Monday, November 30, 2009

A Talent for Serendipity - Proverbs 3:5-6

Word of the Day
Serendipity: the effect by which one stumbles upon something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated. It is also considered the ability to convert what others consider accidents or misfortunes into something useful.

(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

There are times in life when we stumble onto something good when we least expect it.  I believe this comes as a result of trusting God to lead us, guide us and direct us, even to the point of not understanding the big picture, much less understanding what is before us.  Is a serendipitous discovery simply an accident or divine intervention? 
I believe it truly takes practice to find the good in an unfortunate experience.  It reminds me of the t.v. show years ago called Hee Haw when the barber would tell a story to his customer sitting in the barber's chair.  When the barber related an unfortunate part of the story to the customer, the customer said "oh, that's bad".  The barber would say "no, that's good" and go on to explain why it was good.
It's the same thing in real life.  It's all about action and reaction.  Something happens and we react to it.  It's our choice whether or not we convert what is considered unfortunate into something good and useful.  Much wisdom can be attained using this method. 
Whatever comes your way today, find the good in it.  I believe that when we don't find what we are looking for or when we don't get something we want, that simply means we must keep looking, because God will send something even better when we keep our focus on him and his will for us.
Take care and have a wonderful day!  Love, Nan

Sunday, November 29, 2009

A Heart Condition - Luke 24:32

Quote of the Day
God says He wants to make you something more than your human excellence can ever be.  He wants to love you into wholeness.  You will rise to the level and degree that you sense His love in your life.  That's why I can now invite people to my home, cook for them, speak to them, and write to them.  I don't have to worry about being perfect because the perfection of Christ is manifested by His love flowing through me..
taken from Stormie Omartian's book Lord, I Want To Be Whole

(32) They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he (Jesus) talked with us on the road (to Emmaus) and opened the Scriptures to us?"

I have a heart condition, one that burns with a deep desire to share the Living Word of God, the love of Jesus and the truth of salvation to every man, woman and child who will listen.  I do not consider myself qualified to be a preacher (not in the formally educated sense of the word qualified).  I would not be so bold as to make assumptions in that area.  However, I do believe God equips me with whatever is necessary to reveal His truths to His people.
Speaking of truths....many years ago, I became a pro at lying.  I lied in order to protect myself and my loved ones.  The terrible truth was more than I could accept, so I lied to be able to cope and survive.  Thank God the lies of my youth did not leave permanent mental damage.  When I was strong enough to leave, and when it was no longer necessary to lie, nor to keep wearing the invisible mask that kept me safe, I began to understand the truths of which God teaches and to apply those truths in my life.  All along, I loved the Lord, and I believe He forgave me for the lies.  I know without a shadow of a doubt, the Lord healed me in mind and spirit.  I can't tell you the exact time I understood that God had made me whole again, but oh, what sweet relief!!
If you are still living with anything that gives the devil one bit of pleasure, give it to God to deal with and ask him to forgive you, then forgive yourself.  Love yourself, accept yourself and truly begin to live the life God has planned for you.  You can't even imagine the awesome blessings awaiting you!  Let go and let God do His work in you. 
Sometimes, I wish everyone in the world knew my whole story as God already knows it.  I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I praise the Lord for today and that He holds my heart and will safeguard it from all harm.  I thank God that I have a heart condition (figuratively speaking).  God knows the condition of my heart.  What is the current condition of your heart?  Remember, we're all a work in progress.  It's ok that we haven't reached the highest level of perfection.  As we strive to live more in the likeness of Jesus, the condition of our hearts grow more into His likeness.
Have a wonderful day as we begin the season of Advent.  Love, Nan

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Our Citizenship - Philippians 3:20-21

Quote of the Day
Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die.
Joe Luis

(20) But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Chapter 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

