Good Things

By Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD 28 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. - Proverbs 28:1(New International Version). GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD (Jesus said) 32 "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. - John 12:32-33(New International Version). A QUOTE Laughter is the most beautiful and beneficial therapy God ever granted humanity. - Charles R. Swindoll - THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER God does not see you as what you are but as what you can become. - From Possibility Thinking - What is the use of running when we are not on the right road? - From Proverbs for Daily Living - FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS Approved things to knead are the human chest, human lap, human stomach, afghan blankets, down comforters, clean laundry and terry cloth bathrobes. - From Cats Rule - Any meal calls for a groom afterward. - From Cats Rule - NOTES Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 87 degrees and a low of 50 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I came by the post office for my mail. I took a nap in early afternoon with Emmy and Smokey. I went out again at 4:30 p.m. to mail a bill. I went outside with the cats at 6:15 p.m. and read for about an hour. I guess I have felt a little better today. My back has been under control with my pain pills. I think I still have allergies. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Margaret, Mary Jo, Annette, Burlene, Geneva, Sandy, Lucille and Tom. 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 her usual place in the recliner. Rascal has been a little while ago. Have a nice Thursday! 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 105 Your word (O Lord) is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. - Psalm 119:105(New International Version) GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. - Proverbs 16:24(New International Version). A QUOTE Make sure your dreams are big enough for God to fit in. - Robert H. Schuller - THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER Better to suffer a great evil than do a little one. - From Proverbs for Daily Living - Prayer is the power that pulls everything together successfully. - From Possibility Thinking - FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS Groom, Groom, Groom. - From Cats Rule - If it came from a pet store, it will not be as comfortable as if it came from a furniture store. - From Cats Rule - NOTES Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 78 degrees and a low temperature of 57 degrees. I have felt a little better today. I had a backache when I got up this morning. I took a pain pill and my back hadn't gotten easy in about an hour so I lay back down and took a little nap. When I awoke I was feeling better and my back was easy. I had lunch with Charley and then went to the post office, Petsense Store and Walmart before I came home. I rested the remainder of the day. Emmy decided she would nap with me this afternoon. At around 6:15 I took treats out to the back yard for the cats. I read a little. It was such a beautiful evening with not a cloud in the sky. A couple came walking down the street with a little girl. They were looking at my cats so I went to the fence and visited with them for a few minutes and we talked about my cats. They live on 11th Street, the next street to the west of me. I think I have allergies because my head has been rather stuffy. I don't think the allergy is from my cats because I have had cats all my life. Since the last Good Things I have had nice e-mails from Burlene, Audie, Michele, Geneva, Tiyan and Alice. Geneva asked what was wrong with my back. About 4 years ago I had an MRI and the diagnosis was "Spinal Stenosis". There is all kinds of information about this condition on the Internet if you want to look further into it. The cats are fine. Rascal has been on the desk near me as well as Tony. Emmy came through a little while ago and Leo just came in and got on the desk. Little Girl is in the recliner so I will have to put her in my lap when I finish the Good Things.
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
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. - 3 John 3:2(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. - Proverbs 16:20(New International Version).

A QUOTE
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. - Anatole France -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Keep your heart right and your faith will burn bright. - From Possibility Thinking -
You can say too much even on the best of subjects. - From Proverbs For Daily Living -
FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
Do not engage in human arguments. Humans are difficult to understand and impossible to correct. Vacate the premises. - From Cats Rule -
Maintain a straight face toward any human who attempts to communicate with you in mews and meows. Tolerate them with dignity; they're doing the best they can. You can laugh later. - From Cats Rule -
NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 77 degrees and a low of 64 degrees. I have felt a little better than yesterday but I am still feeling bad. I did manage to go have lunch with Charley and pick up my mail. I took a nap this afternoon with Tony. My back still hurts quite a lot. Last night around 3:00 a.m. my back was hurting so bad that I couldn't go back to sleep. I got up and took one of my pain pills and in about 30 minutes my back was easy and I went to sleep. I have had three pain pills today which is what I normally take a day. I have had a little problem with my head also but I guess that is normal for me. I put out treats for the cats at 6:35 but I didn't feel like sitting out with them so I came in and took another little nap and then got on the Good Things. I have just about made up my mind to try a chiropractor. My friend, Bill, hurt his back the other day and went to his chiropractor and I will probably try him. It sure wouldn't hurt to try. You friends can tell me what you think. Since the last Good Things I have hear from Margaret, Laura, Alice, Stan, Geneva, Burlene and Doug. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things. The cats are fine. Little Girl is in my recliner so I will have to put her in my lap when I finish this. Emmy and Rascal have been in recently.
Have a nice Tuesday! I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“No Negative Sound Bites Here”
“A good person's words are a fountain of life…” – Proverbs 10:11 (Good News Translation)

