event Center. For more information visit www. spiritbankeventcenter.com.

About MercyMe Since the day “In Can Only Imagine” back in 2001, MercyMe has “rocked” the Christian music industry. The Greenville, Texas band had already built a huge following and had release six independent albums, but the mainstream recognition of the “Imagine” song put them over-the-top in popularity. Since then, they have put out album after album of hits, have won 8 Dove Awards and are a constant presence on the Grammy list. The upcoming September 20th audience will no doubt pack into the Spirit Event Center, making the smaller, yet intimate stage absolutely come alive. Fans will love the chance to get up close and personal with these highly respected and adored men of Christ. But don’t expect music to be the only way these guys bless you. They have a history of sharing both their talent and their hearts on stage. This is a concert you won’t want to miss. See you there!

The Secret is Out!

Living Proof Live with Beth Moore is coming IN PERSON to Tulsa September 27-28!

lanning committees are planning, the detail people are “detailing” and women will soon be flooding Tulsa’s BOK Center for the big event. You should be one of them. So, visit the website, make plans and go ahead and get your tickets. You don’t want to miss it! For the past 15 years, women across the world have been joining together for Living Proof Live with Beth Moore—an event

designed to teach women to love and live on God’s Word. Beth’s message for each event is based on the Scripture that the Lord lays on her heart—no two messages are the same. Aligning with Beth’s burden for unity in the Body of Christ, Living Proof Live is for women of all ages, races, and denominations.

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A Second Chance, A Life Changed te shape, come to John 3:16 Mission in despera Every day, dozens men and women also are hungry they lly. They are hungry for food, but physically, emotionally and spiritua their lives around. for hope and a real chance to turn ain open uinely care, the Mission’s doors rem Because of people like you who gen nge. and so does the chance for life cha first arrived, turn at John 3:16 Mission. When he Mike is one whose life took a dramatic in the Mission’s stay plans for his life. But during his he was angry, pessimistic and had no to melt way an beg icism er, disappointment and cyn homeless recovery program, his ang . him ut abo d care especially God, really as he realized that other people, and for the future — was transformed. He began to plan Gradually, his attitude — his entire life eges. coll ral seve to has earned scholarships and resume his education. Today, Mike should know that although they People who give to the Mission e who come here for help, they hav may never meet me or the others be ’t ldn wou s hout them, live an impact on everyone’s lives. Wit ause of the sacrifices they made bec is t par in changing. My success on my behalf.” second chance, you are giving people like Mike a real ion, Miss 3:16 n Joh to give you n Whe one they are truly grateful for.

‘‘

www.john316mission.org

“...if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness...” Isaiah 58:10 (NIV)

www.john316mission.org

fellowship for the performing arts

The Smash Hit Production of the Screwtape Letters Comes to Tulsa OCTOBER 5, 2013 AT BROKEN ARROW PAC

HE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, the provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view, comes to Tulsa for two performances only. The limited engagement will run at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on Saturday, October 5 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Now in its third smash year, the National Tour of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS kicked off after a hit nine-month run at the Westside Theatre in New York City. Prior to that production, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS was a sold out hit in Chicago and Washington D. C. The National Tour of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS has delighted capacity audiences in over 50 major cities including Los Angeles, Boston and San Francisco since January 2011.Over 325,000 theatergoers have seen this production. THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS creates a morally inverted universe set in an eerily stylish office in hell, where God is called the “Enemy” and the devil is referred to as “Our Father below.” The play follows His Abysmal Sublimity Screwtape, and his slavish creature-demon Toadpipe, as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on how to ruin the life and damn the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth. Associated Press calls the production “Devilishly funny!” “Sly, funny, handsomely produced…the devil is an equal-opportunity entertainer!” says The Washington Post. “A profound experience!”,exclaims Christianity Today.The Boston Globe raves that it is “Engrossing and entertaining!” and The Chicago Tribune says THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is “Very smart... richly rewarding...exuberant theatricality!” Screwtape is portrayed by award winning actor Brent Harris, who played Scar in the National Tour of The Lion King, Lucifer in Dr. Faustus, Iago in Othello, Salieri in Amadeus, Olivier in Orson’s Shadow, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, andthe title role in Macbeth. He is regularly seen in many productions

staged by America’s greatest theatre companies. The National Tour of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS honors the 50-year legacy of C.S. Lewis who passed away on November 22, 1963, the same day President Kennedy was assassinated. This anniversary will be accompanied by one of Great Britain’s highest honors: a memorial for Lewis in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey, alongside such luminaries as Chaucer, Dickens, and Shakespeare. Along with The Chronicles of Narnia (including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), The Great Divorce and Mere Christianity, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is still one of Lewis’ most popular and influential pieces. THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS will play on Saturday, October 5 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 to $49. Student seats are $20 (student ID required). For groups of 10 or more (including student groups) call 866.476.8707. To purchase tickets, visit www.ScrewtapeonStage.com, call the Box Office at 918-259-5778 or visit the Broken Arrow Box Office, 701 South Main Street, open Mondays to Fridays from noon to 5 p.m.

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tulsa dream center

A Golf Game with a Heart

6th Annual Community Golf Classic

Prayers are answered here. Lives are saved.

are down, people can walk the streets without fear and lives have been touched. “Pastor Wendell” Hope has been here since the beginning. He says the difference can especially be know I take the risk of being accused of being seen in the way everyone respects the place. “They know we melodramatic, but these statements are true. I have met are here to help,” he says. the people, heard their stories and seen the results. God The Tulsa Dream Center uses this place to make a difference every was started by Victory Christian single day of the year. Center. However, it has grown way If you have ever been at the end of past any church labels. People, your rope, ever been truly hungry, ever churches and organizations of all absolutely longed for a friend to talk to, creeds and backgrounds come to or ever felt totally and completely alone, help. “Love and compassion trump maybe you can understand the needs doctrine,” one volunteer told me. of some of the folks who file into the Last October, the center Tulsa Dream Center. Their needs are met finished a 20,000 square feet here without condemnation or ridicule. expansion allowing them to help Following in the example of the center’s even more people. “It allowed founder, Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty, along p a s t o r w e n d a l l us to expand both our summer with every meal, every article of clothing education program and after-school program for the kids,” and every bag of groceries, each person who walks through explained Pastor Wendell. Last year, we could only handle the doors is offered a heaping portion of love, acceptance 50 kids. This summer, 130 kids came. They enjoyed and forgiveness. breakfast, classroom academics and even went on field trips The result? Over the last 30 years since the Dream Center to places like the Aquarium, bowling and the State Capitol was first opened, the neighborhood has changed. Crime rates Building. Certified teachers work with the kids all summer

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using a state-of-the-art new computer program called iReady. Focusing on reading and math, they were able to help the kids jump at least a grade level,” he said. “The expansion also allowed us to add classrooms upstairs, expand our warehouse, build a chapel and a game room, and expand the lobby, the medical clinic and the dining room facilities. This has made a huge difference in the programs and services that we are able to provide.” Pastor Wendell explained that of course they could always use more help. People are invited to help either financially or as a volunteer. He tells a story about one Christmas when he didn’t think they would have enough toys for the kids. He remembers that he finally just gave the problem to God. “I saw the need was so great and we didn’t have enough. But then, it just settled in my spirit, this is God’s. I learned then that God always provides. We even had some left over we were able to donate to other organizations.” So, here it is, time for the annual Golf Tournament to raise money for the Dream Center. We asked Pastor Wendell, “Assuming the tournament brings in more money than you could hardly believe, what will you do with it?” “It’s already spent,” he said with a laugh. With a expectation that the money will absolutely come, he said, “We will spend it on the kids cause the needs are so great.”

You Can Help! Sign up for the tournament – It’s the best day of golf you will find, complete with lunch, cart and a wonderful buffet dinner for only $250.

Not a golfer? Think about being a sponsor! Platinum Level - $10,000 – includes golf for 12 players, name and corporate logo on all promotional materials, local media recognition and a commemorative photo. Gold Level - $5,000 – includes golf for 8 players, a 2’ x 6’ banner and a commemorative photo. Silver Level - $2500 – includes golf for 4 players, a 2’ x 6’ banner and a commemorative photo. Bronze Level - $1000 – includes golf for 2 players, name recognition on the event banner and a commemorative photo. TEE Box – includes golf for one player, Tee box sign on the course and a commemorative photo. Mail entries to Wendell Hope, Tulsa Dream Center Community Golf Classic, 200 West 46th Street North, Tulsa, OK 74126 or register online at tulsadreamcenter.org.

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Dave Ramsey … Coming Live to the Mabee Center! October 10th

our family tree is rooted in decisions. This is your chance to branch out and change things for your family and determine your personal legacy. Learn how to change your family tree.   At The Legacy Journey LIVE!, Dave will share how to live now so you leave a powerful legacy for your family. You’ll learn how to build wealth and why it’s important, the keys to wise investing, and expose toxic beliefs about money. You’ll also learn how you can meet your family’s future needs, and reach out to impact the world around you. You’ll walk away with the practical steps leading from where you are to where you want to be. Dave’s daughter

Rachel Cruze will also share personal stories of growing up in the Ramsey home. She’ll lay out some key principles all parents need to make sure your kids grow up with a healthy view of money and a solid work ethic.   You get one legacy. Get it right! Reserve your seats now! Thursday, October 10th, 2013  The Mabee Center 7777 S. Lewis Ave Tulsa, OK 74171  7:00 - 9:30 PM CT Presenting Sponsors: Shaw Financial Services Oklahoma Wesleyan University Zion Real Estate Home Creations Hosted by KCFO AM970

William Paul Young Comes Back to Tulsa

Monday, October 14th at The Mabee Center In Tribute To The Late Larry Payton

est-selling author, William Paul Young returns to Tulsa for a one night only speaking engagement. Young is best known for his smash hit The Shack which was at No. 1 on the New York Times best sellers list for 50 straight weeks and has more than 18 million books in print. Presented by Celebrity Attractions in cooperation with the Mabee Center, all proceeds benefit the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Northeast Oklahoma in memory of longtime supporter Larry Payton. “The FCA is an organization that was very dear to my father’s heart. He left a legacy of giving that we, at Celebrity Attractions, want to continue,” said Drew Payton, COO of Celebrity Attractions and son of the late Larry Payton, founder of Celebrity Attractions. “My father was such a big fan of both Paul’s books including The Shack but an even bigger fan of the man himself. We are very excited to announce the newly rescheduled date for this special evening with Paul to help raise money for the FCA program right here in Tulsa,” he said. Expect to be swept away as Young shares his stories behind the writing of Cross Roads and The Shack. Be prepared to experience the inspiring and life-applicable lessons that can be 20

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drawn from Paul and both of his New York Times best-selling books.

Tickets All proceeds benefit the Northeast Oklahoma Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Tickets will be available online or by calling the Mabee Center Box Office (918) 495-6000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1(800) 678-1353.

Prices Price Level 1 Seating (Reserved) (Floor) $50 Price Level 2 Seating (Reserved) (Gold Circle Package) $30 Price Level 3 Seating (GA) (Gold / Balcony) $15 *Children ages 3 and up are required to have a ticket.

Meet & Greet All ticket-holders are invited to a “Meet & Greet” with Wm. Paul Young at the end of the show.

Group Discount Groups of 10 or more receive 2 free tickets for every 10 tickets purchased (P2 & P3 only). Group tickets may be purchased online or by calling (918) 495-7000. For group orders larger than 12 tickets, please call our group sales specialist at (918) 495-7000.

brush creek ranch

Brush Creek Ranch – A Cause Worth Celebrating!

hen Shawn and Shannon Blankenship open their mail or log on to their FaceBook account, it is not unusual for them to hear from “family,” kids who were once students at Brush Creek Youth Ranch. The messages warm the couple’s heart as they read of babies being born, graduations, job advancements and healthy marriages. And they praise God as they look back to see His hand in rescuing the kids through the ministry of Brush Creek Ranch. Brush Creek is a 915-acre working ranch in beautiful Northeastern Oklahoma. Located just outside Jay, Oklahoma on the southeast corner of Grand Lake, the property provides a picturesque atmosphere where horses and wildlife run through the rolling hills and drink from the meandering spring-fed creek. But Brush Creek is more than a ranch. It is a boarding school where countless lives have been changed. Typically, they have been boys with life controlling issues who have been given the opportunity to move from their environment to a peaceful place to start fresh. Shawn Blankenship, Executive Director for Adolescent Programs explained that Brush Creek was originally started nearly 35 years ago by a group of people with a heart for youth. Nine years ago, they joined together with like-minded, Teen Challenge of Oklahoma, a ministry of the Assemblies of God, with roots back to David Wilkerson’s famous story of The Cross and the Switchblade. The association with Teen Challenge allowed them to join with a girl’s school called New Life House. The two programs operate independently but are supervised by the same administration. The boys ride a bus over to New Life to attend school. Brush Creek is fully accredited and includes a respected athletic program. In fact, the boys are the raining state football champions in the Christian School Association’s 8-man league. The team combines forces with Cookson Hills Ranch to compete in basketball and football and the girls compete in basketball and volleyball. The kids range in age from 13 to18 and they generally attend Brush Creek for 12 to 15 months. During their stay, they enjoy a structured environment that helps foster personal growth. The students have the opportunity to learn various vocational skills such as welding, basic carpentry, plumbing, lawn care, fence repair & building, livestock care, and other ranch duties. They are also involved with various community service projects, helping to build a strong work ethic. But the real key to the success of Teen Challenge has been the spiritual component. The Brush Creek Youth Ranch Staff and Administration are committed to ensuring that students

understand God’s love, forgiveness, and His ability to restore relationships. The ultimate result? Changed and redirected lives. Brush Creek accepts no governmental support but instead operates on donations as well as tuition from its students. Tuition is $2300 a month, about half of the actual cost. Donations provide scholarships to assist families according to need. Visit their website for month information –www.okteenchallenge. com.

Support these kids! Come to The Brush Creek Bazaar! The Brush Creek Bazaar is an annual Tulsa event that boasts fun for everyone. Over a three-day period, enjoy shopping, entertainment and carnival activities in a family environment. The outdoor festival features more than 80 vendor booths. Shop row after row of craft supplies and locally made art while your children play in the kid zone. Take a break from shopping to enjoy some quality time with the family over some live music and fair food. It is old-fashion fun with a wonderful cause. Expect to have a great time!

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Cornerstone Community Church sand springs, ok

Eastland Baptist Church tulsa, ok

Owasso First Assembly of God Church owasso, ok

rhema bible church broken arrow, ok

Carbondale Assembly of God tulsa, ok

BELIEVERS Church tulsa, ok

VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTER tulsa, ok

WORLD OUTREACH CHURCH tulsa, ok

CHURCHES BY DANIELS 918.872.6006 Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

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churches by daniels

How to Build a Church Building on a Budget

o you think you want to build a building? Beware! It can be one of the biggest tests of any church leadership. Mishandle it and it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget overruns while grinding your ministry to a halt. Do it right and the process can be a major turning point for your church, expanding opportunities while growing everyone’s faith. Unfortunately, the seemingly exciting process of expanding an existing church building or starting from scratch, typically becomes a major stressor for the average pastor, something Rodney James understands firsthand. After 10 years as the senior pastor at Sequoyah Hills Baptist Church, Rodney became the Director of Business & Finance for Churches by Daniels. Now, he delights in helping take the building pressure off pastors and church leaders. He explains that although some are good at it, it is typically not the gifting of the average minister. Churches by Daniels is probably best known in town for building Rhema Bible Church and Victory Christian Center. However, they work worldwide, completing all sorts of projects from small remodels to brand new multi-million dollar structures. No matter the size, Churches by Daniels works hand-in-hand with the client to make sure the project finishes at or below budget. Budget…that is the difficult part, isn’t it? We went to Rodney to try to understand the secrets to Building on Budget. His experience on both sides of the fence provides him with keen insight on the challenge. “It may sound cliché, but Building on a Budget is not a process, it is what we do,” says Rodney. He explained, “Typically when a church decides they want to build a building, they start with the scope of the project. ‘We want a building this big.’ An architect then draws up a design and the design determines that

the project is going to cost X amount of dollars. The design sets the budget.” Churches by Daniels approaches things in a different way. They first do a thorough study to fully understand the needs of the church. Where is the church headed and what are they trying to accomplish? Then, using both their construction experience and their ministry experience (most of the staff have extensive ministry backgrounds), they provide input to the church leaders to determine the logical steps needed to meet their actual needs, ensuring that the needs are driving the right result. “For example, quite often the desire for a new auditorium is not the best first step. God rarely puts ‘a building’ on the heart of a pastor, the building is the tool to accomplish their mission or vision. We help them take the right steps to toward that goal.” Once the needs have been accessed, a budget is developed based on what the church can afford. From there, the budget becomes the boss, determining the “yes” or “no” on all those extras which invariably come to mind once the project goes to the design phase. Allowing the budget to drive the process instead of the design driving it, not only keeps the project on track, it avoids the horrible reality of running over the budget at the end, something no church can afford. “The money determines the design and the money determines the construction. Anytime someone wants to make a change in the design, we go back and ask if it can be done in the budget. We design the building to meet the budget and the budget answers the questions,” Rodney explained. For this reason, Churches by Daniels likes to begin working with churches long before the first spade of dirt is turned over. From the vision to acquiring the loans or selling the bonds, they are happy to be there to assist churches for years before they ever send out a single invoice. After hundreds of projects, Rodney says that this mindset is the “secret” to not only getting the building of your dreams, but getting there with money left over to do what you do best…share the Gospel of Christ. So, even if your project seems years away, it is not too soon to get Churches by Daniels involved. Beautiful churches really can be built on a budget.

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B Y D e n i e c e ad s i t

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.

The Colors I Wear

e all have that one color we never wear. Mine is orange. Not because of a school or football team. I just don’t look good in orange. Anytime I am involved in a discussion about fashion and choosing colors to wear, I am quick to say, “I never wear orange.” But that is not entirely true. I do have one orange blouse in the back of my closet and every now and then I take it out and wear it. It is comfortable and it fits. The design is nice. Yet every time I wear it I feel a bit like a fraud because I don’t wear orange. The same is true with other things I wear…like anger, resentment, doubt, shame, or an unforgiving or unloving spirit. Oh there are

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times when they seem to fit. It’s almost a comfortable place. I’ve been there before and it feels all too familiar. But in the back of my mind I know these are not the colors God intended me to wear. I belong to Him and to go back to an unproductive style of living would breach the commitment I made when I turned my life over to Him. I agreed to love as He loves. I agreed to give up my desires to the care and direction of an Almighty God. I agreed to follow Him as closely as possible. I agreed to let His Spirit be my guide. After all, it is not about how I feel right now that matters. There are others watching me, and I am pretty sure they would notice if my colors changed, and for that moment in time I did not look like the person God created me to be.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35) I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:4-5) Maybe it’s time to look through the back of my closet at all the things that don’t accurately represent who I am in Christ and make every effort to throw them away. They don’t serve me well

and they diminish any influence I might have on others. Instead I will choose to wear the things that let others know I belong to Him.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galations 5:22-25)

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randy cowell | AC T Fi nanc i al

Social InSecurity

PART 2

Last month we began a discussion of the “ins and outs” of Social Security. This month we will discuss several strategies that everyone approaching retirement will want to know about. For the purposes of this article we will assume that you the reader wants to maximize their Social Security benefits. Over the years I have had several clients ask the question “Why be so concerned about Social Security? Aren’t the benefits pretty much set in stone?” The answer to those questions will be discussed and we will let you draw your own conclusion.

