Daily Jewel

by   Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAlester, OK

“Close Enough for Horseshoes and Hand-Grenades”  

“He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house.” – Proberbs 7:8

In sports the adage “close is not good enough” is often the truth.  In football, a field goal is only counted when the ball goes through the uprights.  If it misses by mere inches on one side or the other it does not count and it could cost the team the game.  In baseball, a mere inch can determine whether a ball is fair or foul, whether it is a ball or a strike, whether a runner is safe or out.  Close is not good enough.  In basketball, a mere fraction of an inch may be the difference of the ball going through the rim or bouncing out.  It is about precision.

However, in the game of horseshoes, close does count and the goal is to get closer than your opponent.  I’m not certain that attempting to visualize “hand-grenades” would be all that productive—but let’s just say that precision is not altogether necessary for them to be “effective.”  Which is what I believe Solomon is trying to say in this verse:  It was where he (the young man) was headed that was the problem and where he was headed was a formula for disaster!

For some reason, these words of Paul came to my mind as I was reading through this:

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” - 2nd Corinthians 6:14-17

            It recently came to my attention that when God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians He had them leave that country for a place they would call their own.  The thought occurred to me that the moment Pharaoh said, “You’re free,” it literally meant, they were free.  Redeemed.  They were no longer slaves and no longer were under the oppression of the Egyptians.  So why leave?  Why not stay where they were and make a nice home for themselves right there in the land of Egypt?  Why pack up all of their belongings and trek the many miles to…to…”Where are we going anyway?”  Because they did not belong there!   The Egyptians worshiped that which was not God, and thus by them staying in that place:  their close proximity  to the evil that was there would make it difficult if not impossible to serve God with their whole hearts.  

            In the process of their journey to Canaan, God provided everything they needed—that He was indeed, Jehovah Jirah.  (Provider-God)  When they needed direction…He was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  When they needed food He sent them bread and quail.  He was what they needed.  And…He is what we all need!

“Come near to God and he will come near to you…” – James 4:8

            When it comes to our relationship with God—it is not necessarily about “precision,” but purpose.  It is a choice we consciously make to get closer to Him.  To walk with Him.  To be where He is—which is why the verse in Corinthians has legs!  Translation: we cannot be close to God if we are wandering down the wrong street!  To get “close to the house of the immoral woman” is to get too close to problems and step further away from the place where God wants and needs us. 

Stay away from “her house!”  Do not get remotely close, for unlike the game of horseshoes—hand grenades are deadly, and do not discriminate.  It does not matter who are near them and evil takes the same approach.  Stay close to God—always!

Daily Jewel

by   Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAlester, OK

“Close Enough for Horseshoes and Hand-Grenades”  

“He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house.” – Proberbs 7:8

In sports the adage “close is not good enough” is often the truth.  In football, a field goal is only counted when the ball goes through the uprights.  If it misses by mere inches on one side or the other it does not count and it could cost the team the game.  In baseball, a mere inch can determine whether a ball is fair or foul, whether it is a ball or a strike, whether a runner is safe or out.  Close is not good enough.  In basketball, a mere fraction of an inch may be the difference of the ball going through the rim or bouncing out.  It is about precision.

However, in the game of horseshoes, close does count and the goal is to get closer than your opponent.  I’m not certain that attempting to visualize “hand-grenades” would be all that productive—but let’s just say that precision is not altogether necessary for them to be “effective.”  Which is what I believe Solomon is trying to say in this verse:  It was where he (the young man) was headed that was the problem and where he was headed was a formula for disaster!

For some reason, these words of Paul came to my mind as I was reading through this:

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” - 2nd Corinthians 6:14-17

            It recently came to my attention that when God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians He had them leave that country for a place they would call their own.  The thought occurred to me that the moment Pharaoh said, “You’re free,” it literally meant, they were free.  Redeemed.  They were no longer slaves and no longer were under the oppression of the Egyptians.  So why leave?  Why not stay where they were and make a nice home for themselves right there in the land of Egypt?  Why pack up all of their belongings and trek the many miles to…to…”Where are we going anyway?”  Because they did not belong there!   The Egyptians worshiped that which was not God, and thus by them staying in that place:  their close proximity  to the evil that was there would make it difficult if not impossible to serve God with their whole hearts.  

