March 2014 | Community Spirit Magazine by Community Spirit Magazine

MARCH 2014

Contents FEATURES 8 Phil Robertson, Duck Commander 14 Publisher Goes Hard of Hearing on Purpose 13 Senior Suites of Broken Arrow 18 Baptist Village Patio Homes 20 ORU Section 24 CVS Stops Selling Tobacco 26 NightLight 30 Finding Roses in the Dust 33 Dave Jewitt’s Book “Your One Degree” 34 Rob Yandian at Grace 36 Visiting Angels Walks for Alzheimer’s Association 38 Moore Funeral Home - Its all about Hugs 40 Son of God Production Comes to Mabee Center 44 Joseph and the Amazine Technicolor DreamCoat COLUMNS 26 Mollie Myers 29 The Biggest Loser 42 ACT Financial 43 Cornerstone Christian Counseling 46 Deniece Adsit

PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud CREATIVE Director Ramond Walker COVER PHOTO BY Don Kreutzweiser CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Dr. Kevin Nieman, Ava Hancock, Danny Cahill, Deniece Adsit, Blythe Fowler 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

C o m m u n i t y S p i ri tma g a zi n e.com DE CE MBER 2014

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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

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COMING THIS MARCH

NEW LOCATION. SAME MISSION. SERVING FAMILIES.

To better serve our patients, the doctors from St. John Family Medical Care are moving to our new home this March.

Our Expert Team: Matthew Acker, MD

Chris Jenkins, MD

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David Armentrout, PhD

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Scott Keller, MD

Joanna Crawford, DO

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Laurel Williston, MD

Services: • Adults and Children • Primary Care • Walk-In Clinic

• Maternity Care • Counseling Services • Whole Person Care

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New Extended Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Schedule an appointment at 918-710-4200 or visit fmct.com

cover story

as seen on the hit show, Duck Dynasty on

hil Robertson has one of the most recognizable faces in American pop culture. Within just a couple seasons of filming his smash reality television show, the world has gone “Duck Dynasty crazy.” Take a trip to WalMart and you will find the faces of the Robertson family on everything from coffee mugs and bath towels, to gift cards and t-shirts. Yet amid the hype of it all, as the patriarch of the family, Phil leads by example, ensuring each member of the family takes advantage of the notoriety to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and that they all come through this as the same people they were when it first began. “Let me tell you that ‘one’ better know who ‘one’ is before he gets into an endeavor like this. Cause if you don’t, once you come out on the other side of this thing, you will end up acting like Charlie Sheen,” Phil said with a laugh. He is quick to tell you that he doesn’t like being a reality

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television “star,” but rather that he is only willing to put up with it because of the platform it provides to talk about Jesus. It is a platform which seems to be ever increasing, producing a constant stream of invitations for speaking engagements all over the country. Phil and the rest of the family speak to a wide range of groups (the larger the audience, the better) from duck call seminars and church events, to even political rallies. But no matter the meeting, the intent of their message is always the same…to share the Good News of Jesus. “In our society, huge audiences are not given to coming to church buildings, so we go out to them,” Phil explained. The popularity of the show even brings people into the family’s home church, White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, Louisiana. On Sunday mornings, Phil teaches a class, welcoming travelers from all over the country. The church is a busy place with what Phil describes as “constant preaching of the Gospel and baptizing people.” Church attendance is up 25 to 40 percent since the show began. Phil’s personal road to redemption was a rugged one. As described in his book, “Happy, Happy, Happy,” he was a hard drinking bar owner on a collision course to destruction when his sister brought a preacher into the bar to save him one night. Phil initially rejected the message. However, later when he returned from leaving his wife and three sons, he went to see that same preacher. This time Phil listened and his life was never the same. Cutting himself off from all his old friends and ways, he became an avid student of the Bible. Still, this “Duck Commander” is anything but the average preacher. After all, he is the same guy who once went barefoot for over two years. He doesn’t do cell phones or computers and he says that he still hasn’t gotten around to buying a suit. This genuineness is obviously part of what draws people to him, especially those who might feel more comfortable in a duck blind than in a church building. Phil’s message is as direct as it is honest. He doesn’t mince words

or make much effort to even be politically correct. Yet people from all walks of life seem to appreciate his sincerity. When he speaks to a crowd, he doesn’t much care if they are “yuppies from the suburbs” or tough fishermen. “As long as we can identify them as human beings, that will pretty well do,” he joked. When sharing the Gospel, he says he uses no script or method, nor does he quote scripture and verse. Instead, he just likes “to share the story.” His oldest son, Alan, the true preacher of the family and who only recently left his ministry job to join the show, explained that 20 years ago, they tended to use a more programmed methodology. “But now we have found it to be much more effective to talk with them. We weave in the Biblical narrative, but you really just share the story. That is what they did in the first century. They didn’t go book, chapter and verse. We kind of got into that as a method 20 years ago and we led a lot of people to Christ, so it is not that it is not effective. But I like this method better. It is much more natural.” Phil routinely starts with the first sentence of the Bible… “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. That is either true or false. So sometimes I just start with that. If it is false, we are all going six feet under the ground one of these days and we are going to stay there. Period. But if it is true, then I suggest that they might want to read on for the rest of the story. Cause it tells of a way we can all live beyond that grave. But bottom-line, I make sure they understand there is forgiveness for their sins and there is a guaranteed resurrected body for us from the dirt. I just keep it simple. I am a C+ man myself, so I don’t get deep cause I can’t get deep. We just give them the story of Jesus, talk about what their problems are and what He did to solve them. I try not to be too ‘preachery’. We are generally talking to common people, not religious folks, so we just appeal to the common man. But it is not like a Bible study or some dissertation on ‘exegetical wizardry’. We

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cover story

PHIL AND MISS KAY don’t get into that, nor do we discuss church issues. We just stick with the Gospel on how a person can be saved,” Phil explained. Phil and Alan believe there is a bigger and bigger groundswell of interest in the Gospel and therefore more opportunities for them to share their faith. “People are far more hungry for the Gospel than they used to be. Granted over the last 2 years, the television show has created a substantial audience, giving us more opportunities. This goofy reality show is being beamed into 25 countries,” they said.

It is no secret that Phil’s direct approach has often raised the blood pressure of network executives and a few of their advertisers. “Someone told me a long time ago that I shouldn’t just pull out a Bible and just start preaching… that it might hurt my business. As it turned out, it goes without sayin’ that it didn’t hurt our business at all,” Phil said.

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Phil believes it is time people heard the truth. “When was the last time you heard anyone say anything about sin? It is almost like it is not even here. And if you look at our culture, you say, my goodness what in the world are we thinking? Someone said the surest way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. And George Orwell said, ‘In the time of universal deceit, speaking the truth is a revolutionary act.’ “We are pretty well down to that in our culture. Therefore, when we go forth, we see this whole thing, the TV show, the notoriety we get from it… we see the whole thing as a battle. I mean, we now have to travel around incognito. We can’t stop at a quick stop or walk into a Wal-Mart… No. All of that is gone by the wayside. We travel around with dark tinted windows hoping we can get somewhere to have dinner with some of our family members. Body guards, law enforcement….We view it all as spiritual warfare. Trust me it is real. It is alive and it is going on in America and we are in the battle. That is all I can tell you for sure that we know.” So within all of this lifestyle, how do they keep sanity in the family? Phil contends that such protection started when the kids were still young. “You have to instill early teaching, rebuking, training in righteousness and you let them see that you love their mother. At the same time you do the work of God. People coming in and out of your house, teaching them and feeding them, being good to them and sharing Jesus with them. They (the kids) saw that as a lifestyle and as it turned out, it is the way to keep their sanity. The production crew is always impressed with how well behaved the children are. There is no screaming and jumpin’ and hollerin’. And they are all on the television show, so you would think it would go to their head and they would go stompin’ their feet but no… everybody is so well behaved the production crew and everyone else often ask how we get kids to behave like that? You start early. It is called godliness. The show is about family values, but the people who are filming us are out of Los Angeles, a place where they have

never seen family eat together and pray together,” Phil said. Part of the attraction to the show is surely due to how different Phil and the rest of the family are from much of America. But in that difference, although they might not be able to explain it, they are drawn to it. However, at the end of the day, Phil is just…Phil, a deep-woods fisherman and hunter with a distinctive love for his family and his Lord. We shouldn’t expect him to be anything more. In fact, he asked us to remind you that “Yes, he is indeed rough around the edges. But so was John the Baptist and he led the way for the Savior of the World… so get out of my face,” he said with a deep-bellied laugh. Come hear Phil speak. Sounds to me like you can come comfortable.

