Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. -Psalm 126:5-6(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD.
8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. - Isaiah 35:8(New International Version).

A QUOTE
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little. - Sydney Smith -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Every blade of grass has its share of the dew of heaven. - From Proverbs for Daily Living - Many a live wire would be dead if it weren't for his connections. - From Reminisce Magazine -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS,br /> When you're not at home we tip over open bags of cat food. - From Cats Rule - A tree is an invitation to climb. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles of rain occasionally. High temperature was 77 degrees and the low temperature was 66 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noontime. Mellisa was our waitress today. She receives the Good Things and tells me she enjoys them. I went to the post office. I took my nap in early afternoon without a cat. At 2:30 p.m. I went to Lowe's Store to complete the contract for the replacement of my patio doors. They will be installed the latter part of next week. I left Lowe's Store and went to Walmart which is nearby. I filled my van with gasoline at Walmart's. I paid $3.46 per gallon for gasoline. I purchased cat food and supplies. At 5:30 p.m. I took treats out to the back yard for the cats and sat with them for about an hour. Beau was in my lap again for a while. Since last night's Good Things I have received e-mails from Michelle and Geneva.
The cats are fine. Leo was just here talking to me. Rascal is in the recliner. I have seen all of the cats this evening. When I say all of the cats that includes Lucy the stray.,br /> Have a nice Saturday!
I will see you next time,,br /> In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett, Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:1-4(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 3:11(New International Version).

A QUOTE
I'm learning that I will never regret a moment spent reading the Bible or praying. Or a kind word. Or a day at the beach. - Phil Callaway -
,br /> THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A budget is that which helps you live below your yearnings. - From Reminisce Magazine - The fellow who thinks himself a wit is usually half right. - From Reminisce Magazine -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
When you're not at home we will jump onto kitchen counters and sample whatever is available. - From Cats Rule -
When you're not at home we will explore bedroom closets and rearrange clothing dangling from hangers. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 81 degrees and a low of 62 degrees. The worker from Lowe's Store who is going to install my patio doors came at 8:45 a.m. and measured the doors. He said it would probably be the latter part of next week before they were installed. By then my cats will probably have forgotten that they could ever go out that door, but it won't take them but a few minutes to learn again. I saw Charley and Bill at noontime at Bob's. I stopped by the post office and then by Braum's for a couple of items. I took my afternoon nap with Tony, one of my cats. I went outside at 5:30 p.m. to feed the cats their treats and stayed with them for about 30 minutes. Since last nights Good Things I have heard from Mary Jo, Michele and Debra. I also received a note from Quentin that went out to all www.wordchimes.com members telling them that they could catch the Good Things on the Blog at Wordchimes. I appreciate your e-mails and I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things.
The cats are fine. I have seen all of them today. Beau was in my lap when I decided to come in this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“In the Absence of Supervision”
“My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.” – Proverbs 7:19
“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” – Judges 21:25

For those who football fans, especially professional football, we all have a new appreciation for referee’s, and I am referring to those who are the “professional” referees. The ones who know the rules and know how to enforce them!
I have been involved in and played sports long enough to know that without proper “supervision,” a game can get out of hand—even violent. At the first Church I pastored we had a group of men (and sometimes ladies) that would play basketball three times a week, from about six to seven o’clock in the morning. The games were “self-called,” simply meaning we did not have a referee and we called our own fouls. The problem with that is obvious. Unless the individual has integrity calling a foul on themselves was not always going to happen, especially in the heat of the moment.
The scenario from the verse in Judges is much the same. The only difference is that they were not playing a game—it was their lives. At that point in Israel’s existence they were “ruled” by Judges, men (and women) appointed by God to lead them in times of need. Mostly when they were being oppressed by their enemies. Then, during times of peace, with no need of a judge to oversee them they became, “self-governing.” If you read between the lines it does not take an expert to realize this kind of system will not and cannot work! The reason…we simply cannot manage that kind of power! In the absence of leadership (or supervision) the result is more often or not—chaos.
Paul understood this which is why he wrote:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” – Romans 13:1-5

