I have spent the past few days trying to get things ready. It’s the change of the season—winter is coming. I have been winterizing the yard and the faucets, checking the plants and the bushes, checking the furnace, putting away the summer stuff, getting ready for cold and ice. Also rearranging the stuff. Do we really need all these things we have in the boxes? So many decisions wear me out. Christmas is coming, that means deciding about the Christmas decorations, outside as well as in. Are we ready to put up a Christmas tree? What does the Christmas gift list look like this year? Christmas cards, write a letter, or just skip it all together? I know of people who have been Christmas ready since Halloween. The Black Friday Sales seem to have started weeks ago. Our mailbox is filled with everything but personal mail. Anyone need some extra catalogs?

This Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season, celebrating the promise of the coming of Christ into this world. Churches will echo with the biblical proclamation to Prepare the Way of the Lord, as foretold by prophets and proclaimed by John the Baptist. It is our call to pay attention to our God as He ushers in His Kingdom into the everydayness of our lives. It is not too hard to lose sight of the message of Christ at Christmastime because of all the busy-ness and materialism of the holidays. By the way, the word holidays is derived from the term holy days. Amid all the decisions to be made, the work to be done, and the money to be spent, Jesus is showing us a better way of living. The Kingdom of God perspective reminds us that Jesus never had a Christmas tree; His tree was a cross. Jesus never wrapped a Christmas present; His gift was the Word made flesh. Jesus never sang a Christmas carol or wished anyone a merry Christmas; His salutation was “follow me.” Jesus never signed a Christmas card; His love was written in red on a cross. When Jesus burst forth from the grave, He conquered sin and death itself. This is more than a Christmas story; it is love and life eternal, and a call to right relationships.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Prepare the way of the Lord. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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I have a nice mid-sized telescope that our grandchildren have been curious about all their lives. I am missing a lens for the eyepiece. It is time to find a new lens and point it to the heavens for them to take a look. So much is happening in the night skies this fall and winter. Solar flares are creating nightly aurora borealis displays even into Oklahoma. Meteor showers are raining, and a mystery comet has social media debating if it is really alien technology or a scouting ship checking out our favorite planet. The deep space telescopes only see an out of focus fuzzy light emitting various chemical emissions that keep changing colors. Right now, 3I/ATLAS as it has been named, is near the sun and will be visible again about December 16. The name 3I/ATLAS is short for 3^rd confirmed Interstellar object discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. It is predicted to be closest to the earth on December 19 and projected to be off to another solar system in January 2026—unless it is an alien vessel dropping by to say, Greetings. Better images are anticipated.

Even though this object is from outside our solar system, it is not classified as a UFO, Unidentified Flying Object. The term UFO is no longer used by astronomers, although the rest of us have been waiting to see one for most of our lives. The new term is UAP, Unexplained Anomalous Phenomenon. UAP could also be a definition for a miracle or even divine intervention.

Would finding technology or life from another planet alter your view of God, His power, or His word? Would it cause you to question your theology of Jesus, or even abandon your faith? Science does not validate or invalidate God Almighty. God is, was and always will be God.  Discoveries in outer space simply give us additional insight into the wonder of God’s love. That is what God’s creation is all about.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Keep looking up. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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A young squirrel showed up this past August. He is very curious about our church. The other day as I unlocked the north door, I saw him standing on his back legs at the opposite doors peeking like a little child into the central foyer. I have not named this squirrel. We need to see how he fares as the winter progresses. In 2014 I wrote about another church squirrel:

I called him Dauntless. It was a fitting name, I believe, for an intrepid squirrel that lives by our church. You may have noticed that busy squirrel as you attend church services. Dauntless lives in a nest tucked under an old eave that needs to be repaired. He apparently loves our church and is very attentive to all that goes on in and around the building. The brick work on our education building allows him to climb the sides of every wall, giving him the best views of possible danger, or a next meal. He loves to eat. Last winter he shared his nest with a friend.

