Adrian Cole

Camelot Hotel

I saw in the paper today that demolition will start on the Camelot Hotel in Tulsa. By the end of the week the old hotel will be no more. I worked in Tulsa for a few years and Beverly and I met in Tulsa. We decided to get marriage while we were in Tulsa. The minister that I worked with lives in Tulsa and he married us. I never stayed at the hotel but I always wanted to. It's sad to see a Tulsa landmark like that disappear.

The thing that came to mind when I read about the demolition of the hotel was change. Our world is in a constant state of change. That seems like an odd statement – "constant" and "change". They shouldn't go together "constant" and "change," but they do. And the truth is that we control both of them in our spheres of influence. What we choose to do in our community and church helps determine the amount of consistency and the amount of change. If people continued to stay in the Camelot I doubt that they would have torn it down, but it became outdated. People stopped using that place as a place to stay. The world is always changing and it is a challenge for us all to keep up with that change.

The goal of the church is to "make disciples." That means we have to reach people in order to disciple them. What changes do we need to make in order to be more effective with our goal? You will help determine that. Are you willing? Are you ready?

Puzzled!

The email 'Twas the Night Before the Big XII' was the email that Robert and Ginny sent me and others. I grew up on a farm in Southwest Oklahoma and all my early years of life I was an OSU fan. I still am but when I moved out of state most of the people from other places knew about Oklahoma because of its Oil and football tradition, namely OU. In self-defense I also became an OU fan. Scott, my son, graduated from OU. It is possible to be a fan of more than one Tradition.

What puzzles me is how fans from both traditions treat each other and others in this State. There is value to us who live in this place to support any school in the state that does well in whatever event or activity. It is overall a good thing for the whole state regardless of what school you attended. I was talking with a friend of mine this week who grew up in Texas. He said that he was not a Texas fan until he moved to Oklahoma, but the Oklahoma fans have just about convinced him to be a Texas Long Horn fan (that self-defense thing).

There is a higher road in life that we can always choose to take in whatever situation we find ourselves whether it is football or something else. My faith in Christ is always pushing me to take that "higher road." What about you? I hope that college football moves to a playoff system. I hope that tonight the best team wins. Enjoy the game. See you tomorrow in Worship.

'Twas the Night Before the Big XII

'Twas the Night Before the Big XII  

'Twas the night before the Big XII and all through the land,

not a Tiger was stirring, not even the band.

Their Jockeys were hung by the locker with care,

in hopes that the Sooners soon would be there.

Truman was nestled all snug in his bed,

while visions of the BCS danced in his head.

And Pinkel in his kerchief full of Tiger pride,

and Bob and the Sooners ready to ride.

When down in San Antone there arose such a clatter,

Chase sprang from his bed to see what was the matter.

He realized the Option was gone in a flash,

and Maclin's dreams of running had just been dashed.

The Tiger tight ends trembled as they watched the show,

A Crimson and Cream luster set the horizon aglow.

When what to their wondering eyes should they find,

but a miniature Schooner, seven National Titles behind.

With a wizened old driver, skilled in leading his troops,

they knew in a moment it must be Bob Stoops.

More rapid than Temple his players they came,

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

"On Bradford, on Joe John, now Patrick and Murray!

On Chris Brown! On Iglesias! On Hartley and Kelly!

To the top of the conference!  To the top of it all!

Now dash their hopes!  Dash their dreams!  Dash away all!"

And then in a twinkling, the Tigers fought back a scream,

and Chase saw the last of his Heisman trophy dream.

The defense drew in their breath and looked all around,

and realized that their "Pig" was nowhere to be found.

Bob's eyes how they twinkled, his coaches how merry!

As they carried on the legacy left them by Barry.

Gary 's sad little face and a fear in his belly,

he shook on the field as his knees turned to jelly.

Pinkel spoke not a word, and the ball they couldn't carry,

Stoops filled up the scoreboard and then turned to Gary.

And laying his hand on the shoulder of his friend,

he gave Pinkel a nod and said, "Like Norman again."

Bob sprang to the Schooner, to his team gave a shout,

to the BCS they flew and left Mizzou down and out.

And we heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

"Boomer Sooner to All and to All a Good Night!"  

What a Ride!

"Life shouldn't be a JOURNEY to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body.  But rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly shouting...."WOW!!  WHAT A RIDE!!!! THANK YOU LORD!!! By Heather R. Colley

This was part of an email that Robert and Ginny Wheelis sent out. I thought it was worth you seeing. AC