Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. - Psalm 37:7(New International Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man (Jesus) will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God." - Luke 12:8-9(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Live this day as if it will be your last. - Og Mandino -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
I have often regretted my speech but never my silence. - From Reminisce Magazine - Let truth lead and faith guide. - From Reminisce Magazine - A tourist is a person who travels for days to get a picture of himself standing next to his car. - From Reminisce Magazine -

A FACT ABOUT CATS
Most female cats are very diligent mothers and keep a close watch on their kittens; any that stray too far are likely to be carried back, held in the mother's mouth, by grasping the back of the kitten's neck. - From "Cats" by David Alderton -

NOTES I had lunch with my brother, Charley, and our friend, Bill. I went to the post office. I took my nap this afternoon. Smokey chose a different place than my bed to sleep this afternoon. I put out fresh water and food for the outside animals at 5:50 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. I watched a Billy Graham Rally held in Anaheim, California, in 1985. Johnny and June Cash appeared on the program. The picture tonight is Rascal relaxing in a chair. The cats are fine. Little Girl has been lying on the filing cabinet but has now decided to move. Every day when I lie back in my recliner chair, Little Girl has to come lie on my chest and purr for a few minutes. She is our oldest cat, probably at least 10 years old. Today has been a partly cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma with a high temperature of 101 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 74 degrees. At 10:15 p.m. skies are clear with a temperature of 89 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, mcAlester, OK
Aug. 17, 2011

“The Living Dead”
"My sons, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, 'Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone’s blood, let's waylay some harmless soul....my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths..." – Proverbs 1:10 –11, 15

There are a couple of ways to look at this. One way is of course in the literal sense – the intentional, reckless taking of what is the most precious thing one owns, their very existence. When one is robbed of that, everything is taken away from them. There is also another way to approach this that can be deeply damaging to one’s spirit. An individual can be robbed of their dignity, character, reputation and hope. When any or all of these things are taken what does one have left to live for? You do not have to kill a person to "take their life" from them. There are a number of ways that as Solomon describes where people that can literally be "swallowed" alive. One of those is that of hope! Take from someone their hope and you render them useless. Take from them hope and everything all that was meaningful and good becomes diminished. You may as well say that individual is as good as dead! A good example of this is found in a cult movie classic called "Night of the Living Dead." I am not now nor have I ever been a big fan of movies from the "Horror Flick" genre. And yet, there are those that are so insanely dumb that they tend to grab your attention and this movie (and the many that have thus followed) is one of them. The story-line of the movie goes like this: By some freak and unexplainable act, people are dying – and then these people (now labeled as “zombies”) who are actually dead begin walking around killing those who are alive and then “feast” upon them. And then, by this barbarous act they in turn make their victims like themselves—and thus the title; the Living Dead. This apparently nonsensical science fiction classic may on the surface seem extreme and any parallel out of line but take a minute and consider this: There are zombies among us! There are many who live among us who “exist” on the outside but on the inside they are very much like… the “living dead.” They have no hope, no real purpose in life. But instead of seeking to improve their life they choose to spread their pain and hopelessness like a disease and unfortunately all that does is create more victims who then spread their misery! That, in my opinion, is how you can literally swallow someone alive. You take something from them that give them their reason to live. Are you living without hope? Living without motivation and purpose? Have they been stolen from you by those who you believed had your best interest in mind? Do your best to resist them and then resist the temptation to follow their path. Instead choose to seek another path—by trusting God through His Son. Be careful not to let those who live with no hope take that from you! There is a reason to live! And should you ever watch “The Night of the Living Dead” or a movie similar to it—take a minute to consider that there may be some “zombies” closer than you think!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, August 16, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - Hebrews 4:16(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:5-6(New International Version).

