Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Sept. 27, 2011

“Who Packs Your Parachute?”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” – Proverbs 3:4

Trust is part of everyday life. Something we learned yesterday. It comes in many forms and it come in ways that we do not anticipate. We talked yesterday about some of the people we place our trust in on a daily basis…how about some of the things we place our trust in. Electric switches. Light bulbs. Traffic lights. Refrigerators. Cars. Parachutes. Wait a minute…parachutes? The following is a story I came across a few years ago that made me do some thinking about how our lives are touched each day by people we may never know – and how we touch lives as well. Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience. One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!" "How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb. "I packed your parachute," the man replied. Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!" Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today." Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said Good morning, how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor." Plumb thought of the man hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know. Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?" Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory-he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety. Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason. What does this have to do with God? God has packed into our lives things that we often do not think about. A golden sunset – a cool summer breeze – a starry night – a hummingbird – a child’s laughter – a friend’s phone call – need I say more? Do we ever consider thanking God for any of these events? Do we compliment Him for a beautiful day? We tend to complain when things are not going well…what about when things are going well? Trusting in God means that we trust Him in all ways and at all times. So the next time you are thinking about jumping out of airplane – someone packed that parachute. When you look at the sunset tonight – God made it for you. Since He does so well in the big things – you can trust Him for the small things as well!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, September 26, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. - Ephesians 5:22-23(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
30 As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. - Psalm 18:30(New International Version).

A QUOTE
A friend is one who understands and inspires. - Glenda Hotton, M.A. -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The worth of a kind deed is the love that inspires it. - From Reminisce Magazine - Those who roll up their sleeves seldom lose their shirts. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office and Braum's while I was out. I took a nap in early afternoon. Rascal and Smokey were with me part of the time that I was taking my nap. At 6:30 p.m. I sat out with the cats for about 45 minutes. Sometimes when I think it may be time to stop the Good Things, I get a little urge from somewhere, probably God's Holy Spirit telling me still to continue. Let me know if you would like to be dropped from receiving the Good Things and I will understand. The cats are fine and all are accounted for. Little Girl is on the arm of the couch. Rascal came by a little while ago and Smokey came through a little while ago. The others come through the den at different times going from the back to the front or the front to the back. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 84 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 50 degrees. At 9:55 p.m. skies are mostly clear with a temperature of 70 degrees.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Sept. 26, 2011

“What Do We Really Know About Trust?”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:4,5

Why is it so hard for people to trust in God? Here are a couple of reasons people typically give. “I have tried to trust God before, and it has never worked out.” “I can’t trust anything that I cannot see or touch or hear.”
Let’s talk about trust. What do we know about it? Trust is part of everyday life. We all trust something or someone every day of our lives. We trust grocery stores to offer us unspoiled and uninfected meats and vegetables. We trust the labels on bottles and cans to be accurate. We trust pharmaceutical companies to manufacture drugs that meet federal specifications. We trust judges to understand the law and to interpret it fairly and consistently. We trust people because they have proven their trustworthiness. Who are the people that have earned the most respect and trust from you? Your parents…Your spouse…Your siblings…Your children…Your pastor…Your best friend…Your counselor…Your business partner…Your CPA…Your surgeon? Do you trust God more than you trust any of these people? (“Yes” is a good answer by the way.) Let’s look at the four divisions of this passage and ask ourselves, “How does this apply to me?” “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Trust is the practical outworking of our faith. Trust is a giant step beyond theory. Trust is total belief that what God has said, He will do. Trusting in God means that we trust Him in all ways and at all times. “Lean not on your own understanding.” Don’t trust your emotions. Emotions are based on feelings, not facts. Don’t follow Solomon’s example. He failed to live up to his own advice. Our best examples are from scripture. “The Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)

“In all your ways acknowledge Him.” No area of our lives is exempt. This is not a cafeteria menu, where choosing one entrée over another means nothing at all. “In all your ways” has the same impact as “with all your heart.” Honoring God is what this means. Paul said, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

“And He shall direct your paths.” These words commit God to do something big. God has given His word. Obedience will lead to positive results. Always. Once we come to understand what trust truly means and how to apply it – we must learn how to use it. In conclusion, the following may be a good place to start: “Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s Providence.” – Aurelius Augustine
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, September 25, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. - Proverbs 3:27(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Service to others is important because the One (Jesus) we follow and imitate is a servant himself. - Bill Manning

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. - From Reminisce Magazine - The best attitude to have is gratitude. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I attended Worship Services this morning. I had lunch at home. I took a nap this afternoon. Little Girl decided to take a nap with me this afternoon. Tonight was fellowship night at the church. I decided that I would not attend tonight. Around 6:15 p.m. I went out with the cats and read for about 45 minutes. I came inside and got the garbage ready and put it out on the curb for pick up early in the morning. I have a prayer request tonight. Pastor J.T. sent out this e-mail at 8:15 p.m.:
"I wanted to send a note to have everyone pray for Austin York. We were playing basketball at fellowship tonight and he fell and landed on his wrist breaking it in two places. Not sure what aii they will be doing tonight but Dr. Crawley has been called in. I will keep everyone informed once I get further information. Pastor JT

At 8:37 I received this e-mail from Pastor's wife, Dianne: Just a quick update on Austin - He will be having surgery with in the next couple of hours. We will keep you informed and Pastor keeps me updated. Please keep them in your prayers Dianne
Another note from Dianne at 9:07:
JT just called, the Dr. was able to set Austin's arm with out surgery at this point. He will be going home, but will need prayer that everything will heal quickly. Dianne Thanks for praying.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is sleeping on the couch tonight. Rascal was by a little while ago. Today has been a partly cloudy day with a high temperature of 79 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 62 degrees. At 9:35 p.m. skies are mostly clear with a temperature of 65 degrees. I will see you next time:
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, September 24, 2011,br />
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? - Ecclesiastes 2:24-25(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. 9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:8-9(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Look for evidence of God's fellowship, good will, and love in your life. - James Hampton -,br />
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own. - From Reminisce Magazine - The surest way to get somewhere is to know where you are going. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. I took a nap this afternoon. I don't remember a cat napping with me today but some cats are always close by. My cleaning lady came at 4:00 p.m. and cleaned my house. I went out back about 6:00 p.m. and sat with the cats for about an hour. The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the tv tray and Rascal just left to go somewhere. Today has been mostly sunny with a few clouds appearing now and then. High temperature today was 88 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 55 degrees. At 9:35 p.m. skies are clear with a temperature of 78 degrees.
I will see you next time. Have a Wonderful Sunday! In Christian Love, Everett.