Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Sept. 15, 2011

A “Tattooed” Heart
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." – Proverbs 3:3

Okay, forgive me if I seem out of step with today’s popular trends but I just don’t get it! I don’t understand the whole “tattoo” craze. If I seem rather “old-fashioned” allow me to reveal a bit about myself. I have done my share of crazy things throughout my life...especially in my younger days when the word responsible was not a part high in my vocabulary. I was a teenager in the 70’s and my hair was rather lengthy…um, it was real long! I was just rebellious enough that if earrings were popular for guys at that time I would have gotten one and then ask permission later. (There would have been punishment in there somewhere as well!) I probably have some hearing loss thanks to listening to very loud rock music during those days and unquestionably did my share of a number of things that had my children done them…well, let’s just say they would not have done them a second time. With all that said when it comes to tattoos, I just don’t get it. Call me prudish, an old foggey, stick-in-the-mud, whatever; but I have not yet understood why someone would permanently mark his or her body with them. I believe the actress, Angelia Jolie had a tattoo put on one of her arms with her then husband, Billy-Bob Thorton’s name? A couple of years later they divorced so I’ll bet she’s thrilled with that decision right about now! I understand that she was going to have it removed which according to reports it a very painful process. Don’t get me wrong – I am not putting anyone down who has a tattoo. The last thing I need to be is a person’s judge and if one wants to endure that kind of pain and then live with the marking (when it is stretched and faded and no longer in vogue) – more power to them. There is, however, a “tattoo” that God wants us to have – one that is carved upon our hearts. One that says, “Forever Yours!”
The heart is the center of our physical, emotional and spiritual being. When we hear, see or experience something that stirs our emotions, we don’t say, “That just breaks my kidney…” No! It breaks our heart! Jesus said that our words and actions are what have been stored in our hearts. (Matthew 15:18) He then said that the greatest of all of God’s commandments is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. (Matthew 22:37) To have Love and Loyalty marked on our hearts means that they are visible for everyone to see! People may not see our heart, but they will know what it is made of when they see us and hear us. If you must get a tattoo then do this: Get the Holy Spirit to carve the letters L & L (Love and Loyalty) on your heart! It will be a tattoo that you will never regret…and far less painful! By the way Ms. Jolie, how’s that arm feeling right about now?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Sept. 14, 2011

“Dogged Loyalty”
“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart." – Proverbs 3:2 (The Message)

Would you consider yourself to be a “loyal” person? If you answered, “yes,” then the next question would be – how do you know? Have you had your loyalty taken to task or tested to its highest level? I read a story a few years ago that brought this home to me. A retired man in his 70’s and his dog, Hank, were traveling in his pickup in a remote wooded area in West Virginia. It was during the winter and the roads were not in the best condition. The West Virginia Highway Patrol concluded that the man had lost control of his truck on the icy roads and careened down a steep embankment. The man was recently widowed and it was three days before he was discovered missing. The fourth day the wreckage along with the man’s body was found. It appeared that he had been thrown from the pickup and was killed instantly. They also found Hank, his dog, barely alive, lying next to the man’s body. Despite the cold temperatures, the lack of food and water, Hank remained close to his owner’s side. Had Hank not been found when he was he would have also died at that same spot. The dictionary defines loyal: “A constant faithfulness.” I think I would add; “a constant, often inconvenient faithfulness.” Loyalty is often tested when it becomes a matter of convenience. Allow me to take that a step further; our loyalty towards God is tested when we encounter situations where our decision is based as a matter of convenience! I have the choice between doing what is right or what is easy. Which do I choose? Just for the record – it does not mean that the “easy” choice is necessarily wrong – but it also means that it is not always the best choice. That should be the deciding factor! My favorite example of loyalty comes from Scripture. First, the loyalty that existed between David and Saul’s son Jonathan. Jonathan proved over and over again that he would not betray David even though his own father was seeking to both capture and kill him. In truth, Jonathan risked both his life and his possible future as the next king to protect David. What an incredible example! But even above that was the loyalty David showed to Saul, the very man who sought to have him killed. Twice, David had the opportunity to kill Saul and end his nightmare of running for his life and twice – David held back his hand and spared the life of the king. Since David had been anointed by Samuel as the next king, and given the fact that Saul had lost favor with God, killing Saul would have actually not been wrong – but in the end David made the more difficult choice and continued to live life on “the lam” as it were. Of course the best example is when Jesus left the convenience of His Father’s heaven and came to live in a world filled with hatred, bitterness, greed, lust and evil. God showed His loyalty toward us by not doing what was convenient but by doing what was right and by giving us His very best! Isn’t that worth giving Him back our best – staying by His side regardless of the conditions?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, September 13, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. - Psalm 145:9(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul wrote) 38 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39(New International Version)

