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Find Peace

November 23, 2020

I can find peace –
It’s here in my heart.
Living in trust
Is a good place to start.

I can find peace
In stillness and prayer.
Don’t need to go far –
Peacefulness is there.

Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com

Find peace in the world –
Find oneness with all.
Find joy and contentment –
No need for a wall.

Peace in relationships –
Peace from above.
Just radiate inner peace –
And reach out in love.

Isaiah 32:17

“The effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness
will be quietness and confidence forever.”

Pray today for
peace,
trust,
stillness,
unity,
joy,
and
contentment .
They are waiting for you…
Just ask!

Sending my love.
Hunkering down.
How about you?

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, friendship, Gratitude, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships

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God is Great! God is Good!

November 22, 2020

Thank you for checking in with JanBeek today.
If you are one of the newbies here, welcome!!

You may not know that I take sermon notes in poetry most Sundays,
and then I share them here.
I do…
and I enjoy helping you hear
what I heard through my poetic filters.
Comments always appreciated.

Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels.com

Sermon by
Reverend Steve Hundley
Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
Ennis, Montana
Notes by Jan Beekman

God is Great, God is Good!

Thanksgiving celebrations
Have a history with friends.
This year with COVID,
Most will find unwelcomed ends.

Reunited old relationships
Were important to reflame.
Old traditions are important.
What’ll we do to reclaim?

What can we do to overcome
This year of so many deaths?
How can we truly be thankful
When so many breathed last breaths?

Remember to give thanks
For life – no matter how short.
Help the family say good-bye,
And trust God. Give no retort!

There is no way we can
Make whining acceptable.
Suck it up and give thanks
For life! … Be respectable.

Praise and give thanks to God
For the daily gifts He gives.
Blessed be the Lord of all.
Blessed be our God. He lives!

Psalm 100 gives praise
No matter the troubles and strife.
Remember the password to God:
“Thank You!” God, thank you for life!

Rev. Steve told a story about a family Thanksgiving a few years ago where his mom ALWAYS asked him to be the one to provide the blessing. But on this particular Thanksgiving, his four-year-old second cousin interrupted and said HE wanted to say the blessing this year. Steve’s mom told him he could, assuming Steve would follow up with the REAL blessing.

The four-year-old cleared his throat and declared, “God is Great – God is Good – Amen!”
Steve’s mom asked, “That’s it?”
And the boy responded emphatically, “Yes! That’s it!”
Then she turned to Steve, expecting him to expound further.
Steve simply said, “Amen!”

Yes, that’s it … that’s all we need to know: “God is Great! God is Good! Amen!”

Steve’s opening prayer this morning: “Father in heaven, we give You thanks for life and for all of the experiences that life brings us. We give You thanks for joy, hope, peace, and answered prayers, but we also give You thanks for our trials, sorrows, and pain. We give You thanks for our land, for the beauty of the landscape, for the riches it provides for our living, for the people and cultures among us. Above all things, we give You thanks for our hope in Christ, for the life and freedom that will ultimately be ours. Teach us to cherish all Your gifts. Teach us also to use all these resources for the good of society and for glory to You. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.“

*AN AFFIRMATION OF THANKSGIVING

I believe in the God of fruit time and harvest, who makes the land to bear gifts in its time and fills our tables with the bounty of His hand.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who was the first fruit of those who slept, and brings us to spiritual tables where our cups overflows.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, who causes us to remember all things for which we are grateful and teaches us to see a relationship between our gifts and the Giver.

I believe in the world as the arena of my spiritual life, where I am to share my table with the poor and my hospitality with the stranger; for in so doing, I shall fulfill the desires of my great and good God who has given me everything, and of His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thank you for joining me for our Sunday service.
If you find yourself in Ennis, Montana on a Sunday morning,
do come and join us at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church.
308 W Hugel St, Ennis, MT 59729
(406) 682-4355

May the Lord Bless and Keep You safe
now and always.

Category:

blessings, Faith, God, Gratitude, holidays, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Montana, Poetry, prayer, relationships, sermon notes

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Go With the Flow

November 21, 2020

Go with the flow.
Don’t get caught in the rocks.
Drink from the Living Water.
Be sure to take off your socks!

Wade down the stream
Of life’s flowing water.
Remember to pray –
You’re a beloved son or daughter.

Your Heavenly Father
Is walking the stream with you.
He is listening to your pleas;
His touch cannot miss you.

God’s love is with you in every situation.

Romans 8:31

“What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us,
who can be against us?”

I find assurance in knowing that God’s love is with me. He reaches out to me in my distress, and His comforting hand guides me through the tough waters of life.

As I search for the good, the acts of kindness and helpfulness, and the people who are examples of strength and resilience, He shows me the way. He buoys my spirits and helps me stay afloat.

Go with the flow.
Feel the love, the buoyancy.
Accept the peace that Christ gives.
Feel its strength and potency.

God is with you.
Jump in… Go with the flow, and
Be at peace!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Bob & I are together here in Ennis, MT,
going with the flow of things!

We are enjoying
The Wind of the Spirit
which blows everywhere here…
And JOY like a fountain.
We wish you that same joy!

Enjoy the peace of this lovely rendition
by the Vinesong ensemble:

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, God, happiness, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, mountains, music, nature, peace, Poetry, prayer

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Alive for a Reason

November 20, 2020

You’re alive for a reason.
What is it?

**I’m alive because…**
My purpose in life is to…

I’d love to see how you complete
one or both of those sentences.

I have given them a lot of thought lately.

Write your sentence before you look below for what I wrote.

.

.

I’m alive for a reason.
I’m alive because my number hasn’t come up yet!
My purpose in life is
– to love
– to accept love gratefully,
– to spread that love far and wide
– and to help others seek the Source
of that joyous, peace-filled love.

I don’t love because I expect love in return…
(but that usually happens).
I love because God first loved me,
my parents loved me,
and I have been blessed with family and friends who love me.
My cup overflows… and I NEED to share it.

How did you finish the sentence?

I hope you had (have) a loving family too.
My daddy was the world’s greatest hugger!

Have a great weekend.
Live for your purpose!
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, Faith, Family, Giving, God, Gratitude, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, peace, relationships, self-esteem, Serving One Another

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Celebrate Uniqueness

November 18, 2020

How dull it would be
If the whole world was beige.
The idea of a melting pot
Needs to turn a different page.

Turn to the page of color
Where each one is celebrated.
The idea of a salad bowl
Needs to be integrated.

Don’t try to make us all
Of one color and creed.
Honor and appreciate the joy
In each unique, beautiful seed.

Sow seeds of understanding.
Sow seeds of faith and love.
Sow seeds of joy and unity.
We’re all one from God above.

You color my world!

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com

May your world dazzle with color!

Love ya…
and really appreciate your prayers
for those fighting this pandemic.
Thank you!

See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, God, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, relationships, respect

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My Grandson Has COVID-19

When COVID-19 is abstract,
When it seems to happen to others,
It’s easier to take it lightly –
But when it hits home, it smothers!

There’s nothing light about this virus.
It is unpredictable – that’s for sure.
My youngest grandson has it –
And he’s no amateur.

He’s been working as a CNA
In a COVID-19 Hospice unit.
Putting himself in Harm’s Way
Every day, I must admit it.

All our doctors and nurses
Who care for the COVID sick
Put themselves at risk.
Dear Lord, protect them, QUICK!

Positive is how Chris is feeling
And positive is what we need to be-
Sure that our prayers are heard
And God is protecting you and me.

Wear your mask and socially distance.
Pray for safety and protection.
Pray for those in danger –
And an end to this infection.

Thanks for your prayers for Chris.
See ya tomorrow.

Sending healing prayers your way.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Faith, Family, God, health, Life's Challenges, Love, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another

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One Day at a Time

November 16, 2020

I love this song sung by Dolly Parton.
Do take time to click on the arrow
And listen to her beautiful rendition
Of this “One Day at a Time” – and sing along!

Yesterday’s Gone, Sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be nigh
Lord help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time.

It doesn’t add a single second to our lives
To worry about what might have been mine
Or to fret about what tomorrow may bring
Teach me to look up and take one day at a time

Let Your Light shine on me, Lord
Show me how to be what You made me to be
Guide my feet and my thoughts in Your Light
Show me how to live in the NOW and be free

Free from the worry that doubting brings
Free to dance and to plan and to find joy
In the blessings You send every day
Free to ignore and toss aside the things that annoy

Life’s full of trials, confusion and lies
It’s hard to discern what is Truth and is right
Guide me today to do as You say
And to pray for life’s wisdom. May I sleep well tonight!

Sleep well tonight, my friends.
Take one day at a time!
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, Faith, Gratitude, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, truth

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Me, Worry?

Matthew 6:31-34

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’
or ‘What shall we drink?‘
or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things,
and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In today’s Mornings with Jesus devotional
from Guideposts,
Isabella Yosuico wrote,
“I seek Jesus’ direction…
I am struggling to keep an open mind
and follow where He leads…”

Isabella went on to say that having faith means
“… prayerfully doing what I can today
and recognizing what I cannot do.”

