Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for October, 2022

It is Well

It is well with my soul
Each day is a blessing
Whether coughing or resting
It is well with my soul

It is not my circumstances
That determine my demeanor
It is the joy inside
Even when life gets meaner

I am praying it is well
with your soul today, too, my friend.
God bless you!


Love,

JanBeek

Unlock Your Creativity

There’s a muse who lives inside you
She is clever, strong and cute
She is lonely there and waiting
For your visit – she’s not mute

When you meet her, she will speak up
She will help you find your voice
Pick up pen and grab a paper
Writing is your muse’s choice

You’ve a muse who lives inside you
She is waiting to be free
Free to help you find your own voice
Unlock your creativity

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com



My muse just woke me up tonight
She was screaming for expression
Turned my sniffles into giggles
Lifted me from my depression

She can laugh at my incessant cough
She can find light in the dark
Turn her loose and let her be, please
All she needs is one small spark

Don’t you wonder how she does it
How she keeps her spirit light
My muse is just an angel
Her encouragement is bright

You’ve a muse who lives inside you
She is ready to inspire
Unlock her full potential
She will raise your spirit higher

Creativity that’s hidden
Under cover we create
Needs our angel muse to lift it
Unlock it now – you’re great!

Let’s be the spark that lights another!

Have a great Thursday, my friend.
Unlock your muse – and go create!

Love & hugs to you,
from JanBeek

In the Winter Now

Jem Croucher, Poet’s Corner introduced to me today a new poetry form. Her blog beautifully described “In the Autumn Now” in an aaab rhyme scheme.

For those of you unfamiliar with those poetic descriptors, the aaab scheme means the first three lines all rhyme, but not the 4th one.

The fun thing about her last line is that it was the poem’s title and it was repeated in each of the four stanzas. Brilliantly done! (There are probably other rules to this rhyme form, like 7 or 8 syllables to create rhythm on each line… but I’m not sure I can do that! So will just go with the rhyme scheme and number of lines for now.)

I’m going to try my hand at this poetry form, but as you know if you saw my post yesterday, we – here in Ennis, MT – are “In the Winter Now.” Alas, our fall colors are buried under several inches of snow. Beautiful, but – oh my – too early for me!

From my kitchen window

October snow fell softly

The view from our dining room
Through the screen of my bathroom window –
Look up – can you see the icicles?

October snow – unseasonable
Way too early – unreasonable
Return of colors – unfeasible
In the Winter now

Lack of wind – delightful
Snow in clusters – rightful
Blue sky returning – eyeful
In the Winter now

Howling winds return – disappointing
Wind chimes play – enjoying
Returning storm looms – annoying
In the Winter now

Tasting falling snowflakes – purely
Venturing out in the snow – securely
Getting skis ready – prematurely
In the Winter now

Wanna try your hand at this poetic form?
Go ahead … give it your best shot.
It’s fun!

For a really good example of the form,
check out Jem’s
In the autumn now
It’s delightful!

Send your poem to Jem Croucher
She’d be delighted to hear from you.

Speaking of fun –
Look at that photo of us –
100 years ago –
Ready for winter!

Hah!
See ya later.
Stay warm.
Love, JanBeek

S/He’ll Be Back!

It’s been a wonderful early winter Sunday.
It snowed all night last night!
Yes, I know… too soon!
It’s only mid-October.

See those footprints under the tree?
When I looked out the window this morning,
there was a deer,
nibbling on the berries in that tree.
By the time I dashed to get my camera/phone,
she was long gone!
I think she is the same doe
who visited us last week,
and chewed off/ spit out
the geranium blossoms that were in that planter.

Yes, she’s been here before.
I captured her on camera last spring.
She’ll be back!
She’s pretty… but she is a nuisance.
She thinks our plants were put there
to supply her salad bar!

Today’s sermon by Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds
dealt with this same theme: “He’ll be back!”

John 16:16
Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”

In my sermon notes today, I captured these main ideas,

Life doesn’t always turn out as we imagine.
Disappointments run the gamut.
The disciples were puzzled, not understanding
where Jesus was going and why He had to leave.
Jesus knew His disciples would grieve
and they would be mocked for believing in Him
as their Savior, so He wanted to encourage them.


20 “Truly, truly, I say to you,
you will weep and lament,
but the world will rejoice.
You will be sorrowful,
but your sorrow will turn into joy.”

He would not leave them for good…
He promised He’d send them
A Comforter (The Holy Spirit),
and then He would return to them.

Jesus told the disciples,
“The Holy Spirit is a gift
that will come in my absence.”

The Holy Spirit is with us today.
The Spirit is a nudge in the night,
the inexplicable comfort in times of distress,
a direct line to God (God on speed dial!)
Sometimes referred to as the Holy Ghost,
He will come to remind you of everything
Jesus taught during His ministry on earth.

Tragedy is tragedy-
However, there is a wisdom obtained
when we experience the goodness
and the tragedy together.

Life can take us on turns we don’t expect.
We’d like to trade pain and tragedy for comfort.
However,
disappointment and pain help us be
more fully connected to others
with empathy and compassion.
That ain’t always easy – that’s for sure!

Mary Grace concluded her sermon with this thought to ponder:
“We become stronger than what hurts us.
There is much hope in that.”


Are you like me?
Wouldn’t you rather just avoid that which hurts you?
Don’t hurts just feel like a trap?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

God is asking us to look at life’s challenges through Jesus glasses.
Don’t deny yourself the lessons learned.
When things aren’t working out, take another look!

Like that deer on my front lawn,
troubles and disappointments return.
But so do joys and blessings.

My cough has been quiet while I typed this.
It may return when I try to sleep tonight,
but it won’t last forever. JOY comes in the morning!
Hang in there, my friends.
I’ll be back!

Have a blessed week.
Today was my grandson, Chrissy’s 27th birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Toki!!
(He’s in Switzerland…)


Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment below.
I love having positive exchanges with you.


Grace to you,
JanBeek

How Big is God?

When I think of BIG, I think of Giant Sequoias.
But, I was reminded this morning during my devotionals
that “BIG” is definitely a relative term.

Ephesians 3:20

“Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us…”

“If for some reason it was your job
to design the universe,
how big would you make it?”


That was a question
David Jeremiah asked
in his commentary this month
in Ever Faithful
a 365 day devotional.

He went on to describe
the universe God created.
The dimensions astounded me!

“The distance from planet Earth
to the observable ‘edge’ of the universe
is 46 billion light-years,
and one light-year
is about 6 trillion miles.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Six trillion times 46 billion?
That’s mind-boggling!!
God doesn’t think small!
If His creation is BIG,
that means our Creator is BIGGER.

Photo by Alex Andrews on Pexels.com

If you have a need today
that seems bigger than
anyone’s ability to handle,
remember what God did
when creating the universe.

God is bigger than all our needs –
Bigger than anything we could ask or think.

I have been away from writing blogs
for over a week now…
Unusual for me.
But I have been constructively busy.
I agreed to accept a nomination
to be an elder on our church’s Session.
So, my problem has been 4 study books
and a workbook that needed my attention.

Then I managed to get a nasty cold,
and the aches and runny nose
and coughing kept me awake at night.
Hard to get motivated to write
an inspirational blog
about love, joy, peace, faith & unity
when you’re facing all that.

Good news is that I am better –
and I am ready to face
my “Bigger God” –
and ask Him for help.
Of course, He delivered!

I have enjoyed catching up
on some of the blogs
you have been posting in my absence.
Thank you for your inspiration!

Here’s another version of that delightful song:

Enjoy these delightful kids!


Pray for health and healing, will you?
My God is big enough … bigger than you can imagine!
See ya tomorrow (I hope)…


Love,
JanBeek

Take Strength

My Word for 2022 is STRENGTH.
I chose it before I knew…
Before we knew the challenges ahead.
How has 2022 been so far for you?

I didn’t know how much we would need
All the strength we could get.
Bob didn’t know he had RSV,
And I hadn’t caught it from him yet.

The respiratory virus started our 2022
Off with a cough and a bang!
We were supposed to be vacationing,
But sequestered instead; DANG!!

Since then, we’ve had quite a year!
Strength has been required a lot!
Bob was diagnosed with Amyloidosis
And I tried to stay upright: NOT!

Yesterday during devotionals
Every focus of the messages was “Strength.”
I got the message loud and clear:
God drums strength home at great length.

So, where does your strength come from?
Who or what do you count on?
As for me and Bob and our needs,
We know the Lord is the Source we mount on!

Yesterday in “Mornings with Jesus,” one of my Guideposts devotionals, Cynthia Ruchti was given that Ephesians scripture as a prompt for her commentary. She and her husband had a big project they needed to complete. She said they probably should have hired a professional to do it, but they decided to tackle it themselves. She wrote:

“The key was to focus on believing I had more strength than assumed. I acted as if the strength I needed was already mine. I imagined what would happen if I applied that to all challenges in life: resisting temptation, staying strong through trials…, holding my tongue…, obeying what Jesus asks of me even when it feels beyond my ability. What if I acted as if the power Jesus promised was already mine?”

Quietly, with courage and conviction,
I am assuming the strength God gives me.
I do not take the gift of His care for granted.
I step up, try, and if I fail, He forgives me.

What challenges are you facing today?
What wall must you climb that seems too high?
What task looms ahead and seems too hard?
Lean on the Lord’s strength – Don’t be shy!

When you’re faced with troubles,
Take strength from the One who cares.
When tasks seem beyond your reach,
Remember God hears and answers prayers.

God bless you today
and give you strength
to do whatever you need.


Tell me something you need strength for…
I will add you to my prayer list!


Love,
JanBeek

Look up for your purpose!

A Humble Heart

My blogging friend, Donna, The Fathers Feet, posted this song today. I am going to sing it all day long. Listen, be inspired, and sing with me!

Give me a humble heart! Make me pure and true… Make me more like You!

🙏🏽❤️👍🏽

Melt my pride away…

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Glorious Montana Colors

Today is National Smile Day.
Our glorious Montana Colors
will sure give you something to smile about!

I am smiling at our glorious Montana colors today!

We took a drive from Ennis
up into the Tobacco Root Range
up North MeadowCreek
above McAllister
where our friends,
Mary & Paul Carlson live.

The colors along the roadside
were so glorious!
I got out to take this picture
instead of looking though
our cracked windshield
like I did on that first photo.

My blogging friend, Dwight Roth, took this.
His colors are as spectacular as ours.
Are the colors changing where you are?

We visited Paul and Mary at their house.
We met a new friend as we were
traveling up to Paul’s little cabin.
Paul & Mary invited him
to come on home with them.

This piece of old mining equipment
was found abandoned along the roadway
leading up to their house.
A friend helped them haul it into their backyard

The mining apparatus
fits perfectly with the remains of
this old mining shed
(that’s also in their backyard).
It was probably built in the late 1800’s.

The views from their backyard
are breathtaking!
They just completed this fence
last week – attempting to keep the deer
out of their greenhouse and flowerbeds.

Mary inherited this old barn
when she bought this mountain property
Paul uses it now as his “Man Cave.”
It’s where he creates magical things
with all his woodworking equipment.

Paul took Bob & me up to see
the property he dreamed about
as a kid… and the cabin he and
nine of his friends built there
-around 2005 –
(same year we came to MT).

Many happy memories are tucked in here!

The road leading to/from the cabin
is lined with wonderful aspen
that shine their gold this time of the year.

Some farmers raise cattle in this high country.

Autumn is a wonderful season
It brings with it colors galore
I love the fall leaves and scenery
I hope you can get out and explore

Do get out before all the leaves drop.
Pick up your pup and take a hike.
Tell me about your choices:
Which of the scenes did you particularly like?

See ya later, my friends.
Bee well!
Love,

JanBeek

Peace Like a River

I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve got love like the ocean
I will share from my mountain

Click on the link above
to hear the wonderful Tabernacle Choir
sing “Peace Like a River.”

I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got love like a river in my soul
I’ve got joy like a fountain
Shared joy makes me whole

Let us share Living Water
Let us share with one another
Let us share from the depths
Of our soul with sister and brother

Do you have time for
another beautiful, peaceful piece of music?
Click on the arrow above.
Be Still My Soul – – enjoy!!

Be still my soul and let
My God bring His peace
May the waves & winds be calm
In this world – and all strife decrease

Photo by Paweu0142 Fijau0142kowski on Pexels.com
Where Can I Turn for Peace?
Listen and Believe!

God promises us His peace
A peace that passes understanding
It comes to us by His grace
Not by our demanding

So, do not be afraid, my friends
To show your weakness anytime
In this world of chaos and turmoil
We need a place sublime

That place is in our Lord’s presence
His Holy Spirit is here to guide
So take His peace and share it
Your sparkle cannot be denied

Let your sparkle of peace
Shine like a river
Peace be with you!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek on this lovely Sunday.
Be at peace, my friends.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
God bless you!

Welcome Awesome October!

I love October
When the leaves change their color.
Hold off the freeze, please!

Too soon icicles –
Winter comes too early here.
Hold off for awhile!

God bless the colors
That brighten our autumn days
Now, please stick around!

Happy October, my friends.
I send my love & hugs your way.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Have a lovely
October first!

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