Why Not?

Monday night was an exciting night in Oklahoma City. I’m sure many of you were watching the NBA Awards show to see Russell Westbrook be named the Most Valuable Player for the 2016-2017 season. Russell gave a very emotional speech expressing gratitude to God and all of his family who helped make it possible to do what he did this last year in basketball. It was a great moment for Russell, the Thunder, and all of Oklahoma City.

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Kissing the Pig

It’s true – I kissed a pig! This week was Vacation Bible School at St. Luke’s Edmond. Every year at VBS we have a little contest between the boys and the girls. We collect offerings throughout the week to support a local cause that benefits children. This year, all the funds were going to benefit Positive Tomorrows, a school for homeless children in Oklahoma City.

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Father’s Day

This Sunday is Father’s Day and is a great time for us to take a moment and think about all those men who have played such a valuable role in teaching us and making us the people we are today.

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God Bless You

At St. Luke’s, we have started a sermon series to look at phrases that sound biblical, but aren’t actually in the bible. I’ve been having fun looking at the true origins of some of these sayings, and it got me curious about the origins of other common sayings. For example, have you ever wondered why we often say, “God bless you!” when someone sneezes? Why not when someone coughs or gets the hiccups?

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Rite of Spring

Earlier this week I found two of my worlds colliding as I was listening to the radio driving home from the Oklahoma Annual Conference (our yearly business meeting for all United Methodists in the state). I was listening to the classical station and The Rite of Spring came on.

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Memorial Day

This weekend is Memorial Weekend. For many, it’s a time to kick off summer, go to the lake, and enjoy a little vacation. But, let’s not forget what the weekend and holiday is all about. We take time to remember those who have given the ultimate measure of sacrifice to ensure our freedoms in this country. They have given us the freedom to pray, worship, and speak freely. They have given us the freedom to voice our opinions through a democratic process. They have given us the freedom to vote in elections and protest peacefully when we disagree with something. We can never take these freedoms and so many others for granted.

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Wednesdays with Wendy

Quiet Place

My son Brooks has long had the habit of spending time in the car – specifically, staying in the car when we arrive home from somewhere. Typically what happens is I will park the car, get out, start to head in – and Brooks will stay behind in the car for some time. We had wondered what he was doing – sometimes he would be listening to music, sometimes playing a game on his phone, sometimes reading…But why couldn’t he just do that in the house?

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Elk City Tornado

Yesterday a powerful storm and tornado system hit Elk City, Oklahoma. There was at least one fatality, several injuries, and significant damage to homes and businesses. One of the homes that was hit was the one where we used to live. It was so surreal to see it affected knowing that it figured so prominently in our daughter’s childhood. It was a strange feeling seeing that it had largely been destroyed and at the same time remembering that it had once given us a joyful place to live.that had once given you safe and joyful memories. I don’t know who lives there now, but they are certainly in my prayers.

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