Come Hear The Duck Commander, Along with His Son, Alan Robertson The Tulsa Workshop Friday Evening, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. Tulsa EXPO - Fairgrounds Arena

Don’t miss Phil Robertson. Bring your friends! It’s FREE! Actually, the Friday night event is only part of a great four days of Bible study, exhibit booths and fun to be held March 19-22. You are invited to come enjoy the entire week. The TULSA WORKSHOP is a free four-day event which was started in 1976. The TULSA WORKSHOP takes place every March at the Tulsa EXPO (Tulsa Fair Grounds). The attendees are dedicated Christians, missionminded churches, and evangelistic individuals who are looking for ideas to grow their churches and ministries and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. There will be over thirty different speakers in sessions throughout each day, with nationally known speakers presenting every evening. The TULSA WORKSHOP includes over 200 Exhibitors from around the nation and world. The exhibit booth area promotes missions and equipment used for outreach including bookstores, missionaries, singing groups, universities, children’s homes, Christian T-shirts and jewelry, educational supplies and curriculum, etc. Shane Coffman, this year’s Workshop Organizer, explained that for 38 years, the TULSA WORKSHOP has brought in great speakers who are passionate about God and want to win the world for Jesus, and this year is no different. This year’s theme is “Worth the Cost.” Shane, the Worship Minister for Memorial Drive Church of Christ, describes the WORKSHOP as a “Kingdom Event” and he encourages all to come. “We believe you will be inspired, challenged and encouraged by the lessons, no matter your religious background.”

PHIL AND SON, ALAN ROBERTSON

To see the schedule and find out more… Go to www.tulsaworkshop.org or call 918-344-3402.

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clear-tone

A Story Worth Hearing

Publisher goes “Hard of Hearing” to Learn “Listening Lessons” BY TOM MCCLOUD

Their challenge was a simple one. “Tom, put in these earplugs and wear them for a while. Step into the quiet world of the hard of hearing. It will be an experience you will never forget,” urged Jim and Mike Feeley, owners of ClearTone Hearing Labs. “Only then, will you be prepared to write this story.” “Okay, how tough could it be?” I thought as they inserted the special plugs deep into my ear canals. As I thanked them for their help, I strained to hear and understand their words. “Wow, I can barely hear them,” I thought. “Wait! What have I done? I have a busy week ahead of me. How can I function like this?” I was immediately impressed with how quiet my new world was. The car radio wasn’t loud enough and I noticed even when I turned it up, I couldn’t hear some of the background instruments I knew were in particular songs. I couldn’t hear the road noise, but I laughed when I also couldn’t hear that annoying rattle in the dash that had been bugging me for so long. “Well, that is a benefit,” I joked to myself as I drove to my office. The Feeley’s explained that the plugs would duplicate a “moderate” hearing loss, a level of hearing many live with everyday without the use of hearing aids. “But I feel nearly deaf,” I said. They explained that hearing loss often happens so slowly people don’t realize what they are missing. For me though, the immediate and dramatic change made the loss obvious. I couldn’t hear the birds sing, I couldn’t hear the wind blow through the trees, and I couldn’t hear anything behind me. In fact, while I was at the drug store, a guy wanted to move past me. He must of thought I was rude for not moving aside. Memories immediately flashed through my mind of times when elderly folks appeared to be rude.

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LESSON ONE

“THEY WEREN’T BEING RUDE, THEY JUST COULDN’T HEAR ME.” When I arrived at work, I called everyone together and explained what I was doing and at first, they were supportive of the effort. But later, as the deadline rush put us all into high gear, they quickly became frustrated with me. “Tom, did you have to do this during deadline?” they asked.

LESSON TWO

WE, THE YOUNG, DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN’T COMMUNICATE AT OUR SPEED. We live in a fast-paced world. To keep up, we have learned to multitask. But I found it impossible to now talk on the phone while I sent an email, or sort through papers on my desk. I could communicate, but it took my full concentration. And though my slower pace frustrated me, it also pointed to another lesson.

LESSON THREE

KEEPING PACE WITH THE YOUNG, REQUIRES THE FULL USE OF ALL OF OUR SENSES… ESPECIALLY HEARING. At home, I found communication a bit easier. There were fewer distractions and as long as my family remembered and compensated for my handicap, things were just fine. However, my hearing loss tried their patience. Since I had to have the television too loud for

them to stand, I would retreat to another room. I could see this isolation becoming normal for the hard-of-hearing. Unable to hear what my daughter was doing in another room or hear bits of other people’s conversation, quickly made me feel “out of the loop.” I longed to know what I was missing.

LESSON FOUR

HEARING LOSS PRODUCES ISOLATION AND DAMAGES RELATIONSHIPS On Sunday, I went to Bible class. I listened intently to the teacher, but I discovered it was really tough to understand the entire lesson. Unable to hear comments from the class and subtle remarks and jokes from the teacher, it was all too easy to just tune everything out. A couple of times, I wanted to make comments, but was unsure of what might have already been said. So, I kept quiet.

LESSON FIVE

back to normal. I stood in the sunshine and praised God for being able to hear and I vowed I would never take it for granted again. The experience taught me many things and hopefully I will now be more patient with those who fight this battle on a daily basis. I promised myself I would have a hearing test every year. I don’t want to miss a single word, a single note, a single comment from a friend, or a single sound of a bird singing in the trees. I want to keep up with the fast-pace of the young. I want to stay connected and active in serving others. I refuse to let a hearing disability isolate me from the people I love. Today’s technology provides us with hearing instruments which can ensure we never miss out on life. Maybe it is time for you to have your hearing checked as well. Life passes quickly. Don’t miss a single sound.

ABOUT CLEAR-TONE

HEARING LOSS CAN FOSTER A LACK OF SELFCONFIDENCE AND CAUSE YOU TO PULL OUT OF THE CONVERSATION.

Founded in 1984 by brothers Jim and Mike Feeley, Clear-tone is

In-between class and worship, I did my best to talk to friends in the hallway. However, the hallway noise kept me from being able to grasp every word. Thus, I found myself only communicating on the surface. I could fake it, but I could not hear well enough to get the full understanding of how my friend was really doing. “How can I minister to them if I can not hear the subtlety of their voice?” I thought.

provide. This has attracted visitors from all over the world to their

LESSON SIX

HEARING PROBLEMS MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS, ISOLATING YOU AND KEEPING YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE. The worship period had its challenges. The song service was not so inspiring. The muffled sound of the voices kept me from concentrating on the words of the songs. And, my inability to hear myself sing, made me unsure I was on key. Thus again, I decided to remain silent. In addition, I found I could not hear the prayers and it was tough to stay focused enough to hear the whole sermon. Any distraction in the audience tended to pull my thoughts off what was being said. I got sleepy and dozed off.

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LESSON SEVEN

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senior suiites

Senior Suites A Place Folks Call Home

errideth Martin loves Senior Suites. In fact, as the facility’s new administrator, she wishes you would come take a look at this beautiful skilled nursing and long term care senior living center located in Broken Arrow at 91st Street and 129th East Avenue. After a few years managing senior care centers in Central Texas, Merrideth decided to move back to the Tulsa area where she and her three children could enjoy being around family. Going to work for Senior Suites was truly a match made in heaven. In fact, she has always believed she was “called” to help the lives of the frail elderly, helping them improve their lives on a daily basis. Senior Suites has been such a perfect fit, she can’t help but believe it was all in God’s plan for her. She has instantly fallen in love with the residents. She was so impressed, she decided to move her own grandmother into Senior Suites’ family atmosphere. Not only as an administrator, but also as a family member, Merrideth is pleased to report that her grandmother is very happy with the move. “We do everything we can to make our residents feel comfortable here. Everyone always asks, “What can I bring from home?” Merrideth loves to be asked that question. It gives her the

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Meridith Martin

chance to smile and say, “Anything that reminds you of home.” In her grandmother’s case, it meant bringing in her own furniture and her own “things.” It is easy to feel comfortable in the 82-bed facility. Built with the same loving care and quality appointments you would want in your own home, the design of the individual suites give a luxurious feel to every room. Equipped with their own personal shower, refrigerator and flat screen television, the suites provide a perfect atmosphere for either short-term rehab or long term care. In either case, the residents have access not only to the physical, occupational

“Recruiting Merrideth to come to Senior Suites has been a great move for us,” contends Steve Cox, CEO of Senior Suites. “We searched extensively in several states to find the right administrator with leadership ability and a knowledge of how to make all the working parts of a nursing home come together. When Merrideth said it was a perfect fit, I feel the same way. Her commitment to the residents is what makes her one of the best.”

and speech therapists, but also to other services like the wonderful Day Spa and beauty salon which offer extras like nail care, facials and therapeutic massage. When its time to eat, the residents enjoy the Cafeteria style dining with different choices of entrees and sides. You will be impressed with the quality and the variety of the food developed by the Senior Suites chef. After lunch and dinner, residents are treated to a variety of social and activity programs. Church services are offered on Sunday as well as Bible studies on Tuesdays. In addition to private pay, Senior Suites accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Community Care and most other HMO plans. Merrideth explained that as the administrator of the facility, it is her job to ensure the quality of the care and to provide every resident the highest level of self-esteem and dignity. She reminds her staff that the residents are the reason we are here. “We absolutely fall in love with the residents here. We spend so much time with them, they become like family,” she said. Merrideth kids love to come up and spend time with the residents as well. In fact, her 10 year-old son is in the process of making a big decision. He either wants to be a catcher in the Major Leagues or to become a nursing home administrator like his mom. It is an idea that makes his mom smile with pride.

Maybe it is time for you to move your loved one into Senior Suites. Making a move from one nursing home to another is relatively easy.

ABOUT SENIOR SUITES Senior Suites is located at 3501 W. Washington (129th and 91st) in Broken Arrow www.senior-suites.com. Other locations include The Cottage at 2552 E. 21st Street in Tulsa www. cottagehealthcare.com and the beautiful new The Highlands at Owasso www.thehighlandsatowasso.com.

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baptist village

Hassle-Free Living in a Christian Environment The Patio Home Lifestyle

iving in a patio home is independent living at its finest, because it truly is a hassle-free lifestyle. You’ll have ample time to travel, spend time with family and friends, shop, golf, or simply relax. Baptist Village of Broken Arrow and Baptist Village of Owasso offer two beautiful patio home communities for you to choose from – Eagle Ridge at Broken Arrow and Bradford Park at Owasso. “At Bradford Park, residents enjoy an active, maintenancefree lifestyle surrounded by a caring community of friends and neighbors,” attests Shannon Ryan, resident services director at Owasso. Your neighbors become just that – friends. You’ll get to enjoy a close-knit, like-minded community of great people who truly care about you. Just what all do the homes have to offer? The amenities are numerous. They have one and two-bedroom homes with one or two-car garages, front terrace and back patio. Homes range in size from just over 1,000 square feet to more 1,600 square feet. A variety of option and decorating choices are available, including some closets that double as safe rooms. Most people that move to a patio home have only one regret

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“I’ve been very impressed with the family atmosphere. Everyone seems to look after everyone else. I discovered it is a place of joy and happiness, and that, to me, is the best thing I can think of.”-resident

“At Bradford Park, residents enjoy an active, maintenance-free lifestyle surrounded by a caring community of friends and neighbors.” -Shannon Ryan campus, including delicious family-style dining, beauty shop and life enrichment events. And don’t worry about services later in life. Both neighborhoods are adjacent to the main campus, which offers compassionate assistance in living, skilled nursing and memory support services. Residents receive priority status for these services. There are no buyin fees – you pay for the services you want, when you want them. Don’t wait to enjoy the patio home lifestyle – visit Eagle Ridge or Bradford Park today! Visit www.baptistvillage.org or call to arrange a tour at (918) 355-0099 at Broken Arrow, or in Owasso at (918) 272-2281.

ABOUT BAPTIST VILLAGE – that’d they done so much sooner. “I believe we have never been happier,” confirms one resident. “I’ve been very impressed with the family atmosphere. Everyone seems to look after everyone else. I discovered it is a place of joy and happiness, and that, to me, is the best thing I can think of.” Bradford Park overlooks a beautiful three-acre stocked lake complete with walking trails, gazebos and benches. Eagle Ridge sits on an amazing hillside location near numerous shopping and dining options. You also have access to other amenities right on

Baptist Village Communities: Serving God, Serving You, Serving Together. What do you want to do with the rest of your L.I.F.E.®? Our communities are places where the Friends Team and residents serve together in a Christian environment. Services at home are available through Entrusted Hearts. We serve all faiths through our mission to provide quality living and compassionate health care in a Christian environment. More than 2,200 people currently are enjoying BVC services in a place they call home. Our services emphasize positive living through celebrating lifelong learning, fellowship, relationship with God and others, preventative health and positive well-being. Our mission is to honor God by creating communities and services to enhance lives and enable people to serve God and one another.

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Web Company Owned by ORU Alumna Competes Against Coca-Cola for National Business Award

ral Roberts University alumna JP Jones has a reason to celebrate. The 2006 graduate co-founded Collipsis Web Solutions, LLC with Nicholas Clayton shortly after graduation, and the company was recently named a finalist in the eighth annual Stevie® Awards for sales and customer service. Collipsis was nominated for the best use of technology in customer service - computer services category and will ultimately be a gold, silver, or bronze Stevie Award winner. “I am on cloud nine right now,” said Jones. “The full list of finalists in our category includes national brands such as CocaCola, GoDaddy and RackSpace. It is so humbling to realize that Collipsis has come this far — it makes all the late hours and nonexistent social ‘life’ worth it!” Collipsis creates client driven content websites that are rich in media content, eCommerce solutions, and have a robust content management system. They also specialize in online marketing, graphic design, and getting corporate branding package into the public eye. The company is known for being “small enough to know your name, big enough to handle your business.” Finalists for the Stevie Awards, which recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide, were determined by

the average scores of 129 professionals worldwide. To determine the final placements, more than 100 members of seven specialized judging committees will evaluate the finalists during final judging. For more information about ORU, visit www.oru.edu. About Oral Roberts University Oral Roberts University is a world-renowned Christian university located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1963, ORU serves students from 50 states and more than 70 countries, representing over 40 denominations. ORU offers more than 60 undergraduate majors, 13 master’s programs and two doctoral degrees, plus NCAA Division I athletics. For more information on ORU, visit www.oru.edu.

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ORU Student Recognized for Outstanding Leadership Abilities

ral Roberts University senior Hannah Covington has been recognized with a 2013 Student Leadership Award from Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. The award is presented to students for outstanding service to Sigma Tau Delta at the chapter level and recognizes commitment to promote chapter membership and inspire Sigma Tau Delta involvement on campus. Covington has served as ORU’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter president since Fall 2011. During that time, she collaborated with chapter sponsor, Kay Meyers, and ORU’s student veteran organization sponsor, Lanny Endicott, to compose a grant narrative for holding student veteran writing workshops on campus. The project focuses on sharing the value of journaling with ORU student veterans, spreading awareness about the merit of writing when recovering from traumatic events, and the struggles of veterans in general. Covington’s proposal was one of three in the nation selected by Sigma Tau Delta to be awarded grants. Covington has also worked with Endicott to establish a connection between ORU’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter and the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Muskogee, Okla. Through this

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program chapter members help veterans record their stories from war. In addition to working with veterans, Covington organized a book drive to promote literacy and helped plan the English Department’s annual one-act play contest each spring. “Out of all the things I’ve done as president of ORU’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter,” said Covington, “I would consider the continued work with veterans to be my fondest memory and greatest legacy.” Covington will be honored during a ceremony on February 27 in Savannah, Ga. As the winner of the Student Leadership Award, she will receive $250 and a plaque.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information about ORU’s English and Modern Language program, visit www.oru.edu/current_students/my_academics/ schools/college_of_arts_cultural_studies/english_moder

ORU to Host Math, Science and Engineering Summer Academy

ral Roberts University will be hosting a math, science and engineering summer academy, June 9-13, 2014. The academic program will give eighth and ninth grade students an opportunity to better understand the natural world and develop critical thinking skills through a series of integrated, project-based learning experiences. “The summer academy will be a fun, educational experience,” said John Matsson, chair of the ORU engineering department, “Students will get to build and launch rockets, investigate a crime scene using DNA, and explore space and natural science through several off campus activities.” Summer academy students will learn from ORU’s distinguished professors including Joel Gaikwad, chair of biology and chemistry; Dominic Halsmer, professor of engineering; Catherine Klehm, associate professor of chemistry; John Korstad, professor of biology; Andrew Lang, chair of computing and mathematics; and Matsson. On August 23, 2014 ORU will host a summer academy

summit for students and faculty to reconnect, ask questions and discuss learning objectives. For more information about the ORU math, science and engineering summer academy contact Matsson at jmatsson@oru. edu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information about the ORU College of Science & Engineering, visit http://www.oru.edu/academics/college_of_ science_and_engineering/.

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oklahoma health department

No More Tobacco to Be Sold at CVS Tulsa Health Department Applauds Cvs Caremark Announcement To Remove Tobacco From Shelves

Your local CVS stores deserve your thanks and appreciation.

CVS Caremark announced last month that it will end the sale of tobacco products at its more that 7,600 stores throughout the United States in a landmark move that sets a powerful example to other retailers. “We are pleased that CVS, which operated 13 pharmacies within Tulsa County, has made the commitment to support the health of their customer base by eliminating tobacco products from its shelves,” said Tulsa Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dart. “Hopefully, this will quickly set a precedent for other retailers who can impact the rising costs of healthcare by reducing the accessibility of products proven to be the number one cause of preventable death.” The Tulsa Health Department has a number of reasons to commend the announcement by CVS. The department’s Community of Excellence in Tobacco Control (CX Tobacco) program, funded in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, encourages community organizations and events to reject tobacco industry sponsorship and works to prevent youth access to tobacco. A “Community of Excellence” in tobacco control is one in which social norms consistently point to no tobacco use throughout the community. CX Tobacco has helped more than 14 local school districts adopt a 24/7 tobacco-free campus policy; and more than 40 local companies have adopted tobacco free campus policies. The program also facilitates the Tobacco Free Coalition for Tulsa County. “When we surveyed thousands of Tulsa County residents to find out what they believe to be the greatest health concern in our

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community, tobacco use came in the top six,” said Dr. Dart. “Reducing the proportion of adults using tobacco and reducing initiation of the use of tobacco products by children and adolescents are among the objectives laid out in the Tulsa County Community Health Improvement Plan.” The Tulsa County CHIP establishes measurable goals and objectives for six priority areas identified by community residents – poor diet and inactivity, obesity, alcohol and drug abuse, chronic disease, access to healthcare, and tobacco use – and includes strategies to achieve these goals. The plan, developed by the department’s Pathways to Health partnership, takes into account the unique social and economic demographics of Tulsa County. “The CHIP indicates that nearly 27 percent of Tulsa County adults use some type of tobacco product,” said Dr. Dart. “As a public health organization we are tasked with ensuring that our residents have a healthy environment in which to live, work and play. Bold leadership is needed from private and public sector partners like CVS to accelerate progress against tobacco.” To contact the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, which offers free quit coaching and free patches, gum or lozenges, call 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669) for English or 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) for Spanish-speaking callers, or visit on at OKhelpline.com.

Tobacco Free Coalition for Tulsa County The Tobacco Free Coalition is a CX grantee of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust serving Tulsa County and promoting smoke free environments, tobacco cessation and tobacco prevention. For more information about joining the Tobacco Free Coalition contact Vanessa HallHarper, vhharper@tulsa-health.org or 918-595-4226.

This is tobacco marketing. Kids who see it are more likely to smoke.

It’s a fact: Research shows that kids who shop at stores with tobacco marketing two or more times a week are 64% more likely to start smoking than their peers who don’t. Source: Henriksen, Schleicher, Feighery and Fortmann. Pediatrics: The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, July 19, 2010. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009 3021

You may not notice, but they do. Talk with your kids about tobacco – learn more at StopsWithMe.com.

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unite my city W I T H

MOLLIE MYERS

Take Heart

hat’s ORU Missions & Outreach’s motto when it comes to serving. It likely means “not to give up,” but I’ve witnessed it also meaning “it takes heart to reach out and serve in significant, long-lasting ways.” Unite My City is humbled to have been asked by ORU Missions & Outreach to join them in hosting the P61 Community Day set for April 12. This is just one of three efforts that will be happening the Saturday before the Easter weekend. ORU Missions & Outreach will also actively be serving holding Block Party Outreaches in the communities of The Dream Center in north Tulsa and Cornerstone Community Center in west Tulsa. Their timing is not accidental or dependent on activities on a calendar. ORU chose this weekend because it is right before Easter and gives an opportunity to direct people to churches for Easter celebrations. Brilliant!

At least five churches have already committed to serving in the P61 (Peoria & 61st) area from 9-12 on the morning of ORU’s Block Party Outreach that starts at 12:00. Riverside Baptist Church’s campus will serve as the Block Party site and is located at 63rd & Peoria. Churches will send out teams one to two weeks in advance of the outreach to invite the neighbors of the community where their campus is located to come out and serve as a community on April 12 from 9 am – 12 pm. Churches will use this opportunity to be an invitation to their neighbors to join them for Easter services instead of just sending one. Four churches will be set up as comfort stations for those serving in the area. The City of Tulsa is providing dumpsters at those four churches to be a drop site for any debris cleaned up during the morning. Then the fun begins! ORU will host a block party from 12-3 with food, music, Easter egg hunts, and a sports clinic for the children. While ORU may reside in the P61 vicinity and have a strong heart for it, their reach is across the city. The Missions & Outreach team have 15 teams that serve weekly here in Tulsa for students to hone their serving skills and capitalize on the opportunity to be the gospel while giving back to their community. This team is very interested in connecting with churches in both The Dream Center and Cornerstone Community Center areas, as well, to offer a day of service similar to the plan for P61 on the morning of April 12. This stirs the heart of Unite My City! We are very pleased to partner with ORU Missions & Outreach by inviting churches to work together and supporting them as they do so. If your church would like to be a part of this “across the city” outreach on April 12, please contact Unite My City at mollie@worldcompassion.tv. Now, go! Be dangerous!!

ABOUT UNITE MY CITY The purpose of Unite My City is to cast the vision of consistently working together, to initiate partnerships between churches for ongoing service, and to provide creative ideas for reaching our community more effectively. Our nation, our city, and our local communities are on the doorstep of genuine and sustainable transformation, and this is only possible through God’s power and our united action.

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night light tulsa

Night Light Tulsa: Putting God’s Love In Action our guests from 7:00pm-9:00pm, and with the help of our night’s volunteers we pack up and are driving away by 9:30pm. Volunteers are needed each week for the following stations: • • • • • • •

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” -1 John 3:17-18 What Is Night Light Tulsa? Night Light Tulsa is an outreach opportunity that takes place under the bridge at the intersection of Maybelle and Brady in downtown Tulsa. Our main focus is showing God’s love through actions each Thursday night by building relationships with any guest that joins us. Our target populations are the homeless individuals living on the streets, those staying in the surrounding area shelters, and the at risk poverty population located in the adjacent neighborhoods. In addition to meeting some of our guests’ most basic physical needs, we also strive to meet their most basic emotional needs of acceptance, love, hope, dignity, and friendship. We do this by sharing a meal, washing their feet, praying with them, listening to their stories, and showing them the love God has given us to share with others.

Food station– Serve a hot meal. Clothing station– Help our guests pick out seasonal clothing. Blessing’s table– Hand out basic hygiene items. Foot washing– Keeps our guests’ feet clean and free from disease, and also provides a unique one-on-one experience. Prayer table– A no pressure environment to pray with our guests or take requests. Minglers– Security around the perimeters of the bridge and a friendly face. Host/Hostesses– Sit and socialize with our guests, fill drinks, and share a meal.

Be A Donor We have a list of needed items on our website and a weekly top 5 needs list on Facebook. Donations can be dropped off under the bridge on Thursday nights, at South Tulsa Pediatrics (7512 E. 91st), Park Plaza Church of Christ (51st and Sheridan), or watch our Facebook page for dates and times of our mobile donation truck. You may also contact us directly to arrange an alternative. Night Light is trying to reach a goal of 250 individuals pledging $25 a month for 12 months. Please consider being one of those 250. $25 buys a meal (a hamburger, a bag of chips, a piece of fruit, a packaged treat and a bottle of water) for 12 guests each month. In addition, it will also help pay for the upkeep of our Night Light truck, and help us continue to expand our services by purchasing needed equipment. Online donations are made through e-give. Visit our website to learn more, or email us directly if you would rather give in person. Night Light’s success depends heavily on our volunteers and donors. Thank you in advance! www.nightlighttulsa.org https://www.facebook.com/nightlighttulsa anisa@nightlighttulsa.org sarah@nightlighttulsa.org

Serving Under A Bridge We begin setting up under the bridge every Thursday night at 6:00pm. To volunteer, simply arrive by 6:30 to attend orientation and become familiar with Night Light’s purpose and vision, as well as receive your night’s assignment. There are no other requirements to volunteer other than a desire to serve. All volunteers under the age of 16 must remain with their guardian at all times. We serve C ommu n itys p ir itmagazin e.com

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lose it for the kids

Losing it for the Kids Requires Some Sweat Watkins of Fitness Together, and Biggest Loser star, Danny Cahill. Now two months into the effort, the pounds are coming off and Tom is on track. He works out along side his motivation coach, Danny Cahill and learns from his example. Danny lost 239 pounds in a period of just over 6 months while on Season 8 of NBC’s The Biggest Loser Show. Tom’s personal trainer, Michael Watkins, owner of Fitness Together Downtown Tulsa (6th and Boston) and Riverside (98th and Riverside) knows how to get the most from his clients.

DANNY CAHILL, “THE BIGGEST LOSER,” MICHAEL WATKINS, TRAINER, AND TOM MCCLOUD

ublisher, Tom McCloud is a couple of months into his personal challenge to “Lose it for the Kids of West Tulsa.” He is losing weight that is. “Lets face it. There are poor kids on every side of town, but I was mortified to see the conditions and of some of the housing among pockets of Tulsa’s historic West Side,” he said. During a tour with Joel Osborn, Executive Director of Contact Mission, a 501(c)(3) which primarily serves the West Side, Joel explained that sections of the area have multiple problems including escalating unwed mother rates, addictions and failing schools. Contact Mission is attacking the problems head on with increased emphasis on after-school care, mentoring, tutoring. “Most of all, he says, the kids need love, understanding and attention.” Tom was impressed with the plans and the efforts of Contact Mission and decided to put it all on the line to help raise much needed funding for the programs. “I couldn’t write them a big check, but I decided I could raise money while losing weight. Calling in favors and challenging the friends of Community Spirit Magazine, he has thus far gathered over $700 per pound in pledges. He hopes to hit $1000 per pound, collecting over $100,000 should he reach his 100-pound goal by October 3rd. Volunteering to help him reach his 100-pound loss in 10 months, is Nutritionist Lindsay Nieman of Cornerstone Counseling, Michael

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A steady stream of clients count on Michael to help guide them to meet their fitness goals. Tom’s first official weigh-in is Monday, March 3rd at the West Side’s favorite Arnold’s Old Fashion Hamburgers. Everyone from the kids, to the media, to Community Spirit supporters, to local politicians will come out to learn more about Contact Mission while being there to check on Tom’s progress. Needless to say, he will avoid Arnold’s famous chocolate shakes, but is happy for you to have one. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Contact Kids.

