Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
Apr. 3, 2012

The Silence Begs to Be Broken

silence of a brand new morn
mourn the silence since Woody died
dyed to match the mood of the day
dey who understand me know
no, silence is not my enemy
in a me lies the answer
and sir, ...............
and the silence begs to be broken

Author's note: The sound of silence doesn't change. It is what we attach to the silence which changes the experience of the silent moment. Sometimes, the silence is deafening, other times, silence is golden as the sunbeams stretching across the horizon on a dewy, spring morning, half hidden by puffy white clouds. And yet, the silence speaks of tender words of love spoken in echos of memories held forever in the heart. Sometimes, when Woody and I were together, we were happily caught up in silence, cherishing the fact that we were together and words were inadequate to express the love that grew so beautifully between us. And now, knowing no audible words will be spoken between us, I rely upon the silent memories of his tender, loving words to me, his only sister. God, I feel so privileged to have the honor of knowing him for these precious moments since we first met in 2008. As I hear the clicking of my fingers upon these keys, I am comforted as true silence embraces me and I am at peace. All is well; as well as it can be.
I hope the poem and my note above will help you rethink silence and what it means in your life. Take care. I must get to bed now. I will listen to the silence before sleep overcomes me.
Love, Nan

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. - Proverbs 22:4(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
23 Whoever denies the Son (Jesus) does not have the Father (God) either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. - 1 John 2:23(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
For however devoted you are to God, you may be sure that He is immeasurably more devoted to you. - Meister Eckhart -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
The ultimate goal of parenthood is to allow your children to become the persons God intended them to be. - From Home is Where the Heart Is -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy. We had a rainshower this morning and another shower this evening but all is quiet now. High temperature today was 78 degrees with a low temperature of 59 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office and then home. I took my nap this afternoon. Emmy was with me and I think Beau was with me part of the time. My dear wife Flonnie's flowers are blooming everywhere in the yard now. The iris are blooming on every fence, first came the yellow ones, then came the purple ones and then the salmon colored iris. The red honeysuckles are blooming a couple of places on the fence. The red roses and the pink (almost white) roses are just beginning to bloom. The Hollyhock plants are green and growing and it won't be too long until they will be in bloom. There are two clematis vines blooming on the front fence of different colors (one is purple). Everything is beautiful this time of year. Since last time I have heard from Geneva and Annette. I couldn't sit out with the cats this evening due to the rain. I appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl asleep on the back of the couch and Rascal asleep in the recliner. The others are not far away.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Chrisrian, McAlester, OK
Monday, April 2, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD,br /> (The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians) 20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20(New King James Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
12 Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. - Psalm 5:12(New International Version).
A QUOTE
One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession. - Sophocles -
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
You can trust the Lord too little, but you can never trust Him too much. - From It's A Beautiful Life -
NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 83 degrees and a low temperature of 67 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office and then by Braums for ice cream. I sat out a few minutes before I took my nap. I took my nap and I think it was Emmy that napped with me today. I went out with the cats at 4:25 p.m. and read until around 5:00 p.m. Thanks for your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is here in the den and Leo just came by. The others are elsewhere. They have been going in and out tonight.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
March 2, 2012

