Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
May 21, 2012

“Traps and Snares”
“The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.” – Proverbs 5:22,br />
A man phoned his wife from the office and said that he and some of his office buddies were going on a weekend fishing trip. The truth was that he was having an affair with his secretary and used this as an excuse. "Be sure to pack my new pajamas," he told his wife.,br /> When he returned on Sunday night he complained to her, "Why didn't you pack my new pajamas like I asked you to?" "I did!" his wife said with a glare. "I put them in your tackle box!" Oops! King David learned that hard as we may try there is no way possible that we can cover up entirely, our transgressions.
Throughout history this very thing has played out time and again with people from every walk of life—culture—social class and yes, even those in some of the highest offices of state and church. Most of those reading this know the saying; “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That quote comes from John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton, commonly known as “Lord Acton.” An English historian whose observations were primarily aimed at the role of leaders of government but also observed the role of religion and the church within the context of leadership. That quote from above comes from a much larger thought and one that reminds us how quickly even the best of men and women are trapped and then reduced to rubble. The following is the entire quote:

“I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favorable presumption that they did not wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way against holders of power, increasing as the power increases. Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority.”

Acton understood what has been the premise for centuries—mankind is prone to all forms of pitfalls and most of them are bound in either arrogance or a lack of the knowledge of the power, grace and mercy of God.
A statement of Jesus to a woman caught in one of these snares is a great reminder of this. “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10),br /> Again, had Solomon followed his own advice he would not have been caught in the same snare that countless others have—and if he had not perhaps we would not be having this particular conversation today.
Look out for the snares that are out there and do not allow arrogance or (spiritual) ignorance the opportunity to defeat you.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, May 20, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - 1 Timothy 5:8(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. - Isaiah 32:17(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Every time we pray the Lord's Prayer, there is reason to go and stand at the window of expectation. - G. C. Berkouwer -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Only love can make a house a home. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 77 degrees and a low temperature of 66 degrees. We had a few light sprinkles of rain early this morning. I attended Worship Services this morning. We had another wonderful service. The title of Pastor J. T.'s sermon was "Learning to Pray." I had lunch at home. I sat outside for a few minutes before I took my afternoon nap. Emmy napped with me today. I sat outside with the cats for a few minutes at 4:30 p.m. I watched the Lawrence Welk show from 5:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. and then I left for the evening church service. Tonight was Missionary night at our church where we learn more about out missionaries. After I came home from church I sat outside a few more minutes with the cats. That just about covers my day's activities. Two years ago today as I was sitting in the back yard my dear Flonnie came walking down the street dressed neatly in a light green pant suit with beautiful shoes to match. She was young again, her hair was fixed the way she sometimes wore it before we were married and was blond again. She waved to me and smiled. The Lord didn't permit me to recognize her at that time but that night the assurance came to me that she was my dear Flonnie. There is absolutly no doubt in my mind that it was my dear Flonnie.
I received a couple of e-mails this afternoon that I would like to share with you at the end of the Good Things. The first one is from my church friend, Debra. She mentions the ducks that came near Flonnie's gravesite yesterday and thought that God may have sent them at that time. I agree with Debra that God sent them as I didn't see them until they were very near. They were a male and a female and I feel that God was letting me know that I will be joining my Flonnie again in Heaven. Then I didn't notice which way the ducks went and I couldn't see them anywhere after that.
The other e-mail is from my e-mail friend, Michelle, in California. Her e-mail is about cancer and I am glad to share it with my e-mail friends.
The cats are fine. Little Girl on the sofa and Rascal in the recliner. I have seen them all this evening including Lucy and Tony.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett. ********************************* Here is Debra's letter:
Good Afternoon, Everett:)
Was another blessed day of worship, and relaxing before we go back to the Mission Service tonight. Curt is actually napping with Jasper - he thought Jasper needed a nap but I think it was Curt wanting the nap :)
Thank You for sharing the info from the book of Kings, as I had that "story" on my mind and couldn't remember where I had read that. Appreciate you getting back so quickly with me and I took the time then to read that. There are some days, when the Lord just put a certain "message" in your heart and that was on my mind that day.
I enjoyed reading the Good Things last evening and was touched by the ducks you had seen at Memory Gardens - God's love is all around us and some may take that as just 2 ducks - but we never know the "message" that God is to share with us and I believe that was God's way of giving you peace while at the cemetary - a place of calmness and tranquility for many of us. Letting you know that all things are possible with God - the love and friendship we see among animals, brings us to wonder why people can't share more of that among ourselves. We will have to watch for them, when we go to visit the gravesite of Jacob, this week. Memory Gardens is filled with so many of the wonders of the memories shared by the families that visit there.
Hope to see you at services tonight and anxiously await the continuing of the Good Things.
Love and Appreciate You,
Debra ***************************************** Here is Michelle's letter:
Everett,
I have something to relate about the email you sent me with the beautiful photo and the request for prayers for people with cancer. I sent it to one person, Angela. Then I asked her if she had any specific prayer requests. She replied that her sister is battling breast cancer and wanted prayer about that. Right now so many people are battling cancer - this tragic, insidious disease - and I get the feeling that God is directing my prayer focus (not all of it, since there is so many people and critical issues that need prayer) towards those with cancer and their family and friends.
So, I wanted to find some verses on healing - there are so many - and did a search on BibleGateway.com - an excellent resource. Here are two verses I found, both in Jeremiah. First, Jer :8:14, "We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there was only terror..." And the second one, Jer. 30:17 "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord, "because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares..." Isn't our Lord amazing that even though He allows a time of sadness and tragedy in our lives, but He doesn't leave us there and brings us to a place of healing and peace. It may be physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually - or a combination of any of these.
Just had to get these thoughts down and share with you.
Michelle

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, May 19, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. - Psalm 32:10(New King James Version)
,br /> GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
1 Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. - Zechariah 10:1(New International Version).

