Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Thursday, April 26, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy) 14 "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:14-15(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. - 2 Corinthians 7:10(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
There is not a thought, a feeling, or a circumstance with which you may not go and tell Jesus. There is nothing that you may not, in the confidence of love and in the simplicity of faith, tell Jesus. - Octavius Winslow -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
It's not so important where we're standing but in what direction we're moving. - From Reminsce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a partly cloudy day with a high temperature of 83 degrees and a low temperature of 69 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office to pick up my mail. I then went by a Dollar General Store and picked up some items that I usually pick up at Walmart. I will make my usual trip to Walmart tomorrow. I sat outside for several minutes before I took my afternoon nap. I took my afternoon nap without a cat napping with me. I went outside with the cats this evening around 5:30 p.m. and stayed until about 6:15 p.m. After I ate my evening meal I went in my office room and worked a little while. Needless to say I still miss my dear Flonnie every day and I will miss her until I join her in Heaven. I appreciate your e-mails and I appreciate you reading the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep on the desk close to my computer. Little Girl is asleep on the sofa. Leo has been by this evening as well as Tony from across the street. All my cats have been seen this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
April 26, 2012

“Listen Up…and I mean it!”
”Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.” – Proverbs 5:7

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14)

“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…and his sheep follow him because the sheep know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger.” (John 10:2-5)

Here we go again—reading Solomon’s instructions and being beckoned to “pay attention.” You would think by this point we would get the message but God knows by experience that we (meaning humans) have a terrible track record when it comes to following instruction—especially God’s instruction! So listen up, and hear what this is saying.
Charles Stanley tells the story of traveling with a church tour group to the Holy Land, and during one of their stops they observed a very unusual thing happen right before their eyes. Two Bedouin shepherds, along with their flocks, crossed paths on a road. The sheep mingled momentarily with sheep being led by the shepherds. The members of the tour group looked on with awe as the sheep—who looked alike on the road that day—seemed to have no problem mixing with sheep from the other flock. Until it was time for their shepherds to move in separate directions.
When one of the shepherds decided to move his flock, he spoke softly to his sheep and without hesitation they followed his voice. The other shepherd did likewise, the sheep following their shepherd. With no confusion or uncertainty about whose voice to follow, the sheep instinctively followed their own shepherd. How did this happen? The sheep recognized the voice of their shepherd, and when he spoke, they followed—with total certainty that it was the right direction to take. At the time of this writing we are in the midst of a presidential election. (I bet you did not realize that!) During the primary our phone was ringing at least five times a day with either political polls or ads. I had stopped answering them and just letting the phone ring! One night I counted—one out of every five commercials were for a political candidate, and what frustrated me even more is that a number of them were negative ads, aimed at how bad their opponent is instead of what positives they bring to the table! So—who do you trust? Which one is the right candidate?
Today there are voices from the north, south, east, and west—urging us to buy their product, attend their function, embrace their beliefs, or support their cause. What should we do? Jesus said that he “calls his own sheep by name and leads them…and his sheep follow him because the sheep know his voice.” If dumb sheep understand this principle, why are we so slow to figure it out?
So—what voice are you following? Are you confused by all that is out there, calling your name? It often comes to listening to the one that that is the loudest!
In the midst of all this, do you hear the voice of the Shepherd? The true Shepherd, or the one who often disguises himself as the shepherd? Listen carefully, and even in the midst of all the noise the real Shepherd’s voice is the One you will hear. That is the One to follow!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell." - Matthew 5:21-22(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. - Romans 10:4(New Living Translation).

A QUOTE
Lord the task is impossible for me but not for Thee. Lead the way and I will follow. Why should I fear? I am on a royal mission. I am in the service of the King of kings. - Mary Slessor -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Happiness is life's jam - you can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a partly cloudy day with a high temperature of 87 degrees. We almost reached the record high on this date for McAlester which is 88 degrees. Low teperature today was 67 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I came by the post office and when I got home I sat outside in the back yard for a few minutes. At 1:00 p.m. I took Little Girl to the vet for her annual examination and vaccinations. She was a good kitty once I got her in the cat carrier. I put a towel over her until I got her placed in the carrier. If a cat knows it is going to placed in a carrier it will fight like a wildcat. She received the rabies and luekemina vaccinations and a treatment for fleas, heartworms, etc. They also cleaned out her ears which a cat does not like when you mess around with their ears. I brought Little Girl home and put her on my bed so she could rest with me. She stayed there until almost 8:00 p.m. and then I brought her out here to the den. I sat out with the cats a couple of times this evening.
I sometimes think that it might be time to stop the Good Things and then I think about all the Scripture verses that I have sent out in the many years I have been doing these e-mails. In fact, when I first started these e-mails I was sending only a Scripture verse and it gradually became the Good Things. So I will keep doing the Good Things just so I can keep sending out God's Word to you and I sincerely hope you read the Scripture verses. I keep a record and try not to send the same verse out twice in a year. I look at different versions of the Bible and decide which version I think can best be understood of the verse. Of course I know my readers also like the quotes and thoughts and I hope most of you like the notes. I always appreciate your e-mails even though I may not have time to answer them. I also appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Leo and Rascal have been here in the den in the last few minutes. Little Girl is outside and I just checked on her. She is lying under the van in the drive way. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
April 25, 2012

