Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC

If this world affords true happiness, it is to be found in a home where love and confidence increase with the years, where the necessities of life come without severe strain, where luxuries enter only after their cost has been carefully considered. A. Edward Newton

Gosh, it seems as though Mr. Newton has taken a peek into my life with Allen even though he passed away in 1940. I know this quote won't apply to all who read it today, but it holds so much meaning for me that I am compelled to share it with you. I know there are young couples out in the world trying to make it together who need to know they hold true happiness in their hearts already. They need to know that happiness isn't some elusive treasure that is just beyond their grasp. True happiness is already inside each one of them, ready at a moment's notice. I also know there are couples living separately together who basically go through the motions who aren't truly happy together, but don't know how to bring back the happiness into their marriage. Happiness has always been there, but sometimes covered over with negatives. Remember, the dominant thought wins. Make your dominant thoughts happy thoughts. Keep an attitude of gratitude. Remember to praise your spouse in public and any negative thought you would have about each other should never leave your lips in public and should be carefully considered before speaking them at home. Once hurtful words are spoken out loud, they can never be taken back. Apologize when necessary. As you point out each other's strengths, the weaknesses are lessened. Strengthen each other, build each other up. Smile more. Allen and I are living happily ever after each and every day. Allen talks on the phone a lot at work doing his business and sometimes when the customer asks Allen how he is, Allen says, "man, I'm just living the good life." Even if you are not currently in a relationship, you, too, can live the good life. True happiness is what God wants for you. It's never too late to open up your heart and accept your own happiness. It's there. It never went away. I want you to be happy, but more than that, God wants you to be happy. So, today, simply be -- Posted By Nan to Nan's Calendar at 7/10/2011 09:41:00 PM

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight. True education combines intellect, beauty, goodness, and the greatest of these is goodness. When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another. Helen Keller

Wow!

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOOD THINGS Sunday, July 10, 2011
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul wrote) 18 "For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." - Philippians 3:18-21(New International Version).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. - James 1:5-8(New International Version).
A QUOTE
He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery. - Anne Frank -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Make yesterday's precious moments today's precious memories. - From Reminise Magazine - The happiest people in the world are those who are too busy to feel miserable. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 103 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 83 degrees. I pray that my air conditioning holds out but I dread my electric bill. I attended Worship Service this morning. I had lunch at home. I took a nap this afternoon with Smokey. I attended church tonight. Tonight was the monthly missionary service where we learn about our missionaries. When I got home from church I put fresh food and water in the back yard for the outside animals. I watered two trees. I was sitting in a lawn chair with a water hose in my hand watering one of the trees. I moved the lawn chair a little and one of the legs must have went in a hole because the lawn chair turned over with me and I rolled on the ground with the side of my face grinding in the dirt. I got up without any trouble and can see no damage except for a scratch on my face where it came in contact with the dirt. I didn't even have a phone out there with me in case I had been hurt. I guess I will have to start taking a phone out with me. My back doesn't seem to have been damaged by the fall but I might know more about that in the morning. The picture tonight is my great-granddaughter, Treva's granddaughter, Bryant and Ashley's daughter, Ella. She is a month old now. The cats are fine. Little Girl is lying in the floor here in the den. Rascal has been through a couple of times or more. Last night at 9:00 p.m. I went into the living room to watch a Billy Graham Service from 1982. Five cats joined me in the living room. Smokey was on a tv tray near me. Itty Bitty was on another tv tray. Friendly was asleep in an easy chair. Rascal was on the floor. Beau came and got in my lap for a minute but then he got on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen but he could still see what we were doing in the living room. The cats stayed with me for the entire program which lasted an hour. At 10:00 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 90 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

SALT OF THE EARTH

Too many, in the world yet fail Believing Satan’s lie They sit deprived within his jail Afraid to even die Life’s living Truth one needs to eat From Heaven with reason Churches should help raise finest wheat With salt; to duly season Season to change the barren earth Each soul in darkness found Raising by grace through second birth To walk on holy ground It’s not for saints to be at rest While others die out there But each is called to give their best Through all God gives to share We know! The Lord has set us free God’s Salt’s in me and you! We need but shake ourselves to see What work there’s still to do? But stagnant salt, will lose its taste For precious work, no good God throws it out; like worthless waste To trample down like mud To stay at home, we’ve no excuse The foe’s here to fight What good is salt when not in use? But sit there looking white! To Christ we live, and so in haste The “Gospel” should be heard As humble salt brings out the taste So saints! Should spread the word……

SATAN’S A LYING CHEAT

When ill at ease, when down and out When sad beyond compare Trust will depart filling with doubt The devil’s had to share Prosperity will pass us by Fruitless before the Lord Like fools; we too are bound to die To feel the Judge’s sword God’s truth, the devil seeks to steal To bring about man’s fall He wants us think he isn’t real No demons live at all The devil is a lying cheat No truth in him is found The chaff is his, but not the wheat Through Christ that’s Heaven bound Though weak, or strong, though dull or wise He’ll try us night and day We never know in which disguise The devil leads astray Too oft we think life’s just no good We’ll never make the grade One’s purest thoughts he turns to mud Where brightest lamps can fade We must take captive every thought The devil brings to mind For every one that isn’t caught He’ll use to keep us blind Yet when God’s Spirit dwells inside We’re greater than the cheat God’s mighty arm turns swift the tide Through Christ! The devil’s beat.....