Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
24 “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” Says the Lord. - Isaiah 65:24-25(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
25 With the merciful You (Lord) will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 27 For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks. - Psalm 18:25-27(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Reflect on God's goodness. Be thankful for all He's given. Be joyful and at peace. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes. - Oswald Chambers -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Countless inventions we take for granted were once deemed impossible. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
We had rain showers this morning in McAlester, Oklahoma, starting around 9:00 a.m. and lasting until around 12:30 p.m. Later the clouds rolled away and left us with a beautiful afternoon. High temperature today was 63 degrees with a low temperature of 41 degrees. I had lunch with my friend, Bill, today. Charley had a luncheon at his church. Mellisa was our waitress today. As I came home from lunch I went by the Family Dollar Store for some items. I went to the post office and then came home. I took my nap in early afternoon with Beau and Emmy. I worked some more in my office room this afternoon. I put food and treats outside at 4:30 p.m. Since the last Good Things I have had nice e-mails from Gail, Claudia, Mary Jo, Michelle, Mary Ellen, Debra and Burlene. Thanks a lot for your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the back of the couch asleep. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. Beau, Friendly, Leo and Smokey have been in the den checking things out this evening but have gone on to other things. Itty Bitty came through the den a little earlier.
I hope everyone has a nice Thursday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Feb. 1, 2012

“Before you let the Accusations Fly…”
"Do not accuse a man for no reason-when he has done you no harm." (Proverbs 3:30, NIV)

It must be a part of our human nature to find fault before accepting responsibility. Even in Solomon's day there were those who were quick to cast blame.
The "fruit" of our lips is words, and words can go to work the minute they are said. But once said you can never get them back again. They become part of the changeless past. When good words go to work, however, they bring happiness and help people, but the unkind ones bring heartache and sorrow.
Chances are you've a right to be angry over some things that have been said to you at meetings, at work or at home. Sometimes you may want to shed hot tears, shove things around, kick the dog, or run away from everything. But hold on hopefully for the words of your God are written in the Bible to help you grow in grace and earn the Beattitude of self-control.
Word's aren't something you can fool around with. Words aren't just sounds—mad sounds, glad sounds, or blah sounds. Words are living things and they last!!
Every word that you have ever said has lasting power. It has lasted as warm and gentle comfort to a friend or relative who needed comfort badly, or it has lasted as a scar whose venom has blown out of all proportion to the original cause and made an enemy for you.
If there is still any doubt in your heart about what words can do then consider these things: Once brushed aside, can you mend the strands of the spider's web? So it is with words. After a rain-shower can you make the sun shine through the beads of rain-drops of the trees? Perhaps not, but you can light up a life by the beauty of your chosen words.
Wherever you may go, take with you only the best words: Living words, strong-winged, beautiful words of hope and good cheer and praise to God. Words that are kind at heart and understanding. Take with you gentle words. Try gentle words in anger, for gentle words turn away wrath. Your word is the only thing you can keep and give away at the same time. They are living things and they last! Before making any accusations make certain of these things:

1. Do you have all of the facts?
2. What is the motive behind the accusation?
3. How many are affected by the accusation?
4. What will the final result be?

Before we do anything which could damage or destroy another's character or reputation also consider these words from Jesus: "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone..."
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Feb. 1, 2012

Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them. Author Unknown

Take care of yourself every day. In doing so, you will make a difference in all areas of your life. Your health will improve, not to mention your appearance and your vitality. Your relationships will blossom. We can change the habits we wear simply by changing our mind.
The words easily roll off the tongue. I'll change this habit when I've got more time to devote to it. I'll change this habit when I have a little more money. I'll change this habit when......... We can also let the buts fall where they may. I know I need to, but..... I want to, but..... I have to, but..... It truly does require courage to change old, useless habits. You and your better quality of life are worth the effort. Sometimes we are our own worst critic. Decide today to be your own best friend.
If you are contemplating change today of any kind, believe in your mind you have already crossed the hurdle, the imagined obstacles before you, some of which you may have placed there yourself and cherish the victory. Set for yourself a goal and don't let anything deter you from it. Hold your focus. Hold your resolve. Hold the victory! Remember, the thing happens that you really believe in and the belief in the thing makes it happen. Believe!
I am not focusing this message today toward any one person. This message is inspired by God for those to whom He is speaking. God speaks to others through me simply because I am willing to be a vessel He can use. For glory to God, for service to mankind.
Have a wonderful day! Take care of yourself.
Love, Nan

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. - Lamentations 3:25(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - - 1 Timothy 1:15a(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
He who is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another. - Aesop -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Instead of being "off and on" Christians, we must put off our sinful nature by putting on the love of Christ. - From Reflecting God -
True love is more than holding hands; it's holding hearts. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today started with cloudy skies and then became partly cloudy as the day progressed. High temperature today was 69 degrees with a low of 57 degrees. I had lunch by myself today. Charley went with a group from his church to their church college in Moore, Oklahoma. Bobbi was my waitress today. I went to the post office. I worked in my office room for a while before I took my nap. I am still shredding old records and throwing away the ones that don't need to be shredded. All through the years I seldom threw away records and now I am trying to take care of it but it will take a while. At 2:00 p.m. I lay down with Beau and Smokey for a nap. Doctor Sewell, my vet, called at 4:00 p.m. and said Beau's blood test showed no infections of any kind. Praise the Lord!! Beau is eating now and seems to be his normal self. The vet said he might have been getting over a virus when I brought him in. He really seemed to be feeling bad from Friday night through Monday morning. I started asking God to heal him on Friday night and others started praying for him on Sunday and some of you started praying for him when I sent the Good Things on Sunday night. I think God did the healing. The vet couldn't find anything. However, on Friday night and Saturday he felt warm to the touch so I think he had a temperature but it was normal when he went to the vet. Some people may feel that I get too concerned with my cats but Flonnie and I always liked cats and dogs and all animals and my cats are my family now. Since the last Good Things, I have had e-mails from Michelle, Audie, Alice, Debra and Nan. I always appreciate those e-mails. If anyone would like to be dropped from the Good Things let me know.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is the only one in the den with me at present but Smokey, Rascal and Friendly have been by for a little petting. The others are around somewhere.
I hope everyone has a nice Wednesday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.