Good Things

bt Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, July 30, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. - Romans 12:17-18(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. - Hebrews 2:9-10(New Living Translation).

A QUOTE
There is no higher place in life than simply the place God wants us to be. - J. B. Chapman -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Everybody has to be somebody to be anybody. - From Reminisce Magazine - If we pause to think, we'll find cause to thank. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today I had lunch with Charley. He is still a little sore from his surgery on Thursday. The biopsy report showed no cancer, Praise The Lord! I went by the post office. I needed to go to Walmart so I decided to go while I was out for lunch so I wouldn't have to leave the cool to go out again. I took a nap around 2:00 p.m. I awakened a little after 3:00 and stayed up for a few minutes. It didn't seem as if I got my nap completed so I laid back down for a while. Smokey was with me most of the time. Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 101 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 80 degrees. Around 7:00 p.m. I put out fresh water and food for the outside animals. The picture tonight is my grandaughter, Carissa, with her husband, Sam. They were all dressed up to go to a formal dinner while on a cruise. Carissa is my son, Ron's daughter. Carissa is a sister to Chris. Tonight, I would like to leave you with notes from two of my e-mail friends. Mary Jo Holt, from Roseburg, Oregon, sent a note thanking everyone for their prayers. Debra Schock, from McAlester, sent a note about flooding in Illinois. Their notes will be at the end of Good Things. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them tonight. Emmy has been in the den with me but just went outside. Little Girl is here in the den on the arm of the sofa. At 9:30 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 92 degrees. Have a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Here is Mary Jo's letter:
So glad to hear your brother is doing well and there was no cancer ! I would like to thank you and everyone else for their prayers for Dave Higdon, He is doing well and will be released from the hospital tomorrow. The doctors are very surprised at how well he is doing. I guess one of the strokes he had was almost always fatal. So again thank you everyone. Things like this really make you a stronger believer !
Love, Mary Jo Here is a paragraph from Debra's letter: We are dealing with drought and the heat in Oklahoma and my family in Illinois is having serious flooding! They had 17 in. of rain in 2 hrs. and many areas are evacuating! They have shared some pics with us on our Facebook page and it's unbelievable to see these high waters! We are in need and at the same time we are blessed that we are not having to deal with their sadness plus safety as well. God is always with us and many times we sure don't understand why or where things happen, but He doesn't put on us anymore than we can handle! They had an area where the railroad tracks were washed away and 2 trains had derailed, a levy broke and 400 people were immediately evacuated plus many other areas in danger with the high waters. Many of the homes back in Illinois have basements and most all are flooded with water - my mother and 2 sisters have enormous amounts of water in their basements. They said the rain was so severe that it looked like a snow storm, just coming down so fast and strong. People of Oklahoma and Texas are requesting prayer for rain and I ask you to pray also for the people of Illinois and Iowa who are dealing with severe flooding.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Before you let the accusations fly…”

"Do not accuse a man for no reason-when he has done you no harm." (Proverbs 3:30, NIV)

Do you recognize the verse of Scripture this morning? It is the exact same one as yesterday’s only in a different version—and it provides us with an entirely different perspective and one which we must pay close attention to! It must be a part of our human nature to find fault before accepting responsibility. Even in Solomon's day there were those who were quick to cast blame. The "fruit" of our lips is words, and words can go to work the minute they are said. But once said you can never get them back again. They become part of the changeless past. When good words go to work, however, they bring happiness and help people, but the unkind ones bring heartache and sorrow. Chances are you've a right to be angry over some things that have been said to you at meetings, at work or at home. Sometimes you may want to shed hot tears, shove things around, kick the dog, or run away from everything. But hold on hopefully for the words of your God are written in the Bible to help you grow in grace and earn the beattitude of self-control. Word's aren't something you can fool around with. Words aren't just sounds—mad sounds, glad sounds, or blah sounds. Words are living things and they last!! Every word that you have ever said has lasting power. It has lasted as warm and gentle comfort to a friend or relative who needed comfort badly, or it has lasted as a scar whose venom has blown out of all proportion to the original cause and made an enemy for you. If there is still any doubt in your heart about what words can do then consider these things: Once brushed aside, can you mend the strands of the spider's web? So it is with words. After a shower can you make the sun shine through the beads of rain-drops of the trees? Perhaps not, but you can light up a life by the beauty of your chosen words. Wherever you may go, take with you only the best words: Living words, strong-winged, beautiful words of hope and good cheer and praise to God. Words that are kind at heart and understanding. Take with you gentle words. Try gentle words in anger, for gentle words turn away wrath. Your word is the only thing you can keep and give away at the same time. They are living things and they last! Before making any accusations make certain of these things: 1. Do you have all of the facts? 2. What is the motive behind the accusation? 3. How many are affected by the accusation? 4. What will the final result be? Before we do anything which could damage or destroy another's character or reputation also consider these words from Jesus: "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone..."

Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Thursday, July 28, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
14 Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. - Jeremiah 17:14(New International Version).