Social Security Basics Why the hubbub? Here’s why! A couple could potentially leave behind as much as $100,000 by not knowing all their options. I know what you are thinking, “Won’t the nice folks at the Social Security Administration help me understand all my options and offer suggestions and strategies?” The answer is maybe and maybe not. The truth is that SSA representatives may not have the education, experience, or the time to analyze the numerous Social Security options available. Remember there are 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 EVERYDAY! Before we get too deep into options and strategies let’s establish some Social Security Basics. 1. To qualify for full benefits you must have worked and acquired 40 quarters of credits. Before you reach for a calculator that is 10 years of accumulated years of work. (10 years x 4 quarters=40 credits) 2. For participants born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age (FRA), is 66 years of age. 3. The earliest you can apply is age 62. Be careful! This has ramifications you should consider. First, taking this action and asking for benefits will mean a 25% reduction in benefits. In addition, if you happen to be the primary breadwinner and elect to take benefits at 62, you should be aware that if you predecease your spouse, their survivor benefits would be calculated on the lesser amount. 4. For every year you delay taking benefits once you have reached your FRA your benefits increase by 8% a year. That is a 32% increase if you can wait. 5. Social Security benefits are calculated using the highest 35 years of indexed earning. Zero earnings are included, so if you can earn income in those years prior to filing it will help. Remember, once elected, the decision is permanent. 6. If you are considering filing for Social Security prior to your FRA and continuing to work, there are some taxation 26

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issues you should be aware of. If you are single, head of household, or a qualified widow(er) your base income is $25,000 per year. $32,000 if you are married filing jointly. Wages, pensions, interest dividends, and even tax-exempt interest are used to determine if your Social Security benefits are taxable. It is vitally important to coordinate your investments to reduce the amount of Social Security income that will be taxed. There are many strategies and techniques used to maximize your retirement benefits. To determine if one is appropriate, one must first have a thorough understanding of all assets, liabilities, and sources of income. Making a financial decision without a complete and thorough understanding would be equivalent to a doctor prescribing medicine without a thorough understanding of your medical history. Don’t do it! The greatest financial planning resource, the Bible, offers us wonderful advice when it comes to making decisions that involve our Social Security. The book of Proverbs is very specific when it comes to financial advice. In chapter 15, verse 22, the need for good advice is plainly stated, “Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisors they succeed.” Because you have taken the time to read this article, here is what the Bible says about you. Chapter 9 verse 9 says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.” Congratulations! If you would like additional information concerning Social Security Retirement please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to help you and your family work through this very important issue. RANDY C. COWELL ACT FINANCIAL Randy C. Cowell is a columnist and President of ACT Financial Services, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of “God Good-Debt 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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the art of apologetics

Why Christians are not Afraid of Facts: The Impact of Apologetics by Jim Burkett

s a pastor for 32 years of churches in university communities, I enjoyed meeting university students, professors, scholars, and scientists who belonged to our church. It was exciting to hear from scholars and scientists who came to believe in the existence of God as a result of their scientific endeavors. One significant observation seem to stand out with their stories: they came to place their trust in God and Christ as a result of following the evidence. I remember one noted professor stating: “I was not just convinced by the facts, but I was compelled by the over-whelming evidence that Jesus Christ was God!” So what is the Impact of Apologetics? Remember Apologetics means “making the intellectual case for the truthfulness of Christianity and the claims of Christ.” Here are some atheists and skeptics who were changed by Apologetics.

design of the universe released the statement, “Oh my God!” But he said that this was not an exclamation of blasphemy but awe. He said, “I had been professing to be wise, but I came to understand that God not only exists, but He also is the Creator.” Dr. Lumsden begin to explore who was God and the evidence brought him to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God. “When I acknowledged Christ, I was a stiff-necked and broken man,” he shared. He knelt and received Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Dr. Richard Lumsden

There are so many atheists who have become Christians because of Apologetics. Harvard Law professor Simon Greenleaf was led to accept the historicity of the Gospels when he applied the rules of legal evidence to the New Testament. Alister McGrath (Ph.D. in molecular biology from Oxford University) was a former atheist who investigated the evidences for God and Christianity. The result was not only his coming to Christ based on the evidence, but he is now one of the world’s leading apologists. Josh McDowell was challenged to investigate the evidence for Christianity and Christ. After his research, he became a christian and the author of one of the most influential apologetic books, Evidence That Demands A Verdict. McDowell has effectively demonstrated that CHRISTIANITY IS A FACTUAL FAITH! Apologetics has impacted lives because of the evidences for God and Christ. The result has been not only changed lives, but some of the greatest ministries in history.

Dr. Richard Lumsden taught biology at Tulane University and for several years was the Dean of the Graduate School. With his Ph.D. in biology, he had been teaching at Tulane for thirty years. Dr. Lumsden admits that he was greatly perturbed when the Louisiana State Legislature passed a law stating that when Darwinian evolution was taught, alternative explanations had to be taught as well such as Intelligent Design. Soon after this legislative directive, Dr. Lumsden lectured in his graduate class about the difference between evolution and “creationism.” He concluded his lecture by saying, “In the beginning was the word, but the word was hydrogen.” After class, one of the grad students said to him, “Great lecture, professor.” Then she asked if she could ask him some questions in his office. He agreed and they set up a time. When she came in, she sat down in front of his desk with a yellow pad filled with questions. She said, “I am not here to challenge anything, just to get my science correct.” As she asked question after question regarding Darwinian evolution. He was surprised. He couldn’t answer her questions. When she asked about random odds of a simple genetic event taking place, he was surprised when his mathematical probability and her probability calculations both came up with a number that was 1 X 10200. He said, “That is quite a formidable number.” Dr. Lumsden said that after three hours in attempting to answer this student’s questions, he realized Darwinian evolution was bankrupt. Modern science could not support Darwinian evolution. After the student left and he had time to study and reflect, he was mentally jolted with the realization that modern science confirmed a creation model. Then the implication of this discovery of the complexity and

Question: What brought him to the place where he discovered that God exists and is the Creator and that Christ is His Son? The Facts of science provided the path of evidence to God.

Other Atheists and Skeptics Who Came to Christ

About JIM BURKETT Having pastored for 32 plus years in university communities as well as sharing APOLOGETICS-ON-FIRE CONFERENCES, Dr. Jim Burkett is the director of the Tulsa School of Apologetics and an Adjunct Scholar with the Josh McDowell Institute for Christian Apologetics. The class INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS begins on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, September 10 through November 5. The class PASTORAL LEADERSHIP and THE APOLOGETICS-DRIVEN CHURCH begins Monday, September 16 through November 4 (morning class is from 10:30 AM - 1:15 PM; evening class is from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM). For more information, contact Ccccpastor@aol.com or 918-691-8756. S eptemb er 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

celebrate recovery

FORGIVENESS Always the right choice by B lyt h e F o wl e r

ight principles from the Beatitudes are the foundation for the Christ-centered program of Celebrate Recovery (CR) and its distinctive curriculum. These principles form a map for traveling the road to recovery from hurts, hang-ups and habits that separate us from loving relationships, throw us into dysfunctional living and even threaten our very existence. Getting onto the CR road is a choice; it takes courage and commitment to follow the map. For those who choose this way – many victories are assured. When travel on the road first gets started, repair work

Of all the obstacles that can be encountered on the road to recovery, an unforgiving heart creates the biggest barrier and extracts the heaviest toll on travelers. 30

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begins in the personal lane of our lives. We know this repair is underway when we’ve admitted our powerlessness, turned our lives and wills over to God’s care, taken a moral inventory, shared an account of our sinful deeds with God and another person, owned our character defects, and humbly asked God to remove them. Thankfully, after this work is behind and in the rear view mirror, the road levels off a bit. We can exhale and prepare to navigate the repair needed in the next lane – the relational lane of our lives. Making repairs in this lane will pave the way to ending our isolation from God and others. This area of repair is the very essence of Celebrate Recovery’s Principle 6: Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others….

‘Do unto others… ’ Even though repair in the relational lane of our lives will yield immediate and positive results, some of us still resist the work. We don’t want to make amends or offer forgiveness for a variety of reasons.

One reason is based on our participation in Celebrate Recovery thus far and the teaching that God has already forgiven our sins. (1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness). We mistakenly think this ought to be enough. There is no reason to drag up the past and go over that old ground again with anyone else.

To be set free from anger, resentments, bitterness, fears, shame, and guilt, forgiveness must be given and received in all areas of our lives. Another reason we refuse to offer forgiveness is that we are addicted to recollecting the pain. Rehashing the hurtful experience over days, months or even years provides an excuse for our unhealthy and often destructive actions. As long as we can blame others for our problems, we can avoid taking responsibility for our lives and the choices we make. We can also hold onto unforgiveness out of rebellion to God, resulting in disobedience to scripture and blocked access to Him. Time and again the Bible tells us to forgive and blessing will follow, yet our rebellion continues. Waiting until feeling like forgiving sets us up for not going there at all; while there may be a right time to offer forgiveness, a prayerful request of Jesus for guidance and direction will receive an answer. Denying that a stronghold of unforgiveness exists in our being doesn’t stand as a valid argument either. We learned about coming out of denial at the starting line of CR’s road and have come too far since to try this evasive maneuver. The real answer to any objection is simple: offering forgiveness is not about the past or other people; it is about today and the quality we choose for our lives going forward. Of all the obstacles that can be encountered on the road to recovery, an unforgiving heart creates the biggest barrier and extracts the heaviest toll on travelers.

Forgiveness in 3 Forms

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assures us repeatedly that His forgiveness of us is full, our withholding of forgiveness of self is sin; it keeps us from complete healing and separated from God. Forgiveness of others: No matter what others have done, harboring anger toward the offender binds us to the person and our imprisonment to the pain remains. Choosing to let go of every feeling of resentment and allowing God to deal with those who have hurt us is the only right choice to make.

