Fall is in the air and that means, among other things, that it’s time for the Fair! The Oklahoma State Fair begins this week and this will be my first opportunity to attend. I’ve always loved the Fair, being drawn to the sights, sounds, and aromas. I grew up going to The Tulsa State Fair... our family home was just a mile away from the fairgrounds. Now I know some people couldn't care less about the Fair, and others who go wild over it. I could never understand people who would save up money all year just to “blow it” at the Fair, but I thought expending a few dollars was okay. We also got out of school one day just to attend the Fair.

I have never spent a lot of time on the rides, but I loved the midway. My favorite game was the small mechanical cranes in the glass cases that you could pick up “treasures” like plastic dice, cheap knives, rabbit’s foots, and of course, a lot of the small white gravel the items rested on. It was cheap entertainment for a dime!

Another favorite activity was obviously—eating! My family tradition was always to eat a caramel apple at the silver streamline-type trailer with the bright yellow light bulbs around the top. We’d eat Kentucky Fried Chicken and sometimes grab a funnel cake, as well! Our family loves to buy the almond roasted nuts (after sampling to make sure we like them)! But the most interesting activity of the Fair has to be watching the people!

We come in all sizes, shapes, and colors—and you can see about every variety at the Fair! Some sights are happy, others very sad, and some are downright scary! The varieties of people remind us that we have a most creative God, and that we all need Him, too. One of my Mom’s favorite scripture verses is 1 Samuel 16:8: “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Every person you’ll ever meet has extreme value because Jesus willingly died for them. I remember a Guidepost story where a person said they always visualize another person with the letters CDFM on their forehead: Christ Died For Me... a pretty good reminder for us all!

In Christ,
Mark

P.S. The Staff told be to be sure to eat Dan’s Indian Tacos and a roasted ear of corn, but to stay away from the turkey legs and deep fried Oreo cookies. No promises, but I’ll do my best!

P.S.S. Our Fall Wednesday Night CSI programming begins tonight! I hope to see you here for a great dinner, worship, and spiritual growth! Blessings!