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Bridging differences takes work but that’s what families do

Tulsa Beacon

One of the things I have missed most about being retired and now with COVID-19 limiting travel is engaging with unreached people groups. Even though I am no longer the head of a mission organization, I can still do mission work. Some of my best times on the mission fields have taken place while living…

I plan to go to ONEOK Field

Tulsa Beacon

It looks like we’re going to have a Major League Baseball season after all, even as COVID cases have increased in some states around the country. Major League Baseball announced last week that a 60-game season will begin on July 23, in MLB stadiums across the U.S. The league and players’ union have reached an…

Vacationing during the coronavirus scare is not normal

Tulsa Beacon

What’s it like to travel by air in the wake of the coronavirus? It’s different, awkward and inconvenient. Earlier this month, I flew to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on my way to Mitchell, South Dakota, home of my daughter, son-in-law, and my only grandchildren – a grand daughter and a grandson. You can’t fly to…

Making change has changed since the time when I grew up

Tulsa Beacon

After taking thousands of students to the mission field, I noticed a pattern. In days gone by, most of the students could count change in their head. With the inventions of computers and cash registers, the average cashier lets the machine do the work. Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, learning how to make…

Oklahomans should vote no on State Question 802 June 30

Tulsa Beacon

Proponents of State Question 802—ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion provision—have kept much of their messaging quite simple: “More Oklahomans on Medicaid and more federal dollars.” But Medicaid expansion is little more than a house of cards, and one that will threaten to collapse on Oklahoma taxpayers, the truly needy, and the state’s rural hospitals. While it’s true…

The government should reconsider all energy subsidies

Tulsa Beacon

As governments struggle to recover from reduced revenue and increased costs caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they will be looking to eliminate non-essential expenditures. Energy subsidies that suck billions of dollars each year from the public purse should be a leading candidate for cancellation. According to Tim Gould, head of energy supply and investment at…

Trump used diplomacy to end the oil price war

Tulsa Beacon

The price for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil delivered in May recently dropped into negative territory.   Prices have cratered for some simple reasons. When the coronavirus began reducing demand for jet fuel and gasoline, Saudi Arabia and Russia ramped up crude production. They deliberately drove prices to lows not seen since…

‘Wascally wabbits’ are way overpopulating my backyard

Tulsa Beacon

We have some “rascally wabbits” in our neighborhood. Earlier this year, Susan went in our backyard to start working on the raised garden beds she put in last year. While she was poking around, much to her surprise, she heard noise coming from the ground. It was a nest full of wild bunnies. Fortunately, our…

We have to place our happiness and joy solidly on Jesus

Tulsa Beacon

After being a grandparent for six years, I am losing my touch when it comes to keeping my grandsons happy. It was easy when I only had one; it was challenging with two; and it is impossible with three. I don’t even want to think about it with a half-dozen. Of course, I’m talking about…

How about a 38th anniversary trip to Madeira Beach?

Tulsa Beacon

On July 10, Susan and I will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, we have planned a long weekend trip to Madeira Beach, Florida. Madeira Beach is on the Gulf side of Florida, next to Johns Pass and St. Petersburg. It is just south of Redington Beach. We visited Madeira Beach several…