Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, November 12, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. - Psalm 71:17-18(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Keep your promises. - Bob Welch -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Life is a journey of discovery, but with more and more rest stops. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Be too busy to worry in the day; you'll then be too sleepy to worry at night. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 68 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 51 degrees. I had lunch with Charley, went to the post office, then made a quick trip to Walmart for a few items. I took my nap this afternoon with Beau. My housecleaning lady came at 4:00 p.m. and cleaned my house. She gave me a nice Veterans Day card signed by her and her husband. I may be getting old and mellow but it seems that yesterday more programs were going on for veterans than in the past. I went out with the cats with treats and food at 4:45 p.m. Since last time I have had nice e-mails from Geneva and Alice. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is lying on a desk close to me tonight. Rascal doesn't sleep with me much during the day but he is my night buddy, snuggling with me every night. Little Girl is on the back of the couch.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, November 11, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. - Deuteronomy 6:4-5(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. - 2 Timothy 3:12-13(New International Version).

A QUOTE
"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it." - Abraham Lincoln - April 6, 1859 -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
As a person grows older and wiser, he or she talks less and says more. - From Reminisce Magazine -
No God, no peace. Know God, Know peace. - From Reflecting God -
One of the finest accomplishments is making a long story short. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 67 degrees and a low this morning of 43 degrees. On this Veterans Day there was a free lunch at one place for veterans but Charley and I decided to stay with Taco Bob's. After lunch I came by the post office and then went to the cemetery before I came home. I took a nap this afternoon. Beau and Emmy rested with me today with Smokey checking on us now and then. At 4:15 p.m. I went to Walgreens to pick up a couple of prescriptions. At about 4:45 p.m. I put treats and food outside for the animals. I had a note from Burlene telling what she usually does with her time. I don't think she will mind if I include her letter in the Good Things tonight. If she does mind I will apologize to her on Sunday. Her Husband, Gene, passed away just a few years ago. He was a minister and I worked with him some on our church district. I also had a nice note from Debra and I will also share part of it in the Good Things. I also had nice e-mails from Geneva, Stan, and Tiyan. Tom Gilham ( a former pastor) also sent me a note. I hope all the veterans had a nice Veterans Day. We appreciate all the active duty sevice people as well as the veterans.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal in their usual place. Little Girl on the back of the couch and Rascal in the recliner. When I finish the Good Things, I always get the recliner but I let Rascal stay in my lap as long as he desires to stay. All the cats have been accounted for this evening.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Here is Burlene's letter:
There is nothing exciting in my days, but I do have a few activities. I attend church Wednesday nights and twice on Sunday unless hindered by illness or something. I am a member of the hospital auxiliary and go out there on Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday, where I work at the front desk. Also serve on the Auxiliary Advisory Board. Recently the hospital gave all volunteers a complimentary pass to all programs at the Wellness center. (all fees are waived) I go out and walk after my shifts at the hospital because it is close to the hospital and I don't have to drive from home just to walk. I don't swim or use any of the machines. I try to walk at least 20 min. a day 5 days a week either at the Wellness Center, Walmart or around here. Gene and I liked to travel and we went to Israel, Greece, Egypt, Jordan, London, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico. And a few places in the U.S. However that has passed and I hardly ever get out of McAlester now. So glad we got to travel as much as we did. I would not want to take any of those trips alone. That is not very interesting but it is about all I do now. I enjoy hearing about your days, though, and about the cats. Blessings, Burlene

Here are a couple of paragraphs from Debra's letter:
Wishing You a Happy Veteran's Day:) THANK YOU for the service you gave to our country and bless you for being a part of our Freedoms! Also Thanking God this day for You - the many veterans - and the families suffering from the veterans they have lost while serving. God continue to Bless ALL Veteran's and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
Thinking of You, today, Everett and know that you have many thoughts and memories as you look back on the years of service and also the many changes you have seen as time has traveled? Curt (husband) was a part of the Army, as the Vietnam War was ending and his service time was just beginning. I can remember the veteran's coming home to America and how terrible they were treated in their homecoming, not to mention all that was done and said during that war time. The coming home of those who have served and died for our country, should be a time of celebration and gratitude. They have given so much and we have so many that overlook that and the sadness we read and see of the homeless veterans the many in need but also the stories of those that are determined to make a difference and to be an example to our Country and to Glorify the God that brought them Home.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Nov. 11, 2011

