Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, October 30, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. - Proverbs 23:4-5(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
17 I (wisdom) love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. - Proverbs 8:17(New International Version).

A QUOTE
God is never late; He's seldom early; He's always right on time. - Stan Toler -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
You can't push yourself forward by patting yourself on the back. - From Reminisce Magazine - The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a beautiful sunny day with a high temperature of 68 degrees. I attended Worship Services this morning. Three young girls were baptized. I had lunch at home. I rested this afternoon. There were no church services tonight at our church since this was the fifth Sunday Singspiration. The singing tonight was at the Atwood, Oklahoma, church, 35 miles west of McAlester. I did not attend. I went outside with the cats at 5:45 p.m. and sat out until 6:30 p.m.
There are a few people that I haven't heard from since I came back online with Windows 7. I want to make sure that you are getting the Good Things so I will list the first names of those I have not heard from so please let me hear from you. Here are the ones I have not heard from: Annette, Bryant & Ashley, Carissa, Chris, Darren, Edie, Gilbert & Carol, Janice, Jennifer, Kathy, Laura, Nancy, Pat, Paula, Ronnie, Sandy, Tiyan.
The cats are fine. Smokey slept with me this afternoon. Little Girl is on a blanket on the couch. Little Girl is our oldest cat and she is not very active anymore. Shes always wants to get on my chest for a few minutes during the day while I am sitting in the recliner.
Have a Good Week! I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, October 29, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. - Galatians 5:25-26(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. - 1 Peter 1:18-21(New International Version).

A QUOTE
There is no such thing as a minor lapse in intergrity. - Tom Peters -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The trouble with making mental notes is that the ink dries too fast. - From Reminisce Magazine - We'd worry a lot less about what people think of us if we realized they almost never give us a thought. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today I had lunch with Charley, went by Country Mart for a few items and then to the post office. I went to the cemetery before I came home. I took my afternoon nap. My houscleaning lady came at 4:00 p.m. and cleaned my house. I went outside with the cats about 5:45 p.m. and stayed until about 6:30 p.m. I did one load of laundry today. I am still slow in learning this new windows. I still haven't learned how to forward pictures but I haven't spent much time today trying to learn. Always remember that the Scripture verses are the most important part of the Good Things. That is why I always put them first. If you didn't answer my e-mail last night, please send me an e-mail so I will know you are getting the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on a blanket on the couch. Rascal is in the recliner. The others are accounted for.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, October 28, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." - John 10:11(New International Version).

A QUOTE
No gates or bars can shut out God's gracious presence from His people. - John Wesley -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
It is a great pleasure to do a good deed in secret and have it found out by accident. - From Reminisce Magazine - To get the full measure of joy, you must have someone to divide it with. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
It has been almost two weeks since the thunderstorm and lightening blew out my computer. The main thing it did was ruin the mother board, whatever that is. It took a week to get parts and get the computer fixed. In fixing my computer they installed Windows 7, which is the latest version of windows. It is somewhat different from Windows Vista so it is taking me a lot of time to learn the new version. I lost my e-mail addresses and had to put those back. A few people will not receive the Good Things until I get their e-mail address. Things have been going alright with me. I had lunch today at Taco Bob's Fiesta Grill with my brother, Charley, and my pastor, J. T. Carnell. We had rain all day yesterday and last night until around 10:00 p.m. I received one and three-tenths of an inch of rain at my house. It was needed and greatly appreciated. My cats are doing fine. I haven't learned how to attach pictures yet to this version of Windows. It has taken me a little more time to do the Good Things tonight. Your comments are always welcome, pro or con.

I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Oct. 28, 2011

“Knowing when to Change Course”
“…if you correct those who care about life, that's different—they'll love you for it…” – Proverbs 9:7(MSG)

There is no way—at least none that I am aware of to convey this message in a positive light that would make it seem appealing in any way or form. No one likes being corrected. We may say that we appreciate having our “errors” being pointed out to us. We may be grateful that as a result of our “correction” we are prevented from getting ourselves into a situation that could have proved harmful…but loving it? I don’t think so! But then I have to take a look at the first part of that verse and allow myself to forget my pride—resist the temptation to cross my arms, hold my breath and dig my feet in the ground and allow God to reach into my heart and say, “thank you Lord for loving me enough to send people my way and stop me from self-destructing.” Because I love life—and more specifically the “God-Life,” then I will accept any correction I might need. Harry Emerson Fosdick (an early 20th century clergyman) once said, “No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No steam or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, and disciplined.” Emerson underscored two truths here. First, some things can be controlled by external forces—horses, steam engines, and giant rivers, for example. Each of these has intrinsic power, but when controlled by external forces, impressive results can be achieved. Race horses can be trained to run at amazing speeds in a one-and-and-eighth-mile race. Steam engines can generate incredible thrust when built into giant locomotives. And uncontrolled rivers can be forced through huge turbines that produce mega electrical power. Left to do their own thing, each of these would be mere footnotes in the pages of history. Second, Emerson said that in humans, internal controls are the only controls that last. External controls (by parents and others in authority) may be able to force certain types of behavior in children. But such behavioral modification will be short-lived. On the other hand, self-control learned through instruction and discipline will last. Emerson concluded, “No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, and disciplined.” And those results come through instruction that is internally applied. We have been here before!! King Solomon understood this principle of life. “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body” (Proverbs 4:20-22). Solomon was saying, “Embrace these truths—they will change your life!” Remember—the purpose of “correction” is not to harm but to help. The following is a great illustration of that! In U.S. Navel Institute Proceedings, the magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch illustrates the importance of obeying the Laws of the Lighthouse. Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities. Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow." “Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out. The lookout replied, "Steady, Captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: 'We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'" Back came the signal, "Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees." The captain said, "Send: 'I'm a captain, change course twenty degrees.'" "I’m a seaman second-class," came the reply. "You had better change course twenty degrees." By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send: 'I'm a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.'" Back came the flashing light, "I’m a lighthouse." We changed course. Is it time to change course yet?
Rev. J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Oct. 17, 2011

