Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Jan. 12, 2012

“Revisiting an Old Friend”
“Long life is in her (Wisdom’s) right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor." – Proverbs 3:16 (New International Version, emphasis mine)

If this is the first time you’ve read this “column” or have just started reading it allow me the opportunity to do a quick review on what the Proverbs is all about and why it is such a great book.
I see the book of Proverbs as God's means for those who earnestly desire to expand their knowledge and wisdom of life and for life! Not just spiritually but also experientially. The Proverbs are for those who have a real goal to be the absolute best that they can be! Through them God is saying, "Do not settle for a surface knowledge. Do not be content with little. Dig as deep and as far as you can for that is where life’s real treasures are found."
Life is hard enough without instruction or direction – so why not have something that will provide this existence with the wisdom to handle the hardships we encounter? And what better wisdom could we have than from the Creator of life itself? What better instruction on how to live than from the one who is life?
This particular verse says that Wisdom (the mind of God to be more specific) carries with her three things. [Long] life in one hand, with riches and honor in the other. Without going into specifics, suffice it to say that God’s Wisdom makes life worth the living. It offers real solutions and real directions when we have lost our way. “Long life” does not necessarily mean the length of our days as much as it describes having a meaningful existence. John Eldredge says, “The person who lives life with a passion will get more life out of one day than some will experience over their entire lifetime.” What better way to live life than that?
Shortly after humorist Erma Bombeck died of kidney failure, April 22, 1996, cartoonist Bil Keane, her longtime friend and neighbor in Paradise Valley, Arizona, drew a special Family Circus cartoon. A tribute by Keane also appeared on the brochure for Bombeck's funeral mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, attended by 1,200 people who cried and laughed at recollections of her.
Bombeck once wrote a column about heaven in which she speculated that "it's probably just one big Jeopardy! game in the sky, where all day long you struggle to remember names."
Bombeck, who was married to Bill Bombeck, for almost 50 years, brought laughter to millions with her newspaper and magazine articles, columns and books. Keane once paid this tribute to her: "My friend Erma Bombeck has done far more for the health of humanity than many doctors! She had a passion for life and humor. She taught us that life should consists of joy and humor...and joy is the best medicine that I have found!" "Most of my readers are housewives," Bombeck once wrote. "We're all in this mess together. Let's get some fun out of it!"
Second, “riches” are not always found in bank accounts or in treasure chests, but often in relationships and family! Often times (at least from my perspective) the wealthiest people in this life are great friends!
Third, “honor” is worth more than fame or glory! In fact, some of the most famous people who have lived were those who had less than sparkling reputations. A good name is worth its weight in gold!
Conclusion: don’t accept anything less than what could be yours. Don’t just scratch the surface when the real treasure of life is a bit deeper!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Que's Occasional Views

by Quentin Clingerman, Calabash, NC
Jan. 12, 2012

Weather: 6:46 A.M. Temperature outside: 49% F; humidity, 79%: Forecast, partly cloudy. From my Republican viewpoint: I will vote for the candidate the Convention selects. However, my preference is Rick Santorum. Rick Perry is NOT ready for the big time. Newt Gingrich is too erratic and too much baggage. John Huntsman is too liberal on social issues as is Ron Paul, besides leaning toward isolationism. Mitt Romney, the current front runner, is too unknown on social issues since he has changed his views on a couple of important ones. And I believe he will be for some kind of national health care. Well, that is my take anyway. What is yours? Just be civil in your discourse.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. - Psalm 9:10(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” - Acts 2:38(New International Version).

A QUOTE
When it comes time to die, be very sure that all you have to do is die. - Jim Elliot -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
An apology is the superglue of life; it can repair just about anything. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Peace is never one sided; it always takes two to bring real reconciliation. - From Reflecting God -
The nicest thing about flattery is that you dont have to believe it to enjoy it. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day after the refreshing rain yesterday. High temperature today was 61 degrees with a low temperature of 28 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill, then by the bank for a minute and then to the post office to get my mail. I took my nap in early afternoon. Smokey was on the bed but he left out when I lay down so maybe I snore. Emmy was sleeping on a shelf in my bedroom. I saw a friend at the post office named Kathy Brod and she said this was her birthday and she is 76 today. I told her that I was 10 years older than her. Again I will say that when God lets a person live to my age it may be for a reason. Actually each one of us has some kind of talent and I think God wants us to use it to serve Him. I ask you to think very seriously about this and pray about it and start using your talent for the Lord if you are not doing it already. I watched the Billy Graham Crusade Classic at 6:00 p.m. It was from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1979. I had nice e-mails from Alice and Geneva. I think that I will share them with you at the end of the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are sleeping in their usual places. Bill told me today that a man that lives not too far from me told him that he shot a cat with a BB gun. The cat ran away. I hope the man is very proud of himself for doing this. He said the cat got in his garage and got on his car. I think the man needs to repent and I would tell him that. I hope everyone has a nice Thursday! I will see you next time. In Christian Love, Everett. ******************************************************************************************************************************* Here is Alice's letter. When she mentions gawdy I think she is talking about the color.
Nothing like a rest-in-the-rain :)
I'm earmarking this Good Things - sometimes I do the little cultural tidbit at sorority meetings, and now and then I say "you know my friend Everett - well, this is one he sent to me" and I use items from Good Things. They all smile knowingly, because they know who Everett is - and they love the quotes and good Christian advice.
Love,
It's gawdy, I just needed a change :)
Alice Think the good thoughts! ************************************************************************************************************************************* Here is Geneva's letter:
I love to read this reference in the Amplified Bible that gives at least some of the true meaning of the verse: 2 Corinthians 5:10

Amplified Bible (AMP) 10For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]
The second reference you give from 1 Corinthians 15 is one that was read at my younger brother's funeral. It stood out to me and I've read it many times since then. “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” Praise the Lord!
It seems to me that all of the quotes you gave in today's Good Things are special to me!

