Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Feb. 7, 2012

“Stay on Track”
“…do not forget my words or swerve from them…” – Proverbs 4:5

How many times have we heard or been told that when driving down the road do not swerve should an animal run in front of you. When teaching my children to drive both my wife and I emphasized that point, but this was a hard lesson my daughter learned when she was a teenager. One day she and my son were traveling down a country road. It was around dusk and she saw what she thought was a buzzard standing in the middle of road. The closer she got the more she realized that is exactly what she was seeing and unfortunately the buzzard was not moving. Before she knew it she was right on top it and instead of hitting the bird she swerved—which caused her to fishtail on the gravel on the shoulder. The back of the car hit some brush that was on the side of the road causing more damage than if she had hit the bird. In my daughter’s defense, how many of us—even those who are experienced drivers find ourselves doing the very same thing? It is almost an instinct. An instinct that is more dangerous to the driver.
Solomon is reflecting. He is remembering the lessons taught to him by his father. David was the most respected man in all of Israel—and it may be safe to say in most of the world as well. It is also safe to say that David made his share of mistakes in life—costly mistakes. Mistakes that proved deadly to many in the land. Perhaps these words were David’s way to warn his Son—“I know what I am talking about and I want to keep you on the straight and narrow path and prevent you the pain and humility I have experienced.” Essentially, David was telling Solomon—stay on course! Don’t swerve and in the end you will reach the goal!
In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (Thomas Nelson, 1998), author John C. Maxwell discusses “The Law of Navigation” (Chapter 4). His opening line is insightful:
“Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.”

He tells the stories of two teams of explorers whose goal was to be the first team to reach the South Pole. One team was led by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. Long before his team was scheduled to depart in 1911, Amundsen studied the methods of experienced Arctic explorers and determined that the safest plan was to negotiate the trip over the frozen Antarctic surface by dogsled. For his team he chose experienced skiers and dog handlers. The trip for the two-month journey to the Pole was divided into six-hour days, giving men and their dogs time to rest and prepare for the next day’s travels. Amundsen’s attention to detail was impressive. He set up depots along the way, depositing supplies and food for the return trip. He purchased the finest gear possible. He anticipated every possible hindrance throughout the trip. He charted the course with perfection. All of the members of his team survived, successfully reaching the Pole and completing the return trip with no serious problems. The other team was led by Robert Falcon Scott, a British naval officer who was familiar with overall conditions in the Antarctic. Instead of using dogsleds, Scott decided to use newer technology—motorized sleds, complemented by ponies. Only five days into the journey the motors on the sledges broke down. Soon afterward, it was discovered that the ponies couldn’t survive in the sub-zero weather and had to be euthanized. The men ended up hauling the 200-pound sleds themselves. Scott had purchased inferior equipment that failed to hold up in the cold weather. His men suffered scurvy, frostbite, and frequent snow-blindness. Food and water supplies were inadequate. After covering the eight hundred miles in ten weeks, Scott’s group arrived at the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to discover that Amundsen’s team had beaten them to the goal by more than a month. Scott’s return trip was tragic. Two months into the return and short of supplies and exhausted, Scott’s team was still 150 miles from their destination. Scott and all of his men died. From these examples, Maxwell draws what he calls the Laws of Navigation. He concludes that we need to:

· Anticipate the entire trip. “We need to see the whole trip before leaving the dock.” We need to “have a vision for the destination”—from start to finish.
· Listen to what others have observed. We need to gather information from many reliable and Godly sources.
· Examine the conditions thoroughly before making commitments. Maxwell says, “Good navigators count the cost before making commitments for themselves and others.”
· Make certain to include both faith and fact. “If you can’t confidently make the trip in your mind, you’re not going to be able to take it in real life. You can’t minimize obstacles or rationalize your challenges.”

I think David knew in his heart that Solomon would succeed him on the throne. He knew what it took to be a leader but mostly—what it took to be a “Man of God.” His hope was to steer his son in that direction and for him to stay the course! How are we doing on our road?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, February 6, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
7 In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. - Ephesians 1:7-10(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. - 2 Corinthians 5:20-21(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
For God is, indeed, a wonderful Father who longs to pour out His mercy upon us, and whose majesty is so great that He can transform us from deep within. - Teresa of Avila -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention. - From Reminisce Magazine -
We are children of God and do not exist solely for ourselves. - From Reflecting God -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 54 degrees and a low temperature of 26 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went by the post office and then home. I took my nap in early afternoon. Little Girl came to my room on her own today to nap with me. I put food and treats outside for the animals at 4:30 p.m. I watched "Trains and Locomotives" from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Since the last Good Things I have had e-mails from Michelle, Geneva, Michele and Patti. I always appreciate the e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are asleep here in the den in their usual places. Emmy and Leo have been here in the den in the past few minutes. The others are around somewhere.
I hope everyone has a nice Tuesday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Submitting Poems to WC 2

by Quentin Clingerman, Calabash, NC
Feb. 6, 2012

A new process for submitting poems to Wordchimes.com is now in place. If you have tried with difficulty or not able to submit, you will find this system very clear. It follows through step by step as you scroll down on the page. Looking forward to new poets at WC.

Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Feb. 6, 2012

“Go For It!”
“Get wisdom...get understanding…” – Proverbs 4:5

In a couple of months one of the most prestigious and revered events in all of sports let alone in the game of golf will take place in Augusta, Georgia—The Masters. For those who know me—you know that I love the game of golf. Many believe it to be “boring” to watch, and those would probably be the ones who have no interest or appreciation for the sport. I, however, take the complete opposite approach because I both appreciate and enjoy the game of golf. I am certainly not very good at it—in fact I am downright horrible but I will continue to play it as long as I have the physical ability. The reason why I enjoy watching The Masters, has to do with watching those who are truly “Masters” in the game.
For those who are familiar with the game of golf—the goal is to reach each hole with the least number of “strokes” possible. In the process there are a number of elements on each course that are designed to provide a challenge for each participant. These elements are known to the golfing world as hazards. A hazard is anything that impedes one’s path to the ultimate goal and that is putting that little white ball in the hole in least number of strokes (swings) possible. On any given golf course these hazards could include but not exclusive to the following: Trees. As much as I love trees, on a golf course a tree is not a golf ball’s best friend. The more trees there are on any given course the greater the probability you and nature will be very close friends. Sand traps. Sand belongs on the beach or in sand boxes. Take a close look at the word, sand trap. I lost four strokes on one hole thanks to one of these traps! Reptiles. No, I am not trying to be funny. I was playing on a course in Texas one time called, “The Cliffs.” The name itself caused golfers like myself to break out in hives and if at any time your ball went out of bounds any effort to retrieve that ball was discouraged by the probability that rattlesnakes could be lurking in the brush. On another occasion I was playing a course in the beautiful city of Orlando. There were signs posted throughout the course with this warning: “Alligators. Search for lost balls at your own risk…but we do not recommend it.” That is what I call a hazard!
And then there is the worst hazard of all—water! When your ball finds the water (as mine has done far too often) the only thing you can do is take out another ball, add two strokes to your score and then go on. What is worse is when a water hazard is in front of the “green,” the place where the hole is located. When you know there is water in front of the green you have one of two options: (1) You can choose to “lay-up” in front of the hazard. This means you probably will not make that hole “under-par.” Or, (2) You could try and “go for it.” Take the chance of hitting over the hazard while knowing if you do not make it your score will be worse than if you were to lay-up. Last year at one of the four major tournaments, the PGA Championship, professional golfer “Bubba” Watson did just that. During the last round he and Martin Kaymer were neck and neck. Neither had ever won a major tournament so for both this was an opportunity of a lifetime. Toward the end of the last round instead of playing the holes safe Watson, not just once, but twice, “went for it!” He ended up losing by one stroke—but his statement explaining his actions were right on. He said, “I play to win the game. If you do not want to win then why play? If I had the chance to do it over again I would do the same thing.” Solomon is telling us in this verse to “Go for it!” Don’t lay up. Don’t settle for shooting par when you can do better. Get it, he says! Get wisdom…get understanding. Get everything that God has made available.
In this life there will always be hazards that attempt to impede our journey. It may be people—it may be issues—it may be alligators or rattlesnakes, disguised as things are trying to steal our joy—our hope—our passion for life. (See John 10:10 for more on that!) Just as in golf what I have learned is that when my ball goes into one of those hazards the best thing to do is just let it go—get out another ball and just keep playing! I was once told by a friend who was a very good golfer that hazards are mental. If you ignore them they will not bother you. I would like to say his advice changed my game but sadly…it did not. What I can say is that it has not changed my attitude toward the game and I continue to play it with the intention of attempting to get better at it. And the way you get better is listen to advice—and keep on playing!
Are you discouraged because things are not going as you think they should? Are you not as far as you think you should be in your spiritual life? Keep playing. Go for all that God wants you to have. Don’t let life’s “hazards” get in the way of doing your best. And when given the choice of “laying-up” or “going for it,” my advice is…swing away!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, February 5, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. - Ephesians 6:10-11(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. 13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth. - Psalm 96:11-13(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred. We will see God reaching out to us in every wind that blows, every sunrise and sunset, every cloud in the sky, every flower that blooms, and every leaf that fades. - Oswald Chambers -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Christians are to die to the old way of thinking, but then become alive to a new way of living. - From Reflecting God -
Our successes encourage us, but not as much as our failures discourage us. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with the sun appearing late in the day. High temperature today was 45 degrees with a low temperature of 34 degrees. I attended Worship Services this morning. We had another wonderful service. Just after the morning service I met my brother, Charley, at his church and rode with him about 12 miles west on U.S. Highway 270 to the Arpelar Church of The Nazarene. They were having a Birthday Celebration for our older brother, Abe Christian. Abe is 93 years of age today. We enjoyed a meal and fellowship with relatives and friends. I arrived back home around 2:00 p.m. and was tired so I went to the den and picked up Little Girl and carried her to my bedroom and we lay down for a nap. Little Girl rested in my bedroom until around 7:00 p.m. before coming back to her den. I felt too tired to go to church tonight but I didn't watch any of the Super Bowl game. In fact I don't even remember who was playing and I haven't heard who won. I did watch a Lawrence Welk program from 1966. It was a good program and they played and sang mostly Italian tunes. Since the last Good Things I have had e-mails from Burlene and Alice.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is asleep in front of the heater. Leo and Rascal are also here in the den but they are just nosing around. The rest are around somewhere.
I hope everyone has a nice Monday to start the week! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.