Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, May 20, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - 1 Timothy 5:8(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. - Isaiah 32:17(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Every time we pray the Lord's Prayer, there is reason to go and stand at the window of expectation. - G. C. Berkouwer -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Only love can make a house a home. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 77 degrees and a low temperature of 66 degrees. We had a few light sprinkles of rain early this morning. I attended Worship Services this morning. We had another wonderful service. The title of Pastor J. T.'s sermon was "Learning to Pray." I had lunch at home. I sat outside for a few minutes before I took my afternoon nap. Emmy napped with me today. I sat outside with the cats for a few minutes at 4:30 p.m. I watched the Lawrence Welk show from 5:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. and then I left for the evening church service. Tonight was Missionary night at our church where we learn more about out missionaries. After I came home from church I sat outside a few more minutes with the cats. That just about covers my day's activities. Two years ago today as I was sitting in the back yard my dear Flonnie came walking down the street dressed neatly in a light green pant suit with beautiful shoes to match. She was young again, her hair was fixed the way she sometimes wore it before we were married and was blond again. She waved to me and smiled. The Lord didn't permit me to recognize her at that time but that night the assurance came to me that she was my dear Flonnie. There is absolutly no doubt in my mind that it was my dear Flonnie.
I received a couple of e-mails this afternoon that I would like to share with you at the end of the Good Things. The first one is from my church friend, Debra. She mentions the ducks that came near Flonnie's gravesite yesterday and thought that God may have sent them at that time. I agree with Debra that God sent them as I didn't see them until they were very near. They were a male and a female and I feel that God was letting me know that I will be joining my Flonnie again in Heaven. Then I didn't notice which way the ducks went and I couldn't see them anywhere after that.
The other e-mail is from my e-mail friend, Michelle, in California. Her e-mail is about cancer and I am glad to share it with my e-mail friends.
The cats are fine. Little Girl on the sofa and Rascal in the recliner. I have seen them all this evening including Lucy and Tony.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett. ********************************* Here is Debra's letter:
Good Afternoon, Everett:)
Was another blessed day of worship, and relaxing before we go back to the Mission Service tonight. Curt is actually napping with Jasper - he thought Jasper needed a nap but I think it was Curt wanting the nap :)
Thank You for sharing the info from the book of Kings, as I had that "story" on my mind and couldn't remember where I had read that. Appreciate you getting back so quickly with me and I took the time then to read that. There are some days, when the Lord just put a certain "message" in your heart and that was on my mind that day.
I enjoyed reading the Good Things last evening and was touched by the ducks you had seen at Memory Gardens - God's love is all around us and some may take that as just 2 ducks - but we never know the "message" that God is to share with us and I believe that was God's way of giving you peace while at the cemetary - a place of calmness and tranquility for many of us. Letting you know that all things are possible with God - the love and friendship we see among animals, brings us to wonder why people can't share more of that among ourselves. We will have to watch for them, when we go to visit the gravesite of Jacob, this week. Memory Gardens is filled with so many of the wonders of the memories shared by the families that visit there.
Hope to see you at services tonight and anxiously await the continuing of the Good Things.
Love and Appreciate You,
Debra ***************************************** Here is Michelle's letter:
Everett,
I have something to relate about the email you sent me with the beautiful photo and the request for prayers for people with cancer. I sent it to one person, Angela. Then I asked her if she had any specific prayer requests. She replied that her sister is battling breast cancer and wanted prayer about that. Right now so many people are battling cancer - this tragic, insidious disease - and I get the feeling that God is directing my prayer focus (not all of it, since there is so many people and critical issues that need prayer) towards those with cancer and their family and friends.
So, I wanted to find some verses on healing - there are so many - and did a search on BibleGateway.com - an excellent resource. Here are two verses I found, both in Jeremiah. First, Jer :8:14, "We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there was only terror..." And the second one, Jer. 30:17 "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord, "because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares..." Isn't our Lord amazing that even though He allows a time of sadness and tragedy in our lives, but He doesn't leave us there and brings us to a place of healing and peace. It may be physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually - or a combination of any of these.
Just had to get these thoughts down and share with you.
Michelle