Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Dec. 6, 2011

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. James Baldwin

Well, for months I have known I need to clean out my inbox at yahoo. Tonight, I faced my inbox! It held over 1300 emails! It took a good while to do it, but I faced that inbox head on. At times, my back began to ache, my eyes got blurry and seriously, I thought about getting up from the computer and "forget about it"!
I have accomplished what I set out to do. Sure, it would still have needed to be done even if I had not touched the keys. Yes, it took time and effort and it was a chore I didn't want to tackle. There will always be more important priorities that anything we dread to do.
Cleaning out my inbox was not the only thing I did this evening. Among other things, I brought order back into Ashley's room. It became a staging area for teddy bears. It isn't in perfect shape right now, but it is much better than it was earlier this evening.
The bottom line is to remember the quote I am sharing with you today. It's really all about our habits. We easily get into the habit of saying "I'll do it later"..... I'll face it later..... It really is such a relief when we have faced the giant and knocked him down to size.
Whatever it is that you have to face, like it or not, face it and you will see it never was as big and bad as you imagined it to be. Remember, our reality will never be as bad as our imagination would have it appear. Whatever we created in our mind isn't real. It is imagined. Give up the inclination to speculate, assume, over dramatize, to procrastinate. That being said, when I was given the vision of Nan's good will bears, I believe God created the vision. I am continually amazed at the astounding number of teddy bears I have either in my home now or have had since this vision became a reality. My hands have touched more than 430 bears to date. More than 165 teddies have been given to children and seniors with dementia or alzheimers in the Iredell Emergency room since July 22nd. My attic is overflowing with teddies! This is by the grace of God.
I wanted to make a change in my community for the better. God granted me the vision through the teddy bears. I faced the need head on and God provided the bears and the story continues. It's 1:12 am and I really need to get up from here and get some sleep. When the creative juices begin to flow, as with everything, we have a choice to act or not to act. As I type this message, I pray you are sleeping peacefully. For those of you working a late shift, I pray you are having a good evening at work. Always remember you are in my prayers and that I love you. Until next time.
Love always, Nan

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, December 5, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. - Proverbs 21:21(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
9 If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Character is the state of the heart; conduct is its outward expression. - E. M. Bounds -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard -
There won't be time to dwell in the past if we keep busy today. - From Reminisce Magazine -
GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS Only male crickets can chirp. The most common reason for doing so is to attract female crickets. So the next time you are sitting out on your front porch swing listening to the crickets chirp, love really is in the air. - From Fun Facts from The Great Outdoors -
NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma. We had snow flurries this morning for a couple of hours but it melted as it hit the ground. High temperature today was 40 degrees with a low of 32 degrees. I had lunch with my brother, Charley, and friends Bill and Steve. Bobbi was our waitress today. I came by the post office for my mail and have been inside the rest of this cold day. I took my nap with Beau and Emmy napping with me today. I put treats and food outside at 4:30 p.m. I watched "Trains and Locomotives" at 5:00 p.m. The show today was about the Amtrac trains. Since last time I have had e-mails from Mary Jo, Geneva, Edie, Alice and Annette. As always I appreciate your letters. I will share Mary Jo's letter at the end of Good Things since she has a prayer request. The cats are fine. Little Girl on the arm of the couch and Rascal in the recliner. Two or three of the cats usually sleep on the back porch but they may come in tonight since it will be a cold night. I hope everyone has a nice Tuesday. I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett. ********************************************************************************************************* Here is Mary Jo's letter. Mary Jo and husband, Wayne, live in Roseburg, Oregon, with their two daughters. Wayne is my great nephew. Wayne's mother lives in Willits, California. Hi Uncle Everett, Glad to hear you are doing well. I need a little prayer this evening. Wayne's mother fell and broke her hip. She had surgery today and is doing ok as far as we know. She is in her 90's now and needs all the help she can get so if you could ask for a few prayers it would be greatly appreciated. Give all the kitties and yourself a hug for me. Love , MJ

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, December 4, 2011
GOD SPEAKS TO THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. - Proverbs 28:13(New International Version)

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Resolved: never do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life. - Jonathan Edwards -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything. - From Lists To Live By -
Great mountains of happiness grow out of little hills of kindness. - From Reminisce Magazine -

GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS
Coyotes are new to Newfoundland, Canada. In 1985 the Gulf of St. Lawrence had enough ice on it to allow coyotes to enter the province from Nova Scotia. - From Fun Facts from The Great Outdoors

NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day with a high temperature of 49 degrees and a low temperature of 37 degrees. We have a chance for rain tonight through the morning hours tomorrow but no snow is predicted. I attended church this morning. This morning we had our annual "Hanging of The Green" ceremony with several people taking part including the children and teens. The children then went to Children's Church while Pastor J. T. brought a Christmas message. I had lunch at home. Several of our church members were going to a Christian Concert tonight at the expo center so our service tonight was dismissed. I took my nap this afternoon. I put out treats and food at 4:30 p.m. I watched the Lawrence Welk program at 5:00 p.m. Since last night's Good Things, I have heard from Burlene who lives in McAlester. I heard from Michele who lives in Hemet, California. I heard from Debra and Curtis who live in the country a few miles northeast of McAlester. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the back of the sofa. Rascal is in the recliner. Leo was just here talking to me and scratching on my chair but I wasn't sure what he wanted, perhaps he was just visiting. Emmy has also been by to visit. The rest are cuddled down somewhere as it is quite cool outside.
Have a nice Monday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Posted to Religious by Que Clingerman @ 9:44 am EST

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Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlster, OK
Saturday, December 3, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. - Psalm 125:2(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19(New International Version).

