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Archive for March 2011
March 12, 2011
Nan's Calendar
by Nan Forehand, Statesville, SC
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy, spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:11-12
God is in the center of everything in my life. My Blackberry is beside my bed when I go to sleep at night. Usually before I even get up off the bed in the morning, I'm in the Blackberry reading Bible verses a friend sends me through email. God and I have conversations all throughout the day. I believe my soul and my destiny are in the hands of The Almighty and I truly do believe, not out of arrogance, but out of a deep-rooted faith and trust in God, I will be in Heaven one day. I know I can't be good enough or do enough to get to Heaven. I know I am forgiven enough, because I believe in the promises of God and God is not capable of lying. It is not within His Holy essence to lie.
I am excited about going to Heaven when my time comes. I'm not afraid of the physical death. Yes, I'm curious and I have many questions, but fear is not in the equation. Life is very precious and also fragile. I am so glad to be alive and to know my purpose in life. I know when God has fully used me on earth to encourage people, He will take me home. Yes, I want to be completely used up for God and His beloved ones on earth before I take my last breath.
It's amazing how this message has taken shape.... I was in the process of cleaning my bedroom and needed to do something with a bunch of books lying on the floor in the corner of the room and came across one in particular that stirred my attention. I immediately came to the computer and began to write what you're reading today. I didn't plan this message ahead of time, though it is flowing from my mind through my fingertips. The funny thing is, nothing specifically in the book is a part of the message today. It simply provided the necessary inspiration to get up and come to the computer rather than providing an excuse to keep from cleaning up my room. It is right and fitting that this is today's message. I have no hesitation whatsoever that this is God's word for you today! I'm off to the bedroom to pick up where I stopped a few minutes ago. Now, I will clean my room with more enthusiasm and energy! Take care! love ya! Nan
What Do You See?
By: Nan Forehand
Heavenly Father above
Do I make you proud and show enough love?
what do you see when you see me?
Do others see your reflection when they gaze into my eyes?
Lord keep me away from things You despise.
What is it about me You like the least?
Do I talk to You enough for you to recognize my voice?
Do I praise You so much You smile and rejoice?
What is it about me You'd like to change?
Do I succeed on Your behalf to those despondent?
Self-confident...or mature enough to be God-confident?
What is it about me You love the most?
They say "if you're not sure, just ask."
Lord, I know You're up to the task.
I feel like a child asking twenty questions...
What do You see when you see me?
Do You ever get tired of me asking questions?
One day You and I are going to have a nice long talk.
written on Sunday, October 23, 2005
Good Things
by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
GOOD THINGS
Friday, March 11, 2011
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
- Psalm 33:5(New Living Translation).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. - Daniel 12:3(New Living Translation).
A QUOTE
We have heard of many people who have trusted God too little, but have you ever heard of anyone who trusted Him too much? - J. Hudson Taylor -
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Doing your best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 74 degrees. Low temperature last night was 38 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office. At 1:30 p.m. I had a routine appointment with Dr. Jackson, my family doctor. I am doing as good as an 85 year old man should be expected to do. I took my nap late around 3:30 p.m. and got up a little after 5:00 p.m.
Little 2 year old Jacob Rich went to be with Jesus around 6:00 a.m. this morning. He was in a car accident on Wednesday afternoon with his mother. His mother was checked at the hospital on Wednesday but didn't have to stay in the hospital. Please pray for the mother and dad, the grandparents and other relatives during this very sad time in their lives. We should also pray for all of the people in Japan in the aftermath of the terrible earthquake.
The cats are fine. Doing their usual things.
At 10:10 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 63 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
- Psalm 33:5(New Living Translation).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. - Daniel 12:3(New Living Translation).
A QUOTE
We have heard of many people who have trusted God too little, but have you ever heard of anyone who trusted Him too much? - J. Hudson Taylor -
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Doing your best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 74 degrees. Low temperature last night was 38 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went to the post office. At 1:30 p.m. I had a routine appointment with Dr. Jackson, my family doctor. I am doing as good as an 85 year old man should be expected to do. I took my nap late around 3:30 p.m. and got up a little after 5:00 p.m.
Little 2 year old Jacob Rich went to be with Jesus around 6:00 a.m. this morning. He was in a car accident on Wednesday afternoon with his mother. His mother was checked at the hospital on Wednesday but didn't have to stay in the hospital. Please pray for the mother and dad, the grandparents and other relatives during this very sad time in their lives. We should also pray for all of the people in Japan in the aftermath of the terrible earthquake.
The cats are fine. Doing their usual things.
At 10:10 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 63 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.
March 11, 2011
Daily Jewel
by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Today's message is an old one. I felt I needed something which could more adequately describe not just my emotions but what many are feeling today. In times where there are no answers our only recourse is to "Lean on Jesus!" That is what we must do today!
“Leaning on Jesus”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…lean not on your own understanding…” – Proverbs 3:4,5
“Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms.”
Elisha A. Hoffman
We all know the influence that Charles and John Wesley had on their generation (and beyond, to this day) through their prolific production of great hymns. But did you know that John Wesley sought personal help and understanding of God through a German hymn writer named Gerhard Tersteegen? It’s true. Tersteegen was a product of German Pietism of the 18th Century, which would make him a contemporary of the Wesleys.
John Wesley traveled to the Rhine region of Germany in September, 1738. His contact with Gerhard Tersteegen led to his decision to translate a group of German hymns into English. Among them was a hymn written by Tersteegen—the first stanza of which reads as follows:
Thou hidden love of God, whose height, Whose depth unfathomed no man knows,
I see from far Thy beauteous light, Only I sigh for Thy repose;
My heart is pained, nor can it be; At rest, till it finds rest in Thee.