The test of true forgiveness comes when a surprise encounter with the person(s) you forgave occurs and you sincerely feel the glow of Christ’s love for them – nothing else. Just like repairs to any road, the work we do and allow in the relational lane of our lives will be tested in many ways. And as we continue on CR’s road we can rest securely in the knowledge that the materials used for repair are from the Master’s hand and it is our privilege to receive, maintain and share. If you are dealing with an unforgiving heart, please know that there is healing freely available to you. With over 32 CR ministries in northeastern Oklahoma, you can find one today and get on the road to recovery right now. Visit http://www.celebraterecovery.com/cr-groups/ group-locator

ABOUT CELEBRATE RECOVERY Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. 20 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. It was designed as a program to help those struggling with hurts, habits and hang-ups by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through a recovery process. Celebrate Recovery has helped more than 17000 people at Saddleback, attracting over 70% of its members from outside the church. Eighty-five percent of the people who go through the program stay with the church and nearly half serve as church volunteers.

To be set free from anger, resentments, bitterness, fears, shame, and guilt, forgiveness must be given and received in all areas of our lives. There are three kinds of forgiveness to pursue and one sure test for all. •

•

Forgiveness from God: Jesus’ death on the cross canceled the sins of all people who believe in Him and His work on the cross. By His death on the cross, our sin debt was paid in full. Forgiveness of self: Even though God’s Word S eptemb er 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

red letter initiative

Churches Together by mo lly m y ers

hat denomination is Jesus?” I asked this question to a group of Christians from various backgrounds a few months ago at a prayer gathering for believers across Tulsa. A blank, yet quizzical look was the most common response. John 17:20-23 speaks of our unity being the evidence that God sent Jesus as salvation to men. That’s a pretty impressive charge, Church. To that end, this column will be dedicated to highlighting how the Church in Tulsa is moving, working, serving together to glorify God and be the evidence He charged us to be. You will learn of ways churches are working together, ministries open to churches from various Christian denominations, and individuals who are truly fostering a sense of unity in the Body of Christ. Though it will hopefully appeal to a wide audience, our hope is that pastors, community outreach leaders, and community lay leaders will make this a regular stop to discover how the Church is coming together. One thing we will focus on is 32

something called The Red Letter Initiative. The Red Letter Initiative, (RLI), a division of Tulsa’s own World Compassion Terry Law Ministries, exists to serve the churches in Tulsa – and beyond - in order to foster the unity spoken of in John 17. One Upcoming example is a partnership with Prayer Power Ministries. On October 5, RLI WILL BE HELPING Prayer Power Ministries WITH THE PRAY Tulsa event. That morning, we will introduce a program called Unite My City, an exciting inititive to organize service projects at several Tulsa Public Schools. Unite My City will encourage about 10 churches in proximity to their neighborhood’s TPS school to serve alongside one another to bring an impact and transformation to the students and the school. Presently, four schools have responded to the invitation: Hawthorne, Wright, and Eugene Field Elementary, and Memorial Middle School. While several of these schools have partners in education who are churches, there is room at the table for deeper involvement. Mentors, reading volunteers, classroom helpers, tutors, and office helpers are all in high demand. Many partners provide the “What” a school may need and on organization is better equipped than “The Church” to provide the “Who” a student needs. Principals have been asked to provide a list of projects for the churches in their communities to work on together on the morning of October 5, from 8 am – 12 pm in advance of PRAY Tulsa. The outcome desired is two-fold. First, provide an opportunity for people from several faith families to work together on a common project to begin or deepen relationships

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in the community of churches. Secondly, to provide an avenue for a volunteer for the day to become a strategic volunteer in their community school. What if a mentor begins with a child in first grade and continues with that child through graduation? What if a tutor committed to working with a struggling student who will fail without intervention? What if a person volunteered to greet at the school’s front door each morning as the students arrived extending a warm welcome to all who entered? What if some of these volunteers served and participated in the school’s PTA? What if a volunteer showed up every Thursday afternoon to work with a group of kids and help them develop skills in a sport that may eventually help them earn a college scholarship? What if these people were the Church? What if the Church entered the school and became the gospel? Not in a way that defies separation of church and state, but in a natural way that drew people to Christ because of the authentic love they received by being served. Go, be dangerous… Associated links: http://www.worldcompassion.tv/rli http://prayerpowertulsa.com/ http://hawthorne.tulsaschools.org http://wright.tulsaschools.org http://eugenefield.tulsaschools.org http://memorialjr.tulsaschools.org http://unitemycity.tv

B e l ie v ers t o Unit e for 12 Hours of Prayer , Mu s i c an d Fu n

Pray Tulsa at Guthrie Green Park Saturday, October 5 10am-10pm

dexter sullivan

rganizers say that no one hour will be the same! From morning until night, believers from all churches and flavors we will be worshipping God and sharing God’s love. The purpose? To gather the Body of Christ for a united demonstration of corporate worship and intercession to our God.

For the past two years, Prayer Power Ministries has been involved in serving the prayer movement of Tulsa. Since that time, they say that they have witnessed “a divine convergence” begin to develop across the City. “Presently, we are now seeing believers from all different walks of life – the rich and the poor; the black, the red, the yellow, and the white; from the Classical Pentecostals, to the staunch denominationals, even some Charismatic Catholics – crossing both the religious and denominational lines of the Church to engage on a journey that is forging towards an established united front in the body of Christ of our City,” says organizer Dexter Sullivan. “Throughout this journey, we have gathered at a number of dynamic “Checkpoints” that have been both guiding and directional to the movement.

In 2011, we gathered together with 350 plus believers and several dozen Church leaders in prayer for our City at a moment of terrible loss for the next generation. In 2012, we gathered with more than 1,000 attendees for seven days of prayer, praise, and worship, with a united demonstration of what prayer can mean for our City. And now, in 2013, we are gathering yet again for a One-Day Celebration that unitedly declares JESUS, Lord over our great City!” Sullivan said further. Partnered with such ministries as Prayer Power Ministries, The Burn Tulsa, 24/31 Prayer Network, The Red Letter Initiative, Love Tulsa and Access Church, Prayer Tulsa is calling all believers in Jesus Christ to come join in prayer for our city and our nation.

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AVA HANCOCK GRACE HOSPICE

Question: My wife recently lost her mother and is grieving and I am at a loss on how to help her through it. Any advice?

atching a loved one experience such a monumental loss who is sad and grieving can make you feel powerless. Every person grieves differently so it can be difficult to know what to do to help. Here are some steps on how to help your wife through the grief process. step 1: Learn about grief and loss and how it affects people: Before you can help another person, you must first understand loss and grief. The first step often involved taking a close look at your beliefs and experience with grief. Many of us see grief as something you should work through quickly – something you should just “get over” it. But the truth is that grief is a normal reaction to loss.

step 3: Offer reassurance: Finally, offer reassurance that her feelings are very normal and part of the grieving process. As your wife allows you and others to support her, then her pain will begin to fade and not be so consuming. We often use the term “finding that new normal” in our support groups at Grace Hospice. It helps reassure people that on the other side of this grief journey there will be a fresh sense of purpose and opportunities. At Grace Hospice we have two weekly support groups that are free and open to the community. You can call 918-744-7223 for more information.

AVA HANCOCK, , MS, LCSW

Executive Director, Grace Hospice While the feeling of grief itself is not easy to process, the experience itself can bring a positive result. When you support someone who is grieving, you offer compassion and encouragement without taking on the hopeless task of trying to take the person’s grief away or feel you must “fix their problem”. If you can learn to appreciate that there is a purpose –a meaning – to grief, you can truly help your loved one through the process. We can better appreciate that there is a purpose in what they are going through at this present time. step 2: Be compassionate and caring: This step involves expressing true compassion for your wife to help soothe the pain of her grief. Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind that can help you offer true support.

Ava is Executive Director of Grace Hospice of Oklahoma. Grace Hospice is the largest independent hospice in Northeastern Oklahoma. Ava has been with Grace Hospice for more than 10 years and was named Executive Director in 2010 where she leads a staff of more than 80 employees. Ava received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work and Health Care from the University of Houston. She’s a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a trained Executive Leader for hospice through the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). She is also a volunteer and board member of the Case Management Society of America. Ava also volunteers with the P.E.O. Sisterhood as the State Educational Loan Fund Chairman for Oklahoma, assisting women in furthering their educational goals. Ava’s an avid supporter of animal rescue and is the Foster Coordinator and a board member of Great Plains Mastiff Rescue.

Listen-Those who are grieving need people to listen more than anything. When you allow someone to talk out loud about their feelings and tell their story, those feelings actually begin to change and the pain can subside. So work to listen compassionately and do more listening than talking. Respond with empathy - Offer simple words of encouragement. Some ideas include: What can I do? How can I help? I’m so sorry. It’s okay to cry. Tell me more. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Because every moment counts...

Grace Hospice helps you embrace every moment. We provide expert medical care and counseling services to our patients including: � Nursing services 24 hours/7 days a week � Medications related to the terminal illness � Pain and symptom management � Emotional, spiritual and bereavement counseling � Family support services for friends and family Grace Hospice serves all of Northeastern Oklahoma. Please call 918-744-7223 to learn how we can help you and your family.

Phone (918) 744-7223 • Toll Free (800) 659-0307 www.gracehospice.com Not affiliated with Grace Living Centers.

S eptemb er 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

B Y D A NN Y C A H I L L

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.

