Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
March 23, 2012

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Wait..... wait...... wait..... actively wait...... in a state of readiness..... being still, aware, watching, preparing..... actively doing nothing

The power of thought is the most mysterious and the greatest of all powers available. It can be the most beneficial, or the most dangerous, depending upon how it is used. Napoleon Hill
Today you are where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. James Allen
While we are waiting, we are thinking. Are we thinking thoughts that render us powerless or are we thinking thoughts that are in alignment with God's will, His calculations or our own? It takes deliberate action to trust and not worry. During the time of being still, when we bring ourselves to that place of non thinking, our minds are opening up to a greater awareness within the soul. Sometimes it is best for us to simply be rather than to do.
I want to share with you a prayer from Ruth Bell Graham:
"Lord, when my soul is weary and my heart is tired and sore, and I have that failing feeling that I can't take it anymore; then let me know the freshening found in simple, childlike prayer, when the kneeling soul knows surely that a listening Lord is there."

Confident in herself and aware of her God-given strength ..... she enjoys an inner contentment that isn't based on accomplishments, status, authority, power, or other people's opinions. This woman of God has learned the value of being as opposed to doing. Author Unknown

Take care and know that I love you. Nan

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
March 23, 2012

“Fending Off Attacks!” (Complacency)
“Above all else, guard your heart….it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

We were created for God. To be His. To serve Him…worship Him…love Him and be with Him. That was the design. That was His design. Unfortunately, that dream was stolen when the “serpent” deceived God’s children into believing that by disobeying God, (i.e., leaving the “sea” from the parable of the Sea Lion) they would be fine. The deceiver has been doing the same ever since—attempting to get God’s children to accept far less than what is theirs in Christ.
Yesterday I listed a number of “weapons” that are at our enemies disposal—instruments of deception that are intended to have us “drop our guard” and drain us of our passion to love and serve God. One of those weapons is that of complacency.
Complacency (defined) is: “…a feeling of self-satisfaction that is coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble or controversy.” Complacency in the workplace can lead to dangerous—even disastrous conditions. Complacency in a marriage or friendship can lead people to treat one another with contempt…taking people for granted. Complacency in our relationship with Christ is the devil’s way of having us believe that while everything on the surface appears to be just fine—underneath we are being lulled into taking a nap when we should be working for the King and the kingdom.
Theologian and seminary professor, Dr. Mendall Taylor wrote a great article called, “The Tabernacle of Complacency.” The following is a portion of this article.
“Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here: And let us make three tabernacles.’” (Luke 9:33)

The disciples enjoyed the supernatural sight on the Mount of Transfiguration. They desired to have it perpetuated indefinitely. Thus Peter suggested that they should build a tabernacle for each person in the Transfiguration, and camp on this holy ground. In this comfortable nest of complacency they could withdraw from the burdens of life and enjoy the prosperity that they felt Jesus would guarantee for them.
The cult of complacency is still with us. In the past we have criticized Russia for putting up an “iron curtain” and China for its “bamboo curtain.” But America is guilty of putting up a curtain of luxury, materialism, and comfort. We insist that everything be automatic, air-foam soft, and painless. We want electronic eyes to open our doors, button-operated gears to run our cars, and air conditioning to control our temperatures. We insist that everything be electronic, and whoever comes up with the next high-tech, laborsaving device will be the hero of the hour.
In a paradise of comforts we worship at the shrine of the convenient and draw aside from the hurts of a heartbroken world. Mountains of ecstasy are wonderful places to visit, but they are not fit for permanent habitation. If we do not come to grips with the crush and tears of reality, we become flabby in a tabernacle of complacency. The Call is to be strong and courageous in these times of moral collapse.
Complacency, spiritually speaking, is the “frog-in-the-kettle” syndrome. You know what I am talking about. It is said that if you take a frog and place it in a pot of boiling water it will leap out immediately. But place that frog in pot of water that is cool and pleasant—start heating the water gradually and the frog will notice the change until it is boiling and too late. The frog’s survival instincts are geared toward sudden changes—but gradual ones they will not recognize. Remain “passionate” about God and guard yourself against such complacency. Remember the words of the prophet Jeremiah who wrote:
“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23 (Emphasis mine)
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Que's Occasional Views

