Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. - Psalm 62:5(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Peter said) 16 "Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’"- Acts 11:16(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own. - William Hazlitt -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Nature and wisdom always say the same. - Juvenal -
None but God can satisfy the longing of the immortal soul; as the heart was made for Him, He only can fill it. - Trench -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 53 degrees and a low temperature of 26 degrees. I say Charley and Bill at noon. I went to the post office. I came home and took a nap with Smokey and Tony. At around 3:30 p.m. I made a trip back to the post office to mail some letters and then on to Walmart for my weekly supplies. At 5:20 p.m. I put cat treats and food outside for the cats. Since the last Good Things I have had e-mails from Michelle, Alice, Quentin, Margaret, Pastor J.T., Sandy and Geneva. I am always happy to get e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner and Emmy just came in from outside. Emmy got on the desk by my computer and meowed at me until I went in the kitchen with me. All the cats know how to get what they want from me. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I hope everyone has a nice Wednesday!
May the Good Lord Bless and Keep each one until next time. Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, Mcalester, OK

“Follow the Real Leader”
"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." – Proverbs 1:10 (NIV)

Key word, Entice: "To lead or attract by arousing one's sense of pleasure."
,br /> When I was in the third grade I learned a great lesson, BE CAREFUL WHOM YOU FOLLOW! We lived near a little town in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri. During a recess break several of us decided to go down into a ravine where there was a creek. We all knew that this area was off-limits yet being children (and eight-yealr-old boys at that) the allure of the creek was greater than our ability to obey. Besides, Dennis, the leader of this third grade rebellion assured us that we would not get in trouble and so we believed him. Little did we know that the entire time our teacher had her eye on us and was witnessing our act of disobedience.
There is a host of “Dennis’s” out there. Those who pursue mischievous activities and would like nothing more than having others follow them in their deeds. And why you ask? What do they gain from it? For the most part, those who engage into sinful, rebellious activities do not like to do them alone and will do their best to persuade others to join in with them. They attempt to make the [sinful] activity alluring and pleasing. They appeal to one’s sense of pleasure, making it easier to follow.
Do you remember the tempter’s words to Eve as he was attempting to lead her into a life of sin? “Did God really say, ‘you must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” To Eve’s credit, she responded correctly, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” She should have left the conversation at that point, but she didn’t. The serpent then gave the line that we have been following since—“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Essentially, this is the line that “you won’t get in trouble!”
Here is one of my favorite illustrations that follows along this line. Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and attractive so that flies would patronize it. The very minute he got a "customer" he would clean up on him so the other flies would not get suspicious.
Then, one day, this fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean spider web. Old man spider called out, "Come and sit." But the fairly intelligent fly said, "No, sir. I don't see any other flies in your house and I'm not going in alone!" But, presently he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of other flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing.
Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by and said to him, "Don't land there, stupid! That's fly paper...you'll get stuck and die!" But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, "Don't be silly! Those flies are dancing and having a good time. There's a big crowd there. Everybody's doing it. That many flies can't all be wrong!"
Well, you know what happened. He was caught! Some folks want so much to be with the crowd that they end up in a mess. What does it profit a fly if he escapes the web only to end up in the glue?
Are you a follower or a leader? Do you find yourself believing most everything that comes along or do you examine all the evidence and make decisions based on the facts? Be careful that you are not moved or swayed by those who have nothing but evil intent in mind. And if you are easily lured by running through a creek—beware! The teacher may be watching.
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Spreading the Wealth!
“Many are helped by useful instruction…” – Proverbs 10:21 (NIV)

