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It is difficult to surpass a mother’s love for her family

Tulsa Beacon

I only had five-and-half years with my Mother before she passed away. This was the greatest tragedy of my life, yet God has been so gracious to me and my family that the impact of her loss was overcome by God’s grace. Rama Viola Biggs was a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and…

True servanthood is truly caught more than it is taught

Tulsa Beacon

When I was in elementary school, our little country church wanted to build a new two-story educational building. The men of the church were mostly farmers, mechanics and blue-collar workers. They decided  they had enough skilled labor among them that after the concrete was poured, they could build the rest. They begin working together in…

Thomas Jefferson was a true friend of Native Americans

Tulsa Beacon

[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] Why is Thomas Jefferson significant as a friend of Native Americans? We tend to think of history as a sequence of unrelated events, but it is the confluence of numerous parallel ventures. Most unconsciously think that history began the day they were born,…

What kind of a rioter would loot a Dollar Tree Store?

Tulsa Beacon

Rioters in Minnesota this month looted and burned a Dollar Tree Store. This is probably the first time in history that rioters looted a Dollar Tree Store. These stores are known for having the majority of their merchandise cost one dollar. It must be that these rioters are not too bright. Last year, rioters looted…

Language-challenged train sing-a-long pointed to Heaven

Tulsa Beacon

We were on our way to teach in the city of Prague in the Czech Republic. I can’t even remember when we started, but we had just made our last connection, and in several hours, we would arrive in that beautiful historic city. I had gathered several close friends to serve with me; among them…

19th Century pastors believed in ‘God, guns and guts’

Tulsa Beacon

[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] Why is Brainerd Mission, Tennessee, significant to our culture and religion? Samuel Austin and Ann Worcester were sent there after his graduation and ordination in 1825. The young couple were going to the cultural home of his associate and right-hand Elias Boudinot, born…

I have a lot of people to thank on our 20th anniversary

Tulsa Beacon

For some folks, staying on the job for 20 years is a remarkable achievement. In fact, doing almost anything for 20 years seems like an accomplishment. This week, the Tulsa Beacon marks its 20th anniversary. The first issue came out on April 25, 2001. The longevity is not impressive because of me but because God…

Let’s offer a sweet fragrance as we ponder the resurrection

Tulsa Beacon

Little did I know when I got married how much my life would change. As a single man, my wants were very simple. The biggest decision I faced was how much toilet paper to buy. I would stand in the grocer’s aisle and tried to decide whether to go with the two- or the four-roll…

Samuel Austin Worcester, the printer, played a key role

Tulsa Beacon

[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] Sequoyah deciphered the Cherokee language, but how was his artistry moved from calligraphy to print in newspaper, books, and pamphlets? We have already discussed articles relevant to Samuel Austin Worcester at Union Mission and his talented, storied grand-daughter Alice M. Robertson. But there…

Sports is a lot more fun if you can get rid of the politics

Tulsa Beacon

I don’t know if the late New York Yankee Mickey Mantle was a Republican or Democrat. I don’t know if former Boston Celtics great Bill Russell is a conservative or a progressive. I don’t know what Barry Sanders thinks about “global warming.” And, frankly, I don’t want to know. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these outstanding…