Nan's Calendar

by       Nan Forehand,  Statesvile, NC  

 
A word I used in this poem is one we don't hear very often.  The word dross means 1)scum on molten metal 2) refuse; rubbish.  Sometimes, it seems as though we do have scum over our eyes and can't see clearly (spiritually speaking).  We may be concerned about someone's behavior and say "why can't he see that what he is doing ...........?" You can fill in the blank.  Pray for him that Jesus will remove the "scum", "dross" from his eyes so he can see the err of his ways.  Sometimes, our thoughts don't lead to actions.  Sometimes, however, they do.  Our impure thoughts must be removed and replaced with thoughts and actions that serve and honor God.  I believe our time on earth is preparation for an eternity in heaven and we must be ready when the time comes.  As much as I believe in heaven, I also believe in hell.  Not everyone will enter the gates of heaven.  Yes, we must be cleansed and purified; all because of love.  Take care and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Love, Nan

Because of Love

written by: Nan Forehand
Saturday, April 7, 2007

we humans can't begin to comprehend
this love which knows no end
though Jesus hung and died on the cross
He continues to cleanse us of human dross
this dross we cannot see, but
Jesus will wash us clean as can be
He washes the dross from our spiritual eyes
sometimes it hurts and He hears our cries
our spirit and our mind He will caress
cleanliness is next to Godliness
cleanse us all He certainly must
we should be still and give Him our trust
He'll cleanse our heart and even our feet
and one day face to face we will meet

Daily Jewel

by  Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAlester, OK

“Will You Stand?”  

 “Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions.  Do what I say and you'll live well.  My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it!  Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart.  Talk to Wisdom as to a sister.  Treat Insight as your companion.  They'll be with you to fend off the Temptress— that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress.”

 – Proverbs 7:1-5 (MSG)

                                    

A woman bought a parrot to keep her company but returned it the next day.  "This bird doesn't talk," she told the owner.

"Does he have a mirror in his cage?" he asked.  "Parrots love mirrors.  They see their reflection and start a conversation."  The woman bought a mirror and left.

The next day, she was back; the bird still wasn't talking.  "How about a ladder?  Parrots love ladders.  A happy parrot is a talkative parrot."  The woman bought a ladder and left.

But the next day, she was back.  "Does your parrot have a swing?  No?  Well, that's the problem.  Once he starts swinging, he'll talk up a storm."  The woman reluctantly bought a swing and left.

When she walked into the store the next day she was sad and downcast.  "The parrot died," she said.  The pet store owner was shocked!

"I'm so sorry.  Tell me, did he ever say a word?"  he asked.

"Yes, right before he died," the woman replied.  "In a weak voice he asked me, 'Don't they sell any food at that pet store?'"

The moral of the story is to always make sure to keep the main thing the main thing!

From the very beginning of the book of Proverbs this has been the theme—there is nothing as important as the word and commands of God.  Any attempt to skirt around that issue will end in failure—just ask the parrot.  O, you can’t…he’s dead.

It makes you wonder how many through the centuries have fallen prey to the “seductress,”  that voice of persuasion that has lured even the noblest of individuals.  

 

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” – Revelation 19:1, 2

 

Maybe the question to ask is, “How strong are you when it comes to your faith?”  Are you easily persuaded to follow the voice that is the loudest?  I came across the following illustration some years ago.  I cannot validate its authenticity but I ask the question…what if?  What if our faith was challenged?  What would you do?  Would you stand…or be persuaded to sit back?

There was a professor of philosophy who was a deeply committed atheist.   His primary goal for one required class was to spend the entire semester attempting to prove that God couldn't exist. His students were always afraid to argue with him because of his impeccable logic.  For twenty years, he had taught this class and no one had ever had the courage to go against him.   Sure, some had argued in class at times, but no one had ever really gone against him because of his reputation.  At the end of every semester on the last day, he would say to his class of 300 students, "If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!"

