Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, June 24, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 11 "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name." - Revelation 3:11-12(New International Version).
A QUOTE
We all need to be given hope when all seems dark. - Dr. Steve Stephens -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Believe that for every problem, God will provide a solution. - From Possibility Thinking -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
Always leave word for household mice to play while you're away. - From Cats Rule -
The higher the shelf the better the challenge. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny hot day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 97 degrees and a low temperature of 66 degrees. I didn't feel quite up to attending church today although I don't think I feel any worse than I did yesterday. I have rested inside in the cool all day. It is just too hot to stay outside for more than a few minutes, especially for older people such as me. It is even rough on young people to be outside in this hot weather. I put treats out in back for the cats at 6:00 p.m. but it was just too hot to sit out this evening. I always appreciate your e-mails. I will leave three pictures tonight. If you would like to be dropped from receiving the Good Things for any reason send me an e-mail and I will certainly understand.

The cats are fine. They like to stay outside but always in the shade. Tony has been here in the den a lot today. I had to give him some attention this morning. He is becoming more accustomed to this place.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, June 22, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
18 But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. - Psalm 9:18(New Living Translation).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:5-8(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
You can be calm and at peace in the midst of persecution as long as you are in the will of God, but you can be miserable and defeated in the midst of acclaim if you are out of His will. - Billy Graham -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
May you wake each day with God's blessings and sleep each night in His keeping. And as you grow older, may you always walk in His tender care. - From Home is Where The Heart Is -
No one knows the weight of another's burden. - From Proverbs for Daily Living.

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
Whenever possible, walk upon the keyboard of a home computer. It's good luck. - From Cats Rule -
Immediatly investigate any human object not found in its "normal" place, or any object moved from one location to another. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
It has been a hot day and the sweat just rolls off of me when it is hot. High temperature today was 93 degrees and the low temperature was 70 degrees. I have felt a little bad again today, with aches in different parts of my body, mainly my back. I didn't go out for lunch today but Charley brought me some lunch. He thought that I needed a hot lunch. At around 4:30 p.m. I just had to make a trip to the Petsense store and Walmart to get cat food and other supplies. It made my back hurt a little more. I sat out with the cats for about 30 minutes. I took a pain pill when I came inside and I almost didn't do the Good Things because my back hurt until about 8:30 p.m. and then it eased down so I could do the Good Things although I started them a little late. I keep thinking that maybe I should stop the Good Things but I know there are a few people who look for them every night so I just can't seem to stop them. I will try to send three pictures tonight.
The cats are fine. Rascal has been here with me on the desk near the computer but he just left.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett

Good Things

by E. Chrisrian, McAlester, ok
Thursday, June 21, 2012
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. - Proverbs 1:10(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
1 Praise the Lord!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. - Psalm 106:1(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Frequently remind yourself that God is with you, that He will never fail you, that you can count upon Him. Say these words, "God is with me, helping me." - Norman Vincent Peale -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy. - From Home is Where The Heart Is -
'Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them - From Proverbs For Daily Living -

NOTES
I will skip the fun thoughts for cats tonight since I am still feeling a little rough. I didn't go out for lunch today. I did go to the post office around 2:30 p.m. Much of the rest of the day I have been in bed. It is days like this that I really miss my dear Flonnie. Little Girl and Smokey were with me part of the time. Thanks to those who sent me e-mails. I will try to send 3 pictures tonight.
The cats are fine. Rascal is on the desk close to me.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
June 20, 2012

“If you are Going to Hate…Do it Right”
“Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion…” – Proverbs 6:16 (MSG)

In this verse and the verses to follow, we see Solomon going from describing what happens when a person is lazy and unproductive—to the consummate theologian. In a way, he is taking on the role of a preacher and describing God’s attitude toward not a person, but the evil and destructive things that people do. There is a big difference between the two and something we must all keep in perspective as we deal with the same in our lives. To fully understand and appreciate what this verse is saying and how we need to apply it to our lives, we need to compare it to the words we find from the Apostle John. In one of his letters to the Church, he writes:
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1st John 2:15-17 (NIV)

Later, in chapter four we read these words:
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made Complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are Like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” – 4:16-21

Just over a year ago the city of McAlester became a target of the Westboro Baptist Church. This is the group that protests the funerals of military personnel who are killed in the line of duty. They have now expanded their “protests” to include those who have died in accidents and I understand they were also present at the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, the former wife of Senator and former presidential candidate, John Edwards. From what I can determine, the basis for their protests and their doctrinal statement comes from a passage in the book of Leviticus. The verse describes why God wanted the Israelites to not only enter the land of Canaan, but to also eliminate its inhabitants:,br /> “‘Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.” – Leviticus 20:22-23 (NIV)

When you read the signs these people display, many of them state, “God hates fags.” One of the customs of the nations God told Israel to drive out was that of homosexuality, thus the reason for the banners and signs. However, these nations also practiced human sacrifice, they worshiped idols, they were cruel and ruthless toward slaves or captives along with a number of other issues. ,br /> The reason why I mention these things is what God says first in Leviticus, and then in 1st John. First, God condemned the customs, meaning their actions. He said to “God’s people,” do not live like that. God did not hate the people—it was their customs, practices and lifestyles that injured lives and destroyed families.
When John writes that, “God is love,” it describes His true and unchanging nature. God does not, and cannot hate people, because we are His most precious creation. What He hates are the things and practices that lead them into the path of their own destruction. If you do not think that is the case, take a look at these words from the book of Ezekiel:
“…I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” – Leviticus 18:32,br />,br /> If we are to “hate,” then hate that which destroys, not the person. Hate is what makes a person evil, destructive, unrighteous.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
4 “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath." - Psalm 39:4-5(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
13 He (God) has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
Our life is full of brokenness-broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's faithful presence in our lives? - Henri Noewen -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Friends are the flowers in the garden of life. - Author Unknown
- Knowledge is the train; wisdom is the engine that pulls it. - From Reminisce Magazine -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
Find the highest perch and sit there. - From Cats Rule -
An open book or spread-out papers are a human's invitation for you to plop down onto the middle of them. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today was cloudy until around noon and then partly cloudy the rest of the day. High temperature today was 89 degrees and the low temperature was 73 degrees. Had lunch with Charley and Bill, then to the post office. At 1:00 p.m. Cordell's Pest Control did the annual spraying around the outside of my house for termites and bugs. My neighbor mowed my front and back lawns today. I did a little tree trimming out by a stop sign that was partially blocking the view of oncoming cars. It was just a few minutes, June, and it didn't hurt my back much. I sat outside with the cats for about an hour and read this evening. I sure do appreciate your e-mails. I will send 3 pictures tonight.
The cats are fine. At present Little Girl is outside and Rascal is in the recliner. Leo just got on the desk and meowed so I had to go show him that canned cat food was already out for him. I have seen all of the cats today including Lucy the stray. When I say I have seen all of the cats it now includes Tony who is now my cat. I told Tony's previous owner that if she ever got to a place where she could have cats then she could have Tony again.
I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.