Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Saved”

“…do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you…” – Proverbs 4:6
“Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.” – Doug Larson
Great advice…both from Solomon and from Doug Larson. Now here is the million dollar question…How do you follow through with this? How do you use God’s wisdom for your benefit? Or…how do you know you are using it? Actually the key from my perspective in this verse is that of “protection.” The purpose of wisdom is not to make us smarter—richer—stronger—but safer! I want to take this to a bit of a different level here. In Christianity we have a number of different words to describe the work that Christ does in our lives. Our salvation experience is intended to redeem us—restore our hearts and souls back to the condition where they were intended to be in their original state. When I think of being saved I picture someone being “rescued” from a hopeless situation. After the recent earthquake in Haiti we witnessed a number of people being rescued from the rubble. After the rescue the person is taken to a place that is safe where they can heal. A life without Christ is a hopeless life. It offers no direction—purpose—hope. Living life in this way is not a “safe” existence. To better illustrate this I want to give an example from a pastor friend of mine. “The young mother was serious when she asked me the question. At first, it caught me off guard. She had called to ask if I could meet with her. She said she had some questions about what Christians believe. I was happy to visit with her. Here was the question she asked: “What does it mean to be saved?” She was not a member of any church. In fact, she didn’t attend church. She had not been raised in a family that attended church. She said she didn’t know anything about the Bible. She had enrolled her daughter in a church-run pre-school near where they lived. When her daughter repeated at home things she had learned at school, the mother became interested. As simply as possible, I shared with her what the Bible taught about finding peace with God. We prayed together. She left. I placed her on my email list where I send out regular notes of encouragement to a number of people. Two years passed. Several months ago this young mother became depressed and attempted suicide. She entered counseling in her home town. She decided it was time to try church. She visited the church where her daughter attended pre-school. Here is how she describes the experience: “When I entered the church that day, my feelings of fear, ignorance, anxiety, and hopelessness lifted and were gone. The pastor spoke about accepting Christ as Savior and gave an invitation. I responded on that very first Sunday, with my daughter’s teacher by my side and two other teachers following. I accepted Christ as Savior. I started a new life that day—I had no prior knowledge of the Bible or church. I had feared for 30 years that people would scorn me for my ignorance of the Bible. I now know the only thing that matters is inside me and my open desire to learn from the Lord and to follow the path he has for me.” Last Sunday—two months after accepting Jesus Christ into her life—she was baptized. I was there. She is on her way. In her testimony read during her baptism, this is how she concluded her statement of belief: “Now I am active in all church functions. I am going to Sunday school and starting a discipleship class soon. I am eager to learn from God’s word and become the best Christian wife and mother I can be.” In his book, To Timothy and All Other Disciples, Reuben Welch said, “I wish there was a way to take the word saved and spread it out and make it bigger than we normally think about it. Behind the word saved is the big word salvation, which I have come to believe is about the biggest word in God’s Book.” Wisdom is accepting Jesus! The wisest decision we will ever make. That acceptance will then protect our soul from ultimate destruction. In Him, we have a safe harbor that no storm can harm.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC

Everything you need you already have. You are complete right now. You are a whole, total person, not an apprentice person on the way to someplace else. Your completeness must be understood by you and experienced in your thoughts as your own personal reality.
Beverly Sills

