Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Sept. 12, 2011

“A Life Well Lived”
“Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well."- Proverbs 3:1 (The Message)

I saw a figure not too long ago that says Americans spend an estimated $25 billion each year on products that “supposedly” make us look younger or keep us feeling younger. Cosmetic surgery continues to be a popular device for many – just ask Joan Rivers. Ponce de Leon’s legendary “Fountain of Youth” is alive and well in America! Solomon had the solution to a long life a long, long time ago. And he says it right here. It is by holding to the principles and guidelines prescribed by the Maker of Life. Since He knows how and why we were made it only stands to reason that He would know the best way for us to live. Notice the words in the verse, “life lived full and well!” Now, unfortunately, I must add this disclaimer – we are not guaranteed a certain number of years upon this earth! Nowhere have I found that place that says the number of my days will be…(fill in the blank!) If you knew you had only a certain time to live, what would you do with those final days? Would you spend them living wildly – fulfilling every dream or fantasy? Or would you spend that time seeing to it that all of life’s “loose-ends” have been tied? A few years ago the United States Army introduced a new recruiting slogan. It’s part of a $200-million-a-year advertising campaign to introduce the Army’s latest theme: “Army Strong.” Personally, I liked the former slogan: “Be All You Can Be.” It reminds me of a story about a mother whose teenage son was not performing well in school. She obtained a bumper sticker at the Army Recruiting Office with those words on it. She edited it and posted it on her son’s bulletin board in his bedroom. The revised version read, “Be All You Can Be, or You Will Be in the Army.”

I think the Apostle Paul would have embraced the “Be all you can be” concept. He personified it in his own life. Listen to what he wrote to his friend, Timothy (2nd Timothy 4:6-8):

“The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.”

The life we have been given has never been about staying young. Nor is it about trying to outlive everyone. It is about living it to the fullest extent! I tend to overuse this reference but I cannot allow this to escape our notice here when Jesus said in the book of John, “I have come that they (meaning us) may have life and have it to the full.” And the only way that is accomplished is by following our Maker’s “User-Manual.” By the way, it is called The Bible! So the next time a commercial comes on the TV telling you their product will make you look and feel younger – turn it off and enjoy the life you’ve been given. When they have people advertising those products that are actually 100 years old, looking like they are 30, maybe I’ll start listening!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Sept. 12, 2011

I want you to open your Bible and read the first ten verses of Galatians, Chapter Six.

There are so many important messages contained within these ten verses. I could sit here a long time and elaborate on each one, but I know that you are very smart and you will pick up on them as quickly and easily as I did. That being said, these are the verses God wants you to absorb today.
I could go on and on, but I have to get up and get ready for work. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you. Nan

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, September 11, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. - Isaiah 61:10-11(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 18 "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18(New International Version).

A QUOTE
We are shaped and fashioned by what we love. - Goethe -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
The most important trip a person can take is meeting one's fellow man or woman halfway. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I attended Worship Services this morning. It was a very uplifting service with singing, Scripture reading and message. Pastor J. T's sermon was titled "Connecting To Community." I had lunch at home. I rested this afternoon. Rascal came to bed with me just before I got up from my nap. There were no church services tonight as many people from our church were going to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Clifford and Margaret Joines this afternoon who live at Caddo, Oklahoma. This 86 year old man chose not to attend since I don't have the energy that I used to have. It is about 60 miles(more or less) to Caddo. Clifford and Margaret pastored our church at two different times for a total of at least 16 years. I sat out with the cats and read for about an hour this evening from 6:30 to 7:40 p.m. The picture tonight is Everett and Beau. I may have sent it before. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this evening. Little Girl is on the tv tray at present. Rascal was by a little while ago. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 88 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 54 degrees. At 9:35 p.m. skies are clear with a temperature of 71 degrees. I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, September 10, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. - James 4:1-4(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD,br /> (Jesus said) 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” - Matthew 18:19-20(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Forgiveness is a blessing for the one who forgives as well as for the one who is forgiven. - Alice Gray -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I had lunch with Charley. We then went to the hospital to see our brother-in-law, O. V. McNutt. He was doing better today than he was yesterday. He has kidney problems. I went to the post office. My cleaning lady came at 4:00 p.m. today. I took my nap after she left. I bought a new mattress yesterday. They were on sale for half price. It was delivered this morning. I have been needing a new mattress for quite some time. I hope it will be better for my back. I put out fresh water, food and treats for the kitty cats a little before 7:00 p.m. I sat out with them and read for 30 or 40 minutes. The picture tonight is another of Leo. The cats are fine. Little Girl went on her trip again today but came back before dark. She is now on her tv tray. Rascal was in a little while ago. Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 86 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 54 degrees. At 9:40 p.m. skies are mostly cloudy with a temperatue of 71 degrees. I will see you next time. Have a Wonderful Sunday!
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, September 9, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. - Psalm 91:9-12(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Lord said) 25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." - Isaiah 43:25(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Talk to God about everyday details, as well as big-picture items. Nothing is too small-or too big-for Him to care about. - Lita Forsyth -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind by reading something that requires effort, thought, and concentration. - From Lists To Live By -
To think too long about doing something often becomes its undoing. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I had lunch today with my brother, Charley and my pastor, J. T. Carnell. Charley and I then went to the nursing home to visit our brother-in-law, O. V. McNutt but he had been taken to the hospital. We went to the hospital and he was just being admitted and was not in his room as yet. Charley stayed at the hospital to see O. V. but my back was giving me a little trouble so I went on to the post office. I took a nap this afternoon. I talked with Charley later and he said that O. V. had kidney problems. Around 4:00 p.m. I went to Petsense and Walmart for some cat food and other items. I went out with the cats about 6:55 p.m. and sat out and read for about 40 minutes. The picture tonight is my little stray, Lucy, who waited for me for 10 months while I lived at Moore. In this picture she is taking it easy by lying flat on the ground. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this afternoon and evening. Little Girl is on a tv tray here in the den. Rascal just came in. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 85 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 46 degrees. At 9:20 p.m. skies are mostly clear with a temperature of 66 degrees. I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.