‘American Wife’ prepares to share testimony at OKC event
A well-known military wife and widow will share her testimony of faith at Arise Ministries’ “Grassroots and Cowboy Boots” fundraiser set for April 4 in Bricktown.
Guest speaker Taya Kyle said she is impressed with Arise Ministries’ mission to help single mothers raising children alone. Proceeds from the event will go toward programs and projects with that purpose.
Kyle, a Texas, mom of two and author of the book “American Wife,” is the widow of Chris Kyle, known from “American Sniper: the Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History,” a book and movie about his life and U.S. Navy Seal career.
Kyle, 42, recently discussed her book and new career as inspirational speaker in a telephone interview with I would just talk, and he would put the words on paper and in doing that, I could accomplish two things.
One was to answer the questions that a lot of people had about their life perspectives and to hopefully bless more people who needed to know that they aren’t alone. The book ended up being divided into four segments: love, war, faith and renewal. We found that men and women all experience those things in their lives at different times. It may not be the traditional battlefield, but we all have a struggle or battle that we are going to fight at different points in our life.
So it’s this revolving door of trying to find love and finding faith in something, having some battles or struggles to fight and then trying to seek that renewal. It’s not a one-time deal on any of them.
The other reason (for writing the book) was that there was so much more to Chris than a military person, and I think there’s so much more to our law enforcement and military. That’s one job that they’ve chosen to do, but there’s more to them as a person. I wanted to share more of that, too.
It’s been one of the most confusing things I’ve ever experienced. I think grief is something you can’t fully predict or understand even when in the midst of it. It’s very humbling in a way to resign yourself to knowing that you cannot just work harder, push through it more. You have to allow time to be time. It’s been a real learning experience for me. I like to push hard and fast and try to figure out how to get through, so that’s been an eyeopening experience.
I can tell you that one of things I’ve learned through struggle, is that faith continues to be more and more important. I continue to understand how the Bible applies to modern-day life in ways that I find fascinating. I think in some ways. I had a lot of faith but I don’t know if I knew the Bible or went to it to see how it applied to life today. If I was to give any advice it would be to find someone who knows how to apply the Bible to everyday life and who can go there with you. There’s a wealth of information there to help anybody, particularly with grief. meantime God offers us the gift of His salvation — and it becomes ours as we reach out and by faith and ask Jesus Christ to cleanse us and forgive us. Turn to Christ and commit your life to Him today.
TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
After following Jesus for three years on Earth, Jesus said His disciples knew enough about Him and His teachings for Him to call them friends. This is one reason the fruit they bore has lasted and borne even more fruit through others to this very day. When Jesus chooses us to be one of His disciples, He appoints us to go and do good to others that will make a lasting difference. As His disciples learn more about Jesus, His teachings, and His work in their lives, they eventually understand what it means for Jesus to be their Friend. As a friend of Jesus, we are attached to Jesus as a branch to a vine. His life, love, truth, and joy flows through us and gives us resources to bless and help others as Jesus intends. Jesus also said God the Father is like a Gardener. If we have attachments and habits that are making us less effective in doing God’s work, the Father will prune away what hinders us—sometimes this pruning can be briefly painful. If we turn away from Christ, His life-giving nourishment will not flow through us. We can wither spiritually and become useless in the truest sense to others; Jesus declared, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The best way we can show others that we are Jesus’ disciples is by bearing fruit as His life and love flows into us and enables us to live in the loving ways of Jesus toward others.
Concert to feature Yolanda Adams
A concert entitled “Yolanda Adams and Friends” is set for 7 p.m. April 1 at the Criterion Theater, 500 E Sheridan Ave.
The event, presented by Hub City Digital Entertainment, will feature the Oklahoma State African Methodist Episcopal Choir. The concert is a benefit event for the Oklahoma State African Methodist Episcopal Women’s Missionary Society.
Tickets are $75 for general admission and $100 for VIP admission.
Tickets are available at Avery Chapel AME Church, 1425 N Kelham Ave. Local pastors may acquire a block of tickets for distribution to their members by calling the church office at 424-3331 or by contacting the Rev. D. Lavel Crawford at 501-707-5213.
For more information, go to https://hub-city-digitalentertainment.ticketleap.com.
Fiction writers group will gather
OKC Christian Fiction Writers will host bestselling author Linda Goodnight at the group’s next meeting set for 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Henderson Hills Baptist Church, 1200 E Interstate 35 Frontage Road.
Goodnight will speak on the topic “Start Strong, Finish Strong.” Attendees are encouraged to bring a chapter from their novels and learn key methods that will kick-start their story, strengthen pacing, eliminate common errors and keep readers turning pages to a dynamic finish.
For more information, email JJ Johnson at OCFW chapter@gmail.com or go to http://okcchristianfiction writers.com.
Church plans anniversary service
Fifth Street Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 88th church anniversary at worship services set for 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at 801 NE 5.
Guest speaker is Eugene “Geno” Gipson Jr., senior pastor of Olivet Fellowship in Memphis, Tennessee. A reception will follow each service.
For more information, call 235-6031.
Leader from ‘The Upper Room’ leader will speak
Author Beth Richardson, director of creative content for The Upper Room devotional publications in Nashville, will share her work and insights in a series of events set for Friday through March 26 at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 1801 W Brooks in Norman.
Richardson will share reflections from her latest book, “Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings,” during a free, public presentation at 7 p.m. Friday at the church.
Richardson will offer a workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 25 titled “Spiritual Tools for Survival.” Cost for the workshop is $10, which includes lunch. Richardson also will deliver the sermon, “I Choose Love,” during the 8:30 and 10:50 a.m. worship services at St. Stephen’s on March 26.
Reservations for the March 25 workshop are due by Thursday. Call the church at 321-4988.
New Hope offers concert
The public is invited to a free sacred concert set for 7:30 p.m. Monday at New Hope United Methodist Church, 11600 N Council Road.
The concert will feature the Kansas Wesleyan University Choir, Wesleyan Chorale, and String Orchestra. The musicians are on their spring choir tour to Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
For more information, call 721-5015 or go to newhopeokc.org.
Church to distribute yard signs
Joy Mennonite Church in Oklahoma City is distributing yard signs with a message that expresses welcome to neighbors from different backgrounds.
Immanuel Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, started the now nationwide movement in response to negative rhetoric about immigrants. The signs are three colors and display the message, “No matter where you’re from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor,” in Spanish, English and Arabic.
Kristen Swartley, a member at Joy Mennonite Church, 504 NE 16, is currently working on placing an initial order for the signs.
The church is asking for a $15 suggested donation to cover costs of purchasing and shipping the signs, but won’t deny anyone a sign because of inability to donate.
Individuals interested in purchasing a sign, should go to Joy Mennonite’s Facebook page or email joymennonite @gmail.com.
FROM STAFF REPORTS