Though a bit stiff when compared to today’s contemporary Christian lyrics, the meaning is clear. There is rest in the arms of God. The psalmist understood it; the Wesleys understood it; Hoffman understood it. We can understand it too, and we can apply the truth of these hymns to our daily lives.
Though it is not thought of in terms of it’s “spiritual” significance, one of the most popular songs from the 1970’s has a message that continues to live on. The song, “Lean on Me” has been covered by over 20 artists in various forms – even several Christian artists. Here is a bit of the history behind the song that reminds us that “leaning” has a purpose!
Withers wrote "Lean on Me" based on his experiences growing up in a West Virginia coal mining town. Times were hard and when a neighbor needed something beyond their means, the rest of the community would chip in and help. He came up with the chord progression while fooling around on his new Wurlitzer electric piano. The sound of the chords reminded Withers of the hymns that he heard at church while he was growing up. After playing the song for his pastor he was encouraged to find a way to have it recorded – which he would. It would be the number one song in America for three weeks in 1972. It is the only song to have reached number 1 by two different artists. “Lean on Me" was also the title theme of a 1989 movie starring Morgan Freeman. For those who may not know it, here are the lyrics. As you read them, picture the Lord saying these words to us!
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, We all have sorrow
But if we are wise, We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you're not strong-And I'll be your friend-I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long, 'Til I'm gonna need - Somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride, If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs, That you don't let show
If there is a load you have to bear, That you can't carry
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load, If you just call me
So just call on me brother, when you need a hand - We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand - We all need somebody to lean on
The following is a possible prayer for today as we “Learn to Lean” on Jesus. If John Wesley needed more – we need to go further as well.
Father God, I know the lyrics to “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” but I need to do more than to sing the words. I need to experience the reality. Situations around me tend to undermine faith. They mock my desire to be entirely yours. I try to beat my way out of the wilderness in which I find myself, but when I do it within my own strength and resources, I fail. Teach me today how to lean on you—really lean hard on you. If I understand anything about you, I understand that you want it that way too. So, on days when I’m not able to sing the lyrics, I’ll hum the tune. Thank you for supporting me in this effort. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Nan's Calendar
by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
Ecclesiastes 3:4
When was the last time you laughed until you cried? If you haven't had a good "bust a gut funny" laugh lately, do yourself a favor. It's so much better when you can share this kind of laughter with someone you love. I'm still feeling the after effects of an episode late last night. It was the silliest, most unexpected situation I think I have ever had in my entire life.
Earlier this week, our seven year old computer simply died and we purchased a new one. This one has features we've never seen before. Our daughter called last night and we talked a few minutes and then she decided to come over. She visited with Allen and John and at some point, she and I got on the computer. She's a computer wiz and she started teaching me about some of the features. The computer has a camera on it and she got us up on the screen "live". The feature is called photo booth. Then, she clicked onto "effects" and the next thing I knew, I was literally breathless from laughing so hard. It was very late and we were trying not to wake up the guys as they had already gone to bed. Do you know how hard it is to stifle laughter when you just want to let it all out without a care as to how loudly you're laughing? Controlled laughter is tough at best! She had clicked on "x-ray". I looked at us "live" on the computer screen and we looked so silly in"x-ray" that I couldn't believe what was happening. We looked ghastly such that all shades were reversed in black and white. Our teeth looked black and our dark hair looked white. You get the picture, right; we looked like living and breathing photo negatives! That's it! We looked like living and breathing photo negatives from 35 mm film!
Why am I sharing this story with you? Laughter is contagious! Sometimes, our perception of situations and circumstances is so serious, we forget to enjoy the humorous side of life.
You see, this story wouldn't be today's message if our daughter had not, on the spur of the moment, decided to come over for a brief visit last night. It was one of the most wonderful, unexpected visits we have had in a while. An already great day became and awesome day thanks to an unexpected visit from our wonderful daughter. She and I will remember being in the "photo booth" together for a very long time and we will both, where ever we are at that moment of remembering, smile and relive that wonderful mother/daughter time together. I will encourage her to share this same story with others, as will I. As in this case, the story teller may get more out of the story than the audience, but who knows what lesson the story will bring, as well.
Yes, "stuff" can get very heavy at times, but always remember to find something to share with each other that is so positive it overpowers the negative and replaces the heavy weight with a feather light feeling that sweetly lingers in your heart. A good dose of "bust a gut funny" will work wonders for both of you!
It's a beautiful, chilly morning and I must get up now and get ready for work! Take care and be sure to enjoy the gift of this day God has given us and be sure to make laughter a part of it! I hope you laugh until you cry!!! Love, Nan
Good Things
by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
- Habakkuk 3:17-18(New Living Translation).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 For the Lord is our judge,
our lawgiver, and our king.
He will care for us and save us.
- Isaiah 33:22(New Living Translation).
A QUOTE
One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer -
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Children's ears may be closed to advice, but their eyes are open to example.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 61 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 33 degrees. I had lunch with Charley and Bill. I went by the post office and then to the cemetery. I took my nap in early afternoon. At about 3:30 p.m. I went to Walmart for cat food and other items. Please pray for a little boy named Jacob in the hospital in Tulsa, who with his mother was in a very serious car accident yesterday. Jacob's organs are beginning to shut down and they don't expect him to make it through the night. His grandparents, Curtis and Debra Schock, attend the same church that I attend.
The cats are fine. Little Girl on the couch and Rascal in the recliner. My daughter, Treva, who lives in Topeka, Kansas, lost one of her cats yesterday named Mickey. She was in Treva's lap when she died and needless to say it was a very sad time for Treva. A friend will help her bury Mickey in her back yard. I had to shed a few tears when Treva gave me the news this morning. I have seen Mickey several times. Treva brought her with her one time when she visited me. Treva still has 2 cats and a dog.
At 10:00 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 49 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.
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