Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
June 19, 2012

“When at War…Be Prepared!”
“Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. – Proverbs 6:15

I was “briefly” in the Boy Scouts when I was in my youth. I do not remember a whole lot from experience with them but this one thing I do remember—their motto: “Be Prepared!” As the 4th of July creeps upon us…this illustration has some extra meaning and weight. Take a look. The American Revolution was over. The United States of America was finished. The Continental Army was all but finished in December 1776 as the British and their Hessian (German) mercenary allies settled in for a long winter rest. In those days, it was customary that armies rest and refit in the winter months in preparation for the campaign seasons of spring and summer. And the British were all about custom and tradition. No matter, thought the British. They saw little need to move directly against Washington's army and risk further casualties. The Continental Army was disintegrating. Unpaid, ill-equipped, cold, and hungry, soldiers in the Continental Army were deserting or walking away as soon as their enlistments expired. A few were even switching sides! In fact, at the civilian level, hundreds of American families were reaffirming their allegiance to King George III. It appeared that New York and New Jersey would be firmly back under King George's "protection" within just a few months. They had already humiliated the Continentals out of New York, inflicting heavy damage on Washington's army. There was no reason for the British to mess up their Christmas in 1776. Everything was going their way. On the American side, despair and hopelessness were the order of the day. The situation was worse than grim. The American cause was all but over. Except for one man, that is—a man who refused to give up. George Washington was the "Rocky" of the American Revolution. In spite of countless setbacks and up against incredible odds, Washington never threw in the towel. He never gave up. And his legendary perseverance was on full display in Christmas 1776.
On Christmas night 1776, General George Washington led the rag-tag Continental Army across the Delaware River to attack the Hessian outpost at Trenton, New Jersey. Two Continental Army soldiers froze to death on the long trek to Trenton after crossing the icy Delaware. Three of Washington's detached units never made it across the Delaware. When word reached him that the muskets were unlikely to fire due to the inclement weather, he told his officers to "use the bayonet." He was absolutely "resolved to take Trenton." Nothing would stand in his way! The morning of December 26, 1776, as the Hessians were rising for a new day, they were startled by an attack by Washington's forces on the town. Two Americans were wounded in the attack, including future President James Monroe. The Hessians suffered numerous casualties and most of the Hessian garrison was forced to surrender. Johann Raul, the Hessian commander, was mortally wounded before surrendering.
It was a brilliant victory for George Washington - and a tremendous morale boost for the Americans. Within a few days, Washington followed up his victory with another at Princeton, and then quartered his troops at Morristown. The British were forced to redeploy in a way that gave up most of New Jersey and limited their reach in New York. It was a masterful campaign that stabilized the American Revolution and made victory possible. Lesson learned…when at war, be prepared. And we are indeed at war. At war with an enemy that pursues us relentlessly and fearlessly. He knows our weaknesses and seeks to reduce our strengths. What Solomon has been saying over the past several verses is simple—always be ready. Whether it is in regards to your business…your family…or your faith…do not rest on your laurels and think you are safe. England was the most powerful army in the world and thought they could simply take it easy. But the upstart and determined Colonists had other ideas and changed the course of the war and history with this victory. Are you prepared for battle?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Monday, June 18, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! - Psalm 34:8(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” - Luke 17:20-21(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Only as we know we are lost can we realize our desparate need of grace. - George Lyons -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Go slowly to the entertainments of thy friends, but quickly to their misfortunes. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

Great mountains of happiness grow out of little hills of kindness. - From Reminisce Magazine -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
Maintain a healthy coat by rolling in dirt whenever possible. - From Cats Rule -
A cat doesn't stare Into empty space, She's watching angels Hover in place.... - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 90 degrees and a low temperature of 73 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office, then by Country Mart. I sat outside for about 5 minutes before I took my nap. I took my nap this afternoon with ole Smokey. A little after 4:00 p.m. I made a trip to Walmart for a few items. A little after 6:00 p.m. I went outside with the cats for about an hour. Thanks for your e-mails. I will send 3 pictures tonight.
The cats are fine. Rascal is on a desk close enough for me to pet him once in a while. Little Girl has been outside but is now inside eating a bite of canned food. I have seen all of the cats today including Lucy the stray.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
June 18, 2012

“Stirring the Pot”
“…who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict.” – Proverbs 6:14 (NIV)

Many of us have heard the phrase, “stirring the pot.” The origins of the phrase go back several centuries to England during a time when they were at war with France. It was said that a member of Parliament, when asked about rumors of renewing conflicts with the French simply replied, “I would rather people would simply allow conflicts of this nature to lay still rather than stirring the pot and bringing up to the surface.” Typically, when we hear this we know it has nothing to do with food per se, but with bringing up issues from the past that are better left in the past but for some reason or another, one person or the other cannot seem to let go. The following is a very good “definition” if you would like to call it that.