A QUOTE
When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence. - George Washington, First president of the United States -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Beware of the half-truth; you may have gotten hold of the wrong half. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Many have quarreled about religion, that never practiced it. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 86 degrees and a low temperature of 65 degrees. I had lunch by myself today as Charley and Bill were involved in other things. I went by the post office to pick up my mail. I went to the cemetery before I came home. While at the cemetery I noticed a couple of ducks coming toward me. I knelt on the ground and they came within 5 or 6 feet of me but I didn't have any kernals of corn to feed them. I don't remember seeing these two ducks before. Since I didn't have any feed for them they started feeding in the grass. I stayed no more than 3 or 4 minutes more and got in my van to go. I looked for the ducks but they were nowhere to be seen. I drove a ways and turned around and came back to see if I could see them but they had disappered. There was no place for them to hide at the place where they were so I don't know what happened to them. I sat outside for a few minutes before I took my nap. I napped without a cat this afternoon. At 4:00 p.m. I went to Country Mart store for a few items. I had a few coupons to get doubled. I sat outside with the cats from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. I appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Beau had to lie in my lap for a few minutes while I was outside reading even though there was an empty chair beside me. Little Girl is on the sofa now. Rascal was just here but went back outside. Tony was here a few minutes ago. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday,
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, May 18, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD,br /> 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. - Romans 6:12-13(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:22-23(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Only in a totally God-dependent relationship can we be protected from the power of temptation. - Morris A. Weigelt -
,br /> THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Envy shoots at others, and wounds herself. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
To better the future, know the past. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma with a high temperature of 86 degrees and a low temperature of 63 degrees. I had lunch with Charley, Bill and Pastor J. T. Carnell. Immediately after lunch, Charley and I got in my van and drove to Stuart, Oklahoma, 20 miles west of McAlester. We picked up our brother, Abe, at Stuart and then drove about 8 miles south to the little community cemetery of Bohannon. We put flowers on the graves of our father and mother, sister Dessie, brother Jim, aunt Gurtha, uncle Abe Williams, cousins Bill, Ida Mae and Miranda, second cousin Baby Williams, great nephew Scott and his wife Ann and Ann's first husband Dot. We three brothers sat on a bench at the cemetery and visited for about 30 minutes remembering the time when we lived in that community and farmed, attended church and elementary school. The church house is still there but church is not held there now. The school house has long been gone. We then took Abe by his home and came back to McAlester. I went by the post office and picked up my mail and arrived back home a little after 3:00 p.m. I was tired by then so I lay down for my nap with Emmy. I got up at 5:00 p.m. and then sat outside with the cats from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. My neighbor mowed my front and back lawns today. I do appreciate your e-mails and I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is the only one in the den at present. I have seen them all this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
May 18, 2012

“Under the Microscope”
“For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.” – Proverbs 5:21

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”. – 2nd Chronicles 16:9

Chapter five of Proverbs, the last several verses in particular, have been dealing specifically with taking care of matters at home—the realization that what we have there is far more precious than anything else this world has to offer. Verse 21 now takes us to a new level without really leaving the previous thoughts.
Since God designed the most precious of all relationships—marriage—it only stands to reason He would do everything to protect that—and us from making very crucial mistakes. It is good to know that He is with us to protect us—sometimes even from ourselves.
Doris Akers wrote the words and music. Elvis made it a hit. It was written as a prayer, and it is a prayer that never grows old. The words were taken from Psalm 31:3—“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” Here are the original lyrics:

I am weak and I need Thy strength and power, To help me over my weakest hour.
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see, Lead me, Oh Lord, lead me.

Help me tread in the paths of righteousness. Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in Thee: Lead me, Oh Lord, lead me.

I am lost if you take your hand from me, I am blind without Thy light to see.
Lord just always to me thy servant be, Lead me, Oh Lord, lead me.

Dr. Paul Tournier, a famous Swiss physician and counselor of the Twentieth Century, observed that God’s guidance in our lives may not always be recognized at the moment, but it is there none-the-less. He said, “He leads us step by step, from event to event. Only afterwards, as we look back over the way we have come and reconsider certain important moments in our lives in the light of all that has followed them, or when we survey the whole progress of our lives, do we experience the feeling of having been led without knowing it, the feeling that God has mysteriously guided us.” Chapter 28 of Genesis tells the story of Jacob’s flight from Esau. Jacob’s brother had sworn to kill him because he had tricked Esau into giving up his birthright and their father’s blessing. On the first night away from home Jacob had a dream—a revelation from God. The next morning, when Jacob awakened from his restless sleep, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, but I was not aware of it.”
Luke, the gospel-writer, tells the story of two followers of Jesus who were en route from Jerusalem to Emmaus, reflecting on the events of the day that Jesus was resurrected from the dead (Luke 24:13-32). A “stranger” joined them on their journey, and he asked the men what they had been discussing when he joined them. At first the men did not recognize that the stranger was the risen Christ. Later they asked, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Posted to Religious by Que Clingerman @ 2:42 pm EDT

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