Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

! “Getting in Tune” ,br /> “You can find me on Righteous Road—that's where I walk—at the intersection of Justice Avenue, Handing out life to those who love me, filling their arms with life—armloads of life!” – Proverbs 8:20-21

Many years ago there was a weekly radio program presented by Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra, listened to regularly by many people throughout the country. During one of these broadcasts, at the close of a particularly thrilling number, the announcer came on with this statement, "Here is a letter that I would like to read at this time. It says, 'I am a sheepherder in Wyoming. My only entertainment is a battery radio, which I must use sparingly to make the batteries last, and my fiddle, which I play a great deal. However, I have lost the tuning of my "A" string, and I can't play at all. Please sir, is it possible for you to sound an "A" on your program, so I can tune my violin.'" The vast network stood still for a moment and a clear "A" sounded out across America, and a lonely sheepherder, there by the light of his campfire, tuned his "A" string, and then plucked and tuned until the violin was once again in tune. This is what Jesus Christ does for us in a world that is out of tune. He sounds the note of His grace that enables an individual to put his life back in tune, and to keep it in tune by daily fellowship with Himself. The world is a mess, but Jesus is the message for this messed up age. One of the reasons I like this illustration is that the lonely shepherd knew where to tune into when he needed help—and he knew what he needed. He sent in his request and the “maestro” complied! If you have ever been to a band/orchestra concert you will hear a lot of “noise” as the musicians are warming up. Essentially, their warm-ups include tuning. The pianist will play a note and then each instrument will tune their instrument to that note. It may sound like chaos at the beginning but in reality it is what makes the rest of the performance such a joy to listen to. I am a guitar player and I know how easy it is for my strings to get out of tune. Changes in the weather can make it happen—the tuning knobs get bumped—a number of issues can cause this to happen. When that happens I simply go to the piano and play an “E.” From there I can tune the rest of the strings. If, however, I don’t have access to a piano I can only guess what that note should sound like. If (or when) that is the case I can tune my guitar but it may not be in tune with the piano! When that occurs it also means me out of tune with others as well!
Life can throw our hearts, “out of tune.” We get bumped—we get thrown around by changes—and there are even times when we get strung so tight we feel as if we are going to break.
This is why God’s “Wealth of Knowledge” is so vital to our everyday life! Much like this shepherd it is easy to get our lives out of tune. The “Maestro’s” heart and mind is always perfect. And we know where to find Him! He tells us where He is. Simply send in your request, listen, and get in tune.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. - 2 Corinthians 8:9(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. - Romans 6:22(New International Version).

A QUOTE
You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you. - John Wooden -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
All's lost that is poured into a cracked dish. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
Trying times are no time to quit trying. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 64 degrees and a low this morning of 44 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon time. I went to the post office and then to Braums Ice Cream and Dairy store for an item. At around 4:00 p.m. my reclining sofa was delivered from Bob Loftis Furniture. It is in the living room. They hauled off the old cat scratched sofa. I must keep the new one covered with something so they won't scratch it. At around 5:00 p.m. I took the treats outside for the cats. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Laura, Burlene, Michelle, Alice and Stan. I always appreciate your e-mails.
My nephew, Fred Renfro, who lived in Mesa, Arizona, passed from this life on Sunday morning. He was 80 or 81 years of age. Please pray for his wife, Ruby, his three children, his grandchildren, his four sisters and other relatives.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. I have seen all of them this evening.
Have a nice Tuesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“When Being Right Hurts”
“You can find me on Righteous Road—that's where I walk—at the intersection of Justice Avenue…” – Proverbs 8:20 (MSG)

Timing is everything! For most of the year if I had read this verse I would come up with a number of different type of messages—but given the fact we just recognized the anniversary of “Veteran’s Day” a couple of weeks ago, it gives this verse a bit of a different tint, and one that needs to be explored.
The word “Righteous” simply means; “To do what is morally right or justifiable.” Although the word was intended to refer to spiritual issues is there a context where it could extend out into a variety of other areas? I think so, and this “Righteous Road” can be at times a very bumpy one! I have known some who have lost jobs because they refused to something that to them was morally wrong. Relationships have been broken for this reason—and many, many men and women alike have given their lives fighting for a righteous and just cause. Wait a minute!! This is where things get a bit touchy for many. Am I implying that war, or conflict is righteous and/or justifiable? If the purpose is to right a moral wrong, then yes, the cause is just and right! And unfortunately painful!
Colonel Clayton E. Wheat was head Chaplain at the United States Military Academy between 1918 and 1926. One of the things for which he is remembered was his writing of the West Point Cadet’s Prayer. It is a classic piece of literature. I am particularly impressed with these words from the heart of the prayer:

“Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong,
and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won.”

