Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jeus said) 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33(New International Verson).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
7 And this was his (John the Baptist) message: “After me comes the one (Jesus) more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” - Mark 1:7-8(New International Version).

A QUOTE
How wise to wait patiently for God to unfold His perfect plan. - Debbie Goodwin -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A father (or grandfather) is someone who carries snapshots where his money used to be. - From Reminisce Magazine-
If you do what you should not, you must bear what you would not. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -

NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day with a high temperature of 72 degrees and a low of 46 degrees. We had a thunderstorm around 7:30 p.m. I think we got about a half inch of rain. I saw Charley and Bill at noon. I went to the post office, Walgreen's and Braum's before I came home. I took my afternoon nap with Tony. I put cat treats outside for the cats at 4:30 p.m. and then sat outside with them for about 30 minutes. They stay around pretty close to me as long as I sit out with them. Since last time I have heard from Bryant (my grandson), Michelle, Geneva, Lucille (my niece) and Alice. It is always nice to get e-mails.
Here is a prayer request. Alice's brother, Jimmy, is having a liver transplant early in the morning in Oklahoma City. Please pray for them as well as Jimmy's wife, Linda.
The cats are fine. Most of them hid out during the storm except Emmy and Rascal.
Have a nice Thursday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

"The God of Power” (Part 3)
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God." – Luke 1:35
,br /> Perhaps the greatest gift we have been given as God’s greatest creation is the ability to communicate. The capacity to speak and understand one another—it enhances the joy of our relationships.
However—words can also be our worst enemy. The words we speak and the way we speak them impacts relationships in ways that are beyond to understand.
As we have been talking about the “Power of God,” another avenue of how this power reveals itself is this…it will CHANGE THE WAY WE SPEAK!
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." -Colossians 4:6

"The power of the spoken word has more destructive power than any army. Harsh, cruel words have destroyed more relationships than swords or guns have killed." – copied
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." – James 3:10
Often lost in the Biblical account of the birth of Christ is that of the “other couple:” Elizabeth and Zechariah. When told by the angel that his wife was going to have a baby, Zechariah’s response was less than positive, and what did he end up losing for the next 9 months?
A testimony of the power of words:

Mary had grown up knowing that she was different from the other kids, and she hated it. She was born with a cleft palate and had to bear the jokes and stares of cruel children who teased her non-stop about her misshaped lip, crooked nose, and garbled speech.
With all the teasing, Mary grew up hating the fact that she was "different". She was convinced that no one, outside her family, could ever love her...that she had nothing to offer…that is until she entered Mrs. Leonard's class. Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face, and shiny brown hair. While everyone in her class liked her, Mary came to love Mrs. Leonard.
In the 1950's, it was common for teachers to give their children an annual hearing test. However, in Mary's case, in addition to her cleft palate, she was barely able to hear out of one ear. Determined not to let the other children have another "difference" to point out, she would cheat on the test each year. The "whisper test" was given by having a child walk to the classroom door, turn sideways, close one ear with a finger, and then repeat something which the teacher whispered. Mary turned her bad ear towards her teacher and pretended to cover her good ear. She knew that teachers would often say things like, "The sky is blue," or "What color are your shoes?" But not on that day. Surely, God put seven words in Mrs. Leonard's mouth that changed Mary's life forever. When the "Whisper test" came, Mary heard the words: "I wish you were my little girl."
That one act of influence changed Mary’s life. She began to act and feel important. Her grades improved until she was the top student in her class.
"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." – Ephesians 4:29
Words have the ability to hurt or heal. Our words can trash or they can train. They can lift up, or let down!
When we utter the words, “Merry Christmas,” do we know what we are saying? It just might have more impact than what we may think.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 10 "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" - John 15:10-11(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
10 But the angel said to them (the shepherds), “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. - Luke 2:10-11(New International Version).

A QUOTE
How amazing that the God of the universe chose to reveal himself to us by coming to earth in human form! - Gay Leonard -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Nothing is a waste that makes a memory. - From Reminisce Magazine -
It's not the absence or the presence of problems that determines our peace of mind; it's the absence or the presence of God. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It!

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 66 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 41 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon time. I went by the post office and came home and took my nap with Tony in early afternoon. Around 3:45 p. m. I went to the Petsense store and Walmart. I put treats outside for the cats at 4:45 p.m. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Michelle, Burlene, Gina (my second cousin), Margaret, Alice, Janice, Annette, Quentin, Debra and Geneva. Most of them made a comment on the picture that I sent out yesterday. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal in the recliner and the others coming and going at will. I have seen all of them.
Have a good Wednesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pasror Carnell, McAlester, OK

“The God of Power” (Part 2)
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God." – Luke 1:35
The “power” of God changes things!! The “power” of God took a world void of anything and made it a place of beauty and gave it life—and gave us life.
For me, the greatestness of His power is what motivates Him—it is the reason why He created this world and put everything into place—LOVE!! For the next couple of days I want to share some of the things that the “Power of God’s Love” can and will do when we allow it to be a part of our lives!
First…IT WILL CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK!
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." -Romans 12:2
Does this seem like a rather small accomplishment? Wouldn’t you think that God could do something much larger than this? Let's take a moment to consider some things in relationship to this: Very often what we think determines (or decides) what we do! What we do is a measure as to the kind of person we are! Meaning our character, integrity…etc.
How many times do we “think” that we are (doing) the right thing – only to discover that we were wrong? For example, in Joseph's mind, (in his thinking) by divorcing Mary, he thought he was doing the right thing! “...he had in mind to divorce her quietly..." Matt. 1:19
It is vividly apparent that God had other plans and He was able to change Joseph's thinking!
Paul in his letter to the Colossians says: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (3:1)
That is not something that is automatic! Nor is it easy! But through God’s power and love and through His Holy Spirit He will help us! He wants to help us to:
Change thoughts of Hate to those of Love! This is not simply a “physical” lust but can and often includes: Lust for power and control over people; Lust for supremacy! God would have us change this because lust is selfish, while love is selfless.
Change thoughts of Wanting to those of Giving! The first sin was that of “want.” The devil made Adam and Eve believe that God was holding back – that they were not getting their fair share and that they needed more! Consider the Christmas message…Isn't Christmas itself about giving?
Changing thoughts of Despair to those of Hope! This one may be the most vital because if one is constantly living with thoughts of despair and hopelessness, how will they live their lives? In desperation! (Most cults are made up of people like this who had lost hope in this life!)
The prophet Isaiah reminds us: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." -Isaiah 26:3
As Christmas approaches—Think about His Love! Think about His all the things He has done to make our lives as good as possible. Think about Christ and the power of His Salvation!! That is worth celebrating!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" - James 2:15-16(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Both sides forget that we are all Americans. - Robert E. Lee -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Go from knowing what others believe to knowing what you believe. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It! -
If it looks cloudy, maybe your windows need washing. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 58 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 37 degrees. I saw Charley at noon time. I went by a Dollar General Store. I went to the post office. I took my nap with Tony. I put treats outside for the cats a little after 4:00 p.m. and then I went to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Alice, Debra, Audie(my cousin), Michele, Patti, Geneva, Annette, Stan, Laura and June(my daughter). I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal in the recliner. Tony has been in a couple of times for a bite of food. I have seen all of them this evening.
I hope everyone has a nice Tuesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.