Isabella encouraged her readers to
“… stay in the present day,
entrusting uncertainties to Christ.”

There is such comfort
in the knowledge
that Jesus Christ
prays with me.

He is my Confidante.
He is my Rock.
He is my Guide.
I have no reason to worry.

Me, Worry?
No way!!

It is easy to obsess
Over the condition of this earth,
But God is in control,
And He knows the planet’s worth.

He holds it in His palm
And knows its every leaf.
In the eyes of our Lord,
This pandemic’s really brief!

All the world
Is holding its breath –
Some behind masks,
Some behind fear,
Some behind doors,
Afraid to come near.
Breathe in Peace.
Experience a patch
Of stillness,
Kindness, and
Presence.
Each waking day.
Carry it with you.

“… do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Bye for now!
See ya tomorrow.

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, contentment, God, Gratitude, health, Jesus, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, prayer

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Good Friends Are Slippers

November 15, 2020

Good Friends are Slippers,
Comfortable and Warm,
Sturdy and Reliable,
Trudging through Life’s Storm.

Always There When Needed,
Showing No Pretenses,
Listening and Loving,
Scaling Broken Fences.

Providing a Foundation
Of Sturdiness Untold.
Good Friends are Slippers –
More Comfortable when Old.

If You are Blessed with Friends
As Comfortable and Warm as Slippers,
Hang on Tight; Don’t Cut ’em Out.
Put Away the Clippers!

You Can’t Measure Their Worth
With a Ruler or Some Tape.
Good Friends are Slippers.
Don’t Let Their Warmth Escape!

My blanket from my friend, Terry…
Cozy hugs and warmth –
here whenever I need them!

New since we moved to Montana.
She’s here whenever I need her!
What a blessing!
Thank you, Terry!

Keep the old and make some new;
One is silver, the other is gold.
True Friends are Slippers –
Treasures with comfort untold.

Dear Marcie,
An “Old” Friend…
Best Buddies since the ’50s.
Comfortable and Warm!

May your life be warmed
With the comfort of many-a true friend.
God bless and keep them safe.
May those friendships never end.

Who’s that Friend
Who is a Slipper
For You?

Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
Come back tomorrow…
And have a warm and comfortable week.

Here’s one of my favorite songs and singers
from the 1950’s when I was in high school.
The words fit today’s message so well!
Enjoy!!

Dinah Shore

Category:

blessings, friendship, happiness, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, music, Poetry, relationships

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I Can Be Still

November 14, 2020

Ps. 46:10

“Be still
and know
that I am God.”

I can be still.
I can quietly sit
Before the Lord.
No need to flit.

I used to flit
And flutter everywhere.
I needed to be busy.
I had so much to share.

But this pandemic
Has clipped my busy wings.
I’ve learned to sit
And focus on spiritual things.

I can be still.
I can happily stay
Right here in my sanctuary.
I’ll flit some other day.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow.

And what are YOU doing today?

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, writing

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2 years + 9 months + 3 days

November 11, 2020

He went into the army because
He didn’t know what else to do.
He was in two years, nine months,
And three days. Does that count to you?

It was during a time of peace.
No, he didn’t have to serve in a war.
But that time in the army
Changed him to his very core.

Today is Veteran’s Day in the USA,
A time to honor our veterans’ sacrifice.
Some serve now, others are retired,
While many gave their very lives.

So, it’s important to recognize
All the men and women who gave
Of themselves to keep us free.
Today flowers went on many a grave.

Whether days, years, or a lifetime
Were spent in the service of country,
Today we reach out to say to you,
Thank you! Your sacrifice keeps us free.

God Bless Our Veterans.

Thank you, Bob!!
I’m glad I got to serve those last
9 months and 3 days with you!
I love Germany and the friends we made there.
And I loved teaching in the school on the army base.

Thanks to all our veterans!
Your sacrifice is sooo appreciated.
I will never take our freedom for granted.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow.

Do you have a veteran in your family?
If so, name them in the comments below.
I want to thank them, too!

Category:

Family, Giving, Gratitude, Life's Challenges, Love, peace, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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I Rock!

November 10, 2020

I climb the stairs each day,
Then I turn on the light.
Sometimes it’s still dark out.
I rock ’til it gets bright.

Sipping my cup o’ coffee,
Rocking as I pray,
I meditate and read His Word
As I welcome each new day.

I can rock away troubles;
I can sit here and be still.
I can listen to the Spirit,
And discern the Father’s Will.

I can rock in my wicker chair
Until my head and heart are clear.
I can feel the Lord’s presence
And thank God He’s ever near.

And when my rocking’s over
I thank Jesus for his time,
And slowly I descend the stairs
(It’s my 12-step program climb).

Climb down to face the world.
Climb down to start my day.
Use the Fruits of the Spirit
In a thoughtful kind of way:

Thank You for the LOVE,
the JOY
and the PEACE that are mine.
Help me, Lord, with PATIENCE,
KINDNESS
GOODNESS
and FAITHFULNESS (which brings blessings)

Can you read the word above the door?
It says, “Blessings.”

8. Help me with GENTLENESS,
9. and SELF-CONTROL.

10. Help me live HUMBLY with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
11. and a response of GENEROSITY, FORGIVENESS,
12. OBEDIENCE and INTEGRITY.

IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!
And now I am at the bottom of the stairs where these words greet me across from the front door – “The Greatest of These is Love” – and these angels smile at me on the wall beneath the stairs:

A gift from Norbert and Elke Schaller.
I say a prayer each day for them, too –
They and their daughters, Simone & Caroline.

I rock! And my day will rock, too
Because I have taken time to pray.
I rock! And you will rock, too
Because I pray for you, too, each day.

On the back side of this page
Is a list of each WordPress friend.
I ask the Lord to guard you.
Rock on! Accept the love I send.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Have a love-filled day!
See ya tomorrow.

Meantime, enjoy this song that was a hit in 1955
(I was a sophomore in high school…
great memories of rockin’ school dances!!)

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, friendship, God, Gratitude, Jesus, life, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Spiritual Gifts, truth

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Live the Faith; Let Your Light Shine!

November 9, 2020

Live true to your FAITH
Show love to everybody
Daily Walk the Talk

Daily reminder
It is to me from myself!
You may borrow it.

Isaiah 9:2

“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.”

Prov. 8:20-21

“… I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in His presence,
rejoicing in His whole world
and delighted in mankind.”

“Don’t ever let anyone put out your light because they are blinded by it.”
― Shannon L. Alder

“I feel that we’re all lighthouses,
and my job is to shine my light
as brightly as I can to the darkness.”
― Jim Carrey

Shine for others
when they are in darkness

Lighthouses just shine
In the place they are planted
Just be still and shine

I will shine the light
I will hold you in my arms
Help you find His Way

I Will
Live true to my FAITH
Show love to everybody
and
Daily Walk the Talk

May the light of peace
Shine on brightly in your life –
I will shine the light!

Thanks for visiting today.
If you have a prayer request,
please share it with me.
I will walk beside you in prayer.
Love, JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Acquiescence

November 8, 2020

ac·qui·es·cence/ˌakwēˈesəns/ Learn to pronounce nounnoun: acquiescence; plural noun: acquiescences

the reluctant acceptance of something without protest.
“in silent acquiescence, he rose to his feet”

Today I understand the meaning of reluctance.
Today I see the evidence of it in President Trump.
But I see no evidence of acceptance.
He’ll continue to fight long after the battle is lost.

My prayer is that in his unwillingness to accept defeat,
He will not rile his supporters to violence.
Now is a time to accept the democratic process.
Now is the time to dig deep for decency.

Acquiesce, Donald Trump!
This is not a steal.
It is the will of the people.
Acquiesce!

“We will Lead
Not only by the Example of our Power,
But by the Power of our Example.”

President-Elect Joe Biden

“Dream with Ambition.
Lead with Conviction.
See yourself in a way
That others may not.”

Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris

Congratulations to Joe and Kamala!
God Bless America!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I appreciate you.
See ya later.

Category:

God, Gratitude, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, prayer, relationships, respect, truth

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A Dozen Ways to Increase Happiness

November 7, 2020

I found this list of twelve ideas to be most helpful today. The ones I do already are evident: meditate, practice gratitude, think positively, and eat foods that nourish me. But, some of the others, I think I need to be more intentional about.

So, I decided I will pick two a day and concentrate on them. How about you? Which ones are already a part of your routine? Which ones do you think you might add?

Today I am going to intentionally “Listen to My Favorite Music.” One of the songs that speaks to me was featured on Roth PoetryPoetry From the Heart! I listened to four versions of the song, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. One told of the song’s origin by Simon & Garfunkel, another was sung by Aretha Franklin, one by Josh Grobin, and then my favorite, Elvis.

