Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. - Ephesians 5:31-33(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:29-32(New International Version.

A QUOTE
I'm learning that you cannot make anyone love you. But you can work on being lovable. - Phil Callaway -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Gossip travels freely, but good news has to be helped along. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
I am getting the Good Things out early tonight so I can watch the presidential debate. I could have left them off completely but maybe someone is looking for them. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 82 degrees and a low of 52 degrees. I didn't see Charley today as he had a luncheon at his church. I had lunch at home. At around 1:30 p.m. I went for a haircut at Buck's Barber Shop. I then went by the vet's office and paid the bill which was much less than I had anticipated. They said they cut back on the bill quite a lot which I appreciated. Michelle Bond, a technician that works there said they had tried so hard to save Little Girl and had gotten a little attached to her. She has 6 cats at her home. I am still a little sad but my tears have dried by now. I also stopped by the post office and Country Mart store. If anyone had problems with last night's Good Things, I could resend them to you.
The cats are fine. I had treats and fellowship with them around 5:30 p.m.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Avoid Becoming Lion-Bait”
“(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)” – Proverbs 7:11, 12

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” – 1st Peter 5:8, 9

Lions tend to hunt mostly by night or in the early mornings, and for much of the rest of the time are the embodiment of sluggishness. However, being opportunists they'll hunt whenever the chance arises and that could even be the middle of the hottest day. Of some significance here is the fact that they’re not very fast animals, while by contrast, the animals they hunt are some of the fastest on the planet. A wildebeest can achieve a top speed of somewhere around 50 miles per hour and maintain it effortlessly and even a humble wart hog can manage almost 30 miles per hour. In fact such is the disparity between predator and prey that many of the faster species don't even bother to run away at full speed, which must be galling to say the least. Consequently lions have developed two main hunting methods. The first is a version of grandmother's footsteps, in which the lion stalks from cover to cover with a final burst of speed at the end. (If spotted the lion will sit up and stare nonchalantly into the distance.) The second method is to find a bush close to something your prey needs - usually water - climb in and wait. This has the great advantage that the lion can catch up on sleep whilst technically "out hunting". There are however two things that help the lion considerably. First they’re incredibly good at hiding and phenomenally patient. Secondly, the antelopes, while physically fast, are mentally not quite so sprightly and pay perhaps too little attention to learning from their mistakes. A couple of observations and parallels from both the Scripture reference and the nature lesson: First, notice that the lion and the wayward woman (i.e. evil) prefer the cover of darkness as the time to do their “dirty work.” It is not that they are afraid of the day but most of their successes are at night. Second, and what is even more important is the target of their prey—the weak. The simple—those who are unaware of their situation, and often it is those who have isolated themselves from the group. There is also something to note in this story—lions hunt smart! They know where to find their prey and eventual victims. They do not wait for their victims to come to them so they must go to where they are. And, I might also add, the place where they mostly find their victims—at the watering hole—is a place that represents a basic need. We have seen this verse before but this is a good reminder of what we are all up against, regardless of who we are:

“And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” – 2nd Corinthians 11:12-15

Paul, in this context, was referring to “false prophets,” those who were preaching a gospel other than Christ for their own benefit—luring the weak away from the faith. In truth, anything that lures us away from focusing on Christ as our primary object of affection is a false prophet, and like the lion they will approach us at the point of our greatest need—which is mostly on an emotional level.
Two things in conclusion: First is awareness! Be on the alert for evil and sin is always on the prowl! It has an insatiable hunger and does not discriminate when it comes to its victims! A lion (with help) can just as easily take down an elephant as they can a gazelle. Second: As has been noted before, the “young man” in Solomon’s analogy had strayed from “the pack” so to speak, making himself easy prey. So, stay close to the pack—ergo, the Body of Christ! There is indeed strength in numbers.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
17 But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. - 2 Corinthians 10:17-18(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Don't count sheep if you can't sleep. Talk to the shepherd. - Paul Frost -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Positive prayer starts with two life-changing words - " I Believe!" - From Possibility Thinking - To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life. - Author Unknown -
NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 77 degrees and a low temperature of 57 degrees. My neighbor mowed my front lawn this morning. I saw Charley and Bill at Taco Bob's at noontime. I went to the newspaper office and paid for my subscription for the next three months. While there I visited with my good friend, Pat. I then went to the post office for my mail. I came home and took my afternoon nap with Tony. I went outside with the cats around 6:00 p.m. I sat with them and read for about an hour. It is getting dark a little earlier every night. Thanks for your e-mails and thanks for reading the Good Things. I felt much better mentally after doing the Good Things last night. I am sure that I was feeling answers to your prayers. I just now received an e-mail from Debra thanking me for going ahead with the Good Things last night. I also received some other e-mails thanking me for doing the Good Things last night.
I have felt better today but I still miss Little Girl so much. If you recall I would mention her just about every night as she was always here in the den with me or sometimes just outside the front door. When I would be sitting in my recliner, frequently she would come to rest on my chest near my face and sometimes she would purr and sometimes she would show her affection by licking my hands. It will take me a long time to get over those memories. One thing that I want to find out when I get to Heaven is why Little Girl was over in that yard. She seldom left the yard so that is a mystery that will probably go unsolved until I get to Heaven. Don't read the next paragraph unless you like pets because it is just silly rambling by an old man.
The other cats are fine. I have seen them all this evening. Rascal is now in the recliner. Tony was just by the desk for a bite of dry food. Leo came by and meowed a few minutes ago and then followed me into the kitchen for a bite of canned food. It seems that I am a little closer to my cats since I lost Little Girl. As I have mentioned before, Rascal is my sleeping buddy at night. He stays with me usually until I get up in the morning. Sometimes when it gets daylight he will touch my face with his paws. I am sure that he wants me to get up. Rascal usually waits until I turn out the light to come sleep with me but last night as I was getting ready for bed he went to our bed and was lying on his back crosswise when I went to bed. I don't know how long he lay that way but occasionally he would touch me with one of his back feet. He likes to sleep touching me somewhere.br /> Have a nice Wednesday!
Posted to Religious by Quentin Clingerman @ 8:19 am EDT