Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Nov. 28, 2011

Today, in keeping with the Season, I am making a bit of an alteration to the daily message. Instead of a Daily Jewel, I will doing a Daily "Ornament." I will not necessarily use the Proverbs but will be using Scriptures from the Advent Devotional, "Illuminate." Hopefully to take the information there and perhaps put a personal touch to them. Anyway we look at it, lets remember why this is a special time. And let us Remember why we celebrate. Let's "Illuminate" our world. The first message will actually be an older message from Proverbs one which talks about ornaments. We'll start off the season this way! Have a great day everyone!

Daily Psalm: "I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high." (Psalm 7:17)

Ornament for the Day: Hope!

“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!

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, November 27, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. - Philippians 4:4-5(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 47 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." - John 6:47(New King James Version)

A QUOTE
He has promised to sustain us. He's our refuge from all harms. And underneath this refuge Are the everlasting arms. - Helen Steiner Rice -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Conscience is the small voice you listen to after you tell it what to say. - From Reminisce Magazine -
One true measure of success is to be able to bear an injustice withoug retaliating. - From Lists to Live By -

GOD'S GREAT OUTDOORS
Contrary to popular belief, raindrops are not shaped like we typically believe tears are shaped. Small raidrops are spherical. Larger raindrops look like a hamburger bun. And the biggest raindrops look like a parachute. - From Fun Facts from the Great Outdoors -

NOTES
The day started with cloudy skies but soon the sun came out for a sunny cool day. High temperature for today was only 45 degrees with a low temperatre of 34 degrees. I was planning to go to church this morning and was about to start putting on my sunday clothes when I began feeling bad. I lay down on the bed with Emmy and Beau. I decided that I just didn't feel like going so I went to sleep instead. I got up before noon and was feeling much better. I did drive a couple of blocks to buy an Oklahoma City Sunday paper. I have been feeling pretty good the rest of the day. I just didn't feel like sitting in church for an hour or so. There was no church tonight at our church. I am sorry that I didn't get to go to church today. I have had e-mails today from Nancy, Debra, Tiyan and Michelle. Since I am running late I will not put any of the letters in Good Things tonight. I have a 4 month scheduled appointment with my family doctor tomorrow.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is lying on the floor in front of the heater here in the den. I have central heat in the rest of the house but not here in the den. Rascal is in the recliner. The rest are around somewhere. I have seen all of them this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, November 23, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. 9 He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry. - Psalm 147:7-9(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
God never made a promise He didn't keep! - Katie Heid -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A good friend is one who listens after asking, "How are you?" - From Reminisce Magazine -
Be generous to those who need your help. - From Lists to Live By -
Past experience should be a guidepost, not a hitching post. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 65 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office. I took a nap in early afternoon. At about 3:15 p.m. I took Beau to the Vet to get his annual examination and vaccinations. I put treats and food outside for the animals at 4:30 p.m. My daughter, Treva, will come tomorrow to spend a couple of days so in all probability, the Good Things will not go out during that time.
The cats are fine. Rascal was just on the desk by my computer for a love and is now in the recliner. Little Girl had her loving before I started the Good Things and she is now on the back of the couch. I always feel so sorry for my cats when I put them in a carrier to take them to the Vet. A dog likes to get in a car and go but not cats. Beau was a pretty good kitty while going and coming from the Vet. He meowed a few times. When we return from the vet he is his usual self again. Some of my cats go off and pout after going to the vet.
I WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY THAKSGIVING!

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

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK,br /. Tuesday, November 22, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. - Proverbs 3:13-14(New International Version).


GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. - Psalm 22:27-28(New International Version).

A QUOTE
It is vanity to live for the joys of the moment and not to seek eagerly the lasting joys that await you. - Thomas A. Kempis -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Age brings experience, and a good mind wisdom. - Greek Proverb -
Always go the extra mile ... whether for a friend or mint chocolate ice cream. - From Lists To Live By -
Every day, give yourself another chance, whether you deserve it or not. - From Reminisce Magazine
- One word leads to another in a quarrel, a speech and a dictionary. - From Reminisce Magazine
- NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy in McAlester, Oklahoma with a high temperature of 57 degrees and a low of 43. Yesterday I had one and three tenths inches of rain at my house. Today I had lunch with my brother, Charley, and our friend, Bill. I went to the post office and then on to Walmart and the Petsense store. I took a nap this afternoon with one of my cats named Beau. I put cat treats and cat food outside at 4:30 p.m. for my cats and any stray that might come along. My cats eat most of their food inside the house but also like to eat the treats when I take them outside. I had e-mails from Alice and Geneva that I will leave at the end of the Good Things. If you would like to share what you do with your time, send me an e-mail and I will include it in the Good Things, with your permission of course.
Tonight I would like to welcome Mellisa Rock to the Good Things. She is one of the good waitresses at Taco Bob's Fiesta Grill. Bobbi told her about the Good Things and Mellisa wanted to receive them also. Welcome to the Good Things, Mellisa! I hope I spelled your name correctly.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the back of the couch and Rascal is in the recliner here in the den with me. Beau, Emmy, Friendly, Itty Bitty, Leo and Smokey have all been seen this evening. Also my stray cat named Lucy has been around. I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett. ************************************************************************************************** Here is Geneva's letter. Geneva lives near Chicago.
Everett, It's nice to learn about different people, and it's amazing just how many people came from the area in which I live. Downers Grove is not close to me, but I've been there. I am now a member of an Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights and many people came to my husband and told him that they grew up in the same area in which he grew up in the city of Chicago. That area is enjoying a resurgence where old houses are bought and torn down and three and four story brick buildings go up, some with fireplace chimneys all the way up. The church that we were members of for 40 plus years (a Baptist church) is now filled, with people being saved, but not a lot of long term commitment to the church such as we enjoyed there. The son of a Baptist missionary to Spain is now the pastor there. All of the older generation that made that church a vibrant place where the younger generation were taught The Word and how to live are now gone to Heaven. They were family to me when I was young. Everett, your commitment to sending the Good things is inspiring and the Bible verses
and quotes always speak to me. God bless you! Geneva ********************************************************************************************************* Here is Alice's letter from last night:
It rained really hard today here. I've been inside the church most of the time, never got wet :) Leo has the right idea, there's nothing quite like watching the rain! Or, for that matter, there's nothing quite like walking in the rain! I think I love the rain!Love you to old dude :) I'm so glad God is Love!
God's blessings, Alice

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Nov. 22, 2011

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

Today is November 22nd! It is a day to celebrate! God has provided teddy bears in abundance for my Nan's good will bears project! On July 22nd, I took the first two dozen teddies to the emergency room at Iredell Memorial Hospital to be given to sick or injured children who come through the ER in need of that special comfort that comes from holding a cuddly teddy bear. More than 150 children have received this special comfort since July 22nd. My brother in law asked me several months ago "how long are you going to do this?" I told him confidently "as long as God provides teddy bears" (with a big smile on my face). Parents receive a copy of the poem I wrote explaining the details of how this project came to be. You can visit www.wordchimes.com to read it. It's entitled appropriately Nan's good will bears. Please keep Jeff White and his staff of Sloan's Cleaners in your prayers. Jeff and one of his employees had been cleaning the teddies for me, but Ashley continues to have health issues. They are heavily into the holiday season in the dry cleaning business. Jeff taught me how to care for the bears and I suggested to him that since the shop is so busy and he is often short staffed, I will pick up the responsibility for cleaning them. He gave me some of the cleaning solution and I am cleaning them at home now. They have to be cleaned prior to the children taking them. God calls us to do the possible and to let Him do the impossible.
Take care and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers today.
Love always, Nan