Que's Occasional Views

by Quentin Clingerman, Calabash, NC
April 23, 2012

Chuck Colson (1931-2012)

Saturday, April 21, Chuck Colson, Founder of Prison Fellowship, died after a lengthy illness. He was a prophet for our age. He not only founded and established Prison Fellowship which has ministry in a number of countries and will continue as an ongoing legacy but has been influential in prison reform. He also was a radio commentator on the Culture. As well, an author and speaker on contemporary moral and ethical issues. He established a national conference on morals and ethics with discussions by notable Christian church and lay leaders. His legacy is strong and should continue to influence the movement of a strong Christian witness to broader America. May God continue to bless the work He began through his servant, Chuck Colson.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, April 22, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” - Mark 9:23(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer - His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable. - John Newton -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effects. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 71 degrees and a low temperature of 47 degrees. I attended Worship Services this morning. We had another wonderful service. Morris Moore and wife, Sue, were visiting in our service. I have known them a long time. They were originally from this part of Oklahoma but now live in Moore, Oklahoma. I had lunch at home. I sat outside for a few minutes after lunch. I took my nap this afternoon with Rascal and Smokey. Rascal usually doesn't sleep with me in the daytime but he does sleep with me most every night. Our church services were dimissed tonight since Pastor J. T., Dianne and others were going to attend our District Assembly which started tonight in Bethany, Oklahoma. I watched the Lawrence Welk program from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The program tonight was televised in 1980 and was the 25th Anniversary of the Lawrence Welk program on television. It was another very good program. I sat out with the cats from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Springtime is a very good time to sit outside. Sometimes the weather is just perfect as it was this evening. I had another e-mail from a person who definitely wanted the notes to stay on the Good Things. I talked with my daughter, June, last night and I talked with my daughter, Treva, yesterday and the day before. I talked with my son, Ron, one night this week. They will all be here to visit the latter part of the month of May.
The cats are fine. The Mocking Bird really gets after my tortiseshell cat named Friendly. It seems that Friendly is the only cat that the bird bothers. This evening while I was sitting outside, Friendly climbed one of the trees in my yard and went up about 25 or 30 feet trying to get near the Mocking Bird but the bird always manages to stay away from Friendly. Itty Bitty sat in my lap for a few minutes while outside this evening. Little Girl and Rascal just now came in from outside. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I will see you next time,
With Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, April 21, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” - Luke 11:13(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
We are not meant to be seen as God's perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary lives exhibiting the miracle of His grace. - Oswald Chambers -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Light is the task where many share the toil. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 71 degrees and a low temperature of 41 degrees. My housecleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. and cleaned my house while I went to lunch with Charley and Bill. I went by the post office and the cemetery before I came home. I took my nap this afternoon and when I awakened there were three cats napping with me, Beau, Rascal and Smokey. A little after 4:00 p.m. I made a trip to Country Mart for a few items. I sat outside with the cats from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. reading and observing cats, birds and anything else that came in sight such as cars going down the street and a retired couple walking down the street. I had e-mails from seven people who definitly want the notes and I appreciate your e-mails. I will list their names if anyone would like to know. You are very kind to this old man. As I always say, I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things. God is keeping me here for something and maybe the Good Things is one of the reasons.
The cats are fine. Emmy was here a little while ago and let me know she wanted outside by getting on the desk, looking at me and meowing. Leo was here and he usually wants canned food when he comes around so I put out a little canned food for him. Little Girl is on the sofa and Rascal is in the recliner. I have seen all of them this evening.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday,
I will see you next time,
With Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, April 20, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. - Proverbs 15:2(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. - Romans 11:22(New International Version).

A QUOTE
A true faith in Jesus Christ will not suffer us to be idle. No, it is an active, lively, restless principle; it fills the heart so it cannot be easy till it is doing something for Jesus Christ. - George Whitefield -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Life is a continuous process of getting used to things we hadn't expected. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
We had several thunderstorms beginning shortly after midnight last night. The rain had stopped by the time I got up this morning but the cloudy skies remained throughout the day. High temperature today was 66 degrees with a low temperature of 53 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I took a nap in early afternoon with Smokey. At around 3:15 p.m. I went to the Petsense store and Walmart to buy my weekly supply of cat food and other items. I sat outside with the cats this evening from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. It was a little cool outside this evening. I heard some of the old hymns and Gospel songs tonight on television from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. I thought that I would leave the words to one of them at the end of the Good Things titled "Room At The Cross For You."

Sometimes I wonder if I should send out two editions of the Good Things, one with notes and one without notes. I am not sure that everyone likes to hear about my activities every day. If anyone would like the Good Things without the notes let me know and I will send them to you without the notes. If anyone would like to be dropped from the Good Things, let me know.
The cats are fine. Rascal is lying on the desk by my computer. Anytime he is not sleeping he usually checks on me pretty often. When I am watching television he usually comes in and lies in my lap for a few minutes and then he will get in the floor and lie on his back. Little Girl is outside at present but she will be back in soon. She doesn't stay out long at a time. All of the cats have been seen this evening.
I will see you next time,
With Christian Love, Everett.
*********************
Here is the song, sing it if you know the melody.
ROOM AT THE CROSS FOR YOU
(Ira F. Stanphill) (1946)
Recorded by:
The Cathedrals; Randy Travis.

The cross upon which Jesus died, Is a shelter in which we can hide; And its grace so free is sufficient for me, And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea

There's room at the cross for you, There's room at the cross for you, Tho millions have come, There's still room for one Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

Tho millions have found Him a friend, And have turned from the sins they have sinned, The Savior still waits to open the gates And welcomes a sinner before it's too late.

There's room at the cross for you, There's room at the cross for you, Tho millions have come, There's still room for one Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

The hand of my Savior is strong, And the love of my Savior is long; Through sunshine or rain, through loss or in gain, The blood flows from Calvary to cleanse every stain.

There's room at the cross for you, There's room at the cross for you, Tho millions have come, There's still room for one Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
April 20, 2012

“Are you Following or Being Driven?”
“The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won't be long before she's gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart.” – She’s dancing down the primrose path to death; she’s headed straight for hell and taking you with her.” - Proverbs 5:3-5 (The Message)

A tour group was being led through the countryside of Israel. The tour guide was explaining to the group that the primary industry in that part of the country was “shepherding.” As he was explaining to them the particulars he made note of the fact that; “…you can always spot a shepherd because the sheep will following him.” They continued on for a while when the group came upon a man with a herd of sheep—but instead of the sheep following him he was “driving” them from behind.
This puzzled the tour guide greatly so he immediately went up to the man leading the sheep and said, “Excuse me. It is my understanding that the shepherd ‘leads’ the sheep, not drive them as you are doing.” The man responded; “You are correct. A shepherd is supposed to lead his sheep. However, I am not the shepherd. I am the butcher.” Those who listen to and are lured in by words of the “adulteress” are led down a road that has only one destination…destruction. And as the illustration so vividly points out the difference is whether we are being driven by the enemy or whether we are following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
One of my favorite books, a devotional actually, is the classic, “My Utmost for His Highest,” by Oswald Chambers. In one of his daily devotions he writes: “There are times in our spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not to say that we should not be confused. It is not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through this spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God truly wants for you.”
Sound confusing? Imagine Abram’s confusion when God tells him to go to a place that He would tell him. He had no idea really where he was going but in the end God truly provided the land. Noah’s journey was the same, asked to build something he had never seen and take on a task that was beyond him, yet God led him through step by step. Our Country, State and Church are a vital part of our lives, and the process by which God leads is not always a simple one to understand. Why so many had to die for no immediate reason is beyond our ability to grasp, but we know that God can take this tragedy and change it into Glory! But we must let Him lead us through the confusion before we can see His hand “in the fog.” Is He truly in charge of your fear and anxiety?
Following God’s lead may seem difficult. It may also at times seem impossible—illogical and irrational. But He knows the way much better than we do. Conversely, being driven by the one who seeks to destroy us is not a better option. Do not listen to the seductions or get caught in his web.
Pastor J. T. Carnell