This song is so appropriate to how I am feeling today as we learned the USA election results today and I think we are facing a few months of contentious litigation and transitional turmoil. I pray we can find a bridge over troubled waters, just as Dwight Roth suggested on his blog by that title yesterday.

And the other idea I will choose from the dozen ideas above is “Smile and Laugh More.” To that end, here are a few that made me smile and laugh. How about you?

And if you are a fan of Donald Trump, I hope I did not offend you. Here is another:

OK – enough on politics! Let’s find more neutral laughter.

I DID have trouble sleeping last night!
How about you?

It’s weird being the same age as old people.

Oh, I think I might have posted
that last one a few weeks ago.
But if I can’t be sure, can you?

Have you ever noticed that what’s funny to one person may not be funny to another? Be sure to make your laughter as innocent as possible. I’m not very good at that. But, hey we’re all a work in progress, right? Tell me a joke that made you laugh today!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

contentment, happiness, humor, Living in Harmony, Love, music, relationships

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When I first told my family…

November 6, 2020

We were having one of my favorite meals, spaghetti with meat sauce, when I first told my family that I had broken up with my fiance’. My dad nearly choked on his mouthful. My mom shoved her plate of spaghetti half-way across the table!

To this day, I can’t eat spaghetti with meat sauce without remembering that day.

My fiance’ and I had been engaged for about a year. He was in the army, stationed in Germany. I was a senior in college, missing the social life, trying to remain true to my engagement. I wanted to attend the school’s dances and other social functions. It was hard!

Rather than being untrue to my boyfriend who was so far away (we had not seen each other in six months), I broke off with him. Obviously, my parents were devastated. Especially when they learned the guy I wanted to date was a divorce’.

“Why buy a used car when you can have a new one?” my dad finally spoke. Then he got up and walked out of the room. (Yes, Dad was a man of few words, but a list of prejudices a mile long!)

Mom followed him, without speaking a word. That was so unlike her.

Proverbs 6: 20-23

20 My son, obey your father’s commands,and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. 23 For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.

The man I broke up with was from a family very much like my own. He grew up in the same area I did. We shared common roots. My parent and his got along wonderfully. The man I wanted to date was nine years older than I. I won’t get into why he was so attractive to me, but suffice to say, my parents’ dismay touched me deeply.

They let me have my “fling.” They did not bad-mouth my new friend. But when my ex-boyfriend came home on leave, they invited him over. When I returned home from college that weekend, he was there. I realized how much I loved him. That love has carried us through 58 years of marriage. Not always perfect, not always blissful, but always respectful, and always knitted together in prayer, faith in God, and common purpose. The love has grown as years passed – and I am grateful every day for my parents’ wisdom.

Put a plate of spaghetti and meatballs in front of me. I can taste the kindness of my parents in every meatball. I can hear my mom’s silence and feel her prayers in every slurp of pasta. I feel my dad’s concern about age differences and divorce. I keep their love in my heart with every Italian meal! God bless ’em!!

Today at d’Verse we are trying a new form of poetry. Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sense leads to automatic, involuntary experiences of a second one. There are over 80 types of synesthesia described by science. Nearly every combination of sensory experiences or cognitive concepts is possible.

Seeing music as colors is one form of synesthesia. Perceiving letters as personalities is another one, or seeing numbers in color. Even hearing colors or touching smells.

How about tasting memories?
Do you have any of those?

This post is a combination prompt: 1) My Madison Valley Writers’ Group Prompt was the title of the blog, and 2) the d’Verse prompt informed the style and content. It’s not poetry… but it may qualify as Synesthesia. What do you think?

See ya tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, children, d'verse poetry, Faith, Family, God, Gratitude, happiness, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, music, Poetry, prayer, Promises, relationships, respect

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Celebrate!

November 5, 2020

Every day’s a celebration
If you just know where to look.
Look at all your many blessings.
Take a look in the Good Book.

Galatians 5:1

“Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom.
Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.”

Unlock the gifts of freedom
With the key of appreciation.
Be grateful for our liberties –
We’re a very blessed nation.

We enjoy liberties that people
In many other countries will never see,
But will long for their whole lifetimes.
Thank the Lord that we are free!

Free to vote and free to protest;
Free to shout when we disagree.
Free to love and be loved in return;
Free from the oppression of tyranny.

Lamentations 3:22-24

“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.
I say to myself,
‘The Lord is my portion,
therefore I will wait for Him’.”

With my morning cup of coffee,
I will wait in my sanctuary.
I will read and pray and ask the Lord
For hope to live in you and me.

I will seek the peace that God can give,
And put the results in His hands.
I will seek His strength for today
Ask Him to heal the hurt in our lands.

I will celebrate the right to vote
As I listen for the results to come.
I will celebrate the eternal joy
That I can claim. It’s denied to some.

If you are feeling disgruntlement
And joy seems strangely aloof,
Ask Jesus for His divine power
To shine His joy – and Celebrate Truth!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
(By then, we may know a bit more of the election results!)
Celebrate Freedom!!

…And defend GER? Yes, defend HER!
God Bless the USA.
Preserve freedom.
Celebrate your right to differ –
Celebrate the ways we agree!!

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, respect, truth

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Helpless Does Not Equal Hopeless

November 4, 2020

Remember:
Helpless
Does not Equal
Hopeless.

Even when I feel helpless
To change the outcome
Of a given situation,
I need to hang on to hope!

In this day of indecisive results
I need to hang on to the hope
That the outcome will be
In God’s ultimate plan.

It ain’t over
Til it’s over,
So hang on to hope.
Hang on for dear life!

What are you hoping for?
See ya tomorrow.
Love ya,
JanBEE ;o)

Category:

Belief, Faith, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer

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Shine Light on Early Darkness

November 1, 2020

We turned our clocks back reluctantly last night.
It’s the end of Daylight Savings Time for 2020.
It was dark here in Montana by 4:30 this afternoon.
I’m ready for it to be the end of 2020 – PERIOD!

I am not looking forward to these next couple of weeks.
Tuesday is election day in the USA –
but millions cast their ballots early.
I am among them.

I do not expect to know the outcome of this election
until all absentee ballots are in and counted.
It could be weeks… if not months.
I expect it to be contentious.

So, to keep myself from falling
Into a mood as dark as the early sundown,
I decided to focus on the October Take-Aways:
Daily Guideposts’ messages to carry with me.

Maybe these “Take-Aways” will help you, too.
Take one-a-day like a vitamin capsule,
And let them fill your dark spaces.
Let them shine light on this “Early Darkness.”

Daily Take-Aways from Daily Guideposts 2020
A Spirit-Lifting Devotional

Don’t Worry – Just Pray
Show Passion for His Passion!
Let His Light Shine Through
Know God Blesses Our Work
Keep an Open, Receptive Heart
Admit Your Wrongs; Seek Forgiveness
Trust God’s Timing
Let Go Ego; Let God Rule
Keep Doing God’s Work
Thank God for Your Mental Health
My Spirit Lives Connected
Help Me Always Show Your Love
See Through the Glass Darkly
At My End, Give Me Peace & Anticipation
Receive Love Gratefully
We Need Family
Be An Intrepid Christian
Be Still and Trust
Be Persistent
Be Helpful; Lighten Another’s Load
Be Grateful for Animals
Be Confident in God
Be Gracious and Generous
Be Seated in His Security
Thank God for Friends
Reach Out to Neighbors
Treasure Aging
Discern What’s Important
Look Beyond Exteriors
Thank God for Those Who Share Our Grief
JUST LOVE

Have a month of enlightenment.
Be the bearer of love.
Shine LIGHT wherever you go.
Have a Happy November!

What is your expectation for this election’s outcome?
Your comment of encouragement will shine light on me!
Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow.
Love, JanBeek

Let the light of the kid in you shine…
Let the light of the kid in you smile…
Listen to this darling kid favorite and sing along…
Guaranteed to shine away the darkness!

Category:

children, Faith, God, happiness, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, music

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Be Braided

October 30, 2020

When you see the word “Braid,” what do you think of?

Those braids appear to be two strong strands twisted together.
(Isn’t she beautiful?)

Likewise, this rope seems to have two strong strands twisted, right?

When I used to braid my daughter’s hair, I needed three strands to create the braid.

Today’s devotional made me think about these various braids and contemplate the strength of the three strands. Here was the scripture:

Eccelesiates 4:12

“And though a man might prevail
against one who is alone,
two will withstand him –
a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Katie Minter Jones in “Mornings with Jesus” by Guideposts wrote a devotional based on that scripture. In it she recounted how difficult the days of early marriage were as she and her husband “struggled through difficult times.”

She quoted a friend as saying, “Together we worked hard to get where we are now. It definitely takes two to make a marriage work, and that’s not fifty-fifty. Each person has to give 100%.” Finger pointing and trying to divvy stuff up 50-50 leads to disaster.

One of her lady friends said, “It takes three to make a successful marriage, the husband, the wife, and Jesus.” Each person must give 100% to each other and 100% to Jesus.”