Be a plant! I

was sitting in my office studying and writing when I looked up and saw something amazing. A plant from my father’s funeral over a year before had no leaves on the side away from the window and all the leaves were reaching for the sun! I decided to try something; I would turn the plant away from the window and see what would happen. A week later, the leaves had all turned half way back towards the sun! Being a Land Surveyor all my life, I spent a lot of time in nature and I remembered seeing trees reaching for the light – their source of life – trying hard to get as much sun as possible! This is what we need to do in our own lives. When I’m struggling and I need wisdom, the first person I seek is Jesus. When I’m hurting and I need comfort, I first seek Jesus! When I don’t know what to do, I first seek Jesus! Yes! I ask others I trust, too, but I always seek first the kingdom of God! When life challenges you, or turns you away from the Son, turn your eyes back to Him! While at the Biggest Loser Ranch for 100 days, I needed Jesus every day! In fact, my Mother-in-Law gave be a basket to take with me filled with 101 scriptures. Every morning, in my aches, pains, fear, and trials, I’d open it and pick a random scripture to read. It set my eyes on The Son for the rest of the day! I was getting beat up, felt alone at times, was scared of what the day would bring – but I, like that plant in my window, I’d turn my eyes to my source of life – The Son! It helped me get through the day and brought me victory after victory! Recently, a friend here in Tulsa left for an experience

C o m m u n i t y Spi ri tma g a zi n e.com Se p t e mber 2013

similar to what I went through on The Biggest Loser. I suddenly found out she was leaving the next morning and would be gone for 3 months, so I rushed home and worked hard for hours. I found a box that looked like a book, and placed the 101 scriptures I found for her in the box. I met her and her family downtown and presented her with the box right before she left. “Every morning, pull out a scripture and read it. God will speak to you. She accepted, and I know you’ll be hearing (and watching) her story next year on TV! If there’s one thing I knew, she’d get distracted, scared, and go through trials being away from her family for so long. Every morning she’ll set her eyes on the one who has His eyes on her, and that will make all the difference in her life! I urge you, seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and all things will be added to you! Face the Son when you need help, wisdom, comfort, love. Jesus will never let you down. Your life is no different than mine on The Biggest Loser – filled with excitement, pain, fear, joy, love, and enemies who will hate you. Turn your eyes to the Son and you’ll cross the finish line a winner. In fact, He guarantees it!

PURCHASE DANNY’S NEW BOOK AT THEDANNYCAHILL.COM

marriages that last

If I Had Only Known

uite often men and women come for help after their marriage has already ended. They are mourning the loss of the relationship and wondering where things went wrong. Here are a number of things I’ve heard people say they wish they would have done or known to preserve their relationship. Consider doing these things to rekindle your marriage and make it better than it has ever been before. 1. It’s not about me! Get over yourself. Stop thinking that your spouse is here to fulfill your every wish, desire, and dream. When you said “I do”, you committed to put your spouse ahead of yourself. Give freely and provide all you can to fulfil your spouse. Shift your focus of service from yourself to your spouse. 2. Continue to date! Never stop dating your spouse. Purse them with passion and desire. Find babysitters to help with the kids and show them that they are a priority to you. Think out of the box when it comes to dating. Dinner and movies are great, but find interactive activities to further strengthen your marriage. 3. Don’t try to change or fix your spouse! Accept who they are for what they are. The message that your spouse will hear if you’re constantly trying to “fix” them is that “they are not good enough.” Feeling valued and accepted for who they are produces safety, allowing intimacy to mature. 4. You are responsible for yourself! It is not your spouse’s job to make you happy. You have the ability to choose to be happy or not. Your spouse does not have the power to make you sad, depressed or negative. Those are responses that you choose to have. You are responsible for what you say, how you say it and the motivations that are behind your thoughts, words and actions. 5. Take ownership! No one is perfect but when you mess up, own up. Don’t point fingers in efforts to justify your mistakes. Simply take ownership for the mistakes and commit to learn from it. Grace and forgiveness tends to flow freely when humility is present. 6. Protect your heart! Reserve in your heart a small place that no one or nothing ever gets close to other than your spouse. Protect that space and invite only your spouse to join you within it. Pursue each other with the intent to discover more fully and more intimately that space. See your spouse as

a valuable, priceless treasure and hold them dear to your heart. 7. Fall in love daily! Pursue your spouse like days of old. Court her today just as aggressively as you did when you first fell in love. Tell and show them how much you love them. Ask your spouse to provide a list of things that make them feel special and strive to communicate daily your renewed love. 8. Laugh with each other! Laughter can be a great healing agent. Be silly and have fun with your spouse. Be able to laugh at yourself and let things roll off your back. Never lose the “playground” atmosphere in your marriage. Don’t take yourself so serious. Lighten up. 9. Be fully transparent! You’ll never obtain what you’re not willing to offer. Trust-building is a process and takes intentionality. Take the mask off and show your spouse the real you. The parts of you that you don’t want to share are the ones you need to share the most. Anything kept in secret will come back to bite you later. Your spouse knows you’re not perfect, be vulnerable to take the necessary steps to achieve true oneness. 10. Take their clothes off! Connect sexually. Husbands, understand that before you can connect sexually with your wife, you first have to connect emotionally. Wives understand that before you can connect emotionally, you first have to connect sexually with your husband. Have sex often, don’t become a sexless marriage. Strong connections in the bedroom will flow over to all other areas in your marriage. Pursue each other with passion and excitement, keeping desire alive. Instead of sitting back passively waiting for your spouse to “fix” your marriage, be proactive and begin to take responsibility for yourself and do your part.

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.

john 3:16 mission

making the most of his

SECOND CHANCE

rom the outside, Grady appeared to be living the American Dream. He grew up in Tulsa, became an Eagle Scout, raced cars, and served in the Air Force. Later, he embarked on a lucrative career as an airplane mechanic working for the government. This in turn led to employment with a major air freight company. Grady married, had a family and everything seemed to be going great. Except for one thing. Grady was an alcoholic. Every day after work, he would go home and “reward” himself for a job well done. His drinking lasted late into the night and when he woke up, the booze was still in his system. Supervisors warned him to get it under control, but Grady was unable to overcome his compulsion. “I was in the grip of the disease,” he recalls. “It was destroying my life.” 38

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Se p t em ber 2013

In succession, his employers let him go and to make matters worse, the FAA revoked his aircraft mechanic’s card, effectively ending a 30-year career. His alcoholism devastated his marriage and resulted in alienation from his beloved daughter. “It was devastating. I lost everything.” Then came a car accident that put Grady in the hospital

“For so much of my life, I had everything going for me. My career was handed to me on a silver platter. But I didn’t count my blessings and I took it all for granted. After I lost it all, I went into a deep depression.”

where was unconscious for five days. When he awoke, he realized he had finally reached the proverbial “rock bottom.” “For so much of my life, I had everything going for me. My career was handed to me on a silver platter. But I didn’t count my blessings and I took it all for granted. After I lost it all, I went into a deep depression.” At the suggestion of a family member, Grady agreed to try out John 3:16 Mission’s New Creation Life Skills recovery program. She assured him that if he took the program seriously, it would be life changing. “I admit I was scared when I came here. I believed in God

“I learned He wasn’t mad at me. He loved me unconditionally no matter what my problem was. Through the studies the Mission has and the emphasis on Christian work ethics and learning how to be a better Christian, it turned my life around.”

someone. Christ cared and it showed in what He has done for me. I’m a totally different person. It’s unbelievable having God in my life now.” Grady completed John 3:16 Mission’s recovery program in August and marked the occasion with a graduation ceremony. Not only that, he also earned back his FAA approved mechanic’s license after several days of testing. He is excited about returning to work. “I have to say that John 3:16 saved my life. I didn’t want to die. I wanted to live a fulfilling life and I’m going to get to do that now. “You can’t describe the feeling of having a second chance. I think my second chance is going to be even better than the first one!”

How You Can Help Tulsa’s Homeless The homeless and hungry of Tulsa need your help this Thanksgiving and holiday season! The first step to recovery and a transformed life begins with a meal and shelter at John 3:16 Mission. This fall, the Mission expects to provide more than 62,000 meals and thousands of lodgings to our community’s needy people. We need your help. A meal and night of shelter and care at the Mission for a homeless person costs just $2.11. Please consider making a contribution this fall

but I didn’t seek God’s help because I was ashamed. I was hiding from God. I thought He was mad at me because of this obsession to drink.” Soon after joining the recovery program, Grady began to learn that God was far from angry with him. In fact, God was ready to restore him. “I learned He wasn’t mad at me. He loved me unconditionally no matter what my problem was. Through the studies the Mission has and the emphasis on Christian work ethics and learning how to be a better Christian, it turned my life around,” Grady recalls. Sobriety became a paramount issue in his life and Grady committed himself to sober living. “I started to have a desire to start life over again and I became a very active member in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and they taught me, after my obsession with alcohol was taken from me, how to keep it away from me.” Grady now attends AA meetings 10 times a week and he is active at his church where he regularly serves communion and leads devotions. He says it was coming to know Christ as a true friend that made the difference for him in his recovery. “The difference Christ makes for you is that you know someone cares. It’s overwhelming that you’re loved by

by calling 918-587-1186 or visiting www.john316mission.org where giving is quick and easy and you will receive a prompt receipt for your contribution.

ABOUT JOHN 3:16 John 3:16 Mission is an interdenominational Christian ministry that exists to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of Tulsa’s hungry, homeless and at-risk. Located in downtown Tulsa, Okla., the Mission provides food, shelter, clothing and restorative programs to those in need. Since its founding in 1952, the Mission has served in excess of 4 million meals and provided over 1 million individual shelters to the homeless.

S eptemb er 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

us shooting academy

US Shooting Academy…A New Family Activity

n a way, it is nothing new. Grandpa used to take us kids out to the country and let us shoot tin cans and maybe, if we were lucky, a squirrel or two to take home. While doing so, he taught us valuable lessons we couldn’t learn from a book. We learned patience and concentration along with how to honoring nature, respect weapons and the safest way to use them. Looking back on it, he was teaching us the same things his father or grandfather had taught him. And besides, it was sure fun. Unfortunately in today’s world, it is tough for the average person to find a location to shoot even if they do happen to have access to some private property. US Shooting Academy solves that problem. In fact, they have taken those same lessons and put them on a range designed specifically for this purpose. The state-of-the-art facility complete with a beautiful clubhouse is located north of town by the Tulsa Police Academy at 6500 East 66th Street North (just off Highway 75). Dave Saye, Executive Officer at the US Shooting Academy invites everyone to come out and see the facility. “We are open to the public and are committed to training people to be proficient with their guns. You will find all sorts of people here, from the competitive shooter to that same grandfather wanting to pass down a legacy,” Dave explained. There is no wonder why the sport is gaining ground as a leading family pastime. “If people are going to own a gun, we want to help make sure they know how to use them in a safe manner, Dave said. 40

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The range has something for every shooter. It has 24 individual burmed ranges from 5 to 300 yards. Each are equipped with targets so there is no need to bring out the old tin cans you once had to collect from home. Hearing protection and other shooting accessories are available for purchase in the ProShop. Dave, a professional gunsmith for over 20 years, knows that our society has mixed feelings about guns. But he insists that if you are going to own a gun, it is your responsibility to make sure it is stored in a safe place and that you are adequately trained to use it. The US Shooting Academy offers a wide variety of classes for all skill levels. Many people come here to get their State Mandated Concealed Carry training, consisting of 8 hours of classroom education and 50 rounds of shooting at various ranges. “But this is an absolute minimum,” he insists. “Many advanced classes are offered that not only make you a proficient shooter, but which also train you on how to handle yourself in various situations. So whether you want to site in your deer rifle or shotgun, or if you want to become a crack shot with a pistol, this range has the equipment, expert training and the safe ranges to make it happen. Grandpa would have liked this place.

