Good Things

by  Everett Christian,  McAlester, OK

 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness,
      but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
- Proverbs 10:28(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
8 Stop being angry!
      Turn from your rage!
   Do not lose your temper—
      it only leads to harm.
 9 For the wicked will be destroyed,
      but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.
- Psalm 37:8-9(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
Be gentle and paitient with an angry person.
- Charles R. Swindoll -
 
 
 
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
 
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 68 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 28 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office and then to Walmart for a few items. I took a nap this afternoon. I put food outside for the cats and strays at 5:00 p.m. Nothing much to report tonight.
 
The cats are fine. Little Girl decided to leave the den and come through the house to my bedroom this afternoon to take a nap with me. She is eating dry food now. Rascal just came in. He usually doesn't stay away very long but comes in to check on me.
 
At 9:20 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 56 degrees. I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by  Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAlester, OK

In like a "Lamb..." so March begins.  Let's see how it goes out.

Witnessed Mason's last Basketball game of the season.  It was a great intense nail-biter that truly went down to the wire!  He and his team finished the season undefeated so congratulations to them.

Several of our families will have children involved in baseball or t-ball.  If you are one of them please make us a copy of their schedules so that we (Dianne and I) can attend a game or two.  We truly enjoy watching!

Ashes to Fire begins a week from Wednesday...I am looking forward to the Journey!!  If you have not yet "secured" your daily journal please let me ASAP.

Elvin Smart's service is today.  Please remember the family as they prepare for that.

As always, if you have any news to share please do not hesitate to let me know!

Getting an Eyeful”  

“Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye...” – Proverbs 7:2b (NIV)

The original Hebrew for this idiom was 'iyshown 'ayin (אישון עין), and can be literally translated as "Little Man of the Eye." This is a reference to the tiny reflection of yourself that you can see in other people's pupils.

Our understanding of the phrase is often thought of in terms of endearment.  Indeed, poets and authors for centuries have used it as such to draw out an emotional attachment—to show one’s love and affection for a certain individual.  Shakespeare from A Midsummer’s Night Dream wrote:

Flower of the purple dye,

Hit with Cupid’s archery,

Sink in apple of his eye.

I am no expert on Shakespeare or old English literature so I will leave any and all interpretations up to others…but it sounds poetic and looks good on paper.

Without question there are certain people in each of our lives that would fit this description.  Certainly my wife would be first in that category but that does not rule out each of my children and now grandchildren.  For those of you who are parents, when your children were (or are) in a play at school or church, where is your focus?  Do you keep your eyes fixed on other people’s children (or grandchildren) or do you fix your gaze upon that child that is yours?  Do I even need to answer that one? 

Both of my daughters were in dance-class growing up.  The hightlight of the recitals were of course when they were on center-stage!  When we got the program I always looked to see when one or the other would be performing.  My oldest daughter was also a tennis player.  My wife and I would travel hundreds of miles to go to her matches.  As much as we were there to support the team, our main purpose was to watch and support her.  She was the one we wanted to watch play.

My son ran Cross-Country in High School for four years.  When I would go the meets I would situate myself in strategic spots so I could see him as he would come by.  Often he would ask “where he was” in regard to the other runners so I would try to keep count.  And although I was attempting to keep count I always kept my eye out for him…because he was my son and he was the most important runner in that race.

My youngest daughter was on the High School “Drill Team.”  Whether she was in parades or on the field during the half-time activities at football games or during time-outs at basketball games, my purpose was to find her and watch her perform.  It’s not I didn’t care about the other kids—but they weren’t my child!  I was there to watch her and support her!

A man came up to Jesus one day and said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” To which the Lord replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62, NIV)

The jist of that statement was, “You cannot follow Me while looking back.”  It would be like attempting to drive your car while looking in the rear-view mirror.  Not only is it dangerous but also counter-productive.

God’s Words/Laws/Commands are the source and strength of life.  Fix your “gaze” upon the source.     

Good Things

by  Everett Christian,  McAlester, OK

 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.  - Ephesians 4:11-16(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
 (Jesus said) 7 "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."  - Luke 15:7(New International Version).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
Regardless of race, gender, or background, we all have one thing in common: Our own story is in God's Word.  - Jim Spruce -
 
 
 
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
 
The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
Many an argument is sound-merely sound!
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
The day started cloudy but the skies cleared later in the day. High temperature today was 62 degrees which occured just after midnight. Low temperature today has been 40 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I came by the post office to pick up my mail. I have been at home the remainder of the day. I had my nap this afternoon. Not much news to report.
 
The cats are fine. Several of them are outside at present including Little Girl. She just came back inside.
 
At  9:35 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 40 degrees. God Be With You until next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.

Nan's Calendar

by  Nan Forehand,  Statesville, NC

I saw a delicate flower [that] had grown up two feet high, between the horses' path and the wheeltrack.  An inch more to right or left [would have] sealed its fate, or an inch higher.  Yet it lived to flourish as much as if it had a thousand acres of untrodden space around it, and never knew the danger it incurred.  It did not borrow trouble, nor invite an evil fate by apprehending it.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. Psalm 52:8

I especially enjoy the visual impression of today's quote and the moral of the story.  We are, as well, delicate flowers.  I'm sure you've heard it said before "bloom where you are planted".  Trust God that the horse and wagon will remain in their proper place on the road and that He will protect you.  Flourish where you are right now as if nothing in the world could possibly harm you.  God placed you where you are for a reason.  He will keep you safe, even as the wheels turn closely past you.  Keep your focus on God as your Source of protection so as to lose all thought of fear and danger.  Instead of saying "I don't want those wagon wheels or horses' hooves to trample me", replace that negative thought with positive affirmation of God's presence.  "The Lord is with me.  I am safe."  The last sentence is quite profound.  Don't borrow trouble by holding onto negative thoughts.  Fear is an open invitation to allow negative forces in your life.  Let go of any negatives and replace them with positives.  With God, nothing is impossible!
To God be the glory!