That seems like a tall order! But doing so creates the three strands that make the braid unbreakable. Couples need to walk with Jesus to have a strong marriage.

Here’s my take on what that looks like.

When our hearts are bound in love around our Lord’s cross, His mercy and grace strengthen our relationship and help us grow closer. As we walk hand in hand, praying and staying together in love, God blesses us. Jesus Christ strengthens us. The Holy Spirit braids our hearts in His love and care. Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian Love. Be braided!

Write your spouse a love letter today and include a prayer.

Dear Bob,
I am so grateful for your love and for our mutual reliance on Jesus, our Lord. Thank you for praying with me, staying with me, putting Christ first in our lives, and relying on Him during our times of struggle. His sacrificial love is the perfect reminder of how we need to take care of each other. His presence binds us in purpose and braids us with His promises and His peace. Thank you!
Love Forever and Ever, Rockie ;o) ❤

Dear God,
Thank you for blessing our marriage and knitting our hearts together. May my blogging friends find that same peace and grace and purpose in life. May they sense Your guidance in their relationships and be braided with You. Amen.
In His Care, Jan

Let the light of God shine on your relationship,
be central to your lives,
and braid you together with peace and purpose.
God bless you!

See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Gratitude, happiness, Jesus, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, Promises, relationships, Sharing

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This and That

October 29, 2020

Some days we just can’t focus
We move from this to that
We look for life’s chuckles
And invite a friend to chat

Today was one of those days
I gathered stuff for fun
And thought you might enjoy
A random walk when day is done

So come and take a tour with me
And see a few things I enjoyed
You might pick a favorite
Or say which ones annoyed

But hey, not every day is easy
Some days are a deep black hole
Meander with me through this and that
And if you smile, I’ve met my goal!

An ad from the 40’s… we’ve come a long way, Baby!!

I gotcha covered, my friend
I’ll cover your back when you need me
Cuz when you find me sad and hungry
I know I can count on you to feed me!

A little bread and a glass of wine
Heck, that’s all I’ll ask
Take my hand and lead me home
And don’t forget your mask!!

See ya tomorrow.
Have a good Thursday night.

Pray for my grandson, Mike, in Switzerland.
He was diagnosed positive with COVID-19.
He’s getting better… but this pandemic is nothing to fool with!
DO WEAR YOUR MASK
when you’re out in public.

Love,

Category:

friendship, happiness, humor, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry

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Twelve Ways to Beat the Virus

October 26, 2020

In the midst of this pandemic,
With germs spreading far and wide,
We need to be extra cautious –
In TRUST we must abide.

Trusting isn’t foolishness –
It isn’t abandoning MASKS.
Trusting is OBEDIENCE –
Doing what God and SCIENCE asks.

Trusting isn’t carelessness –
It isn’t gathering in bunches.
Trusting is PRAYER and AWARENESS
And listening to our hunches.

This virus is quite deadly –
Unpredictable at best –
So we need to TAKE IT SERIOUSLY,
Don’t give the bug a test!

STEER CLEAR OF CROWDS,
And WASH your HANDS often,
Trust in the Lord and prayer,
While avoiding someone coughin’.

In the midst of this pandemic,
With family and friends in Harm’s Way,
We need to trust the Lord, yes –
But listen to scientists and obey!

Did you catch the twelve?
I want to make them clear.
Here they are spelled out –
Obey and avoid fear!

Twelve Ways to Keep COVID-19 Away:

1. Be cautious 
2. Trust in Science
3. Trust in God 
4. Pray
5. Obey  
6. Be aware
7. Take it Seriously
8. Wear a Mask
9. Wash Hands Often
10. Avoid Crowds
11. Socially Distance
12. Don't Give the Bug a Test

God Bless You, my friends.
May He keep you safe and healthy.
May we all do our part to help keep this bug at bay!

Please pray for the Zufferey Family
in Switzerland
(my son-in-law’s cousin,
who was our 1980-81
AFS exchange student).
ZuZu, Celia, and Jeremy
all have tested positive.

Pray for all those affected by this nasty bug.
Dear Lord, may they beat it…
And emerge with no lasting side-effects.

Lord, keep our daughter, DeAna,
in Switzerland
and all her family
safe.

Amen

(From “Best in Europe”
Switzerland
has become one of the worst
in new cases this week.
Pray for that country…
and all those facing this virus.)

Do you have a loved one who is in Harm’s Way
or is suffering from COVID?
Tell me – and I will add his/her name to my prayer list.

Bee well!!
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Faith, Family, God, health, Life and Death, Love, Poetry, prayer, relationships

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I Love Winter!

October 25, 2020

Cozy
Still October
Should be Autumn
The Snow came Early
Winter.

“Elevenie”
Five Lines
Contains eleven words:
One, Two, Three, Four,
One

Cold
White peaks
Mountains are Beautiful
Looking from Warm Inside
Comfy.

Smart
Found Spot
Best Place Ever
Claimed Pillow at Fireplace
TazE!

Ready
Looking Forward
It’s Holiday Time
Trick or Treat Here
Candy!

October
Loves Orange
Roast the Seeds
Better than the Candy
Jack-o-Lanterns

Visiting
Pumpkin Patches
Enjoy the Fun
Keep Winter at Bay
Halloween 🎃

Clouds
Circle Mountains
Snow Covers Peaks
Can’t Hold Off Winter
Brrrrrr!!

Hey!
Yes, YOU!
Thanks for visiting.
I have missed you.
Welcome!

Leave a message and tell me how you’re doing!
Love ya…
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, blessings, contentment, Family, Gratitude, Love, Montana, mountains, nature, pets, Poetry

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What a Week!

October 24, 2020

Problems
Creep in
Usually they’re unbidden
Happened all week long
Blame

Gifted
With Love
From my Lord
I did move forward
Strength

Possibilities
Are fueled
By firm beliefs
Making hard things easier
Faith

One step at a time
Life is easier with faith
Just follow the Light!

This last one’s a Haiku, but the preceding series of three poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

I hope you had a good week.
Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow.

BYE!!
BEEEEE Well.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, Poetry

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The Power of Friendship

October 23, 2020

“Celebrating the Power of Friendship” is the title of a month-long focus on a friend’s chosen devotional website. On the site today, it said: “Although we are not currently meeting in person, there is no distance between souls and the bond of friendship we share…”

I feel that bond of friendship with you, my WordPress friends, just as I do with family and friends who have reached out to Bob & me during this past week of death and tribulation. Thank you so much!

I can’t count the billions
Of dollars my friends are worth.
They make living worthwhile;
They fill my life with mirth.

When times are sad and troubling,
They reach out with care and love.
Friends are earthly angels
Sent from heaven above.

My friend sent this card to me;
It came right out of the blue,
When I really needed it the most.
Do your friends do that for you?

I hope you have some friends
Who tromp daily on your heart,
Leaving footprints all over it.
I’m here to tromp on yours. Let’s start!

There is power in such friendships.
They turn dark days into bright.
They listen and they love us, and
They help things turn out right.

Thank you for being the sunshine in my darkest days.

Thanks for popping in.
Thanks for being the friends who watch and sit and read with me.
Wish you could walk and eat with me, too.
Enjoy the kids’ song below. It’s a catchy tune.
It’ll have you singing all day long!!

Have a Fabulous Friday.
I love you!
See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, Family, friendship, happiness, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Feelings Check-in

October 21, 2020

Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Got too much on your plate?
Take a step back and regroup –
Don’t bite the “Gotta” bait!!

You don’t “Gotta” do nothing
But eat and breathe and live.
Set aside the burdens and
Sort life with a sieve.

Sift out what is draining,
And give yourself compassion.
Let go what’s upsetting
And let yourself start laughin’.

Yup, go find yerself a sandbox
And sit in it with friends.
Share the stuff that troublin’
And watch how the sadness ends.

And when the sandbox play
Comes to an end, get up
And bid the spiders, bees, and ants
Good-bye while you go and fill your cup.

Have a cup of kindness
With some honey to sweeten it.
Chase those blues right out the door.
Tell your stress you’ve beaten it!

When you look at each day smiling,
There is really no denying it,
You can beat the blues and stressfulness.
Go out fearlessly … Bee a Leo: Lion it!!

Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Got too much on your plate?
Set some aside – and get some rest –
There’s always tomorrow; that’s not too late!

Thanks for popping in!

Have a good night!
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

contentment, friendship, happiness, health, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, peace, Poetry

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Hold On!

October 19, 2020

What do you need to hold on to?

At this stage in my life, I don’t need to buy anything else
(except maybe food to sustain Bob & me
and a plane ticket or two to travel
to see our kids when it’s safe to do so)
… but I need to get rid of things instead.

How about you? If you were given this prompt,
“Hold on to your ____,”
how would you fill in the blank?
Ann Kaplow tickled my creative funny bone with her post today:

Day 2886: Hold on to your …

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Ann Koplow

Check it out and see some of the things she identified.
Here are a few things I think I should hold on to:

Hold on to your umbrella;
Let the wind carry you away.
Hang on and float high
To a joyous, better day.

