Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, June 3, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Lord said) 22 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." - Isaiah 45:22(New International Version). GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Lord said) 10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10(New International Version).

A QUOTE
By prayer we little people can share the fruits and the rewards of the great soul winners. By prayer we can spread the Kingdom in lands we shall never see. - Bertha Munro -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder, but rest and guilt live far asunder. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
Leave a good name behind in case you return. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 92 degrees and a low temperature of 71 degrees. June and I attended Worship Services this morning. We had a good service today. June and I had lunch at home. We sat outside a few minutes before my afternoon nap. I had my afternoon nap with Little Girl. June and I watched the Lawrence Welk show at 5:00 p.m. Todays program took place in 1972. We did not attend church tonight. We sat outside this evening for an hour or so with the cats. We have 129 pictures that we took Memorial Day week end. It seems to be a little dificult to forward them until I become more familair on how to do it. The picture tonight is my three kids and me. If there is a second picture I am not sure what it is because I can't pull it up since it is all ready to forward. Give me time and I will learn. The cat pictures are not on the computer as yet.
The cats are fine. It seems they are all outside at present. Emmy and Rascal were here a short time ago. We have seen all the cats this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, June 2, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
11 The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. - Isaiah 51:11(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe. - Augustine -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
As the rivers pour their waters back again into the sea, so what a person has lent is returned to them again. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
No God? No hope. Know God? Know hope. - From Reflecting God -

NOTES
There were no Good Things last night as we had rain yesterday evening which caused my phone and Internet to go off for a few hours. Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 87 degrees and a low temperature of 55 degrees. June and I had lunch with Charley. June and I went by the post office and then by Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store for ice cream and milk. I never drink sweet milk but June drinks it. We sat outside a few minutes before I took my nap. I took my nap this afternoon with Little Girl. At around 5:25 p.m. June and I went to the cemetery. Then we went by Little Caesars and brought home pizza for our evening meal. We sat outside with the cats this evening for over an hour. June has been making pictures of the cats. Maybe I will learn to forward them.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are outside at present. Tony was just in for a bite of food. We have seen all of the cats this evening.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday!
I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
June 1, 2012

“Teamwork Works”
”Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” – Proverbs 6:6

There are a number of lessons that can be gleaned from this one verse—but I think I will concentrate on this one to begin with. Answer this question if you can—when, if ever, have you ever seen just one ant? One, single, solitary ant with not another one not just a few feet away but at least a few inches away. There is a very good reason for that—they are community oriented! They live that way and they work that way.
This entire chapter has been Solomon’s sermon on “staying out of debt.” You can take that to mean stay out of debt financially…and stay out of debt spiritually. I will say this, you stay out of debt financially and I believe you are stronger spiritually—because there is a trust level there that says God will supply our deepest need and anything beyond that is simply icing on the cake. I do not believe that Solomon had the church in mind when writing this and his purpose was writing to individuals about how to conduct their personal lives. With that said this verse is a perfect analogy of the Church—working hard and working together to enhance and strengthen the Kingdom of God.
I am not sure who created it or when, but some years ago I came across something that not only sounds good but it makes perfect sense. By taking the letter of the word, TEAM, you can create a phrase that goes like this: Together Everyone Achieves More.
I used to think that I was, Super-Christian. I had the energy and the wherewithal to do what was necessary. I remember at our first church carrying 8-foot tables up and down a flight of stairs by myself. In those days I had the energy to do those things…but when I look back on those times in a way I think it was more of an attempt to play the “martyr” card, making people feel guilty for not helping or to be honest, trying to make myself look good. I have always had a “servant’s” heart and that certainly comes into play but I often wonder that if I had attempted to get more people included in the work of the Church—we may have had a stronger body and been able to accomplish more.
That, to me, is the point. By more people being involved in the work it makes us all stronger, more efficient and it frees more people to become stronger. Think about that one for a moment—if you are doing more than you should be, does that make you stronger or weaker? I think the latter is the answer to that one! But if you have someone to “share the load” then it only makes sense you are more efficient. The book of Ecclesiastes (more thoughts from Solomon) uses this analogy several times and as I said earlier, it only makes sense.
Whoever thought of the little insult, “you silly goose,” didn’t really know much about geese. When you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing that science has understood why they fly like that. Research has revealed that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird directly behind it.
By flying in this "V" formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if the bird was to fly on its own. (People who share a common direction and sense of community get where they are going more quickly and easier because they are traveling on another's thrust) When a bird falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to do it alone. It quickly gets back into formation and takes advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back into the "V" and another goose takes the point. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. And finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun fire and falls out, two other geese fall out of formation and follow it down and stay with it until is able to fly again or is dead, and then they launch out in their own formation to catch up with their group.
We can learn something from both the ant and geese. By working together we are all stronger. Richer. Healthier. Wiser. Let’s take it to heart and work for God’s Kingdom as One!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Thursday, May 31, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
7 You (Lord) are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. - Psalm 32:7(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
12 In him (Jesus) and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. - Ephesians 3:12(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Any concern too small to be turned into prayer is too small to be made into a burden. - Corrie ten Boom -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Don't find fault; find a remedy. - From Reminisce Magazine -
He that plants trees loves others besides himself. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 82 degrees and a low temperature of 66 degrees. June and I had lunch with Charley. June and I then came by the post office and then to Walmart for my weekly supply of dry cat food and other items. We sat outside several minutes before I took my nap. I took my nap this afternoon without a cat sleeping with me. While I napped June went to a Dollar General Store and other stores. We sat outside with the cats this evening for over an hour. I do appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is outside. Rascal is in the recliner. Tony has been in a couple of times this evening to eat. He is a real friendly cat but has not made friends will all the other cats as yet. I have seen all the cats this evening. Beau got in my lap a couple of times while we were sitting outside. June made a picture of us. Leo has not yet made friends with June but I saw him this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.