Saturday, May 29, 2010

For God So Loved The World

John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condem the world, but to save the world through Him.  Whoever believes in Him is not condemed, but who ever does not believe stands condemed already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

We are aware of God's love in many ways.  He works in us as we rest in Him.  All we need to do is to be still and know that He is God and let Him do His work in us.  He will come to us.  He will speak to us.  He will give to us.  He will guide us and He will always and forever love us.  We know that we know that we know. I surely don't claim to know everything, but I know the truth.  John 3:16-18 and my message today hold the truth.  In order for one to believe anything, one must first "hear".  Now go out into the world, believing this and share the good news! 
You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Love, Nan

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Worship God, love people, and use things

In this universe there is God, and there are people and things.  We should worship God, love people, and use things.  But if we start worshiping ourselves, we will ignore God and start loving things and using people.  This is the formula for a miserable life.
Warren Weirsbe

None of us truly want to live a miserable life.  Today's quote would not have been provided for me had it not been for my son, John who attended a worship service after he left our church service.  He left our church a few minutes before the end of the service at 10:35 (we have an early service) and went to a church a few miles north of home (their service begins at 11:00)  to attend the Sunday worship service with a friend of his from school.  The quote used here today was printed in that church bulletin John brought home.  This is the message from God for His people.  Read the quote again.  It's all about perspective.  It's all about free will and freedom of choice.  It's all about God, others and then ourselves.  Will you submit to God's will in order to accept the freedom He offers? 

My peace I give to you.  John 14:27

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The Power of Love

When the power of love overcomes the love of power then the world will know peace.
bumper sticker

I love flowers.  I guess some would say that is an understatement.  I enjoy each and every phase of development of the growth of my flowers, especially my roses.   The weather conditions this Spring have come in perfect timing for them.  When I stroll through the roses in my courtyard, I'm transported to a beautiful place inside my mind.  All events of the day are as a mist, here one minute and gone the next, as I focus my energy and my thoughts toward these magnificent blooms with their unique fragrances.  To capture their beauty through the lens of my camera is a delight.  It is my pleasure to share them with you.  I have added a rose today and my peony for your viewing pleasure.  Yes, I love my flowers. 
There are so many people I love, as well.  I even love those who present themselves in a most unlovable fashion.  As complex as the shape of my roses, so too, are humans complex creatures.  The instant a person smiles, really smiles from the heart, for that moment, all troubling thoughts disappear and all is right with the world.  Even if for only a moment in time, peace comes.  We need to strive to create more peace inside our hearts and that peace transcends space and time to flow along the currents of energy in the air.
Regardless of what is your present situation, create peace in your heart.  Yes, even in the midst of sorrow, you can be at peace with joy in your heart.  It is possible and so worth your effort.  Have a wonderful evening and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Nan

Monday, May 17, 2010

A Prayer for Geneva

I just learned a few minutes ago, of the death on Saturday, May 15th of Geneva's husband.   Please join me in lifting up Geneva and her family as they go through this time of mourning.  She and I have never met in person, but because of the miracle of the internet, she has come to be a very dear friend.  I don't know exactly where she lives or the sound of her voice.  I've never held her hand, but I've held her close inside my heart many times.  I've lifted her up in prayer when she didn't even know I was thinking of her and her husband.  I lift her up this very moment and know God is giving her the courage and strength she needs to move through these days accepting the reality that her soulmate is now with the Lord in Heaven.  She has been a good and faithful wife.  I know in my heart that she truly knows and loves the Lord, because His presence clearly radiates from within her.  Her words and character reflect the beauty of the Lord.  Her husband was gifted with her love and devotion.  Though I didn't know him well, I know he was loved deeply by Geneva.
My prayers and sympathy go out to her now. 

