Nan's Calendar

by  Nan Forehand,  Statesville, NC

You cannot suddenly fabricate foundations of strength; they must have been building all along.
Philip Yancey

What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?  It is God who justifies.   Who is he that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39

Our foundations of strength and faith are built stronger each time we absorb God's truths in the Bible.  I want to whet your appetite, to give you a taste, to want more of the precious Bread of Life, which will give you renewed energy and vigor in laying the blocks and sealing the mortar of your foundation.  It all begins with the living Stone, Jesus Christ.  I urge you to open your Bible to 1 Peter Chapter 2, where you will learn more about not only the Capstone, but about living stones.   The analogy of living  stones ( we, as believers)  takes us from building the foundation to becoming the foundation and then becoming a living, breathing spiritual building, that being the church.  For everything in life, there is a beginning, a middle and an end.  From its beginning to its end, the church is built on Jesus.
I know, some are of the mindset that they have become disenchanted with "church" altogether.  Remember, not one human being is perfect.  We are all a work in progress.  Open your heart, your mind and your spirit to the will of God and you will be amazed at where He leads you!  Are you willing to be a living stone?

As you and I hold hands (figuratively, right now) you will feel the warmth of this stone that was warmed by the Son.  It takes a multitude of stones to build a church.  We are all connected.  Each stone is important and serves a vital function.  You are very important and your function is very important.  We support each other, providing strength to the foundation that upholds us all.

Take care and enjoy being a stone today.
Love, Nan