Good Things

by Everett christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, November 21, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
9 But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9(New king James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. - 1 Corinthians 3:8-9(New International Version)

A QUOTE
I choose to rejoice in the Lord and take joy that He is my Savior. - Becky Luman -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Timely good deeds are nicer than afterthoughts. - From Reminisce Magazine -
On anniversaries, even if you forget the past, don't forget the present! - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
We had rain last night in McAlester, Oklahoma, mainly after midnight. We have had heavy clouds all day long and the rain began around 4:00 p.m. and is continuing at the present. High temperature today has been 46 degrees with a low of 39. It thunders once in a while tonight but not the heavy lightening that strikes close to the ground. I will unplug the power to my computer tonight just in case we get a heavy thunderstorm. I learned my lesson on these thunderstorms and computers. I had lunch today with Charley and Bill. Bobbi was our good waitress today. I went to the post office. I took my nap with Beau and Smokey napping with me. Itty Bitty came and checked on us once. At around 4:00 p.m. I went back out to mail a bill and go to Country Mart. It was just starting to rain when I went out but was raining heavier when I came home around 4:30 p.m. I had an e-mail from Alice today and she said I could use it in the Good Things tonight. Thanks Alice and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things!
The cats are fine. Little Girl on the back of the couch. I have the front patio doors ajar just a little and Leo has been lying at the door looking out at the rain while I did the Good Things. Even when he was a little kitten, he liked to watch the rain. The other cats are all inside somewhere since it is raining.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett. *************************************************************************************************** Here is Alice's letter:
Fun news about the cats today! :) So, I guess Siamese Tom is just to take his mightier than thou attitude and move on out. haha Geneva's letter was fun for me. Kathryn Marshall has written wonderful books. The movie she spoke of made quite an impression on me many years ago. 'think I'll make a point to re-read A Man Called Peter.
How fun, that you have readers in "Chicagoland". I lived there, the suburbs (Downers Grove and Darien), for 15 years. There is no place like Chicago. I will always miss it. She's right, it's just solid City forever :) Oklahoma City and Tulsa are becoming that also, along with the towns around...
Thanks again Everett. God's Blessings and have a wonderful week!

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlestor, OK
Nov. 22, 2011

“Wearing Corrective Spiritual Shoes”
“…don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under His loving correction…" – Proverbs 3:11 (The Message)

An old story with a great message revolves around a young boy from Tennessee who was acting up in church. After several minutes the father had had quite enough – picked the boy up and headed toward the back where he would discipline the young lad. While on the way down the aisle, the young lad was heard to say, “Ya’ll pray for me, ya hear?”
When we hear the word discipline probably the first thing that comes to our minds is that of punishment. While that interpretation is certainly a proper one it falls far short of what this verse is trying to apply to our lives. Notice if you would the last word, “correction,” for that is key to what God is really about! His desire and goal for us is that we have an upright and “correct” existence.
I remember as a young boy having to wear “corrective” shoes. I don’t know if there is a new politically correction way to say it but I was what was once referred to as being “pigeon-toed.” My feet tended to point inward when I walked. The shoes were made in a way that would force me to walk “correctly,” causing my feet to stay straight instead of inward. I absolutely hated wearing them! They felt funny, looked even funnier and while every other boy was wearing comfortable tennis shoes (or so I imagined) I had to wear these ridiculous looking things! Fortunately, within a year’s time the shoes had completed their task and I was back to being normal. (If normal actually exists!)
As a parent – I understand how important it was to “discipline” my children. The following is a great example of how discipline applied correctly makes a difference. In the 1994 Winter Olympics held in Norway, 23-year old skier Tommy Moe of the United States captured the gold on the men's downhill. It marked a big comeback for Tommy.
He had shown great potential for years but according to Sports Illustrated, he had a penchant for smoking pot and drinking. In 1986 as a 15 year old, he was invited to be a part of the U.S. Ski team, but when the coaches learned that he sneaked out of camp to smoke pot, they kicked him off the team.
Tommy's father, an Alaskan construction worker, decided his son needed some discipline and he ordered him to come to Alaska. There he put Tommy to work.
Tommy was on the job at 4 a.m. and he labored under the Alaskan sun for 12 to 16 hours a day during the long days of Arctic summer. "I worked his tail off," says Tom Sr., "and then I asked him if he'd rather be doing this or if he'd rather be skiing with the team in Austria. That straightened him out in no time."
Tommy recalls, "It was mental and physical torture but it humbled me up pretty fast." He got serious about ski racing pretty quickly.
Fathers know that children sometimes need discipline and that discipline is hard. But when it is accepted for its benefits, yields big results.
The Lord’s “discipline,” in this verse carries the same application. We have a tendency to walk “crooked” paths! Our nature needs correction to keep us walking according to the path laid out by the Father! While other people are walking what appears to be “pleasurable” paths – God wants us to stay on the correct one! The one that leads to Him!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Nov. 21, 2011

“Honor…Give…Receive!”
“Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best…Your barns will burst. Your wine vats will brim over…" – Proverbs 3:9, 10 (The Message)

