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What an amazing time we had together last week at our annual Independence Day celebration! Our church is thankful to be able to meet each week to worship God and share His gospel message. We realize that we have this privilege and freedom because of the wonderful country we live in. Each year we celebrate our American freedoms and our nation’s founding with a fantastic fireworks show and fun-filled festivities!
Read More“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Not long ago I read this verse and came to the realization that I had been looking at the idea of fruits of the Spirit all wrong. I used to see this verse and feel discouraged, knowing how imperfect I am and how impossible it seemed that I could ever muster up all of these fabulous character traits. It seemed to just be a list of things at which I frequently failed. But this time, I noticed the importance of the word "fruit." The healthy tree that has been well planted, pruned, and cared for will, in time, mature into a fruit-producing tree. The longer the tree's needs are met, the more fruit it will produce. If a tree is healthy, we don't question if it will produce fruit, we simply know that it will.
Read MoreParenting is one of the most difficult and challenging responsibilities in the world. However, when parenting is well executed in love and by following biblical principles, there is no greater joy than to see your children walk in truth as they grow older. That same joy can also be enjoyed during the process while little ones are still at home, but many parents forfeit this ability to enjoy their children while young and endure far too much strife and anxiety in the home.
Read More“Would you like the world to be a better place for your having been here?” This is the question posed by Ken Blanchard in his forward to Bob Bickel’s book Finishing Well. The premise of the book and its entire focus is on individuals who had a plan that they followed in an effort to make their later life one of significance, not just one of success. Bickel speaks of “Life I” when we have to “prove ourselves” and “Life II” when we should “give back and make a difference.”
Read MoreHow can I rest? We as women work so hard on the outward—focusing on our appearance and responsibilities—that we totally neglect our rest. What peace and joy we could have if we would spend as much time on resting in the Lord.
Read MoreAt one time or another, we have all felt the need to just “get away”. Maybe we want to get away from a stressful job or from our husbands, or perhaps even our children make us want to get away. At times we can each feel overwhelmed with life’s pressures and responsibilities.
Read MoreI can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched as my daughter danced and played around our living room and thought, “What would I give 20 years from now to come back and relive this moment? What would I give to hold her? What would I give to tickle her? What would I give to dance with her?”
Read More“I am not going in there. You guys go ahead and I’ll stay on the porch,” our realtor Carla stated as she held her nose and unlocked the front door to a foreclosed property that we were considering buying. The house had had the water and electricity turned off for months, and the musty odor of neglect made my eyes water before we even crossed the threshold. The dilapidated outside and overgrown yard had deterred buyers for over a year - but not us.
Read MoreMany start their day with a long list of things to accomplish. It’s not uncommon for people to have 10, 20, or even 30 tasks they want to complete by the end of a particular day. It can be overwhelming, and it provokes a question: where do you even start? Even if you’re able to check off several tasks from your to-do list, you may still feel defeated at the conclusion of the day because of all the things that you didn’t get done. This is a recipe for exhaustion.
Read MoreOctober thirtieth, nineteen eighty-eight. Standing in the parking lot of Eastland Baptist Church for the first time. We had just relocated to Tulsa from Denver, this being the first Sunday we were in town. Sitting in the car, a little nervous, we were greeted by John Egbert who accompanied us into the church and began introducing us. We immediately felt home.
Read MoreThe Bible instructs us to always be sharing the Word of God with our children. But in this modern age of internet, extracurricular activities, and general busyness, how can we make room for daily spiritual instruction?
Read MoreMusic plays a fundamental part in these three roles of corporate worship as it unites our thoughts and mends our emotions. Each week I count it a privilege and a responsibility to lead the music at Eastland Baptist Church. I see my main purpose as helping us to refocus on God through the use of music, and hopefully stir greater devotion to Him. I know that my own life can be filled with so many distractions that I need these times to tune my heart.
Read MoreThis was nothing like I expected. My official job title was “lifeguard” and yet there I was cleaning bathrooms, mopping floors, and picking up trash.
Read MoreIf I were to ask you, “what is the world’s most valuable resource?” what would come to mind? We often think of things that are rare: gold, platinum, etc. These things are valuable because there is a limited supply relative to the demand. Limiting a necessity creates high value. Although we often think of physical things when we think of resources, the world’s most valuable resource is not physical.
Read MoreParenting is one the most rigorous jobs on the planet. Ask any mom with young children, and she would most likely agree that it can wear you out.
Read MoreI Love My Church Sunday at Eastland Baptist Church here in Tulas, OK, is always an event. You are guaranteed to have fun and fellowship while building memories with your family and friends. But this year, was something special. You might even say, it’s the best thing we’ve ever done!
Read MoreIn his book Willpower Doesn’t Work, Benjamin Hardy said, “Journaling is a powerful therapeutic and healing tool.” From my experience, that statement is a fact. Here are some ways consistently journaling has helped me, and if you choose to make it a part of your life, these are also ways it could be a help to you too.
Read More“Mooooom, I need you!” That can be a glorious call or words that make you want to hide. As a mom of seven, I have often heard those words. Being a mom isn’t an easy task, but it is a blessed one.
Read MoreRemember when you fell in love with your spouse? The warm fuzzy feelings, the late night dates, and long conversations. It’s a wonderful feeling to be in love. So you got married. And then life hit you hard!
Read MoreOften, we put more faith in our small amount of money than in God’s limitless resources. If we do this, we are robbing ourselves of amazing blessings.
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