Friday, May 14, 2010

To Touch The World

There is no famous quote today.  There is no Bible verse.  There's just you and me.  If anything I've ever said to you has touched you in a special way, God has touched you through me.  You are the world to me.  God wants us all to reach out and touch the world.  It's really not as big as you think.  When I think about the awesomeness of God and all He has created, how big is the world in comparison to Him?  He is greater than anything and everything.  You are greater than you think.  You are the reason I write.  When you don't even realize it, you give me reason to continue writing.  You are my inspiration and my challenge.  I want to touch your heart.  I want God to touch your heart.  I want you to live fully and joyfully.  There is no time for regrets.  Be the best you that you can be right now.  Right this minute is all we truly have.  We don't know what the next minute will bring.  Take care and know that I hold you close in thought and prayer.  Love, Nan

Monday, May 10, 2010

Suzanna Wesley - A Great Mother

Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish for spiritual things, then it is a sin for you, however innocent it may be in itself.
Suzanna Wesley

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanna_Wesley
Suzanna Wesley was a remarkable woman to say the least.  She is known as the Mother of Methodism, the mother of John and Charles Wesley.  I hope you take a moment to follow the link I have provided to learn more about the kind of mother she was, not only to her flesh and blood family, but to the family of man, in general.  She is a great example to us all.  We are all a work in progress.  You may, as well, want to explore the history of the lives of her sons. 
I was raised Southern Baptist in North Carolina, where I became a born again Christian at the age of eleven, was a member of a wonderful Presbyterian church in Virginia, a member of an awesome United Methodist church in Florida and am currently a member in a precious United Methodist church in North Carolina.  Many of the godly women in all of these churches helped mold me and shape me into the woman I am still becoming. 
If you aren't a member of a church, you are missing out on knowing some wonderful, loving and compassionate women who desire to bring others closer to the Lord, to help them develop and strengthen their relationship with our Creator and fellowship with one another in the Spirit of the Lord.  It seems I am talking only to the women readers today.  Let it not go unnoticed that I am also speaking to men.  This message applies to people of all ages, all walks of life.  We are all on a journey and we don't have to trudge along our way alone.  God doesn't want us to be alone or lonely.  However, we can and must step outside our door and step outside our comfort zone in order to grow into the person of God we are becoming.   It may sound odd, but it is good for us to experience loneliness for a time in order to fully appreciate companionship and fellowship with other believers.  Remember, everything this side of Heaven is temporary, even the loneliness.
Take care and have a wonderful day!  Love, Nan

Sunday, May 9, 2010

A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love
by:  Nan Forehand

Can anything in the world compare to
the look of love on a mother's face?

Can the hug from any other person
warm your heart and soul as a mother's hug?

Can any other speak the language of love
in the same way as a mother?

Can it be that a mother's love
will ever die or be forgotten?

Can there ever be a sweeter sound
than laughter from a mother's lips?

If your Mother is not here - cherish her memories
and share them with someone.
If your Mother is here - cherish her now.
The time you spend with her today

will be a memory tomorrow.
Create happy memories today.

(c) 2008
Author's Note: My Mama died 25 years ago and not a day goes by that I don't think of her and cherish our short time together.  I was 24 years old when she died.  Yes, 24 years is a short time together.  One of our most favorite memories was going to a nearby strawberry field to pick a big bunch of strawberries the day before Mother's Day and prepare them for the freezer to enjoy throughout winter.   Yesterday, my own daughter, Ashley and I carried on our tradition.  We went berry picking early in the morning and fixed our bunch of strawberries to bring a taste of springtime to the bleak midwinter.   Every time I see or think of strawberries or smell them, I think of Mama.  Ashley and I made a very special memory yesterday and we carried on a tradition that began with Mama and me many years ago.
Make special memories that will last a lifetime.  Life is short.  Don't waste a minute of it.
Love, Nan and to all "Happy Mother's Day"

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Beauty Abounds Around And About

A rose must remain with the sun and the rain or its lovely promise won't come true.


