April 2013

Audio Adrenaline Comes To Tulsa, April 7th p.6

ALSO INSIDEHome Run Movie Hits National Theaters p.8Rooster Days Returns to Broken Arrow p.12Tips on How To Improve Your Home p.24

April 2013 Communityspiritmagazine.com | 3

April 2013

Contents PUBLISHER & EdItoR Tom mccloud

CREAtIVE dIRECtoR ramond Walker

CoNtRIBUtING WRItERSTom mccloud, randy cowell, Deniece Adsit, Dr. Kevin Nieman, Jim Burkett, Dr. Scott Nicholson

www.mccloudmedia.com • www.communityspiritmagazine.com

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Philippians 2:1-2“if you have any encouragement from being united with christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

Our MissiOn:Build community – Develop a sense of community among all local believers 1. in christinspire Good Works2. Support Families3. Share the Good News of Jesus christ4.

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FEATURES

10 Tulsa Filmed Movie, Home Run, Opens 4/19

20 Tribute to Exiting ORU President, Mark Rutland

24 Great Ways to Improve Your Home Value

EVENTS

6 Audio Adrenaline Performs in Broken Arrow

8 Comedian, Chonda Pierce Live in Tulsa

12 Rooster Days Festival Returns to BA

34 Broadway Musical West Side Story Returns

COLUMNS

30 The Biggest Loser w/ Danny Cahill

35 Pet Corner

36 The Art of Apologetics w/ Jim Burkett

37 Randy Cowell

38 Marriage that Matter w/ Kevin Nieman

4 | Communityspiritmagazine .com April 2013

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Audio Adrenaline is coming to town and the announcement is enough to, like the drug, make avid AA fan’s hearts race. Just the name brings

back wonderful memories when the young band from Kentucky Christian University first set the Contemporary Christian Music industry on fire. In the late 80’s, they were catching attention and by the 90’s there was just no band any more popular. Then, with the release of Big House in 1993, everyone was singing along.

An international favorite, they would ultimately release 17 number one singles in as many years, while winning two Grammys ® and multiple Dove Awards.

For nearly 20 years, they were the headliners of nearly every major Christian festival and their songs dominated the airways. And along with other Christian bands like Newsboys and dcTalk, they helped launch a sound which would later influence groups like MercyMe, Sanctus Real and Hawk Nelson.

But in 2007, when lead singer, Mark Stuart, developed vocal problems, the guys at Audio Adrenaline decided it was time to shut the group down despite the protests of millions of ardent fans.

Then, at KXOJ Radio’s birthday party last year, they re-ignited the audience by reintroducing themselves, ready to once again catch the attention of the Christian music community. Complete with a hand-picked group of like-minded seasoned performers, they not only put out the same great Audio Adrenaline sound, they also are equally as passionate about being the voice for orphans in Haiti and around the world. Original band members Mark Stuart and Will McGinniss are still very much a part of the re-formed band. McGinniss continues his role as the band’s bassist while Stuart is very much a part of the overall brand management and songwriting.

CoNTINuINg To Be HANDs AND FeeTIntroducing a brand new album, they announced that the

net proceeds will go to Hands & Feet Project, a non-profit organization the band started in 2005 to provide long-term, family style care for orphaned and abandoned children. The organization broke ground on their first Children’s village in Cyvadier, a small town on the Southern coast, and began their journey of serving the forgotten children of the impoverished Caribbean nation. Now, the Project has grown to include multiple locations across the southern peninsula and sets

cover story

Audio Adrenaline - Kings & Queens Tour with Group 1 Crew, Seventh Day Slumber and Manic DriveSpirit Event Center, April 7, 2013 at 7:00 pm

April 2013 Communityspiritmagazine .com | 7

its sights on caring for one thousand orphaned children by the year 2016.

Supporting their studio album, Kings & Queens, Audio Adrenaline is coming to the Spirit Bank Event Center Sunday, April 7. Special guests on this tour will include Group 1 Crew, Seventh Day Slumber and Manic Drive.

In addition to this special tour announcement, fans can now purchase Audio Adrenaline’s debut radio single and title track Kings & Queens on iTunes. More than 50k fans have viewed the inspiring official music video that was taped in Jacmel, Haiti at the Hands & Feet Project Children’s Village, showcasing the beautiful children of Haiti.

Audio Adrenaline now includes CCM veterans Kevin Max as lead vocalist, Dave Ghazarian (Superchick) on guitar, Jared Byers (Bleach) on drums, and singer-songwriter Jason Walker playing on keys along with original member, Will McGinnis on bass.

I'll go WHeRe You seND Me

Band members and fans alike are excited about the new album. In fact, they hope to set a new standard. “Honestly, I feel this is one of the best records, if not THE best, AA has ever put together,” Stuart says of Kings & Queens, “God

gave us songs we could never have written without Him. And it’s not because of the Hands & Feet Project. I know it might sound weird or cliché, but I can sense something really powerful is happening. It’s about bigger themes; it’s about redemption. It’s about the Gospel itself. It’s about inspiring others to dream bigger and to move toward redemption, grace and love, no matter where they are in life.”

Tickets on Sale NOW! at spiritbankeventcenter.com

TICKETS ARE $27 FOR General Admission & $57 FOR VIP$10 TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORETICKETS: SpiritBankEventCenter.com 866-774-0096 SBEC Box Office

speCIAl guesTsGroup 1 CrewA self-described Christian hip hop band with a devoted fan base and lots of hits such as His Kind of Love, He Said and Live it Up. Expect Group 1 Crew to entertain you with songs that speak spiritually and emotionally, including a song based on Blanca Callahan’ sad experience losing her father and the closeness to God she gained in the event.

Seventh Day SlumberSeventh Day Slumber is a Christian rock band from Dallas, Texas best known for songs like Caroline and Oceans from the Rain and albums such as Picking Up the Pieces and Finally Awake in 2007. The band’s name Seventh Day Slumber comes from Genesis 2:2 where on the seventh day, after creating the universe, God rested. Seventh Day Slumber’s lyrics mostly focus on issues such as suicide, drugs and home abuse. Band members explain, “The message of this album is clear. We want to empower

kids to stop looking to the media, to what the world tells them they have to be, to find identity. You don’t have to be what everyone else tells you to be or even what we think you should be.”

maniC DriveManic Drive is a Canadian Christian rock band that made their way independently until ultimately signing with Bema Media/Whiplash Records. They continue to gain momentum and have released four projects since 2005, including gaining a top 30 Christian charts with songs like Luckiest, Nebulous, Memories and Middle of it All.

spIRT BANK eVeNT CeNTeR

Haven’t Been to Spirit Bank Event Center? You are going to love this venue. Its fun, convenient, and intimate. Another thing that makes the Spirit Bank Event Center a favorite is the food. Provided by the in-house, Party Serve Catering, both the food and beverage is head and shoulders above the typical. The Spirit Bank Event Center is a first class, 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena and convention center located at 106th and Memorial. Built at a cost of $50 million, it offers 35,000 sq ft. of arena floor space and an additional10,000 sq ft. of banquet rooms/ballrooms. Check out their website at www.spiritbankeventcenter.com to see a full listing of coming events. The Spirit Bank Event Center is the home of Tulsa 66ers Basketball.


