Daily Jewel

by        Pastor  J.T.  Carnell,   McAlester,   OK    

Good Morning Everyone!  Batten down the hatches...hold on to your hats...the wind continues to blow!

Received word last night that George's condition remains primarily the same.  From what Nelda was saying is that he has been removed from a second medication that has been keeping his heart going.  He is still sedated and the doctors are hoping to slowly remove other means that he is relying to see if his body is able to function on it's own.  George's recovery will be long...keep them in prayer.

Received word that Eva's granddaughter, Elizabeth, was involved in a serious accident Sunday and has been in the Muskogee hospital with a broken leg and other injuries. 

Received word this morning that Dawn's mom had a tia stroke and they found blockage in her heart.  She is having a heart cath later today.

On the lighter side, Brenda LoPresto sent me this note yesterday and she gave me permission to share it.  In their morning devotions she has been teaching her kids the Lord's Prayer.  Yesterday she was having Paul quote it back to her.  She began with a prompt; 

Brenda:  "Our Father, which art in Heaven...
Paul:  "Give us this day...our daily INFORMATION!
Way to go Paul!!  You got it right!

For those on the Ashes to Fire Journey...some great stuff this week.  I hope you are on track.

Here is today's message:

“Do Not become a Willing Accomplice to Your own Demise”

“All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose…”- Proverbs 7:22

”Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?  He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.   He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” – Isaiah 53:1-7 (NIV)

            I am going to take an entirely different route than the one we have been on for the past couple of weeks.  It has been made relatively clear that any of us can fall easy prey to a number of temptations.  The reason for these possibilities is also clear—the evil one is not only the master of disguises, he is also the king of “appeal.”  He knows how to dress things up just right and with just the right words, knows how to “seal the deal.”  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot escape the fact that on our own we are easy prey.  And far too often we are as Solomon says, like an ox to the slaughter.

Isaiah provides a different picture altogether, that there is a huge difference between sacrificing oneself for the sake of that which is eternal as opposed to walking into your own execution to satisfy some gratuitous desires.  

In Isaiah’s classic passage—we are confronted with what is perhaps the greatest visual of what the love of God is all about, and it is found in the Lamb of God.  Because Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for our sake, no longer do we have to face the tempter alone or blindly.  He will be our strength in time of trouble—unless we choose to go it without Him.  And if you believe you can go it alone against the master of deceit, then I would implore you to think again.  I came across this a few years ago and it is a great creed to recite from time to time.  It is titled, “Who Jesus is to Me.”

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!

He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!

He is the Architect of the universe and The Manager of all times.

He always was, He always is, and He always will be...

Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!  He was pierced and eased pain!

He was persecuted and brought freedom!  He was dead and brought life!

He is risen and brings power!  He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him, armies can't defeat Him,

The schools can't explain Him, and leaders can't ignore Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!

Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age can't replace Him,

and Donahue, Larry King or Geraldo can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.  He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.

He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.  His ways are right,

His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. 

He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,  He is my guide, and He is my peace!

He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, The power of the powerful,

The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers,

and The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.  His goal is a relationship with ME!

He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me,

Never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

 

When I fall, He lifts me up!    When I fail, He forgives!

When I am weak, He is strong!    When I am lost, He is the way!

When I am afraid, He is my courage!  When I stumble, He steadies me!

When I am hurt, He heals me!  When I am broken, He mends me!

When I am blind, He leads me!  When I am hungry, He feeds me!

When I face trials, He is with me!  When I face persecution, He shields me!

When I face problems, He comforts me!  When I face loss, He provides for me!

And when the time to face death comes, He will carry me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere, Every time, and every way. 

He is God, He is faithful.  I am His, and He is mine! 

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.

So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.  God is in control, I am on His side, and

That means all is well with my soul.  Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

            Simply stated, do not become a willing accomplice to your own demise.  Give Jesus a chance to be your strength!

Good Things

by   Everett Christian,  McAlester, OK 

 
GOOD THINGS
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
 
 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
11 Look, the winter is past,
      and the rains are over and gone.
 12 The flowers are springing up,
      the season of singing birds has come,
      and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.
- Song of Solomon 2:11-12(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
      so why should I be afraid?
   The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
      so why should I tremble?
- Psalm 27:1(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
If you have a hallelujah anywhere in the depths of your being, it must be looking for an exit sign right now.
- W. E. McCumber -
 
 
 
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
 
If you're not afraid to face the music, you may someday lead the band.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.  - Age 52, Wisdom Through The Ages -
 
May we be willing to stand up for Him (Jesus), because He was willing to lay His life down for us.
- From Reflecting God -
 
Take time to think about where you are going or you may not like where you ultimately end up.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 71 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 31 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office to pick up my mail. I took a nap this afternoon. About 4:00 p.m. I went to Walmart for my weekly supply of cat food and other items. I filled my van with gasoline at Walmart at a price of $3.54 per gallon. I sat outside with the kitties this evening around 5:15 p.m. for about 30 minutes. The trees are putting on their leaves now and flowers are starting to bloom. I have been through 85 Aprils and the trees have never failed to bud out and the flowers have never failed to bloom. The first Iris are beginng to bloom and they are yellow. There are two blooms so far, one for Flonnie and one for me. I think she helps God with the flowers that she and I set out around our place.
 
