The work done by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), while always rewarding, can sometimes be stressful, and occasionally downright depressing. The statistics and real-world conversation...

Some call them spiritual disciplines. Others say spiritual practices. Either label works. The important thing for the Christ-follower is understanding that God has provided for them a variety of down-...

DEAR ABBY: My oldest son, “Adam,” turned 50 last month. He and his wife, “Lindy,” live four hours away. They invited me and my husband to a birthday party she was having for him. Adam’s daughter from ...

A pair of youth governor programs sponsored by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) have elected their leaders for 2026. The first is the Oklahoma Kid Governor program, in conjunction with...

When I was a little boy, I loved monkeys. They were fun, free, energetic and swung from limb to limb with total abandon. They often kept up a lively banter as well. Noisy might be a good descriptive w...

DEAR ABBY: If I am aware that a 16-year-old is having sexual relations with another 16-year-old, should I inform the parents? -- WONDERING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE DEARWONDERING: The age of consent in New Ham...

Self-confessed Bible history and language nerd Tim Mackie sees Jesus of Nazareth as “utterly amazing and worth following with everything that you have.”* Mackie is one of millions of believers who hav...

In October, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) held our Fall Forum, a conference which annually assembles delegates for sharing ideas and brainstorming solutions for the many issues faci...

DEAR ABBY: My mother is 80 and living alone after my dad passed. Her memory is failing. She recently fell and required shoulder surgery. This wasn’t her first fall; she has also broken her hip within ...

• Okmulgee native Spencer Torbett spent the fall of 2015 in Washington, D.C., completing what was described as a “once in a lifetime” internship in the office of Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). ...

DEAR ABBY: My relationship with my motherin- law has been rocky for the nine years I’ve been married to her daughter. She has been very hurtful at times, saying things like, “You’re not welcome [in he...

I want to start by saying “thank you” to the governor and Oklahoma’s legislative leaders for the commitment to allocate $1 million in state funds per week over the next seven weeks to the two major fo...

As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, Halloween approaches with its promise of ghoulish delights and whimsical frights. This beloved holiday is not just about costumes and haunted house...

DEAR ABBY: Our granddaughter, “Amy,” who shows in 4-H, decided to take her stepdad’s last name when appearing at the fair. Our son, her father, is a big part of her life. This is the second year in a ...

The federal government entered a shutdown on Oct. 1 when Congress failed to pass the required 12 annual appropriations bills or agree on a shortterm funding patch called a continuing resolution. The S...

With the sure knowledge the loving Trinitarian Presence is alongside us, we readily see that partnering with God himself is indispensable in the dayby- day process of spiritual transformation to Chris...

It was a wet spring in Southern Indiana. We here in Northeast Oklahoma know what that’s like, don’t we? Flooded streams, puddled yards, muddy shoes and grass that just won’t stop growing. At least a p...

DEAR ABBY: I’m 22, and my boyfriend is 21. We’ve been dating for a few months. At a recent family dinner, his maternal grandfather hit on me. I was helping to clear the dinner table and leaned across ...

Just over one month ago, notice was issued that the federal government had paused the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), an annual fundraising effort that has contributed billions of dollars to charitab...

DEAR ABBY: Six months ago, my oldest child died in a horrific car accident. Our family went into a sort of hibernation for several months, mourning and trying to deal with the sadness of the situation...