Chonda Pierce, “The Queen of Clean Comedy” is packing up her cheerful unpretentious southern charm, musical talent

and laser sharp wit to bring you her hilarious and unscripted traveling talk show. Girl Talk with Chonda Pierce and Special Guest Geoff Moore will be at Oral Roberts University - Mabee Center on Tuesday, April 16th at 7:00 PM.

Girls, grab your girl friends or drag your husband (he will love it actually!) and go see Chonda. It will prove to be an evening you will talk about for a long time. If you are not acquainted with her, you need to get out more! She has been here a few times and the reviews are always outstanding.

She is quickly becoming quite a star. In fact, the release of Chonda’s Did I Say That Out Loud DVD in 2010 ushered in a widening range of high profile, mainstream media stops including her guest appearance on ABC’s ever popular The View. With the success of the Did I Say That Out Loud comedy DVD, she has enjoyed a very busy touring schedule with many sold-out crowds.

She is also the author of a half-dozen best-selling books and recently the winner of the “Comedian of the Year” Visionary Award. Her DVDs are consistently strong sellers, both on tour and at retail. Chonda has seven DVDs that have been certified gold, four platinum certifications for DVD sales over 100,000 units, five Emmy nominations and appeared in several recently released movies.

If Chonda reminds you somehow of Minnie Pearl, the resemblance is understandable. Fact is, she got her first break working at a theme park in Nashville where she performed as Grand Ole Opry star Minnie Pearl. “I think I slipped in the back door,” she says of her entrance in comedy. “I was a college student when I auditioned at Opryland USA and was cast in a music and dance show called Country Music USA. Trouble is, I was a terrible dancer! Southern preacher’s kids can’t dance. They tried to teach me but I had two left feet. My boss told me I had better come up with another talent. ” She laughs, “In order to keep my job, I memorized three pages of jokes from Grinders

Switch, TN and I impersonated Minnie Pearl for six years. I fell in love with this craft. I still love singing and I still try dancing—but comedy is my first love.”

When Pierce decided to pursue comedy full tilt, she recorded “Second Row, Piano Side,” a collection that drew heavily on her roots as a preacher’s kid in South Carolina. Growing up in a Southern church provided Pierce with an arsenal of material that both church-goers, and those who had never sat in a pew, found hilarious.

“I come straight from the world of wooden pews and hell fire preaching. Some of it probably did a little damage – that’s where I get my warped sense of humor - but most of those days gave me solid roots,” she says. “You learn a lot from your past – what to weed through and throw out and what to hold onto forever.”

Her latest comedy DVD, I’m Kind of a Big Deal, released on April 10, 2012. This latest video continues to highlight her crazy southern antics. Chonda will be sharing her “down-home” approach to comedy on her upcoming tour, Girl Talk, coming to Oral Roberts University – Mabee Center on Tuesday, April 16th at 7:00 PM.

Not 100 percent SOLD yet? Then visit Chonda herself. Simply “stalk” her a bit on YouTube or off of her FACEBOOK Chonda TV page. You can listen to hours of her hilarious antics absolutely for FREE. Then, when you are hooked, get on the Mabee Center website and “order up them tickets.”

Oral Roberts University – Mabee Center is located at 7777 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74171. Tickets are $20 General Admission and $25 Gold Circle. For Group Admission of 10 or more, please call (918) 495-7000 for special pricing. Tickets can be purchased at the Mabee Center – Hilton Box Office. Tickets are also available online at www.chonda.org, www.mabeecenter.com, or by phone at (918) 495-6000.


“I come straight from the world of wooden pews and hell fire preaching. Some of it probably did a little damage – that’s where I get my warped sense of humor - but most of those days gave me solid roots.”


Got any hurts, habits or hang-ups? There is a movie coming to the theatres this month that was written and produced

exactly with you, or shall I say “us” in mind. It’s called HOME RUN and it is a must-see. HOME RUN will connect with everyone. It provides baseball action for the guys and a poignant love story for the ladies. But it goes deeper than all that. In fact, we predict you will not only be entertained, you will go away a better person for having seen it.

Thousands of Tulsans already know about this show and have been anxiously awaiting its opening weekend of April 19th. You see, Home Run was made right here in our community, filmed at mostly Tulsa and Okmulgee locations and supported by an army of local people involved in Celebrate Recovery, a dynamic recovery ministry currently offered by a denominational blend of over 25 area churches. For these

believers, HOME RUN is more than a movie. It is a reflection of the changed lives they see happening every week.

HOME RUN tells the story of Cory Brand, a baseball all-star who has all the skills to win in the big leagues, but off the field, with memories of his past haunting him, his life is spiraling out of control. Hoping to save her client’s career and reputation after a DUI and a team suspension, Cory’s agent sends him back to the small town where he grew up. Forced to coach the local youth baseball team and spend eight weeks in the only recovery program in town, Cory can’t wait to return to his old life as quickly as possible.

As his young players help him experience the joy of the game, Cory discovers his need to find freedom from his past and hope for his future … and win back the love he left behind. With this unexpected second chance, Cory finds himself on a powerful journey of transformation and redemption.

Based on thousands of true stories, HOME RUN is a powerful reminder that with God, it’s never too late …freedom is possible.

The film was created by local producers, Carol Spann Mathews and Tom Newman. After more than three decades of developing faith-based television and film projects, they set out to create a feature film that would offer a uniquely authentic, accessible message of hope. With a team of writers, they spent 19 months crafting HOME RUN, providing a candid look at addiction and transformation. Within the film, they invite audiences to examine their own struggles and consider the possibility of recovery through Christ.

Although Hollywood may label Home Run as a low-budget film, artistically it is already turning some heads as potentially being its own “home run” at the box office.

Carol Spann Mathews explained that “Christian movies” like FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF and COURAGEOUS paved the way for people like herself to do films which actually

A Movie That Will Heal HeartsTulsa Produced chrisTian Film hiTs TheaTres aPril 19Th

April 2013 Communityspiritmagazine.com | 11

get distributed. And now, as her first film is hitting opening weekend to an impressive 400 theatres, she is grateful for the doors Sherwood Productions opened. She humbly describes the process of developing the film as being a huge learning curve. However, she believes God wanted this project to be done and points to examples of God delivering the finances, the talent and the details to make it all come together.

Mathews and Newman’s interest in Celebrate Recovery

quickly became personal. In order to truly understand and depict the “real” Celebrate Recovery, each member of the HOME RUN production team journeyed through the program as participants. They also worked closely with Norma Murphy, the Oklahoma state representative for Celebrate Recovery, to select compelling, real testimonials shared by other program participants. By integrating the testimonials and their own personal discoveries into the script, they created a powerfully realistic experience for their protagonist…and helped shine the spotlight on the Celebrate Recovery movement.

“We want people who feel imprisoned by their choices

or habits to know they don’t have to carry that burden alone anymore,” said Mathews. “We hope people will sit in the theater and see themselves, and will consider that whatever holds them back, God can heal it. Change is possible.”