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell
Jan. 11, 2012

“Wanting What We Want
” “She (wisdom) is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her." – Proverbs 3:15 (NIV, emphasis mine)

The last part of that verse says, “…nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Meaning wisdom) As an adult I have spent many years collecting and accumulating things – thinking that someday some of this stuff might be worth something. And even though I really know better I find it increasingly more difficult to part with certain items. What is even worse – I always seem to want (or desire) more. I don’t have the time to enjoy what I have now let alone having time for more – but make no mistake, I always seem to want more.
From the very beginning – mankind has always wanted more. The first sin was the deception that God was cheating Adam and Eve from having everything that should be theirs to have. Reality was they had everything they needed but when desire was planted in their minds the battle was lost. A battle we have been fighting ever since. I may have used this illustration before – but I believe it aptly applies here for this message. Andre-Francois Raffray, a retired lawyer in Arles, France, made what any reasonable businessman would say was a sound financial decision. According to the Chicago Tribune, for a five-hundred-dollar-a-month annuity, he bought the rights to take over an apartment in Arles, on the death of its current resident. The woman living in the apartment was Jeanne Calment, age ninety. Actuarial tables predicting the math-matical probibilities of Jeanne Calment's life span were clearly on the lawyer's side.
Thirty years later and $180,000 poorer, Raffray had still not moved into the apartment. On Tuesday, February 21, 1995, Jeanne Calment celebrated her 120th birthday. She was verifiably the oldest person in the world. Each year on her birthday she would send Raffray a card that jokingly said, "Sorry, I am still alive!" Raffray died two weeks after Calment's 120th birthday.
I do not believe that “desires” in and of themselves are wrong. Wanting more for our lives should always be a goal to strive for. It’s only when our wants or desires drive us away from the things that are of greater worth that we find ourselves in unwanted territory. “Wisdom” (the kind that Solomon has been telling us about) is that element that knows the difference between need and desire and more importantly, where to draw the line between the two!
In fact, we recently had a garage sale. The things that we have held onto for years and the things we thought were so important we sold for a mere fraction of what we originally paid for them. So if you want to know how valuable your stuff is have a garage/yard sale . You might be surprised how much your “treasures” were really worth!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Jan. 11, 2012

I give thanks daily, not for more riches, but for wisdom with which to recognize, embrace and properly use the great abundance of riches I now have at my command. Napoleon Hill

God is surely embracing this teddy bear ministry! I have a new story for you! If you remember my story about the great purchase of 29 bears last Saturday where the store manager sold them to me at half price, plus the 13 bears Allen and I purchased at a local Goodwill store, I'll pick up from that story to share this one.
Ok. Saturday evening, John's friend Matt, and his fiance, Hope came over for a visit. I had taken all of the 42 bears into Ashley's bedroom at some point and Hope came into the room. The teddies were scattered on the floor. Hope is a high school senior this year. She began telling me that she volunteers at school in the special education class of six students (teenagers in high school). She shared with me that, as we all know, kids can be mean. Sadly, some of the kids, at times, are picked on by other thoughtless students. As we talked, Hope began to think of the bears in terms of comforting these six kids. She smiled as she said "Ms. Nan, I think those kids would appreciate having one of your bears. I really think it would mean a lot to them. I know the teacher would be fine with it." I asked her if we need permission from the teacher. She said the teacher would welcome this opportunity to do something nice for the kids.
I invited Hope to look through the bears on the floor and pick out six that would go along with the personality of the kids. She carefully chose four bears according to their individuality. She was having trouble connecting with the last two, so I told her "I have lots more bears in the attic. Let's go up and take a look." As we came into the holding room of bears, her eyes widened as she looked around at the masses! I told you I have lots of bears in the attic! She happily explored her options for the last two kids and found the two bears she wanted for them.

When we came back to Ashley's room carrying the teddies in our arms, I told her it would be great if she would take a copy of the poem Nan's good will bears and read it to the class when she takes the bears to the kids. She read the poem out loud and happily took the bears and the poem home with her. I am thrilled to say today that Hope took the bears to school on Monday and she told me that the kids LOVE their bears and the teacher cried as Hope read the poem to the class. A copy was made of the poem for each one to take home to share with their parents.
Matt and Hope came over again tonight (Tuesday night) and Hope beamed as she told me more about how the kids and the teacher responded to the teddies. One boy saw her outside the classroom and grinned as he said "Hope's my best friend. She gave me a teddy bear." I just love it!! I trusted Hope's intuition and we acted on it. I get chills (glory bumps) as I remember the joy Hope felt when she saw the smiles on the faces of the kids and the teacher. Friends, this is what life is all about....the joy of giving! I give to the glory of the Lord and for service to mankind. Well, it's 4:30 am and I will get up and check on the clothes in the dryer.
Be sure to scroll down this page and take a look at the newest photo I loaded earlier. It shows two of my latest projects. I envisioned a tote bag with a teddy on it and Nan's good will bears embroidered on it. Here it is!! I also am showing the January photo of the newest 2012 calendar.
Whew! Getting long winded! Thoughts keep flowing along with the creative juices!! Gotta get up and and be creative when the Lord calls!!
Take care. Be safe, keep smiling! Love, Nan