“Do You Know Where You Are`?”
“She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.” – Proverbs 5:6

Go to any mall and there are normally signs that have a listing of all the mall’s stores along with a little “dot” saying, “You are here.” A comforting thought if you did not know at the time!
An airline pilot with poor eyesight managed to pass his annual vision exams by memorizing the eye charts beforehand. One year, though, his doctor used a new chart that the pilot had never seen. When he proceeded to recite the old chart, the doctor realized that he'd been suckered all these years. The doctor could not contain his curiosity. "How is it that someone with such poor eyesight can manage to fly a plane at all? For example, how do you taxi the plane out to the runway?" "Well," said the pilot, "it's really not very hard. I follow the instructions of the ground controller. Also, the landmarks have all become very familiar to me over the years."
"I can understand that," replied the doctor. "But what about take off?"
"Again, a simple procedure. I just aim the plane down the runway, go to full throttle, pull back on the stick, and off we go!"
"And once you're aloft?"
"Oh, everything's fully automated these days. The flight computer knows our destination, and all I have to do is hit the autopilot and the plane pretty much flies itself."
"But I still don't see how you land!" "Oh, that's the easiest part of all. All I do is use the airport's radio beacon to get us on the proper glide path. Then I just throttle down and wait for the co-pilot to scream loudly, then I pull the nose up, and the plane lands just fine!" Not sure if I want to travel with that pilot!! Sometimes a little humor makes what we do easier to take—but the reality of Solomon’s words needs to settle in and remind us how easily we can get off course. In truth, we are but passengers in this life and who we travel with will greatly determine if we make it to the right destination! Remember the purpose behind this verse. It has to do with preventing the reader (and more importantly the man/woman of God) from falling into the snare of the deceiver. If you follow the leading of the deceiver—expect the road to be filled with curves and detours—with the intent of getting you totally and completely lost.
Captain Greg Anderson was leading a company through the south of France after D-Day. The day before the Company Commander had been killed in action, leaving Anderson with the responsibility of directing 83 men through hostile territory. His orders were to connect with 101st Airborne toward Bastogne. With map in hand the company thought they were on the right road until they came to a blockade. They ran into a couple of other units with the same orders. However, they were at a standstill because there was some confusion regarding the route that they were to be taking. The maps showed they should be going one direction but road signs were showing a completely different route. Not only that, directing traffic at the roadblock was an MP, instructing traffic to take the route opposite of the map. Anderson felt checked about this and decided to go against the MP’s direction and take the direction on the map. What Anderson later discovered was that the MP was an English-speaking German and was directing these units into an ambush. Hundreds of soldiers were killed, wounded or captured. Anderson’s decision saved his unit from certain death and they would eventually meet up with the 101st and participate in the Battle of Bastogne, helping to bring World War II to its eventual end.
Do you know where you are going? There are a number of voices that will tell you which way to go—and if you are not confident in your belief you may be headed for an ambush. Know where you are going and what it takes to get there!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, April 23, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. - Proverbs 4:18(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
19 How abundant are the good things that you (O Lord) have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. - Psalm 31:19-20(New International Version).

A QUOTE
"The best of all is, God is with us!" - John Wesley (reported to be his final words).

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Love is a game that two can play and both can win. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 70 degrees and a low temperature of 39 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office. I took my nap in early afternoon with Smokey. I went outside and sat with the cats at 6:05 p.m. and stayed until 7:15 p.m. I took my binoculars that my three children got me last year for my birthday. I looked through the binoculars at some birds and some high flying planes that were leaving a vapor trail. I saw and heard the doves ( Eurasian Collared) making their unusual sounds. Later I heard the coo coo oo of a Mourning Dove. I read a couple of stories from the magazine "Angels On Earth". One story I read I just had to share with my readers so I sent it out to you a little earlier. Read it if you have the time. It is a true story about how angels visited a man and what a wonderful thing came from it. I have already heard from Alice and Mary Jo about the story and they both said it was wonderful. I love to get away from the television and computer and just sit out and listen to God and His wonderful world. I think it would help anyone to get out and sit on the patio, porch or in the yard and get away from the world and just commune with the animals and birds, enjoy the flowers and trees and the outside sounds for about an hour or more. It is relaxing to me. My dear wife's Iris have all faded away now but the large rose tree in the front yard that we set out when it was just a little bush is now covered with bright red roses - so oo beautiful. The large Catalpa tree in the back yard is now covered with white blooms. Let me hear from you and the things that are going on in your part of the world. I appreciate your e-mails and I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things.

The cats are fine. Emmy has been here on the desk talking to me and eating a little dry food. The cats have a different sounding meow and I can sure recognize Emmy's meow even if I don't see her. She just came back again to visit with me. Leo was here earlier and I always go give him some canned cat food. Little Girl is outside now but she will be back in a little while. Rascal is in the recliner. They all have been seen this evening.,br /> I will see you next time,
With Christian Love, Everett.