Dauntless is always working, always vigilant, and always showing off for a crowd.  He is cautious, yet fearless around people. He loves to taunt the neighbors’ dogs. He spends time checking out the dumpster, nibbling on tasty church foliage, and waiting for the pecan trees to produce his favorite treat. Lately he has begun leaving an offering by the church door. First fruits, if you will. Mostly his offering is the remains of not quite ready pecans. But he is consistent. He has a couple of favorite doors, but he has never been inside the church. I’ve had to deal with a couple of squirrels trapped in the church over the years. They get way too stressed-out over lack of freedom, food and water to make good church squirrels. One day Dauntless will go the way of all squirrels, but until then he lives every day under the protection of the church—sheltered and nourished by the church. He is a faithful squirrel.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Be dauntless in faith. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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In a book I read one day, two characters began discussing the concept of reincarnation. As their conversation grew deeper and more trustworthy, one reflected, Being born into this world of evil, suffering, disasters and war, only to be reborn into this same world of cruelty and death, over and over again and again, sounds like a definition of eternal hell rather than a finding of peace in the oneness of everything.  I thought it was a good point coming from a science fiction novel. Living in this world is living in a hell on earth for too many. Where do we find hope, or even a little peace?

There is much to enjoy here on earth. It is a spectacular place to explore. Look at the evening skies, finish a job well done, spend time with family and friends. Hold a newborn baby, laugh at a good joke, or remember your first love. Kiss a wound, wipe a friend’s tear, help carry a burden. Psalm 8’s question still resounds: when I consider your heavens and the work of your fingers … who are we that You are mindful of us?

The New England colonial pastor Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) observed: This world is all the hell that ever a true Christian is to endure, and it is all the heaven that unbelievers shall ever enjoy.  My definition of hell is living outside the presence of God Almighty.

We live in the agony of sin and corruption that manifests itself in daily disasters, both natural and man-made. It can overwhelm our sense of peace and hope in a God who saw that everything God made was good. In Romans 8:18-31, Paul addresses the groanings within us, even to that point of pain where we no longer know what to pray or even want to pray. He addresses the groanings of creation, comparable to labor pains, in the hope of a better future. He tells us of the groanings of God’s Holy Spirit on our behalf. He points to peace and hope as we face all that this world throws at us, real or imagined, demonic or angelic.  For nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Jesus is our Hope. And let’s continue to experience the love and power of God together.

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On February 18, 2015, Dayna and I had lunch with the Tadas. I am grateful for Dayna’s assertive initiative to make it happen. During a lunch hosted by Joni and Friends for ministry partners, we saw Joni Eareckson and Ken sitting alone at a table for six. Dayna immediately went and sat down in front of Joni. I sat down next to my wife, sitting across from Ken. I was wondering if this was okay for us to do. When I finally nodded in gratitude, realizing how amazing this day was unfolding, I saw Ken graciously smile. He began speaking with me, and for the rest of the lunch, Joni conversing with Dayna and Ken conversing with me. In 2015 I had yet to need a wheelchair myself. That began in 2020 when I needed a wheelchair occasionally. By October 2022, I began needing a wheelchair all the time. Something else that drastically changed between 2015 and 2022 involves my understanding of how indispensable the weakest members of the Body of Christ are.

Prior to my own declining health, I hadn’t ever truly thought about the truth expressed in 1 Corinthians 12:21-22, The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘l don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘l don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. On several occasions Joni Eareckson Tada mentions that this is why we can, even should, boast in our weaknesses from disabilities. However, I could not fathom how those who are so weak could ever be so indispensable. (l never considered Joni to be weak.) In the hospital, I kept apologizing to the nurses, and I would apologize to Dayna and to the kids. With nerve damage from multiple sclerosis, I saw myself as a burden. How could a burden serve as an indispensable member of the Kingdom of God? I kept crying out to God, How could this be? How could I possibly be indispensable? I need help now with everything. By the end of October 2022, and certainly by June 2023, when I came home from my next hospital visit, I realized I was completely dependent on the Lord. I could do nothing well in my own strength, which was a blessing in disguise. Trying to do things in our own strength will always be living by the flesh instead of by the Spirit. Joni has indicated that the biggest handicap goes to those who believe they’re strong enough to live for Jesus in their own strength.

