Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for the ‘Bible Lessons’ Category

Juneteenth

Celebrate Freedom!

Galatians 5:1
“For freedom in Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, therefore,
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

west irian liberation monument in jakarta indonesia
Photo by el jusuf on Pexels.com

Today is Juneteenth in the USA. It is a holiday that was established in 2021 to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas. The holiday often is called America’s second Independence Day. The day marks the end of slavery in the United States.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on September 12, 1862, formally freed enslaved people. However, this news didn’t reach parts of the country. On June 19, 1865 (nearly three years later) Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, announcing all enslaved people were free. This was designed to provide absolute equality of personal rights, and rights of property, between former masters and slaves.

Group of people celebrating Juneteenth outdoors with flags, signs, and music
A joyful group celebrates Juneteenth
with music, flags, and food at a park gathering

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if today we could look at our USA and observe that all people in our country are actually free? Free with equality of personal rights?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could witness all people world-wide being treated fairly with equal opportunities for health care, abundance, happiness, and peace?

Limiting and false beliefs about people exist in the hearts of many (outmoded ideas that stunt growth and keep life small and limited for groups in our community). Ask any Black or Native American, Hispanic or Asian person if they think they are treated equally. What do you think most would say?

I long for a world where all people are truly free. Free to truly embrace who they were designed by God to be. I celebrate the freedom that allows all people the right to claim their identity as equal children of God, designed to live and speak and act in ways that truly express their divine talents and abilities.

I celebrate freedom!

a silhouette of people jumping on a field
Photo by Shardar Tarikul Islam on Pexels.com

Happy Juneteenth, my friends.
Let’s continue to work together
to create a world
where everyone of truly free!

Amen?
Amen!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, holidays, Living in Harmony, Love, optimism

Tagged with:

Living Stones

close up of natural stone pattern on pebbled ground
Photo by Carsten Busch on Pexels.com

Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Sermon Notes
Brian Conklin – interim pastor
Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
Jan’s sermon notes:

“Skipping across the lake’s surface
The perfect stone seems to dance.
Looking for something specific,
God has chosen us as Living Stones.

Person skipping a stone across a river surrounded by trees and mountains

Peter says we’re built on the cornerstone,
The most important part of the building.
Jesus Christ is our cornerstone –
But He was rejected by the world.

Moses struck a stone; there were stones
That allowed Christ followers to walk
Across the Jordan without sinking.
Stones are instruments of God’s work.

Close-up of textured rock at edge of calm lake with distant tree line

God is our steady, certain rock.
Each of us is built in His image.
Like rocks, if we are fitted together,
We can be built into a spiritual house.

God never intended us to be a lone stone –
A stone out in the field by ourselves.
Faith allows us to be built into a Holy Priesthood –
A place where God is encountered.

We are offerings of love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Our lives make God visible on earth.
Sometimes we feel like a lone stone,
But we belong. We’re connected. We matter.

Large textured rock on grassy terrain with mountains and sunset sky behind
We’re not designed to be lone stones!

We are held together by grace.
Living stones are not identical, but
As unique individuals, start asking
“What is God building among us?”

Where am I placed and why?
Can I bear the weight of others?
I am strong enough and I am fit.
I’m willing to be placed and be a light in the darkness.

Are you?
Anywhere??

One sparkling stone among dark stones

God Bless You!
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Poetry, sermon notes, Serving One Another, writing

Tagged with:

Wisdom

James 3:17-18

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

Psalm 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God”

Have a lovely day filled with peace and the wisdom that comes from heaven.

Love, JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, Love, peace

Tagged with:

Good Shepherd Sunday

Today’s sermon focused on the Good Shepherd.
Here are my notes
from interim pastor
Brian Conklin’s message today.

Psalm 23 is one of the Bible’s
Most memorized and loved scriptures.
It is powerful, impactful, comforting.
The care and protection are heartwarming.

The word shepherd means to be a friend –
Be a faithful companion who cares.
God is our friend, our closest companion.
He is faithful; his presence surrounds me.

God guides me along the right paths.
Solitude and quiet are part of my DNA.
I reflect, marvel, and hear God’s voice.
Solitude is not a sad time for me.

Life is tough; we encounter dark valleys,
But as a person of faith, I’m comforted.
I feel God’s presence and everlasting peace.
My cup overflows… abundance is mine.

In a world of scarcity, I am blessed.
God provides a voice to be trusted.
His voice encourages me to follow Him to still waters.
His still, small voice leads me to light, love and hope.

He is with me.

Hallelujah!

Amen?

Love,
JanBeek
(with my friend Stephanie at fellowship after church today)

By the way, we discovered today
that Stephanie has a look-alike in Switzerland!
My daughter, DeAna, sent me this photo
of her choir girlfriends who were out enjoying social time together.
It’s not hard to find Stephanie’s look-alike!
I think they could be long-lost twins!!

83d6d6dd-13bf-4363-9c78-9bb3557374ed

Our daughter, DeDe, is the third from the right.
Looks like they’re having fun, doesn’t it?

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace, sermon notes, writing

Tagged with:

Holy Saturday

I asked AI for a picture of Jesus in the tomb.
No, AI, Jesus was not lying in the tomb with his eyes open!
So much for artificial intelligence!

We know He was crucified.
We know Nicodemus was one of two men who prepared his body for burial.

John 19:39 – “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.”
John 19:40 – “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”

Today, known as Holy Saturday, also sometimes referred to as “Silent Saturday” is a day when His followers were stunned by His death on the cross. Puzzled by the way the Man they expected to save them was suddenly gone… and in such a cruel way.

We, too, would be puzzled if we didn’t know “The Rest of the Story.” The ladies went the next morning to the tomb. Not sure what they expected to see, but it definitely was not an empty place where Jesus had been laid! Imagine their surprise!

We can endure Good Friday and Holy (Silent) Saturday because we know.
We know He is risen indeed! Happy Easter, my friends! Tomorrow we celebrate!
Sure, we’ll see a lot of bunnies and Easter eggs and we’ll wonder if they have the whole picture.
We’ll wonder if that bunny is a distraction or a blessing. Think about a few ideas that make the idea of Easter bunnies and eggs OK:
1) Bunnies are prolific – alive and lovable. (Well that’s a stretch!)
2) Eggs are a symbol of new life… and one of those plastic Easter eggs empty can symbolize the empty tomb.
3) See the meme below:

What is your mood this “Holy Saturday”?
How are you feeling about the Easter egg hunts and the focus on the bunny?

I pray your Holy Saturday was a time of quiet meditation…
A time to focus on why Jesus had to die
And what His death means for us all.
Without tomorrow, without the resurrection,
He’d just be another forgotten martyr.
But, He is risen indeed!

Happy Easter, my friends.
God bless you!
Love,
JanBeek

img_3594

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, holidays, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love

Tagged with:

Which Path Do You Choose?

If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I used to share my sermon notes after church every Sunday. I still take sermon notes every Sunday, but not always in poetry now, and not always shared. I just got outta the habit. But, today’s sermon begs to be shared. It’s Palm Sunday… the start of Holy Week for us Christians. It’s a time to share our faith. That’s one of Jesus’ commandments! So here’s what I heard our interim minister, Brian Conklin, say today:

Jesus rode a donkey on a path of pain,
Not a magnificent steed’s ride of triumph.
The crowd expected a powerful leader –
Not a man who would die a horrific death!

Was Jesus alone in His heartbreak?
Was He alone asking, “Take this cup?”
Was He alone saying, “Not My will…
But Your Will be done?”

Jesus died a “flop” in the eyes
Of His followers. They misunderstood.
They didn’t believe the message:
“I’ll die, but in three days I will live again.”

Obedience, care, compassion, humility –
These were the Lordship of Jesus.
Peace… and a willingness to suffer…
These were His expressions of Power.

The Way of Jesus wasn’t domination.
Not then – not now – So tell me,
Which parade are you following?
Which path do you choose?

Complacency, complicity, cruelty, pride?
Love, humility, obedience, compassion?
I choose the latter path – but the road is painful!
Really? The Via Dolorosa… the way of suffering?

What path do you choose?

Back at home, I decided to do a little research.
That path of suffering is sometimes known as Via Crucis
(Latin for “Way of the Cross”).
It is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem.
It represents the path Jesus took, forced by Roman soldiers
On His way to His crucifixion. It’s the winding route
from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
It is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage.
The current route has been established since the 18th century.
It is marked today by 14 Stations of the Cross.
Nine of them are outside, in the streets, with the remaining five
being currently inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

AI generated this image of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.
My “Path of suffering” doesn’t look like that. It’s not paved.
It is much more like that first one: dark, barren, windey, foreboding.
Jesus didn’t promise us a bed of roses. During this Holy Week,
We are asked to travel with Him as He is arrested, tried, scorned,
rejected by His very followers, denied by Peter three times, and
Ultimately put to death. That’s the path. It’s not a pretty one.
But, don’t stop there! If Jesus had done so, He’d be a forgotten martyr!

Walk on with confidence! Remember where your chosen path leads!
Amen?