Hold on to your future
Let it carry you to the sky,
To days of brighter sunshine.
Let it carry you up high.

Hold on to your faith;
Let it carry you to love.
Let it bring you greater wisdom
And powers from above.

Hang onto your head;
Keep your intellect intact.
Be cautious and discerning;
Know all you hear ain’t fact.

Hold onto your friends,
But remind them to wear masks.
That was Anne Kaplow’s prompt.
Be safe – is all she asks.

Hold on to earth’s hope
For a better, safer world.
Be kind to our planet –
Don’t let this virus stay unfurled.

What do your think we should hold on to?

I’m gonna hold on to Bob.
I’m feeling so blessed that he is feeling so much better.
Did I tell you that the afternoon my sis died
was the day he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure?

I’m gonna hold on to our wonderful doctor
who stayed long after her “shift” was over –
and ordered blood work, x-rays, and an EKG,
and stayed til the results came in.
Then she walked us up the stairs to the front door
to see how Bob did with climbing stairs.
Then called the next morning to
check on him and offer encouragement
and an appointment this week
for an echocardiogram.

Yes, I’m gonna hold on to that wonderful doctor!!

And this guy:

We have had so many friends
and family members praying for us.
God is good.
All the time.
He put a song of praise in my heart.
God hears and answers prayer!

Life is looking up.
We’re holding on!
{{{Hugs}}} to you.
You hold on, too.
Love ya,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, blessings, blogging, Faith, friendship, God, Gratitude, health, life, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, music, Poetry, prayer, relationships

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Where Will You Spend Eternity?

October 18, 2020

Today’s sermon message by our guest pastor, Rev. Phil Taylen at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, Montana, focused on the theological basis for our assurance of Eternity in Heaven.

It was timely, especially given the fact that this is the week my only sibling, my sister Sally, went to her eternal home.

If you die today, do you know where you’re going from here?

Is it Hell or a Black Hole?

My guess is that the choice is pretty clear. I was looking for a picture of a black hole… because some people believe this is it! We’re here and then we’re nowhere. A black hole… that’s where they think they’re going. They don’t believe there is a place called Hell where they will burn in the fires of an afterlife separated from God.

Or is it Heaven?

Rev. Phil Taylen’s sermon was titled, “Soaring with Eagles.” He began with that question, “Where Will You Spend Eternity?” His answer was part of a movement he called “The Evangelism Explosion.” Even though he grew up in the Presbyterian Church, he was ordained by an Evangelical Ministry – and his sermon lecture today definitely got down to the basics!

The Bible

B asic
I nstructions
B efore
L eaving
E arth

Heaven by Grace

G od’s
R iches
A t
C hrist’s
E xpense

Grace is God’s Unmerited Favor poured out on us.
Grace can’t be earned or deserved.
Heaven is a free gift.

He cited Ephesians 2: 8-9 as further proof of the point he was teaching and preaching:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
Not of works,
lest any man should boast.”

Not By Man

Good works are important, but they will not save us.

I am a sinner.
I can’t save myself.

He cited John 8:24 to prove his message that man cannot save himself:

“Unless you believe that
I am who I claim to be,
you will die in your sins.”

Only God

God gave us basic instructions to live by before leaving earth.

God is Love.
God is just and righteous.

In the Bible, our instruction book, God told us:

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God. …

Heaven Through Christ

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
Jesus Christ is God.

Faith is Belief

Faith is the Connector.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I don’t see the whole staircase. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Only Begotten Son, but I do not believe God will send all the Jews or Muslims or Hindus or Buddhists to Hell because they do not share my belief in Jesus as a part of the Trinity.

I believe God is bigger than religion. I believe God is omnipotent. I believe God knows all people – and He sees them through His eyes, not mine. That may make me a non-believer in some evangelical eyes. But I believe God is more inclusive than we can fathom.

I find enormous comfort in my faith – my belief in our Lord Jesus Christ – and I want to share that comfort and love with all I meet. I believe 2 Cor. 1:3-5 as quoted below:

Do you believe in Christ?

Thanks for visiting today.
Have a Blessed Sunday.
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Life and Death, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, sermon notes, truth

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Be An Intrepid Christian!

October 17, 2020

An intrepid Christian
Is resolute and fearless,
Has fortitude and endurance,
But is never cheerless!

An intrepid Christian
Is teachable and submissive,
Attentive and humble,
But never repressive.

An intrepid Christian
Is expectant and devout,
Delivers The Word quietly –
But rarely has to shout!

An intrepid Christian
Demonstrates integrity,
Walks the Talk –
But never belittles you or me.

If you believe Donald Trump is a Christian, did you listen to his belittling of Savannah Guthrie after his last Town Hall meeting? Think about the way he insults reporters who are questioning him. Be honest with yourself. Can this man we call our president really be a Christ follower? I am so fed up with his insults to women that I cannot remain quiet any longer. Listen to this!!

If you are an Intrepid Christian,
And you have the right to vote
In the United States of America,
Please listen and take note.

Please help us return to
Decency and civility here.
Help us elect a kind and capable team
And listen to the U.S. cheer!

Don’t forget to vote
if you haven’t already!

PLEASE believe me when I say
The Democrats will not take your guns away.
The Democrats will not let illegal immigrants in
to take all your money and jobs!
The Democrats believe in the Constitution;
They will not destroy it.
They will improve our immigration system,
create safer gun laws,
protect Medicare
and preserve coverage of those with
pre-existing conditions.
Democrats will restore our foreign relations.
The Democrats will not kill all the unborn babies.
The right to control our own bodies
is not synonymous with unwarranted abortion!

As a life-long Christian and Republican
who has become a Democrat recently
(for obvious reasons),
I believe in the Right to Life.
But I also think a woman who carries a baby
because of rape or incest, or a woman
whose life is endangered
has the right to choose.
Don’t you?

Weigh the rhetoric and please believe me…
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
are Intrepid Christians!!

Can’t we just LOVE ONE ANOTHER
and stop hurling insults??

Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow.

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Faith, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, respect, Serving One Another, truth

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Halloween is Coming

October 16, 2020

Halloween is coming; it was
My favorite holiday as a child.
The Wizard of Oz is a theme
That lets your imagination go wild!

Do you have a favorite costume
You wore for Trick-or-Treating fun?
My grandchildren loved to wear
Their costumes. What’s you favorite one?

Yesterday I posted a blog
About my sis and her holiday clothes.
She was a fun and quirky aunt
Who will be missed, Heaven knows!

Do you have a quirky, memorable
Person in your family who knows
Holidays are perfect times to celebrate
And whose cheerfulness always shows?

Our Boston, TazE, will have to be
The costumed member of our family
Who takes that quirky place this year.
Want to Trick-or-Treat with me?

Photo by u0410u043bu0435u043au0441u0430u043du0434u0430u0440 u0426u0432u0435u0442u0430u043du043eu0432u0438u045b on Pexels.com

Just 15 more days to get ready…
Do you celebrate Halloween?
It’s not my favorite holiday anymore …
What does it really mean?

Real Meaning of Halloween

“Hallow” — or holy person — refers to the saints celebrated on All Saints’ Day, which is November 1. The “een” part of the word is a contraction of “eve” — or evening before. So basically, Halloween is just an old-fashioned way of saying “the night before All Saints’ Day” — also called Hallowmas or All Hallows’ Day.

Modern day trick-or-treating is a confluence of various traditions. Ancient Celts dressed up as evil spirits in order to confuse demons, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

In medieval England, “soulers” would go around begging rich folk for “soul cakes” on Halloween. Instead of threatening to play tricks, however, they’d pray for peoples’ souls in return for the cake, according to “The Compleat Teacher’s Almanack.”

Throughout medieval Europe, mummering — dressing in disguises and visiting neighborhoods while dancing, playing music, and doing tricks — was popular on major feast days.

TIME reported Irish and Scottish immigrants brought “souling” to the States in the 1800s. But modern day trick-or-treating didn’t catch on in the US until the 1920s.

The practice was pretty controversial into the 1950s, though. According to the American Journal of Play’s “Gangsters, Pranksters, and the Invention of Trick-or-Treating,” many adults raised “stern objections” to trick-or-treating over the decades, as it was often viewed as a form of extortion.

Thing of the Past?

With adulthood and research, finding out the origins and true meaning of “All Hallows’ Day,” and with the onset of unsafe “treats” being distributed to innocent children by “sick” adults, and with the dangers of this current pandemic, Halloween may have to become a “thing of the past.”

What do you think?

Trick or Treat!
I’d rather have roses than candy!!

Aren’t these beautiful?
They were a gift of cheer –
Wishing us health and
offering condolences
during this crazy week
of roller coaster emotions.