Make a pledge and help the kids! Go to www.loseitforthekids.com for all the details.

lose your quit B Y

DANNY CAHILL

Change Your Prayers

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.

n life, being alone is never better. I know – there are some of you who initially say, “I like being a loner. People just get in the way!” Well, if that’s what you usually think, your personality is just like mine. The truth is having a buddy with you is always better. Let me explain. When I went to The Biggest Loser, it was a singles season. I was excited about that for all the reasons I stated above! I didn’t want someone else to hold me back, I didn’t want to have to worry about anyone but me, and I definitely didn’t want someone else’s performance be tied to my own! If I messed up, fine, but if a partner did I would always wonder if I could have won alone. Well, the very first day a woman named Liz called my name when we were asked to choose partners. I was happy not to be chosen last, kind of like when two kids are picking their teams, but inside I was terrified! Liz was 49 years old and from Tennessee. I liked her, but I DID NOT want her as a partner. I was wrong. The first 4 or 5 weeks, Liz was overwhelmed. She actually went to the trainer and said, “I can’t do this! I want to go home. I didn’t think it was going to be this hard!” When I heard that, I grabbed her arm and led her outside where no one could see us. I said, “Listen here Liz, you picked me as your partner, and now you’re going to give up?” I need you to focus on what we have to do! And, by the way, I know you can do this! I know your heart and

I believe in you, Liz.” Liz stayed, and I had given her exactly what she needed – someone to say they believed in her. She had long stopped believing in herself. Well, Liz and I didn’t do half bad! In fact, we were the 2nd team in history to make it to the final four together! And then we had to run a marathon. Yup, we had to run 26.2 miles. I was terrified – and so was Liz! During the marathon, we decided to stay together. Rudy and Amanda took off ahead of us and when one of us slowed down, the other stayed back, too. It paid off – both the staying together strategy and having a buddy – because during that marathon my hips and knees were hurting so bad that I wanted to stop. When I said that, I hear, “No Danny. You’re not gonna stop! You can do this, and I’m gonna do it with ya.” That encouragement kept me running. And we finished the marathon in 6 hours and 55 minutes! Not a blazing speed, but the fact that we were 430 pounds and 267 pounds 5 months before made it a miracle! After that marathon, Liz said, “I was just glad I could return the favor! Danny was there to help me for the first 11 weeks on The Biggest Loser, and there I was there to help him finish what he started. We are a good pair of friends!” We were good buddies. The next time you are tempted to go it alone, remember that it is a proven fact that in stressful situations, the simple fact that you have someone to share it with lowers your blood pressure, stress level, and cortisone levels. And there is a scripture that I love. It is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

PURCHASE DANNY’S NEW BOOK AT THEDANNYCAHILL.COM

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roses in the dust

Finding Roses in the

Dust

A Journey to a New Perspective Daring to Live the Life of a Woman in Afghanistan In many ways, Leah Duininck is a typical Tulsa mom. Raising six kids, her calendar has been full of ball games, church events, college trips and all the things moms often squeeze into their lives. But being married to Dr. Mitch Duininck, a family physician, she has found herself along side him in many developing countries. She has been called on to do many extraordinary things, taking trips and living places, the typical American mom would never imagine. Leah recently wrote a book about her most recent experience… living in war-torn Afghanistan. It is a story that will inspire you, no matter where you live, to rely on God and be His hands and feet. When writing the book, she changed the names to protect friends and colleagues she left behind in this oppressed and very dangerous country. Under the pen name of Erin Brynn, Leah offers the reader an inside view of a people, a country and a lifestyle rarely portrayed in our media. Listen to “Erin” as she shares how a Tulsa mom packed up her life, two of her kids and lots of faith to move to this very foreign land. You won’t be able to put this book down.

raveling to far away places was not all that unusual for Erin Brynn. She and her husband had seen and served in many lands outside the comfort zone of the average couple. They had taken the entire family to live in Africa and had even traveled to Afghanistan, a place to which Erin vowed never to return. So, when her husband told her of an “opportunity” to move there for a year, Erin had more

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than a few misgivings. She would have to leave her four adult children behind. And, maybe a larger hurdle would be she would need to take her two youngest to a Muslim country in the midst of a civil war. At first, the move seemed unthinkable and friends and family were quick to call it even “irresponsible.” “Don’t ask me to do such a thing,” she begged God. But the more she wrestled with it, the more “that still, small voice” told her that she didn’t have to be afraid… that it would be “an opportunity to partner with God as He made a difference in the lives of all those they would encounter.” There were a million details to check off, but in twelve short weeks, she and her husband, along with their daughter and son, ages 11 and 13 were on a plane headed to, what her son called, “the greatest adventure ever.” Told to some degree by the 42 blogs written throughout their year, Erin captivates the reader with the details of how the family deals with the practical challenges of finding a place to live, putting the kids in an English-speaking International school full of Afghani children, and dealing with the culture and dangers. But

“Probably the biggest gift in the whole thing was learning to see the people through the lens of God. Not through my own lens of experience or prejudice or triumphs and tragedies (language and culture and politics). Just the simple view of the way God sees these people and the way He sees me. In that way, we are no different. We are exactly the same.” -leah duininck along the way, it may be her insights as a woman that are the most compelling parts of the book. The transition to female life in Afghanistan was a challenge. She remained covered from head to toe when not in the house, wore the traditional hijab (overcoat and scarf ) and followed the strict traditions of the culture such as always having a male escort, walking a few steps behind the man, riding in the back of the car, and never speaking to men. She says she “hung her liberties on a hook at the door of her house,” retrieving them only when came back home and hung up her black cloak and scarf. She found the lack of identity to be a lonely experience. Surprisingly however, she did grow to appreciate wearing the hijab. “I am so privileged to live in a country where I have freedoms as a women. But in Afghanistan, where freedom was limited, wearing the hijab gave me a sense of security as well as identity. For Afghan women, wearing the hijab gives them a layer of protection and safety from this very broken place. It becomes sort of a wall and behind that wall, they feel protected. They are so fearful of being without protection in that male dominated society, they wouldn’t know how to live without it. And as I passed them on the street and our eyes would meet, somehow I felt a certain connection with them, a sisterhood.” Erin explains that the experience of living in Afghanistan taught her there was beauty in living the simpler, slower life. “They measure time and life differently. Where much of our measurement of a good day is how many items we check off our list, theirs is more about relationships. I learned that my worth should not be wrapped up in what I accomplish.” But the biggest lesson learned was that we should seek to see the world through God’s eyes and understand that He created us all of us in His image. “But for His grace, I could have been born into

that society,” she says. Throughout the pages, Erin attempts to play the role of ambassador. “This was my journey. It was really finding beauty in the brokenness of this country, these people and this place. Probably the biggest gift in the whole thing was learning to see the people through the lens of God. Not through my own lens of experience or prejudice or triumphs and tragedies (language and culture and politics). Just the simple view of the way God sees these people and the way He sees me. In that way, we are no different. We are exactly the same.” Erin expressed that she now has a love/hate relationship with Afghanistan because the people are so genuine and precious. “They live in so much darkness and devastation. They are caught in the middle of war and destruction. The majority of the country is illiterate and few can read the Koran for themselves, so they believe what they are told. The are lost, in a many-layered sense of the word. And yet, there is a special beauty to the people and the land. At the end of their year in Afghanistan, “Erin” came home. But the words within the pages of the book remain. They plead for us to see Muslims through the eyes of God. And if we will, she hopes we will replace any prejudice with love. “The readers of this book may never leave their home countries, but if I can help them bridge a relationship with a Muslim neighbor or coworker, then writing the book will have been worth it.” You can purchase the book on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and christianbooks.com. Prepare to “go on an adventure.”

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“Leaders need to know who they are, what they are best at and how to focus them for

“Dave has been an incredible resource for

maximum contribution in whatever they do

helping me to crystallize my understanding

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development symposiums and coaching

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with both executives and emerging leaders,

my daily decisions and activities by asking

Dave Jewitt and Your One Degree has

how any particular item fits into my

made a huge investment. YOD does not just

understanding of my life purpose.”

offer another self-assessment tool… they

—Bill Blankenship, Head Football Coach-

provide a spiritual, professional and very

Tulsa University

relational journey with long term impact. I and hundreds of leaders are so grateful for the ministry of YOD. Don’t coach or mentor a leader without it.” —Paul Stanley, former Int’l VP with The Navigators, author of Connecting, consultant on leader development

It might be that through the years, you have Recently released, the “Your One Degree” book will help you begin to moved into a job that is NOT what you were apply the concepts to your own life and situation. Read it. Share it with your friends and relatives. Then consider scheduling some coaching designed to do. sessions directly with Dave. Dave Jewitt has coaches men ranging from CEOs of large corporations to entry-level guys just starting out. By helping them understand what God specifically designed them to do, he is able to uncover what truly energizes them, what their “One Degree” is. You see, of the 360 degrees on a compass, Your One Degree is God’s precise direction and focus for you…your particular purpose. Find it, and you will have found the secret to working with a purpose. Dave can help you. Over the last two decades, he has refined this process, and helped thousands of people discover their unique design, and to live it out in their daily decisions.

