Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24(New International Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
27 Then he (Jesus) took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them (the twelve disciples), saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." - Matthew 26:27-28(New International Version).
A QUOTE
You can have peace in your heart with little if you are in the will of God, but you can be miserable with much if you are out of His will. - Billy Graham -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Your most valuable possession is your self-respect. - From Reminisce Magazine - If you want a place in the sun, be prepared to get a few blisters. - From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 101 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 73 degrees. I can't stay outside but a few minutes in this hot weather. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I came by the post office to pick up my mail and then I stopped by Walgreens to pick up a couple of prescriptions. I went by the cemetery and then came home. I took my nap in early afternoon. The lady came at 5:00 p.m. and cleaned my house. I put food, treats and fresh water in the back yard for the cats at 7:00 p.m. It was still 99 degrees so it was much too hot to sit outside. I had some comments on the picture of June's yard in Hawaii. One commented that it was a little preview of what the garden of Eden might have looked like. I am sending another picture from June's yard tonight and next time I will send a picture from good old Oklahoma. At my age I will never make a trip to Hawaii. The cats are fine. Little Girl is lying in the front yard at present. Rascal was by a few minutes ago. Some are inside and some are outside at present. At 9:15 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 91 degrees. Have a Blessed Sunday and a Happy Safe Independence Day! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Controversy Of The Cross

Controversy Of The Cross at Our Daily Bread
 a nice read today July4th
http://odb.org/

and Happy Fourth

much love
gillena

Spring Time

Father,

Breathe into my soul

The Spring Time Power

Of the Resurrection --

The birthing of Your Son, Jesus,

From winter's death. Then

My soul's fields

Will green from grace, and,

The warming breeze

Of Your Forgiveness

Will take winter's sting and bite

From my sins. And,

Your grace,

Like winter's melted waters,

Will nourish my soul's

Pent-up buds.

Yes, as earth's soil comes alive

With prisms revealing life's spectrum,

So  Your Spring Time Power will to my  soul.

But, as death, life's mandate,

Opens the seed to bud and to flower,

So with the spring time of  my soul.

Only, if I companion with Jesus,

Comrade with His sufferings, and

Bleed with Him to death,

Will I come to know

The Full Field of Jesus, and

Find Joy, Salvific joy --

The souls' spring time.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Banning Alarm Clocks and Surprise Parties”
,br /> “Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life…no need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; He’ll keep you safe and sound." – Proverbs 3:21, 25-26 (MSG)
I would like to meet the person who invented the alarm clock–and torture them! How about making them watch 24 hours of the Family Feud, or something like that? Why would anyone create something so sinister as to rouse a person out of his or her well-earned sleep? And surprise parties? Who thought that one up? Isn’t it bad enough that one has to be reminded that they are another year older? No, someone had to come up with the idea that other people need to join in on one’s misery and then lead them into cardiac arrest on top of it! Cynicism aside, Solomon’s contention here should be considered. I am tired of all the “doomsday” advocates that see world destruction around every corner. Should we be good stewards of our planet? By all means, yes. We have a responsibility to take care of what we have been given—the earth included. In fact, the Book of Genesis reminds us that in the very beginning man was given this assignment and we still have that responsibility. Clear thinking and Common Sense tells me that God created this world and He still knows how to take of it! In reality, the only “doomsday” that we need to be concerned about is our own personal one! And you do not need an alarm clock or a surprise party for that—you just need to trust and believe in Jesus Christ! And when life throws its worst you can cling to the promise; “…God will be right there with you; He’ll keep you safe and sound.” In fact, this is a very vivid reminder that we have One who has promised us that He would take care of our needs and be with us in and through every situation we encounter! I like the following quote from A.W. Tozer: “Christians have often been accused of being reactionary because they cannot show any enthusiasm for the latest scheme that someone thinks up to bring in the millennium. Well, it is not to be wondered at. A true Christian's first hand acquaintance with God saves them from the nervous scramble in which the world is engaged and which is popularly touted as progress. A real Christian is an odd number anyway. They feel supreme love for One whom they have never seen; talks like an old friend every day to Someone they cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties themselves in order to be full; admits they are wrong so they can be made right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when at their weakest; richest when at their poorest, and happiest when they should not be! The Christian dies so they can live; gives away to keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible and knows that which passes human understanding. The man or woman who has met God is not looking for something, they have found it. They are not searching for light--upon them the light has already shined! Their religion is not hearsay. They are not a copy, not a facsimile print; they are an original from the hand of the Holy Spirit. They are waiting for a trumpet call, not a tin whistle to lead every new parade. They are waiting for the call that will set in motion a series of events that will result in a new heaven and a new earth!” To that I say, “Amen!” And if you want my opinion – I think there should be a law banning both alarm clocks and surprise parties! I believe we will all be happier and healthier for it!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. - Proverbs 15:33(New International Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. - Colossians 2:9-10(New International Version).
A QUOTE
One is poor if he cannot enjoy what he has. - Leroy Brownlow -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
God's Word is our guide map, His Spirit is our compass, and His Son is our goal. - From Reflecting God -
If the grass is greener on the other side, the water bill is bigger, too. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Lord, bless me, that I may be a blessing to others in Your name. - From Reflecting God -
Sometimes the bridge from despair to hope is just a good night's sleep. - From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been a partly cloudy day with a high temperature of 98 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 77 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I came by the post office to pick up my mail. I took a nap in early afternoon. At 4:00 p.m. I made a trip to Walmart to buy cat food and other items. I sat in the back yard with the cats from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. When I came in at 8:00 o'clock three of the cats were in chairs and two were on the ground. Three had already made it back inside the house. My daughter, June, and husband, Keith, moved to Hawaii and arrived there on June 21. The picture tonight is a from their front porch in Hawaii. The cats are fine. None of them are in the den with me at present. At 10:10 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 81 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.