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Enduring hardships, Native Americans made some moves

Tulsa Beacon

[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] Why do people move? Multiple Native Americans wisely escaped the colonies before the coming atrocity. Virtually all of us in early Indian Territory and present Oklahoma, or any other locations are descendants of long-term residents. We all are migrants, just at a different…

After 911, life changed permanently in the United States

Tulsa Beacon

I was at my desk 20 years ago when Islamic terrorists attacked America. I vividly remember the sequence of events. An airplane struck one of the Twin Towers. At first, we thought it might be a horrible accident. At that time, our office was in a building across from our home. I rushed home and…

Working and saving for a mini-bike was a valuable lesson

Tulsa Beacon

Several years ago, Titus the Honorable asked his dad for a mini dirt bike for his birthday. Since he was only 6 years old, his father said, “That is a lot of money, and we don’t spend that much on birthday gifts. But if you want one, work hard, save your money and if you…

How does ‘never again’ relate to the Native Americans?

Tulsa Beacon

[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] Why do ‘Never Again’ commitments fail? When many people think of American Indians, they think Oklahoma, as they should. With thirty-nine tribes and nations, Oklahoma is only behind Alaska and California in number of tribal groups. But, most of the nations here, were…

Going to college has changed dramatically in 48 years

Tulsa Beacon

Forty-eight years ago, I packed up my 1967 Ford Custom with all my earthly possessions and headed off to college. I actually started to go to college in the fall of 1972 at Tulsa Junior College, which is now Tulsa Community College. I lived at home with my Dad during my freshman year at TCC….

God has given us some ‘bear bells’ in the Bible for safety

Tulsa Beacon

School started last week, and I needed to get one more hike in with the two older Yada Hoodies. Our hiking careers have been put on hold for the last year and a half.  I planned a hike that went up into some hills with lots of bluffs and rock outcroppings with indentations that look…

Trains had a gigantic impact on the growth of America

Tulsa Beacon

[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] Who does not like trains? The recent tour of ‘Big Boy’ the world’s largest steam engine through eastern Oklahoma stirred the question of, ‘why the tour was along that route?’ We have an extensive treatment of railroads in the book, but any excuse…

Weber, Kingsford and KitchenAid make pretty good grills

Tulsa Beacon

When we got married in 1982, one of the wedding gifts we got was a Weber 22-inch kettle charcoal grill. I really liked that grill. Previously, when I was single and living in an apartment, I had an hibachi grill. It was small but it was a good size for cooking for myself and my…

How did a missionary who despised chopsticks get to China?

Tulsa Beacon

I had just done a short-term mission to Singapore, a beautiful city. Our team was asked to assist a new church plant in the Jugron District. I loved every part of this trip except for one thing: the food. I grew up in a small town smack in the middle of America, and I don’t…