Good Things

by Everett Christian

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 7:21(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4(New International Version).

A QUOTE
We may encounter defeats, but we must not be defeated.. - Maya Angelou -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Never say what you think without thinking. - From Reminisce Magazine -
People who look for the easy way out seem to have trouble finding an exit. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES,br /> Today has been cloudy with periods of light rain and then around 5:00 p.m. we had a heavy thunderstorm that lasted less than an hour. It appears the rain has moved on out for the night. High temperature today wass 65 degrees with a low of 56. This morning at 8:05 a.m., my brother, Charley, picked me up and took me to McAlester Regional Hospital, which is a little over a mile from my house. He left me there and came back later to pick me up. I had an injection in my back at about 9:30 a.m. It had been about 6 months since I had an injection. I always dread the injections because here in McAlester they don't give an anathesia, just pain reducers. It hurts pretty good when the needle goes in. I told the nurse today to give me a double relaxer and she did. She gave me two pills and I was a little woozy when it came time for the injection. It still hurt but not as much as last time. They called Charley to pick me up at 9:45 a.m. They say to not drive for 12 hours after the procedure. Charley brought me home and let me out. I immediately went to bed. Charley said he would come pick me up for lunch about 11:15 a.m. so I told him I would leave the door unlocked in case I was asleep. I soon went to sleep with Rascal snuggled close to me. Rascal must have sensed that I was hurting a little. The next thing I knew I heard the door bell ring and I awakened. Charley came on in and then we left for lunch. Bill was there to have lunch with us. We went by the post office to pick up my mail and I slept most of the afternoon (Rascal slept with me again). I am feeling pretty good tonight. Tomorrow I will return the favor for Charley. I will pick him up at 6:15 a.m. and take him to the hospital for removal of a small cancer from his bladder. I will stay at the hospital with him. It is supposed to be an outpatient procedure so maybe we will be able to go to lunch. Since last time I have had some nice e-mails from Debra, Michele, Alice, Claudia, June (my daughter) and Tom Gilham (my former pastor). I would like to share some of these letters but since it is late and I have to get up early I will hold off on the letters. Remember if you don't want your letter shared be sure to let me know. I get several comments from your letters.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the arm of the couch. Rascal was here a little while ago.
Have a nice Thursday, I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Dec. 14, 2011

Daily Ornament!
A Week of Joy: Wednesday, Day Eighteen of Advent
“This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself.” – Psalm 49:13-15

Gospel Reading: Matthew 24:45-51

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. – Matthew 24:45-47

Max Lucado writes about a group of people he calls “heroes in coveralls.” These people are not celebrities. They are not great athletes. They are not the highest paid members of society. They hold no significant public office. They are not famous at all. They are not recognized by their peers as persons of note. Their names never appear in print in the media. In fact, they are rather ordinary people. Almost anyone could be included in this list. And by any reasonable standard they are…well, ordinary. These heroes “don’t get press…don’t draw crowds.” They certainly don’t write best-selling books! Lucado argues that these are life’s real heroes.
He concludes: “Behind every avalanche is a snowflake…behind a rock slide is a pebble…An atomic explosion begins with one atom…and a revival can begin with one sermon.”
Some of my heroes are the bi-vocational pastors and spouses that work for low (or no) salaries in very small churches in settings where few people notice and where their efforts are seldom praised. They labor month-in, month-out in situations that never make the news. Their victories are few. Public recognition is not high on their list of things to achieve. But their work is critical, and I value each one of them. They touch lives up close. They seek only the praise of the God who called them to their places of service. They do “snowflake” work, and I am blessed when I realize that someday an “avalanche” of praise will be theirs.
Have you ever heard of John Egglen, a deacon in a Methodist church in Colchester, England? Only a handful of people were in attendance in church one snowy night. The minister of his church didn’t make it, but John did. He preached a simple, poorly-prepared sermon. A thirteen-year-old visitor that night was touched by the message and said later, “Then and there the cloud on my heart lifted, the darkness rolled away, and at that moment I saw the sun.” That thirteen-year-old visitor was Charles Haddon Spurgeon! Five years later Spurgeon took charge of a small congregation at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, and at 20 years of age he went to London as pastor of the famed New Park Street Chapel. His immediate popularity made necessary the construction of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1861. He often preached to as many as 10,000 on any given Sunday. His sermons, published weekly from 1854, were collected in 50 volumes.
God raised up a man—John Egglen—who obeyed God on a snowy night and preached a sermon that led to the conversion of a man who became one the best-known preachers of the second half of the 19th Century.
What does this have to do with Christmas/Advent? Everything! The Scriptures above are entirely about “Faithfulness.” It was through the faithfulness of four people, Zechariah and Elizabeth; Mary and Joseph that we have the beginnings of the Christmas story—but more importantly, the faithfulness of God to show the world that He would go to any length to bring people back to Himself!
We truly need to be faithful! We also need to stop thinking of ourselves as just a small person in a small church in a small community. We belong to the God who made the universe! His ability is unmatched. He can use us to change the world! It is time to stop looking at our size and begin looking at His! It is time to realize that the smallest seed can be used by God to make an eternal impact. We need to stop asking what we are able to do and start imagining what He can do in and through us.
I heard the story about a man who had a tattoo painted on his arm. The tattoo simply said, “Success.” However, after the tattoo artist was done, they were shocked to see that the word “Success” was misspelled! The artist made a huge mistake, and the man realized he would have to live with a misspelled tattoo on his arm for the rest of his life.
Do you ever feel that you are unsuccessful in your life? Do you have scars that remind you that failure has followed you closely for a portion of your life? Do you measure your success by comparing yourself to others? You can change, you know. Start with your attitude. Instead of pouting over past failures, consider yourself successful if...
…you are living for Christ
…you love others
…you are faithful and obedient to the call of Christ
…you get the big picture.
Let “Success” be correctly written all over your life! Just be Faithful and allow God to work in you...and let the Joy begin!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. - 1 Corinthians 6:17(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 Jesus replied (to Nicodemus), “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” - John 3:3(New International Version).