GREAT ACTING

SCott elroD You will be impressed by the acting in this film. The handsome, but flawed lead character is played by Scott Elrod of movies like Lone Survivor, Argo and Vanished and TV shows such as NCIS: Los Angeles, True Blue, Castle and Men in Trees.

viviCa a. Fox (Independence Day, Set It Off, Soul Food, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Kill Bill, and Juwanna Mann.) plays Cory’s agent and does a wonderful job providing comic relief to a otherwise heartbreaking first part of the movie.

Dorian brown (Katie on Roommates plus lots of other television appearances) plays Cory’s the beautiful ex-girl friend who stayed home in Okmulgee. Dorian has a special girl-

next-door charm that draws you into her character.

CharleS henry wySon (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, playing a younger version of the title character) plays a young man who both idolizes and pities Cory. He does an amazing job…a star in the making.

The movie is directed by David Boyd. (Firefly, Deadwood, Friday Night Lights). Mathews describes him “a gifted artist who looks at the world in a beautiful way.”


ABOUT CELEBRATE RECOVERYThe vision for Celebrate Recovery began with John Baker, a recovering alcoholic and pastor at Saddleback Church. After Baker’s own addiction nearly destroyed his family, he entered Alcoholics Anonymous, began attending church and soon embarked on a spiritual transformation. Over time, he grew increasingly uncomfortable with his inability to discuss his growing relationship with Jesus at AA meetings. He also felt that other believers like him must be struggling with similar issues and addictions, yet there seemed to be no platform for them to share their stories and pursue Christ-centered recovery together.

In a 13-page memo to his senior pastor Rick Warren, Baker shared his vision for Celebrate Recovery. Together in small, supportive groups hosted by churches, participants would work through eight principles

for recovery inspired by the Beatitudes shared by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

After reviewing the memo, Warren encouraged Baker to start Celebrate Recovery at Saddleback Church. Forty-five people attended that first meeting in 1991…and today, more than 19,000 churches around the world have joined Saddleback Church in offering Celebrate Recovery to their own communities.

To learn more, visit www.celebraterecovery.com.

“NOT TOO PREACHY”Mathews believes people will not only go see this movie, they will come back and bring their friends once they find that it is not “preachy.” Make no mistake; Home Run helps point people to the Jesus Christ, the one who ultimately can take away their pain. However, it does it in such a redemptive, tasteful way, you don’t have to worry about bringing your friends. They will enjoy it and thank you for it.

TULsA CAN BE PROUdMathews describes Home Run truly as Tulsa’s movie. She says that in many ways, it is a product of Tulsa talent. The film crew and many of the actors are from here. And the amazing song track couldn’t be possible without the talent of local worship leaders, singers and songwriters. In addition, churches, businesses and CR teams donated time, prayer support, cars and everything you can imagine. “Tulsa can be proud,” she said.

PLACEs TO WATCH FOR IN THE MOVIE…BOK Center – the airport scenes and much of the filming was •done hereNew Haven United Methodist Church and West Tulsa United •Methodist ChurchThe Old Drillers Stadium•Oktoberfest – the carnival scene•And the beautiful landscape of Okmulge• e

Why support John 3:16 Mission? Because by doing so, you help restore lives

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At John 3:16 Mission, every gift you provide is used to

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To offer this precious hope, please visit www.john316mission.org

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Looking for some family-fun? Here is an opportunity for you to take your family to a weekend event that is packed with fun and that is only a few miles from your house. So,

grab your calendars and plan ahead for this little bit of “stay-cation.” You and your family are going to have a blast.

What on earth is Rooster Days? Well, early in Broken Arrow’s history, area farmers would routinely bring their chickens to sell to the processors. But no one wanted to purchase the roosters and any farmer knows that it is not good to have more than one rooster around the barnyard. So, some

wise city official had a brilliant idea to have one day a year that the farmers would bring in all of their roosters. Massed together, they made enough of a market for the processors to mess with. And for that city official, the idea created a reason for every farmer in the county to come to town. The idea caught on and the farmers got rid of their roosters and had a grand time in town at the same time. There were dances, carnivals, pie contests and about every imaginable wholesome activity and the fun became Oklahoma’s oldest festival.

The annual Rooster Days Festival has lived on 82 years and it continues to be something families circle on their calendars and don’t want to miss, even if they don’t even own a rooster! This year Rooster Days flies into Broken Arrow May 10 through 12.

82nd Annual Rooster days…A Cluckin’ Good TimeAnnual Festival Set for May 10 – 12


broken arrow section


There’s something for everyone this year, from traditional Rooster Days events like the parade, the Egg Hunt and Miss Chick Contest to live music, the Rooster Run, and new draws like the Market Place and Family Fun Zone.

Presented by the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, Rooster Days brings in tens of thousands of people from all over the state. “We’re excited about how the festival continues to grow and get better each year,” said Wes Smithwick, president and CEO of the Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s become a hugely popular family event – not only for our own residents but for people throughout the region.”

The 2013 Rooster Days Festival flies into Broken Arrow May 10 -12 with a full lineup of fun family events presented by TTCU, the Credit Union, the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Friday, May 10The festival officially kicks off on Friday, May 10 with the

opening of the Rooster Days Carnival from 5 - 10 p.m. in Central Park. Guests can enjoy carnival rides and live music while

feasting on delicacies such as fried bubble gum, fried green beans and walking tacos. Guests can also browse booths with unique home décor, kids clothes, jewelry and more in the Market Place, located in the Community Center.

On Friday, The Rooster Days 5K run/walk starts at 6:30 p.m., while the 1-mile Fun Run takes off at 6 p.m. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., but runners can pre-register at www.roosterdays.com or in person at the Chamber office.

You don’t have to be a member to enjoy a slice of heaven.

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Broken Arrow, that once little town nestled in the suburbs of Tulsa, is now considered nationally as one of the best places to live. Year after year, it has been regarded as one

of the 25 Safest Cities in the Nation and The Safest in Oklahoma. BusinessWeek listed it in the top 25 most affordable cities in the South. Family Circle calls it one of the top 10 Places for Families

in the country. And, Money Magazine lists it among the top 100 cities to live in America.

Broken Arrow really is a unique town. It has held on to its picturesque downtown giving a glimpse of the past while exploding with industry and new shopping just a few blocks away. No longer just a suburb town of Tulsa, this active city has everything including outstanding schools, incredible churches, medical care, and even a beautiful new PAC auditorium bringing entertainment and culture right to town.

Broken Arrow has “it.” That mixture of the right housing, industry, parks and amenities that make people want to live here. The result is that the town continues to be the fastest or if not the fastest growing cities in Oklahoma.

Broken Arrow has a reason to crow and our entire community can be proud of its accomplishments. If you haven’t been there in a while, maybe you should come check it out. From fabulous restaurants to loving churches, it is the perfect blend of charm, beauty and progressive solutions to the needs of its 21 Century citizens.

saturday, May 11Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the annual

Rooster Days Parade on historic Main Street. Registration for the parade is $75 and registration forms can be completed at the Chamber office. The Rooster Days Carnival and Market Place will be open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and the live music will go until 11 p.m. (Mega ride passes go on sale in mid-April.)

Spectators and judges will gather at a new time – 1:30 p.m. Saturday – for the annual Miss Chick contest. Miss Chick hopefuls will be interviewed, answer questions on stage and model evening gowns.