It seems to help me to rest every other night from the Good Things so that is probably the way I will continue with them. Your comments are always welcome, pro or con.
 
The cats are all fine and accounted for. Little Girl is sound asleep on the couch. Rascal was just in to check on me a little while ago.
 
At 10:00 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 60 degrees. I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by  Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Go For It!”

“Get wisdom...get understanding…” – Proverbs 4:5

                In a couple of days one of the most prestigious and revered events in the game of golf will take place in Augusta, Georgia—The Masters.  For those who know me—you know that I love the game of golf.  Many believe it to be “boring” to watch, and those would probably be the ones who have no interest or appreciation for the sport.  I, however, take the complete opposite approach because I both appreciate and enjoy the game of golf.  I am certainly not very good at it—in fact I am downright horrible but I will continue to play it as long as I have the physical ability.  The reason why I enjoy watching The Masters, has to do with watching those who are truly “Masters” in the game.

For those who are familiar with the game of golf—the goal is to reach each hole with the least number of strokes possible. In the process there are a number of elements on each course that are designed to provide a challenge for each participant.  These elements are known to the golfing world as hazards.  A hazard is anything that impedes one’s path to the ultimate goal and that is putting that little white ball in the hole in least number of strokes (swings) possible. 

On any given golf course these hazards could include but not exclusive to the following:  Trees.  As much as I love trees, on a golf course a tree is not a golf ball’s best friend.  The more trees there are on any given course the greater the probability you and nature will be very close friends.  Sand traps.  Sand belongs on the beach or in sand boxes.  Take a close look at the word, sand trap.  I lost four strokes on one hole thanks to one of these traps!  Reptiles.  No, I am not trying to be funny.  I was playing on a course in Texas one time called, “The Cliffs.”  The name itself caused golfers like myself to break out in hives and if at any time your ball went out of bounds any effort to retrieve that ball was discouraged by the probability that rattlesnakes could be lurking in the brush.  On another occasion I was playing a course in the beautiful city of Orlando.  There were signs posted throughout the course with this warning:  “Alligators.  Search for lost balls at your own risk…but we do not recommend it.” That is what I call a hazard!

And then there is the worst hazard of all—water!  When your ball finds the water (as mine has done far too often) the only thing you can do is take out another ball, add two strokes to your score and then go on.  What is worse is when a water hazard is in front of the “green,” the place where the hole is located.  When you know there is water in front of the green you have one of two options:  (1) You can choose to “lay-up” in front of the hazard.  This means you probably will not make that hole “under-par.”  Or, (2) You could try and “go for it.”  Take the chance of hitting over the hazard while knowing if you do not make it your score will be worse than if you were to lay-up.

Last year at one of the four major tournaments, the PGA Championship, professional golfer “Bubba” Watson did just that.  During the last round he and Martin Kaymer were neck and neck.  Neither had ever won a major tournament so for both this was an opportunity of a lifetime.  Toward the end of the last round instead of playing the holes safe Watson, not just once, but twice, “went for it!”  He ended up losing by one stroke—but his statement explaining his actions were right on.  He said, “I play to win the game.  If you do not want to win then why play?  If I had the chance to do it over again I would do the same thing.”

Solomon is telling us in this verse to “Go for it!”  Don’t lay up.  Don’t settle for shooting par when you can do better.  Get it, he says!  Get wisdom…get understanding.  Get everything that God has made available. 

In this life there will always be hazards that attempt to impede our journey.  It may be people—it may be issues—it may be alligators or rattlesnakes, disguised as things that are trying to steal our joy—our hope—our passion for life.  Just as in golf what I have learned is that when my ball goes into one of those hazards the best thing to do is just let it go—get out another ball and just keep playing!

I was once told by a friend who was a very good golfer that hazards are mental.  If you ignore them they will not bother you.  I would like to say his advice changed my game but sadly…it did not.

Are you discouraged because things are not going as you think they should?  Are you not as far as you think you should be in your spiritual life?  Keep playing.  Go for all that God wants you to have.  Don’t let life’s “hazards” get in the way of doing your best.  And when given the choice of “laying-up” or “going for it,” my advice is…swing away!

