Caveat

by Quentin Clingerman, Monrovia, MD
July 24, 2011

With so many new poems perhaps it is time to remind the reader that points of view expressed in the poems are those of the author and not necessarily of Wordchimes.com. Since everyone is welcome to submit poetry as long as it is in keeping with decency and general Christianity there may be various theological and philosophical points of view expressed. Again that is fine but not all points of view are approved or believed by the Administrator and Founder of Wordchimes.com. Thank you.

Quentin Clingerman, Administrator and Originator of Wordchimes.com

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“The ‘Sensory’ of God’s Wisdom!”
“Long before God stretched out Earth's Horizons, and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather, and set Sky firmly in place, I was there.” – Proverbs 8:27-28 (MSG)

The wisdom of God was established long before man took his first breath. That point was made yesterday and the day before and the message before that. God’s wisdom has been questioned for centuries and, I might add simply ignored. And yet, each day we are all witnesses to God’s wisdom and power simply by looking at our surroundings. And it also goes beyond that! I have loved the past several verses for how they have me picturing the beauty of this earth. How God has truly blessed us with a great place to live…no matter where you live. One of the more beautiful hymns written, “Fairest Lord Jesus,” really captures this imagery. And yet, there is something even more wonderful and beautiful than all the images portrayed in these verses or this hymn. More than 1900 years ago there was a Man born contrary to the laws of life. This Man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He did not travel extensively. He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His relatives were inconspicuous, and had neither training nor formal education. In infancy, He startled a king; in childhood he puzzled doctors; in manhood he ruled the course of nature. He healed the multitudes without medicine and made no charge for His service. He never wrote a book and yet all the libraries of the country could not hold the books that have been written about Him. He never wrote a song and yet He has furnished the theme for more songs than all the songwriters combined. He never marshaled an army and yet no leader ever had more volunteers. The names of the past proud statesmen, scientists, philosophers and theologians have come and gone; but the name of this Man abounds more and more. He stands on the highest pinnacle as the living Christ, both Lord and Savior. This living Christ, according to the writer of the book of Hebrews is superior: Superior to the Old Testament priests; superior to Moses; superior to the old sacrifices and yes, even Superior to angels (see stanza 3 of the hymn and Hebrews 1:4) Those of us who live where we have four seasons, understand and delight in the end of winter when we can again enjoy the "blooming garb of Spring." We can revel in the sights, sound and smells of "the meadows, the woodlands…and the twinkling starry host." But, one can easily delight in the creation and forget the Creator as in the familiar quotation: "One is nearer the heart of God in a garden than anywhere else on earth." In reality, though, one is closer to the heart of God when one is in the company of a "Christlike" person. And one is closest of all when joined to this "Beautiful Savior". Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son, Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown. Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing. Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels heaven can boast. Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forever more be Thine.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, July 22, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD

18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Corinthians 6:18(New International Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 35 "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Matthew 12:35-37(New International Version).

A QUOTE

Allow time to pray. - Dr Steve Stephens -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER

Don't burn a bridge that you may have to cross later. - From Reminisce Magazine - Good intentions die unless they are executed. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The seeds of discouragement never germinate in a grateful heart. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The Ten Commandments are a recipe for righteous living, not a buffet to pick and choose from. - From Reflecting God -
NOTES