The winning Miss Chick will attend ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings for the following year as an honorary member of the Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club. Miss Chick applications are available at the Chamber office or at area high schools.

sunday, May 12The Rooster Days Carnival and Market Place offer a final

day of fun from Noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. The Rooster Days Carnival Stage also will finish off with more live performances.

Broken Arrow … Reasons to Crow!



You don’t have to wait until Rooster Day to enjoy the tranquil setting of downtown Broken Arrow. Everyday is special here. It is a wonderful place full of rows of antique

shops and decorating stores, offering absolutely something for everyone. Whether you are decorating your house, preparing for your wedding, or just looking for a good, local restaurant, this classic downtown is a great place to come. Bring your entire family or just bring a friend to help you find both the right items at very attractive prices. Why go to the big box stores or fight the traffic at the mall when you can quietly shop in the unique shops that make downtown Broken Arrow so special? Broken Arrow is a blast! Come try it on for size.

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It was suppose to be just another day at the gym.

Last August, Rachael Daniels Rowland was squeezing in a short workout before going to her job as Marketing Manager at Daniels and Daniels Construction. Pregnant and due in three months, Rachael and her husband Jason had already named the baby, Ali-Joy. Ali-Joy would be their second child and 3 year-old, Hunter, was looking forward to having a little sister.

Rachael was doing the 30-minute circuit training, a routine she had done many times before since her days of playing basketball. But this time as she exercised, she felt something in her back was not quite right. “I felt something slip in my back and it felt like a disk slipped or something,” she recalls.

“I became so nauseous and shaky that I decided to lay down on the floor of the gym. “I thought, ‘these people probably think I’m crazy,” Rachael said.

As she tried to stand, she attempted to hold onto the wall and a man who was also working out at the gym, noticed Rachael was not well. He asked her if she was all right, and when Rachael said “No,” he started to go get help when he noticed her eyes roll back into her head and he reached out and tried to catch her. Before the man could catch her, Rachael fell and the left side of her head slammed into the tiled, concrete floor.

She immediately began convulsing and blood poured out from her left ear. Planet Fitness personal trainer, Whitney Finch, was across the room from Rachael working with another client. Finch heard Rachael’s head hitting the floor. “I heard a lady scream and I turned around and looked,” Finch said. Finch made sure someone called 911 and when he looked at Rachael she was on the floor continuing to convulse, shaking her entire body. “My first thought was that she was dead or she was dying,” Finch said.

Finch, a student at Rhema Bible College, immediately began praying for Rachael.” I started praying in the name of Jesus,” Finch said “I was speaking that there would be no side effects,

God is a Good God


feature story

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F A P R i l S T O U T P H O T O g R A P H Y

she’d be completely healed and whole.”He said within minutes she stopped convulsing and started

moving her head around. “She started coming back,” Finch said. “She was talking when she left for the hospital.” Finch said he continued to pray for Rachael throughout the day, even though he’d never met her before.

The fall caused Rachael to lose 2.5 liters of blood after a main artery in her head burst, causing bleeding out of her brain. Rachael’s brother Dr. Shane Daniels is a physiatrist. A physiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in physical medicine, rehabilitation and pain medication. Daniels flew in from California to see his sister after he learned of the mishap.

Calling her case “a miracle,” Dr. Daniels explained that Rachael had fractures to the temporal bone of her skull. She also had both an epidural hematoma and a subdural hematoma. In his experience, the combined injuries are many times are fatal.

Rachael woke up in the Intensive Care Unit at St. John’s Hospital. She recalls that the first thing her husband said to her was that Hunter is lucky to have a mom. But once she heard what all had happened, she knew this was beyond “lucky.” Rachael continued to improve and after only five days in the hospital, she was was able to go home.

“It is pretty obvious God intervened on my behalf. The entire team of neurosurgeons, OB’s and nurses told me that I shouldn’t be here, that I am a miracle,” Rachael said.

A few days after leaving the hospital she went back to the gym to thank everyone for taking care of her. Whitney Finch recognized her as soon as he saw the big scar on the side of her head.

“When I mentioned I was a student at Rhema, she started crying,” Finch said. “She told me that she graduated from Rhema and that her family attends Rhema Bible Church.”

When people ask me how it feels to be a part of a miracle, Finch says he tries to explain that it is just about being a vessel for God. “God’s power works, that’s what it’s here for, you know?”

Rachael said she has been reminded of Psalm 37, verse 23 which says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” While she doesn’t believe God caused the accident, she knows God protected both her and her baby.

On November 1st, little Ali-Joy was born, a one hundred percent healthy completion to the miracle.

“Every part was a miracle, God is a good God,” Rachael said as she held her baby tight.


P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F A P R i l S T O U T P H O T O g R A P H Y

Looking for something fun? Nothing tops a night at the ballpark watching college baseball. And right here at ORU’s J.L. Johnson field, you will find the excitement

and drama that will quickly turn you from spectator into a true and loyal fan.

Just imagine…the sound of the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd as your favorite player singles into left field. Or the thump as the burning fastball hits the catcher’s glove and the umpire yells, “Strike three.” And of course there is also the smell of the game as the evening breeze blows the aroma of hot dogs and popcorn across the perfectly lined and manicured grass.

ORU Head Baseball Coach, Ryan Folmar, invites you to come experience it. Describing it as economical, family-friendly and exciting, he is sure you and your entire family will enjoy the games. Tickets are only $4 for General Admission, $7 for Reserved seats and $11.00 for box seats. Check the Mabee Center website (www.mabee.com) for special offers. For instance, at the March 26th game against Oklahoma, there is a Family 4 Pack – including 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs and 4 drinks for only $40. And keep in mind that there is really not a bad seat. In fact you sit so close to the action, you won’t be able to stay quiet as the action unfolds.

ORU has a reputation for playing great baseball and this year will be no exception. As young team entering a new, more competitive conference, the Eagles will be tested and will need

every fan as they battle some of the best teams in the country. You will see some of the top young players in country, many who will soon be drafted into the big leagues.

Coach Folmar explained that ORU has a rich tradition of fielding teams full of young, strong, Christian young men. He recruits players not only who are able to play at this competitive level, but who also have strong characters. The result is a team you will feel comfortable in supporting.

The conference games are about to start and you can be right in the middle of the action.

Check out the schedule, gather the family or even your entire church group. ORU Baseball just may be the best ticket in town!

UPCOMING GAMEsMissouri State (April 2) 6:30 PM (4:30 AM BO Open)•UALR (April 10) 6:30 PM (4:30 PM BO Open)•Southeastern Louisiana (April 12) 6:30 PM (4:30 PM BO Open)•Southeastern Louisiana (April 13) 2:00 PM (12:00 PM BO Open)•Southeastern Louisiana (April 14) 1:00 PM (11:00 AM BO Open)•Nicholls State (April 26) 6:30 PM (4:30 PM BO Open)•Nicholls State (April 27) 2:00 PM (12:00 PM BO Open)•Nicholls State (April 28) 1:00 PM (11:00 AM BO Open)•McNeese State (May 10) 6:30 PM (4:30 PM BO Open)•McNeese State (May 11) 2:00 PM (12:00 PM BO Open)•McNeese State (May 12) 1:00 PM (11:00 AM BO Open)•


ORU Golden Eagle BaseballFamily Friendly Entertainment


The Hero RidesA Tribute of Thanksto Dr. Mark Rutland

it is the central theme of the typical old western movie. The town is in turmoil. Danger lurks on every turn and the honest townspeople pray for someone to step up and lead

them out of the mess. Then, in rides the stranger, a brave man of character and equipped with a “can do” spirit. The townspeople help him stand up to the challenges and once the town is saved, the hero rides off in the sunset, destined to help others somewhere down the road.