You can see from his prayer that the Righteous Road is not always the easiest route…especially when few are traveling on it and the road is line with stops filled with half-truths. Society has grown content to accept half truths as whole truths. We see this everywhere—advertising, testimonies given under oath, marriage vows, and promises made. When faced with choices, expediency often wins out over integrity. Our powers of rationalization allow us to makes choices based on their being practical rather than reasonable. When we do this, we choose the easier wrong over the harder right. In conversations with his disciples Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32). There is something empowering about truth. Truth says “No!” to the temptation to marginalize reality. Truth says “Yes!” to openness and honesty.
Omar Nelson Bradley served in the United States Army between 1915 and 1953. He achieved the rank of General of the Army and served as both the Army Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served in three major wars—World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Entering the United States Military Academy in 1911, he was a cadet there prior to the writing of the Cadet’s Prayer. But he embodied it during his outstanding career. Known as “The G.I.’s General,” he was beloved by those who served with him and for him. In an essay he wrote during his years as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, entitled “On Wishful Thinking,” Bradley wrote:
“We must accept reality and react promptly to all the facts—not only to those we want to hear. And we must fight constantly for the whole truth. For peace can come only from truth, knowledge and honest understanding. Half the truth will produce only half a peace—and half a peace is no longer enough.”

If America is to remain the most powerful nation in the free world, we must embrace again the truths that made our nation free. We must demand that our elected leaders—local, state, and national—speak the “unarmed truth.” We must resist those that would reduce our commitment to our spiritual heritage. This will require more than maintaining the words, “In God We Trust,” on our coinage.
We face the reality that some of our Constitutional Rights may be “temporarily defeated.” Evil may appear to be triumphant. But victory is not completely out of sight. It may be distant, but it is still there. How can we be victorious? It begins with our commitment “to live above the common level of life.” It will continue as we “choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” And victory will be ours as long as we are never “content with a half truth when the whole can be won.”
Staying on the road of righteousness is not easy—but as the word itself says it is the “right” one!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlsster, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." - Luke 16:10(New Living Translation).

A QUOTE
Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to something until it gets there. - Josh Billings -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
He's a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It -

NOTES Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 69 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 44 degrees. My back was bothering me this morning so I did not attend church today. I may have walked around too much while Treva was here. I had lunch at home. I went outside with the cats for a while before I took my afternoon nap. Tony napped with me today. I put treats outside for the cats at 4:35 p.m. Since last night's Good Things, I have heard from Michelle and Debra concerning the Good Things. I also heard from Pastor J. T. and Gaetano saying they missed me at church. My back is hurting a little now but it will get easy as soon as I settle into the recliner or on the couch.
I have seen all of the cats this evening. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. This morning Emmy was lying on a little table in the living room and seemed to be feeling bad. I put canned and dry food as well as water on the table but she wouldn't eat or drink. I laid my head on her and she purred a little but I think she was feeling bad. Several times I would go check on her and lay my hands on her and pray for God to heal her. Later it lookd like a little of the food had been eaten. A little after 4:00 p.m. she got up and seemed to be feeling better and went outside for a while and has seemed to be okay this evening. She just came in to see me and ate some canned food and went back outside. Your pets have feelings and like to be loved just like humans.
Have a Nice Monday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Posted to Religious by Que Clingerman @ 8:46 am EST

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Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 40 "You also must be ready, because the Son of Man (Jesus) will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” - Luke 12:40(New International Version).

A QUOTE
God doesn't call us to be successful. He calls us to be faithful. - Albert Hubbard -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It -
Wine is a turncoat; first a friend, then an enemy. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES Today has been mostly sunny but cool. My daughter, Treva, arrived at noon on Thanksgiving Day. We ate out for our Thanksgiving meal. We have had a good time visiting. She brought her American Bulldog named Libby. We shopped some at Walmart on Friday them Treva went by herself to Penny's. Today we had lunch with Charley. Treva and I went by the post office and then to Bob Loftis Furniture Store. I bought a reclining sofa that will be delivered Monday and they will haul off the old sofa. I had lots of Thanksgiving wishes from you dear folks and I appreciate every one of them but there are too many to mention. Treva left for home at 2:00 p.m. and called at 7:40 p.m. to tell me she had arrived home. Now I am alone with my cats until Christmas time. I am a little tired tonight so I will close the Good Things and rest.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner and Tony just went outside. The cats don't stay in as much when Libby is here but Libby is a couch potato and stays in her room most of the time.
Have a Wonderful Sunday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.