Among the benefits of observing Advent is the ‘perk of practice.’ A dance student will increase her poise, enhance motor skills and go deep with self-control by repeatedly giving herself to prescribed...

We had only been missionaries to Brazil for a few months. Everything was new to us. The weather, the housing, the foods, the market, the names of people - everything was different. We were learning. W...

Wednesday, December 7, marks the 81st anniversary of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Each year, we take this day to remember those lost in one of the most devastating attacks our great country has eve...

Did you grow up baking in the kitchen every December like I did? Now that I am an adult, I miss the family getting together to do that. Granny has passed away and Mom’s health is not such that we can ...

DEAR ABBY: I have a sister in-law, “Karen,” no one in my husband’s family likes. She’s rude and insulting and acts like she is better than everyone else. She feels she’s entitled to have family member...

As newly-elected state lawmakers prepare for their 2023 session, the state’s premier child advocacy organization has released its “Children’s Legislative Agenda” ahead of the upcoming deadline to subm...

Human beings are God’s creatures of “Again.” “That eating joint was great, let’s visit again! What a piece of music ... can I hear it again? You liked the rodeo? We’ll go again!” Okmulgee’s pond-turne...

DEAR ABBY: My husband of 30 years has always made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for him. He would flirt with other women and say things to me about an ex-girlfriend he broke up with before marryin...

I’m figuring that the vast majority of the readers of my articles easily finished the old saying I’m using for this article. For the younger reader the whole saying is: “The watched pot never boils.” ...

What do you like to do? I mean, what is the kind of thing that brings you peace, joy, relaxation, and fulfillment when you do it? I’m a pastor. Never in my childhood or youth would I have ever dreamed...

It’s officially December. I can’t believe the year is almost over already. It’s crazy how fast the years fly by. As we begin this last month of 2022, I just want to remind you all life is precious. Ch...

“God is so powerful he could break this school in two,” says Kyle, 6. It sounds like it’s a tough day at school, Kyle. “God is so powerful he can be the best pilot in the Navy,” says Zach, 7. I’m sure...

If your family is like mine, then there are stark differences in political ideology and views. I was happy we managed to avoid divisive conversations. Having worked in politics my entire adult life, I...

Okmulgee County inmates would like to thank the following for supplying turkeys for Thanksgiving Dinner: • Mt. Zion Baptist Church • Northwest Baptist Church • Greater New Faith Church • Osage Avenue ...

At some point you have come to learn that your child participates in underaged drinking. Because children can find ways to hide their drinking habits, many parents find out much later that their child...

Drawn to the scriptures the young Asian convert slowly began replacing some of his earlier habits for new ones. Over time, a new habit (spiritual practice) was added, then another. The practices or sp...

My sister and her husband, who were living in Oklahoma, had spent Thanksgiving with us at our home in Colorado. Always in the past, our family gatherings had been at Mom and Dad’s house. Dad had passe...

This week is Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday. How crazy is it that the year is almost over already again?! Saturday November 26, the Okmulgee Times is sponsoring a Cookie Crawl in d...

DEAR ABBY: I left a manipulative and abusive marriage after 18 years. My parents fully supported my decision. When I became engaged to the wonderful man who is now my husband, my mother and many other...

This month is National Adoption Month, and November 23rd is National Adoption Day. There is no better time than now to celebrate the joy adoption brings and raise awareness of the necessity of adoptio...