Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, March 4, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 I love you, LORD; you are my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. - Psalm 18:1-2(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9(New Living Translation).

A QUOTE
A friend is one who joyfully gives and serves. - Glenda Hotton, M.A. -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble. - From Lists to Live By -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 72 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 32 degrees. I attended Worship Services this morning. It was a wonderful time of Worship with God's presense felt in our midst. Pastor J. T's message was titled "Power For Living" and was very helpful and inspirational. I had lunch at home. I took a nap this afternoon with Little Girl. I put food and treats outside at 5:15 p.m. I left for church this evening at 5:45 p.m. We had another good service tonight. I got home from church about 7:15 p.m. Rascal was waiting for me on the front porch. I got the garbage ready and out on the street. I fixed me a bite of supper and then to the Good Things. It is always a lonesome time around here without my Flonnie. I sure appreciate my cat family. Since the last Good Things, I have heard from my grandaughter, Carissa, at Yukon, Oklahoma. I heard from my niece, Ruby, in Mesa, Arizona. I heard from Geneva who lives near Chicago, Illinois. It is always a pleasure to receive e-mails. The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal in their usual place here in the den. Beau and Emmy were here a little while ago. I have seen all of them at various times today. I hope everyone has a nice Monday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian
Saturday, March 3, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. - Psalm 43:3-4(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is at the end of our Journey, He is also at every stopping place. - Elisabeth Elliot -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
A true measure of success is to be able to keep at a job until it is finished. - From Lists to Live By -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 57 degrees and a low temperature of 35 degrees. My housecleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. and cleaned my house while I had lunch with Charley. I went by the post office to check my mail. About 1:00 p.m. I went to the cemetery. Before my nap I went outside to the back yard for a few minutes. Some of the cats always join me in the back yard. I lay down for my nap around 2:15 p.m. Little Girl was already napping on my bed. I put out food and treats at 5:00 p.m. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is asleep in front of the heater and Rascal is in the recliner. I have seen all of them this evening.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday! I wil see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester
Friday, March 2, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. - Proverbs 14:21(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 But now he (God) has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. - Colossians 1:22-23a(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. - Corrie Ten Boom -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
God, my Rock, my Strength, my Refuge - Just and true are all His ways. - The Psalter, 1912 -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 68 degrees and a low temperature of 47 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. Before I came home from lunch I went by the post office and then to Walmart for my weekly supplies of cat food and other items. I took my nap this afternoon with Little Girl. I put food and treats outside at 5:00 p.m. I washed a load of laundry this evening and it is now in the dryer. Thanks for your e-mails!
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are here in the den with me at present. Emmy and Smokey both came by a little while ago and gave me a little attention. The others are around somewhere close.
I hope everyone has a nice Saturday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
March 1, 2012

“Morning Has Broken”
“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” – Proverbs 4:18

For all of you “morning people,” this is your verse…and I will give you your just due. But I do so reluctantly. I have said on several occasions—I will repeat myself—I am not a morning person! It has always been my contention that if God wanted me to see the sunrise He would schedule it later in the day.
One of my favorite songs (a hymn actually) is a rather obscure one but was made popular in the early 70’s by of all people, a singer by the name of “Cat” Stevens.
It was actually published in 1931. The words were written by an English author, Eleanor Farjeon and was set to a traditional Gaelic tune known as “Bunessan,” and is shared with a 19th Century Celtic Christmas carol called, “Child in a Manger.” It is still sung in children’s services during the Christmas season in Ireland and Great Britain.,br /> The hymn originally appeared in the second edition of Songs of Praise (published in 1931), and was arranged by the composer Martin Shaw. In Songs of Praise Discussed, Percy Dearmer, explains that there was need for a hymn to give thanks for each day. He had made several attempts to write a hymn on his own but nothing seemed to work. Then one day in Church he happened to look at a paper his daughter had received in the children’s service. It was a poem written by Eleanor Farjeon. The next day he contacted her and told her what he was looking for. He asked her to make the poem to fit the Gaelic tune, “Bunessan” (a tune that was familiar to her). She agreed and set out to complete the task.
After several lackluster attempts—she had convinced herself that she was unable to complete the task.
She was a self-described workaholic and often would stay up to the early morning hours which often meant she was not awake at day break. It was late summer and after a rather difficult day she decided to go to bed early but for some reason sleep would just not come to her eyes. She lived in a cottage in the Southern British countryside and with a lantern in one hand and a cup of tea in the other she went for a walk. She sang and prayed…prayed and sang. The next thing she knew it began raining—she sought cover from among the trees. After several minutes she realized that the light she was seeing was no longer from her lantern—but from the sun. Morning was breaking. She looked to the east through the trees and what she witnessed took her breath away. The clouds had broken just enough for the early morning sun to break through and shine on the wet leaves. The dew on the grass glistened like diamonds and the quiet of the British countryside was broken by the song of a lone blackbird in a nearby tree. She started humming the tune of Bunessan and within minutes added the following words:

Morning has broken Like the first morning, Black bird has spoken, Like the first bird. Praise the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them springing Fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall Sunlit from heaven, Like the first dewfall On the first grass. Praise for the sweetness Of the wet garden, Sprung in completeness Where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning. Born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, Praise ev'ry morning, God's recreation Of the new day!

When asked about the words—Eleanor deflected any praise for herself and directed it back to God. She said, “God led me to spend time with Him in His Country—He sent the rain and the sun. He wrote the words—I just transcribed them.” I would say that most people of my generation know this song thanks largely to Cat Steven’s contribution. It is hard to fathom but it reached #6 on the Pop Charts in 1971 and helped to propel Steven’s career for the next 10 years.
Maybe there is something about mornings after all. I just wish they would start later in the day!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, February 29, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:2-4(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
1. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Colossians 3:1-4(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
God will never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him. He will always look after us. - Mother Teresa -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Money can buy companions but not friends. - From Lists to Live By -
NOTES
We had a rainstorm about 12:30 a.m. last night that only lasted about 30 minutes. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 70 degrees and a low temperature of 46 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and my pastor, J. T. Carnell. I then went to the post office to pick up my mail. I took my nap this afternoon with Little Girl. My neighbor mowed my lawn this afternoon for the first time this year. The grass and weeds were beginning to grow. I put food and treats outside at around 5:45 p.m. I watched a Billy Graham Crusade service at 6:00 p.m. The one tonight was from Meadowlands, New Jersey, held in 1991. Are you getting tired of Good Things? If you are just let me know and I will drop you off and will certainly understand. The Good Things have been going for a long time but I can't seem to find a stopping place. At the end of the Good Things tonight I am going to leave you some flowers. I received them from Audie and I would like to send them on to my e-mail friends. Let me know if you were not able to pick up the flowers.

The cats are fine. Rascal just got on the desk here close to me where I can touch him. He likes for me to touch him and boo head with him. Little Girl is on the back of the couch. When I am lying back, relaxing in my recliner, Little Girl likes to get on my chest up close to my neck and purr for a little while and then she will move on. Smokey was here in the den a little while ago. Rascal has now gone to the recliner. The other cats are around somewhere not far away.
I hope everyone has a nice first day of March! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett. GOOD THINGS Wednesday, February 29, 2012 GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD (Jesus said) 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:2-4(New International Version). GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD 1. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Colossians 3:1-4(New King James Version). A QUOTE God will never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him. He will always look after us. - Mother Teresa - A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER Money can buy companions but not friends. - From Lists to Live By - NOTES We had a rainstorm about 12:30 a.m. last night that only lasted about 30 minutes. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 70 degrees and a low temperature of 46 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and my pastor, J. T. Carnell. I then went to the post office to pick up my mail. I took my nap this afternoon with Little Girl. My neighbor mowed my lawn this afternoon for the first time this year. The grass and weeds were beginning to grow. I put food and treats outside at around 5:45 p.m. I watched a Billy Graham Crusade service at 6:00 p.m. The one tonight was from Meadowlands, New Jersey, held in 1991. Are you getting tired of Good Things? If you are just let me know and I will drop you off and will certainly understand. The Good Things have been going for a long time but I can't seem to find a stopping place. At the end of the Good Things tonight I am going to leave you some flowers. I received them from Audie and I would like to send them on to my e-mail friends. Let me know if you were not able to pick up the flowers. The cats are fine. Rascal just got on the desk here close to me where I can touch him. He likes for me to touch him and boo head with him. Little Girl is on the back of the couch. When I am lying back, relaxing in my recliner, Little Girl likes to get on my chest up close to my neck and purr for a little while and then she will move on. Smokey was here in the den a little while ago. Rascal has now gone to the recliner. The other cats are around somewhere not far away. I hope everyone has a nice first day of March! I will see you next time. In Christian Love, Everett. These Are For You !!! Editor: (program does not permit photos)