Nan's Calendar

By    Nan Forehand,  Statesville, NC

Subject: Nan's Calendar Jan 28th - Precious Promises
Date: Jan 28, 2011 8:03 AM
2 Peter 1:3-11

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.  For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

First, remember that salvation is God's work.  It is not our work.  I can't remember not having faith in my life.  Faith is believing in something good I can't see in front of me at that moment I believe.  I can remember from times long ago, I have always wanted to be good and to do good.  Mine is a continual hunger for knowledge of the Lord.  I have a highlighter especially made for highlighting words in the Bible.  I highlight passages when they jump off the page at me and cause the beat of my heart to quicken.  I know I will need those passages again.  Yes, the verses I've shared with you today are highlighted.  They were already highlighted when I opened my Bible a few minutes ago.  It's a mystery how long ago I highlighted them. 
We can only exercise self-control in a situation that would influence us otherwise.  We  persevere when we are going through a difficult time and feel like giving in or giving up.  We can change our feelings if we don't like the way we feel about something or someone.  We will get through; we must get through; we persevere; we believe this difficult time is temporary and we will overcome what ever is holding us back.  It is a daily endeavor to be more godly; something we have to put into practice each and every day.  Spending quality time in solitude with the nose in the Bible, learning and applying God's plan and the very nature of God trains us to be more godly in our words and our actions.  You are my sisters and brothers, one and all.  Every kindness I extend is because of the love of God in my heart and because of my love for you.  Love.  It is more than romantic.  It is more than sensual emotions.  It is more than a pretty card and gift on Valentine's Day.  Love is an action word.  We have 365 days to express our love and countless ways to show it.   I believe "Lord" and "love" appear in the Bible more than any other words printed therein. God is love and love is of God.  I want to be an effective and productive disciple of God.  It's easier than one might think.  Keep the desire alive and burning in your heart. Take care and keep smiling. 
Love, Nan

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it
a song is no song 'til you sing it
and love in your heart
wasn't put there to stay
love isn't love 'til you give it away
(lyrics from Oscar Hammerstein)
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Congressional Reform Amendment

Sent by Michelle Angelini, Hollywood, CA

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PLEASE READ!
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified!  Why?  Simple!  The people demanded it.  That was in 1971... before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
 
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.
 
I'm asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
 
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.  This is one idea that really should be passed around.
 
Congressional Reform Act of 2011
 
1. Term Limits.
 
  12 years only, one of the possible options below..
 
  A. Two Six-year Senate terms
  B. Six Two-year House terms
  C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
 
2.  No Tenure / No Pension.
 
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office. 
 
3.  Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
 
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.  All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
 
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
 
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
 
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
 
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
 
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11. 
 
The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.  Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
 
 
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
 
 
If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message.  Maybe it is time.
 

Good Things

By   Everett Christian,  McAlester, OK


GOOD THINGS
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
 
 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.  - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8(New International Version).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."  - John 8:34-46(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
Failure is never the final chapter of the book of your life unless you give up and quit.
- Dale Galloway -
 
 
 
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
 
Every cloud doesn't mean a storm.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
He who digs a hole for another may fall in himself.
 - From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 54 degrees.  Low temperature last night was 22 degrees.  As usual, I had lunch with my brother, Charley, at Taco Bobs.  I went by the post office and then to Walgreens to pick up a couple of prescriptions.  I think that I take enough pills to start a pharmacy but I guess that is what is keeping me here.  I had my nap this afternoon as usual.  I put out food for the outside animals around 5:00 p.m.  Just another normal day for me.  I know some of you are interested in Pastor J.T.'s condition since I mention him quite often and many of you receive his Daily Jewel so I will leave a note from his wife at the end of tonight's Good Things.  I am sure most everyone has recognized the cat picture tonight as Leo.
 
The cats are fine.  Little Girl is on the desk near me and Rascal is in the recliner.  The others are sleeping, I suppose.
 
At 9:45 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 41 degrees.  I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.
 
Here is Dianne's letter:
 
Well, we really do not know anything except the test results are back and the Dr. (who ever it is) will not have time to see JT until Late tonight or mid morning tomorrow- so they are keeping him one more night. From all indications, everything is fine, but we do not have the final word of what happened. 

THanks for all your prayers and we will let you know

Dianne

Nan's Calendar

By Nan Forehand,  Statesville, NC

Subject: Nan's Calendar Jan 27th - No Room For Doubt
Date: Jan 27, 2011 7:38 AM
Mark 12:28-34

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.  Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is that 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 'The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied, "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.  To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God," and from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

There are mysteries in the Bible, such as the one associated with the last part of this passage "and from then on no one dared ask him any more questions." I wonder why they didn't dare to ask more questions of Jesus.  It's a mystery, but I don't doubt Jesus' motive at all for the way he responded to the teacher.  That's the bottom line for me....I don't doubt Jesus period.

I wrote the following poem July 2008 and want to share it with you. Have a wonderful day and take care of you for me.  Love, Nan

No Room For Doubt

in my life, there's no room for doubt
my Savior, Jesus Christ, has ultimate clout
developing my faith has taken a lifetime
for years I was silent as a mime
buried so deep inside, words I couldn't express
life was a complete and utter mess
I've fought my battles, that's for sure
each time, I turned to Jesus, holy and pure
through all my trials, I've learned
embers of faith always burned
yes, faith - ultimate and absolute
stronger now - my thoughts, Satan can't pollute
I don't worry and doubt what God can do
with Him, nothing is impossible for me and you
through Him, I'm saved - of that, I truly believe
He gave me power to tell Satan to leave
God has given me a voice to speak
I'm here to encourage - at times, we're all weak
to doubt my God, I'm not inclined
I won't allow negative thoughts to linger in my mind
in my life, there's no room for doubt
all I have to do is tell Satan to get out
he's a thief, a liar and a mocker
from a worldly view, he's no debaucher
to God, I submit a prayer of supplication
lead, guide and direct our great nation
though Satan has his day
close to me he will not stay
Jesus is mine - He's my all in all
He catches me each time I start to fall
in my life, there's no room for doubt
Jesus, my Savior, has ultimate clout

Nan's Calendar

By  Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC

What wonderful peace and joy come into our heart and soul when we know Jesus has made us whole.

It is the most awesome feeling in the world to know that I am, indeed, whole. It wasn't always so. I remember a long time ago, before I met Allen, I lived through a time in my life when I was just a shell of a person. With Allen's love and encouragement, I began to grow and blossom. Mr. Bob was the angel from God who helped me through my growth spurts. A number of years ago, I realized that my spirit had finally healed and I had grown enough in my faith to the point of being whole again. I love Allen with all my heart and soul. He and his wonderful family are a blessing from God. None of the good things in my life would have been possible without Jesus abiding in my heart.

Yes, there will be trials in life that lead us to the point of feeling empty inside if we dwell on the negative aspect of the trials long enough. I know some of you are hurting inside and may feel the void in your life that nothing else has been able to fill. It is the deliberate development of an intimate relationship with Jesus for which you've been searching. You may not have even realized it at the time. Satan will try to cover your ears from hearing the truth. This is why I tell you the importance of being among a body of believers on a continual basis. Jesus and your church family, collectively, will help to strengthen you more than you can imagine.

I can't say that I am always happy, but I do have peace and joy in my heart. Happiness is fleeting, but joy clings to the spirit. Take care, dear friends. I pray for peace and joy in your heart and soul. Love, Nan

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Posted By Nan to Nan's Calendar at 1/26/2011 08:15:00 AM