Thanks to those casting light in the darkness

“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” That quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne always has evoked sadness for me. Time flies by too fast, leaving only fleeting shadows of our past. Lately, though, it seems time isn’t passing quite fast enough for some folks. I paused from writing this to listen to my daughter …

Beauty amidst the darkness

Tammy and I took a long walk today. Amid all the darkness and dark news we found beauty. Beauty cast into the world by God for us to enjoy. Take some time today to bask in the beauty of Creation. LightFear comes in darknessBut light from God fails us notLight dispels darkness

Endless water

I recorded this brief video clip last year while Tammy and I were visiting Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City. We sat for quite some time, just watching the water flow down these steps at the garden's reflecting pool. I found it incredibly soothing then, and happened across it again this week while cleaning out …

Use this time wisely

These times can easily feel dark, frightening and lonely. But, we have this assurance: in far worse times, humanity has managed to sustain beauty and love. In April 1942, Jewish poet Pavel Friedmann was isolated in a ghetto, surrounded by darkness, evil and death. Friedmann wrote there “The Butterfly,” a haunting poem that embraces the …

Inequality — The Achilles heel of American pandemic response

There always have been two Americas — the America of the “haves” and the America of the “have-nots.” These two Americas look nothing alike, and systemic structures have been built, reshaped and rebuilt to make sure the “haves” are not negatively impacted, inconvenienced or made uncomfortable by the hunger, oppression, poverty and suffering of the …

Answers

In silence we pray Rain falls as prayers ascend Soft flowing answers

‘Everyone deserves a chance’ — Open adoption expanding as an option

ENID, Okla. — A local pregnancy resource center is partnering with Crisis Pregnancy Outreach of Tulsa to make open adoption available to both expectant mothers and adoptive families in the Enid area. Journey House, a faith-based resource center in Enid, opened in spring 2018 to provide ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, coaching and mentoring, educational resources and …

Opioid addiction treatment services expanding

ENID, Okla. — A new treatment soon will be offered, with no out-of-pocket expense, for opioid addiction treatment in North-central and Northwest Oklahoma. Northwest Center for Behavioral Health (NCBH), a division of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), is finalizing plans to offer Suboxone in all five of its regional …

Fading

  Skin draws paper thin Life shines through as body fades Life soon unfettered

The rape culture rears its ugly head

  When you’re fighting evil and willful ignorance, there are few compliments greater than the unease and anger of the evil and willfully ignorant. By that measure, Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg is doing great work, and the most vile, ignorant and evil aspects of our patriarchal society are churning to the surface in …