"Picture a pot of soup. A lot of ingredients have settled to the bottom, out of sight, until stirred. Metaphorically, a lot of issues/resentments/obligations can drop out of sight when nobody mentions them. One can "stir the pot" to bring issues to the surface, sometimes merely to create awareness and effect change. Deliberately provocative, yes, but not necessarily maliciously."

From what I gather from Solomon, especially throughout this entire passage—is to show caution when it comes to having much to do with individuals who do nothing but create trouble and live their lives in that fashion. There is also a danger in ourselves that we often face. Consider the following story that puts this into perspective: Eric Zorn writes in the Chicago Tribune of a tragic accident that shows the terrible power of anger and conflict. According to Zorn, a man and woman were driving a van in the far left lane of Chicago’s Northwest Tollway in April 1998. In back were their two children. A white Cadillac driven by an ex-convict suddenly pulled up behind them, tailgating mere inches from their bumper. The man driving the van slowed down. The Cadillac driver pulled into the right lane, passed the van, and then swerved suddenly back in front of the van, so suddenly that the van driver felt he had to swerve to avoid a collision. The white Cadillac sped away. The van driver accelerated and gave chase. He eventually pulled alongside the Cadillac and reportedly began yelling and screaming. According to witnesses, the two men gestured angrily at each other. The driver of the Cadillac then pulled a handgun and fired at the van. The bullet entered the side of the van and hit the baby girl, entering under her left ear and exiting above her right ear. The little girl lived, but she is blind in one eye, half-blind in the other, partially deaf, and suffers from constant headaches and other physical disabilities. The man who fired the bullet is in jail, and the father of the little girl must now live in a jail of constant regret for allowing his anger to get the best of him. Some conflict needs response. But there are times when things need to stay at the bottom of the pot and remain there in the best interest of everyone involved.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Sunday, June 17, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know." - John 14:1-4(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
A laugh lightens even the heaviest load. - Dr. Steve Stephens -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
The optimist can be wrong as often as the pessimist, but the optimist is much happier. - From Reminisce Magazine -
FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
There's always one more nap to take.
- From Cats Rule - At times things look better from your back. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny in McAlester, Oklahoma with a high temperature of 90 degrees and a low temperature of 71 degrees. I attended Worship services this morning. We had a good service. I had lunch at home. I rested this afternoon with a nap. I watched the Lawrence Welk program at 5:00 p.m. The program today was broadcast in 1964 and was in black and white but the music was outstanding. We didn't have church tonight so families could visit together on Father's Day. I fed the kitties their treats at 6:00 p.m. and sat out with them and read for over an hour. I hope all the dads had a good Father's Day. I heard from all my kids today even though they couldn't be with me. Always remember that I appreciate your e-mails and whether you e-mail or not I appreciate you reading the Good Things. As usual I will send 3 pictures tonight.
I heard from Jennifer. She said that she and Wesley had been with me from the beginning. They live in McAlester and are good Christian friends.
I will see you next time
, In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, June 16, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD,br /> 19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. - James 1:19-20(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Galatians 3:29(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. - C. S. Lewis -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A bore is one who doesn't go without saying. - From Reminisce Magazine -
If your head is wax, don't walk in the sun. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
If you buy something all cats are sure to like, your cat is sure not to like it. - From Cats Rule -
There's your way, my way, and the cat's way. In the long run, it's simplest to do it the cat's way. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
You received an earlier edition of Good Things with only the Scripture verses. I accidently hit the send bar. Today has been partly cloudy in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 85 degrees and a low temperature of 70 degrees. My housecleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. and cleaned my house while I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office and then to the cemetery. I took a nap this afternoon with Little Girl. I sat outside with the cats for about an hour and then I did a little tree trimming. If you are getting tired of the Good Things let me know and I will drop you off and I will certainly understand. I appreciate your e-mails and I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things. I will send three pictures tonight.
Leela and Steve (good Christian friends from McAlester) think they have been with me from the start. Stan (a church friend from McAlester) has been with me from the start.
The cats are fine. Rascal is lying on the desk near me where I can pet him once in a while. He likes to be petted. Little Girl is on a tv tray here in the den. I have seen all of the cats today.
Have a Wondeful Sunday!
I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.