Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. - Proverbs 15:9(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Jeremiah prayed) 17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." - Jeremiah 32:17(New International Version).

A QUOTE
How sweet the words of truth breathed from the lips of love. - James Beattie -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Bad company is the devil's net. - From Alive -
Friendship is one mind in two bodies. - Menicus -

NOTES
Today has been a cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma with a high temperature of 61 degrees and a low temperature of 50 degrees. Charley and I had soup for lunch at St. John's Catholic Church. We visited with several people from my church who were also having lunch there. The soup luncheon will continue each Friday until Easter for a donation only which goes to different charities. I took my nap this afternoon with Tony. I put the cat treats and food outside at 4:30 p.m. Since the last Good Things, I have heard from Michelle, Alice, Debra, Geneva and Pastor JT. I always appreciate the e-mails.
The cats are fine. Most of them are outside at present. Rascal just came in and is eating dry food here on a desk near me. Smokey was just here also. I have seen all of them this evening.
Have a nice Saturday!
Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts!!! Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. - 1 John 4:7-12(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
24 He (Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. - 1 Peter 2:24(New International Version)

A QUOTE
By many hands the work of God is done. - Richard Le Gallienne -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Let me grow lovely, growing old. - From Wise and Wonderful -
The three ages of people are youth, middle age, and "My, but you're looking well!" - American Proverb -

A FACT ABOUT CATS
Feline companionship is so comforting, it causes anxiety to dip to levels low enough to reduce heart-attack risk by 33%, reveals a study of more than 4,000 people. - From Gail, my e-mail friend. (Everett's note: Maybe that is why I am living so long.)

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 65 degrees and a low temperature 37 degrees. I saw Charley at noon. I went to the post office and Walgreen's. I took my nap with Tony. I put treats and food outside for the cats at 4:30 p.m. In last night's Good Things, I failed to give a Scripture reference for one of the Bible quotes. The verse was Joel, Chapter 2, Verse 28. Since last time I have heard from Alice, Burlene, Gail, Michelle, Quentin, Pastor J.T., Geneva, Janice and Gaetano. I am always happy to get those e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is on the sofa for a change. I have been letting cats in and out all evening. I have seen all of the cats today.
Have a Nice Friday!
Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts!!! Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“The Results of a Good Life (Part One)”
“If you respect the Lord, you will live longer…” – Proverbs 10:27 (CEV)

This, and the number of verses like it have always been a bit troublesome to me—especially when it comes to attempting to explain why it is that some very good people, some very deeply spiritual people suffer, and/or leave this world far too early.
We have been down this road a time or two in previous messages so I want to be cautious in my approach and not be too overly repetitive—however, it is an issue that must be addressed if we are to understand God’s heart and not become hardened in spirit especially when what we read and what we would like to believe is contradicted by some of the harsh realities of life. In other words, life and faith are often in opposition to each other—so what do we do? What is the truth here?
What is the definition of a “good” life? I am sure we all have our opinions so allow me to offer mine to see if this helps to understand this verse with a bit more clarity.
When I was pastoring my first church I was initiated into the funeral business. One of the members of the Church owned a funeral home and was always in need of assistance. Given the fact it was a young, small congregation the additional income was welcome. Since that time I have made the choice to “attach” myself to a local funeral in every place we have lived. Needless to say that in the past twenty-five years I have assisted or conducted many funerals. Of those services I would estimate that 75% (or more) have been for those who were 80 years of age or older. Is this important? It is if you measure the success of a person’s life in years. And…if that were the case then each of those funerals would be joyful and filled with great celebration but I can attest first hand that is far from reality.
Let us for a moment return to a verse we reviewed earlier in chapter ten: “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing…” (Verse 7) Could this be the result of what it means to live a good life—one that is “respectful” of God?
One of Charles Dickens’ more popular and profitable works was, A Tale of Two Cities. It was set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With well over 200 million copies sold, it ranks among the most famous works in the history of fictional literature.
The book is about the contrast between two men—Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton. Darnay, a French aristocrat who was also a very moral and virtuous man finds himself falsely accused of treason and imprisoned, condemned to die by the guillotine. Carton’s life, however was quite the opposite. Carton was self-indulgent, an alcoholic and prone to self-pity. He was also Darnay’s lawyer and, bore a striking resemblance to Darnay. The book concludes with Carton drugging Darnay, switching clothes with him and taking his place to die. In one the last lines we hear these words from Carton, and one of the great quotes in history: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.” There are a host of factors that could be the power behind Dickens’s creative thinking as for the reason behind why Carton, a man whose life was one selfish act after another would make such a sacrifice—but as one commentator observes, “Darnay’s life was an example of goodness, something that Carton had not truly witnessed and when exposed to this Carton knew that Darnay deserved to have his life restored.” A life of love and faith is one to be celebrated. One that has significance and meaning even to those who appear to be outside observers. Would our lives be considered “good” by those observing them? How would we be celebrated by our family or friends—or would it be a celebration? Regardless of the length, it is the results that truly matter. Something to truly consider, don’t you think?
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Lord said) 28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
12 Yet to all who did receive him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. - John 1:12-13(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Speak little, do much. He that speaks much, is much mistaken. - Benjamin Franklin -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
A friendly home is the best of houses. - Latin Proverb -
Afar or near, Home is dear. - From To My Home -

NOTES
Today has been a partly cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 54 degrees and a low temperature of 28 degrees. I had lunch at McDonalds today as Charley was having lunch at his church. I went to the post office and after lunch I went to Walmart. I put treats and food outside for the cats at 4:30 p.m. On this date, March 6, 2005, I ran over one of our cats in the driveway. His name was Lucky. It was a Sunday afternoon. That was one of the saddest things that has happened in my life. A few days later I wrote "A Prayer to God About Lucky." I sent it in to wordchimes.com and they published it. I would include that prayer in the Good Things but I am sure that some would disagree with it but if you want a copy of it, let me know and I will e-mail it to you. Something is wrong with this silly computer tonight. It is double spacing and I don't know how to correct it. Since last time I have heard from Leela, Alice, Burlene, Pastor J.T., Quentin, Annette, Geneva, Don & Evelyn and Michelle. I am always glad to get e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is in his usual place and Emmy was just here. I have seen all of them this evening.
Have a nice Thursday!
Keep Thinking The Good Thoughts!!! Everett.

Daily Jewel

bt Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Calling in Sick is No Option”
“A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble…” – Proverbs 10:26 (MSG)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.” – Colossians 3:23-25

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – John 13:12-17

The whole area of service is a very important one in the Christian life. The importance can be seen in the difference between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea in the Holy Land. The two bodies of water are connected by the Jordan River in a direct north-south line along the Great Rift Valley. Clear, sweet water from underground springs flows into the Sea of Galilee. And the Sea of Galilee flows south into the Jordan. Galilee is a gorgeous, active lake, full of life that has sustained fishermen in the region for millennia. The Dead Sea, by contrast, is a shallow, selfish basin with no outlet. It hoards the water that flows into it. Some water evaporates, leaving behind brackish, clouded water so dense that swimmers bob like corks. The whole sea is dead. When we as Christians have no outlet of service, we too can become spiritually dead, and stagnant. Instead of our faith being attractive, life giving and fruitful, we become as off-putting as a stagnant pond.
William Law made a lasting impact upon 18th century England with his book, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. In it, Law urges the Christian that every day should be viewed as a day of humility. And how does he suggest that we do this? By learning to serve others. Law understood that it is with the discipline of service that one gains humility. If we want humility, he urges us to, “give in to all the weaknesses and infirmities of your fellow-man, cover their frailties, love their excellences, encourage their virtues, relieve their wants, rejoice in their prosperities, be compassionate in their distress, receive their friendship, overlook their unkindness, forgive their malice, be a servant of servants, and agree to do the lowest offices to the lowest of mankind.”
Why is this important? I have noticed within our culture a disturbing lack of what it means “to serve.” You walk into a restaurant and you are no longer a customer but more of an imposition, a hindrance. A number of businesses are struggling to keep employees (and customers) because they are service-oriented, and too few are truly willing to serve. They want a job but not the responsibility that comes with it.
Christianity is much the same way. As Christians, we want the benefits of a relationship with God, we want the joys that come with having Christ as our savior—however, too many stop at the word…serve! “I don’t have the time.” “I don’t have the ability.” “I’m not comfortable with that type of thing….” And so on and so forth. Most of us can blow through three dollars without even thinking twice. It’ll get you a cup of Starbucks, a few snacks for a road trip, or a squeak toy for your new puppy. But one thing is for sure: it won’t buy your soul-to-soul intimacy with the Creator of the universe. Someone once wrote the following analogy—one that aptly fits what we are talking about today: “I’d like to buy three dollars’ worth of God. Please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb, not a rebirth. I want a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. I’d like to buy about three dollars’ worth of God, please.”
I wonder if you are among those who want just enough of God to get yourself to a comfortable place, but not enough to pay the price of a deepening relationship with Him. If we want to be in tight with Jesus, we’ve got to abandon the idea that a mere acquaintance with Him is enough and that we have all we really need in and of ourselves. Self-sufficiency is life’s greatest barricade when it comes to intimacy with God. Jesus calls us to service for the Kingdom. We do not have the luxury of being lazy if we truly want to be blessed.
Pastor J. T. Carnell.