by Quentin Clingerman, Calabash, NC
March 22, 2012

The BIG LIE

Accepting Christ as Savior per se does not make one a Heaven bound Christian. There must be an inward conversion, a change of heart and mind, a decision to follow Jesus. Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow me." He proclaimed repentance (turning away from sin toward God). I watched a program the other evening where people who claimed to be Christians admitted to living anything but a Christlike life. The one man said outright he lived as he pleased but he was going to Heaven because he had confessed Jesus as His Savior. I believe he has a very great shock coming his way on Judgement day. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
St. Paul, St. Peter, St. James, St. John spell out what it means to be converted and to live a Christ -centered life.
I really am concerned that too many believe all they have to do is say they are sinners accept Jesus as their Savior and then live as they please.
Jesus paid too great a price to simply leave the sinner in his sins. And if the sinner went to Heaven he/she would feel very much out of place.
It is not for us to judge. Jesus talked of the tares and wheat growing together and that God would separate them on That Day. The same for the goats and the sheep.
It is not for us to do the separating. Just to preach and teach the message of real conversion, of the necessity of following Jesus in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit does the convicting, convincing, and converting. That is my view of the Biblical perspective.
When someone says we're all sinners, that there is no difference between those who have accepted Christ and are following Him and those who are hanger ons but not really following, I say St. Paul made a difference. He called the converted, saints, not sinners! The real question is for each of us to look in our hearts and the Bible and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit to see if we are living lives of sin or lives of holiness. It is a daily walk with the Lord, not just a one time experience.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
March 22, 2012

“Fending Off Attacks!” (Part One)
“Above all else, guard your heart….it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

For the past three days I shared a modern day parable called “The Sea Lion who Lost the Sea.” If you missed any of the three segments please let me know and I will email the entire parable. It is an incredible description of what can happen if or when a person allows the wrong elements to enter into the deepest part of lives—stealing the passion to love and serve Christ. The idea behind the parable is to provide a vivid “word picture” of the fact that our heart and life are intended to belong to God. We were created to worship Him, serve Him and love Him.
A great “Biblical” example is provided by the Apostle Paul from his letter to the Church in Ephesus. Here is the scene: He is sitting in a prison cell in Rome, courtesy of the Roman Government—just across from him is a fully dressed Roman soldier assigned to him (which would have been customary for political prisoners). As he is writing his letter the thought comes to his mind that just as that soldier is equipped with armor to protect him against his enemy, God has provided Christians with “Spiritual” armor that we need to use to protect us from assaults that the enemy of our souls throws our way.
According to historians, even though they did not create body armor—the Romans certainly did their part to perfect it. Their soldiers were without question the best equipped of any army of their day. One of those pieces of armor he mentions is the “Breastplate of Righteousness.” The breastplate covered the entire chest area, which of course would include the heart! Maybe thinking out loud—Paul is saying that because the enemy is so strong…you need to do your best to guard one of the most precious places in your life…your heart, which include your passions.
There are a number of “weapons” that the devil has at his disposal—weapons intended to discourage us just enough to get us to “drop our guard” and allow him to pierce our heart and steal our passion to serve God and do what is right (ergo: the Breastplate of righteousness.) Now…most of those reading this message can say with a very strong degree of certainty—they are “safe” here because they are careful not to fall into the devil’s snare and “sin the big sins!” We don’t murder, steal, commit adultery, use the Lord’s name in vain…etc. Others are careful not allow bitterness to fester, they do not gossip, do not worship other gods, honor their parents...they are good, godly people.
But just as in war—there are a host of weapons that can be used to destruct and destroy…So do not be deceived—we can fall prey in a number of other ways and it is for that very reason that we must always be on our guard. There are a host of some very useful and destructive weapons we need to guard against. They are what I would call “The Passion-Thieves!” Very subtle elements that the devil is able to slip into our lives with the intent to not only lead us “away from the sea,” (away from God), but convince us that we are fine without Him. That, my friends is why we must always be on our guard!
Here are just a sample of these thieves, the enemies weapons he uses to kill our passion for both serving God and living life: Complacency, Mediocrity, Apathy, Busyness, Fatigue, and Blame.
Over the next several days I would like to discuss each of these in a bit more detail with the intent of helping everyone to know what to look for as you face your daily battles. Remember, the devil knows he cannot win the big fights so he will simply use guerilla warfare to fulfill his design to distract and destroy! So friends—be on your guard!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Nan's Calendar

by Nan Forehand, Statesville, NC
March 22, 2012

Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person. Mother Teresa

It has been one month since my last message to you. As I type this note, it is 12:14 am on March 22nd. I just finished cleaning 44 teddy bears for the hospital emergency room. I am somehow compelled to sit here and send you this note. Why? Because I haven't given up on Nan's Calendar; because I haven't lost the fire in my soul to be a vessel God can use; because I still care about encouraging others in my simple way. I have several quotes I want to share with you that have deep meaning for me.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran

The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in the thing makes it happen. Frank Lloyd Wright

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The life given to us by nature is short, but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal. Marcus Tullius Cicero

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. Unknown

I really learned to practice mustard seed faith, and positive thinking, and remarkable things happened. Sir John Walton

It has been one month since my dear, sweet brother, Woody died. Part of me is still in shock that he has passed on. Sometimes, I understand completely and sometimes, I just want to scream. I love him so much. The quotes I have shared with you speak to me of his life and the remarkable man I will love all of my life. Warm, wet tears slip down my cheeks as I type these words to you.
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. Please cherish every day. Cherish every minute. Cherish every breath, not only your own, but all others, as well. I will dry my tears and in a little while I will go to bed.
You are in my thoughts and prayers tonight. Never forget that I'm not far away. I'm as close as your thought of me and you are as close to me as my thought of you.

Love always, Nan