Beautiful Snow in Big Sky
But, I’d be down & out if I tried!
It’s a beautiful place to celebrate.
See ya later. Hope you’re having a beautiful day, too.
Archive for February, 2020
But, I’d be down & out if I tried!
It’s a beautiful place to celebrate.
Practicing for Divorce
No, I am not practicing for divorce!
After 58 eventful years of marriage, it’s too late to give up now!!
But life is not a bed of roses (or carnations!)
And marriage is not easy!
Nobody promised it would be.
Sometimes we get mad at one another.
Sometimes we disappoint one another.
Sometimes we don’t understand
where the other one is coming from!
What Families Know
In his devotional today on Bayside Church’s on-line “Refuel,”
Andrew McCourt talked about marriage and relationships.
He titled his message, “What Families Know,” and he said,
“People who aren’t married do married things…
they are lovers practicing for divorce.”
Love Without Commitment
For as long as life began – back to the days of Adam and Eve – men and women have found a way to “find each other’s cracks.” And eventually pouring into that crack can burst the container!
Eve found Adam’s crack!
And look what happened…
Andrew McCourt offered some suggestions for how to relate to one another in genuine love that does not seek to “find the crack” – but rather seeks to FILL AND FULFILL.
Andrew said something to this effect,
“What successful married folks know is this:
there is an order to successful relationships.
First, you stand together shoulder to shoulder
(Don’t let kids or anyone else get between you).
Second, you stand or sit together face-to-face
(You look each other in the eye and you communicate).
Third, you do the bellybutton-to-bellybutton thing
(You love each other emotionally and physically).”
Reverse Order
Andrew said, “When we get that order of things reversed, that’s when we start Practicing for Divorce.”
When did this whole thing of living together first to try it out before getting married come into being?
I have a biased (informed, of course) opinion about that! I think “Three’s Company” is the culprit.
Living Together Out of Wedlock
I couldn’t find a picture of those three folks (a guy and two gals) who lived together in an apartment in NYC on a TV show back in the 70’s or early 80’s, but it was funny and popular and it made it look like it was okay for unmarried people of the opposite sex to live together. “Three’s Company” was one of my mom’s favorite shows. And she would be considered a prude by today’s standards.
When my niece lived with a guy before marriage in NYC, my mom said it was a great idea because it made her safer in an unsafe city!
See how media can change our idea of right and wrong?
Ah, here: I found a video. It was a darling TV show!
Bayside’s “Refuel” Podcast
If you want to hear Andrew McCourt himself
and his actual words on the subject,
try this link:
bit.ly/devo021020
I have that on my iPhone and it takes me there.
On With My Day
‘Tis time for me to get on with my day. Tomorrow is our actual anniversary… 58 years. It’s not always been a bed of roses, but the key ingredient always has been there:
RESPECT
Yup, that’s the bottom line!
So, whatever your relationship…
whether it’s three’s company,
living with your lover,
or married,
keep that RESPECT alive!
And there are a few other tips
for how to keep from practicing for divorce, too.
I’ll save those for tomorrow.
I hope I haven’t offended any of you out there.
See ya later!
Be the Salt & the Light
Today’s sermon by Rev. Steve Hundley
at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, Montana was inspired
by Matthew 5:13-20
If you have been a JanBeek follower, you know I usually post on Sunday afternoon the notes I take while listening to the morning’s sermon. Most of the time, I take the notes poetically – because that’s how my brain hears the message. Here is today’s:
Be the Salt and the Light
When did you first feel old?
Was it when your kids were teens?
Their language came from another world –
It was hard to figure what it means.
Teens aren’t the only ones with strange language.
Jesus had some pretty weird expressions, too.
“You are the salt of the earth,” He said.
What does that mean to you?
Salt is used to purify, to season, and to seal.
It was the seal of the covenant and it put out fires.
What did Jesus intend when He called us salt?
Did He intend us to be a spice? My soul inquires.
He said we are to be the “Light of the World.”
What does that mean? I want to know.
This is supposed to be “The Christian Century,”
But where is our light, friends? Where does it glow?
Jesus told stories about the insignificant.
He told of lost coins and mustard seeds.
He spoke of the lost and the powerless.
He commanded us to take care of their needs.
The things we do as Christians can have
A lasting affect on others’ action and thought.
They watch us, question us, sometimes imitate us –
When we’re quietly going about doing what we ought.
We ARE the salt of the earth and the world’s light.
We need to play the part and let our faith shine from above.
We can’t forget who we are – nor get cluttered with junk –
Or we’ll lose our effectiveness to spread God’s love.
So, what “junk” clutters your life, blocks your light, and dilutes your salt?
What’s Junk?
It doesn’t needs to be literal “junk” like that in this junk yard.
It might be over-emphasis in an area that takes you away from what you would like to be doing instead.
It might be worry over something that may or may not happen.
It might be possessions that we need to clear out… cuz most of us have too much “stuff.” (I know I am leaving way more “junk” than I should in my house for my kids to sort through and throw away someday.)
What is your “junk” that clutters your actions and your thinking?
Salt is Spice – – Spice Up Your Life
In my sermon notes, I wrote, “The things we do as Christians can have
A lasting affect on others’ action and thought…”
By spicing up our life, I mean our actions and thoughts might include:
- the sweetness of sugar as we reach out to help others
- the enhancement of salt as we perform random acts of kindness
- the zestiness of pepper as we sprinkle joy and laughter to those around us
- the longevity of curry as we continue to connect with long-lasting friends and family with love
- the healing power of tumeric as we exhibit compassion
Be the Light
Being the “Light of the World” is a matter of shining love in the darkness. Before the regular sermon, Pastor Steve gave a special message directed to the children today. He sat on the chancel steps, invited the kids to come sit with him, and he handed them a candle. He lit his own candle and said, I would like to light your candle, too, but I’m afraid if I did, then I wouldn’t have a light on mine.”
The kids looked at him quizzically. “Don’t you agree?” he asked them.
They shook their heads, “No.”
“Really? If I light your candle with mine, then I will still have light?”
“Yes,” they nodded as they held out their candles.
Sure enough, he lit their candles with his, and there was not less light… but more!
The message here is clear…
BE THE LIGHT.
SHARE THE LIGHT.
SPREAD THE LIGHT.
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
Will you join me?
See ya tomorrow.
Universal Wisdom
I found this “Japanese Wisdom” on Facebook. People had commented about it and clicked their “likes” and “loves” and “sad” … and that one person who was “sad” was probably the one who wrote an irate comment denouncing the title.
Oh my, how sad that someone would see this
and be incensed that the Japanese took ownership!
Hey, I don’t care who thought it up first,
I just love it.
And I think it is more than true:
“If you don’t know, shut up!”
There is no reason to be offended by something as clever and universal as this. Just embrace it!
I am headed to have breakfast and go to church.
I will pray for that caustic person
who was offended to have a peace-filled day.
“If it’s not nice, don’t say or write it!”
Have a blessed Sunday.
See ya later.
Keep the Spark Alive
Next Tuesday Bob & I will celebrate our 58th anniversary.
We still have that spark alive and well!
We started celebrating already
by going to a wonderful
“Food & Wine Pairing Event” last night.
Later today, when Zach, the coordinator of the event, sends me pictures, I will share the photos of the various plates with you. They were small portions, but delicious and beautifully presented. No one left hungry. It was quite something!
Bob thoroughly enjoyed his conversation with our friend, Els, afterward. During the meal he got to sit next to Doug Badenoch, the wine guru from The Wine Gallery in Bozeman, MT. Doug was the one who chose the wine pairings. He did a great job.
He did a great job, too!
Today is a snowy, cold day in Ennis. It’s a good day to stay hunkered inside.
God knows your needs.
I’m asking Him to hold you.
He will.
Believe it!
Keep the Spark Alive…
Optimism is Far-Sighted
If you’re myopic
Looking only at your feet
You can’t see the joy
Ya gotta look out
Optimism’s far-sighted
Valley’s got mountains!
Today’s tasks are hard
That’s a lotta wood to chop
The warmth is worth it
Know that your troubles
Aren’t going to last forever
Optimism reigns!
Don’tcha just gotta see the optimism
when you look at Bob’s giddy face?
Thanks for looking out beyond
your blog to see mine!
I hope it cheered you.
I love you, my friends!
See ya later!
God Grins Back
God grins back!
Go ahead, chuckle a bit!
God grins back.
Go ahead, laugh out loud!
God grins back.
GROAN!
Go ahead, shake your head in wonder…
God grins back.
Pick the one that resonates with you.
Share it!
God grins back.
What is something
that makes you laugh out loud,
or at least grin,
or chuckle? Share it with me!
Rinse and Repeat
Rinse away the hurt
Like water over the rocks
Don’t let anger stay
Let the hurt dissolve
Like bubbles in the bathtub
Rinse and then repeat
Whatever you do,
Smile, because God loves you…
And so does JanBeek!
See ya later!
Make a Difference
We ALL want to make a positive difference in this world – right?
One way to make a difference
is simply to be kind and helpful!
But there is no “simply” about that.
It takes a concerted effort sometimes
to respond with kindness.
Our natural, almost automatic, first response
when someone is being mean or unkind to us
is to snap back…
at least that’s the way it used to be with me.
It has taken me 80 years of living to learn to guard my tongue!
And sometimes, even now it gets the best of me.
But I usually am quick to realize it when that happens,
and I am never reluctant to ask for forgiveness.
The problem is sometimes
I am too self-centered to even realize
I have hurt someone with my words!!
That never happen to you, does it?
I guess I’m not perfect yet.
Are you?
Another way to make a difference is simply to plant love.
But there is no “simply” about that either.
Sometimes the seeds
of adversity and division
get the best of me.
I watch something on TV
or I read something in a magazine or newspaper
that is hateful or just plain false and deceptive.
And I let that simmer in my soul.
I want to lash out at the TV person
or rip up the newspaper.
But surely that never happens to you!
Just Love One Another
Love Everyone!
It’s easy to say, but ever so hard to do!
But if we want to make a positive difference in this world,
it has to be all about
LOVE
first and foremost!
Be Forgiving of Yourself
Even when we try hard,
we may not always be
the loving person
God intended us to be.
But we can make a difference
if we learn to forgive ourselves
for those
mistakes of character.
Others see and are encouraged
by our ability to overcome!
Be Forgiving of Others
Another way to make a difference in this world
is simply to be forgiving of others.
But there is no “simply about that either.
Sometimes I want to use a “mad” icon.
“Sad” just doesn’t do it.
It’s not enough.
I want to show the world
that what was said or done just makes me angry.
But anger never solved any of this world’s problems.
It only exacerbates them, ya know?
Forgive the ones who anger you,
Pray for your understanding of their position.
Try to figure out where they’re coming from.
Forgive their ignorance (hah!)!
Disagree without being disagreeable!
Be a PeaceMaker
And yet another way
to make a positive difference in this world
is to be a PEACEMAKER!
- Pray daily for the wisdom,
- love,
- patience,
- kindness,
- goodness,
- faithfulness,
- gentleness,
- self-control,
- humility,
- generosity,
- forgiveness,
- obedience to God,
- and the humility
that it takes to be a peacemaker,
and to make a positive difference in this world.
It’s not a task for the Lone Ranger,
the Lone Stranger,
or the Lone YOU!
It takes the LOVE of the
HOLY SPIRIT
working in you.
Know that God is your heart…
so
Pay attention to His Leading!
He will always lead you to
Love,
Peace,
and
Making a Positive Difference!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I’m headed off to TOPS.
(Those are my friends who help me keep the weight off.
They make a difference in my life!)
See ya tomorrow.
Be on the Upside
Morning Routine
Do you have a morning routine?
I get up, take my meds with a full glass of water, make a cup of coffee, and go up to my sanctuary.
Each morning in my sanctuary, I have a routine of quiet time, prayer, meditation, Bible Study, and devotional reading. One of my favorite devotionals is Guideposts Magazine.
Guideposts Magazine
This month’s Guideposts (Feb. 2020) is featuring upbeat stories about times in our USA history when the nation came together in unity. If you have followed my blog this week, you know UNITY is high on my list of priorities. When we are unified as a people, we can accomplish so much good!
Being unified allows us to gather strength from one another. Unity means fighting FOR one another, lifting one another up with dignity, living on the UPSIDE of life! “The Up Side” is one of my favorite features in Guideposts Magazine.
Each of those quotes are sufficient for a full day’s topic.
- Make a Difference
- Rinse and Repeat
- God Grins Back
- Optimism
- Life’s Too Short
Look for those on my blog as this week progresses.
And have an UPSIDE DAY!
I’m off to volunteer at the Senior Center.
See ya tomorrow.
