Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, February 26, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. - Proverbs 20:1(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul said to King Agrippa) 22 "Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” - Acts 26:22-23(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not. - C. S. Lewis -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Faith is what protects us from Satan's attacks. - From Reflecting God - There's always time for things you put first. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 64 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 44 degrees. I attended Worship Services this morning. We had a good service and another good sermon from Pastor J. T. Carnell. We also elected church officers for the coming year. This was also Alabaster Sunday. I had lunch at home. Little Girl was already on my bed when I lay down for my nap. I put out food and treats for the animals at 6:00 p.m. I didn't attend church services tonight. It was fellowship night. As time goes on and I get older I may sometimes miss a night or two of Good Things. Don't be concerned if I miss the Good Things. My children will let you know if something happens to me. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Would you like to guess who is in the den with me? If you guessed Little Girl and Rascal you were correct. Emmy was here a little while ago. The other cats have been seen this evening.
I hope everyone has a nice Monday to start the week! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, February 25, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
36 Then He (Jesus) took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” - Mark 9:36-37(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. - Psalm 24:1-5(New International Version).

A QUOTE
God has provided all that is needed to protect His people so they can win against sin. - Mark York -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things money can't buy. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 62 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 26 degrees. My housecleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. while I went to have lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office. I came home and sat outside for a few minutes and called Rascal to come home and he came. I took my nap with Little Girl. At 4:30 p.m. I went to Walmart and the Petsense store for some items. I arrived back home at 5:30 and put food and treats outside for the animals. I am gradually feeling better. I haven't had time to answer any e-mails but I do appreciate them.
The cats are fine. As usual, Little Girl and Rascal are in the den with me. Emmy was here a little while ago. The rest have all been seen this evening.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, February 24, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. - Hebrews 6:10(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." - Romans 10:12-13(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Friends are important because they stand beside us. - Dr. Steve Stephens -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
As we grow in our capacities to see and enjoy the delights that God has placed in our lives, life becomes a glorious experience of discovering His endless wonders. - From It's A Beautiful Life -
When Christians put on their armor, they can pry back evil's claws. - From Reflecting God -
We are either leaving our mark on the world or the world is leaving its mark on us. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 54 degrees and a low temperature of 35 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and came by the post office. I lay down as soon as I got home from lunch as I wasn't feeling well and I think Smokey napped with me. I got up at 3:00 and a little later I went to the cemetery, then to a Dollar General Store and then to Walgreens for a prescription. I put out food and treats at 5:20. Thanks for all the e-mails. I haven't been on the computer much today.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are in the den with me. Leo was here a little while ago. The others are around somewhere.
I hope everyone has a nice Saturday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Thursday, February 23, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. - 1 Timothy 4:8(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
The very act of planting a seed in the earth has in it to me something beautiful. I always do it with a joy that is largely mixed with awe. - Celia Laighton Thaxter -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Age is a high price to pay for maturity. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Christ is the Christian's sole source of strength. - From Reflecting God -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 75 degrees and a low temperature of 53 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill today. I am feeling better but I am not completely back to where I should be physically. As I came home from lunch I stopped by the Country Mart store for some items and then I stopped by the post office for my mail. Before I took my nap I went outside and sat for a few minutes and called Rascal and he came home. I lay down for my nap around 2:00 p.m. and didn't feel like getting up until around 4:00 p.m. Little Girl napped with me today. I put food outside at 4:45 p.m. I appreciate all of the prayers and e-mails that I received while I was sick. I enjoyed reading all of your e-mails but just to show everyone how Good Things are reaching out I will post an e-mail that I received from Alice today. It will be at the end of the Good Things. Tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of my dear Flonnie's leaving me for Heaven.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are here in the den with me at present. Beau and Smokey were here a little while ago. My cats were so much comfort for me while I was sick. It would have been much more lonely without them.
I hope everyone has a nice Friday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett. ************************************************************************************************************************************************* Here is the e-mail from Alice:
Dear Everett, 'Just want to say what a blessing the items I copy from Good Things are to my sorority sisters. Monday night I gave each of them a bookmark copy of this: If you want your words to carry weight, weigh them carefully. - From Reminisce Magazine - As I continued around the room handing them out I could hear little murmurs of appreciation and agreement. Pebble in a Pond dear friend :) Love to You,(praying for your wellness) Alice Think the good thoughts!

Daily Jewel

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

“Failing Forward”
“…when you run, you will not stumble.” – Proverbs 4:12 (NIV)

It is almost impossible to read this verse and not be drawn to a similar one from the Prophet Isaiah:
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31

Something I have noticed in a number of people—they walk when they should be “running!” What I mean is they are afraid of “stepping up their game” (so-to-speak) when it comes to their faith. They could be doing far more than what they are doing and how they are living but are hesitant in doing so. Could it be they are afraid of failing? Could this be you? In his book, Failing Forward—Turning Mistakes into Stepping-Stones for Success (Thomas Nelson, 2000), Dr. John Maxwell reflects on his personal battle to overcome failure, describing his experience in terms that he called a recipe for disaster:

Fearing Failure…Misunderstanding Failure…Unprepared for Failure
But if you think that this was a formula for failure for Maxwell, you are wrong. Instead, for him (and for many others who have followed his example), coming to grip with failure is one of the most important keys to success in life. Maxwell quotes J. Wallace Hamilton as saying, “People are training for success when they should be training for failure. Failure is far more common than success; poverty is more prevalent than wealth; and disappointment more normal than arrival.”

Training for failure! What a novel concept. The fact is that failure can indeed become a stepping-stone for success. Mary Kay Ash is an excellent example of people who use their failure to propel them to success. She overcame significant obstacles in her life and career. Society tends to look at winners like Mary Kay and say, “I could have done that if I had as many things going for me as she had going for her.”
Society would have been wrong. After retiring early from a corporate management position, Mary Kay decided to launch a new company—her own line of cosmetics for woman. She purchased the formulas of an outstanding line of cosmetics, designed her own marketing plan, and proceeded toward incorporation. Her husband agreed to manage the administrative part of the business, while Mary Kay worked to prepare the product line, recruit and train sales people, and launch the advertising. She was off to a quick start, but a month before the target date to launch the business, her husband died suddenly of a heart attack.
Mary Kay was devastated. She considered quitting. But she didn’t. In 1963 she launched her business. By the year 2000, her company was grossing more than $1-billion in annual sales. In addition to her 3500 employees, her direct-sales consultants number about 500,000, and they are the ones that sell her products in 20 world area markets. Maxwell concludes, “Despite adverse circumstances, obstacles, and hardships, she failed forward.” The key for Mary Kay was failing forward, not backward.
Have you ever failed at something? Welcome to the universe. Everyone has. Do you consider yourself to be a failure? If so, allow the Lord to change that mindset. It is running and not allowing yourself to even think about falling! But if you do—you are certainly not out of the race. Get up, brush off, start running again!
Pastor J. T. Carnell