Such is the story of Dr. Mark Rutland, the outgoing president of Oral Roberts University. He came at a time when ORU faced many challenges, a time when the ORU community prayed for “just the right hero.” He proved to be “just the right guy.”

In fact, under his leadership, over the past several years ORU has experienced an unprecedented revitalization. They have successfully eliminated $55 million in long-term debt; completed $40 million in campus renovations; and secured

more than $12 million to fund construction of the new Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center, which was dedicated on

February 1, 2013. The numbers have also translated into a new positive momentum achieving four consecutive years of enrollment growth and three consecutive years of freshman retention over 80 percent.

The university’s current motto, “Make No Little Plans Here,” communicates the kind of positive attitude now common on campus. The students are thriving, the campus is gorgeous and everywhere you look you see evidence of a contagious servant spirit. ORU is back on track and the “townspeople” are ecstatic.

But like the old movie, the hero is riding off for other challenges. With a successor in place, Dr. Rutland knows his part of the work here is completed. “I don’t think the job at ORU is complete, but I think

MY task at ORU is complete. I knew when I agreed to come here, what my job was… to get it out of the ditch, get it back out on the road, clean out all the closets, get the systems to run right, make the finances run right, regain its public image, and to restore its internal culture to a joyful and exuberant place to be. It was my job to get it running right and set up a growth pattern,” he recently told Community Spirit reporters.

Dr. Rutland will be missed. However, there are other places and challenges ahead of him and this man of God has the energy and enthusiasm to seek them out. He is equipped to ride into any town, ready to make a difference, serving others as he honors the name of his own personal Savior. After all, that is what heroes do.

“Dr. Rutland has been an amazing inspiration to the campus of ORU. Not only is he a great business and spiritual leader, but he makes a conscious effort to personally interact with each student on campus. Being able to personally watch his actions coincide with his words has been an awesome blessing to me.” -Dan Holman, President, Student Association at Oral Roberts University

“It has been a privilege to serve with Dr. Mark Rutland. His integrity shines through every conversation. I learned from him in virtually every meeting. He is a master communicator and leader. I will miss his intellect, humor and compassion. No, I’ll miss the man.”

-Dr. Steve Greene, Dean, College of Business, Dean, DistanceLearning, Professor of Marketing, Oral Roberts University

“Dr. Rutland has been a God-ordained, strategic leader for the Oral Roberts University community. Dr. Rutland has brought renewed a vision to our students, staff, faculty and to our valuable alumni. He encouraged us to be an efficient organization and develop a hope and vision for our future. We are thankful for Dr. and Mrs. Rutland’s sincere love and care for this amazing institution.”

-Connie E. Sjoberg, Ph.D, Associate Professor of PsychologyOral Roberts University


26 | Communityspiritmagazine .com April 201326 | Communityspiritmagazine .com April 2013

So maybe you are like me? You have looked around, walked through a slew of new houses and done

the math. And when you weigh the costs and benefits, you might be thinking you'would be happier to stay right where you are. Well that is where I am... finally committed to stop looking and just spruce up the home that has served us well for the last 25 years.

Now that the kids are gone, it is definitely time to do some updates. However, instead of necessarily starting on those things which some future buyer might like, we decided to focus our attention on changes that will make us happy over the next ten to fifteen years. If you are in my boat, ride along as we investigate a few key ideas on where to start.

Safety FirstI decided to start with what I call “the bones.” Grandpa always said not to put

money into anything without a good foundation. Mine was fine, but no doubt you will want to make that determination. You may even want to hire an inspector to come give your house a thorough going over. After all, you would do it if you were buying it from someone else. You are getting ready to make a sizable investment, so count the cost and make sure your plan makes sense.

The Electrical SystemDid you know your electrical system wears out? For some reason, I thought

it was somehow indestructible. That is until I had Above Standard Electric do a home inspection. They test every circuit and inspect and tighten every plug connection. If you are going to stay in your house, don’t you want to know it is safe? Me too. It was worth the investment and they were even able to put in some new plugs to make living here even more comfortable.

Heating and Air ConditioningHeating and cooling systems have most likely come a long way since your

house was built. If you are committed to stay put, it is crazy not to invest in the

HOME TO STAY

Treat Your Home to Updates that Count!

loving home

by toM Mccloud

28 | Communityspiritmagazine.com April 2013

new technology to save you major utility costs. Air Assurance in Broken Arrow installed mine. Not only did they pick out the best heater and air conditioner to meet our long-term needs, they also helped ensure we received all the incentives and tax credits available.

PlumbingAir Assurance is now also doing plumbing as well. Be sure

to have them inspect your water heater. If you haven’t replaced it in a few years, there are new codes which must be met to make sure it is safe.

RoofWe have found that “there are roofs” and “there

are roofs.” The standard shingles may be fine but it is the details of the job that make a huge difference. Investing in the right company ensures you a good job and also protects you against possible worker’s comp claims. Roofscapes LLC is one we have found that has the best reputation at a reasonable cost. They are truly professionals who care about every detail in doing thing right the first time.

Drive'up Appeal Matters

Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home, you still want it to look good, right? Take a good look from the street. You may find, like I did, that the paint and exterior looks much worse than I had noticed. So I called Tulsa Christian Brother’s Painting. They are outstanding. They were quick, neat and the cost was much less than I had planned.

But “note to self,” once you paint the house, the windows and the doors often show their age. The solution for me was new windows from Window World of Tulsa, good Christian people with excellent pricing and a quality product. We also chose a new front door from Burnett Inc. It was amazing how

loving home

K i T C H E N D E S i g N E D B Y C O U N T E R T O P S O l U T i O N S


big a difference it all made in the appearance of our house. Why move when your house can look this good?

For Our own EnjoymentHaven’t you lived with that outdated kitchen and those dingy

bathrooms long enough? Guys, although you may be perfectly fine with those 1980 Formica ® countertops, your wife deserves better. There is hardly a new house in town without granite and it is about time you updated. You will be amazed at the difference it makes and your wife will love you for it. We used Countertop Solutions and they did a wonderful job. But a note of caution, the countertops do lead to a new range top, sink, ovens and refrigerator. It all adds up to a good chunk of money, but it is absolutely worth it and necessary for you to move your house into the 21st Century.

What else?Now that mamma is happy, it is time to turn one of those

extra bedrooms into a theatre or man cave. While you are at it, a new deck and entertainment area sure would be nice. Deciding to “Stay” can seem a bit pricey, but when you compare it to buying new, you are still miles ahead. And, you don’t even have to pack a single box.

