Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Jan. 23, 2012

“Banning Alarm Clocks and Surprise Parties”
“Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life…no need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; He’ll keep you safe and sound." – Proverbs 3:21, 25-26 (MSG)

I would like to meet the person who invented the alarm clock–and torture them! How about making them watch 24 hours of the Family Feud, or something like that? Why would anyone create something so sinister as to rouse a person out of his or her well-earned sleep?
And surprise parties? Who thought that one up? Isn’t it bad enough that one has to be reminded that they are another year older? No, someone had to come up with the idea that other people need to join in on one’s misery and then lead them into cardiac arrest on top of it!
Cynicism aside, Solomon’s contention here should be considered. I am tired of all the “doomsday” advocates that see world destruction around every corner. I remember the panic that Y2K stirred—even from Christians who were convinced it was the end of the world. Now it is the Mayan Calendar, predicting the end of the world will be this year. And then there are those who believe that we are destroying the planet with our reckless living. Should we be good stewards of our planet? By all means, yes. We have a responsibility to take care of what we have been given—the earth included. In fact, the Book of Genesis reminds us that in the very beginning man was given this assignment and we still have that responsibility.
Clear thinking and Common Sense tells me that God created this world and He still knows how to take of it! In reality, the only “doomsday” that we need to be concerned about is our own personal one! And you do not need an alarm clock or a surprise party for that—you just need to trust and believe in Jesus Christ! And when life throws its worst you can cling to the promise; “…God will be right there with you; He’ll keep you safe and sound.”
In fact, this is a very vivid reminder that we have One who has promised us that He would take care of our needs and be with us in and through every situation we encounter! I like the following quote from A.W. Tozer:
“Christians have often been accused of being reactionary because they cannot show any enthusiasm for the latest scheme that someone thinks up to bring in the millennium.
Well, it is not to be wondered at. A true Christian's first hand acquaintance with God saves them from the nervous scramble in which the world is engaged and which is popularly touted as progress.
A real Christian is an odd number anyway. They feel supreme love for One whom they have never seen; talks like an old friend every day to Someone they cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties themselves in order to be full; admits they are wrong so they can be made right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when at their weakest; richest when at their poorest, and happiest when they should not be!
The Christian dies so they can live; gives away to keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible and knows that which passes human understanding.
The man or woman who has met God is not looking for something, they have found it. They are not searching for light--upon them the light has already shined! Their religion is hearsay. They are not a copy, not a facsimile print; they are an original from the hand of the Holy Spirit.
They are waiting for a trumpet call, not a tin whistle to lead every new parade. They are waiting for the call that will set in motion a series of events that will result in a new heaven and a new earth!”
To that I say, “Amen!” And if you want my opinion – I think there should be a law banning both alarm clocks and surprise parties! I believe we will all be happier and healthier for it!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, January 22, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. - Psalm 3:8(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." - John 10:27-28(New King James Version).

A QUOTE

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
It is easy to fall into the trap of receiving God's forgiveness, but then not showing that same kind of grace to others. - From Reflecting God -
Whenever you cut your fingernails, you will always find a need for them an hour later. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 71 degrees and a low this morning of 48 degrees. I attended the wonderful Worship Service this morning. I had lunch at home. I took my nap this afternoon without a cat. At 4:00 p.m. I got the garbage ready and out on the street for pick up in the morning. At 4:30 p.m. I put food and treats outside for the cats. At 5:00 p.m. I watched the Lawrence Welk program from 1976. At 5:50 I left for church service. Tonight was our fellowship night at the church where we share a meal together and visit. I arrived back home about 7:15 p.m. Rascal was waiting for me on a table just inside the front door. Since the last Good Things I have had e-mails from Alice, Gail and Geneva. I will share the e-mail I received from Geneva at the end of Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is asleep on the back of the couch. Rascal has been around several times this evening. At present he is doing something elsewhere but he will be back soon.
I hope everyone has a nice Monday to start the week! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett

Que's Occasional Views

by Quentin Clingerman, Calabash, NC
Jan. 22, 2012

On the TV last night I watched a businessman here in NC as he discussed ethics in the business world. He was making some sense and hit on some of the areas of what has become the "bottom line" or "making a profit" without ethical considerations. Then, in my opinion he undermined his whole argument. He said it is all well and good to talk about abortion and gay marriage BUT... . as if these were not primary ethical and moral issues of our day.

I believe it can be argued that pro-abortion or pro-choice has lessened the value of human life. It has opened the door to discussing euthanasia. If it is all right to eradicate the life of a child in the womb if it has some defect, or just not wanted, then why not kill an elderly person who no longer contributes anything of value to society? It is a dreadful concept for human life has value from the womb to the grave.

Business ethics should not only be about making money honestly. Business owners and managers and CEOs should consider the consequences of their actions on the people who work for them and on the community as a whole. That is why I am for former Senator Santorum. Of all of the candidates I believe he has the best ethical and moral sense as well as Conservative credentials.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, January 21, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Hezekiah prayed) 16 “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth." - Isaiah 37:16(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. - Psalm 138:8(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
When I can't handle events, I let them handle themselves. - Henry Ford -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool Mom. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The only way to conquer fear is to keep doing the things you fear to do. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES Today has been sunny most of the day but the clouds came in late this evening and it is still cloudy. High temperature today was 45 degrees with a low this morning of 25 degrees. My housecleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. and cleaned my house while I went to lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. I took my nap in early afternoon. On the day the lady cleans my house Little Girl will sometimes go to my room and sleep so I had her and Smokey as sleeping partners this afternoon. Later at about 3:00 p.m. I went to Walmart and the Petsense store arriving back home around 4:00 p.m. I put food and treats outside for the cats around 5:30 p.m. Since the Good Things last night I have had e-mails from Alice and Geneva. Your e-mails are always appreciated.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is lying on the floor in front of the heater and Rascal is in his usual place in the recliner. The rest have been seen this evening.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, January 20, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. - 1 Peter 3:3-4(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is. - H. Jackson Browne -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Doing your best is more important than being the best. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Enjoy yourself. These are the "good old days" you're going to miss in 20 years. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The grace that God gives does not allow us to be passive, but motivates and empowers us for ministry. - From Reflecting God -,br />
NOTES
The day started with cloudy skies but soon cleared into a beautiful sunny day. High temperature today was 73 degrees and the low temperature this morning was 35 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and my pastor, J.T. Carnell. Dianne, the pastors wife, sent a meal for my supper tonight. I went to the post office. When I came home from lunch I sat outside for about 15 minutes. Of course I had cat company. I took my nap with Emmy. At 3:00 p.m. I went to the cemetery. This afternoon I listened to the tunes from 1946. I put food and treats outside for the cats at 5:30 p.m. As far as the Good Things are concerned, I take them one day at a time. Some days I may skip them if for some reason I don't feel like doing them. I had e-mails from Michelle, Geneva and Alice since last night.
The cats are fine with Little Girl asleep on the back of the sofa and Rascal asleep in the recliner. They are all accounted for including Lucy and Tony.
I hope everyone has a nice Saturday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.