In twenty years, no one had ever stood up.  They knew what he was going to do next.  He would say, "Because anyone who believes in God is a fool.  If God existed, he could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the floor and breaking.  Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can't do it."  And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor of the classroom and it would shatter into several pieces.  All of the students would do nothing but stop and stare.  Most of the students thought that God couldn't exist.

Certainly, a number of Christians had slipped through, but for twenty years, they too, had been to afraid to stand up.  Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened to enroll.  He was Christian, and had heard the stories about his professor.  He was required to take the class for his major and he was afraid.  But for three months that semester, he prayed every morning that he would have the courage to stand up no matter what the professor said, or what the class thought.  Nothing they said could ever shatter his faith...he hoped.  Finally, the day came.  The professor said, "If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!"  The freshman stood up. The professor and the class of 300 people looked at him, shocked, as he stood up at the back of the classroom.  The professor shouted, "You FOOL!!!  If God existed, he would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hits the ground!"  He proceeded to drop the chalk, but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, onto the pleat of his pants, down his leg and off his shoe.  As it hit the floor, it simply rolled away unbroken.  The professor's jaw dropped as he stared at the chalk.  He looked up at the young man and then he ran out of the lecture hall.  The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front of room and shared his faith in Jesus for the next half hour.  Three hundred students stayed and listened as he told of God's love for them and of His power through Jesus.

Whose voice is louder in your life?  Whose power of persuasion is stronger?

Good Things

by      Everett Christian,  McAlester, OK  

GOOD THINGS
Sunday, March 6, 2011
 
 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
(Jesus said) 8 "When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."
- John 15:8(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
 37 “For in just a little while,
      the Coming One will come and not delay.
 38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
      But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”  - Hebrews 10:35-38(New Living Translation)
 
 
 
A QUOTE
If there is no peace in your pace, you're not running God's race. You're running one of your own.
- Patsy Clairmont -
 
 
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
It is easier to leave angry words unspoken than to mend a heart these words have broken.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
NOTES
Today has been mostly sunny with some cloudy skies now and then. High temperature today was 58 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 24 degrees. I attended Sunday School and Worship Services this morning. Pastor J. T. continued his messages on What Is A Christian? Today's message was titled "Stand Up Straight!" I had lunch at home. I had a nap this afternoon. Little Girl was also on the bed. I attended church tonight.
 
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on her blanket and Rascal is in the recliner. Leo came by a little while ago. The others are resting somewhere.
 
At 10:00 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 48 degrees. I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett. 

Could This Be True?

What about separation of church and state? Or does that only apply in the USA?

Obama's Department of State has begun to use our tax dollars to pay for refurbishing Mosques around the world -- and provide them with the Internet -- while our nation continues to go deeply into debt.

Atlanta TV station reports:

 

http://www.wsbtv.com/video/25764282/index..html

Good Things

 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  - John 1:29(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
 28 Have you never heard?
      Have you never understood?
   The Lord is the everlasting God,
      the Creator of all the earth.
   He never grows weak or weary.
      No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
 29 He gives power to the weak
      and strength to the powerless.
- Isaiah 40:28-29(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
He may not hear a good sermon at church. But unless he is very unfortunate he will hear a sermon by a good man who, with his good wife, is engaged all the week long in a series of wearing and humdrum and important tasks for making hard lives a little easier.  - Theodore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth president of the United States -
 
 
 
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
 
The world is like a mirror, reflecting what you do, and if your face is smiling, it smiles right back at you.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
The morning was cloudy but skies cleared around noontime. High temperature today was 51 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 37 degrees. The lady came at 11:00 a.m. and cleaned my house while I went to lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. I went to a Dollar General Store. I had a nap in early afternoon and Little Girl was there on my bed. Around 4:00 p.m. I went to Walmart for some items. I filled my van with gasoline at Walmart. I payed $3.25 per gallon.
 
 The cats are fine. Little Girl and Rascal are in their usual places here in the den. The others are around somewhere. All are accounted for.
 
At 9:20 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 41 degrees. Have a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.