THANK YOU to all of our Veterans on this day. I am from a military family. My father spent 21 years in the Air Force and was forced to retire because of his health. After his death in 1967, my mother and I spent a lot of time on military bases: McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Ft. Carson (Army) in Colorado Springs as well as the Air Force Academy. My appreciation and respect for the military runs deep and now that I have one of my children (my son-in-law who is now one of my children) is in the Army I have a vested interest into our nation's service. Today, we say thank you to all who have served and currently serve to protect our nation and our freedom--to preserve what our forefathers sacrificed for us to have, creating what would become (and still is) the greatest nation on the face of this earth.
I detest war and what it does. It takes lives, breaks hearts and divides people. War destroys. But when confronted with situations and people whose reckless disregard for the rights of people to live as God ordained--and seek to disrupt the freedoms that our people have fought to preserve for over two hundred years, then I will believe it is our right and obligation to defend those rights. For that reason, let us stand up and support those who have fought and are fighting today in defense of our nation. God Bless our Soldiers and God Bless America!!

“Recognizing What is Important”
“In all your ways acknowledge Him..." – Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)

The word, Acknowledge means to recognize with importance. So before the meaning of the verse gets too far behind us let’s look at few very important reminders of the things we need to acknowledge God for. Could it be that we are missing even more than by not only trusting in God – but by also acknowledging who He is? What He is capable of doing both for us and in us? Consider the following:
“My horse was very lame, and my head did ache exceedingly. Now what occurred I here avow is truth—let each man account for it as he will. Suddenly I thought, ‘Can not God heal man or beast as He will?’ Immediately my weariness and headache passed; and my horse was no longer lame.” (John Wesley’s Journal)
A Pastor friend relayed the following to me a few years ago: “I visited a man who lived in a modest house adjacent to our church. I had heard he was ill, and I dropped by to assure him that the church would be praying for him. The front door of his house was open, and only a screen door kept folks and animals from walking right in. I called to him from the porch, and he said, ‘Come in.’ He was lying on his bed near the rear of the house. As our conversation drew to a close, I asked him if I could pray for him. He was blunt. He said, ‘It won’t matter none. God only hears one prayer.’ I asked what that prayer was. He said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’”
He was half right. God does hear the prayers of repentant sinners. But God hears prayers—period. He listens. The fact that our needs are unmet is not due to God’s insensitivity. Often it is because we have not asked. Wesley’s question; “Cannot God heal man or beast as He will?” – was more an impulsive thought than an intercessory plea. It didn’t seem to matter to God. He heard, and he answered. Wesley had learned an important lesson about prayer that day: Ask, and keep on asking until you receive an answer from God. That’s the way it works.
Acknowledging God goes far beyond recognizing His attributes – it also applies greatly to His desire to assist us with our lives and with life’s troubles. The following is a prayer that would be very easy to pray in this regard right now:

“Heavenly Father, I know I have missed untold blessings and answers to prayer because I assumed you were too busy to listen. So I didn’t ask; I didn’t want to bother you with a minor problem. I am sure I have prayed at times—in ignorance—for things that were selfishly motivated. And far too often I have failed to seek your will in difficult situations. Wesley’s experience has reminded me that you are very much interested in what interests me, and if I would just seek your will, half the battles of my life could be won. Remind me of this truth each time I am reluctant to share with you the things that bug me every day of my life. Amen
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Thursday, November 10, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. - Proverbs 23:23(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. - 1 Timothy 6:17-19(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Our hearts, weary of war, sick of war, long for the day when humans will finally put away brutality forever. - Sergio Franco -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Enthusiasm is contagious, and so is the lack of it. - From Reminisce Magazine -,br /> Help to smooth another's path and brighten every mile. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble; it is a steering wheel that directs us in the right path throughout life. - From The Cooley Newsletter -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 63 degrees. I had lunch by myself at Taco Bob's. Charley had a dental appointment in Checotah, Oklahoma. I saw my friend, Stan, and daughter, Pam, at Bob's. I went to Country Mart for a few items. I went to the post office, then by the bank, them by Braums and then home. I had my nap this afternoon. At 4:30 p.m. I put treats and food outside for the cats. I mentioned last night that you could tell me how you spend your time if you would like. I heard from Geneva, Chris (my grandson) and my church friend, Annette, telling me how things were going in their life. I appreciated hearing from them and would appreciate hearing from others if you would like to write. I heard from Pastor J.T., telling me he was at the Billy Graham service that I watched last night from 1987 in Denver, Colorado. I know how things were going in Bobbi's life as I saw her working at Bob's. She told me she liked the Good Things. I also heard from Michele telling me how she appreciated the Scripture verses last night. I always appreciate hearing from everyone even though I don't have time to answer each one personally. I do answer sometimes when I feel like it.

The cats are fine. Would you like to guess where Little Girl and Rascal are at the present time? Same place as last night. The other cats are all accounted for. Did you know that pets appreciate your love as much as humans do? My cats show me how much they appreciate my love by returning that love. If you could be close enough to my house to hear, you would hear me talking all during the day and night to my cats. They are really what keeps me going.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Nov. 10, 2011

“Do We Know Where We are Going?”
“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track..." – Proverbs 3:6 (The Message)

Have you noticed in this verse where it says, “He will keep you on track?” That puts the responsibility of our lives squarely on His shoulders. Does that mean we are then free to do what we want – believing He is working for us? That, my friend is dangerous territory and needs to be addressed.
Think about this verse this way: Most of us drive every day. The roads we travel are typically very well marked. People spent many years both creating those roads and for the most part keeping them maintained. Regardless of how straight they are or should they take a number of curves – as long as we follow the “path” marked out there is a safety factor that will protect us most of the time.
There are other factors as well. Stop signs…speed limits…and speed suggestions. There are solid yellow lines that indicate it is not safe to pass. If at any point we make the decision to ignore any of the safety factors put in place we endanger ourselves and others who could also be traveling on that road.
There is a word that to me really applies to this verse…INFLUENCE. What we see and experience should give us the path in which to follow.
When I think about influence, I think of the Amazon River. There is no river like it anywhere in the world. The Amazon is not only the largest river in the world by volume, but it is more than a thousand miles longer than the continental Unites States is wide! It touches six nations: Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela. According to one source, during the rainy season the depth of the river at some points is over a hundred feet! The estuary (its width at its mouth) is 207 miles! The Amazon is responsible for about one-fifth of the total volume of all fresh water flowing into the oceans of the world. One of the more interesting facts about this giant body of water is how far the Amazon influences the ocean waters beyond the coast line. The river flow of fresh water into the Atlantic is greater than the next top ten largest rivers flowing into the oceans combined! The salinity (salt content) of the ocean waters is affected (notably lower) more than a hundred miles out to sea. It’s like “the salt of the earth” reversed.
Many years ago a Christian researcher traced nearly 750 descendants of Jonathan Edwards, one of New England’s greatest preachers and theologians of the Eighteenth Century. Of those descendants, 300 became preachers, 65 were college professors, 13 were university presidents, 60 authored books, 23 became United States Congressmen, and one became vice-president of the United States. Most of these outstanding persons were not directly influenced by Jonathan Edwards and his godly wife. But the Christian example left by that dedicated couple undoubtedly influenced a direction—a course of life—that their descendants saw and followed.
Like circles created when we drop a rock in a pond, our sphere of influence—for good or evil—spreads in all directions, touching lives and nations, creating memories, and leading to the formation of values. I like to call these values “layers of influence.” One life touching another. One family touching another.
Do you know where you are going in this life? The path is marked out, simply and clearly. There is a good chance you know others who have followed that path and followed successfully. Let’s hope we all do the same!
Pastor J. T. Carnell