Good Things

by Everett Chrsitian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
10 Listen, my son, accept what I (wisdom) say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. - Proverbs 4:10-2(New International Version).

A QUOTE
The sense of a holy God who is personal and near is an ever-present power which helpfully restrains us from sin. - Neil B. Wiseman -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
He who takes the child by the hand takes the mother by the heart. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
It's not hard to meet expenses - they're everywhere. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been cloudy with rain starting around 1:00 p.m. and continuing through the afternoon into the evening hours. The last I heard we had received over an inch of rain. High temperature today was 58 degrees with a low temperature of 34 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon. I went to the post office. I rested this afternoon with Tony. It was raining this evening so I put the treats for the cats on the enclosed back porch. Since last time I have heard from Alice, Michelle and Geneva. Thank you for the e-mails. The rain is supposed to continue through tomorrow evening and we do need it.
The cats are fine and all have been seen this evening. None are in the den with me at present. Rascal has found a place to sleep in the living room.
Have a nice Wednesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:30-31(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
35 For those who find me (wisdom) find life and receive favor from the Lord. - Proverbs 8:35(New International Version).

A QUOTE
The best and the most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched...they must be felt with the heart. - Helen Keller -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Fools laugh at others; wise men at themselves. - From Proverbs for Daily Living -
One reason you can't take it with you is that it goes before you do. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 51 degrees and a low temperature of 28 degrees. I attended church this morning. We had a wonderful service. I had lunch at home. I took my nap this afternoon with you know who if you read the Good Things every day. I put treats outside for the cats around 5:00 p.m. Since last time I have heard from Alice, Margaret, Burlene and Debra. Debra is a church friend and I hadn't heard from Debra in over a week because she and her family have been on a trip to visit family in Illinois. It is good to have them back home. It is also good to have all of you wonderful e-mail friends read the Good Things. If anyone ever wants to be dropped just send me an e-mail. You will still be my friend.
The cats are fine. Rascal is in his usual place asleep. Others have been coming and going. Lucy, the stray, came in and hung around here in the den for about an hour this evening. She even got in my lap for a little while but she has to go back to wherever she stays to spend the night. She is the one that we tamed several years ago and I didn't take her with me when I moved to Moore, Oklahoma for ten months. However, when I moved back within a day or so she was coming back to my yard. She must have some other place where she gets food.
I hope everyone has a nice Monday to start the work week.
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Ornament

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Dogged Loyalty”
“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart." – Proverbs 3:2 (The Message)

Would you consider yourself to be a “loyal” person? If you answered, “yes,” then the next question would be – how do you know? Have you had your loyalty taken to task or tested to its highest level?
I read a story a few years ago that brought this home to me. A retired man in his 70’s and his dog, Hank, were traveling in his pickup in a remote wooded area in West Virginia. It was during the winter and the roads were not in the best condition. The West Virginia Highway Patrol concluded that the man had lost control of his truck on the icy roads and careened down a steep embankment. The man was recently widowed and it was three days before he was discovered missing. The fourth day the wreckage along with the man’s body was found. It appeared that he had been thrown from the pickup and was killed instantly. They also found Hank, his dog, barely alive, lying next to the man’s body. Despite the cold temperatures, the lack of food and water, Hank remained close to his owner’s side. Had Hank not been found when he was he would have also died at that same spot.
The dictionary defines loyal: “A constant faithfulness.” I think I would add; “a constant, often inconvenient faithfulness.” Loyalty is often tested when it becomes a matter of convenience. Allow me to take that a step further; our loyalty towards God is tested when we encounter situations where our decision is based as a matter of convenience! I have the choice between doing what is right or what is easy. Which do I choose? Just for the record – it does not mean that the “easy” choice is necessarily wrong – but it also means that it is not always the best choice. That should be the deciding factor!
My favorite example of loyalty comes from Scripture. First, the loyalty that existed between David and Saul’s son Jonathan. Jonathan proved over and over again that he would not betray David even though his own father was seeking to both capture and kill him. In truth, Jonathan risked both his life and his possible future as the next king to protect David. What an incredible example!
But even above that was the loyalty David showed to Saul, the very man who sought to have him killed. Twice, David had the opportunity to kill Saul and end his nightmare of running for his life and twice – David held back his hand and spared the life of the king. Since David had been anointed by Samuel as the next king, and given the fact that Saul had lost favor with God, killing Saul would have actually not been wrong – but in the end David made the more difficult choice and continued to live life on “the lam” as it were. Of course the best example is when Jesus left the convenience of His Father’s heaven and came to live in a world filled with hatred, bitterness, greed, lust and evil. God showed His loyalty toward us by not doing what was convenient but by doing what was right and by giving us His very best!
How loyal to God are you? Are you giving Him your best every day? Can He rely on you when called upon? Isn’t His love and faithfulness toward us worth giving Him back our best – staying by His side regardless of the conditions?
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. - Titus 2:11-14(New International Version).

