Welcome 

When I met my husband, I had never heard of this area and was pleasantly surprised with the beautiful place and the wonderful people. After moving here I saw just how great it really is to live in this area. Over the last year or so, though I have noticed a change. Maybe it is the new job and coming “off the farm”, but t seems we are becoming a county where we are more focused in 2 directions, either inwardly (what can I get from this) or outwardly (what can I do in other places), we are not focusing on what we can do for our county and our neighbors. When we plan mission opportunities we typically quote The Great Commission:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

This is our anthem call for reaching the lost in far reaching places. Please don’t misunderstand, I think foreign missions and missions outside of LeFlore county are vital, but I think sometimes we forget the mission field that is LeFlore county. I believe it is time that we focus on our county. Acts 1:7-9 is the final words Jesus gave to the disciples as He ascends into Heaven.

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:7-9

I believe this is an expansion or a more detailed instruction of The Great Commission. He is reminding the disciples that they need to start in their town and area, where they grew up and lived. Several times a month someone will come into this office seeking help. Sometimes it is something as simple as a meal and I can direct them to the right location and sometimes it is a place to stay or help with rent, which is harder to figure out. I hear of people who feel like no one cares about them, or they feel forgotten. I know of wonderful churches that tend to forget their most devout members because something has happened and they can’t attend services anymore. These are all examples of ways we are failing our community. How do we expect our kids to know how to love, if we don’t show love to our neighbors? This article steps on my toes and I had a hard time writing it simply because I don’t want to be faced with my failings. I am not anywhere near perfect at showing love, but I want to strive for better. I want to strive to be more like Jesus. He didn’t forget anyone when he walked his earth and He doesn’t forget anyone now. Let’s take this next month to look to see where we can be of service. Do you have a family member that needs help, or a neighbor? Is there someone you just need to check on to see how they are doing?