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God really did design you “on purpose” and this book will set you on the practical path to discover and live what that unique DESIGN is for your life. The result for countless men has been a stronger, more successful career, a happier marriage and a more fulfilled and direction. Dave wants to help you find Your One Degree! In fact, his One Degree is to work one-on-one with guys just like you.

The book is available on Amazon.com. For more information, visit youronedegree.com.

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grace church

When the Pulpit Passes Generations Grace Church in Uncharted Yet Exciting Territory

imes were a lot different when Bob Yandian became the pastor of Grace Church back in 1980. Ronald Reagan was elected as president, John Lennon was assassinated, Mount St. Helens erupted, disco was going out of style, the American hockey team beat the Russians in the Miracle on the Ice, and we were all wondering “Who shot J.R.? Here in Tulsa, Jim Inholfe was serving as mayor, Oral Roberts was struggling to finish the City of Faith Building, and Nolan Richardson was hired as TU’s new basketball coach. For the kids, 1980 was the year of PacMan, Pound Puppies and StarWar figures. For us adults, it was the early days of the PC and jogging with your Sony Walkman was all the rage. Things change and as they do the players often change as well. For many, it is tough to see respected leaders leave roles synonymous with their names. Bob Yandian was one of those. After 33 years in the pulpit serving in what has historically been one of Tulsa’s fastest growing churches, Grace Fellowship, he decided to leave the pulpit and devote his time to being a traveling evangelist. And as he left, he passed his role on to his son, Robb, a well-prepared, well-mentored protégé ready to create a new time of growth for their church. So, what happens when a father hands off such a role to his son? Robb Yandian explained that there were not many modernday examples of how to do this effectively. But after a year of preparation, input from the advisory board and staff and lots of prayer, Robb took on the job last May.

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“My dad and I are similar in many ways, but we are different. He is known especially for his strong expository teaching. I am a teacher, but I have a different style. I love teaching verse by verse, but I place a strong emphasis on breaking down scripture and finding ways to apply them to our lives in practical ways.” -rob yandian Robb was as prepared as anyone could be. After all, he had literally worked his way from the ground up in the church, handling everything from custodial and maintenance duties, to later teaching in the school and serving as Minister of Outreach and Missions. The transition was amazingly smooth and church members are excited about Robb’s ideas, passion for the Lord and his ability to teach. So what happens in a transition like this? What changes and what stays the same? Robb divided the question into “Message” and “Methods.” He explained that the message absolutely stays the same. “The truths of the Word of God are timeless and the Word will always stay alive and powerful. In fact there is no other text in human history which is so alive. It can never become outdated. Its

message will never pass from relevance. It has just as much power for our lives as it has ever had. Therefore to stray from scripture would be the highest error. That will always stay as well as our utter dependence on it. However, the methods can change. Jesus ministered through different methods. For instance, he taught with kids on his lap, he stood on the mountainside and spoke to the multitudes, and he often pulled the disciples together separately. In the Book of Acts, we find that the church met in Temple courts and they also met from house to house. I think as long as the message stays the same, there are a number of different methods you can use. What exactly this is going to look like in years to come, I don’t know. One of the good things about technology especially is that it provides almost an infinite number of ways that the message can be conveyed through music, drama and all kinds of things. I have creative people around me that can take the message and apply ways to offer it.” “My dad and I are similar in many ways, but we are different. He is known especially for his strong expository teaching. I am a teacher, but I have a different style. I love teaching verse by verse, but I place a strong emphasis on breaking down scripture and finding ways to apply them to our lives in practical ways.” Robb is passionate about reaching the lost and he longs for the church to be built on people coming in for the first time rather than transferring in from one church to another. He realizes he has big shoes to fill, but believes this was God’s will. “When it is time to make a decision, I often think about what my dad would do. I was able to learn from his wisdom. But on the other hand, I have this role and I must prayerfully make my own decisions. I originally didn’t want to be in the ministry and my father never planned on this either. So, when it all came together, we both had to believe it was God’s will.” Passing from father to son is uncharted territory for Grace. In its 41-year history, Robb is only the fourth pastor. (Phil Johnson, Dr. Ken Stewart, Bob Yandian and Rob Yandian.) Robb and his wife Kellie have been married 18 years and have three children, Alex age 15, Nathan age 13, and Rachel age 11. All of the children attend Union Public Schools. Robb brings some unusual side talents to the pulpit. For one, he loves to cook. He watches all the cooking shows and is the main chef in the family. Making as much from scratch as possible, he is especially known for his lasagna, a dish that takes over six hours to prepare. He jokes that it is a lot like preaching. “You prepare for hours and they gobble it up in only a few minutes.” He also is an avid runner and has finished five marathons. He says the hobby has made him appreciate all of the running scriptures in the Bible…”to run with endurance and to run in such a way as to win.” Although not the size it was in the late 90s, Grace Church continues to flourish. Rob describes it as a non-denominational, charismatic church with a membership of around 1300. “I really don’t like labels however,” says Rob. “But I guess I would like us to be known as a ‘Word Church.’ If the Word says it, we believe it. C ommu n ity s p ir itmagazin e.com

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visiting angels

A Road Trip To Remember

Owasso Couple to Walk to El Reno for the Alzheimer’s Association

age Cole, the owner of Visiting Angels of Green Country, along with his wife Ronda, are “putting their feet where their heart is.” To raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association, they have committed to walk, bike, skate and scooter from Tulsa to El Reno, a distance of 144 miles! The adventureous couple believe they can make the trip in only seven days (March 15th – 21st) traveling down historic Route 66. Page and Ronda have lived in the Tulsa area for nearly 25 years but grew up in El Reno. Route 66 has always been special to them as they enjoy the nostalgic history of one of Oklahoma’s original highways. 144 miles is a long way to travel by “foot” and it will take a strong daily commitment to make the long journey. But it will all be worth it if they raise money for this very worthy cause. Alzheimer’s Disease is all too real to them. Not only does their company work with numerous families dealing daily with the painful challenges of the disease, Page’s grandmother, Helen Cole died with an extended fight with Alzheimer’s. Page and Ronda feel confident about making the trek successfully. “We have schedule the trip for 18-20 miles per day. We will walk some and bike some. We have been preparing for it and because we will be alternating we believe the distance won’t be too difficult,” Page explained. Our number one purpose of doing this is to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association. But we are also excited about the amount of money we might be able to raise for the association. All funds raised stay right here in our area. In addition, the national

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headquarters of Visiting Angels has offered to match the dollar amount raised by the area office which raises the most money. Our goal is to be the top fundraising office and so they would double everything we raise,” he said. Oklahoma weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to pray for this special couple as they make their journey. Help us pray for sunny skies and warm weather! Aside from praying, Page and Ronda invite you to come out personally and join in the fun. Come visit them along their way and cheer them on. You can even walk with them and help make the time pass quickly. Their trip will kick off downtown Tulsa at the Arkansas River Bridge on Saturday morning, March 15th at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to get involved, you can make a donation at www.roadtripALZ.org – Proceeds will go to Page’s Visiting Angel’s of Green Country Team for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. You are also encouraged to go to Page’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/ARoadTripToRemember. Follow along the journey and enjoy the pictures and stories. And although Page and Ronda’s walk to El Reno is many months ahead of the official Alzheimer’s Walk, you can prepare to be a part of that as well. This official Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on August 23, 2014 at CityPlex Towers located at 81st and Lewis. You won’t be asked to walk nearly as far as Page and Ronda will have, but you can have some fun and raise some money. If you would like more information, go to TulsaWalk.org.

The Schedule of a Road Trip to Remember… Day One - 3/15 – Tulsa to Sapulpa Day Two – 3/16 – Sapulpa to Bristow Day Three – 3/17 – Bristow to Davenport Day Four – 3/18 – Davenport to Wellston Day Five – 3/19 – Wellston to Edmond Day Six – 3/20 – Edmond to Bethany Day Seven – 3/21 – Bethany to El Reno

Watch for Page’s interview on KTUL Channel 8 on March 8th!