Today I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I then went by Country Mart for some items and then to the post office. Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 101 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 81 degrees. This heat wave is now covering a large part of the United States. I took a nap this afternoon. I put out fresh water and food for the outside animals this evening but I only stayed out about 5 minutes. This hot weather saps what little energy I already have. The picture tonight is my great-granddaughter, Holly, great-grandson, Nick and great-grandson, Jon, made in the living room. The cats are fine. I have seen them all this evening. Emmy just came up on the desk beside me and meowed and I knew she wanted out, so I got up and let her out. Little Girl is on a tv tray here in the den. Rascal was here a few minutes ago. At 9:04 p.m. the temperature is 94 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama
,br /> Today is the day I will meet Greta Jordan and take her "Nan's good will bears"! She is the director of the Emergency Room at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Several years ago I began to collect teddy bears. Of course, it didn't begin as a collection or with the idea of a collection in mind. I occasionally came upon a beautiful teddy bear and decided I wanted it. I never had a teddy bear as a child and I thought to myself that it's never too late and I'm not too old to buy myself a teddy bear. At some point last year I began to think of doing something special with my collection of bears. "Nan's good will bears" came to be when I contacted my friend, Aurora, who is on the Board of Directors at the hospital and gave her my idea. I wanted to donate my teddies to the Emergency Room to be given to sick or hurt children who were being admitted who were frightened and needed a special diversion from what was being done to them and for them as the professional staff cared for their needs. I have the first 25 bears ready for delivery this afternoon. They have each been professionally cleaned by my friend, Jeff White, who runs Sloan's Cleaners. Jeff is a wonderful man who always has a smile on his face and is happy to lend a helping hand. His involvement is critical, in that, parents and hospital staff know the bears have been professionally cleaned before they reach the hands of the children. I am so grateful God brought Jeff and me together. There are another dozen bears at the cleaners being cleaned as I type this message. I have another 26 bears waiting to go to the cleaners. I take Jeff a dozen at a time. I am continually amazed at how God has richly blessed this intention of good will. He has provided in abundance! I find the bears in excellent condition for very affordable prices. My original collection had a total of 12 bears and just look how abundantly God has provided these beautiful bears for children who have no clue they will receive one! Others have begun to bring their bears to me, as well. Aurora got in touch with the director of the ER, Greta Jordan, and now you know the rest of the story. Tomorrow I will share with you the poem I wrote called Nan's good will bears.
,br /> If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama

Take care and have a wonderful day! I will! Love you! Nan

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“The Sanctity of God’s Wisdom”
“…before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when he set the heavens in place when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep…” – Proverbs 8:26-27
I think Solomon has made his point perfectly clear—that before anything came to exist…before mankind took their first steps upon the earth…before life and the earth as we know it began its orbit around the sun—God’s life was already at work. He was simply waiting to find those who He could plant that life into—and here we are—and unfortunately for far too many He is still waiting. Everything Solomon has described in the past few verses has to do with life. The life that was designed for us to live…and the life that is to be cherished. Again, something that far too many take for granted either in regards to their own existence or in how they treat others. I am unapologetically “Pro-Life.” I believe without hesitation that God created life and that all life is sacred. This belief goes beyond the abortion issue—and it has everything to do how I live my life, how I take care of (or should take care of) my body. It impacts how I treat the people in my life or how I need to be treating people in general. And yes…it has a great deal to do with the abortion issue as well. Kay James is the Secretary of Health and Human resources in the Virginia state government. She is a middle-class black woman who is firmly pro-life. Once, during an abortion debate, a woman in the audience angrily told James she was so middle-class she didn't have a clue about real African-American life. "If you really understood what these women go through," the woman said, "you would realize that abortion is their only choice." James then asked the woman to consider a poor black mother on welfare. She already has four children and an alcoholic husband who has all but abandoned the family. Now she discovers another child is on the way. "How would you counsel that woman?" asked James. "Have an abortion," the woman responded. "That child would have a very poor quality life." "I have a vested interest in your answer," Mrs. James said. "The woman I just described to you was my mother. I was the fifth of six children born into poverty. And, in case you're interested, the quality of my life is just fine!" Much like Mrs. Kay James, my life could have taken a similar turn. I was born into a situation where I was by every stretch of the description, an unwanted pregnancy. It was several years before abortion became a legal option—and though it could have been performed it was not. In response to that I have enjoyed 52 years on this earth and look forward to many more. Maybe it is for the reason I just described that I appreciate what this life means and why I attempt to live it with passion and purpose. Maybe it is why I relish all that God has to offer—meaning the mountains, rivers, valleys, oceans, and yes even the deserts. Each day is a gift that God has given and I want to be a part of it. I do not live blindly. I, like every other individual have days and situations that can be “challenging” to say the least—but I approach those challenges with the knowledge that I am not alone! I have the Creator of Life beside me to walk me through the valleys…over the mountains, above the oceans and across the deserts. Give life (and the people in it) your best because God created things that way. Not everyone or everything will return the favor—but do not allow the “unfairness” of life prevent you from being the person you were designed to be.
Pastor J. T. Carnell