I truly am a whole, total person. I remember the time in my life when I didn't feel whole. As I reflect upon then and now, the phrase "a shell of a person" comes to mind. I know some of you may not feel whole right now. That is why God guided me to the quote above today. As I posted the photo of my pretty iris at the bottom of this page, which is named Beverly Sills, I was curious for more information about Ms. Sills. I googled Beverly Sills and came upon quotes by Ms. Sills. This one practically jumped off the page at me and begged to be included in today's message, which, interestingly enough, hadn't even been formulated in my mind at the time. I want to share a quote from a book entitled The Power of Intention written by Dr. Wayne Dyer. "Don't ask to be healed, ask to be restored to that perfection from which you emanated. Here's where you want to hold an intention for yourself and for others in an unbending, nonnegotiable way. Let nothing interfere with the intention you have to heal and be healed. Discard all negativity that you encounter. Refuse to let in any energy that will weaken your body or your resolve. Convey this to others as well. Remember, you're not asking your Source to heal you, because this assumes health is missing from your life. It assumes scarcity, but the Source can only recognize and respond to what it is already, and you too are a component of that Source. Come to the Source as whole and complete, banish all thoughts of illness, and know that by connecting back to this Source -- filling yourself with it and offering it to others -- you become healing itself." Another very profound quote from this book is as follows "One of the messages of Jesus of Nazareth is apropos of all that I've presented in this chapter on having a healing intention: If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is inside you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you. What is inside you is the power of intention. No microscope will reveal it. You can find the command center with an x-ray technology, but the commander in the command center remains impervious to our sophisticated probing instruments. You are that commander. You must allow yourself to be in vibrational harmony with the greatest commander of all and bring it forth to serve you, rather than allowing yourself to be in a state of despair." This is the message from God for the people of God to the glory of God!
Love, Nan

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Job said) 25 "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" - Job 19:25-27(New Living Translation).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5:24(New Living Translation).
A QUOTE
One rule of contentment is to allow ourselves to complain of nothing, not even the weather. - E. B. Pusey -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. - From Reminisce Magazine - Courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it. - From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 102 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 76 degrees. I had lunch with my friend, Bill, today. Charley had a luncheon at his church. As I came home from lunch, I stopped by Country Mart and then the post office. I took a nap in my cool bedroom. Later in the afternoon I went to Buck Thetford's Barber Shop and got a haircut. It is so hot during the day that I don't venture out any more than I have to be out. I did go out back and put out food for the cats and watered the two trees again this evening. I have lots of trees in my yard but I only water two of them. I think the rest can make it through the dry, hot weather. The picture tonight is Rascal. I don't want the Good Things to be boring in any way so I was wondering what type of pictures you like if any. As you know, I have pictures of our cats, my family and I have several more pictures from June and Keith in Hawaii. If you want pictures, why don't you let me know which kind your want? I have many, many, friends in this world and I can't place any of you above another when it comes to friendship. Many of you I have never seen in person but I still consider you as dear friends that I hope to meet someday in Heaven if not on this earth. Two friends who attend church with me are Curtis and Debra Schock. Debra has a gift of writing beautiful inspiring letters. I received one from her Tuesday morning and I got back with her and told her I would have to share a paragraph from that letter on the next Good Things. Debra, I decided to share your complete letter and it will be included at the end of Good Things tonight. The cats are fine. None are inside with me at present. I make sure they always have plenty of water to drink, especiallly during this hot weather. At 9:35 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 92 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Here is Debra's letter: Good Morning Everett!! Was a Hot, but beautiful 4th of July/Independence Day!! We had kids and grandkids here and went swimming, then I had BBQ Chicken/Ribs, potato salad, baked beans and we had ice cream cake for Amanda's birthday - which is actually today, but she has to work. Was a nice day for our family! The kids later went into town and watched the fireworks display, but Curt and I stayed home and viewed the display on TV from New York and what a beautiful display along with different music sung. Would have loved to been there in person, but a great view from the living room, as well. THANKS for sharing the beautiful flower bouquet for the 4th - was really pretty with all the state flowers forming the eagle! Loved It!! Also was a great picture of family on your 4th of July, Good Things!! So enjoyed seeing all your family and the flags to go along with your smiles! Too bad that June wasn't able to be in the pic, but someone has to take the picture. Enjoy the pictures and information that you share with us on Hawaii - is interesting and the pics so beautiful. Yes, I can see where it may be a "glimpse" of the Garden of Eden?? So glad that they enjoy it there. Curt and I are on a "mission" to visit all 50 states while we are still able and maybe we will make it to Hawaii some day and they will be close enough to pay a visit/hello? Time will tell and what the Lord allows for us? Is breathtaking to see all the views and scenery that our Lord has blessed us with, in his own artwork and creativity! Each place visited has it's own unique "design" and points of interest. What talent and places that just leave us in "awe". Even at home we take so much for granted but if everyone would just stop and check out the view in front of them - we see the smile of Jesus in the sunlight, his gentle whisper in the breeze, with the morning sunrise we know he is allowing us another day on his earth and then we are a witness to the sunset and know that our day is done. We hear the birds in song and laughter in his own children. The clouds move along and we sit in awe and wonder if the angels, our own angels are moving from above? The different flowers in bloom, the artwork of our Savior, and the speed of those little hummingbirds - just amazes me!! But we could look at everything and be in awe of what our Lord presents to us. It's amazing and the view is free for anyone taking the time! Enjoy!! When I am at my computer, I have a small quotation calendar and each day is a different quote: today Everett, it says, " An Angel is someone who brings out the Angel in You." Brings to mind of your dear Flonnie who brings out the Angel in You! A coincidence with me typing to you and then to have the two of you in thought! Thank You for all you share with myself and so many others - the life that the two of you shared is an inspiration of Love, Family and Friendship! God Is Good! Have a very blessed day and continue on through the week! In Christian Love and Friendship, DEBRA

Come

Father,

Your Son, Jesus,

Is the  cause of my ease,

If I sow my soul

With His words of touch,

His invitation --

Come to me all you

Beat from soul-toil,

Jaded and bored

With the world's words,

Wan and ashen

From doubt's gloom, and

My Touch will ease all.

Come to Me all you

Soul-saddle  sore from the debris of sin-carry,

It's pack dead weight, and

My Touch will ease all.

Only, wear My yoke,  not

Of hard worn wood and chains,

No, but of soft giving leather, and

Listen

To My Heart's Pulse,

Open ALWAYS to My Father,

Even as My Heart sweat Blood

In the Garden, and

Flowed from My Side

On the Skull Mount.

Yes,

Wear My yoke

Of will abandonment

To the Father,

And,

Life

Will be light and easy.

[Matthew 11:28-30]

Good Things

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
6 No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. - Jeremiah 10:6(New International Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” - Isaiah 40:8(New International Version).
A QUOTE
The best of it all is, God is with us. - John Wesley -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Ingratitude is like a hog eating an acorn, never looking up to think of the oak tree. - based on Aesop -
You have not lived a perfect day unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Your heart is happiest when it beats for another. - From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today{July 4} has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 99 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 73 degrees. Charley and I had lunch at Western Sizzlin Steak House since Taco Bob's was closed today. The rest of the day I have been home. I lay down for my nap around 2:00 p.m. and I couldn't go to sleep so I put on a record by "Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians" which lasted about 15 minutes. After that I went to sleep and slept until about 4:30 p.m. I sat out just a little while with the cats this evening but it was still pretty warm outside. I also watered a couple of trees this evening that I sure don't want to lose. My main duty every day is taking care of my cats. I pray to the Lord every night that as long as I live on this earth that He will keep me well enough to take care of my cats. When I leave this world, my daughter, Treva, and son, Ron, will see that my cats have a good home. They both have cats. June couldn't take a cat to Hawaii since there are restrictions on bringing animals there. June told me that the disease of Rabies does not occur in Hawaii so they are very strict on bringing animals there. The picture tonight from Oklahoma is our family group on May 30 of this year. From left to right they are Holly(my great -granddaughter), Jaimie (my great- grandaughter), Ron (my son), myself, Treva (my daughter), Chris (my grandson), Nick (my great-grandson), Nancy (my granddaughter-in-law) and Jon (my great-grandson). My daughter, June, took the picture. The picture was taken in front of my house. The cats are fine. Fireworks are popping around outside so the cats are staying inside. Rascal is lying on the desk near me where I can reach over and pet him occasionally. Little Girl was inside but I don't see her now so she may have gone back outside. At 10:15 p.m. skies are mostly cloudy with a temperature of 81 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.