Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
22 The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. - Proverbs 28:22(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jesus said) 14" For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:14-15(New International Version).

A QUOTE
The first duty of love is to listen. - Paul Tillich -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
It is amazing that God knows us so thoroughly and yet loves us so completely. - From Reflecting God -
You are never fully dressed until you wear a smile. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
We had rain this morning until around noon in McAlester, Oklahoma. The skies remained cloudy most of the afternoon but cleared just before sunset. High temperature today was 48 degrees and the low temperature was 33 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at lunch time. I went to the post office. I lay down for a nap sometime after 2:00 p.m. but didn't go to sleep so I got up at 3:00 p.m. I think the reason I didn't go to sleep was maybe because I had already been dozing in the recliner. I put cat treats and food outside for the cats at 4:30 p.m. Since last time I have heard from Burlene, Alice, Michelle, Pastor J.T., Mary Jo and Janice. I was supposed to leave a prayer request last night for Michelle for a medical appointment today and I completely forgot and I apologize to Michelle. Pray that everything went well with the procedure and that Michelle will start feeling better.
The cats are fine. Rascal is in his usual place. Tony was here a short while ago but has now gone elsewhere. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I hope everyone has a nice Friday.
May the Good Lord Bless and Keep Each One until next time. Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“The Living Dead”
"My sons, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, 'Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone’s blood, let's waylay some harmless soul....my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths..." – Proverbs 1:10 –11, 15

There are a couple of ways to look at this. One way is of course is in the literal sense – the intentional, reckless taking of what is the most precious thing one owns, their very existence. When one is robbed of that, everything is taken away from them. There is also another way to approach this that can be deeply damaging is to destroy one’s spirit. An individual can be robbed of their dignity, character, reputation and hope. When any or all of these things are taken what does one have left to live for?
You do not have to kill a person to "take their life" from them. There are a number of ways that as Solomon describes where people that can literally be "swallowed" alive. One of those, perhaps the harshest and most destructive is the killing of hope! Take from someone their hope and you render them useless. Take from their hope and everything all that was meaningful and good becomes diminished. You may as well say that individual is as good as dead!
A good example of this is found in a cult movie classic called "Night of the Living Dead." There is also a current television series, The Walking Dead which is based on the same premise. I must first declare that I am not now nor have I ever been a big fan of movies from the "Horror Flick" genre. And yet, there are those that are so insanely ridiculous that they tend to grab your attention and this movie (and the many that have thus followed) is one of them.
The story-line of the movie goes like this: By some freak and unexplainable act, people are dying – and then these people (now labeled as “zombies”) who are actually dead begin walking around killing those who are alive and then “feast” upon them. And then, by this barbarous act they in turn make their victims like themselves—and thus the title; the Living Dead.
This apparently nonsensical science fiction classic may on the surface seem extreme and any parallel out of line but take a minute and consider this: There are zombies among us! There are many who live among us who “exist” on the outside but on the inside they are very much like… the “living dead.” They have no hope, no real purpose in life. But instead of seeking to improve their life they choose to spread their pain and hopelessness like a disease and unfortunately all that does is create more victims who then spread their misery! That, in my opinion, is how you can literally swallow someone alive. You take something from them that gives them their reason to live.
Are you living without hope? Living without motivation and purpose? Have they been stolen from you by those who you believed had your best interest in mind? Do your best to resist them and then resist the temptation to follow in their path. Instead choose to seek another path—by trusting God through His Son.
Be careful not to let those who live with no hope take that from you! There is a reason to live! And should you ever watch “The Night of the Living Dead,” ”The Walking Dead,” or anything similar to it—take a minute to consider that there may be some “zombies” that are closer than you think!
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Posted to Religious by Que Clingerman @ 1:32 pm EST

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Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
3 His (Jesus) divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. - 2 Peter 1:3(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. - Ephesians 2:13(New International Version).

A QUOTE
We need to think less about our problems and more about out Protector. - Neil B. Wiseman -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
All sunshine makes the desert. - Arabian Proverb -
Nature is but a name for an effect whose cause is God. - From Leaves of Gold -

NOTES
Today started with rain but quickly turned to snow which lasted until around noon and this afternoon we have had light rain and sometimes sleet. The temperature remained above freezing so the streets were alright for driving. High temperature today was 43 degrees and the low temperature was 32 degrees. I saw Charley at noon. I went by the Family Dollar Store and then to the post office. I took my nap this afternoon with Itty Bitty and Tony. I didn't put treats outside for the cats since the weather was bad. I did take food out to the storage house for cats or other animals that come to eat. I put cat treats inside for the cats. At 6:00 p.m. I watched part of the Billy Graham crusade from 1981 at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Johnny and June Cash were on the program. Johnny sang "I'm Just An Old Chunk of Coal" an "It Is No Secret." Johnny and June together sang "Oh Come Angel Band." I didn't watch the sermon because I had already heard it not too long ago. They re-run the programs periodically. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Michelle, Alice, Pastor J.T., Geneva, Janice and Quentin. I am always happy to receive e-mails.
The cats are fine. They have stayed inside today due the cold weather and snow. I have seen all of them. Lucy, the stray came in a couple of times at least. At present Rascal is asleep in the recliner and Tony is looking out the front patio doors but if I let him out he won't stay long so he may as well just sit and look out. Leo was here on the desk by my computer a little while ago and Beau also came by a little while ago.
I hope everyone has a nice Thursday!
May the Good Lord Bless and Keep each one until next time. Everett.

Gun Control

by Que Clingerman

The debate over gun control laws is heated and aggravated by the partisanship divide. Since we as a nation are suppose to abide by the Constitution, I think it should show us the way. The Second Amendment has been understood to mean that individual citizens are to be able to bear arms "without infringement". Those who wish to control the ownership and use of guns should change the Constitution first! I do not think the government can be trusted to do the right thing in controlling guns. The president and cabinet and those in influence can urge citizens to buy and use guns responsibly. The NRA certainly as an organization has promoted that and provided assistance to that end. Enforcing the laws already on the books would also help immeasurably. Criminals using guns in a crime should feel the full weight of judgement when convicted. Sellers of guns should take real care to whom they sell guns. Background checks are warranted whether it is a commercial dealer or private citizen. Perhaps it should be illegal to sell a gun to another individual privately; sell only to licensed dealers. Gun safety should be taught in our public schools. But ownership should be private without licensing. I do not own a gun nor ever plan to do so. But those who wish to own a gun or guns should be able to do so without government interference except in very specific circumstances as prescribed by law. What is your take?

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Living Ornaments”
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They (our parent's teaching) will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." – Proverbs 1:8, 9 (NIV)

Key Word, Garland: "A wreath of flowers."

As you have probably noticed after reading these messages I attempt to look for key words and meanings—a “behind the scenes” look at what God is trying to get across to us through His Word and His Wisdom. One of the elements I believe involved in this verse tells us that when we follow the [Godly] example of what our parents, and/or spiritual leaders give us, those principles and values are (as Solomon describes) an adornment that will grace our daily lives and benefit those around us.
I read of a school in the inner city of Chicago. For years it had endured the carelessness of the students and those living in the surrounding area. The grounds were littered with garbage, broken bricks and glass. The building itself was laced with graffiti, rotting boards and broken windows. The inside of the school was much the same; broken and graffiti-laced lockers and classrooms looked like war zones. Many of the teachers were themselves “broken-in-spirit,” defeated and discouraged. Understandably, there was very little pride in the school or for the neighborhood itself.
The School Board in an attempt to make one last effort appointed a new principle to that school, a woman known for helping to reform and restore order in her previous assignments. Several weeks before the start of the new school year she went to many of student’s homes—seeking to gather support of some of the students and have them help her in cleaning up the grounds. "It won't last," one of them said. "As soon as we clean it up the thugs will mess it up again."
"We're not just going to clean it up." the principle responded. "We are going to give it new life and character." With her own money she bought plants, flowers, shrubs and had them planted over the school grounds. They cleaned up the broken glass, fixed the windows, sandblasted the graffiti and gave new life to the old school. What was even more incredible was how the entire neighborhood responded. Many of them watched what was taking place and one by one began to assist. Once finished with the school grounds many in the neighborhood began to work on their own properties! They then set up a neighborhood watch. When the "thugs" attempted to deface the new school they were quickly met with resistance. Along with the beauty of the new landscaping came a new pride – and with the pride came a new sense of purpose. Grades went up, crime and problems went down!
When I think of “Garland” my thoughts immediately go to Christmas time. The silver or gold or red wrapping that is used to decorate the tree or the walls. It gives an added beauty to an already beautiful time. And just as flowers and trees and shrubs give beauty to a yard, a life filled with Godly principles will be a beautiful thing in the sight of others as well as an encouragement.
Are these things an "adornment" around you? The apostle Paul told us, "...set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (Philippians 4:12) Adorn your life with God’s principles and we will be a living example to all around us!
Pastor J. T. Carnell.