Daily Jewel

by J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Aug. 4, 2011

“When Greed Gets in the Way of Goodness!”

“God’s curse blights the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous..." – Proverbs 3:33 (The Message)

The “Dog-Days” of summer are upon us. For many of us baseball fans the month of August is the time that will either make or break our favorite teams. I remember as a child, listening to the radio every night—KMOX in particular and to the voice of Jack Buck announcing games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the best I have ever heard in describing the game. It was as if I could picture in my mind what was happening even though my eyes could not see it. In many ways, the current climate of our society where greed and selfishness is often the rule wormed its way into the game I loved so much as a child and changed not only how the game is played—it lost the support of millions as well. Much of that is due a player strike during the summer of 1994. The players went on strike near the mid-way point of the season and for the first time since the beginning of World War II, the World Series was cancelled. In the spring of 1995 newspaper columnist Charles Krauthammer wrote an article explaining why the 1994 baseball strike dealt a fatal blow to many baseball fans: "The cancellation of the [World] Series reduced the entire '94 season to meaninglessness, a string of exhibition games masquerading for a while as a "championship" season. No championship, no season. The real scandal of the '94 season is not the games that were canceled but the games that were played. The whole season was a phony. The fans who invested dollars and enthusiasm in the expectation that the winners and losers and homers and averages would count were greatly cheated. More than cheated. By canceling the season in a dispute over money, the players and owners mocked the fan who really cared whether Ken Griffey or Mark McGuire would break Roger Maris' record or whether Tony Gwynn could hit .400." Since that time the average salary for a major league baseball player is over three million dollars a year. That is the average! So why is this important? Because the more home runs a person can hit the more money he will make so to produce more home runs a number of players since the ’94 strike used performance enhancing steroids/drugs to produce the power and strength to hit the home runs. Essentially—they marred the game, tarnished their names and their records and has caused a blight on the game that millions have loved for years. The purity and goodness and innocence of the game has been replaced by a greed that in my opinion has destroyed the game of baseball and is also destroying much of all professional sports. But just as hitting records and the World Series give meaning to the regular season—for Christians, the Judgment Day gives meaning to our lives! Because God will call every deed into account, everything we do truly matters. How we live our lives determines how we will be seen by the One that truly matters. If we live entirely for ourselves—without any regard for others it will be evident. If it were not for the “fan-base” professional baseball would cease to exist. Similarly, if we give little to no regard for the Church—God’s “fan-base” and the Body of Christ, then once again our lives carry little meaning save only for our own existence. In conclusion, these words come to mind from the writer of the book of Hebrews: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Balance

Aug. 4, 2011

The president of the USA and his Democrat colleagues in the Congress and Senate have talked about balance concerning dealing with the Debt of the USA ad nauseaum for the last month or so. Let us look at balance as to income tax! The top one or two percent of the population pay over 50 percent of the taxes. Forty eight percent of those who are of voting age do not pay any income taxes at all! It is my firm belief that all working people should pay income taxes who are earning above the poverty line. It could be graduated somewhat. But people who are paying the bill may pay more attention to how it is spent. To digress, much criticism has been made of the Supreme Court for declaring Corporations to be persons and thus money they spend on elections is free speech! Democrats, especially, yelp, saying it corrupts the elections. Yet, these same Democrats think Corporations should be taxed as if they were persons! HMMMMM! Makes one wonder! Back to income taxes per se. All tax subsidies need to be curtailed sharply! For individuals, charitable causes, catastrophic events, and first home mortgages should be the only tax exemptions. To digress: There is an imbalance in earnings in this country. But let it be the market place that settles that issue with a strong value based emphasis on the worth of labor as well as brains or athletic or dramatic talent. The nation has drifted far from the business and personal ethics and moral values once held. What is desperately needed and for which I am earnestly praying is a spiritual awakening--a new sense of God consciousness that will bring conviction of right and wrong and change attitudes and behaviors socially, politically, and economically.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
29 (Samuel said) "He who is the Glory of Israel (the Lord) does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.” - 1 Samuel 15:29(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? - Psalm 56:3-4(New International Version).