A QUOTE
A cheerful friend is like a sunny day, which sheds its brightness on all around. - John Lubbock -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Efficiency is avoiding extra work by doing it right the first time. - From Reminisce Magazine - Empathy is your pain in my heart. - From Reminisce Magazine -
If you would have friends, be friendly. - From Lists to Live By -

NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day with a high temperature of 59 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill with Bobbi as our waitress again today. I went to the post office. I came home, took my nap with Emmy. Later this afternoon at 3:10 p.m. I went to Walmart, Staples and a Dollar General Store in that order. I came home again, put out treats and food outside for the animals and then had my supper. Since last time I have had e-mails from Debra, Audie, Michele, Michelle and Geneva. I think that I will share the letters from Debra, Michele and Michelle. It makes the Good Things more interesting when I share your letters. When you write to me, if you don't want your letter shared, tell me and I will not share it. I have so many good e-mail friends and I like to share your letters at different times. Even if you don't write, you mean just as much to me as the ones who do write. God Bless everyone who reads the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl just got off the couch and came near my feet. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. The others are around somewhere and have all been accounted for. I have missed Flonnie so much the past three (almost four) years and the cats are so much company to me. I wonder all the time why the Lord is keeping me here, maybe to take care of my cats. I will stop whining now.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett. ************************************************************************************************** Debra's letter:
Hello Dear Everett,
Just finished with the reading of the Good Things - the Psalms always have a message, we just have to open our hearts and take in what the Lord intends for us. I know that he never slumbers, but is always my guide, my comfort!
Was a Blessed Sabbath day, yesterday - we went to morning worship and another blessing from a Sunday of Advent, then we went to the cemetary and found some comfort and peace from visiting at Jacob's gravesite - saddens us this Christmas Season, without him and his excitement and smile for the Christmas Spirit. Curt had found your dear Flonnie's grave and we also grieve for your own loss this Season. Beautiful flowers at her gravesite, in her honor/memory. Then back for the evening
of ThanksMas - and was such a blessed evening for all. We celebrate in the birth of our Lord and also
have times of sadness for the loss of our loved ones - but God is our Strength and through Him all things are possible.
Have a Blessed Tuesday, tomorrow and blessings throughout the week.
Love and Appreciate You,
DEBRA ****************************************************************************************************** Michele's letter:
Hi Everett!
Gas for you is $2.92 a gallon? Wow! It is $3.79 here in California.
We had rain here all day. I sure did enjoy it. I decorated my house some more with Christmas lights in the house. I put up my manger. I had been looking for it for the last couple of week. I said "God please help me find my manger." And he did! It was in a box in my closet. I never put it in storage with my other Christmas things. It is hard to find things when you move! LOL!
Over the weekend I got a new computer chair. Petey just loved the chair I was using with the plush cushion on it. So I think he is happy it is all his now.
Hope you have a great Tuesday! We are expecting more rain.
Michele ******************************************************************************************************** Michelle's letter:
Dear Everett, today's verses and quotes have encouraged me. I was down to a few dollars and I kept reading my quote that I got at the doctor's office - "When I come to the end of my rope, God is there to take over." (based on Hebrews 13:5) I love verses from Psalms, since David wrote them, reaching out to God, when he was in the midst of such hardships and trials.
Thank you for the nature quotes. I especially loved the photo of the dragonfly and the information about being able to see as they do. They are beautiful creatures. Isn't it strange that a creature like the dragonfly has 360 degree vision, but as higher beings than dragonflies, our vision is so limited? Even when it comes to how intensely God loves us.
Yesterday's rain in LA freshened everything. It's a beautiful, sunny day today and I'm listening to inspiring choral music on KUSC, the classical station I enjoy. May God's blessings be upon you, your family, and your furkids.
Michelle

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, December 12, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! - Psalm 32:11(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 He (the Lord) will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. - Psalm 121:3-4(New International Version).

A QUOTE
A single candle can light a thousand more without diminishing itself. - Hillel The Elder -

What's the use of having an enemy if you can have a friend? - From Reminisce Magazine - By the time somebody decides to make a long story short, it's already too late. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day with light sprinkles of rain now and them. High temperature today was 46 degrees and the low was 42 degrees. Charley and I attended a funeral today for Shirley Raye McNutt. We have known her for many years. We have known her husband, Leon McNutt, since we started to elementry school in the little country school of Bohannon. Shirley was 75 years of age. She leaves behind her husband, Leon, and their daughter, Sherry McNutt, and many relatives and friends. Charley and I had lunch at Taco Bob's with our friend, Bill. Bobbi was our waitress today. I took my nap with Beau, Emmy and Smokey with Rascal on a shelf in my bedroom. At about 3:30 p.m. I went to Walmart and the Petsense store. I filled my van with gasoline at Walmart at $2.92 per gallon. I watched "Trains and Locomotives" starting at 5:20 p.m. The trains they showed today were the more modern trains in the beautiful California country. Since last time I have had e-mails from Alice, Geneva, Janice and my granddaughter, Carissa. Carissa lives in Yukon, Oklahoma.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is lying on the floor in front of the heater. She has been snoring again. Rascal is sleeping in a rocking chair in the living room. The others have all been around this evening.
Have a nice Tuesday. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Dec.13, 2011