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

In the original list of the “passion-thieves” we have been discussing, there were only six mentioned in that list. I have been re-thinking my list and have decided to include one more. And here is the reason why.
Most of you have probably heard of, the Seven Deadly Sins. They are also known as the Capital Vices or Cardinal Sins, a classification of objectionable vices that has been used since early Christian times to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen humanity’s tendency to sin. The final version of the list consists of wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
When you look at this list there are a number of things that stand out—and why they are “deadly” sins. What you come to realize is how they destroy (kill) relationships! Wrath (anger) leads to or is a result of bitterness and bitterness will destroy a relationship over time. Greed is an attitude that seeks to take more than it is willing to give. Over time it will destroy. Pride puts itself above others. Cares more about itself than others. It destroys. Lust wants what it cannot have. When lust is allowed to remain it will eventually destroy. Envy resents what others have. The longer it is allowed to linger it will destroy. Gluttony does not know when to quit. It kills the person which in turn destroys
relationships. So where does “sloth” fit in? There are a couple of ways this “attitude” is defined. One, Sloth is defined as “spiritual or emotional apathy, neglecting what God has spoken, and being physically and emotionally inactive.” Second, Sloth can also indicate “…a wasting due to lack of use, concerning a person, place, thing, skill, or intangible ideal that would require maintenance, refinement, or support to continue to exist.” Jesus addressed this issue when one day He was asked this question: “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one” answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
I’ve always considered the most important word in Jesus’ answer is the word, “All!” When it comes to the Kingdom life there is no room for a partial existence. A half-hearted relationship. Slothfulness is in my opinion destroying the work-ethic in America. Too many doing “just enough” to get by. We were in a restaurant not long ago and it was the last time we have been to that particular establishment. Our “server” was more concerned with talking with her friends than she was taking care of business. I am not a demanding person but there was a lot of “neglect” taking place. And we are seeing that far too often! On the opposite end, we went to another local restaurant just about a week ago and I don’t know if it was the manager or the owner, but he was all over the place and not just one but several workers came by our table to check on our needs. That is something I appreciate and will patronize that establishment willingly. It is unfortunate that this kind of service is becoming less frequent. But here is the question: who is to blame? The consumers—accepting less than what they should be receiving? Or the establishments—not demanding more out the workers?
This also carries over into our relationships and why slothfulness is a destructive “Passion-Thief.” It is because too many are willing to accept or give a half-hearted effort when it comes to serving God and/or the Church. Jesus did not say to love with some of your heart, soul, mind and strength, but ALL!
The goal is to guard your heart against anything that says, “enough is okay.” If we are not giving our best are we fulfilling the Commandment of Christ?
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, April 1, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
6 “This is what the LORD says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." - Isaiah 44:6(New International Version). GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 18 “He who believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
You can't touch love, but you can feel the sweetness that it pours into everything. - Annie Sullivan -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Cleaning and dusting can wait 'til tomorrow, For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs; dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep. - From Home is Where The Heart Is -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 85 degrees and a low temperature of 67 degrees. I attended Worship Services this morning. We had a wonderful Palm Sunday service. I had lunch at home. I had a nap this afternoon with Beau and Emmy on the bed and Smokey on a night stand beside the bed. I attended church tonight. I got home from church around 7:15 p.m. so I hurriedly changed clothes and sat outside with the cats for about 30 minutes. If you remember I left you a prayer request from Delona Martin, my cousin. You folks prayed and God answered. I heard from Delona today and I will leave her wonderful letter at the end of the Good Things. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is lying on the desk close to my computer where I can touch him once in a while. He will move on shortly. Little Girl is asleep on the couch. I have seen all the others, coming and going, wanting to know what is going on in all of their waking hours.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett. ****************************** Here is Delona's letter:

DEAR EVERETT, JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT MY SURGERY WENT WELL AND GOD BLESSED ME WITH GOOD RESULTS. THERE WAS NO CANCER IN EITHER BREAST. PRAISE GOD I AM CANCER FREE. TELL YOUR CHURCH THANK YOU FOR THEIR PRAYERS AND THAT I ALSO HAD AN ADDED BLESSING, YESTERDAY I ATTENDED THE WEDDING OF MY DAUGHTER DEVONA AND HER NEW HUSBAND BRIAN PERKINS, HE IS A CHRISTIAN WHO TRULY LOVES THE LORD . SO I AM DOUBLE TRIPLE BLESSED AND MADE TO FEEL LIKE I AM SPECIAL, A CHILD OF THE KING AND GIVE HIM PRAISE FOR ALL THINGS. YOUR COUSIN DELONA