Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
8 Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 11 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. - 1 Chronicles 16:8-11(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God" - John 11:40(New International Version).

A QUOTE
I went out walking with my Lord. I went walking, cares in hand. He took my cares, made them His own. Sent me home with empty hands. I went walking, full of doubt. He took my doubts and made things clear. Now I walk with not a fear. - D. A. Cathcart -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Faith is the force that sets you free to succeed. - From Possibility Thinking - Keep hope alive by tapping into the limitless power of prayer. - From Possibility Thinking -
FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
The key, you see, to a cat's locality is to search first in the place of least accessibility. - From Cats Rule - It's easier to run up a telephone pole than it is to run down a telephone pole. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 97 degrees. That broke the record for the hottest it has ever been on this date in McAlester, Oklahoma, since records have been kept. The previous highest temperature for this date was 96 degrees in 1954. Low Temperature today was 75 degrees. Charley had other plans today so we didn't eat at Taco Bob's Fiesta Grill. I ate at the Meeting Place since I had not been there in a while. After lunch I went by the post office, then to the Petsense Store, then to a Dollar General Store, then to Braum's and then home. My afternoon nap was a little late today. Emmy and Tony napped with me today. I took treats our for the cats at 6:15 p.m. and sat and read for almost an hour. There was a cool breeze blowing from the south direction which made it pleasant to sit out. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Burlene, my granddaughter Carissa, my cousin Gina, Debra, Geneva and Alice. I always appreciate those e-mails and I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things. I still call my daughter, Treva, in the morning and my daughter, June, in the evening. They are both doing fine at present. I usually call my son on Sunday night but I missed him last Sunday night. He gets the Good Things every day. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them today. None are in the den with me at present. We have a large cedar tree in our yard with real thick foliage. Tony likes to climb up in that cedar tree and hide and rest. I hope everyone has a nice Wednesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(David said) 23 "But now that he (his child) is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” - 2 Samuel 12:23(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:6-9(New International Version).

A QUOTE
God is our joy when our hearts are grieved. - Sherirose Shepherd -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
If God believes in you - you can too! - From Possibility Thinking - The old person who is loved is a winter with flowers. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
No matter the law, rule, custom, or authority a cat will do as he or she pleases. - From Cats Rule - The windowsill with the best sun at any moment in time is the recommended one to occupy. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 93 degrees and a low of 66 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill then came by the post office to pick up my mail. I took a nap this afternoon with Emmy. I went back out at 4:00 p.m. to mail a letter. I went to the back yard at 6:25 and sat with the cats and read for over 30 minutes. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Debra, Burlene, Geneva, Margaret and Alice. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things.
The cats are fine. I have seen all of them today. Little Girl is in the recliner. Every morning when I get up I turn on the coffee pot. During the warm months most of the cats stay outside after I go to bed except Rascal and he sleeps with me. Sometimes Itty Bitty will stay inside until almost morning and then want outside. After I turn on my coffee pot in the morning I step out on the back porch and call the cats to come in for their canned food. I don't say "kitty, kitty, kitty." I call out " Come on Babies" and here they come some running, some walking. If one is missing I will call their name like "Come on Friendly" or "Come on Smokey", etc. They know their names. Have a nice Tuesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Will You Stand?”
“Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart. Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion. They'll be with you to fend off the Temptress— that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress.” – Proverbs 7:1-5 (MSG)

A woman bought a parrot to keep her company but returned it the next day. "This bird doesn't talk," she told the owner. "Does he have a mirror in his cage?" he asked. "Parrots love mirrors. They see their reflection and start a conversation." The woman bought a mirror and left. The next day, she was back; the bird still wasn't talking. "How about a ladder? Parrots love ladders. A happy parrot is a talkative parrot." The woman bought a ladder and left. But the next day, she was back. "Does your parrot have a swing? No? Well, that's the problem. Once he starts swinging, he'll talk up a storm." The woman reluctantly bought a swing and left. When she walked into the store the next day she was sad and downcast. "The parrot died," she said. The pet store owner was shocked! "I'm so sorry. Tell me, did he ever say a word?" he asked. "Yes, right before he died," the woman replied. "In a weak voice he asked me, 'Don't they sell any food at that pet store?'" The moral of the story is to always make sure to keep the main thing the main thing! From the very beginning of the book of Proverbs this has been the theme—there is nothing as important as the Word and the Commands of God. Any attempt to skirt around that issue will end in failure—just ask the parrot. O, you can’t…he’s dead. It makes you wonder how many through the centuries have fallen prey to the “seductress,” that voice of persuasion that has lured even the noblest of individuals.

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” – Revelation 19:1, 2

Maybe the question to ask is, “How strong are you when it comes to your faith?” Are you easily persuaded to follow the voice that is the loudest? I came across the following illustration some years ago. I cannot validate its authenticity but I ask the question…what if? What if our faith was challenged? What would you do? Would you stand…or be persuaded to sit back? There was a professor of philosophy there who was a deeply committed atheist. His primary goal for one required class was to spend the entire semester attempting to prove that God couldn't exist. His students were always afraid to argue with him because of his impeccable logic. For twenty years, he had taught this class and no one had ever had the courage to go against him. Sure, some had argued in class at times, but no one had ever really gone against him because of his reputation. At the end of every semester on the last day, he would say to his class of 300 students, "If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!" In twenty years, no one had ever stood up. They knew what he was going to do next. He would say, "Because anyone who believes in God is a fool. If God existed, he could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the floor and breaking. Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can't do it." And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor of the classroom and it would shatter into several pieces. All of the students would do nothing but stop and stare. Most of the students thought that God couldn't exist.
Certainly, a number of Christians had slipped through, but for twenty years, they too, had been to afraid to stand up. Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened to enroll. He was Christian, and had heard the stories about his professor. He was required to take the class for his major and he was afraid. But for three months that semester, he prayed every morning that he would have the courage to stand up no matter what the professor said, or what the class thought. Nothing they said could ever shatter his faith...he hoped. Finally, the day came. The professor said, "If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!" The professor and the class of 300 people looked at him, shocked, as he stood up at the back of the classroom. The professor shouted, "You FOOL!!! If God existed, he would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hits the ground!" He proceeded to drop the chalk, but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, onto the pleat of his pants, down his leg and off his shoe. As it hit the floor, it simply rolled away unbroken. The professor's jaw dropped as he stared at the chalk. He looked up at the young man and then he ran out of the lecture hall. The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front of room and shared his faith in Jesus for the next half hour. Three hundred students stayed and listened as he told of God's love for them and of His power through Jesus. Whose voice is louder in your life? Whose power of persuasion is stronger? That is the voice we will drawn to. My hope and prayer is that it is the voice of wisdom and life.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Is God a Companion or an Acquaintance?”

“By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12 (MSG

Language is a funny thing—and when you consider what a great and wonderful gift we have been given by God to be able to communicate, be it verbally or through literature, it never ceases to amaze me how we continue to mis-communicate! One of the things that I have discovered in my studies of the Word, is the problem we can have with words. Words that we think we know and understand but in truth, fall flat when put to the test. One of those is found in the text above and it is the word companion. Look how the various “versions” interpret this verse. The NIV uses “relative.” The New American Standard and The Amplified Bible translate it as, “intimate friend.” The New King James uses the word(s), “nearest kin.” And the New Living Translation says, “…make insight a beloved member of your family.”
So given the number of very good choices, why “companion” as the best word or interpretation here? Maybe it is not so much as what the Proverb says as it is to add what the “Teacher” says in the book Ecclesiastes. “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst.” Take a few minutes to really think that through and you will understand the power behind that statement!
The word companion (or friend) in our language is not a strong one. In fact, even the word friend in our language can be mis-used and misunderstood. For example, in many parts of the world a person we would consider a friend would be thought of only as a mere acquaintance. Someone we know of but maybe do not know much about whereas a “friend” would be someone who is as close as if not closer than a brother or sister. Consider the companionship (friendship) that existed between David and Jonathan. They were in every sense of the word, “best friends.”

“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.” – 1st Samuel 18:1-3 (NIV)

Jonathan was the oldest son of king Saul and first in line to assume the role as the next king of Israel. There is only one problem—because of Saul’s arrogance and disobedience God had rejected Saul and had Samuel the prophet anoint David as the next king—something that was not lost on Jonathan. And yet despite this fact, he was willing to give up his future as the king in order to protect David from his father. That is what I would call the true definition of companionship. So, here is the question of the day: “Is God a companion, or a mere acquaintance?” We know He cares about us—He gave His Son so that we might have eternal life. Are we giving anything back to Him? Would we sacrifice for God as much as Jonathan did for David? An acquaintance only knows a person by name. A companion cares about who that person is and is willing to go the extra mile with them if necessary. An acquaintance will use someone’s name only as a point of reference and often to boost their own self-significance. A Companion will protect that person’s name and reputation at all costs. An acquaintance’s loyalty will only be as strong and enduring as the situation calls for. If fortune turns sour the chance of the relationship being severed greatly increases. Not so for one who is a companion. A Companion’s loyalty is a lasting bond! Finally, the biggest difference between an acquaintance and a companion: It comes down to “investment.” If you do not have much invested into something (or someone) how deep will your loyalty be? God invested everything into us!! How much are we willing to invest back?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. - Psalm 106:3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Galatians 5:13-14(New International Version).

A QUOTE

The Word of Christ is the great stabilizer of our lives. Listening to Him leads us into truth and freedom. - Klaus Bockmuehl -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Don't be a fear thinker, be a faith thinker. - From Possibility Thinking - He who serves well need not be afraid to ask his wages. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
Tortoiseshells move more slowly than any other cat. (Not really, Everett's note). - From Cats Rule - No matter the place, you need your own personal space. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy. A little cloudy this morning but sunny this afternoon. High temperature was 88 degrees with a low of 64 degrees. I attended Worship Services this morning. I had lunch at home. I took a nap this afternoon with Emmy ( a cat). At 5:15 p.m. I put treats out for the cats. At 5:45 p.m. I left for church where we had a meal and fellowship tonight. Debra (Curt's wife) and Dianne (pastor's wife) sat at my table and visited with me. I came home at 7:00 p.m. and put the garbage out for pick up in the morning. I then got right on the Good Things and I am about to finish them and rest for a while. Since last nights Good Things I have heard from Michelle and Geneva. Please pray for Michelle as she has not yet found a job and her unemployment benefits will run out soon. Write her a letter of encouragement if you have corresponded with her. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them today. Little Girl just came in and is sitting on a book near my feet but is now heading for the recliner. This afternoon I was sitting in the recliner eating an orange and Little Girl was on the arm of the recliner. I knew she wanted to get on my chest and lie for a while but I wanted to finish eating my orange first. Just before I finished my orange she gave up and headed for the door and was half way there. I called "Little Girl, come here." She turned and came back and lay on my chest for several minutes. They all have some way of showing their love for me. Have a nice Monday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.