Granite & Quartz starting at $39.95 s.f

Exotic Granites starting at $54.95 s.f.

10 year written warranty on granite kitchen installs.

$400 off Shower installs.

Pricing good thru 4/30/2013

918-259-1076 M-F 8-5 & Sat 10-1

313 N. Redbud Ave, Broken Arrow, OK www.countertopsolutionsinc.com

How do you picture the perfect retirement? At Crestwood the opportunities are unlimited. With a variety of amenities and superb service, Crestwood will exceed your expectations. From beautiful views to an ideal location, the residences at Crestwood represent community living at its finest. Enjoy the security and Christian fellowship of Tulsa’s only Mid-Town full-service community. Crestwood was designed to be the ultimate in comfort—at a down-home, comfortable price. The best way to learn about life at Oklahoma

Methodist Manor is to hear about it from those who live it every day. The OMM Ambassadors are only too happy to share their experiences with you. To learn about available floor plans, call

918-574-2590 and schedule a visit. We are located on 31st Street between

Harvard and Yale.

Visit us on the web at www.ommtulsa.org

We’re in perfect form

Tai Chi class at the new Spann Wellness Center.

They Say 70 Is The New 50

Crestwood is nearly

70% occupied!

Community Spirit Crestwood ad MARCH.indd 1 3/12/2013 4:58:06 PM

Alright, this month I am switching gears! I’m going to share with you the message I

have been sharing in churches across the nation this year - and I think the message timing is perfect! In a world when everything seems complicated, time seems short, and we get caught up in day to day activities, have you often wondered “am I living the purpose God has for my life?” Well, it’s much simpler than you think to know that you are!

In our experiential training seminar held monthly here in Tulsa called The Journey (www.thejourneytraining.com), a question was asked: What is your greatest fear? One man’s answer shocked me, but I identified with it so well! He was afraid he was going to miss the call of God on his life! I’ve thought about that, too! Especially when I’d given up my music and was practicing Land Surveying, my father’s love – not mine. Sitting in my office I thought, “Did I miss it?”

Well, looking back, I now know that God had me right where I was supposed to be for that time. God had put certain people in my path that needed me, and whom I needed. Let’s

look at the purpose of all our lives!In Matthew 22:36-40 it says,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but when Jesus speaks up and says He’s going to tell you the most important two things to do, I listen! The fact of the matter is that if you love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, and then look around you and love those around you, you are definitely fulfilling your purpose in life! In fact, if you read the first paragraph of Darci and my new book Losing Big, we state there is no person on this earth without problems!

Dan Cathy, the CEO of Chick-fil-A is a great man. I have spoken with him several times around the country, and one time he leaned over and asked me, “Danny, do you know how to tell if someone needs encouragement?”

Well, I definitely wanted to know! He replied, “They’re breathing.” Listen, every person has a story – if we bother to read it. You don’t know what that rude person in line, or that woman who always avoids eye contact, or even that happy, go-lucky person is going through right now! At 460 pounds, my boss and my pastor both thought I was so happy! I was a good actor, because I was miserable and angry!

So if you want to fulfill the purpose that God put you here on this earth to do, encourage someone today. Don’t wait – they need you and you need them. After all, God touches people through people!

B Y D A N N Y C A H I L L

Community Spirit is excited to announce that Danny Cahill will now be one our featured, monthly writers. Whether you wrestle with your weight or not, you will enjoy Danny’s motivating column. We all cheered Danny on when he was on The Biggest Loser. Now, he continues to gain our applause while he shares his testimony with others. Danny loves the Lord and is not shy about telling people about Him. It is a blessing to the magazine to have his monthly article. Be sure to watch for Danny’s article each month. It will be in a new section we are adding on health and wellness.

LOSE YOUR QUIT

PURPOSE

PuRcHASE dANNy’S NEW booK At THEdANNYCAHILL.COM


Lessons from Jobost of the people I know, when going through an enduring struggle, have eventually found their Bible open to the book of Job. Reading of Job’s trials and seeing his response (and the responses of his family and friends) help people

feel better about themselves and their situation. While going through a particularly challenging experience, I even had family members telling me that I should be studying the life of Job. So that’s what I did; however, I did not feel the comfort I thought I should as I read his story. If anything I felt worse. I knew all the mistakes I had made, and I certainly didn’t feel like I could challenge God to examine my life and judge my faithfulness the way Job did! I was flawed, and I knew it. I knew how Job’s story ended and I was convinced that God would make all things right, if I were just righteous enough…exactly what did that mean in my situation? I had not a clue. But I continued reading the story of Job, hoping to find confidence in God, and the perseverance to keep trying. Toward the end of his story, it finally started to make sense to me, but not until God spoke. All the ramblings of Job, his family, and his friends, sounded like all the things I had heard, except that I knew I could never be good enough to challenge God to see my worth. God seemed to be saying to Job, “Listen to me! I am in charge!” Then one verse brought an image vividly to my mind.

I saw the image of my mom standing just outside the back door, right after Sunday dinner, holding a tablecloth in her hands by two corners, shaking it out so hard it made a “popping” sound with each shake. There was not a chance of a stray crumb remaining on the tablecloth. That is precisely the image I had when I read the Lord’s response to Job.

“Have you ever given orders to the morning,or shown the dawn its place,that it might take the earth by the edgesand shake the wicked out of it?” (Job 38:12-13)

When I got to this verse, I actually started laughing. The image of God taking the world by the corners and shaking the wicked out of it brought a smile to my face. I even put names to the wickedness as I saw it (cancer, broken relationships, injustices in so many forms), and how I prayed that He would shake them all off the face of the earth.

Even though Job had not cursed God, he had questioned Him. Was that so different than what I was doing? I seriously wanted God to drop everything and heal me and make all my problems go away! That seemed like such a simple thing. I think Job had the same attitude…that God should drop everything else and take care of his issue – without even being aware of all that God was doing. But the most amazing part of Job’s story for me was that Job had questioned God, and God still considered him righteous. God even asked Job to offer sacrifices for his friends (who had spoken in error about God), and used Job to reconcile them back to Him. If God could use a humiliated, questioning, physically flawed person like Job, then I will make myself available to His guidance – just in case He chooses to use me.

ABout DeNIeCeDeniece has a passion to minister to women. You are going to grow to love her and the way she tells stories, always getting to the real heart of the matter.

M

B Y D e N I e C e A D s I t


West side story Will Mesmerize Audiences At The Tulsa Performing Arts Center April 30th - May 5th

The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Tulsa. WEST SIDE STORY will mesmerize audiences at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center

April 30-May 5 for eight shows only. Tony® Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony® Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life). Tickets go on sale Monday, March 25.

WEST SIDE STORY tells the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria as they struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them. WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”

The Associated Press says WEST SIDE STORY “remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.” Variety says, “The true stars of WEST SIDE STORY are Jerome Robbins’ graceful, endlessly expressive choreography and Leonard Bernstein’s score, which still sounds

bracingly modern a half-century after it was first heard. The music is a primal force.”

WEST SIDE STORY is written by three theatrical luminaries: two-time Tony® Award winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony® and Grammy Award winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) in his Broadway debut.