There are a couple of ways to make this happen. The first that comes to mind is simply this – Give God your absolute best in service to Him. Give Him the best of your time – the best of your efforts – the best of your worship. I don’t understand how it is that so many think that God and HIS church deserve less than that! But, consider another avenue here. One that is somewhat more visible to people around us…and one that will make a difference in those ones around us. Give your best to life!
Have you ever been to one of those events where candles are distributed to everyone, and then one person lights his candle and reaches out to the person nearest to him and lights his candle? Then everyone is asked to do the same, continuing to light the candle of the person to his left and right. In a matter of minutes, the entire place is aglow with candlelight.
The amazing thing is not that a darkened room can be filled with light that begins with one candle. Rather, the amazing thing is that giving away a flame does not diminish the light that remains with the original candle. As long as there is candle wax and a burning wick, the original flame will continue to burn and give light to darkened space.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Was that the end of the story? No. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus said to the disciples, “You are the light of the world.” And he went on to say, “People don’t light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lamp-stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house” (v. 15). Jesus concluded, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (v. 16).

Was this a teaching on personal evangelism? Of course. But there is more to this story. And the hidden truth behind the story is the principle of generosity. Jesus was not teaching about tithing; he was teaching about being generous—giving away a portion of that which we receive. An old Chinese proverb teaches that happiness never decreases by being shared. The Bible is anything but silent about giving and receiving.

· “There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners—therefore to their hurt” (Ecclesiastes 5:13).

· “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee” (Deuteronomy 16:17).

· “Every man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

· “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

· “Give, and gifts shall be bestowed on you. Full measure, pressed, shaken down, and running over, shall they pour into your laps; for with the same measure that you use they shall measure to you in return.” (Luke 6:38 Weymouth Translation).,br />
The secular world has its own principles of securing one’s wealth, which go something like this:
“Without frugality none can be rich, and with it very few would be poor.”
“The way to wealth depends on just two words, industry and frugality.
” “Save, and your wealth will multiply with compound interest.”
“What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is negotiable.”
“A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Jesus taught a principle unknown to world economists today. It is recorded in Matthew 6:19, 20):
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

And how can we accomplish this eternal treasure? By being generous to others. By giving a portion of our treasure away. And there’s a bonus reward: People will see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, November 20, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. - Colossians 3:20-21(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" - Jeremiah 32:26-27(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them who fear and sin not. - Thomas Watson -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
" A Christian is a living sermon whether he preaches a word or not" - Forwarded by Burlene Wilson -
Grandma's cookies didn't need preservatives; they didn't last long enough. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Offering good advice may be noble and grand, but it's not the same as a helping hand. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma. High temperature has been 70 degrees and that happened just after midnight. It has gotten colder throughout the day and the temperature is now 43 degrees. We have a good chance for rain tomorrow and tomorrow night. I attended Worship Services this morning. It was a wonderful blessed service. I had lunch at home. I took my nap this afternoon with cats coming and going at will. I put out the treats and food at 4:30 p.m. At 5:45 p.m. I went to church for the evening service. Another good service with singing, scripture and prayer. I have notes from 3 people, Geneva, Michelle and Debra to share with you tonight. If you don't want your letters on the Good Things, just tell me and I won't include them. I do get permission to use your letters.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are here in the den in their usual places. Rascal was waiting for me again tonight when I got home from church just outside the front door.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.
******************************************************************************** From Geneva:
One secret to ageless living is to smile, laugh, maintain a sense of humor, and always stay young at heart." That made me think of an older friend of mine who, several years ago, had cancer. She would awaken at night to find her husband sitting on the side of the bed praying for her. Several years ago we met them halfway to Wisconsin Rapids where they live, and had lunch with them. She is now almost 90 (he is 90) and she has never lost her sense of humor. "A merry heart doeth good." They read from the Bible and pray every day. They have gotten the new book, "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham and are reading that, too. She said that it helps them.
I am 77 today and my son and daughter in law are coming by to take me to brunch after the early church service. What a nice thing!
Everett, I'm such a talkative person. I could probably write something after I read every one of your "Good Things" but I'll restrain myself. My husband had a million stories about the men and the jobs, after working as a bricklayer for 39 years, but I don't remember many of them. He used to sit outside in the warm weather at the front of the garage and the neighbor men who are retired would come and sit and they'd talk. One much younger man also kept coming on weekends after Bill died, and would find me on the patio and sit and talk. That's nice, too. None of these men are believers as far as I know and I do pray for them and try to speak a word for my Lord when it seems right.
May God bless you,
Geneva
Another from Geneva:
You don't know what you know until you find out what you don't know.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
That is so true! I grew up loving to sing. I sang in the choir for a few years and then in a quartet. Then the choir director urged me to take some voice lessons at the Moody Bible Institute. I did and found out how much I didn't know. I was never afraid to get up and sing in front of a lot of people until after those lessons where I learned just how I was supposed to sing and how to seek to always sing the message. Then I practiced and practiced and was still nervous about the responsibility. I never quite sang the way the teacher taught me, but at least it was better than "singing through my nose" as they called it. I never learned to read music well, but the Lord gave me "a good ear" for music and a love of it.
*************************************************************************************************** From Michelle: Everett, thank you so much for Good Things each day. I enjoy reading what you do, even if it's the same things, since you say it differently each day. I love the verse from 1 John 4:19. It's one I should memorize and keep in my heart when I start putting myself down for things that I think I haven't accomplished. God still loves me and I love Him back.
This morning when I started praying, I told God that I feel like my prayers have become formulaic - like I say them the same way everyday, all the time. I asked God to help me say them differently, more fervently. I did pray with more heart this morning - ok, maybe that's not the correct word. I know the passion for prayer will come in the Lord's time, as He infuses me with willingness. Yesterday, I was supposed to meet a friend of mine, plus others for a poetry critique group. I didn't feel very well, but needed to go out to buy some food, like almond milk that I was out of. I got all my shopping done, but came home in bad pain, with a terrible migraine later. I finished the article I have to submit today, then went to bed and took a pain pill. Not sure how much of the tv shows, I watched I actually comprehended, but I went to sleep early. As usual Sasha sat with me while I watch tv and then slept with me at the foot of the bed.
You don't have to put these in Good Things, unless you want. I guess I'm just trying to talk about the Lord.
Michelle
*************************************************************************************************** From Debra:
Hello Everett!
Was a Blessed Day of morning worship - an added blessing to the week of Thanksgiving! "Tis the Season - A Season of Grace - we are so blessed and I am Grateful for not only my relationship with Jesus and the Love of my Family/Church but also Grateful for the Friend we have in You.
When I was reading this afternoon - I came across this quote and wanted to share with You, fitting for a Sabbath Day, as well:

Two eyes to look at God above Two hands to clasp in prayer, two feet to carry me to church ~~~ That's why I'm a MILLIONAIRIE!!!!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving week, Everett:)
In Christian Love and Friendship, Debra

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, November 19, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
19 We love because he (God) first loved us. - 1 John 4:19(New International Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD.
27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. - Proverbs 10:27(New International Version).

A QUOTE
One secret to ageless living is to smile, laugh, maintain a sense of humor, and always stay young at heart. - Kelly Ferrin -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A sabbath well spent brings a week of content. - Author Unknown -
One way to be happy ever after is not to be after too much. - From Reminisce Magazine -,br /> You don't know what you know until you find out what you don't know. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
The day started with cloudy skies but cleared this afternoon. High temperature today was 72 degrees with a low this morning of 57 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. One thing about getting your mail at the post office is that you see a lot of friendly people and quite often someone I know. I went to the cemetery. I took my early afternoon nap with my cat named Emmy. My housecleaning lady came at 4:00 p.m. and cleaned my house. I put out treats and food for the cats outside at 4:30 p.m. Today is an anniversy for me. On November 19, 1943, my older brother, Abe, and my mother took me to Holdenville, Oklahoma, where I boarded a bus with many other young men headed for Fort Sill, Oklahoma. This was my first day in the Army. I would be discharged a little over two years later on January 15, 1946. I grew from a kid to a man in those two years. I had a lot of good things and bad things happen to me. I could write a long story about it, but I just don't have the time to do much writing now. I don't know what I do with my time but a day is over with before I know it and I usually don't have much to show for it. I just try my best to live for the Lord and leave everything in His hands. Of course I always eat lunch at Taco Bob's and all of his crew are exceptionally friendly to Charley and me. It is almost like a second home to us.
Since last nights Good Things, I have had e-mails from Burlene and Geneva. I will share their letters at the end of Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is in her usual place. Friendly, Rascal and Smokey have all been by to see me since I started the Good Things. As I was watching television earlier in the living room, Itty Bitty got in my lap for a little while. I have seen all of them this evening as well as Lucy, the stray. I have also seen Siamese Tom, another stray that is around every day, but I won't let him in the house, except when he slips in to eat some canned food and then I pretend to ignore him. He knows to get out as soon as he knows that I see him. He hasn't been neutered but my cats have so that's not why he hangs around. He knows this is the best place in town to find food. Tony from across the street was also in a little while ago for some food but Tony is my friend.
Have a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett

*********************************************************************************************** Here is Burlene's letter. Burlene is another of my church friends and lives in McAlester, Oklahoma.
The scripture from Proverbs "Those who guard their ways preserve their lives"
is a woderful promise and I want to do just that----guard my ways. I ask the Lord each day to help me live a Christian life, one pleasing to Him.
I also enjoy reading about other people and their activities and answers to prayer. You don't have to publish this. It is just a note to you thanking you for taking time to send out the Good Things. Usually anything I send to you can be included in your notes, though.
Blessings, Burlene

************************************************************************************************** Here is Geneva's letter:
Everett, I saw a movie last night that was made from the book, "A Man Called Peter". It's not as good as the book, but in it, Peter Marshall preached about and prayed for our nation and its leaders. He was in Washington and saw the corruption that had started way back then. He was a real man of God. Katherine Marshall's books are good, too. I have to look up some of those books and read them again. I'm sure they are in our church library.
I actually live about 30 miles N.W. of the Chicago city limits. This area is a huge megalopolis and you can hardly tell when you leave one town and enter another. There are no more fields between us and Chicago any more.