Good Things

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD:

8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD:

7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. - Psalm 16:7-8(New International Version).

A QUOTE:

Out of "love" we serve God with all our heart and with all our soul - rather than merely out of duty. - Albert Lee -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER:

A soft answer has often been the means of breaking a hard heart. - From Our Daily Bread - Give someone a compliment today, tomorrow may be too late. - From Reminisce Magazine -

It's my choice whether to step into the day with praise or pity in my heart and on my lips. - From Every Good Thing -

NOTES:

Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 79 degrees. Charley had a luncheon at his church today so I had lunch at a new bar-b-que place called "Billy Sims Bar-B-Que." I found out later that my pastor and wife came to Taco Bobs to eat with us but I didn't know they were coming. They had lunch with Bill and hopefully enjoyed the lunch. While I was out for lunch I went to the Goodwill Store to look at their books. I will write more about that in the second paragraph. I also went to the Petsense store while I was out and then came by the post office. I took a nap with my faithful cat, Smokey. I put food and treats out at around 6:15 p.m. and sat with them for about 10 minutes. Thanks for your emails and thanks for reading the Good Things.

As I mentioned, I stopped by the Goodwill store to look at their books. It may have been the first time I have been there since Flonnie went away. We used to go there all the time. Flonnie liked to shop at any store and Goodwill is a good place for a woman to shop. I found a brand new book that I don't think had ever been owned by anyone. The original price inside the cover was $19.95 but I got it for $1.00 plus nine cents tax. The title of the book is "The Greatest Generation Speaks" by Tom Brokaw. It is about World War 2 veterans and their comments and letters back and forth between husband and wife or sweethearts. It is a sequel to "The Greatest Generation." I think that is the greatest generation, not because I was part of it, but because that generation saved our country from Adolph Hitler and the Japanese Regime. I helped take back the Philippine Islands from the Japanese after they had been there for three years. The country was not a pretty sight after three years of Japanese rule. In order that the present generations will not forget World War 2, I think I will write some excerpts from the book in future Good Things. I will probably title it "Lest We Forget." I wrote about my experience in that war a couple of years ago and sent copies to everyone on my email list. If you would like to have a copy of it, send me an email and request it.

The cats are fine. None are with me at present but since it is so warm I have the front patio door ajar so the cats can come and go as they please. I have seen all of the cats this evening.

Have a nice Thursday.

Everett. Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts~~~!!!

Christopher Ballew

On the run

Tasty

Delicious

On the bun

Growling for a stomach

A Salute to Hotdogs(c)Christopher Ballew

Good Things

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD:

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. - Hebrews 13:15-16(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD:

5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. - Psalm 37:5-6(New International Version).

A QUOTE:

If we claim that we have been transformed by the gospel and intimately know and love God, we should validate it by our obedience to His Word. - Marvin Williams -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER:

Delightful things are all around, simply waiting to be found. - From Reminisce Magazine -

It takes backbone, not wishbone, to make success. - From Reminisce Magazine -

When the world says, "Give Up," hope whispers, "Try it one more time!" - From Our Daily Bread -

NOTES:

Today has been partly cloudy with high temperatures in the seventies. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. It seems that Bill is doing very well from his surgery. I went to the post office. I took a nap with Tony. At around 2:30 p.m. I went to the barber shop and got a haircut. I held Jeffry, the orange colored cat for a minute or so. He never meets a stranger. I came back by Braum's and picked up a snack for my evening meal. I put food out for the animals at around 6:00 p.m. and sat with them for a few minutes. Last night Smokey was sleeping with me. Along about 3:00 a.m. there was a loud clap of thunder. Smokey took off and hid. He always hides somewhere when we have a thunderstorm until the storm passes. Tonight I am going to leave you with another song at the end of the Good Things titled "Till The Storm Passes By." Go to you tube and there are several videos of this song. Thanks for your emails and thanks for reading the Good Things.

The cats are fine. Rascal is with me at present and the others have been around. I have seen all of them this evening.

Have a nice Wednesday. Everett.

Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts~!!!

Here is the song.

TILL THE STORM PASSES BY

(Mosie Lister)

Recorded by: Bill Gaither; Vestal Goodman; Greater Vision; Inspirations; Ron Jarman; Ben Speer.

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face, While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place. 'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Chorus:

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by. Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try, For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by" But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise Where the storms never darken the skies.

Chorus:

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

When the long night has ended and the storms come no more, Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore; In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

Chorus:

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Cassie Ballew

Fall,

won't you come and

dance with me

sing with me

leaves caressing my hair

kissing my cheeks

breezes swaying me

back and forth

dry branches crackling

keeping a rhythm

Winter,

won't you come and

dance with me

sing with me

whirling snow around me

falling softly

my partner bejeweled

wild and care free

slick ballroom floors

made of ice

Spring,

won't you come and

dance with me

sing with me

birds chirping a melody

cicadas are harmony

flowers wafting enchanting perfumes

soft breezes like hands

smoothing my hair

away from my face

Summer,

won't you come and

dance with me

sing with me

dry grass under

bare feet

sprinklers cascading

diamond shining lawns

strong partner shining

down on me

Dancing through the seasons

Singing with the seasons

Living through each season in life

Rough

Joyful

Smooth

Waiting for

The next season

Good Things

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH 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).

3 Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. - Psalm 100:3-4(New International Version).

In the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, Life wins! - Jesse Middendorf -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER:

If death comes today, will you be prepared to meet God? - From Our Daily Bread -

Sow seeds of kindness and you'll enjoy a perpetual harvest. - From Reminisce Magazine -

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES:

The day started with cloudy skies. Along about noontime a thunderstorm came along and it rained not over 30 minutes and then it was over. Skies cleared and we had a sunny afternoon. High temperature today was 73 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. As I came home I went by Country Mart store for a few items. I then went on to the post office. I took a nap this afternoon. Tony took a nap with me today. I put food and treats outside for the animals at around 6:00 p.m. I sat out with the cats for about 30 minutes. After they ate their treats Beau and Smokey got in some chairs close to me. I got up and walked around in the yard and Itty Bitty and Rascal followed me. They love for me to sit out with them. I want to leave a hymn with you this evening, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus." I was thinking about this hymn last night after I went to bed, trying to turn everything over to Jesus. Sing it if you know the melody or you can listen to it on You Tube. I will leave the hymn at the end of the Good Things. Thanks for your emails and thanks for reading the Good Things.

The cats are fine. None are with me at present but Rascal has been around. I have seen all the cats this evening.

Have a nice Tuesday. Everett.

Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts!~!!

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Lyrics ~ Joseph Scriven, 1819 -1886

Music ~ Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918

Stanza 1:

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Ev'rything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Ev'rything to God in prayer.

Stanza 2:

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Stanza 3:

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms He'll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.