As I sit here contemplating the words I will use, I have chills on my body. The temperature in the room is comfortable, but my body/my spirit is experiencing something that goes beyond words. The chills aren't goose bumps to me. They are my glory bumps; glory bumps because the way my spirit is responding to the events of recent days is absolutely a God thing and my spirit is fully aflame! Please "bear" with me!! Where to begin???? Ok, long story short......I found myself with four teddy bears that were beautiful and undoubtedly too large to use for the kids who will come through the Emergency Room. To honor the intentions of those who wanted me to have these bears, I came up with an idea and presented it to Greta, the Director of the Emergency Department. She thought it was a great idea and we proceeded.
The idea was for me to clean these four bears and take them to the hospital. Greta would take them to the off-site Christmas party for the employees of the Emergency Department. They would be auctioned off as Christmas gifts for four lucky children/adults. The proceeds would then be used to purchase more teddy bears. Greta called me yesterday evening and I was overwhelmed with her news! That, my friends is an understatement! Greta told me the bears brought in a total of $120.00!!!! She said one of the ER nurses took the mike and before she began auctioning the bears, shared with the group the story of Nan's good will bears and of her experiences as she gave teddies to those who needed this wonderful expression of God's love. She got the crowd involved and the fun began! Do you have any idea how many teddy bears I can purchase with $120.00!!!?? Well, let me tell you that when my bank, RBC Centura brought in $100.00 in September at a fund raiser bake sale, I spent all the money and purchased 138 teddy bears. Now I will be able to purchase even more bears!!
God says, "wait, it gets better! When you think it can't get better, just watch and it will!" Another long story short..... well, maybe not so short....but you need to hear the details of this one. I paid a visit to my hair dresser this evening after leaving work 15 minutes earlier than usual. There was only one customer in the shop and he was in Denise's chair. She knows all about the teddy project and I filled her in on the news about the destiny of the four big bears and the generosity of the Emergency Department staff. The gentleman in her chair was interested in our conversation and Denise told me to share the whole story of Nan's good will bears with him. He was a very involved listener as Denise snipped away at the hair that curled around his ears. I told them, also about a very special "bear", which I actually had in my car at the time. This teddy bear began as a brown bunny rabbit given to me by a very sweet lady last week. She couldn't find a teddy bear so she purchased this beautiful rabbit. Well, you know I use only bears, not bunnies. I wanted to honor her intentions to give this bunny for the sick children so I decided to transform the bunny into a teddy bear! It is an awesome teddy now. Mind you, it was a beautiful bunny. I opened the stitches in the back and removed the fluffy white bunny tail and sewed up the back. Then I opened the stitches on the head and removed the bunny ears and cut them into the shape of teddy bear ears and then sewed the new ears in place. The beautiful pink nose was removed and I sewed a dark brown nose in its place. It still has the oversized bunny feet, which makes it absolutely adorable!! They were so impressed that I told them I'll run out to the car and bring it in to show them. They loved it!! I understood from Denise that the gentleman is a shy person, but he sure didn't seem like it as we talked. As he paid for his haircut, he told us two family members had passed away very recently, one being his mother. He lived with her all his life, and now she is gone. This will be his first Christmas without her. He took care of her in the last months of her life as she dealt with cancer. Denise hadn't seen him in months until this evening when he came in for a hair cut. He said he hadn't been out in months because he was taking care of his mother in the final stages of the cancer. As he walked toward the door of the shop, he turned to me and asked if I would take a donation to buy bears. I told him yes. He then pulled out his wallet and gave me $50.00 cash. He smiled at me and as we shook hands I thanked him profusely, all the while holding that precious bearabbit. I was taken aback at the whole scene that took place in the beauty shop tonight! Surely, God was present with us and smiling! I stood in stunned amazement as he walked out into the dark night. I walked up to the counter and saw his name on the customer sign in sheet. An idea flashed across my mind! As Denise had no other customers, I asked her for a phone book. We looked up his name. It wasn't listed in the phone book as we read it on the sheet, but one entry caught our attention.... a man's name and a lady's name beside it. We wondered if the lady might be his mom. I took out my blackberry and googled her name, our town and the word "obituary". It brought it up and I searched the obit. for a clue. Sure enough, there he was, listed as her son! I wrote down his name and address. I will be sending him a very special thank you card in the mail and along with the card will be the bearabbit! His generosity astounded me and his sadness at being alone without his mom this Christmas touched my heart deeply. He doesn't know it yet, but he surely will be getting an unexpected package in the mail this Christmas. When he is lonely, he can see and touch this bear and know "the rest of the story" as to how this bunny became a bear and I hope he will be comforted.
I hope you did "bear" with me until the end of this story. I will clean the bear and on Friday, I will put the package in the mail containing the thank you card and the special bearabbit. I love giving surprises to people even if I'm not there to witness the receipt of the gift. Rest assured, God will be there as the box is opened and the bearabbit is revealed to the generous man who selflessly gave money to a woman he only met moments before.
Remember this, God puts us where He needs us, when He needs us there and for as long as He needs us there. Amen!
It's getting late and the dishes in the kitchen are in need of attention. Take care. Remember, also that God prepares for your blessings long before you receive them. Give a blessing. Be a blessing. Accept a blessing! Love you! Nan Please keep my brother Woody in your prayers and his wife, Judy. As I type this message, he is in Duke University Hospital being admitted for excessive fluid build up in his body. The meds aren't working and the doctor wanted him in the hospital tonight rather than wait another day. I also have a friend, Diane who is in Baptist Hospital. She is a very sick lady and needs your prayers. She is 55 and had a heart attack in her 20's. Due to complications during a four hour surgery, they had to stop due to a drop in blood pressure. She was put on a ventilator. She continues to struggle. Allen and I visited her last week in the hospital and I took her one of Nan's good will bears and she was so appreciative. I have been told that as folks have gone in to visit her, she has continued to hold onto her teddy bear, stroking it all the while.