A QUOTE
If we let God slip away in the mad pursuit of material gain or security, we will be indeed poor, regardless of what our bank account balance is. - Robert D. Branson -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Live your life so that whenever you lose, you are ahead. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Only that which is eternal is truly secure. - From Reflecting God -
The easiest way to make those around you happy is to be happy yourself. - From Reminisce Magazine - True friends see heart to heart even when they don't see eye to eye. - From Reminisce Magazine -

A FACT ABOUT CATS
Kittens may start feeding on their own when they are about three weeks old but will not be fully weaned from the mother until they are at least two months of age. - From "Cats" by David Alderton -

NOTES
I had lunch with Charley and came by the post office. I took my nap this afternoon with Smokey. I put out fresh water and food for the outside animals about 6:20 p.m. and sat out for about 20 minutes. Not much news tonight. The picture tonight is a close up of Little Girl in the Catalpa tree. The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the tv tray tonight. Rascal has been in tonight as well as Tony, the neighbor cat from across the street. Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 96 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 80 degrees. At 9:30 p.m. skies are mostly clear with a temperature of 88 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Aug. 16, 2011

“Be a Living Ornament”
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They (our parent's teaching) will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." – Proverbs 1:8, 9 (NIV)

Key Word, Garland: "A wreath of flowers."
As you have probably noticed after reading these messages I try to take the time and look for key words and meanings—a “behind the scenes” look at what God is trying to get across to us through His Word and His Wisdom. One of the elements I believe involved in this verse tells us that when we follow the [Godly] example of what our parents, and/or spiritual leaders give us, those principles and values are (as Solomon describes) an adornment that will grace our daily lives and benefit those around us. I read of a school in the inner city of Chicago. For years it had endured the carelessness of the students and those living in the surrounding area. The grounds were littered with garbage, broken bricks and glass. The building itself was laced with graffiti, rotting boards and broken windows. Inside was much the same; broken and graffiti-laced lockers. Classrooms looked like war zones. Many of the teachers were themselves “broken-in-spirit,” defeated and discouraged. Understandably, there was very little pride in the school or for the neighborhood itself. The School Board in an attempt to make one last effort appointed a new principle to that school, a woman known for helping to reform and restore order in her previous assignments. Several weeks before the start of the new school year she went to many of student’s homes—seeking to gather support of some of the students and have them help her in cleaning up the grounds. "It won't last," one of them said. "As soon as we clean it up the thugs will mess it up again." "We're not just going to clean it up." the principle responded. "We are going to give it new life and character." With her own money she bought plants, flowers, shrubs and had them planted over the school grounds. They cleaned up the broken glass, fixed the windows, sandblasted the graffiti and gave new life to the old school. What was even more incredible was how the entire neighborhood responded. Many of them watched what was taking place and one by one began to assist. Once finished with the school grounds many began to work on their own properties! They then set up a neighborhood watch. When the "thugs" attempted to deface the new school they were quickly met with heavy resistance. Along with the beauty of the new landscaping came a new pride – and with the pride came a new sense of purpose. Grades went up, crime and problems went down! When I think of “Garland” my thoughts immediately go to Christmas time. The silver or gold or red wrapping that is used to decorate the tree or the walls. It gives an added beauty to already beautiful time. And just as flowers and trees and shrubs give beauty to a yard, a life filled with Godly principles will be a beautiful thing in the sight of others as well as an encouragement. Are these things an "adornment" around you? The apostle Paul told us, "...set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (Philippians 4:12) Adorn your life with God’s principles and we will be a living example to all around us!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Not Enough

by Douglas Farmer

I wrote this today just for me, but I had to share it as a Thinking Out Loud thought. If you want to share it feel free. Douglas Farmer

Not Enough

I can never tell The Lord Enough Times
How much I Love Him
Just for Saving My Soul

And to think of all The Blessings
I have received since then
It makes my “Thank You, I Love You”
Seem like
Not Enough

If I could count the stars in the sky
That number would
Not be Enough Times
To say “Thank You, I Love You”

If I could count the grains of sand on the earth
That number would
Not be Enough Times

If I could count the number of rain drops
In the clouds
That number would
Not be Enough Times
To say “Thank You, I Love You”

I can never tell The Lord Enough Times
“Thank You, I Love You”

Written by Douglas Farmer