WEST SIDE STORY features scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by Tony® Award nominee David C. Woolard, lighting by Tony® Award winner Howell Binkley and sound design by Peter McBoyle.

WEST SIDE STORY comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center April 30-May 5, 2013. Tickets go

on sale Monday, March 25 and may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111, 800.364.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office or online at www.MyTicketOffice.com. Groups of 10 or more may call 918.796.0220 for a discount. For more information, visit Celebrity Attractions’ website at www.CelebrityAttractions.com.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/BwayTulsa. Follow the Tulsa engagement of WEST SIDE STORY on Twitter.com/BwayTulsa or join the conversation using hashtag #WestSideTulsa.

WEST SIDE STORY concludes the Celebrity Attractions’ 2012-2013 Broadway Season in Tulsa and includes the add-on production of Disney’s THE LION KING. Celebrity Attractions is proud to have American Airlines, Oklahoma’s Own News On 6 and Tulsa World as sponsors for this spectacular season.

Celebrity Attractions is pleased to announce the 2013-2014 Broadway Season in Tulsa with BLUE MAN GROUP, Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, CHICAGO, THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, SISTER ACT, and WICKED as a season option!

celebrity attractions


W E S T S i D E S T O R Y C O m P A N Y . © C A R O l R O S E g g 2 0 1 2 .

NOT JUST sHoTs?When a veterinary clinic calls to remind

you it is time to bring “Fluffy”

in again most people

instantly think about vaccinations. I

have been asked many times why

it is necessary to vaccinate or

have “Fluffy’s” stool checked

for parasites. Granted Rabies

is 100% fatal to humans, our

domestic animals can carry

leptospirosis, which is a

bacteria that can cause severe

kidney disease that can be

fatal for the very young, very

old, and immune-compromised

individuals. The other vaccinations

protect our pets from diseases

which affect only them. However, the

protection provided by veterinary medicine

for their clients is largely unrecognized by the

public.

There are common diseases that our pets carry which can

make human-kind very ill. After last summer, everyone in the

nation became aware of West Nile Virus. I would wager the vast

majority do not recognize that birds, especially crows, ravens

and blue jays carry and spread the disease by way of a mosquito

bite; that horses and deer are dead end hosts like humans. Many

of the less publicized diseases are caused by intestinal parasites.

The whipworm, Trichuris vulpis, is colon worm in dogs and cats.

It is less prolific than other intestinal worms so it is the least

likely to cause a problem. The round worms of the dog and cat

are transmitted by oral fecal contact, and ingestion of vegetation,

as well as ingestion of contaminated vegetables grown in the soil.

As a young lad I remember chewing on long stems of grass. Who

knows, I have probably been wormy almost all my life. Round

worms, those spaghetti-like worms that some kittens and many

puppies throw up produce larvae that can burrow through the

intestinal wall into the blood stream and lymph system, finally

migrating to the liver and lungs. Hookworm eggs hatch in the

soil. These larval worms can penetrate the skin on the bottom

of the feet of puppies, kittens, and humans. They

too enter the bloodstream. Often there are so

many of these larvae that the skin of the

foot becomes red and irritated. In our

pets this army of baby worms migrate

through the lung tissue into the

airways, up the trachea to the back

of the throat where they stimulate

the animal to cough and then

swallow them. The hookworms

may be so numerous they cause

pneumonia, severe blood loss,

and even death.

These problems caused by

hookworms and the roundworm

family are reason enough for annual

fecal content testing but, there is a more

gruesomely imperative motivation which

will provide incentive for these tests. Typically,

because our body temperature is lower than our pets,

these “aliens within you”, whether ingested or inside them via

skin penetration, wander around until our immune system kills

them or they die of old age. However, annually seven hundred

to one thousand cases of ocular and retinal larval migrans are

diagnosed. This causes visual impairment and even blindness.

In comparison; everyone is aware of the danger of lightning.

Lightning strikes 300 people annually compared to 10,000 cases

of ocular and retinal migration, that’s EACH YEAR. The larvae

can even cause brain damage and mental retardation in children.

I strongly suggest; have your pets checked for worms.

Next month I will report other internal parasites that can

cause disease in people.

R. Scott Nicholson, DVM, is a respected Broken Arrow veterinarian. Dr. Nicholson’s clinic is located at 816 S. Elm and he can be contacted at 918-906-6074



Award winning journalist formerly with the Chicago Tribune and a former atheist with a law degree from Yale Law School, Lee Strobel sought to establish the

historical case for the Resurrection of Jesus. Using the principles for verification that a lawyer would use in a legal trial, he shared the evidence for the Resurrection through the five “E’s.”

Execution:1. Jesus died. The Roman soldiers were experts at crucifixion. The certainty of death has been confirmed by the Journal of the American Medical Association: “...the weight of historical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead....”

Empty Tomb:2. The late John A.T. Robinson of Cambridge University stated that the burial of Jesus was “one of the best attested facts we have about the historical Jesus.” Three days later the tomb was EMPTY. This is one of the most verifiable facts of ancient history.

Eyewitnesses:3. The strongest historical evidence for the resurrection is the eyewitness testimonies of the disciples and more than 500 other witnesses. Even skeptic Bart Ehrman acknowledges this fact: “It is a historical fact that some of Jesus’ followers came to believe that he had been raised from the dead soon after his execution.” Even

Jewish scholar Pinches Lapide stated that he believed that Jesus actually came back from the dead because of the change in the disciples.

Early Records:4. The accounts of the resurrection come from a time frame immediately after the crucifixion. This historical fact has even been acknowledged by liberal theologians.

Emergence of the Church: 5. This is one of the strongest proofs of the resurrection. “This scared, frightened band of the apostles, which was just about to throw away everything in order to flee in despair to Galilee; when these peasants, shepherds, and fishermen, who betrayed and denied their master and

then failed him miserably, suddenly could be changed overnight into a confident mission society, convinced of salvation and able to work with much more success after Easter than before Easter; then no vision or hallucination is sufficient to explain such a revolutionary transformation.”

Why do Five “Es” Mean?They mean that:1. Jesus is the Son of God.2. His Words are True.3. Our sins are forgiven.4. God exists.5. Certainty is possible.

did Jesus Really Come Back From the dead in History?by Jim burkett

the art of apologetics

Dr. JIM BurKettHaving taught theology at two Christian colleges and with 32 years of pastoral ministry in university communities, Dr. Burkett has presented CHRISTIANITY IS A FACTUAL FAITH Conferences across the nation as well as in Great Britain, Africa, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Sharing compelling evidences for Christianity, Conference presentations are delivered in a fast-paced manner, using media, congregational involvement, and captivating visuals to maximize this encouraging and motivating experience. These presentations are geared to encourage Christians and to engage non-Christians with the Truth Claims of Christianity. For more information about the Tulsa School of Apologetics and Practical Theology, e-mail [email protected] or call 918-691-8756.

Jeff Foxworthy, comedian, most widely known for his “How to tell if you’re a redneck?” jokes, also hosts a popular television show, “Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” The concept is simple. The contestant pairs up

with a fifth grader and attempts to answer questions that any fifth grader should know. It sounds easy, doesn’t it? If you have ever watched the show the questions posed to the contestant could stump even a PhD professor. Most contestants eventually find themselves eliminated, only to be forced to admit that, “My name is………….and I am not as smart as a fifth grader”.

