Happy Sunday, my friends!
Did you get to go to church this morning?
Our church here in Ennis, Montana began today
to resume in-person fellowship after the worship service.
So good to be back in communication with our friends
over a cup of coffee or tea and some wonderful refreshments.
This is Jo & Jim Forsberg who created these beautiful and tasty refreshments. I’m providing the fellowship refreshments next Sunday. This is a hard act to follow!
And now, back home in the comfort of our newly painted dining room, I am reviewing our sermon message today and wish to share it with you. As you know, I have a habit of taking notes in poetry as I listen to the message each Sunday. Here’s what Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds’ sermon at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church said to me today:
Stay the Course
The road goes on –
Listening each morning –
A long, grueling journey –
The road goes ever on.
It doesn’t seem hopeful –
But, Jesus is on the road.
We stand in solidarity
With Him and His suffering.
Tolkien was encouraged –
Lewis was hopeful, too.
In a world of World War I,
There was great disillusion.
The death toll was great
In Europe and the US, too.
The statistics kept rolling
On the road – ever on…
Humanity tries to cheat
And to wield power –
Tries to play God –
A dark, dangerous journey.
There is some good here
In this world – and
It is worth fighting for.
Jesus knows no short cuts.
Only the long, grueling road –
A journey that ends not
In death, but in victory.
We are on the road to Oneness.
Oneness with God
Is the journey’s end.
We stand in solidarity
With Him. Stay the course!
(Quoting from Lord of the Rings?)
“See the road roll past your doorway
Calling for your feet to stray
Like a deep and rolling river
The road may sweep you far away.
BUT
Just beyond the horizon
Like a waiting world unknown
Like the dawn its beauty beckons
With a wonder of its own.”
Oneness with GodIs the journey’s end.
We stand in solidarity
With Him. Stay the course!
Thanks for joining me on today’s journey.
Continue, my friends, to pray for the
people of Ukraine. Pray for their journey
to lead toward Oneness with God –
and a peaceful Oneness with us all.
God speak of your love and peace to Putin.
God help us all!
STAY THE COURSE!
Love,
JanBeek
Comments on: "Stay the Course" (15)
My beautiful Mom!!! 🥰❤️🥰❤️
Awww … thanks DeDe!!
Loved your sermon. Thank you for sharing, I am staying the course and appreciate your words of wisdom!!
Not mine – but Mary Grace’s. I will pass your compliment on to her. Thank you, Bella Rae. <3
Thank you for sharing this, Jan. I needed this! I agree with Sunny De-you’re beautiful and radiant, Jan. God oozes out of you! And the snacks and fellowship are just wonderful. 🤍💚💛
Thank you, Karla. What a kind comment, dear friend! <3
You’re so welcome, my dear friend!! 💛🤍
A very creative way to listen to your pastor’s sermon! It is a long and winding road we all travel. The solidarity of God’s people following the way of Christ is the path to follow!
Amen! Unity and solidarity are needed ingredients to fight today’s insanity!!
Yes!
Life is a journey, not a race. I like that. I believe that.
So encouraging, Jan X
Yes- answered prayer often exceeds our expectations! 🙏🏽❤️👍🏽
Thank you for this post. We need more community like yours that gives kindness and generosity. So much love. So much warmth. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Thank you for staying the course with a host of other brave, faithful souls!