Love, JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Life and Death, Poetry, sermon notes, writing

Tagged with:

Peace and Love

Good morning to you
Hope you have a happy day
Filled with peace and love

The world’s in turmoil
But in my heart there is peace
It comes from my faith

I know God’s in charge
I know I have no control
Over behavior

Others’ behavior
Others’ mindset and actions
Are beyond my reach

Pray serenity
Is yours today and always
Let’s just love, okay?

Hugs,
JanBeek

  1. Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
  2. James 3:18 – “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
  3. Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
  4. Colossians 3:15 – “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”
  5. Proverbs 12:20 – “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”
  6. Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace.”

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Haiku, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, optimism, peace, Poetry, prayer

Tagged with:

In the Wilderness

The sermon title at church today was “In the Wilderness.”
The message by our interim pastor, Brian Conklin,
was inspired by Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Here are the sermon notes I took as I listened to today’s message:

It’s no accident
That Jesus ends up
In the wilderness

It’s a place of clarity
He spent forty days –
Forty days and nights there

These forty days of Lent
Are our chance, like Jesus,
To stand up for our beliefs

What happens in the wilderness
Doesn’t stay in the wilderness
Jesus rejects political power

The promise of the Gospel
Is that God has gone –
He has gone ahead of us

Like our Lord Jesus,
We venture into the wilderness
It’s a place that propels us forward

In seasons of disorientation
We wander without a clear end in sight
We feel alone, but God is ahead of us

Instead of feeling overwhelmed
Accept Jesus’ inspiration
Let God catch and shape us

Gain inspiration in the wilderness
It comes when we walk with Jesus
May we gain clarity of purpose

May we walk with courage
May we wander with a clear end in sight
And let the wilderness propel us forward.

Amen?
Amen!!


What’s your wilderness experience?

Love ya,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry, sermon notes

Tagged with:

What Do You Seek?

Photo by icon0.com on Pexels.com

{{{Donna}}} posted this on her blog 6 years ago at https://thefathersfeet.wordpress.com/ She quoted Matthew … and I decided to repost this today to follow up on my post from yesterday where I explored the subject of seeking happiness. What are you seeking? {{{Donna}}} chose this:

Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. … Each day has enough trouble of its own… Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live … So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. … “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.”

I asked Donna, “Do you know that song?”
She replied, “I do!” and then she sent me the song she was singing.

Here’s the one I was singing:

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God…”

Here I am up in my sanctuary…
early morning squished head!!

What is it you seek?
Is it the Kingdom of God?
Let’s pursue God first.

What are “all these things”? The scripture was referring to food and clothing… the basics… and reminding us how God takes care of the birds and the lilies of the field.

When I pursue the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,
I am seeking His wisdom.
I am seeking the peace that only He can give.
I am seeking understanding
and the deep compassion
that God’s Son taught us.
I am seeking to exemplify His love ❤️
and the joy that comes with Trust in His Promises.
🙏🏽 I seek His righteousness
so that I may exhibit greater patience,
kindness,
gentleness,
and goodness.

Seek Ye first the kingdom of God … and all these things will be given unto you.

Jesus prays with me each day!

Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,
so that you may discern what is the will of God –
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Pray for discernment
I love the Lord’s perfect will
Freckles and lashes!!

SnapChat can do wonders!

Hah!!

Do not let the world
Trick you into seeking pride –
It’s a dead-end street.

Do not let the world
Trick you into seeking wealth –
Not in hoarded coins.

Do not let the world
Tell you what to dream about –
Look in God’s Word.

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Let the Son set you free.
You shall know the Truth
And the Truth shall set you free.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
In all your ways acknowledge Him.

I pray for you, my friend…
For your health, happiness, safety,
And for God to guide you in His Way.


God bless you!
See you tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Haiku, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, truth

Tagged with:

Keep the Faith

Today’s message of hope was revealed
Through the scriptures with deep joy
And peace that passeth understanding:
Do not become withdrawn or discouraged.

Keep the faith, reach out and serve.
Set down what isn’t yours and pick up what is.
Love those around you; lift others up.
Psalm 27:1, 5 spoke to me today.

Psalms 27 of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

5 For in the day of trouble

He will keep me safe in His dwelling;

He will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock…

We are called to leave what was …

Leave that over which we have no control.

Step out into a great light and rejoice –

Bring gladness into your new, uplifting role.

Keep the faith and walk in the light;

Spread hope and joy and gladness everywhere.

Be so positive and helpful and vibrant

That your faith and light give out hope to spare!

In Hope and Faith and Love,
JanBeek

img_3347

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, Living in Christ's Family, Love, optimism, Poetry

Tagged with: