Church of Christ, Newkirk, OK

Sunday:
Bible Class: 10:00 AM
Morning Worship: 11:00 AM
Evening Worship: 6:00 PM
Tuesday:
Community Bible Study 6:00 PM
Wednesday:
Bible Class: 7:00 PM

If you are visiting with us today, we want you to know that not only are you welcome, but you are WANTED! It is our great pleasure to have you with us.

Scott’s Thoughts

May 4, 2025

““When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! Thewind will carry them all off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.” (Isaiah 57:13, ESV)

I recently received the news that Jim, a longtime friend, had passed away—a week after his passing, circumstances worked out so that we were able to visit with his family the day before the funeral. Though we arrived unannounced, we never know how a grieving family might react. I must say it had been a long time since I had been welcomed by a family with such calm and peace.

Jim was a quiet man who simply lived his life—working faithfully for thirty years before retiring. He spent his whole life in the same town, where lettering in football remained one of his proudest achievements. He had a devoted wife, two children, and seven grandchildren. Tall and stout, he carried a strong presence, yet he was gentle. Though I'm sure he had moments of anger like we all do, I never knew him to lose his temper. He was not perfect—none of us are— but he was a Christian from a young age. While he may have wavered at times, he spent his retirement years faithfully devoted to God.

That final truth is what allowed his family to be at peace. His wife told me, “Oh, we miss him terribly, but he was ready. Now he is just waiting for us to join him.” We reminisced about fond memories from years past when we lived in the same town. Jim’s little girl now has two children. His son, whom I mostly remember as a teenager, has five children of his own and has grown into a man much like his father. He shared stories from the late nineties. Later, Jim’s sister and her husband joined us, adding to the brief but meaningful reunion.
During our trip, we were also able to visit a few others with whom we have close ties. The experience was uplifting—entirely worth the effort. Our journey consisted of ten hours of driving, five each way, leaving Thursday and returning Friday. Initially, we set out not seeking encouragement but rather to attend an appointment that could potentially help Ava with some issues. While she was unable to get the test she had hoped for, she did get some suggestions that are helpful. We returned joyful for the time we spent with friends. Instead of dwelling on the disappointment of not getting the test, we embraced the blessings we received.

It would have been easy to complain about the perceived waste of time or how the information we obtained in person could have been shared over the phone in mere minutes. Yet, the encouragement and connections far overshadowed any frustration.

“A voice says, ‘Cry!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:6–8, ESV)

Thanks for listening and keep on shining.

—Scott