Nan's Calendar

by  Nan Forehand,  Statesville, NC

 

James 2
14)What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?........
26)As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

In the book of James, Chapter 2 verses 14-26, James speaks of faith and deeds.  I only gave you verses 14 and 26, because of the importance of stirring your curiosity to go to the book of James and read the rest of that section for yourself.

Because I had faith in God's direction for the Nan's Calendar message day before yesterday (and every day I write), I believed someone would be touched by the message.  Whether they would respond was a mystery at the time of the writing of the message.

Frank Lloyd Wright said "the thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in the thing makes it happen."

When I received the email from the reader who shared something very personal with me regarding Monday's message, I had a choice.  I could have read it and deleted it without responding.  I had a choice.  To choose to respond, taking time, love, compassion, deliberate thought and especially listening to God for the right words in speaking directly to this person, my deed was in direct alignment with God's will.  I don't have all the answers.  I will tell you what I am full of if you don't already know it by now and I'll tell you what I'm not full of.  I am full of love for my Heavenly Father.  I am continually filled with the Holy Spirit. I am full of faith.  I am full of desire; the desire to help others in whatever way God calls me to help them.
I am not full of myself.  I am not full of self-centered praise.  I am not full of a desire for fame.  As with a sponge, what is soaked in is poured out when it is squeezed.  I've said that before and last Sunday, our guest speaker in Sunday School said it also.  I gave her a huge smile when she said it, because I understood fully what she meant.

I believe it is appropriate to share the response to my personal note with you so that God may receive all the praise and glory.  This person's response to me touched my heart deeply and I know it touched the heart of God deeply.  This is why I do what I do.....for others to be helped and for God to be praised.

"Nan, that was a beautiful letter. I treasure it. When you prayed, I prayed with my hands open to God. Thank you, dear sister in Christ."

This person "prayed with my hands open to God."  As I meditate on this, glory bumps cover my body at this very moment.  This person gave years of suffering a new meaning yesterday.  You don't need to know any details, but now you know the highlights.  Because this person shared something very personal with me and prayed to God "with my hands open", I believe you are being lifted up and encouraged by this person's courage to reveal suffering to me.  Because I responded (a deed born of faith) to the person, and share this with you, those years of suffering will never be viewed the same as before.  

Remember, the thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in the thing makes it happen!  Mr. Wright said it well, didn't he.  I believe he knew what he was talking about.  He died April 9, 1959 at the age of ninety-two.  If you love architecture, you need to google Mr. Wright's biography.  He was a great architect and a great man. 

May our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you, one and all today.  Love, Nan

God's Tug - Symbiosis and Peace

Symbiosis and Peace

April 5, 2011

 

Definition of SYMBIOSIS

1:  the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms

2:  a cooperative relationship (as between two persons or groups) symbiosis…between the resident population and the immigrants — John Geipel>

 

Definition of PEACE

1: a state of tranquility or quiet: as a : freedom from civil disturbance b : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom peace> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I7Wk14VWK4

2: harmony in personal relations

3 a : a state or period of mutual concord between governments b : a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

 

Definitions from Merriam-Webster online dictionary

¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18 New Living Translation

Verse from Bible Gateway

 

Last night, I watched a show I taped on the Science Channel, called Mutant Planet about Brazil’s Cerrado, the ancient grassland very similar to Africa’s Serengeti Plain. This morning I watched a video on YouTube.com about peace and by accident started watching another one I absolutely loved about how one person can make a difference. I’ve posted the link below.

 

Two words have been running through my mind all day – symbiosis and peace. What does one have to do with the other? Well, according to the definitions, I don’t believe they are mutually exclusive. As I watched Mutant Planet, I saw how the cycle of symbiotic life starts with one animal, then moves through other animals, flowers, trees, fruit, behaviors, weather patterns, and ends with another insect and plants. Society calls humans smarter than animals, but after looking at this show on the Science Channel, I wonder. (and watch many other shows about animals) Of course, humans have brains, but I think about how much of this world they’ve destroyed in the name of progress. The phrase, “What Would Jesus Do?” comes to mind. Ok, what would He do? Personally, I think Jesus sees what’s going on in this world – the war, the destruction, the hate – and cries. Either that or will take His followers home. I don’t know what Jesus feels, I’m not God, nor do I try to play God, but I know that the verse from Romans is what I do each day. Of course, I’m not perfect at it, but I do my best to create peace in this world and to live in a symbiotic relationship and create peace.    

 

Here is the YouTube video on what one person can do. It’s an amazing video and only 4:37 minutes long.

 

Here are other places you can read my blog: by email and at http://www.mylessonseachday.blogspot.com.

 

May God’s blessings be upon you, your family, and your furkids.

Michelle Rose