A Blessed Easter

by Quentin Clingerman, Walkersville, MD

A Blessed Easter

To each one a blessed Easter. As you celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. What a glorious morning for all mankind when Jesus came forth from the tomb. Sin, death, and Hell were defeated by the obedience of the Son of God. May this day of commemoration be filled with praise and adoration. May God be glorified as you worship Him today. Christ is risen as He said! Hallelujah what a Savior!

Happy Easter to each one who reads this greeting.
Que

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!" - Psalm 118:15(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - James 4:8(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new. - Henry David Thoreau -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Blessed are those who know that my ears today must strain to catch the things they say. - From Beatitudes on Aging -
I believe that when two saints of the Lord get together and talk about their Lord and Master, Heaven itself says Amen to what they discuss. - From My Master Has a Garden -

NATURE WATCH
A massive spring migration is under way as birds move north. Watch for warblers, robins, field sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, turkey vultures, killdeer, ducks, geese and great blue herons. - From Ben Franklin's Almanac -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with high temperatures in the mid sixties. I saw Charley and Bill at noon. I went to the post office and then came by a Dollar General Store for a few items. I took a nap with Smokey and Tony. I put food and treats outside for the cats at 5:30 p.m. and sat with them for about 10 minutes. Since last time I have heard from Alice, Dianne, Pastor JT, Geneva, Gaetano, Janice and Michelle. I like to receive e-mails.
The cats are fine. None are with me at present but they have been coming and going as I have the front patio door open just enough for them to go in and out.
Tomorrow is Good Friday. I hope each one will pause long enough to realize what that day means to every Christian.

See you next time.
Everett.
Keep Thinking the Good Thoughts.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. - Psalm 85:10(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. - Psalm 115:1(New International Version).
,br /> A QUOTE
I am to become a Christ to my neighbor and be for him what Christ is to me. - Martin Luther -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Blessed are those who understand my faltering step and weakened hand. - A Beatitude on Aging -
Each child of God is offered a tremendous choice in their life - that of beauty of spirit. - From My Master Has a Garden -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with high temperatures in the mid sixties. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office. I came home and took a nap. I don't think a cat slept with me. I put cat treats and food outside for the cats at about 5:30 p.m. Tonight as I was looking through some books for material for the Good Things I came upon a book titled "31 Days of Praise" given to me by my son Ron at Christmas in 1999. In the book were places to write praise items throughout the month. On March 21, 2000, I wrote these words in the book "Thank you for Flonnie (my wife) for bearing and raising our children." It brought a tear to my eye. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Alice, Michelle, Michele, and Pastor JT. I am always happy to receive e-mails.
The cats are fine. None of them are with me at present but they have been around and will be around again shortly. In fact Emmy just came in and greeted me with a meow. She always greets me with a meow and sometimes she will stay with me until I go do what she wants like let her outside or give her a bite of canned food.

Have a nice Thursday!
Everett.
Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

Finding Your Place in the Kingdom
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” – Matthew 26:6-13

“Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” – John 12:2-3 (NIV)
,br /> One event…two different accounts…two lessons. Lesson One… Jesus was having a “down moment.” An opportunity to relax before things started getting hectic. He was having dinner at the home of “Simon the Leper.” We know very little about him save this description which leads some to believe that he was one of ten lepers Jesus had healed during His ministry. He could very well be the one who came back to thank Him for saving his life and having Jesus over was his way of thanking Him for that. Somewhere in this time a woman (who very well could have been invited) took a jar of perfume made of pure nard, a very, very expensive plant found only in a couple of places and begins to anoint Jesus’ feet with it. Several in the house, more than likely Judas, began complaining that this was being wasted! That instead of her using it to make Jesus’ feet smell better it could have been sold and the money used for other purposes – but Jesus did not see it that way!
I find it interesting that we always have a “better” way to do things. The bible is very clear on many issues and yet how many times do we choose to ignore it and go our own way. Judas could have cared less about the purpose of this woman’s actions – he was more concerned about what he could have done with the money that this perfume could have brought. Jesus’ response gave Judas, along with everyone else something to really think about.
One of the purposes of “Spikenard” as it is referred to is a “healing” agent – both physically and emotionally!! In another passage we are told that the aroma filled the air…probably lifting everyone’s spirits as well. Our lives are to be like that perfume – lifting people up and helping them during difficult times. That is one lesson Jesus wants us to learn!
Lesson Two…(From Max Lucado): If God has called you to be a Martha, then serve! Remind the rest of us that there is evangelism in feeding the poor and there is worship in nursing the sick.
If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don’t have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.
If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell. We, too, have neighbors who are lost.
We, too, have died and been resurrected. Each of us has our place at the table.
Except one. There was one at Martha’s house who didn’t find his place. Though he had been near Jesus longer than any of the others, he was furthest in his faith. His name was Judas. He was a thief. When Mary poured the perfume he feigned spirituality. “The perfume could have been sold and given to the poor,” he said. But Jesus knew Judas’s heart, and Jesus defended Mary’s worship. Years later, John, too, knew Judas’s heart, and John explained that Judas was a thief (John 12:6). And all these years he had been dipping his hand in the treasury. The reason he wanted the perfume to be sold and the money put in the treasury was so that he could get his hands on it.
What a sad ending to a beautiful story. But what an appropriate ending. For in every church there are those like Martha who take time to serve. There are those like Mary who take time to worship. There are those like Lazarus who take time to testify.
And there are those like Judas who take, take, take, and never give in return. Are you a Judas? I ask the question carefully, yet honestly. Are you near Christ but far from his heart? Are you at the dinner with a sour soul? Are you always criticizing the gifts of others yet seldom, if ever, giving your own? Are you benefiting from the church while never giving to it? Do others give sacrificially while you give miserly? Are you a Judas?
Do you take, take, take, and never give? If so, you are the Judas in this story.
If you are a Martha, be strengthened. God sees your service.
If you are a Mary, be encouraged. God receives your worship.
If you are a Lazarus, be strong. God honors your conviction.
But if you are a Judas, be warned. God sees your selfishness.
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester,OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul wrote) 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. - 2 Timothy 1:8-10(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. - Psalm 34:9(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience. - George Washington - - 1st President of the United States -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
If there is anything better than to be loved, it is to love. - From Alive -

The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune. - English Proverb -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a cold wind from the north. High temperatures were in the upper forties. Charley has gone to a church retreat for a couple of days so I ate at McDonalds today. I went to the post office, the Petsense store and Walmart. I took my nap with Smokey and Tony. When I got up from my nap I went to Walgreen's for a prescription. I put treats and food out for the cats at 6:00 p.m. It was still cold with that wind blowing. Since the last Good Things, I have heard from Alice, Burlene, Carissa (my granddaughter), Michelle, Pastor JT, Sandy, Geneva, Quentin, Carol, Don & Evelyn, Jodie and Billy. I like to get e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is in his usual place. Others have been coming and going all evening.

Have a nice Tuesday!
Everett.
Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts.