Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, April 10, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. - Psalm 46:1-3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:5(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
A place of full assurance amid a world of chaos is found in a life committed to God. - D. I. Vanderpool -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Memories are treasures we can enjoy again and again. - From Home is Where the Heart Is -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 81 degrees and a low temperature of 56 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office to pick up my mail. I came home and sat out in the back yard for a few minutes before my nap. I took my nap in early afternoon. At around 3:00 p.m. I went to Buck Thetfords Barber Shop and got a haircut. Buck's son, Brent, cut my hair today. The orange tabby tom cat was sleeping when I got to the shop but he was awake when I left and walked outside with me to the front porch of the barber shop. I rested a little more when I arrived back home around 4:00 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. I went outside with the cats and read. I stayed outside for almost an hour and one-half. I heard a Mourning Dove while sitting out as well as the Eurasian Collared Doves. This morning when I got up Beau was not around. I worried about him all day and said a prayer for God to protect him. When I went out this evening to give them their treats there was Beau just as spry as ever. I don't know where he had been all day, probably under the neighbor's storage house. That is not like Beau to stay gone all day so I was worried about him. It was so peaceful sitting out in the yard and I got to thinking that I am glad that this old place didn't sell while I lived in Moore those 10 months. Since last time I have had e-mails from Alice, Geneva and Michelle. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things.
Every week I receive a newsletter from one of my former pastors, Lowell Churchill, who now pastors at Henryetta, Oklahoma. I received his e-mail today and I liked his little sermon so well that I thought I would share it with you at the end of the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is in the den with me. Rascal was just here but has now gone back outside. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I will see you next time,
With Christian Love, Everett.
**************************** Here's the little sermon:
Eyes Forward...
Growing up in rural Oklahoma it was customary to have a family vegetable garden. This was something that most everyone had and my dad was not content with a 'small' garden. He planted one that was big enough to provide for the family, the preacher and a few neighbors. This was all well and good, except for the fact, that he expected all of us kids (there were four of us) to help plant and take care of the garden.
The part I liked least, was getting the garden ready for planting. This involved using a hand plow that I felt was the cruelest invention man every created. Dad always had me to help him plow the rows for planting the seed because I was the oldest boy and my sisters were assigned other less demanding tasks.
I remember when I was first introduced to this torturous instrument. Even though I would try really hard, I just couldn't plow the furrows as straight as my dad. When he noticed how much trouble I was having and how crooked my rows, he gave me some advice that solved my problem. He told me, "you have to fix your eyes on something at the end of row like a fence post or some other object." Well to my amazement his suggestion worked. I would focus on a fence post as I plowed, and when I looked back at the end of the row it was straight just like Dad's.
I believe the advice my dad gave me about plowing can also be applied to our spiritual life. If we're not careful we will find ourselves deviating from the path Jesus has laid out for us to follow. That's why we're encouraged by scriptures to, "… fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2) By keeping our focus on Jesus we can follow His example and grow in Christ like character and keep our lives on the 'straight path.'
Think About It!,br /> Pastor C