In Robert Castiglione’s book entitled LEAP The Key to Financial Success the author describes how traditional financial planning uses a simple formula to calculate wealth creation. Simply stated: Wealth=money x rate of return x time, (W=MxRxT). This simple mathematical equation is one that any fifth grader could easily solve. Unfortunately, using this arithmetic approach when dealing with finances is riddled with practical problems, and is one of the reasons most Americans are not reaching their full financial potential. Built on deductive reasoning, if all that is needed to determine your future account balance is a calculator, then professional advice is rendered unnecessary. Today, many Americans attempt to utilize financial websites and readily available quantitative calculators only to come up short of their financial goals and dreams. Why is that? Mathematically, one dollar invested, at a prescribed interest rate, should over a period of time yield a certain amount of money. How do I know? My calculator said so.

Let’s say I am ten years from retirement. I only have $200 per month that I can afford to save. My goal is to have $50,000. I am a conservative investor and really don’t want to risk my money. I have read that 4% is a reasonably safe interest rate assumption to use. What are my options? My advisor does the math and informs me that I will have only $28,814 in ten years, well short of my goal. What are my alternatives? My advisor suggests if I could save an additional $150 dollars a month I could achieve my goal. Right. With three kids in college, two car payments, and a mortgage, that’s not going to happen! His second suggestion is that I increase my rate of return. By now reality is beginning to sink in and I am fearful that I will never be able to retire. So what am I to do? My advisor does the math again and determines that I must take more risk. “How much?” I ask. Just 12%. So out of desperation I agree, and now I have entered into investment choices that far exceeds my risk tolerance. This financial scenario is played out daily as consumers attempt to use math to achieve their goals.

MONEY ANd ORANGEsTraditional financial planning would say that 4+4=8.

Mathematically they would be correct. Unfortunately, money does not work like math. In his book, Castiglione illustrates how money has much in common with an orange. If you had four oranges and bought four more you would have eight. If you put those oranges on the kitchen table and never ate them for twenty years, how many oranges would you have? If you answered eight you would be correct. Yes, there would be eight oranges on the table, but in reality there would be none. You see, there would have been eroding forces rendering the oranges undesirable and useless. Perhaps someone even took one of the oranges while you we not looking. Castiglione sums it up this way, “Other physical, economic, and behavioral laws are needed to design a successful strategy for attaining, growing, and protecting your wealth at all times. You can’t eat math.”

Consumers must realize that money is a commodity that is subject to what Castiglione refers to as “eroding factors”. It is these eroding factors that adversely affect our money, and ultimately, what keep us from achieving our maximum financial potential. Next month we will discuss these eroding factors, how they affect our finances, and why we should understand them.

Are You smarter Than A Fifth Grader? - Financially

rANDY C. CoWeLLACT FINANCIAL Randy C. Cowell is a columnist and President of ACT Financial Services, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of “God Good-Debt Bad”. Randy welcomes your thoughts and prayers. He can be reached at 918-664-0081 or by e-mail at [email protected].

randy cowell | a c T F i n a n c i a l


Infidelity is one of the most devastating blows a marriage can experience. Current statistics are alarming at best and downright frightening when you find yourself becoming a

percentage. Some estimations say 30-60% of marriages will experience infidelity, with a few studies reaching as high as 80%. Most all researchers agree that it’s very difficult to accurately assess how wide spread this problem is due to its secretive nature and from all accounts speaks to the conservative nature behind the numbers. Regardless what statistics say about frequency of infidelity, one thing remains certain, that it’s one of the most difficult challenges that any marriage can experience.

Most infidelity can be blamed on opportunity. There is no place that opportunity knocks louder than the workplace. Most affairs start out very innocent. No one wakes up one morning and says, “I think I’ll get involved with someone from work.” Spending large amounts of time around the same individual is how most inappropriate relationships begin. At first, the thoughts are truly pure in nature, “wow, that person is so nice, they are easy to talk to.” We first identify the relationship as a good friendship, nothing more. As time progresses, the friendship deepens, opening the door to disclosing personal information. Before long, one’s thoughts often drift towards wondering what the other person is doing and looking forward to seeing them. As the infidelity trap deepens, people begin to find reasons why they need to have interaction with the other person.

The relationship progresses and physical touch soon becomes desired. It begins with a simple touching of the hand or shoulder, completely innocent or that’s what one tells themselves, all along fulfilling a dangerous desire. Before long, the physical connection grows into something that neither person had set out to achieve. What makes infidelity so powerful is that people experience feelings that they don’t know how to process. Intellectually, they’ll know what they are doing is wrong but struggle understanding if it’s so wrong, why does it feel so right. Never before have they experienced such an intense connection with another person, and become consumed with the fixation.

While the infidelity trap deepens, soon thoughts of justification begin to rationalize destructive behaviors. In effort

to ease ones conscience, they usually turn to blaming others for their choices. The onslaught of blaming comes with such force that reasoning and all rational thought is thrown out the window. Destruction continues as two individuals experience consequences of such behavior. The days ahead are met with disbelief from one spouse and anger from the other.

Once the affair is revealed, the non-offending spouse is left questioning everything. Most will readily admit that they were not perfect and they knew of issues that needed to be worked on, but will seldom justify in their mind going outside the marriage. Hurt, betrayal, and broken trust are just a few common obstacles that require navigation in the days, weeks and months to come.

In helping several couples struggle through an affair situation, there are usually three predominate responses. The first is that they both want to work through the infidelity and are willing to take the necessary steps to begin that process. The other response is that one or both are not sure if they want to continue investing in the relationship and are seriously contemplating divorce. The third possible response is that the one in the affair does not want to remain in the marriage and the non-offending spouse wants to desperately save the marriage. Whatever the case maybe, one fact remains the same. You must focus individually, realizing that you cannot force change in anyone else.

One thing I encourage all my clients who are coming out of an affair situation to do is get to a point that they are able to stand in front of a mirror and truly say that they have done everything in their power to make this marriage work. No matter the outcome, if you can make that statement your healing process will be much easier. It will still be a difficult road, but you’ll find peace in knowing that you did all you could. If you can’t make that statement then your healing process will be more difficult. Such consequences may not show up right away, but will eventually surface usually in the next relationship.

If you find yourself working through an affair or suspect your spouse to be in one, please seek guidance. Being able to have a trusted confidant while you’re navigating uncharted territory can offer much needed support and encouragement.

Christian Counseling Center is proud to announce that we are expanding. Along with the expansion of new services, we have also changed our name to Cornerstone Christian Counseling Services. We are excited about bringing hope and healing to those hurting in our community, blending our Christian beliefs with our professionalism.

Avoiding the Trap of Infidelity

marriages that last

Dr. KevIN NIeMAN, LMFtChristian Counseling CenterDr. Kevin Nieman, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual, marital, and family relationships. His practice focuses on bringing hope and healing to hurting people utilizing Christ centered principles. The office is located at 4930 S. Sheridan, Tulsa. You may reach him at 918-392-4008 or www.cccoftulsa.com


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April 2013