CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF STATEHOOD!!! It isn't everyday that you get to read about such a great place, Oklahoma, the best of all 50 states. This is all about my fondness and love for Oklahoma, its people, and especially the Okie Brethren I fellowship with each week. I affectionately call Oklahoma "Okie Land" and "God's Country". A Friend of mine at work said to me the other day, while I was joking around with him about Oklahoma, that I should get a job with the Chamber of Commerce or the state tourism department. Maybe he's right, because I can sure talk it up.
The funny thing is, I was Yankee born in South Dakota because my Dad was a Yankee born in Monroe, S.D., finished growing up in Florida because my Mom was a Southern Belle, fell in love with Hawaii while in the Army, married my "Yellow Rose of Texas" and lived in San Antonio for 18 years before moving to Oklahoma. Before moving here, I had no feelings for "Okie Land" and didn't even want to come here. You couldn't have given the state to me. Now, I tell people, "I wasn't born here, but I got here as quick as I could". Oklahoma is like a beautiful woman. She steals the heart of every man who meets her. She sure has stolen mine!
Oklahoma is a Choctaw Indian word that means "red people". More than 25 native languages are spoken here, because of its diverse people. We are called the Sooner State, because of a few cheaters back during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run who staked out their claims "sooner" than others who waited for the gun to sound. "Okie Land" has a population of almost 3.6 million people with 60% of its people living in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. With a land area of 68,656 square miles, that leaves a lot of wide open spaces. The Oklahoma Centennial is going on this year celebrating 100 years of statehood. November 16 will be exactly 100 years of statehood. Happy birthday Oklahoma! Okie Land is part of the Great Plains, but also the Southeast and Southwest because of its location. Being part of the "Bible Belt" it is "God's Country" even though there is a lot of dust on the pages of Scripture these days. Farming, ranching, aviation, and oil and gas are a few of the major industries. General Tommy Franks, Brad Pitt, James Garner, Ron Howard, Chuck Norris, Garth Brooks, Paul Harvey, T. Boone Pickens, Sam Walton, Micky Mantle, and Gordon Cooper are from here. Admiral Crowe, Gene Autry, and Walter Cronkite lived here at one time. Walter Cronkite started his broadcast career here in Oklahoma City at a local radio station. Reba McEntire, Shannon Miller, Patti Page, Carry Underwood, and Jennifer Berry are also from here. Many other people from here I won't name, but you probably know some of them. They are the Brethren of the local congregations of the Church of God (Seventh day) who fellowship in such places as Shawnee, Oklahoma City, Wister, Muskogee, Fairview, Tulsa, Claremore, McAlester, Tahlequah, and maybe other communities, Mat. 18:20. What a great place to live with a great bunch of people!
And of course this is the home of the University of Oklahoma, the premier educational institution in the country, which also sports one of the greatest of all time football teams the world has ever known. (Sorry Florida State, because I don't mean to do this to you.) Well, Florida State and Bobby Bowden did help out the Sooners when they knocked off #2 Boston College. With the Sooners ripping apart Texas A&M, the help from Florida State will improve Oklahoma's chances for another national title. DO I HEAR A THANK YOU FOR FLORIDA STATE FROM ALL YOU OKIES OUT THERE? After all, "God's Country" Oklahoma, was helped out by Florida, "God's Vacation Getaway". GO SOONERS!!!
I know what you are thinking by now. Old Steven has gone absolutely loony toons since he moved to Oklahoma. I assure you I have never been more sane, but after I post this here, I will keep a watchful eye out for the people with the straight jackets, just in case one of you turns me in to the authorities. Truth is though, a close Friend and Brother in the Lord got me started calling Oklahoma "God's Country". I'd tell you who he is, but he is about half my age, goes to the gym, jogs and exercises, and is strong enough to beat me up. But I will tell you this. I asked him one time if he believed God was with him watching the Sooners play football. He said, "yes because God is a Sooner fan". On another occasion I told him that my coffee tasted better in a cup with the Sooner logo on it. I asked if he could help me out with that, and he said, "in that cup it was God's coffee". He is a true native born OKIE! He has said other things, but you get the picture. THIS IS GOD'S COUNTRY! PS. 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, (including Okie Land), and the fullness thereof; the world, and they, (Okie's too), that dwell therein.
When we moved here from Texas, we had to cross the Red River. Didn't the Israelites cross the Red, (Reed), Sea as they headed to Mt. Sinai and eventually to the Promised Land? Well, I rest my case. This must be the Promised Land, and Texas must be...I'd better not say. Every time I have to leave this state, I tend to become ill till I return. Living here is good medicine. My oldest son and his wife are expecting their first baby in May. He/ She will be the first Zuraff born in Oklahoma. The first Okie ZURAFF! Now, I am becoming envious. Wow! Awesome! That kid is going to be special! I believe they want to name their child "Okla Homa Zuraff". What do you think? Sounds great doesn't it? I thought you would like it.
Well, by now you might think I am sold on Oklahoma, the Sooner State, Okie Land, God's Country. You also probably think I am nuts, delusional or something else. You might even think I am joking. Well the truth is, I am just content that God has me living here at this point of my life. The best part about living here are the wonderful Brethren we fellowship with in Shawnee COG7, and occasionally in other parts of the state. I have grown close to a number of Brethren in Shawnee and other places, and want that closeness to become even closer. Hey Shawnee Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, I love you in Christ Jesus!!! We recently bought new property out in the Dale cemetary. We made sure it is right next to where many of our Brethren in Shawnee will be buried. We will all rise up together to meet the Lord when He comes back for us, 1 Thess. 4:16. Maybe we will hold hands as we go up to meet Jesus. That will be an awesome sight. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't change anything that would keep us from coming to Oklahoma. Where I have been, where I am, and where I will be has always been in God's hands, Jas. 4:15. As a local car dealer here in Oklahoma says. "Who loves you Oklahoma"? The real answer? Steven Michael Zuraff does!
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