            In the process of their journey to Canaan, God provided everything they needed—that He was indeed, Jehovah Jirah.  (Provider-God)  When they needed direction…He was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  When they needed food He sent them bread and quail.  He was what they needed.  And…He is what we all need!

“Come near to God and he will come near to you…” – James 4:8

            When it comes to our relationship with God—it is not necessarily about “precision,” but purpose.  It is a choice we consciously make to get closer to Him.  To walk with Him.  To be where He is—which is why the verse in Corinthians has legs!  Translation: we cannot be close to God if we are wandering down the wrong street!  To get “close to the house of the immoral woman” is to get too close to problems and step further away from the place where God wants and needs us. 

Stay away from “her house!”  Do not get remotely close, for unlike the game of horseshoes—hand grenades are deadly, and do not discriminate.  It does not matter who are near them and evil takes the same approach.  Stay close to God—always!

Nan's Calendar

by   Nan Forehand,  Statesville, NC

When a woman has a chance to share her feelings freely, she begins to feel more loving despite what she may have said. John Gray, Ph.D.

We're not going to agree with each other 100% of the time.  As we experience a sense of freedom from judgment, we are able to express troubling feelings and then move forward with a new perspective and a fresh approach.  Fickle feelings frustrate females.  First find fellowship with the Father.  Nan Forehand

A very special lady and I were recently in the presence of satan, I, clothed in my full armor of faith and she, feeling stripped naked and bleeding (spiritually speaking), desperately searching for help for a loved one.  It was the most incredible experience for us, as I realize now, with the Lord's guidance, I gently clothed her in her own armor, dressed her for battle with the Spirit of God standing before us.  We knew it was a profound attempt by satan to destroy a relationship with a loved one.  She is an amazing woman and I felt honored to be in her space.
It was through a telephone conversation after hours she and I met.  It was late in the day and I had a note before me of a voice mail from earlier in the afternoon.  As I listened to the voice on the recording, I knew this lady needed to hear from my office sooner than later.  I called the number and as we began to talk, I realized without a doubt God had directed the conversation for that moment, rather than wait until another day.  I learned she had ignored several phone calls prior to mine.  She told me she had a sense that she needed to answer this call.  The Spirit of the Lord prompted her to pick up the phone.  As I listened, it was crystal clear God intended for her prayers to be answered, but not in the way she had hoped or expected.  Inasmuch as she wanted help for her loved one, God knew she needed help for her self.  She is strong in her faith and we rejoiced in faith together as we praised God and shared this special time together.  The power of the Holy Spirit was amazingly strong as He gave me words to share with her.  The Spirit moved through my voice, through the phone line and into her heart.  As the Spirit moved through us, we sensed the departure of satan.  With our shields and our swords, we sent him away.  He was probably livid with anger that the power of God had triumphed, yet again.  By the time we realized it, an hour had passed since our conversation began.
Certainly she and her loved ones will remain in my thoughts and prayers.  It's a mystery right now if she and I will ever meet in person, but we were one in spirit, united by the love of Christ.  Her heart poured out to the Lord and He heard her cries for help.  And she was comforted.

Good Things

by       Everett Christian,  McAlester, OK   

 
GOOD THINGS
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
 
 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
   when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
- Proverbs 3:24(New International Version).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
26 Those who fear the Lord are secure;
      he will be a refuge for their children.
- Proverbs 14:26(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
The wise man in the storm prays God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -
 
 
 
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
 
One thing that all can have, though they possess nothing else, is hope.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
The day started with cloudy skies but the skies cleared around noontime and we had sunshine this afternoon even though there was a cool breeze from the north direction. High temperature today was 54 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 42 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went by the post office. I took a nap this afternoon with Rascal. Later in the afternoon I went to Family Dollar Store for a couple of items and dropped a letter in the post office drop box. I didn't attend the Ash Wednesday Service at church tonight. I was feeling down a little mentally and phyiscally. I did read the Ash Wednesday devotions from the book "Ashes To Fire."
 
