Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for April, 2019

Let Me Wash Your Feet!

Foot Washing

“You wanna do WHAT?”

“I’m going to wash your feet!”

“No way! You’re my Boss. I can’t have you washing my feet. I should be washing YOURS!”

“No, you need to let me wash your feet. If you don’t, then you’re fired! You will no longer belong in my company!”

“OK, Lordy me!! If that’s the case, don’t just wash my feet; wash all of me – my head to my toes, and polish my toes, too!”

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“Well, since you have taken a bath, you are clean – except for your feet. You and your friends (except for one) are all clean. I just need to wash your feet!”

“Well, my Lord, if that’s the case, alright then, go ahead.”

After he had washed my feet, He said, “You don’t understand what I have just done, do you? You call me your Boss, your Teacher, and your Lord. It is right that you do so, because that is what I am. But, what I have just done for you, I mandate that you do for others.”

“You want me to wash my friends’ feet?!”

“That’s right. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you… Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice.”

“I’d be happy to do just that, my Lord! With love, I want to find some feet to wash.

Does it matter what age they are?”

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday. Have you heard that term? Do you know the origin of the word Maundy? I didn’t, so I looked it up on the dictionary app on my iPhone. Here’s what I discovered:

maundy =

  1. the cermony of washing the feet of the poor, especially commemorating Jesus’ wahing of the disciples’ feet.
  2. also called maundy money (I read that and wondered if it was the origin of the term “money laundering” – but I read on) money distributed as alms in conjunction with the ceremony of maundy (foot washing) – as in Maundy Thursday
  3. origin: 1250 – 1300; Middle English maude <Old French mande>, Latin mandatum – command – Jesus’ words to the disciples after He washed their feet  (John 13:14-17)
  4. mandate

Happy Maundy Thursday, my friends.

It’s the day Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.
It’s the evening of the Last Supper.
It’s the night Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
It’s the night Jesus was arrested.

What’s happy about it?

You wanna do WHAT?

Let me wash your feet!

I’m gonna wash that kiss right offa them!

Hah!

baby foot with red kiss mark

Meaning

What does Jesus mean when He mandates us to wash one another’s feet?
Is it symbolic of some other kind of cleansing?
Or does He really mean for us to wash feet?

The kiss is the symbolism for Judas’ betrayal …

lovingHEARTSflying

. . . Why do you think Judas
(who was one of Christ’s followers – an Apostle, for cryin’ out loud)
betrayed Jesus with a kiss?

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Life and Death, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Serving One Another

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Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer

(adapted from The Open Church Foundation’s
prayer by Wallace Fridy)

bright dark clouds dawn dramatic

“This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

God, I am truly grateful for:

  • another day,
  • another morning
  • another hour,
  • another minute,
  • another chance
    to live and to serve You.

Please, God, today, free me from all:

  • fear of the future,
  • anxiety about tomorrow,
  • bitterness toward anyone,
  • cowardice in the face of danger,
  • laziness from work,
  • failure before opportunity, and
  • weakness when Your Power is at hand.

But, O God, please fill me with:

  • Love that knows no barriers,
  • Sympathy that reaches all,
  • Courage that can’t be shaken,
  • Faith strong enough for darkness,
  • Strength sufficient for my tasks,
  • Loyalty to Your Kingdom’s goal,
  • Wisdom to meet life’s complexities, and
  • Power to lift me to You.

 

Please, O God,
be with me for another day,
and use me in Your Will.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.
     Amen

Category:

Faith, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Love, prayer

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I AM

Have you pondered the meaning of life?
Have you spent time wondering,
“Why am I here?”
Who am I?
Do you wonder about your purpose?

I do!

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My more mundane answer is:
I am a Child of God,
a retired educator,
a wife, sister, aunt, friend,
a mom of 2, Grammy to 7, and
great-grandmother (GG) to one with 2 on the way.

But I am much more than that!

Today I am a volunteer, working at the reception desk
at the Madison Valley Medical Center.
It’s a quiet Wednesday afternoon.
Not much activity for this “Purple Lady” to record.

Hopefully the absence of “customers”
means people are relatively healthy.
No need for a doctor or lab test right now.
So, what are YOU doing today?

I am pondering life’s meaning
and my place in this spot in the world.
I want to get beyond the mundane.

If you were to write a poem or essay
answering the questions,
“Who Am I? Why am I here?
What is my Purpose?
What would you say?

Here is mine for today
(tomorrow it may change…
I am a work in progress):

I AM

I am a woman who is continually growing, stretching, discovering.

I am living a contemplative life defined by the
expansion of my heart.   heart shaped red balloon

My way of acting is different from the world’s way. I am different.

black and green desk globe

I am witnessing to a different way of BEING in the world.

I strive to live in ways that demonstrate the:

  • potential for compassion
  • grace of presence
  • revelation in each moment
  • unconditional love described as Agape in His Word

My life is lived on the edges of the world’s fluctuating values.

It’s a challenging place to be.

I am open and transparent, tuned in daily to God’s newness –
– to God’s Love growing in me,
– to the Peace and Joy the Lord offers so freely.

heart shaped red balloon

I AM Jan Beekman.
aka  JanBeek


(“I am a stew – a mixture of many parts,” Thanks, CD!)

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And who are YOU?

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, Faith, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, self-acceptance

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Happy 7th Anniversary

I received this notice today:

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Seven is my magic number!

It’s God’s number for “completeness.” On the 7th day he rested.

Seven is our house number.

Seven is the number of grandchildren I have.

Seven is my birthday month.

Our phone number ends in a 77.

So does our PO Box number.

Our current house is the 7th dwelling
my husband and I have shared in our 57 years of marriage!

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But, my friends, 7 is not my number for completeness. It’s the number that causes me to look  in amazement  at all this synchronicity – and realize, “This is good!”

But, I am nowhere near complete – and neither is this JanBeek blog!  This is good – and it’s fun, but it’s not great yet!

I’m a work in progress, ending my 7th decade on earth … and ready to enter new challenges, new learning, new sharing. Growing in knowledge and grace. Striving to blog with intention and purpose – to make a positive difference for my faithfilled blogging friends.

I look forward to making new friends and keeping in touch with those who’ve hung in there with me. Thank you for reading and commenting on my blog. Please try to check in with me daily and see what’s new – and leave me some encouragement, too!

I will continue to share what I am passionate about as I enter this 8th year of blogging.

As I approach my 8th decade on this earth, I share the love, joy and peace that are mine through faith. I express my gratitude. I seek help with expressions of patience, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I share ways life is a blessing and ways I have learned to manage the challenges life tosses at us. I write about things I care about (like today’s fire at Notre Dame). Sometimes I write just to entertain. Every now and then I just wanna make you laugh (like Jesus is Walkin’ on Water Again).

I hope my sharing helps and inspires and encourages my followers.

I’m hangin’ in there, and I hope you do, too!

Send seven of your friends this way., will you?
Let’s grow together!

thankyou_clip1

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Awards, blogging, friendship, Gratitude, Love, Sharing, writing

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Fire in Paris

F ire

I ncinerates

R iches

E ffortlessly

.

Centuries of history

Countless artifacts

Mountains of memories

Up in flames

.

The crown of thorns

The cross of David

The historic instruments

Some saved from flames

.

The majestic steeple

The Gothic cathedral

The iconic landmark

Mostly gone in flames

.

But the faith remains

The love remains

The determination rekindled

Rebuilding has already begun

.

Prayers for Parisians –

and the world 🌎

Category:

Heartache, Love, prayer

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Beautiful People

Beautiful People

 

Beautiful people
From a Grateful Heart

Today I am reflecting on the beautiful people in my life. I am thanking God for those loving, sincere, caring, sharing people He has put into my path. I could fill this page with their names and pictures! But, I won’t.

I will put their faces up to God and ask Him to BEE with each one of them. Give them health and strength and guard their paths. He knows each of their needs better than I do!

Your Beautiful Friends

Who are those beautiful people God has put into your life? Take a minute to bring each of their faces up to the Lord, and thank Him. What a gift they are!

Your Presence in my On-line Life

I do not take for granted YOU… You beautiful people who take the time to read and to respond to my daily on-line life. I’m on the 182nd consecutive day of making this place a part of my daily routine. I like starting my morning with an inspirational thought that I can share with you.

Although I am not “all about numbers” – and the stats are not what guide me, I am grateful for each of the 450+ people who pressed “Follow” on JanBeek – and especially for those of you who take time to leave a comment. It helps me know I am not just blowin’ in the wind!

block blow blur child

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Visiting and Being Inspired by Others

I enjoy seeing what you have created, too. Some of us do not have the kind of blog that will attract thousands (what would we do to monitor that anyway?), but we know the folks who do visit us regularly are people who care. You are like-minded people who also have “Inspire Others to Live a Better, more Loving Life” as one of your goals.

You do inspire me to keep sharing sincere love, to keep on caring, and to keep on encouraging. You are a blessing!

Thank you!

Category:

blessings, friendship, Gratitude, Living in Harmony, Love, Serving One Another, Sharing, writing

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Celebrate Palm Sunday

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Celebrate Palm Sunday with branches

Like the ones His disciples laid

Across His path in Jerusalem –

A path on which our sinful debts were paid.

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Let each branch represent

A deed you’d like to see undone.

Give all regrets to Jesus, and

Lay those sins upon God’s Son.

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He knew as He was riding in

Upon a humble donkey’s back

That He was headed to fulfill

His earthly purpose – that’s a fact.

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With that triumphant entrance,

He willingly trudged Golgotha’s Hill.

Today Holy Week is beginning.

Receive its message. Heed and listen.
… Heart, be still.

I listened to the sermon in church this morning,
and as usual, I took notes in poetry.
Here is what I “took away”
from Rev. Jean Johnson’s message:

 

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

“Commitment”
– reflections on Luke 22-23

Pageantry and wildly waving palm branches
Are not the acts that really matter.
Palm Sunday is about the difference
Between Christ’s commitment and our chatter.

People were involved as Christ entered
The city of Jerusalem to die;
But their focus soon returned home.
They forgot Jesus, abandoned Him without a cry.

Commitment is a hard road to tred.
It requires we stay when we’re through.
Stay beyond the time we think we’re done.
Tenacity’s hard for me and you.

Sometimes when we feel abandoned,
The emptiness of our heart makes room
For the One who never left us.
He is there through our joy and in our gloom.

Christ gave His all on Golgotha Hill.
He died for us, for our salvation.
We need to walk that path with Him;
Live the pain, know the cost, delay elation.

Our faith voyage leads through Jerusalem.
We must walk the way of the cross.
Walk in commitment to Calgary,
Suffer the insults, and know the loss.

Amen?

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Life and Death, Living in Christ's Family, Love

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A New Name

A New Name

photo of rocks piled on top of each other

Photo by rasik on Pexels.com

God gave Peter a new name:

“And on this Rock I will build

My Church, ” Jesus declared.

Peter must have been thrilled.

low angle photo of gray concrete building with statues

Photo by Sarah Acconcia Norris on Pexels.com

My husband calls me Rocki.

It’s not cuz I’m a rock!

It’s cuz like a rocket

I used to disappear before he could talk!

scenic view of fire at night

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Affectionately, he changed it

When I slowed down and waited

Until he got his thoughts out

And acknowledged what he’d stated.

slow signage

Photo by Song kaiyue on Pexels.com

So now when he calls me Rocki,

I know our house is built

Upon the Rock of Christ’s command:

“Know I am God, be stilled!”

alcohol blur bright burnt

Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. on Pexels.com

 

………. I know I am the:

R ichly blessed

O bedient

C hild of the

K ing who

I nhabits & Inspires me!

 

Do you have a new name
born out of your
changed identity
and behavior?

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, life, Love

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Most Useful Asset

We each have assets.
What’s your most useful asset?
Think for a moment.

think outside of the box

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

 

Could it be your looks?
Might it be something you own?
Some talent, maybe?

Give it some thought.

analysis blackboard board bubble

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Here is what one person said:

Heart:ear:hand

Does your head agree?
How’d your heart respond to that?
Ear and hand – ready?

What’s your most useful asset?

Category:

Giving, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Are You Leader or Follower?

Leader or Follower?

Some days I’m the leader;
Other days I like to follow.
But sometimes following
Is more than I can swallow.

animal beast big carnivore

Sometimes the folks who lead
Don’t seem to care the least
About the folks they’re leading;
They’re like this ugly beast.

The beast who tells us lies,
Who says “Do as I say,
But not as I do,” you know?
He tries to force his way.

We are not stupid sheep;
We know which way is right.
So stand your ground, my friends.
Don’t let him push his might.

The one who makes the rules,
Usually wins the game, they say.
But, some rules should be constant –
Don’t let him lead you astray.

My Inspiration

This poem was inspired by a Time Magazine article titled, “Whose standards will Democrats embrace?” by the eloquent former editor of Time Magazine, Nancy Gibbs.
This topic of leaders and followers is heavy on my heart. It’s not the simple kind of following that I wrote about years ago when I was looking at healthy parent-child relationships:

Follow Me

Days Gone By

When I was a youngster, one of the popular TV programs was “Father Knows Best.” I related to that … and so did a lot of my peers. Mom and Dad talked things over. They  presented a righteous front of solidarity. Sometimes Mom (in fact usually Mom) laid down the laws. Together, they enforced them. We were the “Leave it to Beaver” generation whose nuclear family lived by the universal rules spelled out in the Ten Commandments. “Do not lie” was paramount among them. “Love One Another,” was another. “Be kind to your neighbor,” right?

Appreciate one another’s differences. Know that we all are part of one body – and the head needs the hand; the leg needs the foot. We need to live in harmony.

What has happened to our Rules to Live By??

Category:

God, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, respect, Serving One Another, truth

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