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moore funeral home

its all about

hugs D

r. Joseph Moore has a business to run. At the end of the day, his employees depend on receiving a paycheck to support their families. He also has a legacy to maintain, to ensure that Moore Funeral Home continues to serve the Tulsans with the same dedication as it did when his father was alive. Such things demand that the company makes a reasonable profit. But to Dr. Moore, there is a measurement which in many ways is more important…the number of hugs they receive. “Thank you notes and letters of appreciation are nice and we get lots of them, but actually, hugs seem to be the best indicator of how well we are serving our community and our families,” Dr. Moore said with a smile. He explained that their job is more than just delivering products and services. How they minister to the families is the most important aspect of their responsibilities. “It is up to us to make this as easy for our customers as possible and when we get a hug, it communicates to us that we have made a difference.” Moore Funeral Home has been making a difference in the community since 1932. Dr. Moore’s father, Joe M. Moore, was known as much for his big heart as he was for the professional way he ran his business. His example leads on, inspiring this 3rd generation family business to always be there when families need them most. But solving problems and doing the best job at ministering to the needs of their customers requires a multi-faceted effort. Elaine Moore-Jones, Manager of Moore’s Southlawn Chapel, explained that not only does it demand they offer a wide range of programs, products and choices, their customers expect them to solve problems even outside their normal funeral home duties. This requires that they have a great working relationship with other vendors such as Memorial Park Cemetery. The two companies count on each other

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to look after the families’ needs. In fact, they have worked together so long, their customers often don’t know which company provided which service. They only know that every detail was taken care of and that they were treated with compassion in the process. The relationship between Moore’s Funeral Home and Memorial Park Cemetery was strong from the very beginning. Memorial Park Cemetery was founded in 1927 and the Moore family moved to

“Thank you notes and letters of appreciation are nice and we get lots of them, but actually, hugs seem to be the best indicator of how well we are serving our community and our families.” -dr joseph moore

Tulsa to start their funeral home in 1932. Since then, obviously they both work closely with other companies, but there has always been a special bond between them. When it comes to taking care of a family, the two companies tend to operate as one big team. “It is our job to take the family members by the hand and help them through this process. This involves helping them figure out a way to celebrate this loved one in a wonderful way, but depending upon the situation, it may mean doing other things like helping them find assistance in paying for the services,” said Elaine said. “Through experience, I know the

“It is our job to take the family members by the hand and help them through this process. This involves helping them figure out a way to celebrate this loved one in a wonderful way, but depending upon the situation, it may mean doing other things like helping them find assistance in paying for the services” -elaine moore jones people to call, whether it be various agencies in town or maybe even the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Working with Memorial Park is a good example. I know the services they offer and can work together with them to solve the various challenges.” Linda Kennedy, Director of Family Services at Memorial Park, emphasized that they try to offer seamless service. “It is not about us or Moore’s, we are all looking for the same result. “We try to educate our families on the particulars of what type

or style of celebration of life they want to have and hope they make right decisions. But both of us try to promote the idea of having a permanent memorial…a place to go. Whether it is a full body burial or a cremation, we believe it is important for the family to have a place to go, a place to remember. We also emphasize a respect for life and we help families to properly honor their loved ones,” Linda explained. Moore’s multi-generational influence on the community is important to Dr. Moore. Not only is the company generous in the way it donates resources to civic causes, he is especially proud that their employees play active roles in community service. Many of them serve on local boards and are involved in charities and civic clubs. Doing a great job is important to Dr. Moore and the entire staff at Moore’s Funeral Home. Compassionately serving others everyday is an important calling. But receiving a heart-felt hug on occasion is worth its weight in gold. You can learn more about Moore’s Funeral Home at www.moorefuneral. com or by calling 918-633-2233. Also be sure to check out the Memorial Park Cemetery site at www.memorialparktulsa.com. Tulsa can be proud to have these two great community servants.

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the bible: son of God tour 2014

The Bible: Son Of God Tour 2014 Coming To The Mabee Center

ou have probably heard about the movie…THE BIBLE: SON OF GOD. And, you most likely saw the epic mini-series on television. Now, as 20th Century Fox hits the theatres with the feature film, there is something else exciting audiences across the country. Producers, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey and their production company, Lightworkers Media, are now partnering with Word Entertainment to present “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014,” an immersive music and visual experience celebrating the Life of Christ. The production features Award-Winning musical artists Francesca Battistelli, S AT U R D AY, M A R C H 2 9 | M A B E E C E N T E R Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris T H E B I B L E T O U R E X P E R I E N C E . C O M August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray. The two-hour live event will bring the epic miniseries “The Bible” and the Untitled-1 1 2/21/14 1:54 PM Entertainment partnered with Burnett and Downey to release the upcoming 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” to life in musical companion to both “The Bible” and “Son of God.” In sight and sound with immersive video and stunning visual effects realizing the incredible impact of the stunning images together paired with music by award-winning musical artists. “The Bible: with the emotional powerful music, Burnett, Downey and Word Son of God Tour 2014” is coming to The Mabee Center on March Entertainment are joining forces once again to bring the epic scenes 29th at 7:00 p.m. and music from “The Bible” and “Son of God” to life in sight and “We have been working with Word and Rod Riley [President sound through “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014” to audiences & CEO, Word Entertainment] since the beginning of ‘The Bible’ across the nation in the month leading up to Easter. series and ‘Son of God’ and were fortunate that they released Tulsa is just one of an impressive multi-city tour of the ‘Inspired By’ albums,” said Burnett. “We came to Nashville and got production. For more information, visit the Mabee Center website to know the artists and felt the images with the music worked so at www.mabeecenter.com or www.thebibletourexperience.com. well together. When the idea of a tour came about, which would Don’t miss this incredible, musical and faith-building take the incredible visuals and film footage and allow them to be production! on screens with incredible live Christian music, we immediately realized the vision and signed on. We knew it would be an incredible Ticket Information experience for people.” “What we are hoping to provide here is a Tickets Are ON SALE NOW! great emotional experience for people,” added Downey. “We hope Tickets are available online at www.mabeecenter.com or by calling the Mabee that people will come with their friends and family and just absorb Center Box Office (918) 495-6000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1(800) this stunning combination of music and images and have a few 678-1353. hours to feel as though they’d been immersed in a pool of love.” Prices: Downey and Burnett brought the epic 10-hour mini-series “The Gold Circle (GA) (Premium Seating – Early Entrance)  Early Entrance begins at 6:00 Bible” to television audiences on the History channel with their PM $59 plus $1.99 s/c company LightWorkers Media. It became the top entertainment telecast of the year, received three Emmy® Award nominations and General Admission (A,B,C,D, Upper Level) $27 plus $1.99 s/c Group Rate (GA) (A,B,C,D, Upper Level) Groups of 10 or more $25 plus $1.99 s/c has been viewed by over 100 million people to date. On February (per ticket) 28, they introduced the 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of *Children ages 3 and up are required to have a ticket. God” to millions of people worldwide on the big screen. Word

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act financial

RANDY COWELL

Comparison Kills Contentment Okay be honest. Have you ever thought, “If I only had more income like Jim”, or “a fancier, sportier car like Mary”. What about that boat of a friend or the house like your parents? What about your best friend’s marriage? When we compare our circumstances with those of another it doesn’t take long before we start dwelling on what we don’t have and this soon allows discontentment to creep in. So how do we learn to be content? This month we will explore this condition of discontent that seems to be so prevalent among Americans today. So what is the biblical definition of contentment? According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, it is: “an internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances.” There seems to be a huge disconnect between this notion of peace and contentment and the T-shirt emblazoned with the saying “whoever dies with the most toys wins!” Granted, we are bombarded in every form of media convincing us that if we have any hope of happiness we need a new _________________, (you fill in the blank.) Don’t think that it is just us adults that are suffering from discontentment. Even our children suffer from this condition and as parents we are seemingly helpless to prevent it. Recent statistics reveal one reason as to why we are raising children that even at a young age are trying to keep up with the Jones’s and seem to have an insatiable appetite for more and better. According to the Media Education Foundation the average adolescent watches 3-4 hours of TV per day. With every four hours of television programming containing 100 ads is it any wonder that the average American child may view as many as 40,000 television commercials EVERY year? In the year 2000, children 12 and under directly or indirectly, influenced the household spending by $600 billion. Let that sink in for a moment and ask yourself, “How much TV do I watch?” With over $2 billion spent annually to target juvenile consumers the question that begs to be asked is “should we be monitoring the amount of TV our children are watching? “ Here is an interesting thought to ponder. Since 1991, Sweden has banned all advertising during children’s prime time due to findings that children under 10 are incapable of telling the difference between a commercial and a program, and cannot understand the purpose of a commercial until the age of 12. I would contend that many adults are suffering from that same lack of understanding. For nearly three decades I have had the privilege of helping families and businesses manage their finances. Any financial planner when asked will tell you that managing a client’s expectations is the hardest task we undertake. The fact is that when working with a

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client that has their values and dreams placed on “things”, and their priorities focused on material gain, there is never enough money. So what is one idea that can get someone on the right track when it comes to being satisfied and contented. How about a little delayed gratification? There, I said it. I believe it is the key to your financial maturity. Being able to say no to a purchase even when you have the resources can be very empowering. Let’s face the facts, the vast majority of us have limited resources and unlimited choices. If you don’t have the discipline necessary to say no, there is no hope for contentment. Remember that unless you spend less than you make, no amount of income will ever be enough. Paul captured the essence of contentment when he addressed the church at Rome, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Friends that is the prayer that we pray for you and yours! I would like to thank one of Community Spirit’s loyal readers who gave me the idea for this article and for rescuing the author from a bout of writer’s block. Thanks Neil.