As Joni has also said in the October 15, 2025, edition of Christianity Today, “God doesn’t like spinal cord injury. He takes no pleasure in multiple sclerosis or children born with spina bifida (or other forms of suffering.) He sees the mosaic. He sees how it all fits together into this incredible pattern for not only our good but the good of all those around us, and for his glory.”

 
Kevin Avery is our Missionary in Residence ministering daily on-line in Asia and African teaching and praying with persecuted pastors and special needs ministries.

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A benediction is a blessing and a closing prayer. It is a sending forth of the people of God back to their everyday lives with a sense of faith, joy and service. Some benedictions are found in the Bible: read Numbers 6:24-26, Psalm 121:7-8, 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, or Hebrews 13:20-21. Last Sunday Dr. Deborah Saxon read this beautiful benediction at the conclusion of our morning worship. She is program director for an interfaith organization in Indianapolis, a professor of religion and an ordained Christian (Disciples of Christ) minister.  (She is also Dorothy’s niece and has the distinction of being the flower girl at our wedding.) This benediction is adapted from the 4^th Century Church.

May the Lord Christ

Walk ahead of you,

to prepare and plan your way.

Walk beside you, 

companion on your journey as you go.

Be under you, 

to support and sustain you when you fall—

for you and I will.

Walk behind you, 

to complete and finish what 

you must leave undone, unfinished.

Be within you, 

to give peace and comfort on the journey.

But above all, 

may the Lord Christ be over you, 

Watching, calling, guiding, challenging,

Now, and forever more!

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Jesus walks with us. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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Susie Hinton had a story to tell based on an incident that happened to a friend at school. She began to turn it into a novel, although she did get a D in creative writing that junior year. She persisted in her observations of high school life and the petty cliques that amplified the differences. She graduated from Tulsa’s Will Rogers High School in 1966. Published in 1967, that novel The Outsiders, continues to be a bestseller every year.  An interesting quote from the book highlights the gaps, the social barriers, between north and south Tulsa: “Can you see the sunset from the South side real good?” “Yeah, real good.” “You can see it from the North side too.”  Ponyboy Curtis and Cherry Valence.

This week the Tony Award winning Broadway musical, The Outsiders, began its national tour here in Tulsa. The cast is making visits to the high school to talk with students and to see where it all began. Most of us know what it is to be the outsider when everyone else seems to be an insider. Insiders have their own little rules, customs, and special words. It is always hard trying to fit in. Pretending to be an insider is nearly impossible. That is why most outsiders stay quiet while trying to decipher the insider norms. The book, the movie and the musical turn very dark in places because embarrassment and anger walk hand in hand. Insiders can embarrass themselves in their treatment of the outsider. Outsiders can embarrass themselves by trying too hard to be accepted. 

Visiting a church is often an insider-outsider experience. We have taught ourselves to scan the room, look for clues, and ask ourselves if there is anyone here that looks like me. Is there anyone one here who will bridge the gap? Outsiders seek belonging, understanding, and friendships. Insiders can become so accustomed to each other that they find no need to invite anyone else into their circle. I am reminded of the biblical caution, Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) 

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today.  Welcome in all the angels. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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This is the church. This is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people. If you folded your hands the wrong way, then the question becomes, where’s all the people? Can you still do it—fold your hands into a church with a pointed steeple? It was hard to do the first time when we were little children in Sunday School. It gets harder as joints stiffen and muscles tighten. But it has always been a fun little illustration. When your hands-made-little-church is full of people, we cannot help but smile. But we also know that it is just easier to fold our hands together with our fingers, the people, on the outside. The lessons from our hands-made-churches remind us that churches are (1) made of people, (2) who serve and worship together, and (3) spill all out into the world with the joy of Christ. Some people want to focus on the number of people in a church. Some people focus on the style of ministries and kind of worship services. Others may want to see if the church people are as real in their faith during the week as they may appear to be during Sunday church.

