And to the angel of the church in Thyatira, write: "These things says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like flaming fire and whose feet are like polished brass. I know your works, even your love, your faith, your service, and your patience, and your latter works are greater than the former. Rev. 2:18, 19.
When one thinks of vacation spots or places to see in North America, several immediately come to mind. Among the major destinations are such places as Orlando, Florida; New York City; Washington, D.C.; the Grand Canyon; and Yellowstone Park. Most of them have a worldwide reputation, and people will go out of their way in order to visit them.
Still other destinations are almost as well known. Most of these involve bodies of water or mountains, places such as Colorado and the California coast. It may surprise people to find out that my home state of Michigan has more boat registrations than any other state. Bordering on the three largest of the Great Lakes makes a great deal of water recreation possible. Water and mountains provide weary people from the city with a reason to make that long drive with the family in order to have a few moments of quiet recreation.
One place that doesn't seem to be on anyone's vacation list is the state of Oklahoma. It was nearly 10 years after I had visited my forty-ninth state (Alaska) before I made Oklahoma the fiftieth. Most people probably know Oklahoma best for the "dust bowl," Will Rogers, and a Broadway musical of the same name. Possessing neither large bodies of water, nor mountains, nor a major theme park, the state is a vast plain that most travelers pass through hurriedly on their way to somewhere else.
But if you chose to visit Oklahoma after all, you would find that the place has a quiet beauty all its own. Breeze-filled plains rise up to meet an endless sky. And the people who live there exhibit a rugged work ethic that fills life in this unpretentious place with meaning and satisfaction. While the life there is simple and straight-forward, the people are well worth getting to know.
Like Oklahoma, Thyatira was like a neglected sister among the seven churches. The other six cities had major economic and political importance. In ancient lists of the great cities of Asia Minor the other six appear near the head of the list, while Thyatira is usually missing. But Jesus does not look at things the way we do. He recognizes value where others see dross. The simplest of Christians often have the most profound walk with God. If you sometimes feel like an "odd person out" in your local church community, God says to you, "Welcome to Thyatira (Oklahoma)!"
Lord, thank You for Thyatira and Oklahoma, which remind me to respect those that are marginalized in today's world, and may I take courage in You when I feel left out myself.
When one thinks of vacation spots or places to see in North America, several immediately come to mind. Among the major destinations are such places as Orlando, Florida; New York City; Washington, D.C.; the Grand Canyon; and Yellowstone Park. Most of them have a worldwide reputation, and people will go out of their way in order to visit them.
Still other destinations are almost as well known. Most of these involve bodies of water or mountains, places such as Colorado and the California coast. It may surprise people to find out that my home state of Michigan has more boat registrations than any other state. Bordering on the three largest of the Great Lakes makes a great deal of water recreation possible. Water and mountains provide weary people from the city with a reason to make that long drive with the family in order to have a few moments of quiet recreation.
One place that doesn't seem to be on anyone's vacation list is the state of Oklahoma. It was nearly 10 years after I had visited my forty-ninth state (Alaska) before I made Oklahoma the fiftieth. Most people probably know Oklahoma best for the "dust bowl," Will Rogers, and a Broadway musical of the same name. Possessing neither large bodies of water, nor mountains, nor a major theme park, the state is a vast plain that most travelers pass through hurriedly on their way to somewhere else.
But if you chose to visit Oklahoma after all, you would find that the place has a quiet beauty all its own. Breeze-filled plains rise up to meet an endless sky. And the people who live there exhibit a rugged work ethic that fills life in this unpretentious place with meaning and satisfaction. While the life there is simple and straight-forward, the people are well worth getting to know.
Like Oklahoma, Thyatira was like a neglected sister among the seven churches. The other six cities had major economic and political importance. In ancient lists of the great cities of Asia Minor the other six appear near the head of the list, while Thyatira is usually missing. But Jesus does not look at things the way we do. He recognizes value where others see dross. The simplest of Christians often have the most profound walk with God. If you sometimes feel like an "odd person out" in your local church community, God says to you, "Welcome to Thyatira (Oklahoma)!"
Lord, thank You for Thyatira and Oklahoma, which remind me to respect those that are marginalized in today's world, and may I take courage in You when I feel left out myself.
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