A QUOTE
We must never let wealth blind us to our need for the continuing grace of God that alone can save us now and forever. - Robert D. Branson -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
No offering can be a substitute for obedience. - From Reflecting God -
The doors of opportunity are marked "push" and "pull". - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I had lunch by myself today as Charley had a luncheon at his church. I went by the post office and then on to Walmart while I was out. I needed some canned cat food for my babies. I took a nap with smokey. At 6:00 p.m. I watched a Billy Graham Crusade that took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1982. I watch the Billy Graham Crusades more now than when they actually happened. I accepted Christ as my Savior in 1953. I think it was 1955 that Billy Graham came to Oklahoma City and held a month long Revival. I attended a few of the services. It seems that I have grown closer to the Lord since Flonnie went on to Heaven. Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 112 degrees. I don't know if that is a record high for McAlester or not but I know it is close to the record for the highest temperature for this date. Low temperature this morning was 81 degrees. I waited until after 8:00 p.m. to go out in back to put out fresh water and food and it was still too hot to sit even for a minute. I heard a rumble or two of thunder while I was out in back but the thunderstorm went to the east of McAlester. They say that hot weather can affect an old person without them knowing it and for that reason I do not go out any more than I have to. The picture tonight is the driveway going into June and Keith's yard in Hawaii. I don't think I have shown this picture before. The driveway is not paved but the street in front of their house is paved. The cats are fine. Little Girl is now lying on a small filing cabinet. Cats change places to rest often. Rascal was here a few minutes ago. I have seen them all this evening. At 9:40 p.m. skies are mostly cloudy with a temperature of 95 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Aug. 4, 2011

“Putting Out Fires”

“Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight…." – Proverbs 3:30 (MSG)

Living in dry arid areas the dangers of wildfires starting and spreading is something that homeowners must always be prepared for. Our recent hot spell has increased the fire danger to dangerously high levels. This past spring we faced fire dangers daily and smoke could be seen from practically every direction. Those living in Los Angeles face this danger on a yearly basis. Many of us remember the fires that spread through Oklahoma City a couple of years ago causing hundreds of homes to go up in flames. Although some fires are the result of lightning strikes most are the result of the carelessness of people who just don’t think before they act. The Bible reminds us that our words and actions can have the same effect which truly puts quite a premium on what we do. Here is a good example of what I mean: I have an acquaintance that no matter what the conversation is – will invariably take the opposite side, just to stir up people’s emotions. Most of us who know him have learned that is just his personality, but to those who do not know him, if they are short-tempered could be in for an immediate conflict. I am certain we all know individuals like this—or maybe it may be you. I have often wondered what causes a person to want to stir up trouble. If things were going well, wouldn’t it stand to reason to leave them that way? In the movie based on the events of the attack on Pearl Harbor, “Tora, Tora, Tora,” there is one line that is the definitive statement that underscores this. At the end of attack (and the movie), the Japanese are celebrating their great “victory.” When asked what he thought of it, the commander of the Japanese Naval forces said, and if I misquote this please forgive me: “I fear all we have done is to have awakened a sleeping giant and provide him with great resolve.” Don’t we have enough conflict in our lives than to always be carrying more? There are those who are harboring resentments that took place 10, 20, 30 years ago or more! What good does that do? It does not change the fact that those events happened so why do we allow that conflict to remain? Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) In this, Jesus is reminding us that the only thing that truly matters in life is our relationships! Possessions can be gone in a minute! So why not try to have as many meaningful relationships as possible? The next time someone tries to stir up trouble—perhaps there are a couple of “positive” approaches that you can take: First, attempt to change the conversation! Pick a different subject or take the focus off of the person or persons being discussed. If that approach does not work the next option you have is simply to leave. Do not allow yourself to be further sucked into a vacuum of hate or character assassination. The question that needs to be asked is, “why add more fuel to the fire?” There is probably already enough there to last for a life time – so maybe it is time to put the fire out.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Aug. 2, 2011

Today's story is a bit lengthy, but well worth your time to read. Have a wonderful day! Nan