All of us have at one time or another been the recipient of another’s wise instruction—or better said, on the receiving end of a teacher/instructor who love to teach and love those they teach.
I have mentioned this in a previous message but I feel I must do so again to make this point come home. There is an individual—I will not refer to him by name, which to this day remains a great source of strength to me as a friend, mentor, and a continual source of spiritual instruction.
As a Pastor, he has been a model shepherd—leading many from spiritual infancy to maturity in Christ. His legacy will not be in the number of buildings that have been named after him but in the number of those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life—who are walking in the paths of righteousness because of his dedication to the Word of God—His obedience to the Will of God—His passion to serve the Lord His God.
It is amazing the impact that this one man has had—but it must be said that his influence is being felt in a number of other places thanks to the fact that several today are in full-time ministry—leading others to spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ. He was, and remains to this day a great “encourager” which when translated simply means, “to inspire courage.” He makes you want to do your best not just for the sake of a project but as a person and mostly, as a Christian.
The Apostle Paul was an encourager. Just read the book of Philippians! His heart’s purpose was to lead people in this path.
Does one have to be a pastor to have this sort of influence? Absolutely not!! When DAVE THOMAS died in early 2002, he left behind more than just thousands of Wendy’s restaurants. He also left a legacy of being a practical, hard-working man who was respected for his down-to-earth values.
Among the pieces of good advice that have outlived the smiling entrepreneur is his view of what Christians should be doing with their lives. Thomas, who as a youngster was influenced for Christ by his grandmother, said that believers should be "roll-up-your-shirt sleeves" Christians. In his book Well Done, Thomas said, "Roll-up-your-shirtsleeves Christians see Christianity as faith and action. They still make the time to talk with God through prayer, study Scripture with devotion, be super-active in their church and take their ministry to others to spread the Good Word." He went on to say they are "anonymous people who are doing good for Christ who may be doing even more good than all the well-known Christians in the world."
That statement has more meat in it than a Wendy’s triple burger. Thomas knew about hard work in the restaurant business; and he knew it is vital in the spiritual world also. Is there someone that you can pin-point who has had a great influence on you in your spiritual formation? Then show them your appreciation by returning their investment and touch another’s life in the same manner. Let’s Roll-up-our-shirt sleeves, there is plenty to do.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Lord said) 25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." - Isaiah 43:25(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. - Proverbs 16:3(New International Version).

A QUOTE
If we had paid no more attention to our plants than we have to our children, we would now be living in a jungle of weeds. - Luther Burbank -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A man without convictions is a tramp on the road that leads to the land of nowhere - Evangelist -
I find the doing of the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans. - Macdonald -

NOTES
Today has been a partly cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 70 degrees and a low temperature of 39 degrees. I attended worship service this morning. We had a wonderful service with hymns and songs of praise. Pastor J. T. gave an inspiring message titled "The Healing Light." I had lunch at home. I took a couple of short naps. Smokey was with me for one of the naps. The cats had their treats outside at 4:30 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. I watched the Lawrence Welk program taped in 1966. Since last time I have heard from Michelle and Alice. I am always glad to get e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. Emmy was in a little while ago. She always gets on the desk near my computer and talks to me. Leo was also on the desk a little while ago. I have seen all of the cats today. More pictures tonight.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday to start another work week!
May the Good Lord Bless and Keep each one until next time. Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
3 Since you (O Lord) are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. - Psalm 31:3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 124:8(New International Version).

A QUOTE
You have not fulfilled every duty, unless you have fulfilled that of being pleasant. - Charles Buxton -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Hell is a truth seen too late. - Adam -
I will listen to any ones convictions, but pray keep your doubts to yourself. - Goethe -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 47 degrees and a low temperature of 30 degrees. My housecleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. and cleaned my house while I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office and then to Country Mart for a few items. I went by Memory Gardens cemetery before I came home. I took my nap this afternoon with Smokey. At 4:30 p.m. I put cat treats and food outside for the cats. At around 5:00 p.m. I went to the Petsense store for cat food. Since last time I have heard from Alice, Michelle, Geneva and Burlene. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is in his usual place here in the den. Smokey is lying on top of the refrigerator here in the den. Tony just came in for a bite of dry food. The rest are around somewhere. I have seen all of them today. More pictures tonight.

I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday!
May the Good Lord Bless and Keep Each One until next time. Everett