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 GoodDebt Bad”. Randy welcomes your thoughts and prayers. He can be reached at 918-664-0081 or by e-mail at rcowell@htk.com.

marriages that last

BY DR. KEVIN NIEMAN

The Gift of Words

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

We all remember hearing those words being recited on the playground in our earlier years, spoken in defense by one who was being picked on. As a child, we think that if we say hurtful words don’t have an impact on us, then the one spewing them our direction will stop. Instances like this oftentimes serve as the beginning of children minimizing their own value, a habit they carry into adulthood. Hurtful words are somehow magically filed away as if they don’t matter, and we push on believing the lie that had our bones been broken, that would have been more painful to bear. The reality though is that words hurt. Pain and scars from words last far longer than bone breaks. Our words have tremendous impact in our relationships. A common challenge for many couples I work with is to tame their tongue and refrain from spouting words of destruction to their mate. Ironically, they struggle to make the connection between their hurtful words (directed to their spouse) and their spouse’s unloving or disrespectful response. Ephesians 4: 29 reads “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word is a gift.” The Message Words have the power to speak light and life or darkness and death into our relationships. If the responses you are receiving from your spouse today reflect darkness, consider if it’s possible that your words yesterday reflected darkness rather than light. How are you communicating to your loved one? Do your words “build up” those who hear them? Contrary to popular playground opinion, words

can cause deep hurt. Each time you talk negatively about your spouse whether in front of them or behind their back you speak darkness into their lives. These hurtful words reflect more about the one speaking than the one being spoken of. Don’t allow your own insecurities to sow seeds of darkness, thinking that it’s going to produce a crop of light. Begin to honor your spouse with words of light. Be intentional in sharing words that will build your loved one up and be patient for the seeds of light and life to grow. In order to be able to speak words of light to others, you first must view yourself as worthy of light and life. If negativity tends to be present in your daily walk you ultimately have two possible reactions. One, you continually project your own inner pain of darkness that’s been spoken to you over the years or two, you allow God’s True Words to speak into your life and begin to see yourself as the son or daughter of the Most High. Take true ownership of your identity and value (found in Christ) so that you are free to speak words of light and life that will have an eternal impact on your spouse. If you find yourself struggling to fight negative thoughts and feelings so that you are able to be light, give us a call. Cornerstone is committed helping individuals find their true value and worth so they can enjoy the blessings God intended for them.

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.

CORNERSTONE Christian Counseling Services

Let us help you get your life back on track. Call today: 918.392.4008

4930 S. Sheridan Rd.

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celebrity attractions

It Really is… Amazing!

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Coming to Tulsa!

ne of the most enduring shows of all time, Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son. Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colors, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Those Canaan Days, Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door. The husband-and-wife team Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo will star in the production, Ace, in the role of Joseph and Diana as the narrator. DIANA DeGARMO (The Narrator) From Broadway to the Hollywood Bowl, Diana is no stranger to the stage. At 16, she stole America’s heart on “Idol” before becoming the first alum to star on Broadway. Starring in such shows as HAIR (where she met her husband Ace Young), 9 to 5, Brooklyn: The Musical, Hairspray and The Toxic Avenger, she then moved to Los Angeles to play the role of “Angelina,” a fan favorite on the number one daytime series “The Young and the Restless.” In 2008, she released an acoustic EP “Unplugged in Nashville,” and recently released a Country EP “Live To Love,” composed of songs co-written with Ace. She is so excited to star alongside him playing the very role she once looked up to years ago when she was just a child in the choir. It’s great to be back! Many thanks to Headline Talent Agency, Ellis Talent Group and our dog Rosie. ACE YOUNG (Joseph) This athletic, 6’1” runt of 5 boys moved to Los Angeles from Boulder, CO, over ten years ago to pursue a career in music. Since then, Ace has worked with musical stars ranging from Brian McKnight to Desmond Child. He is a Grammy-nominated songwriter with number one hits in the U.S. and Sweden. Ace has performed for the masses at festivals, concerts, parades, bars and hole-in-the-wall joints around the world. After being a contestant on “Idol,” he pursued a Broadway career, starring first in Grease and then in HAIR, where he met his wife, Diana DeGarmo. They recently released a Country EP “Live To Love,” composed of songs co-written by the two of them. Other television credits include “Bones” and “Planet 360.” Truly comfortable in the spotlight, he is so excited to star as ‘Joseph’ alongside his new wife. Many thanks to Headline Talent Agency, Ellis Talent Group and our dog Rosie. Presented by Celebrity Attractions, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT performs at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement of one week only April 1-6. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday Evening at 7:00 p.m. Prices start at $20.

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JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center April 1-6, 2014. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 3 and may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Box Office or online at www.CelebrityAttractions.com. Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/BwayTULSA. Follow the Tulsa, Oklahoma engagement of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT on Twitter.com/BwayTULSA or join the conversation using hashtag #JosephTULSA. JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is presented by Celebrity Attractions and is a production in the Celebrity Attractions’ 2013-2014 Broadway Season which features BLUE MAN GROUP, Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, CHICAGO starring John O’Hurley as Billy Flynn, SISTER ACT, WICKED and the add-on production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Celebrity Attractions is proud to have KOTV-NewsOn6, Tulsa World and American Airlines as sponsors for this spectacular season. Book your tickets and be part of the magic!

APRIL 1-6 • TuLsA PAC

918.596.7111 • MyTicketOffice.com

Outside Tulsa

800.364.7111

Groups of 10+ receive a discount, call 918.796.0220

/BwayTulsa

#JosephTulsa

Congratulations To Our Friends At Family Medical Care!

hey are opening a beautiful new facility at 74th and Riverside. It will be the home to Family Medical Care, Family Medical Care Counseling Services, In His Image Family Medicine Residency, In His Image International, and Good Samaritan Health Services.

Family Medical Care, now associated with St. John Clinic, is a full service family medicine clinic. The physicians and staff of FMC are committed to providing excellent Whole Person Health Care, addressing the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of their patients. This will include an extended-hours Walk-In Clinic with Lab and X-ray; Women’s Health and Maternity Care; Care for Adults, Adolescents and Children; Counseling Services for Adults, Families and Children. Good Samaritan Health Services partners with over 55 churches in the Greater Tulsa area to provide free medical care and services to the medically underserved using their mobile medical van and truck to bring health care to needy areas. In His Image is a medical residency that trains physicians in the specialty of family medicine with a strong emphasis on preparing these physicians to serve in international, rural and urban settings. Stop in and thank them for being faithful servants in God’s Kingdom!

NOW HIRING SALES REPRESENTATIVES FLEXIBLE HOURS GREAT COMMISSIONS CHRISTIAN WORK ENVIRONMENT

CALL TOM AT 918-307-2323 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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the heart of the matter

DENIECE ADSIT

Castles or Scars Our scars, however, can be our open testimony to the goodness of our great God, who saw each time a wound occurred, and orchestrated the process of healing that was begun from that wound. Sometimes we might like to hide the scars so we don’t have to explain, but that defeats the completeness of God’s forgiveness and our ability to testify of His grace.

here is a castle in Germany called Burg Eltz. It has stood for hundreds of years, and is a true testament to the workmanship and materials used to create it. A few years ago I had the opportunity to tour this magnificent castle. Its beauty and strength were beyond description – from a distance. But as we drew nearer the castle, I noticed something… If one looks too closely at the individual stones that make up this gorgeous castle, it is apparent each stone is not perfect. Either they had begun as different in shape and color, or over the years had weathered the storms in a different way. How could it be that this great structure which was built over 500 years ago, and took more than a half century to build, had been built with what appears to be flawed stones? So great was the mastery of construction that the unique scarring on each stone was invisible, when viewed from a distance – the proper perspective to appreciate its beauty. Could that be how God sees us? We have each weathered storms in life that have left us scarred, some by things that have happened to us, and others that were caused by our own misdeeds. If one looks too closely, these scars from life show up as flaws or defects, and don’t adequately reflect the strength within. Our scars, however, can be our open testimony to the goodness of our great God, who saw each time a wound occurred, and orchestrated the process of healing that was begun from that wound. Sometimes we might like to hide the scars so we don’t have to explain, but that defeats the completeness of God’s forgiveness and our ability to testify of His grace. The more we can reveal to others the very nature of our scars, the greater God’s message will be reflected in our life. When we live our life this openly God can use us in His

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building to show off the workmanship of His hand, not to reflect the individual beauty of each stone He places in the castle that is His kingdom on this earth. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), complete and beautiful, and He placed us as He desired in this great building, all fitted together by His hand (Ephesians 2:19-21). It makes sense to me, then, that it is only when we are seen in the structure God has placed us that our true God-given beauty shows. The years and the storms we have endured have not diminished our value in His eyes, for He walked with us through them all. From the beginning, He made sure we were built with character that would last through eternity. When God created man, He looked and saw that it was very good (Genesis 1:31). Somehow, I think God is still looking at that this great castle of which we are part, and He is still pleased with what He has created from our scars.

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

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