Ray Evans
 
It absolutely thrills me beyond words to capture God's beautiful rose for you to enjoy!  I have been up early this morning taking photos of my roses and I have a treasure to share with you!!!  You have to take a look at the orange rose in my Nan's Flowers blog.  Remember, the link is shown to the right of this page in the My Favorite Links section.  This rose actually grows alongside a deep red rose.  The fascinating part is that they share the same root system. 
I love this quote today.  It speaks to me of all of us, too.  We will have bright days filled with sunshine and smiles.  As well, we must have days of drear and rain, sadness and despair in order for God's promise for us to come true.  Don't despair when it rains in your garden of life.  Rather, rejoice in the rain.  Dance in the rain, for with the rain and sunshine, your rose will surely bloom and God's promises for you will surely blossom into greater beauty than your human mind can imagine!!!
Have a wonderful day come what may!
Love, Nan

Monday, May 3, 2010

Gotta love a mystery

“Without mysteries, life would be very dull indeed. What would be left to strive for if everything were known?”  Charles de Lint

Last Friday, a dear girl friend of mine went with several other ladies on an overnight "flower tour".  I had to work so I couldn't join them.  Their schedule included visiting several plant nurseries on a sightseeing and buying tour.  There were enough stops on the agenda they planned for a night in a hotel and split the tour into two full days. 
I had a little extra money and asked my friend to purchase some plants for me.  We love talking about plants and flowers, to say the least.  We share our plants with each other and look through flower catalogs together.  She was delighted to spend my money for me and I was just as delighted in the mystery surrounding which plants she would purchase for me.  I trust her judgment and she knows the plants I have and the ones I don't have. 
I could hardly wait until today when she brought the plants to me.  I now have columbine, bee balm, angel earring trailing fushia and a gorgeous Beverly Sill iris.  The color of the columbine is a mystery.  I've never grown any of these varieties before and I'm so excited to include them in my garden.  I spent the better part of my evening outside, digging in the dirt.  I have chores to do inside the house, but since we had a good soaking rain this morning, it was a perfect time to settle these new plants in the ground.  I also moved my hybiscus to a new location. 
Why am I rambling on about plants, you might ask yourself.  Life is meant to be enjoyed, not to merely go through the motions.  If you don't have a passion for something, you are missing out.  Life is full of mysteries.  Delight yourself in them instead of shirking from them.  Delight yourself in the Lord instead of shirking from Him.  Yes, there are a multitude of mysteries about God.  It is not for us to struggle with unraveling the mysteries.  Rather, remember the quote of the day and enjoy a good mystery.  Sometimes I'm asked on Friday, "what do you have planned for the weekend?"  Often I reply, "I don't know.  It's a mystery."  I love mysteries and surprises.  I find it exciting to be spontaneous and sometimes am not the greatest planner of events.  I love to let go and let God do the leading and directing of my time, rather than to try to be in total control.  Especially since I know who is truly in control.  Yep. God is in control.
Have a wonderful day!  Thanks so much for hanging in there and reading this message in its entirety!!
Love, Nan
Be sure to go to the bottom of this page and enjoy the photo of my pink rose.  It is awesome!  Thanks to God's gift of creativity!!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

In Your Presence

In Your Presence
by: Nan Forehand

Lord, I am humbled each and every time
You reveal to me a special verse or rhyme
thank you for opening my eyes
every poem is a gift and a surprise
just an inkling of a thought
tells Satan I won't be bought
he knows with You he can't compete
his every battle will end in defeat
no greater desire can burn in my heart
and from you I never will part
this desire radiates a soft, warm glow
for it is You I yearn to know
in order to embrace Your essence
I must live each day in Your presence

written Sunday, December 11, 2005
 
I have included a youtube video for you entitled I Can Only Imagine.  The song is performed by Mercy Me.  The video itself is very touching and worth taking a moment to enjoy and contemplate.
Have a wonderful day!  Love, Nan