“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil . . . . “ Ephesians 6:12 In this world, life is produced, protected and propagated out of struggle. Good things are not only worth fighting for, they must be fought for. “Nothing worthwhile comes easily.” “No pain, no gain.” …
Rural towns are a mosaic of hard work and industry, friendship and kindness, forgotten stories and shattered dreams. Every day that I am fortunate enough to spend in these communities I am reminded of the rich record of life, past and present, that they offer to those interested enough to stop and explore. For the …
What is the point? Why would a good God create a world where suffering exists? Is God evil? How can suffering be good? What good can come out of a father shooting to death his 9 & 6-year-old daughters to spite his wife and doing it so that his wife, the mother of those children, …
For the past five years, I have served as a preacher and minister for the church of Christ in Monette, AR. Monette is a small community of 1,500 people in northeast Arkansas, and the congregation averages about 50 attendees, the majority of which are ages 60 or older. If you will pardon the cliché, our …
“Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure.” …
Isabella Preciado served the community of Carnegie and partnered in the ministry of the Carnegie Church of Christ for 12 weeks this summer as a vocational intern teaching English as a second language. Read our previous blog, “Finding Dios in Rural America” to learn more about Isabella and her work with RAM. The following is …
Chavez, Olvera, Alvarado, Barco, Sarceno, Lopez, Guitterrez . . . . These are just a few of the names that have recently become familiar to the Church of Christ congregation in Carnegie, OK (pop. 1759). Although this is a major shift of focus for a church numbering less than Jesus’ original band of twelve, it …
Your story Is more than some bedtime consolation A buffer of nothing Protecting my Everything Your story Is nothing less than Resurrection A rebirth to my death I can touch and tell as my own.
One year ago today, almost to the minute, I finished a cycling trek across the state of Oklahoma. I didn’t ride alone, but with two men who have been friends, mentors and confidants for over 30 years. Kurt Siebold rode with me through the daily 100 degree temperatures. Ted Merritt drove our support vehicle and …
Of Rural Churches and Preachers: A Waitress’ Point of View Read More »
Where hide the wild men? Fierce to face the howling winds driven by selfish ends Dear God we need some wild men! Unafraid to stand down pride By humbly laying all aside And imitate the Son of man Lord Jesus make us wild again! Like you who knew the sting of steel In wild defiance …
