Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul wrote) 9 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11(New International Version).

A QUOTE
The scriptures and the words of Jesus possess a terrible power in themselves and a wonderful sweetness. - Justin Martyr -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The best preparation for tomorrow is the proper use of today. - From Reminisce Magazine - The greatest and sublimest power is often simple patience. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS -
A word to the wise From one who cares: Keep your tail away From rocking chairs! - From Cats Rule - Never trust anybody who's clothes don't collect cat hair. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been a cool cloudy day with a high temperature of 50 degrees and a low of 46 degrees. My housecleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. and cleaned my house while I went to lunch. I had lunch at Bob's by myself. Charley had a church meeting today. After lunch I went by the post office, then by Lowe's Home Improvement Store, then to Memory Garden's cemetery and then home. I went to bed for my nap between 2;30 and 3:00 p.m. Tony was waiting for me. I turned om my heating today. I put treats out for the cats around 5:00 p.m. They always expect their treats in the evening. I have decided to have Lowe's Store install my patio doors since that is where I am purchasing the doors. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Geneva, Steve, Michelle and Alice. I am always glad to receive your e-mails. If anyone would like to be dropped from the Good Things just let me know.,br /> The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this evening. Rascal is in the recliner at present.
Have a Wonderful Sunday!
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
19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:19-20(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life— - Philippians 2:14-16a(New International Version).

A QUOTE
A friend is one who keeps a promise. - Glenda Hotton, M.A.

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
The person who has the right to boast doesn't have to. - From Reminisce Magazine -

FUN THOUGHTS ABOUT CATS
A catnap is the time a cat naps between sleeping periods. - From Cats Rule - Be the first one onto the bed and the last one off it. - From Cats Rule -

NOTES
Today has been a cool cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 69 degrees and a low of 51 degrees. I saw Charley, Bill and Pastor J.T. at noontime. While I was out I went to the post office, Lowe's, McClain's Lumber Yard and Walmart. I was looking at patio doors at Lowe's and McClain's. The estimate that I got from "Cathey and Associates" was too high and it would take three weeks for them to get a door as they order their doors. My plan now is to buy the patio door at Lowe's and have someone install it. Lowe's have them in stock. I already have someone in mind to install it. Maybe I will get it installed next week. Tony has been sleeping on my bed most of the day and I finally took a nap with him around 3:00 p.m. I put treats out for the cats at around 6:00 p.m. but is was too cool to stay out with them. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Michelle Angelini, Audie, Alice, Debra and Burlene. I also received a nice letter through the mail from Michelle expressing sympathy for the loss of Little Girl. I appreciate the concern of all my friends in my loss of Little Girl. The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this evening. Rascal is now asleep in the recliner. Have a nice Saturday!
I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Creating a Fail-Safe System”
”As I stood at the window of my house looking out through the shutters, watching the mindless crowd stroll by, I spotted a young man without any sense arriving at the corner of the street where she lived, then turning up the path to her house. It was dusk, the evening coming on, the darkness thickening into night. Just then, a woman met him— she'd been lying in wait for him, dressed to seduce him. Brazen and brash she was, restless and roaming, never at home, walking the streets, loitering in the mall, hanging out at every corner in town. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, boldly took his arm and said, "I've got all the makings for a feast—today I made my offerings, my vows are all paid…” – Proverbs 7:6-14(MSG)

A man phoned his wife from the office and said that he and some of his office buddies were going on a weekend fishing trip. The truth was that he was having an affair with his secretary and used this as an excuse. "Be sure to pack my new pajamas," he told his wife.
When he returned on Sunday night he complained to her, "Why didn't you pack my new pajamas like I asked you to?"
"I did!" his wife said with a glare. "I put them in your tackle box!" Oops!
Have you ever been set up to fail? That no matter how hard you tried to complete a task given to you there was no possible way for you succeed—that failure was inevitable.
That is the way I feel about this passage. Everything was in place—the traps were set—she fixed her hair, put on her best perfume, dressed as seductively as possible. All that was needed for her to succeed was for a willing participant to take the bait. But look at the very last line: "I've got all the makings for a feast—today I made my offerings, my vows are all paid…” It is here that I find where this seduction carries its greatest weight. Ignore all the outward appearance—the sights and smells—it is in the fact that she gives this encounter a holy anointing, and once he accepts that premise there is no way he will be able to withstand her advances.
As we read Scripture we find that deception has continued to plague mankind from the beginning. Scripture reveals that deception always works in harmony with man’s desire for what they want or what they think they need! This is perhaps Satan’s greatest achievement, turning wants into needs!
Jesus, when responding to the disciples question about His Second Coming and the End of the Age, warned them repeatedly about deception. He indicated that deception would be a serious problem in the last days and that many people would fall. So great would be the deception that He warned us about it ahead of time. Lets see what Jesus says.
For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. … and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (Matthew 24:5, 11).

