Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Mirror-Images”
“Do not envy violent people; don’t copy them...’" – Proverbs 3:31 (NLT)
During the Calvin Coolidge administration, an overnight guest at the White House was very nervous about eating breakfast with the president and his wife. He was afraid of doing something improper or impolite during the meal, so he decided to just do whatever the president did. President Coolidge sat down at the table and, to the surprise of the guest, poured some of his coffee from the cup in the saucer. The guest did the same thing. Next, the President poured some cream and sugar into the saucer. The guest casually did the same thing. But the guest didn't know what to do when the President picked up the saucer and put it on the floor for the cat! Events over the past couple of decades have proven what many of us have discovered over the years—mankind, as a whole, is primarily followers. There are a very select few who are what we would deem to be, “leaders.” Those who inspire others by either their words or actions—prompting those around them to “follow them” anywhere and everywhere they go—having them do anything and everything they ask. We are very familiar with a number of them. Hannibal, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun, Charlemagne (aka, Charles the Great), Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolph Hitler just to name a few. For reasons known only to those who believed and followed, these individuals inspired thousands, even millions to help conquer lands and lead the weak into their servitude. Men like Jim Jones and David Koresh are painful reminders to many in our era as to what can happen when we mistake leadership with lunacy. Lives were lost—families destroyed simply because these individual were able to coerce the weak into believing in something that was in the end false. Isn’t it unfortunate that when we think of great “leaders” it is typically those who were either great military minds or dictators? Or, how about sports figures? Are they to be considered “Role Models?” Many are because we see their success and we hear of the millions of dollars they are making as a result of their success. Tiger Woods has made millions thanks to his talent and has also ruined his marriage thanks to his arrogance. Last year’s bru-ha-ha over where professional basketball player and the National Basketball league’s most valuable player LeBron James would play the next year captured not only media attention but it literally held at least five cities captive! Those cities spent thousands of dollars on advertising trying to court one man in playing basketball for their team. That, friends, is not only power, that is greed at its peak and what is worse is how many young people want to be like these individuals!! Men of violence…hate…and greed. Quite unlike what we are told to be like from Scripture. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV)
Scripture does not call us to imitate men, but to be imitator's of Christ! "Follow Me..." was Jesus word's to the twelve. Imagine that…a man of peace. A leader who instead of conquering with the sword conquered with love. That is an image that I want to mirror!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by zpastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Don’t’ Finish What You Cannot Start”
“Don’t tell your neighbor, ‘Maybe some other time,’ or ‘Try me tomorrow when the money’s right there in your pocket...’" – Proverbs 3:28 (The Message)
One of my biggest struggles in life is not like leaving projects undone. Have you ever started something thinking it would only take a little while only to have it occupy most of your day? I must ashamedly admit that I have found myself in that position too many times. It is why I am careful about starting jigsaw puzzles—I just cannot leave it alone until it is finished!! We have spent the past couple of days talking about helping those in need with the resources we have been given. What it means to truly be a neighbor and how what we do for others could have a major impact upon their future. I want to take an entirely different approach with this same verse and you may be surprised that it has absolutely nothing to do with helping those in need—but more with allowing our lives to be used as the ultimate resource for the purpose of serving Christ. In His “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus talked about this very issue by using this analogy: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:39-42, NIV) The verse of Scripture from Proverbs 3 is not so much about giving as it is about attitude! It is not what we give but how we give it and why. It is about living responsibly as a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ—of which there is no greater purpose than to serve Him and one another. The reason why I believe this to be a matter of attitude is this: My giving is not about me—nor is it about you—it is entirely about God and what He expects of me as His servant. Think of it this way—you are walking down the road simply minding your own business. Walking on the opposite side of the road is a couple of soldiers. If you living in Palestine during Jesus’ day you would easily recognize their uniforms—they are Imperial Roman soldiers. As your paths prepare to cross one of the soldier’s stands in your way and without as much as a greeting he says, “Jew, carry my pack.” According to Roman law you are required to carry