Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Dec. 8, 2011

Daily Ornament!
A Week of Love: Thursday, Day Twelve of Advent

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” – Psalm 37:4-8
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:13-26
“Our gospel reading today asks us to reflect on our priorities once again. If all our preparation for Advent is simply a checking off of religious duties—church attendance, Christmas play practice, devotional time, scripture reading, and so on—we’ll never enter the experience of Advent. It will be as though we ‘strained out a gnat but swallowed a camel.’ (vs. 24). We’ll do the small things and miss the big picture.” (Illuminate, pg. 39)
He’s right!! Not just the author of the devotional but Jesus was (and is) too! We can become so busy doing things for God and for ourselves that we neglect to recognize what and who it is for! In many ways that is what Christmas has become—a busy time based around a great concept and idea but we’re too tired to either recognize it or enjoy it. I would like to share the following story. Some may have read this before—it has circulated for some time. It is rather lengthy but it is well worth the read. Please don’t ignore the message—just as I would ask you to not miss the true message of the season! It is about love, compassion and hope! Enjoy…and Engage!! Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.
It was Christmas Eve 1921. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what. Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." When we had exchanged the sideboards Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood—the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"
"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "why?"
"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out diggin around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.
“What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy." We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"
"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in Front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.
My heart Swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."
In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave.
Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine. At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."
Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."
I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. That, my friends is what Jesus was talking about!
! Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, Mcalester, OK
Wednesday, December 7, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. - Ecclesiastes 5:10(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:30-31(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. - Edmund Burke -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Sometimes the best gift not to give is advice. - From Reminisce Magazine -

GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS
Ants can carry twenty times their own weight. - From Fun Facts from The Great Outdoors -

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Some dogs and cats have risked their own lives to protect their human companions from danger. - From The Humane Society of The United States -

NOTES
Today is Pearl Harbor Day. I remember that day quite well. I was 16 years old at that time. Two years later I was in the Army. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 42 degrees in McAlester, Oklahoma. Low temperature this morning was 16 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. Mellisa was our waitress again today. I went to the post office for my mail. Before I came home I went to Walmart and the Petsense store. I took my nap this afternoon with Beau and Emmy. I put the treats and food outside for the animals at 4:35 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. I watched a Billy Graham Classic from 1983 in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Graham was 64 years of age at that time. Since last time I have had e-mails from Alice, Burlene, Geneva and Leela. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things.
At 7:00 p.m. I watched a replay of the Waikiki Holiday Parade in Honolula, Hawaii. The Waikiki Holiday Parade commemorates Pearl Harbor by honoring survivors and veterans in memory of the attacks from December 7, 1941. Local Hawaiian bands, marching bands from the mainland, military units, local officials and dignitaries march down torch-lit Kalakaua Avenue along Waikiki Beach. It is held annually the Friday following Thanksgiving Day and hosts thousands of spectators, residents and visitors alike. There were a few survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack in the parade. It was a beautiful parade with at least 23 bands from Hawaii, the mainland and Canada.
The cats are fine. Little Girl on the back of the sofa. Rascal has been in the recliner but has now gone to a rocker in the living room. Emmy just came in for a bite of food and greeted me with a meow. I think she wanted more food in the food bowl which was about empty. I promptly got up and got some more food for the food bowl. All the cats are accounted for.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Dec. 5, 2011

Daily Ornament!
A Week of Love: Monday, Day Nine of Advent

“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope in You all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:23-33

During Advent we are called to remember the love of God. Because of His love, God sent His only Son into the world so that all might be saved from death. We also look forward with confidence in God’s love that on the day the Son of God comes again we will be like Him, raised from death to life. Advent is a time when we are invited to embrace the love of the Living God by remembering and hoping. (Illuminate, page 33)
Monday’s are tough enough but—then with the added pressure of the season—financially, emotionally, etc. I can see how quickly we can become both cynical and nonchalant when it comes to giving the best of your efforts whether it be to your job, your family or to the Church. It would be so easy—and convenient at times to simply, “check-out” so-to-speak when it comes to really caring and loving people. And then I read stories like this one that remind me our actions speak louder than our words—and love can happen at any time, any place! “I ended up in the wrong check-out line at Wal-Mart yesterday. I got in line at Register #9. There were several people ahead of me. I failed to notice that Register #9 was for shoppers that had 20 items or less. I hadn’t counted mine, but I knew I had more than 20 items. Here I was, already lined up—in the wrong line. I looked over at the adjacent lines. They were all full, backed up to the main aisle. Embarrassed, I stayed put. No one said a word. When I got to the register, I apologized to the clerk as she prepared to ring up my purchases. She said, “That’s okay; your items are small.” How kind of her. She could have said, “Sir, can’t you read?” Her kindness instantly put me at ease. The people in line behind me could have been rude; they weren’t. Were they all Christians? I don’t know. But they acted like it. They were what Paul admonished the Colossian Christians to be—“gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.”
The most frantic shopping days of the year are just ahead. People’s nerves will be rattled. The human in us allows us to be impatient and unkind when some shopper picks up an item we want, or a self-preoccupied buyer moves their big cart into the 20-item register line just ahead of us. How we deal with it will determine the day they are having.
In the Gospel story (Matthew22:23-33), the Pharisees were looking for a way to make Jesus irrelevant—unappealing to the masses. What He proved is that when we follow and obey the Word of God, every day of the week, every moment of the day, even when it is not convenient, we may just impact someone’s life.
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that rudeness is not a gift of the Spirit. Thank you for letting me see kindness in the face of the clerk at the cash register. Thank you for demonstrating to me that Christmas offers opportunities for me to show kindness, gentleness, and patience to others. Remind me how important it is to put others around me at ease. And most of all, send folk my way that need someone to love them. I'll make their day. In the strong Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