Check it Out! www.usshootingacademy.com

A “Machine Gun” Shoot “The Most Fun a Guy Could Have in an Afternoon”

A Personal Note from the Publisher…

experience. We shot all sorts of weapons but the two favorite were the M134 Electric-powered Gatling Gun which shoots over 50 rounds a second and the 50 Caliber Machine Gun. And to watch my 88-year old father shoot these high-powered weapons was the ultimate kick. He especially loved the 50 Cal as it used the same ammo he used to load in the P51 Fighters during WWII. We not only got to shoot each gun, Dave did an outstanding job teaching us about the history of each weapon and instructing us on the safe and proper way to use them. If you are looking for the a unique company outing, planning a bachelor’s party, or just a fun time with your friends, consider enjoying a “Machine Gun Shoot” out at US Shooting Academy. It is the ultimate “kick.”

When my brothers and brother-in-law came home to celebrate my folk’s 65th Wedding Anniversary, I looked for some fun way we could enjoy an afternoon. But the minute I heard Dave Saye talk about offering “Machine Gun Shoots,” I knew it was the perfect choice. I told my group that we were going to go target shooting, something not out of the ordinary for us. But when we arrived on the range and Dave rolled back the blanket covering three 8-foot long tables full of various machine guns, their eyes about popped out!

US Shooting Academy Memberships are just $29.95 per month. That gives you unlimited use of the facility, a 5% discount at the ProShop and 5 guest passes per month.

uS SHOOTING ACADEMY 6500 East 66th St N Tulsa, OK 74117 (918) 948-7856

Of course we had seen them on television, but shooting them is a wild

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oklahoma health dept.

Proud Of Your Efforts To “Spread” Good Health?

Your School, Restaurant, Business Or Community May Qualify For A Special Honor! Applications are now being accepted for the program’s five categories of certification: •

•

• •

•

he Tobacco Free Coalition for Tulsa County and the Tulsa County Wellness Partnership, a sponsored group of the Family Health Coalition recently announced the application process has begun for an exciting program that encourages healthy living. The program, Certified Healthy Oklahoma is open and the group encourages those in the area that qualify to apply for recognition in helping make Oklahoma a healthier place to live. They explain that a crucial factor to improving the health of Oklahomans is providing a myriad of opportunities for the state’s residents to make healthier choices where they live, work, learn and play. The Certified Healthy Oklahoma programs programs meet this challenge by recognizing those communities, schools, businesses, campuses and restaurants that encourage healthfocused behaviors and policies. “The Certified Healthy Oklahoma programs provide opportunities for Tulsa County’s businesses, restaurants, schools, communities, and campuses to create environments that support health policies and individual health decisions that ultimately will improve Oklahoma’s health outcomes,” said Paula Warlick, Tobacco Free Coalition chair. “We encourage potential applicants to consider what they are doing to make the healthy choice the easy choice for their employees, customers, students, and citizens, and submit an application for Certified Healthy Oklahoma certification.”

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The Certified Healthy Business program recognizes workplaces that provide health and wellness opportunities for their employees. The Certified Healthy Restaurant program recognizes restaurants that provide healthy food options to their customers. The Certified Healthy School program recognizes schools that are teaching students and staff how to be healthy. The Certified Healthy Community program recognizes communities that offer citizens a healthy place to live, work, learn and play. The Certified Healthy Campus program recognizes colleges and Career Technology Centers that provide a healthy environment for faculty and students.

Each program has three levels of certification: Basic, Merit and Excellence. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2013, for certification consideration. Award winners will be notified in December 2013 and acknowledged at an awards ceremony in Oklahoma City on Feb. 5, 2014. “Another great reason for communities and schools to apply is that they must be “certified” through this program to be eligible to apply for the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Healthy Incentive Grants in 2014,” said pediatrician Dr. Colony Fugate, a member of the Tulsa County Wellness Partnership. “The TSET Healthy Incentive Grants keep the momentum going in our communities and schools to expand opportunities to live healthier lives.” The Certified Healthy Oklahoma programs are a joint effort of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, The State Chamber, The Oklahoma Academy, Oklahoma Turning Point Council, and numerous other partners who are helping to shape a healthier future for Oklahoma. Last year, more than 750 applicants received certification. Criteria details and application information for all Certified Healthy Oklahoma programs are now available on the Oklahoma Turning Point Council website at www.okturningpoint.org. More information on the TSET Healthy Incentive Grants for communities and schools will be released later this year. For local information or assistance with the application process, please contact Vicki Lentz Wagner at 918-595-4225 or Daphne Gaulden at 918-595-4039.

RN to BSN Program

The program allows students with a two year associate’s degree to complete a Bachelor of Science in as little as four semesters. The new online program will focus on helping adult learners that wish to better equip themselves educationally, but are unable to leave their homes, jobs and ministries to attend nursing school. Students who complete the program will receive a degree that is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: • Must have earned an associate degree in nursing or the equivalent • Must meet the same general education requirements as generic BSN students • General education courses may be transferred from other accredited universities (Some general education coursework can be obtained from ORU online) • Must be an RN

admissions@oru.edu nursing.oru.edu/cs Scan the QR Code for more information

ORU Ranked for High Return on Investment

ral Roberts University was recognized in the top 14 among more than 150 Okla. higher leaning institutions analyzed for return on investment by AffordableCollegesOnline.org. The university was honored for

having a large earnings gap between non-degree holders over thirty years, and the tendency to earn more on average than graduates from other Oklahoma schools. AC Online analyzed more than 150 fully accredited, four-year, degree granting institutions in Okla. Return on investment was determined according to PayScale’s 2013 College Value Report as well as data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Carnegie Classification.  “These are important lists for prospective students to consider,” says AC Online founder Dan Schuessler. “We’ve sifted through comprehensive data sources to find colleges and universities in Oklahoma that offer a high quality education with consistent, long-term payoffs in the workplace.”  Affordable Colleges Online provides students with information about affordable higher education options. The website offers financial aid videos, expert advice, and cost savings ideas. AC Online is a trusted resource for college stats and rankings. Most recently the site launched a feature that provides students with a categorized directory of free online introductory, or “101”, classes from several top named U.S. universities such as MIT, Michigan and U.C. Berkeley.  To view the full list of rankings, visit http:// www.affordablecollegesonline.org/online-colleges/oklahoma.

ORU Recognized as “Best of the West” by Princeton Review

ral Roberts University was one of 124 academic institutions recognized as “Best of the West” by The Princeton Review. This honor was highlighted in the “2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region” web feature. Inclusion in the “2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list signifies that ORU met vital criteria identified by The Princeton Review. First, ORU had to meet standards for academic excellence within the western region. Secondly, they had to allow The Princeton Review to survey their students

anonymously, either online, or on paper. Surveys were distributed and collected asking students to rate ORU on a variety of factors including academics, the student body and campus life. Students described ORU as “friendly” with “lots of foreign students” and a community that is “committed to philanthropy.” The academic institutions included in the “2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region” website section were also rated in six categories by The Princeton Review. These ratings, which appear on the school profiles, are scored on a scale of 60 to 99. The Princeton Review explains the criteria for each rating score on their website. The 124 colleges and universities that The Princeton Review chose for its “Best in the West” list are located in fifteen states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Princeton Review also designated 225 colleges in the Northeast, 156 in the Midwest, and 138 in the Southeast.

S eptemb er 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

Is a Virtual Christian School the Right Choice for Your Child?

he world is changing and educators are changing along of online learning. So, we partnered with Alpha Omega with it, adapting to needs of students and their families. Publishing, a highly respected online education company. They Oral Roberts University has stepped up to be a leader in convinced us that having online learning for 3-12th grade would an alternative education model that is catching the eye of parents be excellent opportunity and recruiting tool for the university. all over the world. They call it a “Virtual Christian School.” Over the years, it has developed into its own independent In 2005, the leadership of ORU’s College of Education saw organization. Our hearts have grown very found of the students a need. Although they absolutely support and appreciate private we work with. We have a passion to see them successful and Christian schools, they realized that the traditional brick and go on to college after graduating from the academy. That is our mortar school might not meet the needs of some students. heart’s desire.” For instance, imagine the student whose parents serve as “I don’t believe that online learning is for everyone, but missionaries or have there are groups of some other job which students out there who it requires lots of travel. fits really well. The idea Because of their that students can go at schedule, they need the their own pace is really a flexibility to be out of big plus. In educational town, a situation which terms, every student needs would not work in a to have an individualized typical 10-month per learning plan and that year model. Or perhaps, is exactly what online the student’s parents learning allows to happen. want to home school, They must be supervised but are uncomfortable of course and we rely on teaching some of the a strong partnership with courses. Or, possibly parents. They can’t just be the student has medical L e f t t o r t . DR . K IM BOYD , K E Z IA DANIELS AND LANCE MILLER left at home alone and be issues or physical challenges which require him or her to be at expected to do their work. None of us would do that, especially home. a teenaged child. But we have seen great success. For instance, In each case, ORU eAcademy is a great solution. Individual we have had some autistic children who have had phenomenal online courses are offered for students in the 3rd through success and the program has been an answer to their parent’s 12th grades. Students can take a full-time schedule (typically prayers. We have also had some students who are incredibly 5 courses) or they can opt to work part time on only selected bright who don’t want to sit in a classroom while everyone else classes. In either case, they are taught online by certified is doing their work. This too, has been an answer to prayer for teachers who devise an individualized learning plan for each them. We have also had students whose parents traveled a lot student. A sophisticated, state-of-the art online program not only and the flexibility of the program has proven to be a blessing teaches them the concepts, it tracks their learning to provide to the entire family. Not every student can learn the same way their teacher with information to ensure they are on track or and I certainly believe this opens up another opportunity for alerts them on areas that need more attention. The result is an learning,” Dr. Boyd explained. individualized education where students can learn at their own Lance Miller, Head Administrator for ORU eAcademy, pace and they can do it literally from anywhere they can get an explained that students can begin at any time. “Our students online connection. don’t have to wait for the new school year to begin, they Dr. Kim Boyd, Dean of the College of Education, shared the can enroll in a single class or full time classes anytime. The story about the development of ORU eAcademy. “Because of program is very family focused. Students work at their own the onslaught of online education and because some states are speed, squeezing a course into a few months or extending it now requiring students to take some online courses, we wanted out through a year much like a traditional brick and mortar to make sure our teachers were well versed in the pedagogy school.” 46

