Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. - Proverbs 23:22(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things. - Henry Ward Beecher -
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
A true measure of success is to follow God when others put detour signs in your path. - From Lists to Live By

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 69 degrees and a low temperature of 62 degrees. Rain is predicted to move in late tonight and tomorrow. I had lunch by myself today. Charley had a luncheon at his church and Bill didn't show up. After lunch I went by the post office to pick up my mail. I then went to the Petsense store to pick up canned cat food. I took my nap with Little Girl today. I had to carry her to my bed because she is sometimes too shy to come walking through the house with the other cats around. She just doesn't have anything to do with the other cats. I put food and treats outside at 5:30 p.m. and sat out with the cats for a few minutes. I watched a Billy Graham Crusade classic at 6:00 p.m. This one was from Denver, Colorado in 1987. I had seen this one once before but I just couldn't turn it off and watched it over again. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Michelle, Alice and Geneva. I do appreciate those e-mails.
I would like to remind everyone to pray for Kip Smith and his wife, Mary Ellen. I have received word that Kip is very ill at this time. Mary Ellen is a faithful reader of the Good Things and has also written many poems on www.wordchimes.com.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are in their usual place here in the den. Beau and Smokey have both visited here in the den this evening. The others are around close.
Have a nice Thursday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Posted to Religious by Que Clingerman @ 7:51 am EST

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Good Things

by E. Christian
Tuesday, March 6, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. - Psalm 33:13-15(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
24 “He (Jesus) himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” - 1 Peter 2:24(New International Version).

A QUOTE
When we lose one blessing, another is often, unexpectedly, given in its place. - C. S. Lewis -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way. - From Lists to Live By -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny and very windy with a high temperature of 70 degrees and a low temperature of 54 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. After lunch I went by O'Reilly Auto Parts store to buy some tools (screwdrivers and wrenches) that they had on sale. Then I went by the post office and picked up my mail. I took my nap this afternoon with Smokey. I put food and treats outside at about 5:30 p.m. It was much too windy to sit outside. The lawn chairs had all blown over so I set them up so they could be blown over again. The wind is blowing from the south and is bringing in moisture that may trigger some rain as a cool front comes through tomorrow evening and Thursday. Sometimes I get to thinking about the Good Things and people that receive them. I know that some people eagerly await them and miss them when they do not arrive. Others may read them every day and enjoy them but do not necessarily look for them. Some may not get to read them every day but do enjoy them when they do have time to read them. Regardless of which catagory you are in I certainly appreciate everyone who reads them. Since the last Good Things I have had e-mails from Geneva, Alice, Quentin and Burlene. Thanks for your e-mails!
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are in the den with me. The others have been coming and going. Little Girl and Rascal like a lot of attention and in return give me a lot of attention.
Have a nice Wednesday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Mar. 6, 2012

“Words of Infamy”
“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.” – Proverbs 4:20

It was one of the darkest hours in the history of our Country. The attack on Pearl Harbor struck at the heart of our nation’s peace. As millions were considering the course of action we would take in response—Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of the United States went take to the radio waves and give what many consider the greatest speech ever. The following is a small portion: ,br />
“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

There was probably not a single radio that was not tuned in to that speech. The nation was indeed “paying attention,” because they needed some words of comfort—hope—and strength to carry on. Over and over and over again Solomon bids us to “pay attention” to the words he was saying. I do not believe he was being arrogant—or pushy. He was not out to sell books—movie scripts—or even promote himself. I believe his ultimate motive was to show there is a way to live—to live with passion—purpose—priority—piety—and pride. (I will define that in a minute)