 It's the middle of the night and God woke me up to write this message for you.  Had I awaken at my usual time, this may not be the message of the day.  It's a mystery.  Both Allen and John are peacefully sleeping and Mr. Kitty is in from the cold, happily snoozing in the chair next to me.  All is peaceful and quiet around me.  I've been led to a book I recently bought at the nearby Goodwill store.  It's called Love, Medicine, and Miracles by Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.  It is a fascinating book.
The few pages I've read have brought about a particular thought of mine.  It's not a new thought, but one God wants me to share with you now.
I'm not afraid to face the day of my death.  Yes, I do want to go to heaven, but I'm not afraid to die.  There was a time when I couldn't say that.  I was 12 years old when one of my sisters died at the age of 21 and I was 16 years old when my brother died at age 20.  Not long after my brother died, I made the connection of their age at death;  she, 21, and he, 20.  From the time I was 16 until I was 23, I was afraid I would follow the number pattern of their death; either I would die in my 19th year or I would die in my 22nd year.  I thought a death pattern had been formed and I would be next.  That is a long time to be afraid of death.  I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached my 23rd birthday, only to leave home at 23 with the clothes on my back, in fear I would be killed (there was abuse in the home-not spoken of until many years later).  I was determined I was going to live.   All those years of living in fear, took their toll, but my will to live was so strong, I overcame the fear of death. 
Our minds do control our physical body.  I want to live a very long, healthy life, serving God and praising him all my days.  Every day I live and breathe is a day I didn't believe would happen when I was in my teens and early 20's.  I am not controlled by the fears of my youth. 
If anything from your youth has a hold on you, let it go.  Overcome it.  Rise above it.  Prove it wrong.  If it was something someone said or did, it can't have power over you if you release it.  If it's something you said or did, forgive yourself and let it go once and for all.  Hold on to it and it owns you. 
There is incredible power in our thoughts.  I encourage you to think  positive, healthy thoughts.  I pray for an abundance of positive influence in your life right this minute.  Because you are reading this message, God knows who you are and he knows my heart.  I want only the best, most positive influences to remain in your own life.  I want all the negative, painful memories you have stored up, to fade away from your memory.  Those negative images in your mind will be erased by God when you believe he has the power to do just that.  I believe he has the power to use me for his purposes and that I will fulfill his purposes for my life.
Yes, I want to go to heaven, and no, I'm not afraid to die.  I believe my citizenship is in heaven. The day that the last breath leaves my body, will be the day I enter through heaven's gate, Lord willing.  I like the body  I'm in right now.  It's a perfectly good body; though it isn't perfect, it's good enough.  I believe when I die, I will be transformed and God will give me a new body. 
Every day is a blessing and and a gift.  Don't take this day for granted.  Enjoy it to the fullest.  Don't waste one precious minute of it on trivial things.  If you have fears, face them and then let them go.  I only speak of what I know and of what I am sure. 
And now, may the grace of God which surpasses understanding be with you now and always.
Love, Nan

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thank You, Lord - 1 Chronicles 16:34

Quote of the Day
Thank you for your promise that you will shine your glorious light upon me.  As I focus on you, O Lord, I know you are leading me forward.  Thank you for your goodness shining through me, your shield before me, your glory a protection around me.  Thank you for guiding me with your wisdom and counsel, now and in all my years to come.  Someday, by your grace, I will get to praise you forever in Heaven. 
I'm ready to let you change my fear to faith.  I place my hand in yours and look forward with great expectation to the future you have prepared for me.
taken from the book entitled When I'm On My Knees by Anita Corrine Donihue

