Thunder center welcomed faith accommodations
Arriving at Chesapeake Energy Arena in February and donning a Thunder jersey for the first time, Enes Kanter felt at ease.
At his request, the Oklahoma City Thunder organization had prepared a prayer room at the downtown arena specifically for him — an observant Muslim whose Islamic faith calls for obligatory prayers five times a day.
The Thunder center talked about the Thunder’s efforts to make him feel welcome during a recent reception held in his honor at the Oklahoma City home of Clayton and Marnie Taylor.
“They have really welcomed me here. The first thing the team did for me was they did a halal meal for me,” Kanter said. Halal foods are foods that are allowed under Islamic dietary guidelines.
“That was the first thing, and the second thing they did, where we play and where we practice, they gave me a praying room so I can go and pray. They were really respectful.”
EDMOND WOMAN’S BOOK OFFERS HOPE FOR THOSE IN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Some women may find themselves going from relationship to relationship, spinning out of control in a toxic love cycle that thrives on unhealthy patterns and low self-esteem.
Or maybe they just experience one really bad relationship that shreds their selfworth and leaves their heart in pieces.
Christy Johnson, an Edmond author and Christian life coach, said today’s sexsaturated society makes it easy for some ladies to find themselves addicted to love or, more likely, something masquerading as love.
She said she should know, because she was one of those women.
“I was a love junkie, and men were my drug of choice,” she said candidly during a recent interview.
Johnson, 54, said faith proved to be the antidote to her relationship woes, and she’s trying to help other women battling similar issues.
Her book “Love Junkies” (Authentic Publishers, $14.99) proclaims that it offers “hope for women stuck in the toxic love rut.”
Along with the book, Johnson offers a small-group discussion guide and video series for women who want to escape the “love junkies” cycle by supporting each other and holding each other accountable. She said her book offers seven steps to ending the cycle.
‘Looking for someone’
Propelling women out of the shadows of shame and guilt, the Love Junkies small groups and classes have proven popular, Johnson said. She said this is because she offers her personal background and stories so that women will know they are not alone.
Johnson said in her past, she went from unhealthy relationship to unhealthy relationship because she put too much time, energy and value into men and ill-advised relationships.
“Because my identity wasn’t secure in Christ, I settled,” she said. “No man can provide that source of identity that we need, and when a
COMMUNITY
WALK WILL BENEFIT FIGHT AGAINST MELANOMA
EDMOND —
Miles Against Melanoma Oklahoma Chapter will host its second annual 5k and onemile fun run and walk Sept. 12 at J.L. Mitch Park, 1501 W Covell Road. The event will raise funds and awareness for melanoma research. There will be activities for all ages and families, including raffles, refreshments, entertainment, vendors, giveaways and food trucks. To register, go to www. mamok.org or www. active.com.
PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE KIDS TO READ
NORMAN —
Norman Public Library West, 300 Norman Center Court, is bringing children and reading together in many ways. Story Time, for children up to preschool age and their caregivers, takes place at 10 a.m. each Tuesday the library is open. It features stories, music and games. The library’s “Sit, Stay, Read” program brings therapy dogs into the library to listen to young readers practice in a nonthreatening environment, with the goal of boosting the child’s confidence in reading. The dogs are at the library from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. most Thursdays. For more information, call 701-2644 or go to pioneerlibrary system.org/home towns/norman-west.
ZOOFRIENDS TO GET PREVIEW
The Oklahoma City Zoo will treat ZooFriends’ members to a fun-filled day from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday. The day will include a preview of the new Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital, free admission to Stingray Bay, various rides, sea lion presentations, elephant presentations, Keeper Chats and more. Purchase or renew a ZooFriends membership during Appreciation Day and get a $5 discount. For more information, call 4250618.