Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. - Proverbs 18:10(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
19 How abundant are the good things that you (Lord) have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. - Psalm 31:19(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Even if you're on the right track - you'll get run over if you just sit there. - Arthur Godfrey -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Do you say "our Father" on Sunday and then act like an orphan the rest of the week? - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It! -
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 65 degrees and a low temperature of 46 degrees. I had lunch today with Charley, Bill and Denton McNutt (my nephew). I went by Braum's for a couple of items. I went outside with the cats before I took my afternoon nap. I napped this afternoon with Tony. I took treats outside for the cats at 4:45 p.m. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Michelle, Alice, Geneva, Carissa (my granddaughter) and Burlene. Always like to get e-mails.
Carissa gave me this report on Carter (my great grandson):
Hi grandpa. We are back home now. Carter was in the hospital for a week. He takes heart medicine everyday and will see a cardiologist every 2 months.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. I have seen all of them this evening.
Have a nice Friday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Who’s Your Daddy?”
“I (wisdom) was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got its start.” – Proverbs 8:23 (MSG, emphasis mine)

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:13-16
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

Too many people wander around in this life searching for “something,” “anything” that could be the clue to the purpose of their existence. If only they would look in the one place where the answer can be found. It is where it has always been. The Scripture references from Psalms and Jeremiah confirm that—as well as so many other examples from life. The following illustration is further confirmation. A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, "I hope he doesn't come over here." But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.
"Where are you folks from?" he asked in a friendly voice. "Oklahoma," they answered. "Great to have you here in Tennessee." the stranger said. "What do you do for a living?" "I teach at a seminary," he replied. "Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you." And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple. The professor groaned and thought to himself, "Great... Just what I need...another preacher story!" The man started, "See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up because every place he went he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store, or drug store people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?' He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad." When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?' But one day the new preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd." "Just about the time he got to the back door the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?' "The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy'. This new preacher though sensed the situation around him, and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy..." "'Wait a minute!' he said. 'I know who you are. I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God.' With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'' With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' He'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God'."
The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, "Isn't that a great story?"
The professor responded that it really was a great story!
As the man turned to leave, he said, "You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!" And he walked away.
The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, "Do you know who that man was who just left that was sitting at our table?"
The waitress grinned and said, "Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's the former governor of Tennessee!”
Do you know who you are? God does…and with that in mind you should never have any problem discovering who you are as well!
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. - Hebrews 3:6(New International Version).

A QUOTE
The best rose bush is not the one with the fewest thorns, but that which bears the finest roses. - Jerry Van Dyke -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Both faith and fear may sail into your harbor, but allow only faith to drop anchor. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It!
Fortune lost, nothing lost; courage lost, much lost; honor lost, more lost; soul lost, all lost. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been Mostly sunny in McAlester, Oklahoma with a high temperature of 60 degrees, average high temperature for this date is 52 degrees and the record high temperature for this date was 75 in 1991. Low temperature this morning was 30 degrees, average low temperature for this date is 31 degrees and the record low for this date is 12 degrees in 1976. I saw Charley and Bill at noon time. I went by the post office and picked up my mail. I went to the McAlester Clinic at 1:30 p.m. I thought I had an appointment today for a 4 month check up with Dr. Jackson. They informed me that Dr. Jackson was off on Wednesday afternoon. They checked the computer and my appointment was yesterday. I came home and looked at my calendar and sure enough my appointment was yesterday. They rescheduled my appointment for December 13. I have that marked on my calendar and I will make sure I get it right next time. At around 2:00 p.m. I lay down for a nap with Tony. At 4:35 p.m. I put treats outside for the cats. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Gaetano, Michelle, Alice, Steve, Audie (my cousin) and Geneva. Thanks for your e-mails. As I have said many times before when you get tired of this old man's senile ramblings just let me know and I will drop you from the Good Things. I will not be offended.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner and Emmy was just on the desk near me for a bite of dry food. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
Have a nice Thursday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Ready…Fire…Aim!”
”The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.” – Proverbs 8:22 (Amplified Bible)

Knowing how, where and when to begin a project is a critical part of any organization. It’s the wrong way to discharge a deadly weapon, but it works well in some organizations, particularly start-up organizations. In a controlled military environment the rifle instructor will announce, “Ready on the left; ready on the right; ready on the firing line,” followed by, “Commence firing.” Or, the more conventional expression is used, “Ready…Aim…Fire.” But organizational theory allows for reversing the second and third commands—firing and then adjusting your aim before firing again. Entrepreneurial types love it. Traditional theorists find it risky. Realists are willing to experiment with it.
It’s all about marketing. And creativity. And energy. And movement. And productivity. And high morale. It’s also the title of a book (2008) by Michael Masterson. It reached #5 on the N.Y. Times Bestseller List. The sub-title is “Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat.” Fascinating. The concept surfaced in the days of the dot-com boom. Initially it meant that you can present a new idea in its unfinished state, get immediate feedback, and fine-tune it to fit with your goals and objectives. It allows you to cut through long-held strategies and management systems with new ideas, without having to prove the value of the ideas in advance of their implementation. If it works, market it. If not, discard it. But does this principle work in not-for-profit enterprises? Can Masterson’s strategies work in education or ministry or fund raising…and more importantly…will it work in your personal relationship with Christ?
I’ve noticed something in a lot of places and people that is deeply disturbing and it is directly related to this very thing—skipping a “step” to expedite things or ignoring important principles with the purpose of just getting something over and done with. Take the easy road. Simply do what is necessary but nothing more. I am glad that from the very beginning God did not “skip” a step or take the easy road to see that things were done right. He did not wait for public opinion polls—marketing strategists—the media to see things through. When it came to Salvation, Jesus did not shy away from the steps necessary to see it through. He was given several opportunities to take another road—go a different route—but He did not! From my perspective, He was rather successful!
One of my favorite “Advent” scriptures is this one from the book of Galatians: “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” (Galatians 4:4-5) This shows that God was very careful in His “aim.” He knew then, as He knows now…just how and when to get things done. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Life is a journey, not a destination.” What that tells me is that each day means having a strategy…a plan and an approach for the day. Hopefully, a part of that includes spending time with Jesus—allowing Him to help map out your day. He has been doing it for centuries and has a proven track-record.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. - Psalm 113:3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle John wrote) 1"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." - Revelation 22:1-5(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Impossible is a word found only in the dictionary of fools. - Napoleon -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
He who expects nothing shall never be disappointed.
- From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It. -
Neither speak well nor ill of yourself. If well, people will not believe you; if ill, they will believe a great deal more than you say. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 52 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 30 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon time. I went to the post office for my mail and then I went to the Petsense store and Walmart for my weekly supply of cat and human food. I went outside for a little while before I took my nap but didn't stay long as it was quite chilly. I lay down for my nap with Tony around 2:00 p.m. Tony does all of his sleeping on my bed and as you know cats sleep more than they are awake. At 4:35 p.m. I took the treats outside for the cats and again I didn't stay long. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Burlene, Michelle, Alice, Geneva, Annette and Audie (my cousin). Congratulations to Annette on her new automobile! It is always nice to receive e-mails.
The cats are fine. For those wondering about Emmy, she seems to be doing fine and eating well. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I hope everyone has a nice Wednesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.