Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK>br /> Nov. 4,. 2011

“Loud does not mean Proud”
“Woman Folly is noisy; she’s stupid and doesn’t even know it.” – Proverbs 9:13 (CEV)

Is it safe to say that some (if not the majority) of our most embarrassing moments occur when we are the least aware of it, at least not at first. Food stuck in between our teeth, stains on our clothes, our hair disheveled, buttons not buttoned correctly, zippers not zipped correctly…(that one is really unsettling), or saying something so completely and totally off-the-wall that the minute it comes out of your mouth you knew you really blew it! It is those times you may feel a lot like Charlie Brown who once said, “When I’m right no one remembers but when I’m wrong no one forgets.”
The difference between doing something embarrassing as opposed to doing something stupid is that stupidity seems to be a pattern that repeats itself. What is even more bothersome about this verse is that I can easily identify this kind of person because there are a number of them that cross my path every day—some may even share my DNA. (That is not a pleasant thought).
Solomon has spent a great amount of time and effort in defining the difference between wisdom and folly. Or, let us put it into a greater context, between right and wrong. He has done so by attempting to give them a personality—character. See if you can get a mental picture of these two individuals.
Wisdom is the silent type. She (using Solomon’s concept) is not silent because she is shy—she is confident, self-assured. She is that way because she knows she has the truth on her side and her confidence is not based on whom she is but who God is. He is her strength and when she talks her words carry meaning and power; hope and comfort.
Folly is loud because she knows that is the only way she can be heard. She knows what she has to say has no power on its own so she is convinced that the louder she speaks the more people she will reach. The unfortunate thing about that is—it works. Allow me illustrate.
Only a couple of months ago the airwaves were saturated with updates regarding the spat between CBS and Charlie Sheen. (I can’t believe I am even talking about this.) CBS fired Sheen from the show “Two and Half Men” for his outrageous behavior in his personal life. All this did was to not only make his behavior public—he went out to prove it could get even worse. Every day for what seemed like a month there were daily updates from practically every news channel. After only a couple of days the thought struck me, “how is this news worthy?” How did we get to the point where we are even giving this kind of behavior air-time? Why? Because it is “loud” and people are listening. You want another disturbing fact? The character Sheen played on the show mirrored his real life—a loud, womanizing, alcoholic. And the show was (and still is) one of the most popular on television. And what is even worse—it is considered a “comedy.”
The Christian life (what I would call true Christianity) is never portrayed in prime-time television. There is not a single character that I have seen in the past few years that would even come close to being a Bible-believing, spirit-filled Child of God. The only show that was even remotely close was “Touched by an Angel” and it was taken off the air several years ago.
In conclusion, I would like to relate this story I heard a few years ago. A farmer went to town to hear a speech by a man running for congress. He was gone a rather long time so when he arrived home his wife asked, “where have you been?”
“I went to listen to this feller runnin’ for congress.” he answered.
“For three hours!! What does he plan to do?”
“I don’t rightly know…he talked a lot but he didn’t say much.” Well said my friend…well said!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Thursday, November 3, 2011

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - 1 Corinthians 1:9(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. - Proverbs 21:23(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Happiness comes from giving, not getting. - John Templeton -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The secret of happiness is to count your blessings, not your birthdays. - From Reminisce Magazine - A pessimist is one who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 55 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 38 degrees. At my house I had four tenths of an inch of rain last evening. I had lunch today with my brother, Charley, and our friend Bill. I went to the post office and later to the bank. I took a nap this afternoon later than usual. I put treats and food outside for the cats at 6:00 p.m. It was too cool to sit outside this evening. I think there might be an opossum helping to eat the cat food at night. That is okay. They are one of God's little critters. There is not much news to report today.
The cats are fine. They seem to be staying inside more since the weather has cooled. At the present time Little Girl is on the back of the couch and Rascal is in the recliner. The others are accounted for.

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

Daily Jewel

By Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Nov. 3, 2011

“Soaking up the Son”
“Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life…” – Proverbs 9:12 (MSG)

I would like to think of myself as an amateur “wordsmith.” A person who is good at crafting words; such as a writer or an editor. The speechwriter for the president is typically a person who is a master wordsmith. They have to be since the president is responsible for communicating to millions of people, sometimes on a daily basis.
I bring that up because there are certain words that really leap out at me—making what is written on the page come alive which is or what should be the point of everything ever written. And in this case one word not only leaps out at me—it screams to be noticed. PERMEATE.
On average I would say we would use this word in casual conversation perhaps less than one time per week. Given the fact that all of us probably talk quite a bit that means we rarely if ever use this word—but what it means has such implication that we cannot ignore it even though we may not always recognize it in our everyday vocabulary.
The word “permeate,” simply means: “to pass through; saturate; to spread through.” A great example that the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary gives is: “The smell of bread baking permeated the entire kitchen.” I can not only visualize that but I can even smell it as I write!
Maybe that is why I like certain translations—they help me visualize the Word in ways that reach through to me—helping me understand what the author is trying to convey and I have to say I am completely engrossed in this verse in ways that prior to this message probably passed right by me.
“Live wisely and wisdom will [permeate] your life.” How much clearer can that be? How much more needs to be said than what that is telling us? Do we need more? You do? Well okay.
I like to grill. Food just seems to taste better when it is cooked on an open grill—and (my apologies to those who prefer gas grills) you can’t beat food cooked over charcoals or certain woods. My favorites are mesquite and pecan…but I regress. For some time when I cooked chicken it always came out dry. Not that it wasn’t good but it was not as good as it could have been or should have been. Then I discovered that if I let it “marinate” (a fancy word for soak) for about six hours and then grill it, it not only retained the juices but it enhanced the flavor as well. Live wisely!! Marinate your life with God’s Word, Will, and Ways. As we have been saying over the past couple of weeks, life was meant to be enjoyed and experienced. Too many try to live life their own way, under their own understanding and what they discover as the end result is a life that is dry and tasteless. Kind of like cooking with gas instead of charcoal! Sorry, I just had to say that!
Do that (live wisely) and the end result as Solomon says is a life that will be evidenced by others. It is like the bread baking—you can’t help but notice it when you walk into the room. I have been in places filled with people who were non-believers. Their lives were cold, harsh, and UN-envious to say the least. Then, allow someone to enter in who is a true believer, a person whose life is saturated with God’s Love, His Son, and His Spirit, and things change.
I want a life like that! Saturated with Love. Soaked through and through with the Spirit. Marinated in Grace. Permeated with Peace. Just thinking about this is making me hungry. I think I will strike up the grill. Anybody want to join me?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." - Matthew 18:1-4(New Living Translation).