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“Our curriculum is Bible-based and all of our teachers are Spirit-filled Christians. All of our students are required to take Bible courses and each subject is taught from a Christian worldview,” he added. The 8-year track record of the school is very impressive. In fact, Dr. Boyd says that many of the graduates have come on to attend at ORU. “We have found them to be very prepared, scoring very high on the ACT and SAT tests and excelling on campus,” she said. ORU eAcademy is very competitive financially. The cost is $550 per course, so for a full-time student, the complete annual cost is $2750, about half the price of a typical Christian school. Payment plans are available and the longer a student attends, the more they accrue scholarships they can later use at ORU.

Maybe the Virtual Christian School model is just what your child needs. You can begin exploring the possibilities at www. orueacademy.com.

ORU eAcademy: Just the Facts • • • • • •

An online virtual school offering grades 3 through 12 Designed for parents looking for a new option in schooling for their children A division of the Oral Roberts University’s College of Education Provides a strong computer-based Christian education Students and parents interact with state certified, Spirit-filled Christian teachers Students earn an accredited and recognized high school diploma from eAcademy

ORU to Celebrate Inauguration of Fourth President

ral Roberts University will be celebrating the inauguration of fourth president, Dr. William M. Wilson, this month. The installation ceremony, scheduled for September 20, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the ORU Mabee Center, will be the destination of guests from all over the globe. “Dr. Wilson’s inauguration ceremony will be very unique,” said ORU Chair of the Inauguration Committee and Executive Vice President of University Advancement, Mr. Ossie Mills. “While there will be many traditional elements, attendees should expect to see an international flair as people attend from all corners of the globe. The university will also integrate new technology to allow global interaction throughout the

ceremony.” Wilson began his role as president of ORU on June 1, 2013. During his first days on campus, he formed a Presidential Task Force on the Globalization of ORU. The task force will seek ways to fulfill the global mandate of ORU by expanding access to a whole person education to students worldwide. Wilson is recognized as a global influencer with unwavering ethics and strong business acumen who has a passion for building Spirit-empowered leaders to impact the world. A former native of Owensboro, Ky., he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University in Secondary Education. He also holds a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Wilson served on the ORU Board of Trustees as vice-chair until his election as president. He has also served in leadership positions with the America for Jesus, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Mission America Coalition (Lausanne USA), National Interfaith Cable Coalition and Pentecostal World Fellowship. Wilson is a noted Bible teacher with a weekly television program “World Impact with Dr. Billy Wilson.” For more than 15 years, the program has inspired and empowered viewers from a biblical worldview in 170 nations and in five languages. He is a renowned speaker and author, writing several books including “Father Cry,” “Foundations of Faith” and “Fasting Forward.” For more information on ORU’s fourth president, visit www. oru.edu/drbillywilson.

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A Travel Blog – Places to Go, Places to Praise

A Place to Be Alone with God…(and a fly rod) By Tom McCloud, Publisher

A note from the Publisher…

We thought it might be fun to begin including this travel blog each month. Obviously, it will require that YOU share your personal “travel blog” with us. So, here is the challenge! Send us your experiences of places to go and places to praise. 500 words with pictures. Make it fun and you just might be in the next issue of Community Spirit! the stuff and hoping it might at least push the bear in the other direction. Anyway, the four of us never anticipated the slight breeze that was coming directly towards us just as he sprayed it. Even just a slight bit of it sent us heading to the hills, coughing and gagging for a good hour afterward. And although I still don’t know what a bear would think about the stuff, I know I don’t ever want a snort of it again. In fact, I joked that if a bear did attack me, forget shooting at the bear. Simply shoot me. One deep breath of it and I won’t worry about being eaten, I will be begging the bear to finish me off!

y wife I had always wanted to go to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This summer, with a brand new fly rod, some hiking shoes and a sack full of groceries, we jumped in the car and made the 19-hour pilgrimage towards the Grand Tetons. If you haven’t been, you just have to put it on your bucket list. Every step of the journey, each breath of the mountain air and every day of excitement was truly exhilarating. We chose to stay in Colter Bay within the Grand Teton National Park. The quaint little cabin was more than adequate, but there is so much to do, you hardly had time to sleep. Every day was full of hiking, boating, fishing and just enjoying God’s amazing creation. We were always equipped with bear spray just in case our

We did watch a black bear (from our car) about 30 yards from us as he devoured every huckleberry he could grab. He was cute and didn’t look like he would hurt a soul. That wasn’t the case of the grizzly bear we sat down at Willow Flats. Turns out he was bear number 399, a massive and mean looking hulk who nearly killed a tourist this Spring who had wandered into his area. Yellowstone itself is something you just must see for yourself. From Old Faithful to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, it is one incredible view after the other.

zeal for wanting to spot one turned into a closer than desired personal encounter. One day, a friend of ours pulled out an old can just to practice the art of holding your breath, shooting 48

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Se p t ember 2013

They say you can judge a good vacation spot on whether you are ready to leave it. All I can tell you is that a week was not enough to fully absorb the beauty of God’s creation here. Make your plans now and see it for yourself!

NOW HIRING SALES REPRESENTATIVES FLEXIBLE HOURS • GREAT COMMISSIONS CHRISTIAN WORK ENVIRONMENT

CALL TOM AT 918-307-2323 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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vintage pearl

The Vintage Pearl

A local, Homegrown, God-Grown Business

rin Edwards is a busy woman. With calendar in hand, she has become an expert at juggling every detail such as soccer practice for her three younger kids and football practice for Caleb, her oldest. Add in the basic responsibilities of house and home and the pace can be enough to challenge even the most organized mom. But Erin’s life is even a bit more complicated than the norm. You see, a few years ago she started making jewelry. In the beginning, it was simply a fun project that sometimes rewarded her family with a little extra spending money. But as she worked at her kitchen counter, she had no idea that God was about to launch a world-class business right from her kitchen full of beads and craft supplies. It started when her sister-in-law began making clothing and selling it on eBay. Erin decided to make jewelry to match and the combination sold well, especially among Erin’s blogging community, another part-time passion. But then, she discovered handstamped jewelry. She talked her husband, Ryan, into letting her buy a basic $250 stamping kit, something he recalls was a big investment at the time, and she began coming up with design ideas. Her new jewelry was an immediate hit with her friends and orders followed. Once the eBay fees started to mount, she 50

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opened an online store at Etsy. Then, when the orders became too much for her to handle on her own, she recruited friends to help. Her little business continued to grow and soon her kitchen was beginning to look like a full scale manufacturing center. She looked for additional places to advertise. “I asked the Lord to guide me, to help me find my own spot on the Internet, someplace unique and different,” she explained. It was about then she contacted Stephanie Nieison, the author of the hugely popular blog, NieNieDialogues.com. To Erin’s amazement, NieNie agreed to blog about Erin’s jewelry. As soon as the blog hit, so did the orders. Outgrowing the house, Erin moved her operation to a 200 square foot office space, then to a 400 square foot space where she expanded to 25 employees. Then, another, highly successful blogger, The Pioneer Woman, blogged about the jewelry and sales spiked even further. But at one point, Erin hit a wall. “I was exhausted and I wondered if it was all worth it. But then, Ryan pulled out the giving sheets for the year and I saw that we had been able to double our giving over the previous year.” Re-encouraged, she pushed on and the business kept growing. They decided to move to their current location in The Plaza Shopping Center at 81st and Lewis. It provided them with not only more manufacturing area, but also allowed them

Left to rt. Caleb, Tessa, Eden, Jonah to have a retail area up front. At the Grand Opening, the store was full with an additional 50 to 100 people lined up outside, patiently waiting to get in. Business has continued and the store was such a hit that they decided to open a second location in Edmond. Now, Erin’s little, kitchen table business has 60 employees, two retail locations, a huge online presence and a wholesale operation that allows them to sell to gift shops all over the country.

So what is the reason for their success? Ryan answered, “This was never planned. It was never a vision. But I absolutely believe this was a Godordained idea. I was reading a book by Jensen Franklin the other day and he said that you know it is a vision of God when the idea or vision is bigger than you. God gave Erin both the talent and vision for this, but it is totally bigger than the two of us. We absolutely have stumbled through all of it.” “This business is from the Lord and it is a tool to allow us to help with the Kingdom,” Ryan explained. It is a responsibility the couple takes very seriously. “It makes us dedicated to making sure we are good stewards with it and make wise and careful decisions,” he said. The handstamped products are a big hit, mainly, Erin says, because they create a memory. She explained that the custom nature of the jewelry allows people to personalize each item to help remember and honor something special… a child’s name or maybe even an inside joke. “It is a true keepsake at a price you can afford,” Ryan added. Although they are very private and extremely humble people, Erin and Ryan realize that a major part of the reason God has given them this success was so they could bless others. They do what they can to use that success to make a difference. Just hours after the Moore, Oklahoma tornado for instance, Erin was already finishing and promoting a special fundraising “Love for Oklahoma” necklace. The compassionate idea quickly raised over $230,000 that they were able to donate to the Oklahoma Red Cross Relief efforts. It is a giving spirit that is contagious. In fact, the employees have joined in on the excitement, knowing that much of their hard work goes directly to very important causes which are in fact… “bigger than all of them.” We encourage you to stop in to visit The Vintage Pearl, either online or at one of the store locations. Get creative and design your own special memory keepsake. But while you are there, be sure to thank God for those unique ideas which He often provides to us at the most unexpected times. Sometimes He does His best work sitting with us at the kitchen table.