A QUOTE
I do not understand it but I just keep trusting my Good Shepherd because I know He will not lead me anyplace He does not want me to follow. - Alice Marquardt -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Are you a leader? Look behind and see if anyone is following. He who thinks he is leading and no one is following is only taking a walk. - Author Unknown -
A miracle drug is any drug that will do what the label say it will do. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 52 degrees and a low temperature of 19 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon time. I then went to the newspaper office to pay for my subscription for the next three months. I visited a little with my friend Pat who works at the office and also receives the Good Things. In fact she took my payment. I went by the post office and came home and took a nap with Tony. At around 3:30 p.m. I went to the Petsense store and to Walmart. I put treats out for the cats at around 5:10 p.m. Since last time I have heard from Michelle, Alice, Geneva and Debra. Thank you for your e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things. In the past I have written about some of the cats and dogs in the 87 years of my life. I have always loved animals. One of my dear e-mail friends thought it would be nice if I would write a little again in the Good Things about my animals. I know many of my e-mail friends would probably like that because they have pets. If I am not running too late with the Good Things from time to time I might write a little about my pets that I have had through the years. I won't write about the animals tonight because I like to get the Good Things out by 10:00 p.m. in case anyone wants to read them before they go to bed.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner and Emmy just came in. Emmy got on the desk and meowed and I knew she wanted me to follow her into the kitchen. I followed her to the kitchen and put out a little canned cat food for her. She didn't want that kind so she went on into the living room and will settle down some where. Tony just came in and ate some dry food that I keep on the desk close to me. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I hope everyone has a nice Tuesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Ornament

by Pastor Cartnell, McAlester,OK

Daily Ornament! As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
“Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.
I mentioned a couple of days ago how John differs from the other Gospels. One of the things I have observed are the encounters He had with individuals and how after that encounter their lives were drastically altered. There is reason for that. Consider the following:

“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” – James 5:12-15
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” – Psalm 103:2-3
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes we are healed.” – 1st Peter 2:24

Does God forgive sin? Is God pleased when sinners repent? Does heaven rejoice when the lost are found? Does God still heal today? Does the Bible encourage us to pray for healing? Can God heal all diseases? The answer to these questions is an unqualified “yes.” Is the forgiveness of sins included in our belief system? Absolutely. Does the healing of the body fit in there somewhere? It should. David, Peter, and James thought so. Read the verses above once more. Notice the connection between the forgiveness of sins and the healing of diseases.
In the Jew’s theology, when a person was born with a defect (in this case blindness) the defect was directly attributed to the person’s background—that someone had sinned. That had to be the cause of the defect. Likewise, if an individual developed an illness or defect at some point in their life, the same accusations would apply. Thus, the reason for the question the disciples asked Jesus when this man is brought before Jesus.
We are told that Jesus healed people wherever he went. In Matthew 9 some men brought to Jesus a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw the faith of the men, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Immediately the teachers of the law murmured among themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Do you remember what Jesus said when he perceived their thoughts? He said, “Which is easier: to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” The teachers had no answer.,br /> Two things happened to the paralytic that day—his paralysis was healed, and his sins were forgiven. He came with hope for one miracle; he experienced two. God had something in mind for both problems. To fix our sin, God sent His Son to die. To fix our sickness, God sent His Son to die. Double trouble; double cure. Jesus did it all. For you. Here is a great prayer for you today:
“Lord Jesus, how shortsighted I am. Sometimes I limit my prayers to one problem, when actually YOU are ready to solve multiple problems. If I seek to be healed, YOU are ready to forgive as well. Or I seek forgiveness, YOU are ready to heal. Open my spiritual eyes to see what YOU see. Remind me to ask largely, and often, and teach me to be persistent in my prayers. YOU bore my sins on Calvary, and you suffered there so that I might be well. Enlarge my vision. And answer even the prayers that I do not ask. Amen.”
Pastor J. T. Carnell.