“Clean Hands, Face, Clothes and Heart”
“The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.” – Proverbs 9:2 (MSG, emphasis mine)

The food is prepared and has been served. It’s on my plate and ready for me to “dig in.” Excuse me, I almost forgot my manners—before I can begin eating I need to get my napkin in my lap—and then and only then can I start eating. It makes me wonder, given what we have learned in the previous messages, where did this idea and practice of napkins come into play? The first napkin was a lump of dough the Spartans called 'apomagdalie', a mixture cut into small pieces and rolled and kneaded at the table, a custom that led to using sliced bread to wipe the hands. In Roman times, napkins known as sudaria and mappae were made in both small and large lengths. The sudarium, Latin for "handkerchief," was a pocket-size fabric made to blot the brow during meals in the warm Mediterranean climate. The mappa was a larger cloth spread over the edge of the couch as protection from food taken in a reclining position. The fabric was also used to blot the lips. Although each guest supplied his own mappa, on departure mappae were filled with delicacies leftover from the feast, a custom that continues today in restaurant "doggy bags." In the early Middle Ages, the napkin disappeared from the table and hands and mouths were wiped on whatever was available. (Sounds like my household!) It might have been the back of the hand, clothing, or a piece of bread. Later, a few amenities returned and the table was laid with three cloths approximately 4 to 6 feet long by 5 feet wide. The first cloth, called a couch (from French, coucher, meaning "to lie down") was laid lengthwise before the master's place. A long towel called a surnappe, meaning "on the cloth," was laid over the couch; this indicated a place setting for an honored guest. The third cloth was a communal napkin that hung like a swag from the edge of the table. An example can be seen in The Last Supper by Dierik Bouts (1415-1475), which hangs in Saint Peter's Church, Louvain, Belgium. In the late Middle Ages the communal napkin was reduced to about the size of our average bath towel. Today in the United States, the napkin is placed on the left of the cover. But in Europe, the napkin is often laid to the right of the spoon. (The Art of the Table, by Suzanne Von Drachenfels, 2009) Like many of the other elements at our table we have discussed in past couple of days the napkin has certainly “evolved” from being non-existent in Solomon’s day, to an important part of our daily meal routines. However, unlike the other elements, the napkin has gone from something that was elaborate—strong—costly—to something that is cheap and dare-I-say easily discarded and quickly tossed in the garbage. It is really no different in our house. For probably 360 days of the year (out of 365) we use cheap disposable napkins—sometimes it may require more than one to get the job done, unless I sneak in an occasional shirtsleeve. In some restaurants, malls primarily, the napkins are so paper thin it takes a dozen just to wipe your face once!! And then on a couple of special occasions we break out the really nice cloth napkins—the kind that could soak up a swimming pool but gives the meal an atmosphere of that makes being there worth the time and the effort. We know it means having to wash and dry them but in the end it is worth the price. When I consider all this I can see how “the napkin” can easily represent how we treat our relationships with others and more importantly the relationship that matters the most—with Jesus!! Too often many of the relationships we have in life (or those that should matter the most) go through an evolution. From non-existent to initial to wonderful—extravagant—then to a point where we take the other person for granted. It happens with friendships and can easily happen in marriages! Unfortunately I have seen far too many Christians do this with their relationship with Jesus! Here God has brought us to His table—not just any table mind you but one that has best food to be found, prepared by the best chefs in the world. He asks us to come dressed to the banquet in our finest—but we did not have to buy the clothes because He said He would cloth us in His righteousness! Essentially He has given us the best that He has to offer, namely He has given us His Son—but instead of laying the nice cloth napkin across our laps to protect our clothes or tuck it in our shirt, we discard it and use our sleeves or the table cloth or what is worse—don’t even bother to clean ourselves up at all. The napkin is about living a clean life. Protecting our heart with His Wisdom and His word. In fact what good is His word if we read it but do not live it? If we allow ourselves to be “soiled” then we’ve missed the point entirely. Today’s message is rather lengthy but I want to conclude it by saying—don’t settle for cheap easy relationships that are easily disposed of and by all means do not treat Jesus or the Church (His people) with the same lack of respect. Treat each day and each relationship like a special occasion where you use the nice cloth napkins! It may mean putting out a little effort but in the end is always worth it!! Now…do I tuck it in my shirt and look like a nerd or do I lay it across my lap? That one is still up for debate!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell