Good Things

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD:

34 Then He (Jesus) called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" - Mark 8: 34-37(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD:

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. - Psalm 34:10(New International Version).

A QUOTE:

True religion is not a garment to be take on and off. It is a lofty challenge about how we live before a holy God and others. - Bill Crowder -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER:

Following Jesus demands our all. - From Our Daily Bread -

May you realize that all great achievements take time . . . and when you achieve great things, I hope you stay humble in heart. - From I Wish For You -

The best way to wake up with a smile on your face is to go to bed with one already there. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES:

Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 87 degrees. We had some light rain at my house before I went to church this morning. We were supposed to have thunderstorms today but they missed McAlester, Oklahoma. I attended Worship Services this morning. We had a wonderful service with spiritual songs, choruses and hymns. The musicians played a special number. Pastor JT's sermon was titled "Transformational Living: The Healing Heart of God." Pastor JT, Dianne and several of our members left in early afternoon for Bethany, Oklahoma, to attend the annual District Assembly which started tonight. I had lunch at home. I took my nap this afternoon with Emmy who woke up at one time and gave me a little loving attention. I put treats and food outside at around 6:00 p.m. and sat out with the cats for about 30 minutes. Later I put the garbage out on the street for pick up in the morning. Thanks for everything including emails, comments in person and for reading the Good Things.

The cats are fine. Rascal is lying on the desk near me taking a cat nap. Tony is lying in the floor on his back also taking a cat nap. Lucy, the former stray, just came in. I have seen all my kitty friends this evening. There was an article in our Sunday paper today about cats and I will include a little from it at the end if the Good Things.

Have a happy Monday to start the week. Everett.

Peoples Love For Cats Unrequited (from the News Capital) Excerpts written by Kathy Antoniotti from Akron Beacon Journal.

The agony of unrequited love. It may be what keeps us devoted to the felines in our lives. A recent study confirms what cat owners have long known. Our cats understand us when we talk to them, they just don't give a fig about what we have to say. A cat hears you just fine. He just doesn't care what you want from him. I guess cat owners will just have to accept and appreciate that they get even that much of a response from a species that obviously believes we are on the planet to do its bidding.

Michael P. Johnson

It’s wise to heed; when Jesus calls

Make sure lamps are lit

But what’s achieved behind church walls?

When all we do is sit

When warm and snug we seek to be

To live without a care

We’ve failed in life failing to see

The fate of souls will share

Salvation’s grace, is just the start

God’s seed, we need to sow

If Christ has come within one’s heart

The world outside to know

She needs to grow as mustard seed

Spread wide just like the vine

So others on God’s Truth can feed

And drink Life’s blood, like wine

Like Esther had to make her choice

Having king Xerxes ear

Would she now dare to raise her voice?

Or live a life of fear?

Three days she prayed with nought to eat

In sack, instead of lace

Walking in faith her fate to meet

Before her sovereigns face

But God stood on Queen Esther’s side

Great joy her king she brought

When on the gallows Haman died

Within his own trap caught

We too should follow Esther’s lead

Give God our life on earth

To plant in us His Holy Seed

Growing to second birth…

Good Things

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD:

25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does. - James 1:25(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD:

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. - Galatians 5:6(New International Version).

A QUOTE:

God offers grace we do not deserve. But God's love and healing invites us to respond. - Brent Peterson -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER:

I hope that you dare to take the stepping-stones from the known to the unknown, that you dare to do the undoable! - From I Wish For You -

The right attitude has a remarkable way of changing things for the better. - From Reminisce Magazine -

You don't advertise your religion by wearing a label - you do it by living a life. - From Our Daily Bread -

NOTES:

Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 87 degrees. Kathy cleaned my house this morning and Darren mowed my lawn and weed eated all around. Kathy helped him after she finished cleaning the house. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office and then to Memory Gardens cemetery before I came home. I took a nap this afternoon with Smokey. I put food and treats outside for the kitties at around 6:00 p.m. I sat with the cats for about 30 minutes or more. I watched the Lawrence Welk program at 7:00 p.m. from 1975. It was another good program about nostalgia time with some older songs. I appreciate the emails that I receive and I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things. I hope the format, size of printing, ability to read is working to everyones satisfaction. I must admit that I don't like the way they have changed it.

The cats are fine. None are with me at present but they have been around and are all accounted for. Emmy has not been joining us when we sit in the yard in the evening. For some reason she decided to join us this evening and after eating some treats she got in a chair close to me and was still there when I came in. A lady in the apartments just across the street from my yard has a beautiful black and white cat but it always stays close by her apartment.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday. Everett

Doreen Higgs

It was not the nails that held him,

my Saviour,to that tree,

but love it was that held Him there,

His love for you and me.

It was not the crown of thorns He wore,

that gave my Lord such pain,

but the sin of man,He bore that day,

so that heaven we all could gain.

It was not the sword that pierced His side,

that made Him shed His blood,

It was not the pain that made Him cry,

to His Father up above.

"Forgive them for they do not know

what they do this day"

In love the Saviour pleaded,

as His life ebbed away.

No it was not the nails that held Him,

my Saviour to that tree,

But love it was that held Him there,

His love for you and me.

Good Things

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD:

24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds; livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. - Genesis 1:24(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD:

12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12(New International Version).

A QUOTE:

The younger generation of believers often learn best about God from older family members. Our physical and spiritual children watch the path we're taking. - Dave Egner -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER:

God doesn't remove all of our imperfections, but He makes us beautiful by shining through them. - From Our Daily Bread -

May you take time when needed, to quiet your soul, silence the noise in your head and heart, and remind yourself of what you really want out of life. - From I Wish For You -

The person who spends all day looking for easy work always goes to bed tired. - From Reminisce Magazine -

Today is always a great day to trust in God. - From Reflecting God -

NOTES:

Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 81 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Pastor JT. I went to the post office. I took a nap with Emmy this afternoon. At around 4:00 p.m. I went back by the post office to mail a letter and went to McDonald's for some food to bring home for my evening meal. I put food and treats outside for the cats at 6:00 p.m. and stayed out with them for about 30 minutes. Thanks for reading the Good Things and thanks for your emails.

The cats are fine. Emmy just got on the desk and meowed which meant that she wanted out so I let her out. None of the other cats are with me at present but they are all accounted for this evening. Lucy just came in and joined me.

Have a nice Saturday. Everett