A QUOTE

Always prefer to have less than more. - Thomas A. Kempis -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER

You can't explore the ocean if you're afraid to lose sight of the shore. - From Reminisce Magazine - The woods would be silent if only those birds sang who sang the best. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES

At 9:00 a.m. I went to the hospital. Charley was having surgery today to remove a cancer from his bladder. However, when the doctor got into his bladder he could not find a cancer. So he just took a biopsy. Charley's grandaughter, Janie, was with him. Charley's pastor was there as well as three more men from his church and myself. He got out of surgery about 11:20 a.m. The other men then left but Janie and I stayed. At about 12:15 they said he could go home. At that time I left them and told them that I would be at Taco Bob's around 1:00 p.m. I came home and rested a few minutes and then went to Taco Bob's, arriving there at 1:00 p.m. I told Bob and his crew that I wasn't sure that Charley and Janie would make so I went ahead and ordered my lunch. About 1:20 p.m. here came Janie and Charley to share lunch with me(they had been to Charley's house for a few minutes and rested). We left Taco Bob's around 2:00 p.m. I came home and they went to Charley's house. I was tired so between 2:30 and 3:00 I lay down in my cool bedroom for a nap. When I finally roused up it was 6:00 p.m. Smokey was in bed with me. I got up and fixed a bite of supper. A little after 7:00 I took fresh water and food out to the outside animals. So the day has been quite busy for this old man. I called Charley a few minutes ago and he was still doing fine. Janie had gone back home to Tulsa. The day has been sunny with a high temperature of 102 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 81 degrees. The picture tonight is my great-grandson, Devon, age 14. He is my granddaughter, Carissa's, son. The cats are fine. I have seen each of them this evening. None are with me at present. At 9:45 P.M. skies are partly cloudy with a temperature of 93 degrees. I will see you next time.

In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“How Responsive are You?”
“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)

I’m truly torn here with what this verse is saying to me and probably to a number of others who are reading this message—how much do we give and how much do we hold back? Is there truly a limit to our giving? I mentioned a couple of days ago that I have been, more than once, the recipient of other’s kindness during time of dire need. On one occasion, our oldest daughter was sick and we needed to get her some medical attention. It was after hours and there was a 24-hour clinic just down the street from our apartment. After providing all of the information we were told that there was a $50 fee for the visit. Dianne was pregnant with our son and I had just started a new job so the $50 fee would literally deplete all of our available funds and I would not receive another paycheck for about 10 days. For the health of our child we had little choice in the matter and we gave the clinic our last $50. We had just enough food to probably last us until the middle of the week. That was on a Friday. That Sunday at Church we were approached by a couple who engaged us in a casual conversation—then out of the blue the man reached into his pocket and proceeded to hand me a piece of paper. He said to us, “The Lord impressed upon us this morning that we needed to give this you.” When I opened it up it was a check for…are you ready for this…fifty dollars!! What makes this even more incredible is the fact we had not told a single person about our need. We did not even let my wife’s parents know for we truly wanted to get through this on our own. There is no doubt in my mind or heart that God spoke to that couple in ways that go beyond our understanding. What do you do when you know there is someone in need? Pray for them? That is good and helpful—but is it meeting their need? Do you calculate what it will cost you to give? That is not necessarily a bad thing—you certainly do not want to place your own family in a position where you become the one in need. When I think back to that gift from our friends they did what they could and it was such a blessing—not only for us but I believe for them as well! If God has placed it upon our heart to help someone in need what choice do we truly have but to say “yes!” to Him and do what we can. You never know—those who are the recipients of our generosity may have the opportunity to be givers in the future. I know we have! I am reminded of another passage of Scripture from Solomon: “Cast your bread upon the waters for after many days it will return to you.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121:7-8(New Living Translation).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. - Psalm 18:32(New Living Translation).

A QUOTE
God is strong in our weakness. - Sheri Rose Shepherd -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
If you get something for nothing, don't complain if you don't get more. - From Reminisce Magazine - Kind words are the music of the world. - From Reminisce Magazine - The best day, today. - From Lists to Live By -
What you do doesn't make your work sacred; why you do it does. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. I took a couple of cat naps this afternoon. I went to my family doctor at 2:30 p.m. He couldn't find anything new wrong with me and told me to come back in four months. The day started with cloudy skies but the skies were clear by noon. High temperature today was 102 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 80 degrees. There was some rain east of McAlester early this morning but it didn't reach us. We haven't had any more rain since the downpour Sunday night that lasted about an hour. The picture tonight is my great-grandson, Dalton, 16 years of age. He is Carissa's son. I will show Devon's picture next time. I have a prayer request tonight from Mary Jo Holt of Roseburg, Oregon. The husband of one of her friends is in the hospital suffering from numerous strokes. He is only 51 years of age. His name is Dave Higdon. Your prayers are always greatly appreciated. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this evening. Little Girl is on the tv tray here in the den. At 9:50 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 94 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.