Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester,OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121:7-8(New International Version).

A QUOTE
God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. - St. Augustine -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
He is not laughed at by others, that laughs at himself first. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
Stay in touch with one another; absence makes the heart grow yonder. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a little light rain once in a while. High temperature today was 63 degrees with a low of 50 degrees. Charley had other plans today so I didn't have lunch at Taco Bob's. I went to The Meeting Place where Flonnie and I used to eat quite often. I went by the post office and then by Braum's for a couple of items. I took my nap with Tony. When I got up from my nap at around 4:30 p.m. I saw one of the prettiest rainbows that I have ever seen. It extended all the way across and was 4 or 5 different colors. The rainbow is a sign from God that the world will never again be destroyed by water. You can read about that in the book of Genesis in the Bible. I put treats out for the cats about 5:30 p.m. Since last time I have heard from Alice and Patti. There is a good possibility that there will not be Good Things for the next two nights. My daughter, Treva, is coming to visit for a couple of days.
The cats are fine and all are accounted for. None are with me at present but Emmy has been by to talk to me several times tonight.
Have a nice Friday!
I will see you next time. In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Ornament

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“How a Hayloft Taught Me To Respect God!”
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." – Proverbs 1:7

The “fear of the Lord” is not being “afraid" of God, as much as it is to respect His awesome power, His love and ability…and His ultimate authority!
For example; I have a fear (or better said a healthy respect) of electricity but it does not stop me from using it! I have just learned how to use it properly to the point where it becomes a benefit to me.
I lived on a farm until I was nine years old. Those were wonderful times and unfortunately ones that did not last near long enough. I loved going all over the farm with my Dad, feeding the cattle and riding the horses. I remember how I would watch as my Dad would go into the barn and go up to the hayloft to get hay for the livestock. I also remember him saying to me (on several occasions), "Do not go up there unless I am with you." I never understood why I had to have him there with me just to go up and see a stack of hay. But my curiosity got the best of me and one day while I was outside and away of the watchful eye of my parents, I decided that I was going to check this thing out. I was about three-fourths up the ladder when my foot slipped and I fell about 15 feet onto my back. My back hurt for several days but not near as much as my conscience! From that time on I did not go to the hayloft without Dad! In retrospect I fell off that ladder because I lacked the respect necessary to show caution.
Applying this to the scripture reference - when we reject God's wisdom it means we lack the desire to lead a disciplined life. A great number of people say they believe in God and many accept the Bible as His word. But when His Word tells them to stay away from the things that could cause them harm, or when the Word interferes with their lifestyle then they reject it! Simply stated, they want to do things their way! I sure hope for their sakes that they do not try to climb any haylofts!
Do you ever find yourself thinking about seeking to do the exact opposite of what you have been instructed to do or not to do? Why is that? Do we fully respect the unseen power of God's laws or do we take our chances and let the chips fall where they may? Every law, the ones we like and especially the ones we don't all find their origins from One eternal source...THE MIND AND WILL OF GOD!
Perhaps the best way to respond to this comes from the Psalmist: "Question; How can anyone remain pure and clean in this life? Answer; when they live the way God planned for them to live!" - Psalm 119:9 (Taken from The Message)
Both our culture and the Church are faced with issues that are challenging God’s authority! Where are we when it comes to this challenge? Do we respect God’s authority or accept it when it is convenient? Something to think about when a “spiritual hayloft” is in front of you.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
2" Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. - Psalm 97:10(New International Version)

A QUOTE
Finish each day before you begin the next, and interpose a solid wall of sleep between the two. - Ralph Waldo Emerson -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
He best keeps from anger, who remembers that God is always looking upon him. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
Spreading gossip never seems to thin it out. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day with lots of rain which is what we need. High temperature was 54 degrees and the low temperature was 46 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon. I went to the post office. I came home and took an early nap with Tony. Around 3:30 p.m. I went to Buck Thetford's Barber Shop and got a haircut. I fed the cats their treats on the back porch again because of the rain. We are still having some light rain. Since last time I have heard from Alice, Michelle, Geneva and Burlene. Thanks for your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is back in his usual place in the recliner asleep. I have seen all of the cats today.
Have a nice Thursday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Ornament

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Why Settle When You Can Select?”
"...if you accept My words and store up My commands within you…and (IF) you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding..." – Proverbs 2:3 (NIV, emphasis mine)

There was a commercial out a few years ago that to this day I continue to draw upon due to its impact upon me. I even created a sermon series with a line from the commercial simply because of its message. It was a Campbell’s soup commercial for a line of soups that they referred to as their “Select” Soups. The very last line from the spokesperson was: “Why settle when you can select?” What I like about that line has nothing to do with soup (for me anyway) but how we approach life—and more importantly the Christian life!
All that God has to offer is great! In fact, the life that He wants to give is excellent. Absolutely the very best. But useless! Whoa, wait a minute! Preacher, you’ve lost it now! How can you say something like that? How can it be great and useless at the same time?
Because the life He wants to give must be sought for and pursued. God says it is available – but we must pursue it with passion and with purpose. In his classic book, “The Journey of Desire,” John Eldredge writes,
“Something awful has happened, something terrible. Something worse, even than the fall of man. For in that greatest of all tragedies, we lost Paradise – and with it, everything that made life worth living. What has happened since is unthinkable; we’ve gotten used to it. We’re broken in to the idea that this is just the way things are. The people who walk in great darkness have adjusted their eyes.”
What Eldredge was attempting to get across is that since the fall most people adjust their lives to fit in with those around them. We accept what most other people deem is acceptable. In addition, we hold on to values and beliefs passed down to us often without questioning where those values and beliefs came from! That is not to say that those things are wrong. We need to have guidelines and standards especially if they are based upon scriptural foundations. But in regards to everything else, what if we could do better? What if what God wants for us could surpass anything we have ever experienced? Do we dare ask for more?
I have been drawn recently to this passage from John’s gospel, and one that has a great implication if we allow ourselves to follow and believe it.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” – John 15:5-8

We will never know what is available to us unless or until we ask the King of Life! Seek the Lord of Love and Knock hard and often on the doors of Heaven and see what is available!

Daily Ornament

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“What Do We Really Know About Trust?”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:4,5

Why is it so hard for people to trust in God? Here are a couple of reasons people typically give.
“I have tried to trust God before, and it has never worked out.”
“I can’t trust anything that I cannot see or touch or hear.”
“I really want to trust God but I just do not know how.”
Let’s talk about trust. What do we know about it?
Trust is part of everyday life. We all trust something or someone every day of our lives. We trust grocery stores to offer us unspoiled and uninfected meats and vegetables. We trust the labels on bottles and cans to be accurate. We trust pharmaceutical companies to manufacture drugs that meet federal specifications. We trust judges to understand the law and to interpret it fairly and consistently.
We trust people because they have proven their trustworthiness. Who are the people that have earned the most respect and trust from you? Your parents…Your spouse…Your siblings…Your children…Your pastor…Your best friend…Your counselor…Your business partner…Your CPA…Your surgeon?,br /> Do you trust God more than you trust any of these people? (“Yes” is a good answer by the way.)
Let’s look at the four divisions of this passage and ask ourselves, “How does this apply to me?”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Trust is the practical outworking of our faith. Trust is a giant step beyond theory. Trust is total belief that what God has said, He will do. Trusting in God means that we trust Him in all ways and at all times.
“Lean not on your own understanding.” Don’t trust your emotions. Emotions are based on feelings, not facts. Don’t follow Solomon’s example. He failed to live up to his own advice. Our best examples are from scripture. “The Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)

“In all your ways acknowledge Him.” No area of our lives is exempt. This is not a cafeteria menu, where choosing one entrée over another means nothing at all. “In all your ways” has the same impact as “with all your heart.” Honoring God is what this means. Paul said, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

“And He shall direct your paths.” These words commit God to do something big. God has given His word. Obedience will lead to positive results. Always.
Once we come to understand what trust truly means and how to apply it – we must learn how to use it. In conclusion, the following may be a good place to start:
“Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s Providence.” – Aurelius Augustine
Pastor J. T. Carnell