Can we make a church with our hands? We can if they are servant hands of earnest prayer and faith. We can make a church if our hands are cleansed by the confession of our sinfulness and open to receive God’s merciful grace. We can make a church with our hands as we labor together with Christ, sharing His blessings and telling of His salvation for all people. We can make a church with our hands if we recognize our weaknesses are where God’s strengths begin. Hands in worship. Hands in prayer. Hands in friendship. Hands that care. Willing hands to do our part to honor Christ with all our heart. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but God who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. You are the church. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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Yesterday I received a call at the church office from someone I did not recognize, but he told me he was a friend of a mutual friend who had not responded to his repeated telephone calls over the last three months. He asked me if I had heard from this friend recently, and I told him I had not. This led to him speculating about what happened to our friend. He then changed to telling me the purpose of his call was to make certain that I knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow or the next day, and what did I know about that. I had read that morning about the claims of someone a few months ago who had a vision of Jesus telling him that Jesus was returning on September 23 or 24. I told him I believed Christ was coming again one day, but no one knew what day.

The caller then began to explain to me all the various scriptures and coincidences concerning the founding of the state of Israel and Christ’s rapture of the church during the Hebrew festival of Rosh Hashana when the high priest in Jerusalem blew the shofar and, did I believe them? I noticed this call was going long. Just for the record, I receive these kinds of calls two or three times a year. Some seem to be testing my theology or trying to find something to argue with me about. I asked the caller, why should any believer worry about Jesus’ return, and why would Jesus tell any person today something He had already told His disciples that He did not know about God’s timing?  The caller told me to look it all up on YouTube, he had a call coming in, and we said goodbye.

The return of Christ is a word of Hope for all believers. It is the day of Victory over all things evil, and the dawn of a New Creation. I tend to leave details of these things up to God. In the meantime, we are called to be faithful messengers of the Gospel today—telling the story of the wonders of His Love and Grace to those who are lost or unprepared for eternity.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Share the Hope. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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Our journeys are not always easy. At first, we were made aware of weather delays facing our 10:30 a.m. flight. Later the pilot announced the baggage loaders could not get one of the cargo doors to close properly. That took more than an hour. I trusted that duct tape was not involved. We arrived at DFW Airport after our departing flight to Boston had been in the air for 30 minutes. We entered the twilight zone world of customer service. The lines were long. There were no flights to Boston that night. Our daughter Donelle found us the best option of flying to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at 8:00 p.m. to catch a 7 a.m. flight to Boston. Customer service was glad to know that was an option. We ate a relaxed and good meal, then went to the gate to await the flight. At some point the departure time was changed an hour (ultimately 3 hours), meanwhile, to give us something meaningful to do, the airline changed the gate number 4 times, so we could visit most of the airport’s terminals, and learn all about the tramway system that loops the various scenic vistas of the building. Our plane to Harrisburg arrived at 3 a.m. Not much is happening in the airport at that time of the morning. We made our flight to Boston, arriving at 8:30 a.m.

Our Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour was rescheduled to 1:30 so we could get to our motel, have breakfast, and freshen up. Towards the end of our excellent 2-hour walk it began to rain. We politely bowed out and found shelter in an historic building next to a food court. Ice cream was involved. We made it back to the motel and slept about 12 hours before it was time to pack it all up and head out for our 7-day anniversary cruise, which was perfectly delightful in every way. 

Back to the airport, and homeward bound. As the stewardess was demonstrating how seatbelts work, the power shut off and the emergency lights came on. I, for one, was glad that happened before we tried to take off. There was a faulty fuel component that had to be replaced. On that 4-hour flight the tray tables were broken, the armrests would not stay up, and the toilets did not flush, other than that, we prayed and read a lot. Going through Customs and racing through DFW, we still missed our connection to Tulsa by five minutes. Spending a short night at a nearby motel, these grumpy campers boarded the 7 a.m. flight to Tulsa. Thankfully, we made it home safely. Enjoy the good days to the fullest.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Journey onward. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

Bro. Darryl

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