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News
November 8, 2023
Discipline
By MARY MORRIS MEMBER OF HENRYETTA FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH,

“All these (gifts of the spirit) are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. But God has so composed the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:11-14, 24b-30)” Discipline is defined, in part, as the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. What does today’s scripture have to do with discipline? If you’ll give me few moments, I can explain.

“All these (gifts of the spirit) are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. But God has so composed the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:11-14, 24b-30)” Discipline is defined, in part, as the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. What does today’s scripture have to do with discipline? If you’ll give me few moments, I can explain.

Church is family, not genetically so, but we share the blood of Christ and therefore become part of His family. Does our behavior reflect that? Or do we sometimes get into a I-knowmore- because-I’ve-been-in-the-family- longer mode? And what does that do to those who have recently joined the family? Must we be that my-wayor- the-highway person who frowns and speaks against the things that others find pleasing in the family?

Being part of a family - and keeping the peace in it! - involves a lot of give and take from all sides. Invariably, there seems ever to be the one who just won’t give in and will try to sow many, many seeds of discord, planting ideas that are as far from the truth as the east is from the west. Sooner or later, the entire family can easily be in complete shambles. I would point out Mark 8:36 - “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and lose his life?” - in terms of family - For what good have you done yourself if all you’ve accomplished is breaking up the family? We are none of us alone, although sometimes we might feel that way. What we say, but more especially what we do, affects folks we may not even know. Isn’t it best that our influence is positive? Must we really be large and in charge of everything? Remember Jesus’ words - “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. (Mark 9:35)” And Paul told those in Corinth, “I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:33)” Whether it’s by name or Christ’s blood, we have family. Not everyone can be just like us, nor should we wish them to be. (That would make for an awfully dull world!) Our God has deliberately placed differences in us so that we might learn how to be more like His son - loving and forgiving, even as they may drive nails into our flesh. Don’t give up on family. Instead, pray for them. There may be underliers of which we know nothing that are causing the discordant behavior. Pray for yourself, that you receive wisdom and strength to deal with the situation. And pray for the Lord to intervene and allow peace, His blessed peace, to enter.

So what if these ways don’t work? Then a couple members of the family should speak to the troublemaker (see Titus 3:10-11). Should that not resolve the situation, it’s time to cut bait - “I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. (Romans 16:17-18)” Harsh treatment? No. It’s called discipline.

New HPS Board Member Welcomed
A: Main, Lifestyle...
New HPS Board Member Welcomed
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Willem Vandenborn is welcomed by Henryetta Public Schools Superintendent Jason Price after he was sworn in to fill the Ward 2 seat on the HPS board. The action came during a special meeting Thursday, ...
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Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
A: Main, Lifestyle...
Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
July 25, 2025
Patrons Bank is urging the community to be on high alert as phone scams targeting bank customers continue to rise across the country - and right here at home.Scammers are spoofing legitimate bank phon...
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Christmas in July is today
A: Main, Main...
Christmas in July is today
July 25, 2025
Downtown Henryetta is set to come alive with holiday spirit and summer sunshine today, as the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce presents its annual “Christmas in July” celebration. The event, scheduled fr...
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Back-to-School excitement builds
July 25, 2025
As summer winds down and the school year quickly approaches, Henryetta Public Schools and Dewar Public Schools are rolling out the red carpet for students and families with a series of exciting back-t...
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
July 25, 2025
The City of Henryetta has announced that the Main Street railroad crossing is currently closed to all traffic. Residents needing to cross the tracks are encouraged to use the Trudgeon Street crossing ...
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Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
A: Main
Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
July 25, 2025
Shoppers across Okmulgee County and throughout the state will soon get a much-needed break on back-to-school expenses, as Oklahoma’s annual Sales Tax Holiday kicks off Friday, Aug. 1, and runs through...
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Editor Picks
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Historical Museum open Saturday
July 25, 2025
The Henryetta Historical Museum continues to welcome guests through its doors this summer with its special every-other-weekend schedule - and this Saturday is no exception. The museum will be open Jul...
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News
OCEM Report
July 25, 2025
This report is a summary of activities Okmulgee County Emergency Management participated in and does not reflect all activities performed by or participated in by Okmulgee County Emergency Management....
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Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
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Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
July 25, 2025
Planning is in full swing for the much-anticipated 2025 Okmulgee County Fair, with the event officially set to take place Sept. 4-6 at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds.Members of the Fair Volunteer Com...
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Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
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Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
July 25, 2025
The Henryetta Lions Club held a lively and productive meeting on Thursday, July 17, at The Shack 2.0, welcoming new members, celebrating local heritage and preparing for several key community events o...
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News
Preston Schools announces Child Nutrition Program
July 25, 2025
Preston Public Schools announced they are participating in free lunch and/or breakfast program for the 2026 school year. All students enrolled in the district or the listed sites may participate in th...
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