Today’s message included a You Tube video that caught my eye. It is worth watching. You can see her total post – and learn why this video spoke so loudly and meaningfully to her by clicking on the link above. And you can see the video posted below on this blog.
Learning from Bees & Flies
I was attracted to this video because (as many of you know) my husband is a retired beekeeper. Honeybees have been an important part of our livelihood – and Bob’s family’s income – for three generations. What can we learn about the importance of positive mindsets from honeybees and flies? Here’s the video:
The Choice is Ours
I think all of us would rather gather nectar and pollen to produce sweetness rather than choose to focus on the negative, gathering/spreading garbage and filth. The choice is ours!
Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com Live with positive purpose – Gather nectar while you may!
Sweet thoughts Sweet actions, Sweet focus, Good for your soul! Good for others, too.
Photo by Leonidas Takao Ishikawa on Pexels.com Garbage in – Garbage out!
Photo by Nixon Johnson on Pexels.com Pest, nuisance, scavenger … Not for me!!
Do you have a mute button? Do you know when to be quiet? Is there a time when silence is needed?
Oh my, those are such important questions! When I was in second grade, my teacher wrote on my report card, “Janet must learn she can’t talk ALL the time!”
Contemplate Silence
While I was up in my sanctuary this morning, that subject of the mute button was raised by one of the writers of a devotional. I contemplated the importance of silence.
I was reminded of my mom’s frequent cautionary quote,
“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”
I’m sure that wasn’t invented by her! But I attribute it to her. And it is reinforced when I read in the Bible,
“Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.”
So, I pressed my mute button and sat in God’s presence without a word. Not easy for me… but I am cautioned often to practice the art of holding my tongue. And as I did so, this poem came to me:
Intention
Intention creates reality – What do I intend to do today? I set a goal to be loving In everything I do and say.
Intention creates awareness – I realize opportunities are near. I want to do with grateful focus The work that God has shown me here.
Intention creates commitment – I’m determined to do His will. But first I’ll read His Word and listen; To hear His voice, I must be still.
There are plenty of people out there who want to show their love to others. They want to give to make a difference. You are probably one of them.
Besides giving to those we love around us, there are “causes” we care about. We want to give love to those, too. Especially while staying at home during this COVID-19 pandemic, I have felt the need to reach out more than ever.
But, how do you know the cause is “legitimate,” and if you donate to a cause, then the money is going to its intended purpose – and not to line some executive’s pockets – or make an advertising company wealthy?
Intermountain is a nationally recognized nonprofit providing Hope & Healing for children, youth, and families.
On their website, this is INTERMOUNTAIN’s mission statement,
“When families need help with the complex emotional challenges children and teens sometimes face, Intermountain offers innovative treatment developed from years of experience. Our caring professionals rely on our relationship-based approach and client-centered treatment solutions to meet the individual needs of each child and family and help them heal. Our goal is to help every child and family we serve thrive and grow.”
Commitment
Because I believe Intermountain is committed to meeting its goal – and I have visited its campus in Helena, Montana, and seen first-hand the enormous good they do, I am signed up for an automatic deduct from my retirement stipend each month to send a donation to Intermountain. It’s a small contribution, not enough for me to even miss it, but it is consistent. It adds up to real help when it happens month-after-month, year-after-year. I am committed to doing my small part.
If everyone who heard about Intermountain donated a small amount every month, just think of how much more they could do to help needy children and their families!
Assurance
I have the assurance that my donation has arrived and is being put to good use because every single month I receive a thank you letter from Beth, the Sr. Development Officer there who is in charge of Special Events (and obviously also in charge of written acknowledgements). Here is a copy of the letter we received in January from Intermountain:
As an educator for 36 years, I have a passion for children – their health and well-being, their safety and their enlightenment.
I know there are children out there who are facing complex emotional challenges. I am not equipped to help each of them (but I wish I could). Their problems are beyond my resources of time, money, and skills.
Some face separation anxiety with parents who were abusive, or parents who are in prison, or parents who are deceased, or… well, you name it!
I can’t help them all, but I can do a little to support this place in Montana that DOES have the facility, the love, the skills and materials to make a difference.
Reach Out
God has blessed you to BE A BLESSING. If giving to Intermountain is not in your future, then look for a place in or near your community – a place that is legitimate – a place that pools its resources, love, and skills to make a difference in the lives of others in need. There are so many … so many less fortunate than we are … Reach Out to bless others in whatever way you are able!
It’s never too late to capture the 2020 vision…
Make it a year of 20/20 clarity of purpose! Think about your passions, think about your blessings, and with gratitude, consider your giving.
Tell me some way you are giving in love to share your blessings with others in need. I’d love to have you write your ideas in the comments section – and inspire others to give in love, too.
On his blog, RothPoetry, Dwight posted this today,
“Today we were asked to write poetry from our book shelf. Bjorn, at d’Verse, called it found poetry. The challenge is to arrange and make a poem using book titles from our shelf, without changing any titles. I thought these were a very fitting group for the times we are experiencing. See what you think?
Found Poetry
Violence
Money, Sex, and Power
The Brilliant Idiot
Dialogue with death”
So I thought it would be fun to take up the challenge and do my own “Found Poem.”
The bookshelf in my “Angel Room”
I’m OK – You’re OK
Faith is the Answer
Mornings with Jesus
Reach Out!
Go to Dwight’s WordPress blog: see some other Found Poems. Take up the challenge! Go to your bookshelf. Share a Found Poem with me. Have fun with it. I’d love ❤️ to hear from you.
If you live in the USA and you click on this link, https://www.arborday.org/states/ , you will find a map that tells you what kinds of trees grow well in your area.
Are you near water?
Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com Are you in a tropical area?
Does it get real cold and snow where you live?
Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com Do fruit or nut trees thrive where you are?
The Arbor Day Foundation suggested other ways, besides planting, to celebrate the proliferation and appreciation of our trees. Here are things we can do from the safety of our homes:
Connecting with teachers in your area to raise students’ awareness of Arbor Day with online lessons related to trees.
Researching the history of the day.
Writing a poem about trees, or drawing a picture of your favorite tree.
Sponsoring a contest of students’ drawings using photos of their artwork submitted by the students.
Reading a book about trees and then donating it to a library, a school, a teacher, or a child.
Educating yourself and others about caring for trees, proper pruning, and planting times.
Bringing Arbor Day inside with container gardening, herb plants, or a bonsai tree.
Making plans for planting projects, so that when you can execute them, you’ll be all set to go!
Favorite Trees
What are your favorite trees? Here are some of mine:
Evergreen – they are solid and unchanging, providing shelter for birds and small animals, giving us a sense of greenness year round.
Aspen – Aspen trees are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high-altitude areas such as mountains or high plains. They are all medium-sized deciduous trees reaching 49–98 ft. tall. The Aspen is noted for its ability to regenerate vegetatively by shoots and suckers arising along its long lateral roots.
Bur and Chestnut Oak Tree – Bur oak or mossycup oak is a North American deciduous tree widely distributed across the U.S., Southeastern Montana, and Northeastern Wyoming. Chestnut oak is a member of the white oak group with chestnut-like leaves. The chestnut oak is noted for its ability to survive on steep, rocky sites where other oaks in its range cannot. Foliage unfurls pink and becomes silvery before finally becoming dark green. The chestnut oak is also known for its beautiful silvery-white bark.
Photo by Kirill Belotserkovsky on Pexels.com Evergreens… pine, spruce, juniper and cypress
Beware, though, because they grow tall and spread out! When these trees were planted around our house, the house was visible… not anymore!
We have an aspen in the front of our house – It rarely changes color to this beautiful gold. The leaves just freeze before fall comes in full glory. But the ones planted a little farther from the house are beautiful.
These are Aspen, for sure. We see groves like this when we go riding on our ATV in the fall.
I love the shape of the oak leaves!
This oak tree had to have been planted at least a hundred years ago! They grow slowly… but they become massive and majestic. See why they are treasured for the shade they provide?
What is YOUR favorite tree? Better get started now… Happy Planting. Happy Arbor Day!
Have you caught enough? Not everyone in this world Has caught enough fish.
Many without jobs In this COVID-19 world Are short of supplies.
Not every pantry Is filled to overflowing. Some have no pantry.
So what must we do? Sit back and enjoy our life? No, we’re called to share!
There is enough food On this, our beautiful earth, To provide for all.
The secret is: SHARE! Just count your many blessings; Reach out to others.
You will discover The more you give, the more you Have to give. That’s TRUTH!
Accumulation
Accumulation as a definition of success fails to realize that if you store up treasures on earth in excess of what you need, you may discover they bury you… and you really can’t access it all, anyway. How is that bunny gonna get that carrot outta the ground, huh?
On the other hand, if you’re all show and no growth, you won’t have enough to feed yourself, let alone give any away!
“All show” is that fancy car, extra large TV, more shoes and purses or wallets or clothes than you need, elaborate houses, etc. You get the picture. Spend it all on the “things that pass away” – and you will be one lonely fisherman!
It was the little things you did The sacrifices that you made The small donations from your little The generosity from your abundance That made such a difference In the lives of others
Generosity is the key To a richer, fuller life Not the number of your barns Filled to overflowing, But the love you freely gave From the depths of a grateful heart
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.
I wish you enough gratitude to help you live with joy. I wish you enough generosity to help you give generously. I wish you enough health to give you strength to serve. I wish you enough love to give it all away.
Whatever you send into the lives of others, comes back in to your own. But, do not give for what you can get, give because you have been richly blessed.
I send lots of love and virtual hugs your way. Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya later.
Sent from Lisa GlinesLisa brightens my days with photos of her sunrises … Another beautiful day on earth!Enjoy the feel of the earth today. Love the eatrth! Take good care of it. See ya later.
A friend sent this to me in an e-mail today. I found it to be quite thought-provoking. Decided to share it with you. (Author unknown)
WORLD QUARANTINE
The Latin root of the word “quarantine” is “forty”. So what does the Bible say about 40? The flood lasted 40 days. 40 years Moses fled Egypt. 40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments. Exodus lasted 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days. Lent is 40 days. 40 days for a woman to rest after giving birth. 40 weeks to delivery
40 Represents Change
A group of theologians thinks the number 40 represents “change”. It is the time of preparing a person, or people, to make a fundamental change. Something will happen after these 40 days. Just believe and pray.
Please know that during this “quarantine” rivers are cleaning up, vegetation is growing, the air is becoming cleaner because of less pollution, there is less theft and murder, healing is happening, and most importantly, people are turning to Christ. The Earth is at rest for the first time in many years and hearts are truly transforming.
Ask Guidance for Change
So, during this time, enjoy it with your loved ones and return to the family altar together. Family prayer is a great blessing. Through prayer you will see the changes God can work in you and in your home. Christ promises us that everything works together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes: Romans 8:28!
Remember we are in the year 2020, and 20 + 20 = 40.
Also, 2020 is the year of the United States Census. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born during a census.
Lastly, 2020 is perfect vision. May our sight focus on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing He holds us in the palm of His hand.
May these days of “quarantine” bring spiritual liberation to our souls, our nation, and our world. The best is yet to come. Trust in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!✨