GOD'S SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
5 You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. - Psalm 65:5(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. - Psalm 40:1-3(New International Version)

A QUOTE
Use no reproachful language against anyone, neither curse nor revile. - George Washington - (1st President of the United States)

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The friend of God is a friend to all people. - From Reflecting God -
The hardest part of a job is getting started. - From Reminisce Magazine -

GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS
Old Faithful, the famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park, erupts twenty-one to twenty-three times each day, reaching as high as 180 feet. - From Fun Facts from the Great Outdoors -

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Kittens jump into our laps and purr to give us comfort, and bouncy little puppies run to us and lick our faces to make us feel better. - From The Humane Society of The United States -

NOTES
Today has been a cold cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma. High temperature was 34 degrees and the low temperature was 28 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. Mellisa was our waitress today. I went to the post office to pick up my mail. I took my afternoon nap with Beau and Emmy napping with me. I put out treats and food for the animals at 4:35 p.m. I didn't stay out long since it is cold outside. Thank the Lord for a warm house! Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Claudia, Mary Jo, Sandy, Debra, Geneva, Alice, Michelle and Janice. Your e-mails keep me encouraged to continue the Good Things.
I had e-mails from two people whose Good Things last night were too far to the right side and some of the words were unable to be read. If anything like that happens again or anything is messed up with this stationery, let me know and I will send the Good Things on regular stationery.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is lying asleep in the floor in front of the heater. She was snoring a little while ago. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. All of the others have been seen this evening.
Have a Nice Wednesday and I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Dec. 6, 2011

Daily Ornament!
A Week of Love: Tuesday, Day Ten of Advent

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the great deep. O Lord, You preserve both man and beast. How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” – Psalm 36:5-7 Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:34-46

When it comes to the secular music scene the theme of “love” is the predominant winner! If you were to do a word search by inserting the word love as a part of the title you will find thousands of songs from Country to Rock, Jazz and Pop.
Several songs in particular come to my mind—songs that as a child I heard numerous times listening to the radio. Two of them were from the same artist, her only two songs to make the charts but both with the same general theme. See if you recognize either of them or the person who wrote/co-wrote/sang them:

(Song One) Think of your fellow man, Lend him a helping hand Put a little love in your heart You see it's getting late, Oh please don't hesitate Put a little love in your heart And the world will be a better place; And the world will be a better place For you and me; You just wait and see
(Song Two) What the world needs now, Is love, sweet love It's the only thing that there's just too little of
What the world needs now, is love, sweet love No not just for some but for everyone
The titles to these songs should be easy to identify but do you remember the name of the artist who sang them? If so, send me a note. Answer will be in tomorrow’s message. What the secular world has attempted to portray and the message convey—God’s Word has been doing for centuries. When you add God or Jesus to the word love, you will get the full and complete meaning of the word.
Advent is totally and completely about love!! The love of God for a world and a people that had lost their way. There is no way to escape that especially when you think of this verse:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

The Gospel reading for today adds another dimension to love—the love we are to have to and for the One who gave His all for us. In return, we are asked to give our all back to Him.
If you want a song that fits this theme, look no further than this one. One that is sung by both young and old alike. Its words are simple but it’s meaning is timeless. Why don’t you sing it now?

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know! For the Bible Tells Me So! Little Ones to Him Belong—They are Weak, but He is Strong! Yes, Jesus Loves Me! Yes, Jesus Loves Me! Yes, Jesus Loves Me! The Bible Tells Me So!
Pastor J. T. Carnell