Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Tasty Words!”
“My mouth chews and savors and relishes truth— I can't stand the taste of evil!” – Proverbs 8:7 (MSG)

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8(NIV)

Words are how we communicate. No new revelation there I would assume or at least I would hope. But how we communicate certainly gives our words weight and power. One of the ways we communicate is to provide visualization to our words—or attach emotion by using experiences or metaphors that we may be familiar with. For example: take the phrase, “sour as a lemon.” If you have never eaten or sucked on a lemon then those words or that phrase would have little power or meaning. But for those of us who have had that experience you can almost feel and see your lips begin to pucker up.
Here’s another: “It’ll make your mouth water.” Immediately what comes to my mind is thinking about a favorite food and at the moment the aroma of that food reaches your nostrils your mouth is anticipating the first bite.
Then there are those that are entirely metaphorical in nature. For instance, “I’ll make you eat those words.” Making someone regret a statement they made. And in a line from a recent movie: “How did those words taste coming out of your mouth?”
Metaphorically speaking…Solomon is attempting to have us make the application when it comes to our thoughts about God! About how we think of God and the life He so desperately wants to instill in us day in and day out. Which is why I absolutely love the verse from Psalm 34; “…taste and see that the Lord is good…”
What do you do when you are hungry—I mean the kind of hunger where your body is weak and you can barely lift your arms, move your legs and even breathing becomes laborious? To eat is all you think about and it is all you want to do. That is real hunger. That is a deathly hunger that destroys more than just the body—it breaks apart the soul and causes the mind to lose focus.
We are born with a natural hunger. We are born wanting. We are born needing. It is part of humanity—both physically and spiritually. I have noticed what so many in this life “feed” on. They attempt to supply their appetite in ways that has absolutely no nutritional value…spiritually speaking that is. It is like living on a steady diet of fast foods. They may fill one for the time being—but eventually it can make one a candidate for the reality show, “The Biggest Loser.” Not the place you want to be.
So, Solomon bids us to savor the flavor of God and His Word and truth. Here are some of the “spiritual foods” that we need to be nourished on!
Taste Love…the way it is meant to be experienced. Love that is real, unconditional, complete, and strong. Taste the kind of love that gives more than it takes—it fulfills and motivates one to be their best. That is the Love of God.
Take a bite of Grace. Feast on the amazing compassion that is given from the heart of forgiveness. Don’t attempt to earn God’s favor with spicy or super-sweet words. The only words that will earn God’s favor are these: “Please forgive me!” Those are words He wants to hear and that is when His Grace is applied!
Chew on truth. The very thing that Proverbs has sought to bring to light. The truth that God’s ways are the only way to live. His commands are to be observed—not out of fear of reprisal but as the means to give life strength and purpose.
Don’t settle for “fast food!” Savor the Words of Truth that are available to us at all times!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
165 (O Lord) Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. - Psalm 119:165(New International Version.

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. - Hebrews 9:27-28(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Always be a little kinder than necessary. - James M. Barrie -

( 1860-1937 ) A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Ere you remark another's sin, bid your own conscience look within. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 82 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 44 degrees. I saw Charley at noon time. I took a nap this afternoon with Tony, one of my cats. I went outside with the cats at 5:30 p.m. and stayed for an hour. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Alice, Geneva, Debra, Patti and Janice. I am always happy to receive e-mails. I will send more pictures tonight. My granddaughter, Carissa, is supposed to have a new baby boy about November 1, but I haven't heard from her. Carissa let us know!
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep on a desk near me. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
Have a nice Friday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett. Pictures: 2012-015 -Two pretty girls left to right: Nancy (my granddaughter-in-law) and Carissa (my granddaughter). 2012-136 - Three cats: Smokey on the ground, Rascal and Itty Bitty in chairs. 2012-146 - Everett with Rascal in his lap.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. - Psalm 96:1-3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. - Hebrews 9:24(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together. - Johann Wolfgang Von Goeth - (1749-1832)

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
It is cruelty to the innocent not to punish the guilty. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

PETS
"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Carras -
Aren't kittens sweet? We just want to pick them up and protect them from harm! That is how Jesus loves us! But sometimes we'd rather have nothing to do with him. He said, "How often would I have gathered you together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would have none of it." Luke 13, 34
,br /> NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 74 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 46 degrees. I had lunch today with Charley, Bill and Pastor J. T. I went to the post office and then came home. I took a nap this afternoon with Emmy and Tony. I went out with the cats at around 5:30 p.m. and sat with them for about 30 minutes. At 6:15 I left for the church for "Fall Festival & Children's Candy Hunt." I had chili, a hot dog and a drink but I didn't stay for the candy hunt. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, playing games and visiting. I came home a little after 7:00 p.m. but I didn't participate in "trick or treat" tonight as the kids were coming by. I am a little too old to jump up every five minutes or so to hand out treats. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Michelle, Burlene, Debra and Alice. I won't share pictures tonight, but I asked Debra at church tonight if I could share her letter on Good Things and she gave me permission. I will share one paragraph at the end of Good Things. I love my friend Debra and her husband Curtis with sincere Christian Love. I also love each one who reads the Good Things with sincere Christian Love and that is the truth.
The cats are fine. I have seen all of them this evening. Rascal just got on the desk near me and I gave him a "boo head".
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Here is a paragraph from Debra's letter:
I love the beauty of the Autumn weather ~~~ leaves turning to their Golden colors, we can see and hear the acorns falling from our trees and then to watch the squirrels scurry to "gather" for the Winter. We also have deer that graze near the acorns, so it's a shared "feast" with the squirrels:) Sometime we can watch the leaves falling - looks as though they are dancing to the "breath" of Jesus as they "flutter" to the ground. There is so much beauty and delight right in front of us, as our eyes gaze at God's many wonders. We see the sun shining, as though God is Happy as we arise and Praise Him, "This is the Day the Lord has made, Let US Rejoice and Be Glad in It". Sad to see what so many others are faced with on the East Coast. Pray that God wraps His arms around them and bringing them comfort ~~~ that they may see the sunshine and know the rainbow is over them with God's Promise of new beginnings, letting them know, It's going to be okay. God didn't say we would not have struggles and disappointments in life, but He DID say that He would be right by our side to lead us through and have us lean on Him. It's ALL because of God's Amazing Grace - that we have the Blessings in Life that we Do.