Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
May 31, 2012

“America’s New Debt”
Dear friend, if you've gone into hock with your neighbor or locked yourself into a deal with a stranger, If you've impulsively promised the shirt off your back and now find yourself shivering out in the cold, Friend, don't waste a minute, get yourself out of that mess. You're in that man's clutches! Go, put on a long face; act desperate. Don't procrastinate—there's no time to lose. Run like a deer from the hunter, fly like a bird from the trapper! – Proverbs 6:1-5 (The Message)

Americans have been reminded over and over in recent months about the mountain of debt that our government is preparing to pass on to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It is enormous. But there is another “debt” that few speak about. And it is not the first time it has been mentioned.
Years after the Armistice was signed in 1918 it was called, among other things, The Great War and even The War to End All Wars. How naïve. But it was indeed a massive undertaking. About 4.5 million Americans were mobilized. Of these, more than 320,000 were killed and wounded between 1914 and the signing of the Armistice. The First World War was history.
In preparation for the war, America’s peaceful resources were mobilized. One author wrote, “Over-night we exchanged the habiliments of peace for the panoply of war.” Millions of young men were persuaded to volunteer to be soldiers and sailors and marines. Hundreds of thousands were sent overseas to battle somebody else’s armies on soil that some of their distant ancestors may have plowed.
When the returning warriors came home, they were welcomed by cheering countrymen. America showed its pride in creative ways. Bands and orchestras played new compositions to honor our heroes. Gratitude was demonstrated in ways never before seen anywhere on the planet in such large numbers. The survivors of World War I were acclaimed as the “Saviors of Civilization.” Promises were made by our nation’s leaders that our brave fighting men and women would not be forgotten but would receive the best of everything America had to offer. Such promises were soon forgotten. Instead of being generous to those who gave their best in battle, our leaders were generous to our Allies overseas. Billions of dollars of Europe’s war debt was forgiven or cut in half. American industrialists that had amassed fortunes from war contracts demanded even more money from our government in entitlements, and their demands were honored.
Unfortunately, it was not true for those who fought “over there” and their families. How did our leaders compensate those who made Victory in Europe possible? What high honors were heaped upon those who served in the trenches and in the skies over Europe? Medals were given. Eventually, our military heroes received $60 apiece, with more promised. Payment for duty overseas amounted to $1.25 per day per person, and $1.00 per day was paid for domestic military service. And when were these payments made? Years after the Armistice was signed!
Commenting on the seriousness of the condition of America’s veterans of the First World War, Virgil Chapman—U.S. Representative and later U.S. Senator from Kentucky—wrote, “My friends, this obligation is a debt America can never pay in full, a sacred debt to those who risked their lives and sacrificed their health fifteen years ago, that liberty and democracy might survive. Oh, for an awakening to the sacredness of that obligation—a revival of the spirit of 1918.” (100 New Declamations, Babcock Co., Ft. Worth, 1932) Today, nearly 100 years after the launching of World War I, America has a new debt to pay. It is not to Wall Street officials or leaders in the banking and insurance industries. It is to American fighting men and women who currently serve our nation in places near and far, and to the families of those whose lives were lost in defense of defenseless people of other cultures. It is a debt that will never be completely paid. We should not need days like Veteran’s Day, Pearl Harbor Day, or now, 9/11, to be reminded of the fact that we still have a number of men and women who are putting their lives on the line—they continue to pay the price and we owe them a debt of love and gratitude!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. 9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:8-9(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. - Romans 13:10(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done. - Teresa of Avila -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The "Spirit of holiness" is the Spirit of Jesus: a spirit of humble service and sacrificial love. - From Reflecting God -
Those who would be young when they are old, must act old when they are young. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
We had thunderstorms last night but today has been partly cloudy. High temperature today was 88 degrees and low temperature was 63 degrees. June, Charley and I had lunch together today. June and I went by the post office and then by Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store. We sat outside for a few minutes before I took my nap. Little Girl took a nap with me today. While I napped, June went to Country Mart Store for some items. We watched the Billy Graham Classic Crusade at 6:00 p.m. Today's program was from Charlotte, North Carolina in 1958 so it was in black and white. Billy Graham was 39 years of age at that time. We sat out side with the cats after 7:00 p.m. We are supposed to have more thunderstorms later in the night. I appreciate your e-mails even though I haven't answered them except through the Good Things. You can rest assured that I read your e-mails as soon as I get on the computer. My back has been hurting some the past few days so I made an appointment for another injection in my back on next Wednesday, May 6.
The cats are fine. Rascal is lying on the desk by my computer where I can pet him occasionally. Little Girl is outside at present. I have seen all of the cats this evening. The family across the street are moving out so I have inherited Tony until further notice. You can rest assured that June and I will take care of him. He still spends a lot of time across the street at the empty house but he also spends a lot of time at our house.
I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, May 29, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul wrote) 18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Azariah said to Asa) 7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” - 2 Chronicless 15:7(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrement. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
People who are wrapped up in themselves make small packages. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
Stand outside this evening. Look at the stars. Know that you are special and loved by the One who created them. - From It's a Beautiful Life -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny and hot. High temperature was 93 degrees and I think that tied the record high temperature for this date. Low temperature today was 64 degrees. So much has happened since the last Good Things on Friday night, I will just have to hit the highlights. Today I had lunch with Charley, Bill, and my there children June, Ron and Treva. Treva and Ron left for home this afternoon around 12:45 p.m. I have heard from them and they made it home safe and sound. June and I sat outside with the cats this evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. I always appreciate your e-mails but have not had time to answer any of them the past three days. The next paragraph will be a summary of the past three days.
As you know, June arrived on Thursday afternoon around 5:00 p.m. Treva and Ron arrived together on Saturday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. We had a birthday supper Saturday night at the Rib Crib for Ron and June's brithdays. Ron's birthday was May 8 and June's will be July 19. On Sunday June, Ron, Treva and I went to Holdenville to decorate graves of Flonnie's mother and father and other relatives. A cousin, June Phillipo and two of her children, Dennis and Gina, from Sand Springs and Tulsa, Oklahoma, met us in Holdenville as they also have relatives buried there. On Monday, our grandaughter, Carissa, her husband, Sam, and two of their children arrived around noontime. About 20 minutes later our grandson, Chris, his wife, Nancy, and their four children arrived. Both of these families live in Yukon, Oklahoma. We had a wonderful lunch prepared by Treva and June. Later we went to Memory Gardens and placed flowers on my dear Flonnie's grave. My grandchildren, Chris and Carissa's other grandmother, Dorothy Glass, is also buried at Memory Gardens. We went to her grave also and placed flowers. The grandkids and famlies went home around 5:00 p.m. on Monday.
The cats are fine. They stayed outside most of the time while company was here. They stay outside a lot in the summer time since they have some nice shady bushes to sleep under. Little Girl and Rascal stayed inside a lot and slept with me at night. Treva also brought her beautiful loving bulldog, Libby.
I am still a little tired from all the activity but it was worth it. June will be with me for almost two more weeks.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, May 25, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. - Proverbs 29:22(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. - Ephesians 4:4-6(New King James Version).

A QUOTE,br /> A friend is important because they believe the best in us. - Dr. Steve Stephens -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
Positive thinking is the only way to produce positive results. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 89 degrees and a low temperature of 73 degrees. My daughter, June, made it here around 5:00 p.m. yesterday. She will be here for about two weeks. Charley and I attended a funeral this morning for a long time friend, Wayne "Curley" Hull at Pryor Cemetery near Stuart, Okahoma. We had known him for many years. He was 80 years of age. June, Charley and I had lunch at Taco Bob's around 11:45 a.m. June and I came by the post office and then home. I was tired and my back was hurting a little so I rested most of the afternoon with Little Girl. June and I sat out with the cats this evening for an hour or so. In all probability, the Good Things will be off for the next three days. They may resume next Tuesday. June spoils me when she is here by doing all my work plus anything else she can find to do. Ron and Treva will be here tomorrow and some of the grandkids will be here on Monday. On Sunday, June, Ron, Treva and I will go to Glory Cemetery near Holdenville to decorate my wife's mother and father's graves and some other relative's graves who are buried there. On Monday we will go to Memory Gardens to decorate my dear Flonnie's grave. My grandkids other grandmother is also buried there as well as Charley's wife, Clariece. Today is the 66th Wedding Anniversary of my dear Flonnie and me. I still miss her very, very much and tell her so every night. I am ready to go join her anytime the Lord is ready. I appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. June had not been here in a year but it didn't take long for the cats to take right up with her except Emmy. Leo is a little bit shy but is getting more friendly. Rascal was not a bit shy and was ready to greet June as soon as she came in.
I will see you next time (maybe Tuesday),
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
may 24, 2012

“How Did I Get into this Mess?”,br /> “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.” – Proverbs 6:1, 2

Solomon is dealing with a very interesting concept here—one that I am not entirely certain how to approach—but here is my attempt. One of the things I see in this is what happens when you get overcommitted.
Over-commitment is easy to let happen. Especially when you have a giving and caring spirit. You want to be the kind of person that helps when needed—to show others that you want to be that kind of individual. But at what point do you differentiate between being a giving, caring individual as opposed to being a martyr for the sake of being a martyr.
A “martyr” in this instance is the person who is willing to sacrifice more than themselves for that which may or may not have eternal rewards. If you are willing to sacrifice your family, your friends, your responsibilities for something less than for the sake of Christ, you are not being a martyr…you are seeking your own self-satisfaction. Jesus talked about going “the second mile.” “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV) It would be easy to surmise from this that we should always be willing to do whatever anyone asks of us at any time…right? I beg to differ. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be those times and instances where what is required of us means going the extra mile. I see this as the proverbial giving, 110%. I don’t want to just do enough to “get by,” or give a mediocre effort—I want to know that at the end of the day I have given my best effort(s) in every endeavor. I think what Jesus is saying to me in that passage from Matthew is that I will not let my enemies, those who use me before helping me, to get to me and prevent me from being my best for Christ. With all that said—I believe I can be Christ without making myself a martyr, and this is what I mean by that statement: There were a number of times in the life of Christ where He could have allowed Himself to be not only overused but destroyed by the demands placed upon Him. What we often forget is He was fully human, just as we are. He needed rest—food—water—and, get ready for this one…TIME TO PRAY!! There were a couple of instances where there were those who wanted to kill Him, literally. One of those instances was in His own home town, but when His critics attempted to silence Him…He simply walked away. He laid down His life…but he was certainly not a martyr.
When I was in my first Church, there were a couple of individuals in the town we were in that, let’s just say, knew how to manipulate and use the system to their benefit. One was an elderly woman who called constantly for assistance. She would call in the middle of the night needing a ride to a doctor’s appointment, or to go to the store. I was “notified” by a couple of the pastors in that town when I first arrived that she would probably call and sure enough, she did. Being the caring—giving servant I am I helped her only to realize that she was abusing my time and I finally had to put that to an end.
God needs servants!! There is no question in my mind that we are called to serve. And we are called to serve others as a part of our service to God. But is there a limit as to how far that servitude goes? If we are neglecting God-given responsibilities…the answer to that might just be, Yes!
Pastor J. T. Carnell