For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time (Matthew 24:24-25).
What fascinates me about these statements, or perhaps better said discourages me, is not why people are deceived…but how! How can people not see, hear, smell the deceptions coming from these false prophets? The answer is simple—their leader knows how to set us up! He knows what buttons to push—words to say—visuals to put before us—emotions to tap into. He knows that we can easily be set up to fail.
The remedy? Do not let Christ out of your sight! Keep Him as near as possible. If you need a fail-safe system there is only One that has been proven to pass every test He has taken.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Posted to Religious by Quentin Clingerman @ 4:22 pm EDT

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Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. - Proverbs 25:25(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." - Revelation 2;17(New International Version).

A QUOTE
When the Bible speaks, God speaks. - B. B. Warfield -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
"Over the hill" means the hardest climb is over and the view is terrific. - From Reminisce Magazine - When drinking water, don't forget who dug the well. - Ancient Proverb -

NOTES
Today was sunny most of the day but became cloudy late in the evening. High temperature today was 85 degrees with a low of 63 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon. While I was out, I went to the post office, to Petsense Store and Walgreen's to pick up a couple of prescriptions. When I got in my driveway I stopped my van and took my foot off the gas pedal before I put it in park. The van started easing forward and by the time I got my foot on the brake I had run into my patio doors. It did not break the glass but it bent some of the metal frame and I can't open the patio doors now. I had Dennis Cathey from "Cathey & Associates" come out to look at the door and it will have to be replaced. He will have to order the doors so I cant keep the front door ajar for the cats until I get it fixed. I have known Dennis for years. He attended high school with my son Ron. I am keeping the front door to the living room slightly ajar so the the cats can come and go to the front yard through that door. I didn't get down for my nap until 3:00 p.m. and Tony came in for the first time today and napped with me. I went outside with the cats at 6:00 p.m. and by then it was cloudy so I stayed out with them for about an hour. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Burlene, Dianne and a former pastor, Tom Gilham. If anyone would like to be dropped from Good Things, let me know. In the meantime, thanks for reading the Good Things. My kids and grand-kids like the notes so they know whats going on with dad and grandpa.
The cat are fine. I have seen all of them this afternoon and tonight. I received the nicest sympathy card today from Dr. Sewell and her crew at the vet hospital. On the front of the card it shows a dog and a cat with this notation: "Angels who journey from our world, never leave our hearts." Dr. Sewell wrote a nice letter and it was signed by she and all her crew.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“When a Kiss is not a Kiss”
“She took hold of him and kissed him…” – Proverbs 7:13

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. – Matthew 26:47-49

'Twas not my lips you kissed but my soul ~Judy Garland
“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” ~Albert Einstein
Do you remember your first kiss? Not the peck on the cheek that you received from parent, an aunt or uncle or grandparent, or even that quick little “stolen” kiss in first grade. I am talking about the kind of kiss that left your whole body tingling and left you wondering what just happened to you. That kind of kiss is what makes life worth the living. I well remember my first real kiss…actually it is best that we not go there. Like so many other words in our vocabulary the word kiss can be used to denote a number of things. There is the “kiss of death,” indicating something is about to come to a tragic end. We say, “kiss it goodbye,” denoting something is about to come to a conclusion. There is the “kiss of peace,” used by the church for centuries to circulate among the faithful a sense of communion. And then there is the greeting kiss. The “Greeting” kiss is a ritual or social gesture to indicate friendship, perform a greeting, (the equivalent of a hand-shake) to confer congratulations, to comfort someone, to show respect, or to indicate romantic interest. This greeting is very common in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Latin America. It is not as common in English-speaking Canada and the United States, Asia and Northern Europe.
In a greeting kiss, both persons lean forward and either lightly touch cheek with cheek or lip with cheek. Generally the gesture is repeated with the other cheek, or more, alternating cheeks. Depending on country and situation, the number of kisses is usually one, two, three or four. Hand-shaking or hugging may also take place. When Judas approached Jesus, by applying what was common to his culture (the greeting kiss) he intended to greet the Lord as a friend. A gesture to show everyone there Jesus was his friend. That may have been his intention but his heart and loyalty had been far removed. His greeting resulted in nothing more than a ceremony—a passionless action.
It makes me wonder if many approach their relationship with Jesus in the same fashion. They consider themselves to be a friend of the Lord—all of the appearances are there. But if ones heart is not into it then all their actions, words, and even worship constitutes nothing more than just action and does nothing to glorify God. Jesus said the same to the Pharisees:
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.” – Matthew 15:8, 9

Of the quotes I mentioned above I really like the one from Albert Einstein and he is absolutely right. Given the proper context our relationship with Jesus deserves our full and complete attention—that our heart not be divided. If our heart is not into the relationship then our words, actions and worship is meaningless. When we enter the Sanctuary—do we know what we are preparing to do? When we begin to pray are we seeking some self-serving benefits or are we truly entering into a conversation with the Lord? Solomon was saying—don’t let the appearances deceive you. The woman’s kiss was nothing more than a gesture, a heartless and self-serving greeting. Do not let your relationship with Christ become the same.
Pastor J. T. Carnell