A QUOTE
For every one of us life could be richer, more peaceful, more satisfying, and more fruitful if we simply trusted God more constantly and completely. - Ken Bible -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Call people by name, the sweetest music to anyone's ear is the sound of his or her own name. - From Lists to Live By -
Sympathy is one person's pain in another's heart. - From Reminisce Magazine -

GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS
Eastport, a small port city in Maine, located on Moose Island, is the most eastern city in the United States - making it the first city in the country that sees the sunrise each morning. - From Fun Facts from The Great Outdoors -

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Have you ever noticed how dogs and cats are always there to comfort us when we are sad or hurt? - From The Humane Society of the United States -

NOTES
We have had rain most of the day in McAlester, Oklahoma with a high temperature of 59 degrees and a low temperature of 53 degrees. The rain has not been too heavy but just a gentle rain without lightening and thunder. I had lunch today with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office and then home. My housecleaning lady came and cleaned my house while I went to lunch. I had my nap in early afternoon. At 3:45 p.m. I went to Country Mart and Walmart. The weather is supposed to be colder on Monday with rain here in McAlester and maybe snow in some parts of our state so I thought I had better go get cat food and other items today. Since yesterday's Good Things I have had an e-mail from Gilbert and Carol in Oklahoma City. I attended church with them when I lived at Moore, Oklahoma. Gilbert is a retired pastor and leads the singing and Carol plays the organ (sometimes the piano) at the church where they attend. I also heard from Geneva who lives near Chicago, Illinois and from Alice who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am always happy to get e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the back of the couch and Rascal is in the recliner. Emmy was here in the den a little while ago. The cats stay inside most of the time when it is raining. Tony has also been over from across the street for some of my food. Tony's food bowl was empty when he came in a little while ago and he just sat on the desk and looked at me until I went to get him some food. Tony's color is orange and white and he is a good friendly cat. I sometimes wonder how much food or what kind he gets at home since he comes over for food two or three times a day. He won't go hungry as long as Everett is able to feed him. I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Dec. 2, 2011

Daily Ornament!
A Week of Hope: Friday, Day Six
“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” – Psalm 16:9-11

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:1-14
Hope is about what is ahead—and if what is ahead is clear, strong, and meaningful, then it makes what we do today—how we live today, peaceful. As I said yesterday, hope sees the bigger picture and the God who is responsible for painting that picture.
Something that struck me as I was reading the passage from Matthew, it (hope) can also be a matter of perspective. What one sees being painted on the canvas another may have a completely different opinion. It is like two people who witness a traffic accident—they both see the same accident but they may have differing opinions as to who was at fault, depending upon their observation point.
In the passage in Matthew, Jesus paints us a picture through a parable. It is about a king who is giving a banquet to celebrate the wedding of his son. He sends out his servants with invitations who go throughout his kingdom only to discover that many of those invited had other “pressing” issues. Some were so angry with the invitation that they “beat up” the servants who were doing nothing more than simply obeying the wishes of their king.
You know…that sounds an awful lot like our modern day world!
The King sends His Son—to give us life, hope, love, joy and peace. He invites us to enjoy the celebration (Christmas as would be the case today) but as was the case in the gospel reading, too many are far too wrapped up in their own lives and excuses that they are missing the true celebration and Advent becomes nothing more than just another holiday, or to many, just another day on the calendar.
I came across this poem a couple of years ago and I really like what it has to say.
A Lasting Christmas
I keep a part of Christmas—for it helps to add a glow,
to the January darkness and the February snow. If March is cold and blustery and though April brings us rain,
the peace and warmth of Christmas—with its happiness—remain.
There’s a beauty when it’s Christmas—all the world is different then;>br /> there’s no place for petty hatred in the hearts and minds of men.
That is why my heart is happy and my mind can hold a dream,
for I keep a part of Christmas with its peace and joy supreme.
--Garnett Ann Schultz
Here, at the very beginning of Advent, why not make plans now to stretch the joy and meaning of Christmas throughout the entire year of 2012? Why not select someone less-blessed with worldly goods than you and prepare a Christmas basket of goodies for them for the holidays? Why not make it anonymous to add to the surprise? Remember, the birth of Jesus surprised the world! Let’s continue that tradition in what we do this season, and beyond. Give hope to those who truly need some.
Pastor J. T. Carnell