Hope your day was beautiful and you had (have) that kind of helpful mother (I did!)And I am blessed with this very loving helpful son and…… these two very sweet, helpful, loving daughters.
Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Sermon Notes Brian Conklin – interim pastor Madison Valley Presbyterian Church Jan’s sermon notes:
“Skipping across the lake’s surface The perfect stone seems to dance. Looking for something specific, God has chosen us as Living Stones.
Peter says we’re built on the cornerstone, The most important part of the building. Jesus Christ is our cornerstone – But He was rejected by the world.
Moses struck a stone; there were stones That allowed Christ followers to walk Across the Jordan without sinking. Stones are instruments of God’s work.
God is our steady, certain rock. Each of us is built in His image. Like rocks, if we are fitted together, We can be built into a spiritual house.
God never intended us to be a lone stone – A stone out in the field by ourselves. Faith allows us to be built into a Holy Priesthood – A place where God is encountered.
We are offerings of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Our lives make God visible on earth. Sometimes we feel like a lone stone, But we belong. We’re connected. We matter.
We’re not designed to be lone stones!
We are held together by grace. Living stones are not identical, but As unique individuals, start asking “What is God building among us?”
Where am I placed and why? Can I bear the weight of others? I am strong enough and I am fit. I’m willing to be placed and be a light in the darkness.
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God”
Have a lovely day filled with peace and the wisdom that comes from heaven.
We live in a beautiful place with a beautiful view and wonderful neighbors.
Our property has about 4 acres and in the center of those is where our house sits surrounded by 13 evergreen trees.
The lawn and trees require a lot of care to keep the trees healthy year round and the sprinkler system working in the spring, summer and fall.
This is the time of year when turning the sprinklers back on and repairing broken ones and adjusting the direction of the water’s flow has to happen.
We couldn’t possibly do all this by ourselves.
Thank God for the helpful guys in our “hood” who volunteer their services annually because without their help, I’m sure we would find it very difficult to live here!
Today’s sermon focused on the Good Shepherd. Here are my notes from interim pastor Brian Conklin’s message today.
Psalm 23 is one of the Bible’s Most memorized and loved scriptures. It is powerful, impactful, comforting. The care and protection are heartwarming.
The word shepherd means to be a friend – Be a faithful companion who cares. God is our friend, our closest companion. He is faithful; his presence surrounds me.
God guides me along the right paths. Solitude and quiet are part of my DNA. I reflect, marvel, and hear God’s voice. Solitude is not a sad time for me.
Life is tough; we encounter dark valleys, But as a person of faith, I’m comforted. I feel God’s presence and everlasting peace. My cup overflows… abundance is mine.
In a world of scarcity, I am blessed. God provides a voice to be trusted. His voice encourages me to follow Him to still waters. His still, small voice leads me to light, love and hope.
He is with me.
Hallelujah!
Amen?
Love, JanBeek (with my friend Stephanie at fellowship after church today)
By the way, we discovered today that Stephanie has a look-alike in Switzerland! My daughter, DeAna, sent me this photo of her choir girlfriends who were out enjoying social time together. It’s not hard to find Stephanie’s look-alike! I think they could be long-lost twins!!
Our daughter, DeDe, is the third from the right. Looks like they’re having fun, doesn’t it?
We seldom see moose in our neighborhood during the day. They sometimes come down out of the mountains at night to nibble on our evergreens when their natural habitat up in the Gravellies or the Madison Range is snow covered. But this guy showed up in broad daylight.
Just sitting outside my kitchen door !
He had a ragged spot in his back and a bum leg. Probably had been injured by some other animal that attacked him.
After I got Kenny back inside, Bob & I chased the young moose off to the neighbor’s. He was nibbling on our trees! Fortunately, after I contacted the neighbor and explained, he called the animal protective services. Hopefully they came to help… I don’t want to think about how.
Gorgeous! But after my last post of April flowers, this is surprising, isn’t it?
It’s Ennis, Montana… and yes, friends, it can snow here on July 4th! So, this April snow should not be a surprise. In fact, after a relatively dry January through March, we are grateful for the moisture in April! It snowed all last night… and then more today. With no wind to blow it off the branches, ain’t it gorgeous?
I am up in my sanctuary, looking out at the magnificent snow covered trees and thanking God for them.
Smile, God loves you. And so do I!
I’m praying for you, For our world, and For peace, please.
