Good Things

by Everett Christian, mcAlester, OK
Friday, December 2, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said, concerning the greatest commandments) 30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
23 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. - Psalm 37:23-24(New International Version).
A QUOTE
I'm learning that bitterness and gossip accomplish nothing, but forgiveness and love accomplish everything. - Phil Callaway -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
An optimist is one who makes the best of it when he gets the worst of it. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially, I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me. - From Lists to Live By -
GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS
You probably already know that all spiders have eight legs, but did you know that most spiders have six to eight eyes? - From Fun Facts from The Great Outdoors -
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Our pets are not just animals - they are our best friends - the perfect pals who never judge us and always accept us no matter what. - From the Humane Society of the United States -
NOTES
I did'nt do Good Things last night. My computer monitor quit working so I went out to Staples and bought a new monitor and I didn't get it working until today. Today we have had heavy clouds all day with a little rain just before daylight. High temperature today was 52 degrees with a low temperature of 41 degrees. I had lunch with my brother, Charley, and my pastor, J. T. Carnell. Bobbi was our waitress today. I went to the post office to pick up my mail and was home the rest of the day. I took my nap this afternoon. I put treats and food outside for the animals at 4:45 p.m. If anyone had rather not have my notes in the Good Things let me know and it would be no problem for me to delete them from the copy that comes to you. Also, if you ever wish to quit receiving the Good Things for any reason, let me know, and I will certainly understand. As I get older I am more prone to make mistakes and write things that might not make sense to someone. Since the last Good Things two nights ago, I have had e-mails from Cathy Perks, Alice and Michele. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things. If the stationery I am using now causes any problems for anyone reading the Good Things, let me know.
The cats are fine. I have seen all of them today as they do their usual things. Little Girl is on the back of the couch at present. The others are elsewhere, several of them asleep in different parts of the house.
Have a nice Saturday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Dec. 1, 2011

Daily Ornament!
A Week of Hope: Thursday, Day Five
“I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:1-2

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-46
Hope changes perspective. It sees the bigger picture and the God who is responsible for painting that picture.
But there is bigger question (or questions) that sometimes we are afraid to ask. We shouldn’t be afraid but often we are. Such as…what does hope look like? What does it feel like? Would we know it if we saw it, experienced it?
The people of Jesus’ day were looking for it—and yet when it was right in front of them many did not recognize it. Maybe they were too wrapped up in their politics to see that the King was standing and living in their midst. Perhaps they were too engulfed in their bitterness and anger of the Roman occupation to understand that the very One who their ancestors pointed to as the promised Messiah was showing them the way. Perhaps they were comfortable with the way things were and were resentful what this young buck was preaching/teaching.
Maybe we are the same way.
Maybe we are so wrapped up in Christmas that we forget to take the time to understand the true purpose of Christ in our lives. Maybe we want to hold on to our anger and hurt—thinking that it gives us purpose. Maybe hope is right in front of us and like those of Jesus’ day, we fail to recognize it.
A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable--and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves--she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season: overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting perfect gifts for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and said, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond: "Don't worry, we already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down, the elevator was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase and word. If we all did, just think how different this whole world would be. That is what hope looks like.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everet Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, November 30, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:12-15(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 His (God's) divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. - 2 Peter 1:3-4(New International Version).

A QUOTE
God indwells us so people can see Him in us. - Jerry Hull -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
There's no traffice jam when going the extra mile. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Wanted: More to say it can be done and fewer to say it's impossible. - From Lists to Live By -

GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS
Kansas has the largest population of wild grouse (more commonly known as prarie chicken) in North America. - From Fun Facts from the Great Outdoors -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 57 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office and then was home for the rest of the day. I took my nap this afternoon with my calico cat named Emmy. I put treats and food outside for the cats at 4:30 p.m. I watched the Billy Graham Crusade at 6:00 p.m. The program tonight was taped in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973. Billy Graham was 55 years of age that year. I saw on the current news tonight that Billy Graham was admitted to the hospital. I think they said that he had pneumonia. He is 93 years of age at present. Since yesterday's Good Things I have had e-mails from Michele, Geneva and Annette. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is sitting in front of the heater here in the den. Rascal was here by me a few minutes ago but has now gone elsewhere. I have seen all my 8 cats this evening and have also seen Lucy, the stray, Tony, from across the street, and Siamese Tom.
I hope everyone who reads this has a Good Thursday. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.