Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlister, OK
Sunday, January 29, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
9 The humble He (the LORD) guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. - Psalm 25:9-10(New King James Version).
,br /> GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. - 1 John 4:16(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles. - Maltbie Davenport Babcock -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks all of them. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The greatest wisdom is being wise enough to change one's mind when wrong. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I did the Good Things last night and was ready to send them. I left the page for a minute to check on something else and I lost all of the notes and another item or two so I decided the Lord didn't want them to go last night so I just didn't send them. My cat, Beau, has been feeling bad for a couple of days so I will get him to the vet in the morning. I thought about trying to take him as an emergency to some vet today but decided to wait until tomorrow. He is not eating anything. When I came home from church today he came out from under the couch in the living room and drank a lot of water. He then went to the kitty litter to empty his kidneys. He then got on top of a refrigerator where he goes sometimes. I ate my lunch and by then he had gone to my bed where he sleeps most every day. I lay down with him for my nap at about 1:30 p.m. I won't tell you what time I got up. Beau is still on my bed. My pastor and my church people know about Beau and some of them said they would pray for him. I ask that you also pray for him because my cats are my family now. We didn't have a service at our church tonight since there was a Fifth Sunday Singing tonight at Friendship Church of The Nazarene. This church is located about 25 miles from McAlester out in the country. I chose not to attend. The Lawrence Welk program was a real good one this evening featuring the songs of Nat King Cole. We don't have that kind of good music any more. Last night I intended to post a couple of e-mails that I received so I will post them tonight.
With the exception of Beau, the other cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are here in the den with me. The others are around somewhere, maybe sleeping.
I hope everyone has a good Monday to start the week! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett *********************************************************************************************************************************** This letter is from Mary Jo Holt from Oregon: The Good Things are always "Good" and your little notes are nice after a day at work. I hope to one day have time to ramble ! Keep up the good work ! Take care and hugs to you and the kitties. Love,
MJ ************************************************************************************************************************************* This letter is from Cathy Perks from California:
Everett, You are precious to us! And you make our days brighter when you share your thoughts and concerns...and God's word. We love you Brother Everett!
Cathy Perks/Hemet, Ca....Michele Filitti's Mother, and Mary Ellen Smith's Sister And a friend of Everett Christian!

Burned Biscuits

Author: unknown
Jan. 29, 2012

Burned Biscuits When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing... never made a face nor uttered a word about it! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!" As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. And that's my prayer for you today... that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship! "Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own." So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine. "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."

Emailed to Quentin by Geneva Poynter

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, January 27, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:4-7(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." - John 6:35(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. - Dorothy Law Nolte -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. - From It's A Beautiful Life -
The easiest way to get to sleep is to count your blessings instead of your problems. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a mostly sunny day with a high temperature of 63 degrees and a low temperature of 31 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. Bobbi was our waitress. I went to the post office. In early afternoon when I lay down for my nap, Beau was already in bed. I had to scoot him over before I could lie down. At around 3:30 p.m. I went to Walmart and the Petsense store. I put out food and treats for the cats at 4:30 p.m. I have had some e-mails since the last Good Things but not about the Good Things. There were some good things in last night's e-mail even if I have to say it. Everything was good except the notes and they were just more repeticious ramblings from an 86 year old man but as long as I get an e-mail now and then I will continue for a while. If you would like to be dropped from the Good Things send me an e-mail and I will understand.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are here in the den with me. I have seen all of the cats today including Lucy the stray, Tony the visitor and Siamese Tom.
I hope everyone has a nice Saturday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Jan. 27, 2012

“Don’t Finish What You Cannot Start”
“Don’t tell your neighbor, ‘Maybe some other time,’ or ‘Try me tomorrow when the money’s right there in your pocket...’" – Proverbs 3:28 (MSG)

One of my biggest struggles in life is to not like leaving projects undone. Have you ever started something thinking it would only take a little while only to have it occupy most of your day? I must ashamedly admit that I have found myself in that position too many times. It is why I am careful about starting jigsaw puzzles—I just cannot leave it alone until it is finished!! I mentioned a couple of days ago about helping those in need with the resources we have been given. What it means to truly be a neighbor and how what we do for others could have a major impact upon their future.
I want to take an entirely different approach with this same verse and you may be surprised that it has absolutely nothing to do with helping those in need—but more with allowing our lives to be used as the ultimate resource for the purpose of serving Christ.
In His “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus talked about this very issue by using this analogy: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:39-42, NIV) The verse of Scripture from Proverbs 3 is not so much about giving as it is about attitude! It is not what we give but how we give it and why. It is about living responsibly as a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ—of which there is no greater purpose than to serve Him and one another. The reason why I believe this to be a matter of attitude is this: My giving is not about me—nor is it about you—it is entirely about God and what He expects of me as His servant.
Think of it this way—you are walking down the road simply minding your own business. Walking on the opposite side of the road is a couple of soldiers. If you are living in Palestine during Jesus’ day you would easily recognize their uniforms—they are Imperial Roman soldiers. As your paths prepare to cross one of the soldier’s stands in your way and without as much as a greeting he says, “Jew, carry my pack.” According to Roman law you are required to carry that pack for no more than one mile. Now, not only are you having to stop what you are doing but now you must go a mile in the opposite direction to appease one who is by all accounts, your enemy!
The idea in Proverbs 3:28 is that you go that mile because you can. But what is your attitude saying? Are you under your breath saying to yourself, “I’ll carry your stinking pack a mile but I will go no further than that!”
According to Jesus the attitude is to be different. As you are walking down the road you are about to approach the one-mile marker. The soldier prepares to take the pack from you but instead of throwing it at him or on the ground you hang onto to it. “Has it really been a mile already?” You say. “I am feeling really good here so if it is okay with you I will go another mile.” What impact do you think this would have on that soldier?
What a difference a little attitude makes! Do you think it would change you? Your family? Your Church?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Thursday, January 26, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. - Romans 13:13-14(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him (God), because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. - 1 John 3:22(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it. - John Steinbeck -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The happy times are the Golden threads that catch the sunlight, warming the Soul. - Sent along from Debra -
When we bear with one another in love, this creates a spirit of unity. - From Reflecting God -

NOTES
The day started with cloudy skies but the skies cleared shortly after noontime and we had a beautiful afternoon. High temperature today was 57 degrees with a low temperature of 42 degrees. The rain we received was nice but too much came down at once. Curtis and Debra's basement flooded and Curtis had a busy time cleaning it out. They live in the country east of McAlester. Today I had lunch with Charley and Bill with Bobbi as our waitress. I went to the post office. I took my nap in early afternoon. Emmy was with me when I went to sleep and when I awakened, Beau was sleeping with us. Around 3:00 p.m. I went to the Save A Lot grocery for a few items. I put out food and treats at 4:30 p.m. and sat out for about 10 minutes. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Debra, Audie and Alice. I am always happy to receive your e-mails. If anyone would like to be dropped from Good Things, send me an e-mail and I will understand.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are in their usual place here in the den, asleep of course. Emmy and Smokey have been by to see me this evening.
I hope everyone has a nice Friday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.