A QUOTE
The pathway to the peak may be a rugged one, but...the heavenly vistas will be worth every painful step. - Dennis King -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Giving is an exercise that makes a healthy heart. - From Reminisce Magazine - Be a fault-mender rather than a faultfinder. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 71 degrees. We had a rain shower around 6:00 p.m. and the weather is getting cooler with a temperature at present of 47 degrees. I had lunch by myself today as Charley had a luncheon at his church. I went to the post office and then came by Braums for an item. I took my nap in early afternoon. Emmy was with me as I took my nap today. I put out food and treats for the cats at 5:30 p.m. but I didn't sit out as a few sprinkles of rain was beginning to fall. I am still trying to learn Windows 7. I was doing much better on Windows Vista.

The cats are fine. Little Girl is on a blanket on the couch. Emmy, Leo, Smokey and Rascal have all come through the den within the last hour. They are all accounted for tonight.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Nov. 2, 2011

“How Well are We Living?”
”For by me [Wisdom from God] your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.” – Proverbs 9:11 (The Amplified Bible)

Much like the message from a couple of days ago—this verse is very closely tied to one back a few chapters ago where Solomon talks about wisdom adding “time” to our lives. The question that many have and one that is totally justified and is open for discussion is this: “Does this mean Christians should expect to live longer than non-Christians?” I think we can all see the trap that can be laid here. How does this fly into the face of a life cut short by illness, accident, or anything of the sort? How can we rely on such a great promise that we have here in Proverbs when so many of us experience the opposite? There is not a one of us whose lives have not been touched in some way or another by cancer invading a family member, a close friend or even you personally. We lost a very dear friend about four years ago who died of ovarian cancer. She was only 39 and left behind a four-year old son. She was a dedicated wife, mother and Christian. She was loved by everyone who knew her. She was out-going, vibrant and loved life. As a Christian and Pastor, any attempt to make sense of a life cut short in this way is beyond my ability. From my observation she did nothing to her body that would have invited such a horrible disease in. She served the Lord wholeheartedly and if anyone deserved a longer life it was her. I still don’t understand it. So how can I as a Pastor—someone who has dedicated his life in telling people that God keeps His promises—that He cares about His people and will take care of them, deal with this verse in light of what I and many of us have experienced? Is it is a contradiction? According to Biblical historians, the average life-span of a man (in Solomon’s day) was around 55 to 60 years. Less for those who did a lot of manual labor and slightly longer for those who were “Temple Servants,” or the Religious elite. (They lived a far less strenuous existence.) The average life for women was slightly longer and varied according to lifestyle. By the way, these were “religious” people—those who did follow the Word and lived mostly according to its directions. Was the promise of this verse any less real to them as it would be to us? If their lives were cut short would they be as apt to complain and lament as we would and often do? I have stated before but something that bears repeating here; in our culture we tend to measure a “good long life” to those who live into their eighties, nineties and even beyond. But does that mean that their life has been a good one? Could it be that those who lived far less in terms of their years experienced more “life” in a short time than many who live to be much older. It is unfortunate that too many leave us way too early, but if they knew the Lord as their Savior—if they have been “saved by grace,” and were walking with Him through life—then I would say they got far more mileage out of their life. Please do not mis-understand me here. This should in no way mean that we should not grieve their loss. And in the case of those we have been talking about, when someone is taken from us much earlier than expected it just increases the power of our response—often leading us to question, “How could God allow this to happen?” When we lose someone dear to us—old or young alike, to grieve and hurt is not only a natural response, but a necessary one as well! We grieve because they mattered to us—because God made them matter to us thanks to the fact He made life to be that way! He made life to live and people to live it with. Living it with a sense of purpose and direction with the power of Christ may not add years to our lives, it will add life to our years. I love this quote from John Eldredge from his book, The Journey of Desire: “The Jews (of Jesus day) were practicing a very soul-killing spirituality, a lifeless religion of duty and obligation. They had abandoned desire and replaced it with knowledge and performance as the key to life. The synagogue was the place to go to learn how to get with the program. Desire was out of the question; duty was the path that people must walk. No wonder they feared Jesus. He came along and started appealing to desire Are you getting the most out of your life? Each day is important and worth the living. Are we really living it?
Pastor J. T. Carnell