Wasn’t that kind?
If I came “Trick-or-Treating to YOUR door,
what would be your favorite treat to offer?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

I’ve been known to hand out a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush.
With all that candy, the kids’ll need my “treat!”

Love ya, my friends.
Thank you for all your words of comfort.
Hugs –
See ya tomorrow,
JanBeek

Category:

children, Family, flowers, holidays, Love, Poetry

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My Sis, Sally, Died Today

October 14, 2020

Today my sis, Sally, died.
She was only a year and a half older than I.
As children, Mom often dressed us alike.
People thought we were twins.

As adults we looked so much alike, too, that our long-time friends sometimes called me Sally.

When you lose your only sibling,
A part of you dies with her.
Sally came every Thanksgiving from CA
To spend the holiday with us in Montana.

Sally always came with an extra suitcase.
She filled it with oregano that grew in her back yard.
She spent most of the week here at the kitchen table or counter
Picking the leaves off the oregano stems.

I have a couple of quart jars left of her herbs.
When they are gone, another part of her
Will disappear – You can’t find oregano that fresh –
Not in a store, that’s for sure! Can you smell it?

Sally was a nut about holidays!
She had a closet full of clothes
Sorted by the holiday they represented
And she loved every one of them.

She joined her nieces and nephews
For Halloween and Christmas,
For Easter and birthdays, and
For special lunches and dinners.

Sam, Faith, Hope and Jordan with Aunt Sally at Burger King

Sally loved giving gifts and playing games

Sally & Jordan shared a Dec. 20th birthday

They continued to share even as Jordan entered his teens and young adult years.

Bonnie was Sally’s best friend. They enjoyed many River Cats games together.

Naturally Sally was there to celebrate her daughter, Jodie’s wedding.
Here she is at the wedding reception, dancing with her nephew,
our son, Ty, the daddy of those nieces and nephews.
And she was there of course, for her grandson, Liam’s baptism.

Bill & Jodie Welge (Sally’s dughter) and their infant son, Liam

Sally loved spending time with her grandson, Liam.
During the last few years of her life, she moved
from California to PA to be near her daughter, son-in-law,
and her dear grandson, Liam.

Besides her family and holidays, Sally had a love of dogs.
She inherited her poodle, Gigi, from our mom after Mom died.
Gigi was stolen from Sally when Gigi was about 4 years old.
Gigi was gone nine years, but Sally never gave up the idea of
finding her!

Sure enough, nine years after the theft, Sally received a call from a veterinarian.
Gigi had a chip, and when she was found wandering, dirty, toothless, and infected,
the person who found her brought her to a vet. The chip had Sally’s number.
Can you imagine her joy at that reunion after nine long years? Gigi lived to be 15.
Dear friends of ours here adopted her and gave her a loving last 9 months of life
when Sally moved to PA and could not take Gigi with her to the Masonic Home.

Sally & Jodie at Christmas in Pennsylvania

Sally with me at Christmas in California

Although Alzheimer’s robbed my sis of her memory and ultimately of her ability to converse, she was tuned in and enjoyed the concert Liam and I presented in her nursing home last Thanksgiving. I am so glad Bob & I were able to go – and we had that time with her. My life is filled with wonderful memories of times we shared together.

I’m pregnant with Ty – Bob’s next to Sally & Dave with Denise
and that’s our Mom & Dad in front

Bob & me with Sally & Dave – one Easter waaaay back when!

Sally had a life filled with service to others through her church, the Hospital Auxiliary, the Girl Scouts (she led a troop for at least 50 years) and her favorite organizations, Rebekahs and Eastern Star.

Her life also was one of tragedy (her oldest daughter died at age 19 and her husband, Dave, was only 60 when he died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack). But Sally was a trooper. She continued to volunteer and give of her time and talents to others.

I was blessed to grow up with a sister who had such a big, giving heart,
She will be missed by all of us who loved her. But her spirit will live on.

Sally and Jan
at my daughter, DeAna’s wedding in 1987

I know her spirit will recognize mine when I join her in Heaven someday.
Meantime, rest in peace, dear Sis. I will carry your love with me always.

Thanks for visiting today my friends.
Treasure every sunrise.
Enjoy every sunset.
Tell your siblings how much you love them.

See ya tomorrow, God willing!
JanBeek

Category:

children, Family, God, Gratitude, Heartache, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, relationships

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Join Me with a Prosery

October 12, 2020

I’m quoting Kim from Writing in North Norfolk. “I’m welcoming dVerse poets to Prosery, when we ask you to write a very short piece of prose that tells a story, with a beginning, a middle and an end, in any genre of your choice: flash fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction.

As it’s a kind of flash fiction, we have a limit of 144 words; an additional challenge is to hit 144 exactly. The special thing about Prosery is that we give you a complete line from a poem, which must be included somewhere in your story, within the 144-word limit. You may change punctuation but you are not allowed to insert words in between parts of the quotation.

Ole Tom

We see Ole Tom with his bent shoulders and thinning torso
We see his wind-weathered face and his thinning gray hair
He sits in my living room strumming his guitar
Singing the fourteenth verse of an old folk song
He has a thousand such songs tucked into his head
Along with the entire books of Matthew and Acts
We see him as an ancient sage
We look at him through the wrong end
Of the long telescope of Time
His mind is sharper than mine ever was
And he shows no signs of stopping
Each Christmas Ole Tom recites the Christmas story
From the book of Acts, never reading, just expounding
Amazing the congregation with his masterful memory
He is the epitome of a wise man: Ninety-three going on thirty
Never see him as old and never underestimate Ole Tom
Turn that telescope around!

What fun to participate in dVerse poets’ invitation to Prosery.
It’s a challenge to come up with a 144 word poem,
but not when you have such a delightful subject as Ole Tom.
How we loved him!!
He will live in our hearts forever.

Do you have an ole Sage in your life?
Count your blessings if you do…
and consider joining the fun at dVerse Poets!

Were you able to find the “complete line from a poem”
that I was required to insert as part of my Prosery?
Which do you think it was?

See ya tomorrow.
Have a Terrific Tuesday!
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, d'verse poetry, friendship, Love, music, Poetry, relationships, writing

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What a Friend!

October 11, 2020

Today I received in my “Messages” a picture of a dear friend who is fighting cancer. She is in a hospital bed at home. Her family is gathered around and her BFF (best friend forever) is on her way to be at her bedside. My heart goes out to the BFF and to my friend’s husband and children. Seeing a friend preparing to leave this earth is soooo hard!

But, my dear friend is a devoted Christian, and she knows where she is headed. She does not fear death, because she has a friend in Jesus – and she believes in God and His promises. It’s comforting to know where you will spend eternity. It’s just hard on those left behind.

Today’s sermon at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church was the perfect topic for this day when my heart is aching because my dear friend and her family are suffering.

Today we had a guest minister, Phil Taylen. Here are my

Sermon Notes on: “Friendship Sharing”

Friendship is a special thing.
In it we all are connected.
In the New Testament, we see how
In God’s friendship, we all are protected.

The best part of friendship is
Sharing with each other the Good News,
Asking one another and telling them
Of how Jesus opens new views.

God cares about our friendship.
He opens His arms to you.
Through Christ, He came to show us
How to love as He loves: True.

As believers, we need YES faces;
Our countenance should show Trust.
God’s light should shine through us.
Radiate His love; We MUST!

To communicate God’s love
We must be trustworthy and fair.
We must share our eternal vision,
And tell our friends we’ll all be there!*

(*there is our eternal home
with Christ and one another)

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Share the simplicity of scripture,
Be sure the promise of God is heard.
He gave His only begotten Son
To save our souls. Believe His Word!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus!

Lean on Him and His promises.
Know that when your Christian friends
Leave this earth, they are going
To heaven … where eternal life never ends.

See you “there,” my friends!

See ya tomorrow.

Pray for my friend, Gloria, will you?
And I pray for you…
that you have faith in His promises, too.
Love ya,
JanBeek

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Aging Gracefully, Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Jesus, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, Promises, relationships, sermon notes, truth

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World Mental Health Day

October 10, 2020

Today is World Mental Health Day.
How is your mental health?

The Bible is full of wisdom that applies to mental health.
Romans 12:18 is a perfect example.
Living in peace with everybody includes
Living in Peace with YOURSELF!

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Some people live in a self-imposed prison,
Locking themselves behind bars of self-hate;
They fail to see the self that God created.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

We all get those days that we just don’t feel good enough. Everything goes wrong. For me, I go to the bible to read the words of God. His personal dialog for us is filled with encouragement, hope, and lessons from which we can learn. Here are my top ten verses that uplift and impact me when I’m at the lowest of lows:

1. Philippians 4:13:

I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.

2. Psalm 46:5

God is within her, she will not fall.

3. Proverbs 31:25

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

4. Psalm 28:76

The Lord is my strength and my shield.

5. 1 Corinthians 25:10

By the grace of God, I am what I am.

6. Romans 5:8

I loved you at your darkest.

7. Psalm 62:5-6

Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on Him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure.

8. 2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

9. 1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

10. 2 Chronicles 20:15

The battle is not ours, but God’s.

Keys to Positive Mental Health

The link below to an article by Brittany Morgan offers ten keys to mental health that worked for her. I found the article to be greatly inspiring. Among her ten ideas that resonated most with me was #1:

1. Unfollowed ‘energy vampires’ on all social media platforms

This one might need a little explaining, so bear with me. An energy vampire is basically anyone who comes into your life and drains you of your positive energy. (Or, any energy in general, for that matter.) I’ve been unlucky enough, as I’m sure you have as well, to meet several of these energy vampires in real life. I’ve decided this past year to unfollow any and all energy vampires on all of my forms of social media, and you should, too.

Life is too short to expend any extra energy on perpetually negative people.

If you agree with her thinking on that idea,
you may want to click the link below
to see the other nine points she makes.

10 Things I’ve Done For My Mental Health Since Last Year’s World Mental Health Day

So much can happen in 365 days.

Brittany Morgan Oct 09, 2020 National Writers Society

Photo by Maksim Goncharenok on Pexels.com

On Mental Health Day,
I wish you great peace and joy.
Let God take your cares.

Lift them up to Him
And let them just float away;
Replace them with love –

With LOVE for yourself –
Remember your Creator
Made you to be loved.

When LOVE is poured out,
The empty cup returns full!
God replaces it.

Put your hand in the hand of the One who stilled the waters
Put your hand in the hand of the One who calmed the seas
Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently
Put your hand in the hand of the Man from Galilee!

Don’t miss this wonderful song from 1970…
One of my favorites!!

Play it again!! Sing along!
Put your hand in God’s hand
And have a peace-filled
World Mental Health Day.

Bye for now.
See ya tomorrow.

Tell me how you’re doing today.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, children, contentment, Faith, God, Haiku, happiness, health, learning, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, self-acceptance, self-esteem, writing

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Helping Children

October 9, 2020

This is my son, Ty, with his grandchild, Cosette (my great-granddaughter). Ty sent me this photo yesterday. It warmed my heart so much!

Cosette with The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Isn’t that the most precious photo and the most adorable expression? Someday with the help of her mom and dad, grandparents, her Uncle Sam, and friends who love her enough to read to her, Cosette will know the difference between an up-side-down view and one that is right-side-up. But meantime, this Great-Grandma (call me “GG”) takes enormous joy in seeing the delight in this child’s face – and her interest in books at her young age!

Uncle Sam, Cosette & her daddy, my grandson, Jordan

When children are surrounded by love, they grow into loving adults who know how to love in return. Yesterday, while Cosette was receiving this kind of nurturing, my friend, Kathy and I took the hour and a half’s drive from Ennis to Helena. We visited Intermountain Children’s Home and delivered some backpacks with school supplies for a boy and a girl who are there.

Intermountain is a school and residential facility for children who did not have the privilege of a loving start. They are between the ages of 4 and 14 and are critically “at risk.”

I first visited Intermountain about 14 years ago- with my Presbyterian Women’s group. We delivered “Wish List items” to the home for the children. This chapel was not there at that time… it was added to the campus about 6 years ago. I have loved visiting every couple years or so and watching Intermountain grow and thrive.

Intermountain was established in about 1908. It’s been around a long time! It was essentially a home for abandoned children initially. Today it is home to 24 children who need intervention for a variety of reasons. (The numbers were double that before COVID forced the space to house less children for social distancing and safety). There are four cottages with 8 children in each… and a staff of trained professionals who work as counselors, teachers, cottage parents, and administrators.

My friends, Kathy from our PW in Ennis
and Tyler Zimmer, who is Intermountain’s fund-raising coordinator
and an excellent tour guide!

Play is an important part of the children’s rehab.

Children who have been abused or neglected need guidance to learn how to play together peacefully, how to get along, how to trust again.

This is the bell tower in the center of the Intermountain campus

This plaque is at the bottom of the bell tower

Harry “Dibbs” Mitchell is just one of thousands of children who have been helped by the Intermountain brand love and care. Many, like “Dibbs” went on to live successful lives and enjoyed being able to “give back” to the place that changed their lives when they needed that intervention the most. They have about an 80% success rate – sending children out into the world with less traumatic symptoms than they came with. Not every child is receptive and able to change yet. We need to keep all our children in prayer. God’s not through with them yet… nor are we!

Intermountain’s website can tell you how to add your financial help if you are looking for a way to help children that has a long history of success: https://www.intermountainresidential.org/

Grandma Monika, Uncle Sam, and daddy Jordan
(and Grandpa Ty, photographer)
took Cosette to the pumpkin patch

Cosette got to choose one to take home with her. to show mommy Joss.

I hope their ride home
was as pretty as ours
from Helena back to Ennis

I love this chapel tucked back into the aspen!

I wonder if it still is used every Sunday for worship?

I hope you are inspired to think of a way that you can help children in your life. If you’re a mom or dad with family still at home, you have your task facing you daily. Love ’em, read to ’em, and limit their screen time. Give ’em lots of hugs, encouragement, and face-to-face time!

Cell phones and internet games have their place –
but they are not nearly as good a baby-sitter as you are!

Take a child to a pumpkin patch this month!!

Take a child on a picnic NOW before the snow comes!
It’s predicted for Sunday here in Ennis!

God bless you, Ty & Monika, for being good grandparents.
God bless you, Jordan, for being a loving daddy.
God bless you, Sam, for being an adoring uncle.

Here’s a cute little Halloween kitten to bid you farewell for today.

Have a Happy October Friday!
See ya tomorrow.

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, children, Family, food, friendship, Giving, happiness, health, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Montana, pets, relationships, Serving One Another, teaching, trees

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Ten Ways to Get a Handle on Weight

October 7, 2020

Do you often wish
That you could get a handle
On excessive weight?

I enjoy burgers –
Especially with french fries.
Eating’s the culprit!

The average person
Has gained fifteen pounds, they say
During this virus.

No, it’s not because
The average person’s pregnant!
It may be boredom!

Eating’s an escape
From these monotonous days
Of this pandemic.

So how do we control how much, when, and what we eat? And how do we motivate ourselves to get off the couch and get some exercise?

TOPS

Today was my first day back at TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensible)
https://www.tops.org/
since March 11th.

When this pandemic hit, we were not allowed to meet in our usual spot at the Madison Valley Medical Center. We were encouraged to stay home, socially distance, and sequester if needed to stop the spread of this disease. So we did.

Some experienced
Loneliness and depression.
We NEED connection!

But knowing that I
Would eventually go
Back to my TOPS helped.

I did not want to
Disappoint my friends at TOPS
When finally we’d meet.

And I I didn’t want
To balloon back up in weight
To where I once was.

TOPS helped me take off
Those excess pounds I had gained.
Friends encouraged me.

I needed to be
Accountable to my friends –
Weighing in each week.

Charms and ribbons helped
To keep me motivated.
Slowly losing weight!

Don’t try to rush it.
It is the gradual loss
That stays off of you.

Ribbons represent
The number of miles walked.
Exercise is king!

Watching what you eat
And when you plan your meals
Is also a key.

Eat colorfully!
Less on fruit, more on veggies,
And watch your portions!

“Mind Over Platter!”
That is an effective goal.
Use a smaller plate!

If the plate is small,
You can fill it easier –
It looks like a lot!

Don’t snack in between
On things that aren’t good for you!
Choose nuts or carrots!

Today at my TOPS,
After being gone for months,
I was the winner!

The biggest weight loss
Was only a couple pounds!
But I didn’t GAIN!

MVP = Most Valuable Player = ME
Each TOPS member is “Most Valuable”

So back to the title, “Ten Ways to Get a Handle on Weight”
Did you catch the main points?
Here they are:

Watch what, how much and when you eat.
Exercise Daily.
Avoid boredom – stay connected!
Join with friends who share your passion to remain fit.
Remain accountable to that group of friends.
Lose weight gradually, don’t rush it.
Eat colorfully.
Minimize snacking – and keep it healthy!
Weigh-in weekly – keep a record.
Believe in yourself. You can do it! Remain positive!!

Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
See ya tomorrow!

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Awards, food, Haiku, happiness, health, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, self-acceptance, Serving One Another

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World-wide Communion

October 6, 2020

Last Sunday was World-wide Communion Sunday. As a congregation, we were asked to bring a piece of cloth from another country. I wish I had some of the colorful cloth these darling girls are wearing!

Many folks in our church have traveled to various countries and have returned with cloth that represents their travels. Our communion table was decorated with some of them.

Here is Pastor Steve talking before church
with one of our talented musicians, Jim.
The communion table was
just beginning to see the results
of donors gorgeous pieces of fabric.

Photo by David Eucaristu00eda on Pexels.com

Rather than going up to the communion table, we each picked up a small plastic container on our way into the sanctuary. In it was a wafer (like those pictured above) under a thin cellophane covering. Beneath that, under another enclosure with the grape juice.

The wafer and grape juice represent the bread and wine which represent the body and blood of Christ broken and shed for our salvation. Christian people all over the world celebrated that tradition last Sunday. It had to be done differently in order to maintain social distancing and safety during this pandemic. But, where there is a will, there is a way. We did it!

How about you? Did you celebrate World Communion Sunday?

And if not, if your tradition of celebration is different, tell me about it. I’m curious.

Thanks for visiting.
I appreciate you.
Have a beautiful day!
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Faith, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Love, music

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The Joy of Human Love

October 5, 2020

Oh, for the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild

Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Enjoy this beautiful hymn while you read the rest of this post. I love The Cambridge Singers directed by John Rutter. Sooooo beautiful!!

Yes, Lord, I raise this joyful hymn
in grateful praise to You!

Yesterday I had the privilege of spending time with my granddaughter, Hope, and her family: her husband, Drew, and their two children, Xander and Sienna. I am so grateful for their visit!

Here is Hope – with her beautiful smile.

I was so busy with the children while they were in the house, I didn’t have time to think about pictures. But once they were strapped in their car seats, ready to leave, I said, “Wait! I need to capture this visit!”

Sienna was tucked in, thumb in place, too tired to smile – ready for a nap on her way back to Big Sky.

This is the typical Sienna – big smiles – big appetite!

I actually captured this photo of Xander & Drew just before Xander was strapped in. His toy phone is his constant companion. He carried on very loud pretend conversations with his dad and Bob and imaginary friends!

This is a scene a mile from our house at the golf course. I bet Sienna was asleep before they got this far!

For the Beauty of the Earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies

Lord of all, to Thee we raise
Our voices in grateful praise!

I pray that one day my great-grandchildren will grow to become young people who can sit and listen to a story, a poem, a wise parent… as Hope and Drew share “The Great Realisation” with them. God Bless “Tom Foolery” for his beautiful poem and the timely message he is sharing in this video with his child. If you have not heard this before, please take time to to listen. It is WONderful!!

Thanks for visiting today.
Have a WONderful week.
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Enjoy the coolness
of these beautiful Fall Days!

Category:

children, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, trees

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Why Forgive?

October 4, 2020

It’s easy for someone to tell you to forgive
Easy for them to say
But they weren’t the one who was wronged
Advice is cheap today

It’s easy for someone to tell you to forgive
Blood’s not on their hands
The ones who performed murderous acts
There: Forgiveness demands

In today’s sermon at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church here in Ennis, Montana, our pastor, Steve Hundley, preached on the scripture found in Matthew 21:33-46. He acknowledged that it is a hard lesson to make sense of. The vineyard owner sent workers to harvest the grapes, and the tenants of the vineyard killed the workers.

The owner sent more workers and the tenants killed them, too.

So the vineyard owner sent his son. Surely the tenants would respect the owner’s son! But, no… they killed him, too!

What are we to make of this story?

In the midst of such horrendous acts, the bottom line is love. Love the murderers? Love the tenants who killed the people who came to harvest? Love the tenants who killed the owner’s son?

Realize that this parable is about God, the owner of all we have. It’s about the fact that we live in a world under the shadow of the “American Dream; Ownership.”

Maybe the message is “Nobody likes an absent landlord!” The tenants are the ones who worked hard to maintain that vineyard. Then, at harvest time, the owner expects to send others to reap the benefit of their hard work? No, the tenants hated the idea of others coming to reap the harvest!

When the son was sent… the parable is asking us to see that this was the Son, Jesus. He, too was killed. Killed by those who feared this Messiah was going to take what they thought they owned… the kingship, the ownership of the land and its people.

God did not create us to take ownership of God’s resources. We are the stewards, the caretakers. God’s vineyard is not for sale. We were not even given a lease with an option to buy!

The parable doesn’t tell us what the owner did to the tenants. It doesn’t say He finally left his mansion and went down and got even with the tenants somehow… what might the retribution look like?

It doesn’t tell us He forgave them for their murderous acts. We are left to finish the story ourselves. How would you finish it?

What is your idea of ownership? What is your understanding of our Owner’s Love? Pastor Steve reminded us that Our Owner longs for a connection with us. “God desires a relationship with us… He asks that we take care of this earth – His gifts to us – and one another… and that we give a portion back.” He asks that we love one another. He asks us to forgive one another – and to love our enemies. Wow! That’s a tall order!!

Pastor Steve concluded his sermon today by reminding us:
“Our gifts are not our own.
They are God’s,
and we are given them
to use for God’s Kingdom.
We are the caretakers.
God’s love
always trumps
God’s justice.“

I love you, dear WordPress friends.
Thank you for visiting today.
I hope you’ve had a Love-filled Sunday.
Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Jesus, learning, Life and Death, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, sermon notes

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The Wind Whispers

October 2, 2020

The autumn wind whispers truth!
Tune in your ear and hear!
Hear the wind whisper love.
Hear with your loving ear.

Photo by Melanie Wupperman on Pexels.com

Sometimes the autumn wind howls.
It shouts Truth to the resistant.
It insists that you tune in and hear –
Hear the wind; it is persistent!

And like the wind, we whisper
The Truth we know is true,
And hope the hearers believe
Our words – and take the clue.

We don’t resort to shouting.
It turns hearers off, for sure.
Just keep persisting, like the wind –
With gentle words – and pure.

Like the wind, blow steadily
Upon the troubled ear,
And pray that they receive
The messages so dear.

For troubles need a voice
And a hearer who receives
The message of disturbance,
And readily perceives.

What troubles blow today
Upon your listening ear?
Are they from within, or
From someone who’s near?

Whate’re their source,
Let the Truth be known.
And with steady breeze,
Let Love’s Truth be shown.

Love One Another!
Let the autumn breeze calm you –
Then blow that love to others.
God bless you!
See ya later.
Hugs,
JanBeek

P.S. Here’s an “oldie but goodie”
from the ’70s
that’s a favorite love song of mine:

Category:

God, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, music, Poetry, relationships, Sharing, truth

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Welcome October!

October 1, 2020

T’is a month of pumpkins and spice
A month for Halloween candy
A month to plan your costume
When sheets are mighty handy

T’is a month when ghosts and goblins
And weird imaginations
Concoct front porch scenes
With spiders and smoky stations

Photo by Heorhii Heorhiichuk on Pexels.com

Just as people try to create
Wonders strange and unique ,
Look at what our Creator did –
Come and take a peak!

No one should begin to suggest
These were formed accidentally.
No, it took a God with humor –
To do this so creatively!

What do you think this is?
Look at its funny beard:

Weird, huh? It’s an ant’s face magnified at least 500 times!

And while we are admiring our Creator’s sense of humor,
take a look at this split-colored lobster!!

Our Creator’s imagination is beyond imagination!
Have you ever seen a curly-haired horse?

Well, now you have!
The coat on a poodle is a lot like this, don’t you think?

When I was a kid, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. We planned for months what our costumes would be. One year I was two things… from the front I was a princess and when I turned around, I was a cave man. How my mom created that, I have no idea. Halloween used to be safe and fun and creative. People made popcorn/caramel balls and cupcakes and candied apples – and no one was afraid to eat what you received. No one was afraid to go alone as a bunch of kids after dark!

Connection and Wholeness

Yes, we are necessary to one another! If we are going to return to the safety of connection and wholeness, we need to seek to return to the people God made us to be.

We are more unique than an ant, a lobster, or a transparent fish! We are more intelligent and exceptional than a curly-haired horse. Our memories are better than theirs, too.

We need to remember what it felt like before COVID-19. Remember our connectivity. Remember when the world was a safe place for kids to Trick-or-Treat alone after dark. Remember when people knew all their neighbors by name – and people relied on one another.

Remember how creative our Creator is. If He can make an ant with that kind of face, a lobster with those characteristics, and a fish that’s transparent and that exists as an individual and as part of a larger organism, He can help us to emerge a better people when this pandemic passes. Pray for that! Trust in His creative powers.

I need you!
We need one another!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Have a safe and creative October.

See ya tomorrow.
Love, JanBeek

Category:

Animals, children, Family, God, holidays, humor, Love, music, Poetry

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Major Setbacks

September 30, 2020

How many setbacks
Has life tossed your way?
Have they made you stronger
And more confident today?

What kinds of setbacks
Add quality to your life?
Do you gain ultimate happiness
By walking through major strife?

What constitutes a setback?
Loss of a job, death of a spouse,
Disappointment at a missed goal?
Losing a bid on your dream house?

How do setbacks make us stronger?
COVID-19 is a world-wide setback.
Will this pandemic make us better?
Will it teach us the compassion we lack?

We are one…
We all have setbacks…
We need to reach out to one another…
We need to help one another – pull each other up –
And be sure this setback teaches us the lessons we need to learn.
What are they?

See ya tomorrow.
Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

Giving, happiness, health, Heartache, learning, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Poetry, relationships