The cats are fine. Little Girl just now wanted to go outside but she wont stay out long. Rascal is in the recliner. Leo just looked in on us but went back elsewhere. The other cats are probably resting as that is mainly what cats do, especially since they don't have to worry about finding food on their own.
 
At 9:25 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 45 degrees. I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by   Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAlester, OK

“Question:  How Dumb Can One Be?  Answer:  It’s Limitless!!”  

“At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.” – Proverbs 7:6-7 (NIV)    

“Two things are infinite; the universe and human stupidity;

and I’m not sure about the universe.” – Albert Einstein

“Life is tough—but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.” – John Wayne

“Stupid is as stupid does.”  - Tom Hanks (as Forrest Gump)

How many of you have heard of “The Darwin Awards?”  Named in honor of Charles Darwin, since 1994 the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it.  Consider a couple of past “winners.”

(November 1997, Pennsylvania) Wayne Roth, 38, of Pittston, was bitten by a cobra belonging to his friend, Roger Croteau, after playfully reaching into the tank and picking up the snake. Wayne subsequently refused to go to a hospital, telling Roger, "I'm a man, I can handle it."

Falser words have seldom been spoken. Instead of a hospital, Wayne reported to a bar. He had three drinks, and enjoyed bragging that he had just been bitten by a cobra. Cobra venom is a slow-acting central nervous system toxin. He died within a few hours, in Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania.

 (31 July 2009, South Carolina) Two disguised men entered a Sprint store on Sparkleberry Lane, pulled out guns, and stole wallets, purses, and credit cards from employees before ordering them into a bathroom. Both men fled, but they could not flee from their own stupidity. 23-year-old James T. had disguised himself by painting his face gold.  Yes, in order to conceal his identity during the robbery, James had covered his skin with spray paint. If this isn't a Darwin Award, what is? Paints are clearly labelled, do not get on skin, do not get in eyes, do not inhale. Paint fumes are well-known to be toxic, and the metallic colors are particularly noxious. James began having trouble breathing (surprise!) and died wheezing shortly after the robbery took place.
To add insult to injury, the disguise was ineffective. Witnesses were certain as to the identity of their assailant. Had he lived, James, like his surviving accomplice, would have been charged with armed robbery.

Not to be outdone by these brilliant scholars allow me to add one more and this comes from a website that highlights “stupid criminals.” 

"A man and his girlfriend were robbing a convenience store. While waiting for her boyfriend to finish getting the money, the woman noticed a contest entry form. Thinking it would be cool to win, she filled out the form, complete with her name, address, and phone number. A few hours later the police were at the couple's house to arrest them."

Isn’t that the jest of what Solomon is saying?  He is witnessing someone getting ready to do something really stupid—something mankind has been doing for a long time!!  How is it that after centuries and at a time when we should be far more enlightened we continue to act in ways that probably astound God? 

It goes to prove that the human mind, when given the opportunity to think on its own is capable of some pretty bizarre things—ergo, the examples provided above.  And, the one Solomon provides as well.

                        Life comes at us at such an incredibly fast pace—being able to “think through” each situation that comes our way may not always be a luxury we have available to us.  We may have to rely on what we have been given or learned to get us through those encounters—that, and the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit! 

How many times have we (figuratively of course) reached our hands into a tank filled with snakes—been bitten—and go on as if nothing has happened?  Maybe even bragged about it to our friends?  But as the illustration above points out there are always consequences. 

You may have to die a “stupid” death to be nominated for a “Darwin Award,” but every life lived apart from Christ leads to a useless death.  Don’t be among those!