that pack for no more than one mile. Now, not only are you having to stop what you are doing but now you must go a mile in the opposite direction to appease one who is by all accounts, your enemy! According the Proverbs 3:28, you go that mile because you can. However, what is your attitude saying? Are you under your breath saying to yourself, “I’ll carry your stinking pack a mile but I will go no further than that!” However, according to Jesus the attitude is to be different. As you are walking down the road you are about to approach the one-mile marker. The soldier prepares to take the pack from you but instead of throwing it at him or on the ground you hang onto to it. “Has it really been a mile already?” You say. “I am feeling really good here so if it is okay with you I will go another mile.” What impact do you think this would have on that soldier? What a difference a little attitude makes! Do you think it would change you? Your family? Your Church?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. Henry David Thoreau Yesterday was a glorious day from start to finish! One of the great things that happened was the result of my conscious endeavor that began as a vision in my mind over a year ago. I'll get to that part in a minute. First, I want to tell you of my vision. I love teddy bears. I don't remember that I had one as a child. When I was pregnant with our first child, we decorated the nursery with a teddy bear theme and Allen and I even created a beautiful teddy bear mobile to hang over the baby's crib. I love to go to our local Goodwill store and it excites me to find that "just right" teddy bear. I am very particular about the bears I've added to my collection. I've collected them simply for the fun of it. I've found some very beautiful bears at very reasonable prices. Last year I decided I wanted to give them to one of our hospitals in town, specifically the Emergency Room. The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced it was the right thing to do. At that time I had collected about 10 or 12 bears. Little did I know at the time, it would be several more months before the ball really got rolling with my vision. This Spring, I contacted a lady who is on the Board of Directors of the hospital and told her of my vision. She was very excited about it, especially when I told her I wanted the teddy bears to be given to little children who come into the ER and are admitted. When they get to the hospital, they are no doubt frightened and so are their parents. Knowing that most people would not think to bring their child's stuffed animal at a time like that, I wanted to provide comfort to a child when he or she really needs a positive diversion from all that is happening to them and around them in a hospital room. I believe that most everyone probably likes teddy bears and will relate positively toward them. This project is, in my humble opinion, God's way of comforting the little ones through the soft, cuddly presence of a teddy bear. I want them to leave the hospital with a positive, tangible gift, and to remember that something special and good came from their stay in the hospital. This isn't about me getting credit for coming up with the idea. This is God working through me to comfort the little ones. I took the idea to the man at my dry cleaners business in town and he was very excited about it. He has already professionally cleaned the first dozen bears and told me to bring more as I get them and he will be glad to clean them for me. I couldn't do this project without him. His part in this project is vital for the comfort of the parents of the children that their little ones are receiving clean bears and also, the hospital staff know the bears are free of germs. Now, back to yesterday! I received a call from the director of the ER who had been contacted by the member of the Board. She and I had a wonderful conversation about the project and is excited to meet me and to get the bears. I have continued to collect teddies and have about 14 more that need to go to the cleaners. When I have all of them cleaned I will contact the director of the ER and we will arrange a time for me to bring them to the ER and to meet her. Approximately 400 children come through the ER each month. Of course, not all of them are admitted. I completely trust God and the ER staff to give the teddy bears to the children who have the greatest need. My collection consists of small to medium bears. I do a sniff check at the store and check all their parts to make sure they are in excellent condition; only the best quality bears will do. I remove ribbons from around the neck and clothing if they are clothed so the bodies can be cleaned. I know this message is a long one today and if you have stayed with me to this part of the message, I thank you! It really couldn't be condensed to just a short note and do the project justice. Now you know my vision. If you have a teddy you would like to include in this project please email me at the address below and I will be glad to send you my office snail mail address or if you are local, we can get together and bring teddy bears and smiles to little sick and injured children being cared for in my home town hospital. In the meantime, I will continue to search out those "just right" teddy bears. It is a joy and a pleasure for me to do this for the children of my community.....all because of a conscious endeavor! Take care and have a wonderful day! Love, Nan nan0599@yahoo.com

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

Good Morning Everyone...Did you think I had forgotten you?
I apologize for not sending out a message yesterday...but to say the least I needed a day to recover from both the week and weekend.
What a great time we had at Children's Camp last week! It actually started on Saturday (the 18th) with the Primary Camp which concluded on Tuesday...that was followed up by the Pre-Teen Camp which concluded on the 25th. Seven of our kids attended and it was worth every penny we invest. Thanks to all who help make this happen.

“It’s Not the Years…It’s the Mileage” “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.” – Proverbs 4:10 You don’t have to be a “movie buff” to recognize some of the more famous lines and quotes from the cinema screen that seem to find their way in our conversations. You may have never seen the movies from which a quote is taken—but you may have used it nonetheless. Here are some of the most famous quotes/lines from movies through the years. See if you can guess where they are from and who said them. (Answers will be at the end of the Message.) “Here’s looking at you, kid.” “Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.” “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.” “My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you.” “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I’ll never know.” “Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” “Well, here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into.” “Hasta la vista, baby,” Some of those are just way too easy and how many times have we used any of these lines? I have one more—and it may not be as “famous” as these others but it is one of my personal favorites. It is from one of the greatest adventure movies ever made, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Harrison Ford plays an archeologist who tends to get himself into some rather bizarre situations—usually requiring him to use some very creative means to rescue himself and others from diabolical villains. After one such episode his body is bruised, bloody. The character he has just rescued (a female of course) said, “Your getting old, Jones.” Following is one of the greatest lines of all times: “It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.” So, what does a movie quote have to do with Proverbs? Or our lives for that matter? If you go back to Solomon’s day, the average life-span was around 60 years of age. Not quite the same as during the early Old Testament days was it? So for them, long life was truly a matter of perspective. In our culture we tend to measure a “good long life” to those who live into their eighties, nineties and even beyond. But does that mean that their life has been a good one? Could it be that those who lived far less in terms of their years experienced more “life” in a short time than many who live to be older. It is unfortunate that too many leave us way too early, but if they knew the Lord as their Savior—if they have been “saved by grace,” and were walking with Him through life—then I would say they got far more mileage out of their life. The Life of Christ offers so much more and though it may not add years to our lives, it will add life to our years. I love this quote from John Eldredge from his book, The Journey of Desire: “The Jews (of Jesus day) were practicing a very soul-killing spirituality, a lifeless religion of duty and obligation. They had abandoned desire and replaced it with knowledge and performance as the key to life. The synagogue was the place to go to learn how to get with the program. Desire was out of the question; duty was the path that people must walk. No wonder they feared Jesus. He came along and started appealing to desire Are you getting mileage out of your life—or are you running out of gas?

(Humphrey Bogart, Casablanca) (Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz) (Marlon Brando, On the Waterfront) (Strother Martin, Cool Hand Luke) (James Cagney, Yankee Doodle Dandy) (Grouch Marx, Animal Crackers) (Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump) (Oliver Hardy, Sons of the Desert) (Arnold Schwarzenneger, Terminator 2, Judgment Day)
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

 GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 Now it came to pass, as He (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” - Luke 11:1-4(New King James Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." - Matthew 10:32-33(New International Version).
A QUOTE
Jesus still loves people enough to come alongside them as they travel life's road and offer them hope. - Craig Taylor -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Blot out a bad thought with a good one. - From Reminisce Magazine - Regrets of the past and fear of the future eclipse the joy of the present. - From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy. We had a light rain shower this morning but not enough rain to help much. High temperature today was 96 degrees and low temperature today was 75 degrees. I had lunch with my brother, Charley, and our friend, Bill. I came by the post office and then home for the rest of the day. I took my usual nap this afternoon. I sat outside with the cats for about an hour at 7:00 p.m. The cat picture tonight is Itty Bitty. The cats are fine. Little Girl on the sofa and Rascal on the desk near me. The rest are around somewhere. At 9:55 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 76 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.