The absence of God (and the principles that follow) is living life unsupervised. It is attempting to be completely self-governing. It is an attempt to experience the kind of freedom that we were never intended to have. And as the verse from Proverbs shows it the kind of lure that promises great reward! That is impossible because we must all serve something! My hope is your always choose Christ!
The following are the lyrics of a song from the 1980’s from all people, Bob Dylan who had converted to Christianity. Its theology is simple but direct!
"Gotta Serve Somebody"
You may be an ambassador to England or France; You may like to gamble, you might like to dance You may be the heavyweight champion of the world; You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed You're gonna have to serve somebody, It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you're gonna have to serve somebody.
Might be a rock'n' roll adict prancing on the stage; Might have money and drugs at your commands, women in a cage,br /> You may be a business man or some high degree thief
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief.
You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride; A city councilman taking bribes on the side You may be working in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir.
Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk; Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk
You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread
You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed.
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed You're gonna have to serve somebody, It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you're gonna have to serve somebody.
Since we have a choice, choose Christ! Always. And by the way, there is no such things as being self-governed because if you are serving yourself, you are in reality serving the prince of pride.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalm 27:1(New International Version).,br />
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. 4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. - Proverbs 13:3-4(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Praise God from whom all blessing flow! Praise Him, all creatures here below! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! - Thomas Ken -
,br ?> THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Horse sense is stable thinking with the ability to say nay. - From Reminisce Magazine - Many a person thinks they have an open mind when it is merely vacant. - From Reminisce Magazine -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
Let sleeping dogs lie. - From Cats Rule - When you are not at home we will open and close the cabinets, sliding doors, and latches you never thought we could. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 70 degrees and a low of 55 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noontime. I went to the post office. I took my afternoon nap. When I awoke Tony was napping with me. At around 5:45 p.m. I gave the cats their treats and sat with them and read for over an hour. It was cloudy and cool and really nice outside this evening. Since last evening's Good Things, I have heard from Geneva and Debra. I am self-conscience about the Good Things and when I don't hear from people I wonder if they are being read or liked by everyone. Thanks to everyone for reading the Good Things. Let me know if you would like to be dropped.
The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this evening but none are with me at present. Beau got in my lap for just a minute or two while I was sitting outside.
Have a nice Thursday!
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Everett McAlester, OK

“A Febreze-Proof Life”,br /> “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon...” – Proverbs 7:17 (MSG)

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16,br />
According to a 1983 article from the Chicago Tribune, a Chicago area woman came home from work at 6 p.m., and when she walked into her apartment, she immediately became suspicious. Gasoline fumes filled the apartment. She thought maybe someone had been working there, so she called the landlady and the janitor. They said they had not let anyone in. With the fumes still strong she called the police and fire department. The fire department came and inspected her apartment but found nothing.
Finally at 10:30 she prepared to go to bed. In her bedroom she noticed something unusual. There was a strange electric cord running to her bed and a bulge in the center of the mattress. She again called the police. When the fire department took the mattress off of the box spring, they found a crude, home-made firebomb. Three one-gallon containers filled with gasoline were sitting on top of a hot plate connected to a timer that was set to go off at 3 A.M. Subtle...very subtle.
For that woman to be killed by that crude trap, she would have had to be utterly oblivious to everything in her world, both sight and smell. Surprisingly enough, Satan himself sometimes sets traps for us that are just as obvious as this firebomb! Although he can be the most cunning of deceivers, at times he tempts us in ways that are so obvious, so blatant, so brazen, only a fool would lie in that lumpy bed and turn out the lights! And yet....
There are a number of ways to freshen up a room. I love scented candles. Evergreen candles are my favorite followed closely by cinnamon scented. The evergreen ones remind me of Christmas and I love walking into a room filled with aroma specific. ,br /> What is perhaps one of the greatest products produced in the past few years has to be the air freshener, Febreze. Just a squeeze of Febreze can really change the atmosphere of the room. I keep a small canister in my car and in my office.
Unfortunately, there are just some odors that no amount of spices, candles, or even febreze can mask. They may for a short while but eventually the odor will filter its way through creating the same problem you started with.,br /> Working for and around funeral homes for over twenty years there is one smell that is impossible to cover up—the smell of death. Rotting flesh has no equal in this regards and the only remedy is to get as far from it as possible—even then it lingers with you for some time.,br /> The woman’s attempt to cover her bed with spices and all sorts of good-smelling things only serves to remind us that she is attempting to cover up the real problem that lies underneath: the smell of death.
Temptation is the attempt to mask the evil one’s odor just long enough for the deed to be done which too often it is too late to turn back from. The hope here—by taking Solomon’s advice, is to keep our senses sharp and know the difference between the aroma of life and the smell of death. According to Paul, the Word and People of God are the pleasing aroma of Christ and I don’t know about you but I would much rather be surrounded by sweet-smelling things and people (metaphorically speaking) than those who carry the smell of death.
Pastor J.T. Carnell.