logo
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Google Play App Store
Hang on a Minute!
commentary, Devotional
January 15, 2025
Hang on a Minute!
By Pastor Tim Perkins First Southern Baptist Church,

Thanksgiving is in the books. Christmas is a memory and we are now well into the New Year. The resolutions we made January 1st have probably been broken and we are either, “well, I made it longer than last year” or “how did I already break that resolution?”

With the New Year we have seen the holiday decorations at the house taken down, wrapped up and put into storage, the Christmas tree taken down, boxed up and stored up in the attic (or thrown to the curb if a real tree).

Outside the lights are taken off the roof, the yard inflatables put in the tote and the manger scene put in the barn. Neighbor hoods, Main Street down town and the local parks that were once lit up and decorated for the Christmas season are back to being plain and mostly nondescript scenery.

Gone are the decorations and winter is ever upon us. It’s cold outside. The grass is dormant and brown. The trees are bare of leaves and gone into winter hibernation as well. When you look outside it is just…well…kind of plain and BLAH!

Sometimes I can see why depression sets in for some people. This is not the most exciting time of the year. The decorations we did have to add a little beauty have been packed, boxed or stored until the next year.

Even Walmart has moved on to the next season. The day after Christmas, when returns and exchanges are in full swing, sales associates are moving the Christmas merchandise to the markdown and clearance isle, all the while setting out the Valentine candy, cards and various merchandise.

It seems like our society moves on from one thing to the next with no problem. We don’t seem to spend anytime reflecting on what just occurred or we experienced. It is like we have a check list we go through. Thanksgiving…decorations up, December…enjoy decorations and prepare for parties, programs and presents, New Year’s… decorations down prepare for Valentines. Next it is Spring, Easter, Mothers’ and Fathers’ days, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and next thing we know it’s Christmas… again.

We take life at the speed of light and give no thought to what is going on. Luckily for us the Bible doesn’t just record Jesus’ birth and move on to the crucifixion. No, we see in the same chapter of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke, Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple for Mary’s purification and Jesus presentation (Luke 2). They encounter Simeon and a prophetess, Anna. Both older and waiting on Messiah. Both make remarkable proclamations about Jesus to Mary and Joseph.

Matthew records the visit of the Magi/Wise Men from the east, bringing gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh and worshiping Him (Matt. 2). This event occurred possible as late as 2 years after Jesus’ birth.

Luke further records in that 2nd chapter of Luke Jesus going to temple with His parents for the Feast of Passover when He was 12 years old. Leaving Jesus, unknowingly, behind and traveling for a day, His parents return to Jerusalem and find Jesus sitting with the teachers listening and asking questions, amazing them all.

My thought is this: if the Bible doesn’t just cover an event and then quickly move on to the next, why should we? Yes, I know, there is a several year pause from Jesus being left in temple to His baptism, temptation and beginning of ministry. But, is there really a gap. Luke 2:5051 tell us Jesus returned with His parents being submissive to them and grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God.

The Bible takes a little bit and enjoys the moment. Luke 2:19 & 51 even says Mary pondered/ treasured all these things in her heart. I like to think she savored the moment and later in life recalled the memory.

We should think about this Christmas. I enjoyed a candle light service where my younger staff led out (and the service was absolutely AMAZING). I got to spend Christmas with my oldest, her husband and the grandkids. Haven’t got to do that in a long time. I got the decorations outside up before Thanksgiving, never done that before. We remembered all the Christmas presents to give out this year (another “been awhile since I did this”). Someone else did the cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas, which hasn’t happened since my mother died. And, I even got to read the Christmas story with the oldest grands, a first!

All of these and so much more made this Christmas so memorable for me. I wish I could go back to a couple weeks and do it all over. I can’t, but I can sit and reminisce, ponder, treasure. Yeah, Valentine’s day, just hang on a few minutes, I’m not done with Christmas yet.

Savoring the Moment Bro. Tim

Highway collapses due to rainfall
Main, news...
Highway collapses due to rainfall
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
July 2, 2025
Last weekend, two roads in southeastern Missouri, as well as in several other central states, buckled due to extreme heat. When what appeared to be a similar collapse of state Highway 82 between Mc-Qu...
this is a test
Main, news...
Illegal grow operation yields 656 pounds of marijuana
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
July 2, 2025
A routine property visit led to the discovery of an illegal marijuana grow operation in the Marble City/Dwight Mission area last week, resulting in the seizure of over 650 pounds of processed marijuan...
this is a test
Gore man arrested for possessing child pornography
Main, news...
Gore man arrested for possessing child pornography
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
July 2, 2025
A Gore man was arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Detention Center after being found in possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), according to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation ...
this is a test
Main, news...
Area fireworks, July 4 celebrations announced
July 2, 2025
TENKILLER – July 4 Fireworks at dark. Fireworks will be shot from Blackgum Landing. VIAN - July 3 Fireworks and Concert with Lane Lowder at Armstrong Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. and vendors will be on ...
this is a test
Pedestrian survives train accident
Main, news...
Pedestrian survives train accident
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
July 2, 2025
When the call goes out in an accident involving a pedestrian and a train, expectations are usually low that the result will not be a fatality. Last Tuesday was an exception, and is being hailed as “a ...
this is a test
Things you shouldn’t keep in your wallet
commentary
Things you shouldn’t keep in your wallet
By JANIS RISLEY FCS/4-H SEQ. CO. EXT. ED. 
July 2, 2025
Here are 15 things you should remove from your wallet and store in a safe place, depending on how often you need to access them: 1. Social Security card. You do not need it for daily use, and criminal...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
news
Gans among awardees of Civil Rights Trail Grant Program
July 2, 2025
The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) proudly announces that 28 organizations and communities have been awarded a grant through the Civil Rights Trail Grant Program. This total amount awarded of just ...
this is a test
Lamb joins Century 21 First Choice Realty
news
Lamb joins Century 21 First Choice Realty
July 2, 2025
Century 21 First Choice Realty is excited to welcome Whitney Lamb to the Sallisaw realty office. Lamb describes herself as being a dog mom, book lover and movie enthusiast while at home. “Most days yo...
this is a test
news
OMMA implements new emergency rules, effective immediately
July 2, 2025
OMMA (Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Association) has promulgated emergency rules to implement House Bill 2807 from the 2025 legislative session. Permanent rules will go into place in 2026. Pre-packaging ...
this is a test
news
Cherokee Nation launches official ‘Siyo, from the Rez’ podcast
July 2, 2025
The Cherokee Nation launched its official podcast, “Siyo, from the Rez,” with the release of the first two episodes June 16. From Cherokee artists, musicians, leadership and more, “Siyo, from the Rez,...
this is a test
news
Summer arrives in ‘Soaklahoma’
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
July 2, 2025
Those who complain about spring rains in Oklahoma are often met with the admonition: You won’t be saying that in August. Such is the rainy-drought cycle of Oklahoma. And with the onset today of summer...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

VIAN TENKILLER NEWS
Address: 603 W. Schley Vian, Oklahoma
Phone:+1 918-773-8000

news@bigbasinllc.com

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Vian Tenkiller News

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy