Wynnewood, First sees blessings at Mother’s Day service
WYNNEWOOD—For numerous churches across Oklahoma, Mother’s Day Sunday (May 10) marked the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak that congregations gathered for in-person worship. Members of Wynnewood, First experienced a special Sunday, as nearly 150 attended a lawn chair service. Pastor Jarrod Kendall said, “Yesterday we had another drive-in/lawn chair service for Mother’s Day, which was very special.” According to Kendall,...
Blog: Oklahoma Baptist Pastors are ‘elevating their game’
So many people I read on social media have watched the ESPN’s series “The Last Dance,” and are in awe of the moves that Michael Jordan made as a basketball player. The way he could elevate to the hoop and elevate his game at key moments is unparalleled in sports. Amid this COVID-19 pandemic, I have seen another group elevate their game, so to speak. Pastors. Across the state of Oklahoma, I have seen pastors kick it into high gear...
Sword & trowel: Lions, Tiger Kings & screens, oh my!
As stay-at-home and “social distancing” advisories continue during the COVID-19 pandemic, many have turned to technology to do business and conduct schooling and, of course, to enjoy entertainment media. “Screen time,” as it has been called, is on the sharp rise. In recent years, reports showed that daily use of screens—whether smartphones, personal computers or other devices—accounted for some nine hours per day per individual, on...
Sword & trowel: An E-A-S-T-E-R prayer
Thus far, 2020 has proven to be unexpected in every way. From the Coronavirus pandemic to other issues, none of us really expected the year to go as it has gone. The forced slower pace that quarantines and “social distancing” has created, though, has afforded Christians a better opportunity to reflect and pray than we might otherwise take. To that end, as we near Easter Sunday, I offer this acrostic E-A-S-T-E-R to help you pray for a...
BLOG: Happy Easter? Yes!
For many people, it’s Christmas. For others, it’s Halloween or the Fourth of July. My personal favorite holiday, from my earliest memories as a child to today, has always been Easter. Quite simply, I like everything about it. I like seeing people get dressed in their Sunday best. I like that more people attend church services, including those who may not at other times. I like the hymns (“Christ the Lord is Risen Today” is just...
