Daily Jewel

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Mar. 28,2012

“Fending Off Attacks!” (Mediocrity)
“Above all else, guard your heart….it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

The media is flooded today with advertisements of products that can guarantee instant satisfaction without real time or effort. An example is an advertisement for a home organ that made the claim, "No tedious scales and finger exercises before you can play real music. You sit right down and play." Another ad by a bodybuilding company advertises, '"The beautiful, trim and powerful body you have always wanted with no sweat..."
Has the age of automation brought us to the day when hard work, long practice and demanding discipline are no longer required of one who would play music? Are we at the place where we can really be in good physical condition without any effort? It's doubtful, isn't it?
There is a word for this attitude—“Mediocrity.” The word, “mediocre” means: “moderate or inferior in quality…ordinary.” The word in that definition that bothers me the most is not the word, inferior, but the word, ordinary. The reason why it bothers me has to do with the fact that too often that is what we settle for in the Christian life—an ordinary, “no sweat” existence and relationship.
How often do we find this same "No-Sweat" attitude when it comes to developing a strong and mature faith? Jesus, in His call to discipleship, left no doubt in His followers' minds that being a disciple would have a cost. The Master talked about bearing crosses, commitment, self-denial, struggles—all those words we like to avoid, all of those experiences we often try to move away from experience.
The Apostle Paul also dealt with this—especially in the book of Colossians. Listen to what he says:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:1-4 (Emphasis mine)
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.” – Colossians 3:22-25 (Emphasis mine)
Mediocrity is saying okay is “good enough.” It is settling for the ordinary when there is much more to be had. When God told Abraham he had something in store for His people, he called what He was giving them, “The Promised Land.” It was, in all actuality the best land that there was to offer. If that was the case then—wouldn’t it stand to reason He only wants the best for us now? As the words to the chorus says: “He gave His life…what more could He give?”
The reason why mediocrity is a “passion thief” takes us back to the parable of the Sea Lion who lost the sea. During the parable he settles for a water hole which was much inferior to the sea. As long as he continued to stay there at the water hole he would not experience that which was far superior and live for what he was created for.
That is where the devil wants to keep us. He does not want us to experience the best because he knows once we do we will not want to go back to just, “okay.” That is why the tortoise told the sea lion he was fine where he was.
There is a cost for true discipleship, but the rewards are an abundant, full life, which will last for all eternity! Jesus told us He came to give us life to the full! (John 10:10) Isn't it worth 'sweating' a little for?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, March 27, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:11-12(New King James Version)

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. - Psalm 4:8(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Open your hearts to the love God instills. . . . God loves you tenderly. What He gives you is not to be kept under lock and key, but to be shared. - Mother Teresa -
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
A happy home is more than a roof over your head - it's a foundation under your feet. - From Home is Where The Heart Is -
NOTES
Today has been a sunny day. I had lunch with Bill. Charley is still on a Senior Retreat. I went to the post office and picked up my mail. At 2:30 p.m. I had an appointment with my family doctor. He could not find any thing new wrong with other than what I already have. I laid down a couple of times this afternoon, before and after I went to the doctor. I went to Charley's house at 3:00 p.m. and fed his cat and picked up his newspapers. I sat out with the cats for about 45 minutes this evening. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Annette, Geneva and Michelle. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are in the den with me at present. I have seen all of the others.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
March 27, 2012

“Fending Off Attacks!” (Blame)
“Above all else, guard your heart….it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

Sometimes when in the midst of crisis we tend to have our vision clouded under pressure. A man who was critically ill in a hospital bed had his wife at his side. He looks up from his bed and says to her. "You've always been with me when I have had trouble. When I lost my shirt in a poor investment, you were there. When I had the car accident, you were with me. When I got fired, you were there. I've come to the conclusion that you're bad luck!"
It is always easy to blame others for things for which we might take responsibility. It takes a person of character to assume his share of blame—especially when it is our burden to bear. Tell me if this sounds vaguely familiar: “It’s not my fault!” “She made me do it.” “He made me do it.” “The devil made me do it!” “I was born like this.” “It’s my parent’s fault.” “It’s the government’s fault.” “Somebody should do something about this!” Okay, I am sure you get the point.
When Adam was caught with the “fruit in his mouth,” his first response was to blame the woman who in turn blamed the serpent—who had no one else to blame but he did not care—he accomplished what he sought to do and that was to destroy the relationship between God and His children. He is still attempting to do the same today…and one of those ways it through blame.
The reason why blame is a “Passion Thief” is simple—it says we are not responsible for our actions and what that does is not give God the opportunity to work within our lives. If God is not allowed to work in our lives can we say we have a relationship with Him?
Several years ago I came across a great illustration that puts this into perspective. It is called “An Autobiography in Five Chapters.” It goes like this:

Chapter 1:
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost…I am helpless. It wasn’t my fault you know. I did not know the hole was even here. It is dark and it takes a long time to find a way out.
Chapter 2:
I walk down the same street. There is still a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend that I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place, but it still isn’t my fault. My friends should have told me that the hole was not fixed. It takes even longer than before to get out.
Chapter 3:
I walk down the same street. There is still a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there, but I still fall in. I am beginning to think there is more to this…I’ve made it a habit. My eyes are beginning to open. I know where I am and how I got here. I realize that it was probably my fault this time. I am able to get out much faster this time.
Chapter 4:
I walk down the same street. There’s that nasty hole still in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter 5:
I walk down a different street.

What this illustration points out is the longer we do not accept responsibility the longer we live in “darkness.” We will continue to walk down the same street—repeating the same problem. But when we say to both ourselves, and to God, “I blew it!” then perhaps the hole won’t seem so deep and our problems so dark and our passions not taken from us.
Okay…I have to do this. There was a song that came out a few years ago called, “Get Over It,” by the Eagles. And even though I am sure they did not intend this song to have spiritual or biblical implications it speaks volumes. Here are a couple of the lines:
I turn on the tube and what do I see, A whole lotta people cryin’ ’don’t blame me’ They point their crooked little fingers at everybody else
Spend all their time feelin’ sorry for themselves Victim of this, victim of that—Your momma’s too thin and your daddy’s too fat Get over it! Get over it! All this whinin’ and cryin’ and pitchin’ a fit Get over it, get over it
You say you haven’t been the same since you had your little crash But you might feel better if I gave you some cash You don’t want to work, you want to live like a king But the big, bad world doesn’t owe you a thing
Get over it! Get over it! If you don’t want to play, then you might as well split
Get over it, get over it!
Guard against blame. Guard against removing responsibility—it prevents God from drawing us closer to Him.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, March 26, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. - Galatians 6:7-8(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. - Psalm 4:3(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Jesus is the help of the helpless and the hope of the hopeless. - W. E. McCumber -
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
A home decorated with love will always be beautiful. - From Home is Where The Heart Is -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 84 degrees and a low temperature of 50 degrees. I had lunch by myself today as Charley is at a Senior Retreat for his church. I went to the post office for my mail. My neighbor mowed my lawn today. I took my nap today with Beau. At 4:30 p.m. I sat outside with the cats and read for 30 minutes. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Mary Ellen, Tiyan and Alice. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is with me in the den and Emmy and Rascal just came in. I have seen the others this evening.
I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Fending Off Attacks!” (Busyness)
“Above all else, guard your heart….it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

This may put a whole new spin on the word "BUSY."
Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil empire he told the audience of the frustration in dealing with Christians because, “…we can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches; let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, angels of destruction; distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels. "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon, their home will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ. Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the negative news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines so husbands will believe that external beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. That will fragment those families quickly! Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions. Go ahead, let them be involved in soul winning; but crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.
“It will work! It will work!" It was quite a convention. The evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy and more rushed, going here and there. I guess the question is: Has the devil been successful at his scheme? You be the judge!
Could it be that the word "busy" means: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
As has been said the past couple of days…this may not seem like a big problem (at first sight) but by looking at this story it is plain to see that busyness is indeed a “Passion Thief!” The busier we are serving our self-interests the less time we have to strengthen our relationship with Christ. And if you do not think that is by design…think again! Guard your time. Guard your interests. Guard your relationships carefully and do not allow busyness to defeat you.