So far, we have taken a look at 119 verses. During these messages I have used a number of illustrations—stories—and Scriptures to enhance what has been said up to this point. Hard to believe we have covered this much ground—but I have to ask—have you really been listening? Are we really paying attention and is it, or has any of it made a difference is how you think, act, speak or believe? I hope so because that is what this is intended to do.
I believe the life we are living is one we should take “pride” in. Not the kind of pride that elevates ourselves above others—but the kind of pride that says, “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2nd Timothy 1:12) If you cannot proudly stand and say that then I would say you have not been paying attention.
It is about listening to the right voices and taking the right direction. Especially when life offers some rather difficult situations and struggles. Nick Thomas found himself at the age of 47 unemployed and under tremendous financial pressure. Though he had a successful career in the Air Force and the insurance business, some reversals had set him back and left him with no place to go. His wife, Liz, made their situation a matter of deep prayer. She was in church one morning, praying about their dilemma when she thought she could almost hear the words, "Make the mustard." Her family had a mustard recipe going back several generations from when they lived in Russia and every Christmas she had made mustard as presents for her friends. She decided to give it a try. She prepared a substantial amount and called on a local cheese shop. The manager tasted it and immediately bought out their inventory. Within three months they had cracked the highly competitive major New York Deli market. Because the Thomas’s committed their troubles to prayer, looked to God for guidance, and committed themselves to listening......He gave them the direction they were needing.
In conclusion…no heart-wrenching stories—no imploring—no begging—just this: Pay attention to God’s Words!! They are LIFE!! They are TRUTH!! They are HOPE!! They are STRENGTH!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, March 5, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." - John 15:4-5(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. - 1 Corinthians 15:22-25(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
To worship is to be overwhelmed by the greatness and glory of God. - C. Neil Strait -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
A true measure of success is to love when hate is all about you. - From Lists to Live By -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperatue of 76 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 39 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went by the post office. I stopped by Braums for some items. Smokey was already on my bed when I lay down for my nap and soon Little Girl came and joined us. I put food and treats outside at 6:00 p.m. Since the last Good Things I have had e-mails from Burlene and Tiyan. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this evening.
Have a Nice Tuesday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Mar. 5, 2012

“Stubbed Toes and Skinned Knees”
”… the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” – Proverbs 4:19

Many will remember the old comedy TV show, Hee Haw. It had to be the corniest show ever—but it aired for over 20 years (1969-1990) so obviously enough people liked it to keep it running. One of the early characters on that show was Grady Nutt, who was an ordained minister. He usually was given one segment per episode where he would tell a joke—usually having to do with the ministry or church members. He was a funny, funny man and was taken from this life much too early when he was killed in plane crash in 1973. I remember one story in particular where he was talking about creating swear words for ministers. He said, “When you have to get up in the middle of the night and stub your toe, for some reason saying ‘verily, verily,’ or ‘glory to God,’ just does not make things better.” I have to agree. As with a number of so many other instances the Word of God works in some incredible ways and it always seems to work together for the good. Allow me to illustrate this. First from the Gospel of John and then the First Epistle of John:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” – John 1:1-5

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. – 1st John 1:5-7

There is an interesting note here that Solomon’s reference to “deep darkness” is the same Hebrew root as that used to describe the plague of darkness from the book of Exodus.
“Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt—darkness that can be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” – Exodus 10:21-23

That is a deep darkness. I know there are times in the middle of the night I will wake up and be “blinded by the lack of light,” but then after a few minutes my eyes will adjust enough that I am able see some of my surroundings and maneuver from room to room. I have stubbed a few toes and skinned my knees a few times as well so I have learned to walk very deliberately during those times.
Go back to the reference to Exodus where it describes not just darkness but an “oppressive” darkness. It was so dark that no light could penetrate it. No one left their homes for three days nor could even see each other. But consider for a moment the purpose for the darkness—it was a plague. A consequence of the Pharoah’s refusal to accept the authority of God and because of that an entire nation suffered. It is easy to stumble, stub your toe, skin your knee, etc. if you cannot see where you are going or what is in front of you. Most of us can testify to that. Imagine going through your entire life walking blindly and not realizing you are really not going anywhere. That is why when you are walking “in the light” you are living with purpose. Your steps are sure—your gait is light—your hope is certain. So stay in the light as He is in the light and you won’t have to worry about stubbed toes or skinned knees!
Pastor J. T. Carnell