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OUT & ABOUT

he season has changed and many of us will be taking our pets to camp or perhaps on a hike with us. Injuries can occur so here are some suggestions that you can mix or match to make your own first aid kit.

ITEMS FOR YOUR KIT OR BACK PACK: Antibiotic ointment, oral antibiotic tablets or capsules, 3x3 gauze squares, telfa pads, roll gauze, a roll of cotton or an inflatable splint, scissors, elastic bandage, hemostat or clamp, tourniquet, anti-inflammatory tablets, antihistamine tablets or capsules, water, 20 or 60 cc syringes for flushing a wound, antiseptic flush.

TREATING WOUNDS: Scrapes – The easiest wound should be cleaned with antiseptic flush. Apply antibiotic ointment on the surface of the wound. Cover the wound with telfa pad(s) to prevent gauze from sticking to the wound, then apply gauze or cotton over the Telfa. Cover the wound with a Ace bandage or Vetrap, and tape the upper margin of the wrap with tape to prevent the bandage. If your pup is hairy you may want to cut away the hair around the wound. 52

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Deep Bruise – Use the R. I. C. E. technique: Rest – leash the dog and slowly walk your dog back to your vehicle or home. If possible, carry your dog. Ice – Use chemical cold packs or real ice of you have a cooler. Avoid getting the injury too cold. Keep the ice on the injury for approximately 5 minutes then, five minutes off. A wet towel will transfer the cold quicker. This will contract the blood vessels reducing any further swelling. Compression – Apply as much pressure your pet will allow. This also prevents swelling. Elevate – Lift the swollen area above the heart for an hour if possible . Punctures – A puncture always provides the environment for rapid abscess formation. By inoculating the tissue with bacteria then closing as the offending thorn or nail, etc. is withdrawn the blood and damaged tissue provides the perfect incubation chamber. As long as the puncture does not poke a major vessel

it is not an immediately dangerous injury. However, your dog should be removed from the field to prevent aggravating the wound further. Start antibiotics. Consult your veterinarian before you begin your hike for the correct dosage for the particular broad spectrum antibiotic you have in your pack. Get your pup to the veterinarian immediately upon returning to civilization. Cuts – Cuts are categorized by severity. For minor cuts, use water or saline to rinse the wound as well possible. Apply antibiotic ointment, cover with a Telfa pad to prevent blood from sticking to the gauze as it begins to heal. The apply gauze wrap to hold the Telfa in place. Watch to be sure the bandage does not impede blood flow. If a major vessel is severed hemostasis is vital. You can differentiate between a severed vein vs. and a severed artery. A steady blood flow indicates a lacerated vein opposed to a transected artery which produces a surging or pumping flow. Occasionally it is difficult to immediately locate the vessel when the wound is deep and blood flow is heavy. With major blood flow, grab your tourniquet. Apply pressure to the wound, then apply the tourniquet between the wound and the heart until the blood flow ceases or at least slows down to a trickle. If you don’t have a formal tourniquet construct one with a shoestring, a length of gauze or a strip from a torn shirt. Tie it with a halfhitch knot. After the blood flow stops or slows down, place a pen or a stick across the ends of the tourniquet and tie a square knot over the “rod” and begin twisting until the blood flow stops. If you are within one hour from veterinary assistance leave the tourniquet in place and transport immediately. If you are far from any help, you have a hemostat and feel comfortable trying, begin to search for the artery or vein. If it is a vein clamp the end of the vessel on the side of the laceration away from the heart. If it is an artery clamp the end of the vessel on the side of the laceration closest to the heart. If unable to clamp the vessel apply a pressure wrap over the tourniquet. Release the tourniquet every 20 minutes for one minute. Release only as far enough to allow slight hemorrhage. This will hopefully allow enough circulation to the tissue below the incision to prevent tissue damage. Since this pressure wrap will be removed periodically, use an Ace wrap over the gauze instead of the noh-adhesive wraps like Vetrap and Coban. Transport as quickly as possible.

and/or roll cotton come in. Stop bleeding as well as possible, rinse the area, apply antibiotic and cover any open tissue with Telfa. Next, you should stabilize the affected area with a soft cast using the roll of cotton or gauze. Wrap it tightly around the affected area until relative immobility is achieved. Then wrap elastic wrap or Ace bandage around the cotton. I recommend following up with a light, loose layer of adhesive tape extending off of the cast onto the hair on both ends to prevent the cast from sliding. Reducing open fractures will depend on both you and your pet. It will not matter if it is perfectly set. Stability, which prevents further tissue damage, is the prime directive. Gunshot- The worst nightmare of every bird hunter is to have his dog shot. Most shotgun wounds are non-lethal but can ruin a dog when joints or eyes are hit. However under 25 yards a 12 gauge shotgun can be lethal. Head and spinal wounds at close range are hard to treat. Use the same techniques you employ when medicating a puncture except, do not put antibiotic on an open skull or spine. A chest wound is treatable only if it does not involve the heart. Seal the wound with plastic and tape (duck tape will do) after the dog has exhaled, this will allow your dog to reinflate the lungs when the chest expands. However, air may still leak out into the chest if the major airways have been injured. Repeat the plastic application while the chest is deflated to improve the ability of the chest to re-inflate. Abdominal wounds must be closed with antibiotics and gauze then bound tightly with your cotton roll and wrapped with plastic and your Ace bandages or Vetrap.

SUMMARY: First Aid means exactly that. Treat the symptoms, then get your dog to the doctor. Sock will very possibly be the number one problem with some of the more sever trauma. You can do some of the best “patch work” in the world but shock due to pain and/ or blood losscan kill. Keep your animal warm.If you haven’t put your first aid kit together use cut up shirts for bandage material and your belt can double as a tourniquet or as a wrap. Hopefully, you will never have to use this information but if you are away from civilization and find yourself with an injured pet you will know how to respond.

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 918-906-6074

Fractures and Joint Injuries- This category ranges from a broken toenail to a ruptured ACL (“football knee”) to a compound fracture. Stabilization is most important. This is where roll gauze S eptemb er 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

victory christian school

Christian Education: A n I n v estment

by. dr. dennis demuth, PH.D. 54â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

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Providing a quality Christian education for your family is an important decision, one that could have life or death consequences. Consider the following testimony of Myles Martin, a Victory Christian School. Parent.

llen and I have two children: Elijah (6 years old) and Hannah (17 months old). Both attend Victory Christian School. We have been excited about Victory Christian School since the first day we found out about them. I had graduated from a Christian school in Oklahoma City, many years ago, and I wanted my children to have the same great experience in that kind of environment.

Christian World View Our experience with VCS has been wonderful. The teachers and staff have been great. The kids have been blessed with great academics and a nurturing environment. My wife and I have had a steadfast commitment to our children’s’ Christian education. We want them to be surrounded with peace and love and a Christian worldview, and that simply cannot be found in even the finest public school.

Daddy Can I Pray for You?

In September as I was heading towards Victory to pick up the kids, after school, I began feeling very ill. My stomach was in knots, and I began to feel very weak. I picked up Elijah at the Early Learning Center kids care. I managed to get the kids into the car and buckled, and then I lay down on the asphalt next to the car. The back door was still open, and my son looked out at me. I was so weak that I could no longer stand. And my voice was barely a whisper, because I didn’t have the energy to speak. I had no idea what was wrong, but it was growing more serious. Elijah appeared at my side and said, “Daddy, can I pray for you?” I agreed, and he prayed a solid, faith-filled prayer. At that point, I had a feeling that everything was going to be alright. I didn’t feel any better, but I had that sense that I would come through the situation.

Help Comes As Elijah crawled back into the car, I pulled myself up over the back of the car. I knew I needed to get my children into the building, where the teachers could watch them (in case I lost consciousness). The security officer called an ambulance. When the ambulance arrived, the EMT’s began giving me Nitro tablets. Later, I woke up at the hospital. I found out later that it was a very severe heart attack. My main arteries were 95% blocked, and my internal organs were beginning to shut down, due to lack of blood and oxygen. My lungs had filled with a

bloody froth, since my heart couldn’t pump the fluids out of my lungs. So I was weak and couldn’t speak, because of this.

My Son Prayed! My Cardiac doctor told me later, that in all his 30 years of practice, nothing had ever bothered him. But he was very worried about me, that day. I don’t think he expected me to make it. Likewise, my surgeon seemed concerned. But my son had prayed. I came through the surgery, and I began to recover.

A Matter of Life or Death The teachers and staff at VCS kept praying for me, and I recovered very quickly. We are very thankful for God’s deliverance! And we are very thankful for Victory Christian Schools! A child’s education is a serious investment. And in this case, it was a matter of life and death. My son’s prayer was a turning point in this crisis.

Investing in Christian Education My wife and I make certain commitments. We committed ourselves to provide a Godly household for our children. We committed ourselves to a Christian education for our children. And we would not back down from these things. God has blessed us many times over for our willingness to trust in Him. Recently, someone confided in me that she and her husband were thinking about taking their daughter out of a particular Christian school. Their reasoning was to save money. They wanted to use the money to buy a bigger house. And they wanted to save the money for retirement. My immediate response was that “If you found yourself laying on the asphalt, next to your car, which school would you wish you’d sent your child to?” You may save money, by sending your kids to a public school, but it is ONLY money. And that would become clear, in matters of life and death. For more information on Victory Christian School visit our website at www.vcstulsa.org.

Victory Christian School Quality without Compromise. 7700 South Lewis Avenue Tulsa, OK 74136 (918) 491-7720

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