Author: rustytugman

From Jim Martin's Encouragement Note... If you want to stand out in this world, try becoming a more gracious person. Across the culture, you can find angry, outraged people. Some may seem ready to cut you off because you don’t agree with them. In contrast, a gracious person embodies the grace of God. These are … Continue reading Choose to Be More Gracious

I've recently returned to running after a very long break and I didn't realize how much I missed the running community, which is known for being incredibly supportive and encouraging. Yesterday, I was running along a trail and passed, what I presumed to be, a middle school cross country team who was training on the … Continue reading Keep Going

Mondays always have the feel of renewal. It's the start of a new workweek that's filled with new opportunities. It's a time to reset priorities, restart goal pursuits, and rededicate oneself to one's values. It's also a time to wipe the slate clean from the disappointments of the previous week and start a new week … Continue reading Wiping the Slate Clean

A few weeks ago our family traveled to the mountains of Red River, New Mexico for a family reunion. It was so great to see and reconnect with many of our family members; and, just as refreshing to us, was soaking in the beauty of God's Creation and getting a break from the Oklahoma summer … Continue reading Challenge by Choice

I like to go to bookstores and browse. One time, while looking through the new releases, a store employee came up to me and asked, "What are you looking for?" I said, "Oh, nothing in particular; I'm just browsing." And, then, this thought came to me... Isn't that how many people are living their lives? … Continue reading What Are You Looking For?

Here are 10 encouraging messages from Jon Gordon to get your week started in a positive way... 1) Mondays are a great day to focus on what we GET TO do instead of what we HAVE TO do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.2) Three things you control every day are your ATTITUDE, your … Continue reading Positive Monday

Yesterday, I was speaking to a group of employees about burnout and some strategies to prevent it or manage it. One person in the group shared that she and her husband spend their Saturdays taking day trips and "mini-adventures" to interesting places around their part of the state. They do this because it gives them … Continue reading Be Intentional about Your Weekend

To this point, I haven't said anything from the pulpit about the recent Supreme Court decision that ruled against a federal constitutional right to abortion. While I applaud the decision, I have not felt the need to join the "victory lap" that I see many taking for the following reasons: This decision does not outlaw … Continue reading Let Your Life Speak

From the Book of Common Prayer... Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for ourheritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always proveourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, andpure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;from … Continue reading A Prayer for Our Country

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In … Continue reading A Much-Needed Reminder