By the time I arrived at my office yesterday morning, I was at the point of tears. These tears were ones of immense amazement and joy at what had just taken place a few minutes earlier. Sometimes, I get a sense that I am supposed to go to the Goodwill store for a treasure. Most of the time the treasure is inspirational books or teddy bears. Yesterday, teddy bears dropped down from Heaven abundantly! As I walked into the store, I noticed mounds of stuffed toys on the racks in the middle of the store. Pushing the small shopping cart along the aisle I discovered a multitude of teddy bears!! Nan's good will bear project continues! These teddy bears were perfect and there were lots of them! Almost instantly, it seemed, the shopping cart was filled to overflowing with these bundles of comfort and joy. One will need a new nose and a couple more will need a bit of attention before I take them to the cleaners. As I approached the cash register to pay for them I noticed a tall man, mid 30's, waiting behind me to pay for his own selections of merchandise. Because it is very unusual for a lady to purchase a large number of teddy bears, naturally it was the topic of conversation. I shared with the clerk and the gentleman about my teddy bear project with the hospital ER and the comfort these teddies will bring children in need. The man reached into his wallet and handed me a twenty dollar bill and wanted to pay for these teddy bears. He said he understands about being in the hospital and being scared. He's going into the hospital for a hip replacement on Tuesday (today). Some of the bears were more expensive than others, but when the clerk handed me the change back, which was four dollars and change, I handed it to the man. He shook his head and put his hand out and said "ma'am you keep that change for the next time you find some more bears for the kids." I pulled out an envelop from my purse and wrote on it "teddy bears" and asked him his name. I also wrote "Bruce" on the envelope. He saw me place the money in the envelope and that he can count on me using the money to purchase more teddy bears. I told him that I will remember him and his generosity. I told him I had written a poem about the bears and the condensed version of why I am committed to serving my community in this way. His face wore the look of a man in physical pain and I asked him if it would be ok if I gave him a hug. He looked surprised and said "yes ma'am." As I reached up to hug him I whispered in his ear "Bruce, God will bless you in a very special way for your generosity." His smile was priceless! As I walked out of the store with three white trash bags filled with treasures, the man came along behind me. I opened the trunk of my car and saw a folder with a copy of the poem lying there. I placed the bags of teddies in the trunk and picked up the poem and called out "Bruce!" He said "yes ma'am." I walked over to his beat up old truck and handed him the copy of the poem and told him I wanted him to have it. His chin quivered as he took it. "Thank you, ma'am" he said as he started the engine. Bruce lives in Asheville, which is about an hour or two west of here and is in Statesville to visit someone before he goes into the hospital for the hip replacement. Funny thing; Allen and I went by the Goodwill store on Sunday on our way to Lowe's and I mentioned that I'd like to go to the Goodwill store. Since Allen wasn't interested in going, we didn't. That was because God intended for the encounter with Bruce to happen on Monday! Bruce felt good about giving up that $20.00 for a good cause. I was overwhelmed and overjoyed at his generosity and God's generosity. When I arrived at the office I counted the bears in the trunk of my car. There were 22 teddy bears all together! Amazing! We serve an amazing God! After work, I went to see Jeff at Sloan's cleaners to pick up a dozen clean bears and gave him another bag of bears I brought from home to be cleaned. He was utterly amazed at the story about Bruce and the bears earlier in the morning and so happy to know how God is providing teddy bears. Both, he and I, had glory bumps covering our arms as I shared the story. He thought in the beginning I would occasionally bring in a couple of bears. Neither one of us had any idea how abundantly God would bless this gesture of good will. I know this story today is a bit long, but I must share it with you. When I arrived at the hospital ER to deliver the twelve clean teddies, the lady at the desk, (perhaps a nurse) was thrilled to see me. She told me about a lady and her child who had been in a car accident. The mom had been airlifted to another hospital and the little three year old had no family at the hospital. The lady gave one of the teddy bears to the child for comfort and it touched not only the child's heart, but the lady's heart, as well. The other nurses inquired as to how they get their gently loved teddies to me. I told them that since the hospital is where they work to bring them to the ER and I will take them to be cleaned and will bring them back to the hospital. I hope you've enjoyed this account of how abundantly God blesses us and provides for us. It is when we lose sight of self that we truly find our selves. Much love to you, one and all! Nan