In the midst of this year’s presidential election, we are often confronted with a vast array of innuendos and sound bites that do little to present the candidates ideas, but more to injure their character. Instead of complaining about the negative tone of the campaign we might do well to celebrate and remember the life and accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. He was elected into office in 1860 on the eve of a national crisis, the Civil War, and he was assassinated in office by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, five days after Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House. Lincoln’s entire presidency was marked by conflict, war, resistance to the abolition of slavery, accusations that he was a tyrant because he proscribed civil liberties, and intense political upheaval between the Democratic and Republican parties. Looking back on his life and times, one could argue that Lincoln’s victory in the 1860 presidential election would change the racial future and political landscape of the United States. And the world.
Following Lincoln’s election to his second term, in 1864, with the war still raging, he prepared for his second Inaugural Address, which was delivered on March 4, 1865—a little more than a month before his assassination. In this brief address Lincoln clearly expressed his hopes for peace and reconstruction in the Nation. He began by reflecting on the issues at stake at the time of his first inauguration:
“When the (first) inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide the effects by negotiation. Both parties depreciated war. But one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive: and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.”
Lincoln’s concluding paragraphs remain part of one of the most powerful proclamations of national solidarity and the survival of freedom ever spoken in the free world. Read these words and be inspired:
“Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid with another drawn by the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Political pundits today are saying that this year’s national election will be the most significant election in our nation’s history. They are saying that change is needed in Washington. Candidates are saying that they alone will be ready to serve as the agent of change on “Day One” of a new administration. They are promising jobs…a balanced budget...in essence, promises that they cannot deliver.
But where are the voices echoing Lincoln’s pleas? Where are the potential leaders who are calling for us “to finish the work we are in…to bind up the nation’s wounds…to care for him who shall have borne the battle…and for his widow and his orphan…to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations”? Where are those supposed leaders? Is there an Abraham Lincoln out there anywhere? Let him or her come forth! Let’s be willing to cross party lines, if necessary, and elect that one to be the next President of the United States of America!
We need someone whose words will be matched with their heart and actions. We need people who are willing to give more than they take. Those who love more than they hate. We need those who care about “life.” A good person’s words will reflect that!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOOD THINGS Sunday, September 16, 2012 GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD 16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. - Proverbs 22:16(New International Version). GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD (The Lord said) 15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" - Isaiah 49:15(New International Version). A QUOTE A good laugh is good for both the mental and physical condition. - Abraham Lincoln - -16th President of the United States - THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER A bird is known by its note, a man by his talk. - From Proverbs for Daily Living - Hope is not the absence of suffering, it is living in the presence of love. - From Possibility Thinking - FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS Indulging a human by participating in interactive play or showing interest in a new toy shall not exceed 45 seconds in time. - From Cats Rule - In matters of knocking human possessions off a shelf, counter-top, or wall: stop, stare for a moment, then go about your business as if nothing happened. Repeat as necessary. - From Cats Rule - NOTES Today has been a cloudy day with light drizzling rain occasionally. High temperature was 70 degrees with a low of 62 degrees. I did not feel like attending church today due to my back and other problems. It has been a long day but thank God for my kitties who have kept me company. I rested most of the day and watched some television. Smokey napped with me this afternoon and then Beau got on the bed for a while. The cats have mainly stayed inside today due to the weather. I took their treats out to them at around 6:00 p.m. and they did go out for that. They expect those treats outside every evening. Since last time I have heard from Geneva, Pastor J.T., Burlene and Debra. If I haven't heard from you in a while you need to write me. Those e-mails are like saying "sic em" to a doggie. I think that I will leave Debra's letter with you tonight. I will forward you some pictures of my 15 month old great-granddaughter soon, tomorrow at the latest. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them today. Rascal and Little Girl must have sensed that I was a little lonesome this evening. Rascal got on my lap and went to sleep while Little Girl got on my chest up near my neck and stayed for a while both at the same time. Have a nice Monday! I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett. Here is Debra's letter: Hello Dear Friend, We missed you at church, this morning ~~~ hoping all is well? Thought maybe you just didn't want to get out in the rain this morning? The Lord has blessed us with the rain, in our time of need - also a nice relief from the triple digit temps:) Enjoy so much to see the Good Things back again and we THANK God for his "touch" to your heart to return sharing these scriptures, quotes and the notes you share. Each scripture is God talking through you and I feel those verses are a message for me, as well as the others who read them. Your "online" ministry is a blessing, Everett, and many are touched by your words. Have a blessed week - the last week of summer!! Love the onset of Autumn along with the golden colors as the Lord brings in a new season. Be careful when out and about - take care and God Bless the moments of each day ahead. In Christian Love and Appreciation, Debra