A QUOTE
Worship involves actions as well as attitudes. - Jim Edlin -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
An echo may be accurate, but it doesn't tell you anything new. - From Reminisce Magazine - It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak, another to hear. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. I took my afternoon nap. At around 4:15 p.m. I made another trip to the post office to mail a letter. At 6:00 p.m. I went to the funeral home to visit with O. V. McNutt's family and friends. I got back home a little after 7:00 p.m. and put out treats and food outside for the animals. The picture tonight is Smokey. Isn't that a good picture of Smokey? I almost didn't do the Good Things tonight because I am a little tired. Then I thought that someone might be just waiting for something that I include in the Good Things tonight. There are just a few people that I never hear from so I don't know if they read them or not. If I don't hear from them in the next 7 days I may drop them off. The cats are fine. I have seen them all this evening. I thought we had seen the last of three digit temperatures this year but today the temperature soared to 104 degrees here in McAlester. Cooler weather is coming in a day or two. Low temperature last night was 79 degrees. At 9:40 p.m. skies are clear with a temperature of 93 degrees. I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Sept. 13, 2011

“What it Means to Truly Love”
“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart." – Proverbs 3:2 (The Message)

As I sit and read this verse I am having a serious debate with myself – trying to determine which of the two elements, love or loyalty, needs the most recognition. Unfortunately I could not come to a clear conclusion so it looks as if I will have to divide this into two parts – Part one: Love! When asked by a so-called expert in law which commandment was the greatest, Jesus did not hesitate by saying that loving God was the most important thing and then to love others was a close second.
Loving God means to love, respect, cherish and treasure the things that He represents! Since He is the author and creator of life we are to respect and cherish life. All of life – not just the areas that we pick and choose. And since He is also the author and creator of law, principles and values we need to respect and honor His laws. That does not just mean giving them “lip-service” but to adhere to them every day
. Loving God also means to love, respect, cherish and care about His greatest creation – PEOPLE! Oops! God has thrown a wrench into the works there. How is it possible for us to care about people when they are malicious, deceptive, mean-spirited, unappreciative, greedy, and just downright ornery? Do you really want to know the answer to that? “While we were [still] sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Jesus showed His love in that while were all the things that I earlier described – He still died for us to make us better.
Do you want a great example of what love can do? Moses Mendelssohn, grandfather of the German composer had a hunchback. When he was young, he was visiting a family friend who had a beautiful daughter named Frumtje. She avoided Moses and even seemed frightened by his appearance. On the last day of his visit he climbed the stairs to her room to say goodbye to her. When he approached, she busied herself with her needlework. Her face glowing with an almost celestial beauty. Mendelssohn's heart ached. He made conversation with her, eventually leading to the subject that that filled his mind. "Do you believe marriages are made in heaven?" he asked. She answered, "Yes, I do, do you?" Mendelssohn's response was, "Yes, of course." He then went on to say, "You see, in heaven at the birth of each boy, the Lord calls out, ‘This boy should get this girl for a wife, and that boy should marry that girl.’ When I was born, the Lord also said, 'But alas, his wife will have a terrible hump.' At that moment I called, 'Oh Lord, a girl who is humpbacked would be a tragedy. Please, Lord, give the lump to me and let her be beautiful." Frumtje was deeply moved by Moses' words. She stretched out her hand for Mendelssohn's and later became his faithful and loving wife. She would later have the privilege of holding her grandson, Felix in her arms!!
How easy it is to overlook someone because they do not look like us…think like us…believe like us. There are without question people who do not deserve respect. Jesus says, give it to them anyway. There are people who are just simply unlikable. Jesus says to care about them anyway. Who knows – maybe when they realize that someone cares about them they will become likable. Isn’t it worth a try?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, September 12, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Lord said) 24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” - Numbers 6:24-26(New International Version).

A PROMISE TO US FROM GOD'S HOLY WORD
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. - Romans 8:14(New International Version)

A QUOTE
Conduct is the outward life; character is the life unseen, hidden within, yet evidenced by that which is seen. - E. M. Bounds -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Good character is showing love when those around are not lovable. - From Lists to Live By - Where love abounds, so do miracles. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I had lunch today with my brother, Charley and our friend, Bill. Our brother-in-law, O. V. McNutt, passed from this life last night. His wife, our sister, had died in 2003. O. V. was 93 years of age. His funeral service will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Pryor Cemetery Chapel, south of Stuart, Oklahoma. I went to Country Mart while I was out for lunch and then to the post office. I took my nap this afternoon with Smokey. I went outside at 6:30 p.m. and sat with the cats and read for almost an hour. The picture tonight is another of Leo. The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the tv tray. Rascal has been by a time or two. Tony from across the street has been in for his bite of food. If the food bowl is empty, he will look at me with his pretty eyes and meow. Who could turn him away? Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 97 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 55 degrees. At 9:35 p.m. skies are clear with a temperature of 86 degrees. I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.