(34) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Few things in this life are more important than having a thankful heart.  When we accept our reality and realize that as bad as we may think life is at this moment, and are thankful that it isn't worse, we truly begin to understand life from a more godly perspective.  It really comes down to a matter of perception.  If I perceive my circumstances to be hopeless, then they surely will be hopeless.  If I perceive them to be temporary, then they will surely pass. 
Before you lay down your head on your pillow tonight, make sure to thank God for all you have and for all you don't have that he doesn't want you to have right now.  Be content with what you have, because God has said that what he provides for us will be sufficient.  Even though we don't know what tomorrow will bring, we can trust God that our needs will be met and whatever we have will be enough.
I'm thankful for so many people in my life who care about me, but most of all, I'm thankful for the God who created me and loves me.  I'm thankful for your presence in my life.  Yes, it's true.  Many who read these messages of faith, hope and love have never met me in person, and some of you think you know very little about me, but you can all consider me a friend.  God knows you and led you to Nan's Calendar to give you hope.  In my humble way, I share what I have learned and do my best to give thanks and honor and praise to God for without him I am nothing. 
We all have something for which to be thankful.  Give thanks with a grateful heart.  We don't have to wait another year to have a day of thanksgiving.  In my life, every day is a day of thanksgiving and every day is a reason to celebrate Christmas in my heart.  Thank you, Lord.
Love, Nan


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Wellspring of Life - Proverbs 4:23

Quote of the Day
But God tells us that it is even more important to guard our hearts. If we don't it can lead to spiritual ruin! Who we are in Christ is being formed in our hearts. If we let them be filled with perverse or unrighteous things we live at odds to God's purposes. Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor

(23) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

This metaphor for the heart is one of great import.  I'm talking about the heart of the human spirit, not the organ itself.  In biblical times, it was thought that the heart was the source of intelligence.  It was believed that life-changing decisions were made in the heart.  Just as water can become polluted and not fit to drink, so too, can our thinking become corrupted if not securely guarded.  Thoughts lead to words.  Words lead to actions.  Caught up in the middle are the emotions that either stir things up or have a calming effect on us and others around us. 
I wrote the poem/song last year.  It speaks of more than our spiritual heart.  It speaks of our whole spiritual self....the very essence of the soul.  I believe that someday it will be set to music.  As you read the words, let them come from your very soul and sing it with your own special melody. 
Guard your heart.  Let only goodness enter and only goodness will come forth. Have a wonderful day in the Lord!  Love, Nan

My Spirit
By: Nan Forehand

mind of my spirit, teach me today
now I beseech thee, teach me to pray
ears of my spirit, oh let me hear
footsteps of Jesus, he is near
eyes of my spirit, open for me
to see my Savior, oh let it be
feet of my spirit, don't fail me now
take me to Jesus, take me somehow
heart of my spirit, open wide
please Jesus enter, come inside
hands of my spirit, lift high in praise
ready to praise You all of my days
voice of my spirit, teach me to speak
though I am humble, lowly and meek
others must know, dear, others must know
my love for others, you must show
teach them to love me, teach them today
so lost and lonely, show them the way

Monday, November 23, 2009

Give Thanks - Psalm 100

Quote of the Day
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.
Oscar Hammerstein

(1) Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. (2) Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  (3) Know that the LORD is God.  It is he who  made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  (4) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  (5) For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Short, sweet and to the point; this is Psalm 100.  Give thanks to the One who matters most of all.  Be sure to click on the link at the right to listen to the Maranatha Singers with their rendition of the beautiful song entitled Give Thanks. 
Love, Nan

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Be Strong - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Quote of the Day
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I've lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do. --Eleanor Roosevelt

(8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  (9) But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  (10) That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul was speaking of a "thorn".  This may have been a figurative or literal thorn.  We don't know for sure.  There are times in our lives when we suffer from a "thorn", be it a spiritual problem of anxiety, temptation or guilt over something we haven't given over to God or anything that would cause us to boast about ourselves.
We are all a work in progress.  We will have days when we feel weak and others when we feel strong.  During those times of weakness, we can rest assured Jesus walks with us.  Click on the Youtube link I have provided for you on the right of this page and enjoy Randy Travis singing Just A Closer Walk With Thee.  "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Cor. 13:14
Love, Nan

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

I am weak, but thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Thro' this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o'er, Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.